Joined NJRC about a week or so ago. My hope is that all of you will help me in my endeavours to have a tank as beautiful as many of yours.
A Little history is in order. Been admiring reef tanks and the hobby from the sidelines for about 18 years. Never felt settled down enough to actually start. About 6 years ago met my wife and figured that should would clearly keep me put for awhile so four years ago started designing a 300g 8 foot tank for our condo. Right before I bought the tank we decided to buy a him and had to rent an apartment while our home was being built. Fortunately the family room in the new house had a perfect place for the tank, but unfortunately it could only be 6ft so I bought that and began my journey. as an aside, recently noticed that a new 265g model is on the market (which would fit) but everytime I dare mention it, I get that stare from the mrs. that says "do it and your dead".
Tank specs:
210 AGA Reef Ready
85 MRC Gallon Sump
MRC 3 Skimmer
3-250 MH 14k's
2-6ft Super Actinics
Custom Stand and Hood
1/2 HP Chiller
2-250 Watt Heaters
Aquacontroller III Pro
approx 250lbs of live rock
approx 150 live sand
Tank is on the first floor in the family room, all equipment is in a dedicated fish room in the basement.
Water Systems:
Main Pump - Reeflo Hammerhead - plumbed via 1.5" Spa Flex to a 1.5" Manifold across the back of the tank with 4-3/4" t's into the tank with loc line (question - has anyone had an issue with the first one or two pieces of loc line being above the water and possible air leaking into the line?). Originally was using an Iwaki 100 but was unhappy with the flow since the water is coming up from the basement.
Drains - because I had the same fight as all with noise out of the drain lines, overflows, etc, I modified the drain system (after weeks of playing around) as follows: all four pre-drilled holes are being used as the drains. The two one inch lines have dursos, the 3/4's drain through the bottom. To force the water level to rise in the overflow boxes, I used two gate valves to reduce the flow. The drain flow is set slightly slower than that of the pump so the durso's begin to handle the excess. Had numerous arguments with folks as all said it was a flood waiting to happen - however, I do not see how that is possible. If the 3/4" drains can completely handle the flow, then if both clogged at the same time, the 1" drains will take over. Next concern was the flow rate - I was concerned that the flow rate was too low so I added a flow meter - the iwaki was running about 850 gallons a hour - not sure with the hammerhead (forget to build in the flow meter on the recent redesign), but imagine it is closer to 1200-1300 maybe more.
Three independent closed loop systems - drilled through back wall 1/2 way up the tank (cycled on/off via aquacontroller).
1 - Koralia 4.
Inhabitants:
1 Chevron Tang
1 Yellow Tang
2 Clowns
1 Bicolor PseudoChromis
1 Yellowtail Damsel (not a very nice tank mate)
1 Flame Angel
3 Clams
In QT downstairs - Sailfin Tang, 1 pink spotted goby, 3 firefish, 1 foxface, 5 pilotfish (I know, I know - never listen to anyone at the fish store without doing your own homework, I understand they get big, very big - not sure what to do with them yet, perhaps give them to someone with a very large FO System).
Various snails and hermits.
Corals - virtually none:
Closed brain - not doing so hot,
Hammer Coral
Various mushrooms.
Sorry it was so long, but had to makeup for the 18 months or so of history.
Hopefully you all will have much to say in the way of criticism (constructive only please
) and guidance - always welcome.
Have a good holiday weekend.
Michael
A Little history is in order. Been admiring reef tanks and the hobby from the sidelines for about 18 years. Never felt settled down enough to actually start. About 6 years ago met my wife and figured that should would clearly keep me put for awhile so four years ago started designing a 300g 8 foot tank for our condo. Right before I bought the tank we decided to buy a him and had to rent an apartment while our home was being built. Fortunately the family room in the new house had a perfect place for the tank, but unfortunately it could only be 6ft so I bought that and began my journey. as an aside, recently noticed that a new 265g model is on the market (which would fit) but everytime I dare mention it, I get that stare from the mrs. that says "do it and your dead".
Tank specs:
210 AGA Reef Ready
85 MRC Gallon Sump
MRC 3 Skimmer
3-250 MH 14k's
2-6ft Super Actinics
Custom Stand and Hood
1/2 HP Chiller
2-250 Watt Heaters
Aquacontroller III Pro
approx 250lbs of live rock
approx 150 live sand
Tank is on the first floor in the family room, all equipment is in a dedicated fish room in the basement.
Water Systems:
Main Pump - Reeflo Hammerhead - plumbed via 1.5" Spa Flex to a 1.5" Manifold across the back of the tank with 4-3/4" t's into the tank with loc line (question - has anyone had an issue with the first one or two pieces of loc line being above the water and possible air leaking into the line?). Originally was using an Iwaki 100 but was unhappy with the flow since the water is coming up from the basement.
Drains - because I had the same fight as all with noise out of the drain lines, overflows, etc, I modified the drain system (after weeks of playing around) as follows: all four pre-drilled holes are being used as the drains. The two one inch lines have dursos, the 3/4's drain through the bottom. To force the water level to rise in the overflow boxes, I used two gate valves to reduce the flow. The drain flow is set slightly slower than that of the pump so the durso's begin to handle the excess. Had numerous arguments with folks as all said it was a flood waiting to happen - however, I do not see how that is possible. If the 3/4" drains can completely handle the flow, then if both clogged at the same time, the 1" drains will take over. Next concern was the flow rate - I was concerned that the flow rate was too low so I added a flow meter - the iwaki was running about 850 gallons a hour - not sure with the hammerhead (forget to build in the flow meter on the recent redesign), but imagine it is closer to 1200-1300 maybe more.
Three independent closed loop systems - drilled through back wall 1/2 way up the tank (cycled on/off via aquacontroller).
1 - Koralia 4.
Inhabitants:
1 Chevron Tang
1 Yellow Tang
2 Clowns
1 Bicolor PseudoChromis
1 Yellowtail Damsel (not a very nice tank mate)
1 Flame Angel
3 Clams
In QT downstairs - Sailfin Tang, 1 pink spotted goby, 3 firefish, 1 foxface, 5 pilotfish (I know, I know - never listen to anyone at the fish store without doing your own homework, I understand they get big, very big - not sure what to do with them yet, perhaps give them to someone with a very large FO System).
Various snails and hermits.
Corals - virtually none:
Closed brain - not doing so hot,
Hammer Coral
Various mushrooms.
Sorry it was so long, but had to makeup for the 18 months or so of history.
Hopefully you all will have much to say in the way of criticism (constructive only please
) and guidance - always welcome.Have a good holiday weekend.
Michael
