SLS - HUGE REEF Tank!! - Journal

As requested, please find below a copy of my Tank Journal.


DATE: 13th Dec 2008


Introduction:
Hey Guys,

I have been in this trade as the owner of Slippery Little Suckers for the past 9yrs, previously a hobbyist for 2yrs, and finally, I'm in the process of setting up my personal home tank. I have waited 10yrs to build this system, with many of the system componantry sitting in my second bedroom waiting for this day..

System Objectives: To succeed in a beautiful SPS Reef Tank, full of Colour, health, vitality and long jevity.. I have a passion for Colourful Stoney coral, and have been inspired by the TOTM on Reef Central for the month of Dec 2008, The MASA TOTY, as well as the runner up!!


System Type: As mentioned, mostly SPS, Acro, Monti, etc..

Display System:

Strike up Date: T.B.A

Display Tank: 8Ft x 2.5 x 2.5

Display Lighting: Sfiligoi Infinity 3x400W HQI + 8x39W T5's with 3xACLS HQI Dimming Systems. Currently fitted with 3x400W Sfiligoi SE Bulb's. I may replace the 2 outer bulbs for 250W?

Stand: Dalbarb Black Cabinet, 900mm Tall.

Hood: Dalbarb Hood

Sump: Aqua-Medic Riff 2000 Complete System.

Refugium: NA

Refugium Lighting: NA


Support systems:

System Water: Natural salt water or artificial salt water?? See later posts below.. lol

Display Water circulation: Polario ML22 - 22,000 Ltrs x2

Return Pump: 2x Aqua-Medic Ocean Runners 3500

Skimmer: Aqua-Medic Turbo Floater 5000 Shorty

Ozone: Aqua-Medic 200 inc Aqua-Medic Air Dryer reactor.

Evaporation Top Up: Aqua-Medic, Part of the Riff 2000 System + Aqua-Medic Premium 150 R/O Unit.

De-Nitrate: Aqua-Medic Nitrate Reductor 1000, Inc SP3000 Dosing Pump, also part of the Riff 2000 System.

Chiller: AquaOne Arctic 1.5HP

Chemical Support:

Calcium Addition: Calcium Reactor 1000 inc SP3000 Dosing Pump. PArt of the Riff 2000 System. 20% of the Hydro Carbonate replaced with Dolomite.

Alkilinity Addition: SeaChem - AquaVitro range, Eight-Four and Balance.

Other Chemical Maintenance: SeaChem Range of Aqua-Vitro suppliments. Inc Ions, Calcification, Vibrance, and Fuel.

Aqua-Medic Phosphate Filter and Carbon Filter.

Controllers / Monitors:
Aqua-Medic AT-Controller System and Data Logging.
Modules:
Level Control
Density
Redox - Mv
pH
Temp
Conductivity
Wave Effect Computer
Automatic Water Changes
Tidal Effect Computer

Current Water Chemistry: Targets..
Nitrates: 0-5
Phosphates: 0
Alkalinity: 2.5-5milliequvilent
Calcium: 380-400
Salinity / Specific Gravity: 32ppt / 1.025
Magnesuim: 1250-1300


Images:
http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/c...8_12060047.jpg
Many more to follow.

I am stuck on the decission of wether to add a UV Steriliser and what brand of chiller to choose?? The pro's and con's of using a UV for micro-organism propergation. I cant decide on choosing a Teco or Aqua-Medic chiller or if there is other recommendations to choose from. (Decission Made, Thankyou!!)

This journal will most likely be long and spread over an extended period of time, as there is no rush with this set-up. Im also contemplating the options of only using frag pc's which have been successfully grown by members who are willing to offer/trade these to me.

I am also endevouring to share my experiences using a closed system, extended water changes and supplimentation. ASW or NSW? Pro's and con's.

I hope this journal is interesting for the members.

Kind regards,
George

Date: 18th Dec 2008

The plumbing is complete for the sump and R/O unit. AT -Control System is mounted just finishing the layout of the filtration dosing pumps, power boards, ACLS Lighting Controllers, and then we should be done and ready to fill.

I would ordinarily use NSW for the fill, but i think im going to go completely R/O and ASW. Reason for this is to get the balance right from the start, no phosphates or impurities, no bioload of plankton or micro-organisms. This way there should be no sign of cyno algae, or any other problematic issues with using NSW.

Im quite impressed with the controller system. It does everything i want it to do and MORE!!

Cycling will be with the use of a Bio-Starter (Nitrivec) for the first 10days, and then a couple of boxes of live-rock will be added. During the initial cycling, no lights will be used.

http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/c...8_12180056.jpg
http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/c...8_12180053.jpg
http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/c...8_12180054.jpg

Kind regards,
George

Date: 16th Jan 2009

AquaOne Arctic Chiller 1.5HP has been purchased.. I decided to mount this unit in the room along side the Aquarium - The "Out House" lol
http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/c...9_01160005.jpg

I have drilled holes through the wall to allow the controller unit to be mounted in the Cabinet, and for the inlet and outlet hoses to be connected to the Chiller.
http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/c...9_01160002.jpg

I had to cut out a cavity into the ceiling, then box in the cavity to prevent dust.

