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Bioload 75 - Reef Aquarium
My lofty goal of starting a large reef tank is on hold and I can't wait. Instead I'll be working on a more manageable system for the time being. Which will be a 75 gallon that I've drilled some time ago.
Not much to talk about at the moment but everyone will get a chance to see it take shape from the start. The bones of the system is a 75gal Perfecto and metal stand. The stand will be in a second floor bedroom turned office (mine) so providing updates would be a snap. http://i635.photobucket.com/albums/u.../tank_0001.jpg First thing will be getting it cleaned up and putting on the backing. Rather than paint I will be using a self adhesive vinyl film (black) that I picked up from a local sign shop today @ $15 for 5' x 2.5'. I like using black which adds contrast to the colours in the tank. I haven't used this material for backing before so we'll see how it goes. |
Vinyl isn't going on as easy as I thought it would. Looks like it is going to have to be painted. The trouble is getting a large area covered smoothly and working out all the bubbles PITA. Time to get the tank back to the garage for a coat of paint.....oh well the kids had fun making their own decals.
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No much to update today. The tank is back in place for now with a fresh coat (x3) of paint.
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Did some more work on the aquascape this weekend. Again made use of more stuff that I had stored away. The base is crushed coral which I screened to remove the larger particles leaving particles less that 1mm (yes I have way too much time on my hands at the moment). The sand bed is only 2" deep and probably not deep enough for denitrification but I like the look of the smaller grains. The rock-work is made up of lace, decorative stone, and previously live rock that resided in some of my older tanks. If I were to estimate the amount.....approx 50-60lbs
Took some time but I was able to thread some twist ties through some of the larger pieces to get them to stand together. http://i635.photobucket.com/albums/u...g/IMG_2172.jpg I like how this creates open space for livestock to swim in keeps the rock work off the sand for easy cleaning. http://i635.photobucket.com/albums/u...g/IMG_2174.jpg Here is an FTS http://i635.photobucket.com/albums/u...g/IMG_2176.jpg And from the sides. http://i635.photobucket.com/albums/u...g/IMG_2177.jpg http://i635.photobucket.com/albums/u...g/IMG_2178.jpg |
I've also placed a sheet of 3/4" MDF 2 coat prime 3 coats paint under the sand. I will later place the sump on this and will make it easier to clean up minor spills. The tank also rests on a sheet of Styrofoam and MDF.
Did I mention that this build would be pic intense! http://i635.photobucket.com/albums/u...g/IMG_2202.jpg http://i635.photobucket.com/albums/u...g/IMG_2201.jpg |
really like the rock work!!!
nice job! |
Nice rock work, I wish I had the patience to do that.
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Update 22/04/2010
It will be some time before I get the sump ready. I'm currently working out the details of the design and will take some time. While I'm working on the sump I thought I would get a head start with cycling the tank. I started by capping the bulkheads for the drain and the return. These will be removed once the sump is ready.
http://i635.photobucket.com/albums/u...g/IMG_2204.jpg http://i635.photobucket.com/albums/u...g/IMG_2203.jpg The tank has been filled (salinity 1.024) and equipped with a biowheel filter and two Sure Flow powerheads. Just waiting for the dust to clear for now. http://i635.photobucket.com/albums/u...g/IMG_2224.jpg |
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Not too bad.....took longer to get the darn powerheads in the right spot. Which will probably be moved several more times :wink: |
Very nice scape!......I think it pays to be patient with your rock work, once its full o coral its near impossible to change:wink:
What kind of overflow are you running? |
Update 23/04/2010
Some more exciting news....well sort of...as exciting as a cycling tank could be. Seems to have started already, Ammonia is around 1-2ppm and Nitrite is 0.25ppm after a week or so.
