The livestock from my reef tank is being removed next weekend as I want to convert to planted tanks.
My wife is not overly happy with it as she loved the reef (looking at it, not maintaining it) but I feel it is time for something new, evenly rewarding and interesting.
The current tank is 135 x 80 x 57cm, with sump for a total of about 700L.
This tank will be replaced by new one (the old one is heavily scratched) with similar dimensions but lower:
135 x 80 x 40cm.
I am still debating on whether keeping the sump or continue with external filter(s).
I love my sump (more info about it later). It is easy to work with it, clean it, maintain it and I have all the equipment for it.
A canister filter on the other hand is compact, would easily allow the chiller to enter in the stand and maintenance is pretty easy and quick as well.
Some pictures of the tank and cabinet as it was before setting up the reef.
Imagine that the new setup will be the same, but with a more shallow display tank.
I always prefer a sump if possible because it gives you so many more options and eliminates the canister filter tubes from the aquarium. The glass pipes are wonderful but what you normally don't see on the Internet pictures is how green/brown the tubes get over time. You also are able to swap out mechanical and chemical filtration much easier with a sump.
That being said, it does take up a lot more cabinet space than an canister. If you do go canister, I would recommend the new Oase filters that allow you to replace the prefilter without taking the filter apart.
What is a good return flow for a total water volume of about 380L? I removed here already the volume for rocks, substrate,...
There is one return pump with dual inlet to the tank. If possible I like to avoid the need of any other wavemaker.
How to set up the sump and filtration?
There will be 2 filter socks instead of the below 4 socks.
Water is running in U form and there is a lot of space to add extra baffles if necessary.
How many compartments do you recommend for bio media and others?
CO2
Any suggestions for the best way to add this to this system?
Inline reactor? In tank diffusor? Cerges reactor?
Are the CO2-Art regulators and diffusors any good?
I have an UV reactor.
Is UV something that is commonly used? I know that it does not do wonders, but it can help to remove certain items from the water.
Water top off:
I will do some more reading and testing of my tap water to find out what can be used.
I have a rodi-filter, but understand that nutrients are needed.
My tap TDS is about 160.
Bump:
Hi Art, thank you for chiming in.
Very much agreed on the sump pros and I think I will go with that route.
I am not sure how to get this in my avatar space, but I live in Dubai and most probably will be moving to Vietnam in the future.
Here a chiller is something not to be forgotten in the setup. I guess in Vietnam I will have the same issue with heat.
I saw the Oase Biomaster filters and these look very good. A Biomaster 600 would do great.
Good to know about the lily pipes.
The chiller depends on where your tank is and what you keep your home at. I live in Miami where it's often 34+ celsius. However, most homes here have AC and we keep it at a balmy 76 F so I never use a chiller.
I just realized that I am working next to a pile of rocks that might be useful for the scape.
These rocks are coming from the mountains between Oman and Ras Al Khaimah.
I have no idea about the composition, but man they are heavy.
I will bring some home, put in a brute with a pump and leave this outside. The temperature here is around 45 degrees for the moment and I will check each week what happens with the water parameters.
beautiful setup! looking forward to seeing it planted!
about the hardscape stones: I would test to make sure they don't affect water chemistry.
I'm not a mineralogist and I can't identify or give advice on that exact rock in the picture, but limetone rocks can make your water really alkaline and raise your PH and KH.
an easy test is to pour a little vinegar over it and see if it bubbles...
I did a test where I broke a piece of one rock and poured some battery acid over it.
It turned out safe.
Last week I also visited the LFS and brought home some very small pieces of rock which they had available and looked good. When I asked to know where these are coming from, they answered probably China.
So I threw them in the same acid and very slowly some bubbles started to form.
I guess my rock is even better quality.
Bump: In the past weeks I have been contemplating about the size of the aquarium.
Although I like the big tank, I think it is too big for a planted tank, taking in consideration the following:
- I'll probably will be moving beginning of next year
- I like the stand (and so does my wife, which is important) but I believe it can be better looking
- I started doubting on using a sump after seeing the Oase Biomaster filters which seem to be a breeze to maintain.
- a big tank means more soil, bigger water changes, more plants to begin with, more CO2, probably flow issues, and so on
- I sold my Ecotech Radions and will need new lights. The smaller the tank, more economical this purchase.
So I will have to change the title of this thread in 90G Rimless peninsula tank (no sump).
New dimensions will be 100 x 80 x 42cm
I am still researching plants, but how can I measure the CO2 consumption this kind of volume will have.
Taking in account that 50% will be carpet, with another 30% of stem plants.
After a lot of deliberation I decided not to change the title of the thread and ordered a Modular Marine overflow. This means I now have to check how to get a sump in the cabinet.
The Modular Marine overflow will have a capacity of 800gph, which should be enough for this size of tank.