Below, I installed the hardlines for the R/O Unit to the mains plumbing, feeding the tiolet.
http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/c...9_01160006.jpg

The SeaChem "Grey Coast" Substrate has arrived, all 22 bags of it.. hehehe

Im almost ready to start filling the tank.

That's quite some project George :P

Looking forward to seeing it all come together.

Is this a tank at home or for the shop?

Date: 21st March 2009

Below are a series of pics of the Sfiligoi Lighting System with ACLS.

I hope the colours do justic here for the difference is brightness of lighting. The following pics are to display the Sunrise and Sunset lighting.
http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/c...9_02280199.jpg
http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/c...9_02280205.jpg
http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/c...9_02280212.jpg
http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/c...9_02280213.jpg

The ACLS controllers display the power output in %.
http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/c...9_02280218.jpg
http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/c...9_02280224.jpg
http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/c...9_02280242.jpg
http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/c...9_02280249.jpg

Just before complete Sunset, the closest halide has finished, the middle is almost finished and the far is at approxmately 10%.
http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/c...9_02280274.jpg

I have just completed filling the Aquarium with R/O water.. only took 4days.. Adjustment has be made tot he overflow and baffles installed in the weir to help reduce the noise of 7000Ltr/hr churning through the filter system.

Level sensor has been positioned in sump, fed via the Aqua Medic Niveaumat top up pump and Kalkwasser stirrer.

Nitrate Reductor and ORP sensor filled and in place. Dosing pump connected.

Calcium Reactor filled with 25% Dolomite (calciummagnesiumcarbonate) 75% hydrocarbonate. pH sensor mounted and dosing pump connected.

Complete Reef 2000 filter is running with dual OR3500 return pumps.

Due to the overflow just coping with the 7000Ltr turnover, I will mount the Eheim Compact 3000 to feed the chiller in the aquarium, and return directly back to the tank.

No salt has been added as yet, until i have all the fine tuning sorted. Next is to ensure all the sensors are set correctky via the AT-Control System.

Im certainly enjoying myself with this set-up, just wish i had more time to speed the process up. hehehe More pics coming soon!!

Date: 3rd April 2009

I have selected the internal circulation pumps - The NEW Rio Polario:
http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/c...9_04020018.jpg
http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/c...9_04020023.jpg

These magnets are strong, upto 21mm thick glass..

These pumps come with a Controller board to set the ocellation output from left and right. You can change the direction of the pump every 15sec - 30mins. Also has pause button for 8 or 16mins for feeding.
http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/c...9_04020026.jpg

It was great to see the wave movement, i could see small grain in the substrate move from left to right. Im quiet impressed!!

I have also installed some small T4 Lights in the cabinet, make slife easier to see what your doing in there. 2x6w installed and 2x10w to be installed. Still tidying up all the cables.
http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/c...9_04020019.jpg
http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/c...9_04020020.jpg

Salt has been added. Glad I did this later then sooner. Mondays Blk out allowed me to see what happens when all the water from the weir drops into the sump.... Needless to say, it overflowed, so with some stand pipe mod's, the sump system is now overflow proof. At least it was only fresh water that leaked...

Cycling has begun.

Date: 11th April 2009

This pic shows the difference when the Polario is off, and then on.. Note the water movement to the upper right hand side of the pump in the second pic. And the flow is directioned down!!
http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/c...9_06080090.jpg
http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/c...9_06080089.jpg

Here is with the single middle light on:
http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/c...9_06080077.jpg

And my favorite prospective at the end of the Hallway..
http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/c...9_06080093.jpg

Now im ready for LiveRock.

Date; 18th April 2009

Last night 100Kg of Rock was added to this Aquarium.
http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/c...9_06160024.jpg
http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/c...9_06160022.jpg
http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/c...9_06160027.jpg

Not scaped yet, just added the piece's to the tank sorted in size and quality..

Checked the ammonia this morning and this evening, 0.5mg/l.. Very Happy!!

AquaSonic Pro Bac has been added - 8ml yesterday and today
Skimmer was turned off for the first 5hrs, as were the Polario Pumps to allow the bacteria to settle on the rock, etc. Turned the skimmer on before bed last night, and this morning had a small collection of approx 10mm worth, another 10mm this evening.

Ozone was dosed @ 50mg/l with a Redox of 369mV, this morning that dropped to 244mV, and the Ozone has now been turned up to approx 100mg/l. This evening the Redox was back to 297mV.