http://i635.photobucket.com/albums/u...g/IMG_2227.jpg http://i635.photobucket.com/albums/u...g/IMG_2230.jpg |
After going back and fourth a few times I've finally decided to remove the sand from my display tank.....It's amazing the things you think of when your tank is cycling. I personally prefer the look of the sandbed, but with the flow I have in the tank the bare patches just kept getting larger and larger, and I'd prefer to keep the flow over the sand....will possibly go remote......maybe some GSP for a nice lawn effect :)
Here's an updated pic http://i635.photobucket.com/albums/u...g/IMG_2320.jpg Thank is still cycling by the way...... |
I'm actually not missing the sand as much as I thought I would. I can always add it back in slowly afterwards. Figure it would be easier to add rather than remove later on. Funny to see the small amount of sand remaining. It’s actually being picked up from the bottom through a section that I've named tornado alley and then dropped over to other areas…..I’m not in Kansas anymore…..or maybe I’ve just come back……to Berlin.
Fed the tank some flakes the other day (not crazy) to check the flow pattern and after half an hour came back and they were still going round and round, but a lot smaller after being circulated through the powerheads. As for going bare bottom…….Finding it a really nice change to actually see what’s at the bottom of my tank and cleaning it. A relative of mine recently got a new puppy in the house and had to pull out all his carpet and replace with hardwood. Kind of the same thing I think? Didn’t make sense to get 4-6” deep carpet with the right size fibres and populate with critters that would eventually decompose what Rambo left behind. Both work wouldn’t they. I was also thinking that I could do away with a amount of live rock. Again, don’t need a large central vac system when a Swiffer will do, but if I do run into issues……that’s what the bio-balls will be for. Yes I said bio-balls Will be stocking really low to start, and monitoring params frequently to see how it goes. The challenge will be to balance the nutrient import and export, which is no different than any other tank. Good or Bad, I’ll let everyone know....isn’t the internet great, better than TV. Oh wait it can do that too Pittsburgh 2 – Montreal 1 http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/hock...ncanada/idesk/ |
great scape man.......
bio-balls????.....LR is far more effective for colonizing beneficial bacteria and doesn't need to be cleaned...... a no brainer IMO......unless I'm missing something |
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I agree with the live rock. I have less than what is recommended for a tank this size so I'm hoping that this does not become an issue. I'll be adding a sump later on, but would prefer to not add more rock. Looking for an alternative if needed. |
Looks like Ammonia is on it's way down.
April 23, 2010 http://i635.photobucket.com/albums/u...g/IMG_2227.jpg May 07, 2010 http://i635.photobucket.com/albums/u...g/IMG_2327.jpg |
After about 24hrs from my last test when I noticed the decline, Ammonia is now undetectable. I will continue to monitor as it might spike as the bioload changes. Not too worried about the Nitrite and Nitrate at the moment since we will be fish only for some time.
That will give me a chance to work on the sump. May 8th, 2010 http://i635.photobucket.com/albums/u...g/IMG_2328.jpg |
One of my favorite scapes in recent memory I love it. I was bummed when I saw you went bare bottom though. My first tank was sandless as well and while it's more work keeping my sand bed clean now I could personally never look at another bare bottom again.
One neat thing I have noticed is that I have algae growing on the bottom of my rocks. I certainly never had that in my first tank so obviously the sand does a nice job of reflecting light up too. Looking forward to more. Happy cycling! |
Yesterday I needed to transfer out the fish from another tank which I'm taking down (2 Percs and 1 Blue Tang). I also added 5ml of Seachem's Prime as a precaution. Did another test today to make sure there were no spikes and everything seems to be okay. Ammonia and Nitrite are 0 and pH is 8.2
May 10, 2010 http://i635.photobucket.com/albums/u...g/IMG_2423.jpg http://i635.photobucket.com/albums/u...g/IMG_2425.jpg http://i635.photobucket.com/albums/u...g/IMG_2426.jpg I also noticed a few snails appearing from a couple pieces of rock that was in my older tank. From what I can tell so far Collonista snails. They are just algae grazers and will cause no harm. I hope they don't get out of control. http://i635.photobucket.com/albums/u...g/IMG_2326.jpg |
A week has passed since I've last updated and waiting for my RO/DI replacement filters to arrive. In the meantime I've had my first algae bloom. Only on the rocks (at the moment) closest to the top....can't wait till I get my new filters. For now the algae gets darker throughout the day with the lights on, so I will be keeping them off for now.