The inner box is omly 200mm long which will not distrurb a lot of the view and it is small enough to let the emerging stem plants hide it from plain sight.
My LFS, that took most of the coral and fish from the previous reef set up, realized they made a great deal on that and will be giving me the new display tank for free.
The tank will be drilled 3 times. Twice for the overflow and one for the return.
That leaves me to do the new cabinet and sump.
Not a bad deal at all.
I have been checking all lighting options for a while from Twinstar to Chihiros and Ecotech XR15, over T5, to Kessils and back to Twinstar.
My mind was made up on 2 x Twinstar 900SP, until I read about the UNS Titan 1. A fairly new RGB system with little information and reviews.
Compared with the ADA Solar RGB, the UNS is less powerful, also true RGB LED, half the price, sleek design and light weight as well. Half-price is good.
Compared with Ecotech XR15's and Kessils, the UNS is simple on/off. Simple is good.
Compared with Twinstar, the UNS gives a less yellowish light. Less is good.
Compared with the Chihiros, the UNS is just better. Better is good.
I have been checking all lighting options for a while from Twinstar to Chihiros and Ecotech XR15, over T5, to Kessils and back to Twinstar.
My mind was made up on 2 x Twinstar 900SP, until I read about the UNS Titan 1. A fairly new RGB system with little information and reviews.
Compared with the ADA Solar RGB, the UNS is less powerful, also true RGB LED, half the price, sleek design and light weight as well. Half-price is good.
Compared with Ecotech XR15's and Kessils, the UNS is simple on/off. Simple is good.
Compared with Twinstar, the UNS gives a less yellowish light. Less is good.
Compared with the Chihiros, the UNS is just better. Better is good.
I just saw the UNS light at aquashella in Chicago. It’s a nice light although I personally would miss dimability. I’m not sure how you are planning on mounting it but the mounting system for the UNS looked to be very well thought and attractively designed
The MM overflow arrived.
The tank was drilled with a 50mm drill bit as the recommended 45mm was not available and that gives me some play to adjust the height later on.
This is the smallest version for 800+ gph.
More than enough for this 80g tank.
I believe you will get better CO2 diffusion with an inline diffuser. I am using a Sera 500 CO2 reactor on 50 gallons of planted tank plumbed into the sump return line.
I believe you will get better CO2 diffusion with an inline diffuser. I am using a Sera 500 CO2 reactor on 50 gallons of planted tank plumbed into the sump return line.
Hi, I got both inline and in tank diffusers now.
The inline has my preference for now and I believe I will run the same line in a reactor to slow the flow and allow better CO2 diffusion before it enters the tank.
This is the reactor I have and which will be connected behind the inline diffuser.
First water change done for about 75% of the volume.
The water is rather brownish.
I added some more Seachem Stability and a CO2 drop checker.
The sump design is almost finish, as well as the cabinet idea.
Will post some more info tomorrow about this as the drawings and details are in my office.
Here some drawings of the cabinet, tank and sump ideas I am working on.
The cabinet and sump idea are more or less finalized.
I will use 2 filter socks, a Seachem Matrix area and a return area in the sump.
The cabinet will be finished with a wood grain laminate. I added a space for 2 shelves to store some equipment, books or even to give the cats a place to sleep.
New lights have arrived.
Being used to have the Ecotech Radions, these UNS Titan 1 LED are a bliss.
Just plug them in, push the switch and "Let there be light".
I love the finish in black. They give a pretty crisp white light and seem to be very bright.
If I have time, I will do some PAR measurements under water. If not, this will be done when setting up the tank.
For the big tank there is not too much news for the moment.
I am still working on the stand.
The small tank is humming along.
The first week I did daily water changes to remove the excess ammonia that was leaching from the soil.
Now I reduced this to 2 water changes per week.
I added some shrimp and fish as well.
Algae showed up, but very limited. The Oto's will hopefully take care of them.
Some progression shots, with a intermediate trimming in between and some fauna.
Yes, the tank is CO2 injected with an in tank diffuser.
I believe you refer to the killifish. It is a pair of Nothobranchius rachovii.
I am trying to get them to eat. Whatever I throw in the tank they do not seem to eat it, but neither do they lose weight.
Live food is not easy to get here.
Re: live food : I was just about to say if I can grow live daphnia year round outside in NYC than it can be done anywhere then I looked up your location - cool!
(well - hot actually?)
For picky eaters have you heard of Dr. Bassleer Bio Fish Food? Developed by a German fish pathologist, it's sold mostly in Europe, Etc. The price isn't bad similar to New Life Spectrum.
Specifically, Cavar is for picky eaters (I feed Cavar, Acai and live daphnia that I culture in a bucket). The pellets are very small (I buy size medium) and they float for a good while.
I'm attaching the ingredient list as well as info to email them for a distributor in your area, if you're interested.
Killifish - I *love* killifish they're so neat! And those colors [emoji7]
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