Not that I would ever advise doing this, but 2 fish have been added. Any guess's?? Their having a ball, playing around playing tag with each other.. I love these guys, just had to have 2.. (tanks big enough)

Hopefully, i'll get to look at scaping the tank this week. Will proform tests daily. Below are 2days of testing, and log book parameter entries to be monitored.
Temp C Chiller Salinity pH Alkalinity Borate Alk kH Ammonia Nitrite Nitrate Phosphate Calcium Magnessium
27.1 36.64 0 0 l
26.8 26 36.64 8-8.5 2-2.5meq 5 0.5 0 0 0 475 1350
Potassium Iron Iodine Ozone Redox No3 Redox Ca pH Pro-Bac
50mg/l 369 -14 7.29 8ml
100mg/l 266 -45

Ca is quite high, whilst playing witht the level of the overflow stand pipe, the Kalkwasser turned on and added Calcium Hydroxide, which in turn has raised the Calcium, yet dropped the kH. Ill add some SeaChem Reef Builder to rectifiy this result, and precipitate some of the excess Ca.

Still only 1 light running - the centre light, and yes tidying up of the cables and mounting of the ACLS controllers is over due!!

Pump for the chiller has been installed in the weir, returning to the right hand side of the tank, promoting more flow in this corner.

So far, very happy with the results.

Kind regards,
George
P.S. hmmm, the readings have not displayed as hoped.

Date: 15th May 2009

Well, the cycling period ended over a week ago. Most of the water parameters are almost perfect.
No3 10
Po4 0
Ca 420
Mg 1350
Alk 3meq / kH 9

The first signs of coraline have started. This pc was an older base rock pc from the store, this was basically all browny white when placed in the aquarium.
http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/c...s/DSCF7283.jpg



The challenge recently was scaping the rock. My wife and I spend 3hours just trying to get the initial pcs right for the far left corner. The objective was to create shelfing area's where I can keep Tubastrea and the like under.

The scape is only 1/3 completed. Still have heaps more to do.
Im using Brightwell Products for the dedicated "Zeolite Filtration" - NeoZeo Substrate through a Eheim Pro3 2073. Supplements, are SeaChem and AquaVitro, Brightwell and Aquasonic Pro-Bac (heterotrophic bacteria)
http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/c...s/DSCF7277.jpg



During the cycle, there have been no signs of any cyno or red slime algae. The combination of using the Pro-Bac Carbon and Phosphate filters, including the skimming and addition of Brightwell Bio-Fuel has removed all the watse whilst creating the "Low Nutrient" enviroment.

The only growth of Algae was a micro green algae:
http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/c...s/DSCF7298.jpg



So after the first scrape for removing most of the algae on the walls and filter outlets (which came off very easily), I Couldn't help myself, and had to get some coral in there. As well as a few addittions of clean up crew, Snails, Hermit Janitor Crabs, Blennies and a Foxface.


Heres the tank at present.
http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/c...s/DSCF7401.jpg



The base of the right hand scape
http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/c...s/DSCF7404.jpg



Some of the Zoa's
http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/c...s/DSCF7366.jpg
http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/c...s/DSCF7367.jpg



Some Acro's
http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/c...s/DSCF7375.jpg



My Sponge
http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/c...s/DSCF7369.jpg



Current End Shot, still to be scaped
http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/c...s/DSCF7408.jpg


Last night the Dendro's started opening..

Now I have to start getting the dosing right for feeding and suppliments for the coral.

Date: 16th May 2009

The Po4 increased slightly with the addittion of 3boxes of coral, as did the No3. Im currently adding 20mls of Pro-Bac daily, and just increased the Brightwell Bio-Fuel to 20ml dose daily, as I felt organic carbon was the lacking element to kick into gear the full potential of the Pro-Bac organisms to consume the excess nutrients and organic material.

In addittion, as the Neo Zeo was only added recently, theres a bit of catching up for it to do. But im sure it will be upto speed very soon.

I still need to get my hands on a Potassium Kit. Im dosing 20ml of "Potassion" every 2nd day, Iodine and Trace every day.

The little hermit crabs are like an Army tackling the fields of Algae growth on the rocks. Snails are maintaining the glass, with a magnet cleaner go over once every 2days to release the biofilm back into the water coloum as a food source for filterfeeding organisms and coral. You can see in the last photo end shot of the tank, there is a small section of glass on the back wall which has never been cleaned or wiped/scraped. Each night this section is reducing and being maintained.

The lighting system is running on an 11hr Actinic cycle and 7.5hrs HQI cycle with a gap of 1hr between each of the 3x 400W HQI bulbs for "Sunrise" and "Sunset", for a total of 1512Watts of light all glowing for 5.5hrs per day!! :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

All the Acro's are extending Polyps, Dendro's are opening at night, Acathastrea's are loving it, and everyday im finding new little colonies of interesting creatures/corals. Like this little farm of bi-valves:
http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/c...9_07100361.jpg