Bandits 45g venture into FOWLR
 

OK, time to make a thread on my tank. Some of you allready know I am making a closed loop style return manifold. Well, I got it done today. testing now. Sump is not ready yet, nor do I have the real pump. I am just running a 350gph mag right now. Just testing fro leaks mainly. Here is the manifold in construction
http://banditpowdercoat.com/Powderga...tank%20002.JPG

Now I am seeing a flow mismatch with this pump on the outlets, but I think thats just becasue its way to small. All the water is flowing out of just a couple nozzles. But no leaks. One thing I would do different though would be to use black silicone for the overflow. I attached the 1/8" plexi overflow with clear, and I see the lights seem to highlight it.

http://banditpowdercoat.com/Powderga...%20%282%29.JPG

Now, behind said overflow is 2 3/4? Durso style drains. These drains plumb into a common manifold underneith, with outlets and shutoffs on either end. My thinking is the Mag1800 that I am getting from Andresont will have too much flow for my 15g sump. So, I can throttle one end of the manifold for sump flow, and the other end will drain by the pump/future skimmer.

http://banditpowdercoat.com/Powderga...20%2810%29.JPG

OK, still havnt got this tank up yet.... Waiting for some $$$ fro a upgrade to our FW tank. Then use the FW tank as a sump. Winter adn building my Snowmobile has kinda goten in the way. Anyways, I thnk I am going to update my idea. I have the MAG1800 and tried it in a 5g bucket. Alot of Microbubbles. Now, not sure, but I think I will have a hard time getting rid of the bubbles in a 20x12x14 sump with that large of a pump. Sooo, I am thinking I'll add another 1" pipe over the back of the tank, siphon style. This line will feed the MAG1800. Then, get a smaller MAG pump for inside the sump. Should aleviate the microbubbles.

OK, well what I did was make the overflow bigger, and put the MAG 1800 inside running the closed loop. Then the canister filter hooked up to the stock tank bulkheads. But one problem. with the mag running, Water temp is 78 after 2 days. No heater runnig yet, just pump/lights. I think I will be looking for a smaller pump. Anyone want a MAG1800?? Think I will be looking for an Ehiem maybe? Quieter pump too. I'll take $120, same price I paid for it from andresont

trying it on a 5g will produce a lot of micro bubbles try it on a bigger container. If not fill up a bath tub and test it there. But I agree mag 1800 is way more than what you'll need on that tank but it gives you a flexibility when you want to upgrade in the future into a bigger tank. Trust me you will upgrade ;)

Ya, I changed the design a bit, and found that the 1800 just added too much heat to my little tank too going to use a Quiet One 4000 and put it in the overflow fro just the closed loop.

Well, Been a while but I finally got LR and sand in the tank. Just put in today. Closed loop is running, seems OK flow, Not heavy for corals but should be plenty adequate. Pentair 3000 on closed loop, pump is in the Overflow so 0' head and a Mag 350 fro the sump return.

My camera has taken a dump last week, the lens wont come out. I'll get some pics as soon as I can. 40 Lbs Tonga LR. 3 pcs $238 LOL. Think I will need more tho. Not sure how I will aquascape it yet, Might get some Fiji or Vanatu to finish it off. We;ll see when the water clears up

OK, Heres some updated pics. Been along time coming Thats for sure. My camera's LCD screen went on the fritz, so I cant see what settings I have it set on. Can only point and shoot, hoping they turn out.

http://banditpowdercoat.com/Powderga...2/Dsc00002.jpg

Full Tank shot

http://banditpowdercoat.com/Powderga.../Dsc000071.jpg

Very nice, looks like a nice clean set-up!

like the clean open look

Thx, but clean, well...... Thats after 36 hrs with a towel over tank to rid Cyano. Was getting real bad. Watching my feedings now. Have some pellet food, so should be able to minimize waste and excess nutrient's.

Looks like a good start. Is that a Fluval 1/4 cylinder tank? How do you like it? I have the 90 gal. What are you doing for lighting?

Yup, its a Fluval 1/4 round. I dont miond it. Only 45g though. And I paid to much. But, using the canister for my FW tank, so its not that bad. Not much room under for sump and other stuff. Needs carefull planning, thats for sure.

For light, I have a 4 tube 24" TEKlight T5 w 2 actinic+ and 2 6000K Midday bulbs. May try 10,000K here, I dunno

Yeah, they suck for sump space. I wanted a fairly large sump, (50gal), so I ran 2 overflow lines through the wall and out to the sundeck. Sump is in an insulated box. Works real well. The tank came with 4 T5s, but was not quite enough light for SPS, so I took the back fixture out and put in 250W 10000K MH. I use the canister to run carbon & Rowaphos. Hard to know which is better for your tank 6000K or 10000k. Maybe when it gets time to replace your bulb, try the other.

Sump outside?? Guess you dont get -30 like we do here LOL

Nope. Really mild here. Avg. January temp. is 2 deg.
Avg. July temp. is 17 deg.

OK, it's been a while so time for an update :D

Few changes.
New Yellow Tang thx to Reef bound here on Canreef :D he's doing great, loves being the big guy on the block. Dont worry, Tang Police. larger tank is in planing stages.

Lawmower Blenny, Banggai Cardinal, Sixline wrasse and a Longnose Butterfly round out the fishes.

Just got a Sea Hare and a Tuxedo Urchin. Seahare moving about, but only seen the Urchin once since acclimation.

Some Mushrooms, a Riccordia and a Long tentacle Anemone. I call him Bob HEHEHE
I SOO need a better camera. Any suggestions on one that won't break the bank?
http://banditpowdercoat.com/Powderga...2/Dsc00128.jpg

http://banditpowdercoat.com/Powderga...2/Dsc00135.jpg

http://banditpowdercoat.com/Powderga...2/Dsc00145.jpg

I use a fujifilm finepix s700 series. Only cost around 250 I think...good camera with super macro as well.

Lookin good, but starting to look like the fowlr thang is giving way to the reef.:mrgreen:

Ya. Whoever said Reefing was addictive...


Was RIGHT:mrgreen:

Don't think I could have a tank with just rock. Gotta have some corals LOL