http://i635.photobucket.com/albums/u...g/IMG_2459.jpg Today's Forecast: Temperature = 78° F Ammonia = 0 Nitrite = 0 Nitrate = 40 pH = 8.0 Alkalinity = 7 dKH Salinity = 1.022 |
Got some time to get my RO/DI connected. The unit is one that I purchased several years ago http://www.aquasafecanada.com/ I've been happy with the performance of the unit I purchased, but the price has gone up a fair bit from the time I purchased ($120) to now (from $200)
I've been using tap water to fill the tank up to this point and my nitrate level has been rising since. I tested a few days ago and it's around 80-100ppm. Not sure how much the tap is contributing to the nitrate (maybe I'll test a little later) or if the tank is not processing it (usually takes a while). Regardless I was planning on adding the RO, and now is as good a time as any. I had originally planned on putting the unit under the tank, but due to the distance to the guest bathroom where the water and drain lines are located I decided to place it under the sink instead. So here it goes Location:under sink http://i635.photobucket.com/albums/u...g/IMG_2205.jpg Disconnected cold water line http://i635.photobucket.com/albums/u...g/IMG_2212.jpg Installed a shutoff valve. The builder was too cheap to put one in. I believe these may now be mandatory. I you already have one installed that would be a bonus. http://i635.photobucket.com/albums/u...g/IMG_2213.jpg The tee'd off the shutoff to supply the faucet above as well as the RO http://i635.photobucket.com/albums/u...g/IMG_2214.jpg The original line had to be cut after adding the shutoff and tee. http://i635.photobucket.com/albums/u...g/IMG_2216.jpg Here is the final connection with the line to the RO unit installed http://i635.photobucket.com/albums/u...g/IMG_2507.jpg I went to HD today and found a couple gauges that I'll be using this time to check the pressure drop over the sediment and carbon filters. Not a bad deal at $7.50 each. with all the connections it came to around $40 for the two gauges. Depending on your set up the connections required may vary. http://i635.photobucket.com/albums/u...g/IMG_2512.jpg Connected the first gauge to the main line coming into Stage 1 sediment filter. The second is after the Stage 3 carbon block. http://i635.photobucket.com/albums/u...g/IMG_2517.jpg Once the gauges are installed, went to work connecting all the lines. The first was from the gauge on the outlet of the carbon block to the "IN" on the auto shut off. Don't think I'll be using the ATS valve for now, but installed it anyway. http://i635.photobucket.com/albums/u...g/IMG_2522.jpg ATS valve "OUT" to the membrane. The membrane I will be using is a 100gpd, but thinking of adding a second in the future. http://i635.photobucket.com/albums/u...g/IMG_2523.jpg On the other side of the membrane there are two connections. The one closest to the center of the RO filter housing is the RO filtered water, and the outer connection is the waste line. The filtered water is connected to the second "IN" on the ATS. The waste (yellow) is connected to the flow restrictor/flush valve. The connection to the DI (which will be added later) is the second "OUT" on the ATS. http://i635.photobucket.com/albums/u...g/IMG_2525.jpg A bit difficult to see in this shot, but I connected a valve between the inlet on the Stage 1 sediment filter and the main shutoff valve. The yellow hose is connected to the flush valve which will be attached to the drain. http://i635.photobucket.com/albums/u...g/IMG_2527.jpg Removed the trap under the sink on the drain and drilled a 1/4" hole for the drain line. http://i635.photobucket.com/albums/u...g/IMG_2529.jpg Connected the drain fitting over the hole that was drilled http://i635.photobucket.com/albums/u...g/IMG_2530.jpg Inserted and tightened the drain line onto the fitting http://i635.photobucket.com/albums/u...g/IMG_2532.jpg Finally tucked the unit away inside the cabinet. I'll be adding DI to the RO once my new canisters arrive. http://i635.photobucket.com/albums/u...g/IMG_2535.jpg Also picked up a TDS meter today ($15) from HD. I'm still waiting for my replacement filters and new membrane to arrive, but I tested it out using my old filters. Tap waster is reading 113 and the RO unit with my old filters is reading 3. Hope this helps with the nitrates. http://i635.photobucket.com/albums/u...g/IMG_2536.jpg New pressure gauges are working great as well. Looks like I didn't need to replace my sediment filters after all. http://i635.photobucket.com/albums/u...eeping/psi.jpg DI canisters should arrive some time next week, once installed I hope that would bring the TDS to 0. |
Been some time since I've made any progress on the tank itself. No FTS yet since there has been little change
However, I've finally started on the sump which will be a 40gal breeder. The dimensions are 36"x18"x15"high which fits nicely on the bottom frame of the stand. With the 12" of space remaining on the stand I've built an acrylic tank that overflows into the 40gal, but I'm still not sure what to do with this section. Some ideas I've been thinking of include fuge, quarantine, acclimation, frag.....so much to do and so little space. http://i635.photobucket.com/albums/u...g/IMG_2763.jpg |
Been busy over the past couple weeks on a few other projects. One of which was building shop table to give my table saw and router a more permanent home. This will come in handy for the DIY's to come.
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Gathered for a group shot.
http://i635.photobucket.com/albums/u...g/IMG_0542.jpg FTS - Not much change http://i635.photobucket.com/albums/u...g/IMG_0566.jpg |
Fine job on the ro system. :thumb:
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Bioload where did ya get the rock from love it, that is what I need.
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Some more work on the tank. Since I've finally installed the sump I need an overflow box in the main tank to replace the plugs installed when the tank was filled
http://i635.photobucket.com/albums/u...g/IMG_0573.jpg I was able to get an off cut from Piedmont Plastics for approx $5.00 sq/ft including taxes. Have quite a bit extra that I can use later on for the media reactors and skimmer. First step was to rip a 6" wide strip for the overflow. http://i635.photobucket.com/albums/u...g/IMG_0576.jpg Using the table saw again cut the pieces for the front, back and side of the overflow. The box will measure 6"x6"x4" http://i635.photobucket.com/albums/u...g/IMG_0577.jpg Once the cuts were made with the table saw. I then set up a straight edge on the router table to clean up the edges that will be welded. I just use a simple level for this clamped to the table. I don't have a jointer at the moment, but this works fine. http://i635.photobucket.com/albums/u...g/IMG_0578.jpg The guide was set to just shave the edge of the piece. Important to do one pass per piece before moving the guide to ensure all the pieces have the right dimensions. Top of each peice then bottom, then sides etc. http://i635.photobucket.com/albums/u...g/IMG_0582.jpg Here is a look between the edge from the table saw and after routing. http://i635.photobucket.com/albums/u...g/IMG_0583.jpg Once the edges are cleaned up with the router I usually do a dry fit to ensure everything lines up right. http://i635.photobucket.com/albums/u...g/IMG_0585.jpg Before welding the pieces together I marked where the bulkhead would be installed on the box and drilled a hole using a hole saw. Just placed is on the back of the tank which was drained and traced the hole. http://i635.photobucket.com/albums/u...g/IMG_0586.jpg I used a standard squeeze applicator and Weld-On 4 for the solvent. Both can be obtained from Piedmont Plastics. I would recommend practicing on a scraps if possible to get used to the applicator. When inverted the solvent flows very fast. Squeezing the bottle before inverting helps control the flow, but takes some practice to get right http://i635.photobucket.com/albums/u...g/IMG_0587.jpg When bonding two pieces I leave a slight edge that can be cleaned up using the router table afterward. http://i635.photobucket.com/albums/u...g/IMG_0588.jpg Once the front, back, and sides are all welded, next step is to clean up the edges. http://i635.photobucket.com/albums/u...g/IMG_0591.jpg Attaching everything to the bottom. This piece I did not cut on the table saw. I simply glued the box onto the oversize bottom and again passed on the router http://i635.photobucket.com/albums/u...g/IMG_0593.jpg Completed box http://i635.photobucket.com/albums/u...g/IMG_0594.jpg I had some egg-crate that fit nicely into the top of the overflow to prevent anything from going into the drain http://i635.photobucket.com/albums/u...g/IMG_0595.jpg Finally installed the box into the tank. Ensure that the gaskets are in the right spots. Flange -> Gasket -> Overflow -> Gasket -> Tank -> Gasket (optional) -> Nut http://i635.photobucket.com/albums/u...g/IMG_0596.jpg HTH, Sunil |
Unfortunately my Blue Tang that I've had for the past several years has become quite aggressive in the 75gal. I won't be able to have a large tank ready in time and would like to continue adding livestock, but I'm afraid she's too territorial.
If someone has a nice home for her.......please ensure that your tank is appropriate, like I said, she's been with us for over 4 years and would hate to have her perish. $60.00 - Approx 5" http://i635.photobucket.com/albums/u...g/IMG_0540.jpg |
Got my skimmer pump (Laguna Max Flo 1500 SWC Needlewheel) last week and finally was able to take it for a test drive. I must say I'm quite impressed compared to my old sedra needlewheel.
Still not sure what design I'll be using for the skimmer, but I whipped together a box with a diffusion plate to make some bubbles. This is after an hour....I like it wet, and already a few pods swimming around in the V. http://i635.photobucket.com/albums/u...g/IMG_2470.jpg |
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Okay enough of the square skimmer......new build started.
It's been about 4 months now since I first added saltwater to my 75 gallon tank and I'm still far from my final goal of a successful mixed reef. There are several obstacles at the moment but let's deal with them one at a time. Ammonia and nitrite made their appearance and left, leaving behind their garbage in the form of nitrate. The last part of the nitrogen cycle that has been a thorn in my side. That house guest that has overstayed their welcome. That pimple on the end of your nose that won't go away. That ex-....well you get the idea, I'm quite frustrated!......don't even get me started on Phosphates. My first weapon of choice in this fight was macro algae. However, I now have have enough macro to fill a 5 gal pail and there has been no noticeable drop in nitrates over the past 2 weeks. I guessing that nitrate is being created faster than the macro can consume. I just received my acrylic tubing for my skimmer this week and I'm hoping that this will have an impact. Not necessarily removing any nitrate, but removing waste before it has a chance to add to the nitrate problem. Here are some rough details Pump: SWC Askoll (Laguna) 1500 needle wheel Diameter: 8" Height: 23" to fit under my tank Here is a shot of what I have so far. A 3" tall 6"OD 1/8" wall extruded acrylic tube which was welded to a 1/4" sheet of white acrylic and cleaned up with the router Not much but a start http://i635.photobucket.com/albums/u...g/IMG_3652.jpg |
Today I managed to complete the diffusion plate. I would like 100% of the tanks overflow to go through the skimmer and decided to cut the bottom of the chamber to accommodate a 1.5" bulkhead which will be plumbed directly to the overflow of the tank. I'm not sure how this would effect the performance of the skimmer, but I'll be able to make some mods later if there are any issues with the design
http://i635.photobucket.com/albums/u...g/IMG_3653.jpg After making a sketch-up of the hole pattern I made a printout and taped it to the top of the chamber. Using a drill press spent about an hour or so drilling all the holes. I hope that this would be enough. http://i635.photobucket.com/albums/u...g/IMG_3654.jpg Here is a pic of inside the diffusion chamber where I'm hoping I get a good mix with the tank water and the air from the needlewheel http://i635.photobucket.com/albums/u...g/IMG_3657.jpg |
Here is a rough sketch of my plans for the sump (dimensions are approximate). I would like to plumb the overflow from the tank into the skimmer box, and then connect it to the diffudsion plate.
http://i635.photobucket.com/albums/u.../SumpPlans.png A single reactor will be used for calcium, however, I'm still undecided on the other two. I'm thinking of using one for GFO and the other for Sulpher. I'll try to add some plumbing to the sketchup to give a better picture of how things will be connected. |
Today I made some progress on the skimmer body, which will be made from 8" extruded acrylic. The piece that I ordered was 24" long and will need to be cut down into the collection cup and the skimmer body. In order to do this I made a jig out of MDF to hold the acrylic tube in place on the table saw. Rather than sliding the tube across the table I placed it over the lowered blade and raised the blade height to make the cut. I recommend having a second person to assist in holding the piece as the blade is being raised.
Stop the saw once the blade reaches its maximum height before removing the tube. Lower the blade and rotate the tube 90deg and repeat until the tube is cut all the way around. http://i635.photobucket.com/albums/u...g/IMG_3659.jpg The edge of the tube was quite rough and there were a cuts that didn't line up.....so off to the router table to clean up the edges. http://i635.photobucket.com/albums/u...g/IMG_3667.jpg I clamped a guide to the router table, and decided that I could use the same jig from the table saw to slide the edge across the router bit. When cleaning the edges up on the router table the key is use multiple light passes rather than a single pass. The tube needed to be rotated several times within the jig in order to make it all the way around. http://i635.photobucket.com/albums/u...g/IMG_3670.jpg Here is a shot of the flush trim bit I used. In order to use this bit for this cut I needed to remove the bearing from the top, or you could use a regular mortising bit. http://i635.photobucket.com/albums/u...g/IMG_3673.jpg |
I did several passed and was not very pleased with the results. It appears that every time I rotated the tube in the jig I did not get it back the right position for the next pass. The pic below shows the edges of each cut which did not line up properly.
http://i635.photobucket.com/albums/u...g/IMG_3676.jpg I decided to remove the jig and use the guide alone. The guide was clamped to the edge of the table and while pulling the tube against the guide made several more cuts. http://i635.photobucket.com/albums/u...g/IMG_3678.jpg The results were better this time around. However, I does take some getting used to working with such a large peice. There were several cuts where my hands shook a bit moving off the guide and the following notch created by the router bit meant I needed to make a few more cuts all the way around. http://i635.photobucket.com/albums/u...g/IMG_3677.jpg |
After going around a few times I finally got a cut that I was pleased with and should make for a good clean bond.
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More Pics.....:)
This is what I'll be using for the union between the skimmer body and the collection cup. I've used several times in the past but this time I will make some more modifications. http://www.hardwarestore.com/media/p...5_front200.jpg One good thing about using the cleanout is availabiltiy. You can pretty much find them in any hardware store in sizes which include 2", 3" amd what I'm using the 4" The downside I found in my previous skimmer was the number of turns required to get the collection cup off. This time I'll try to make a lower profile union and will use a PVC cleanout instead of the ABS below http://i635.photobucket.com/albums/u...ng/skimmer.jpg |
The first mod is to remove the square in the center of the plug. I've tried several methods and I've found the easiest way is using a hole saw on a drill press. The one below was done with a hole was that was too small. I then proceeded to cut the remaining bits off with the mitre saw, but I wouldn't recommend it.....you can see the damage to the plug cause be the saw which will preven a good seal later on.
http://i635.photobucket.com/albums/u...g/IMG_3684.jpg Once the center is removed it's off to the router table to clean ot the rest of the material with a flush trim bit. Care is needed when doing this to prevent the peice from being pulled out of your hands and trown across the room. A jig can be used, but I find if you exert enough downward elbow grease I'm okay. Always take note of the direction of the router bit and make sure you start the router givving enough time for it to come up to speed before putting the peice in position........and watch your fingers http://i635.photobucket.com/albums/u...g/IMG_3685.jpg When completed you should have a piece that looks like this....and if you're Canadian....the double/double should be there as well :) http://i635.photobucket.com/albums/u...g/IMG_3688.jpg |
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