Mitchell's 4 x 4 Reef – Take2 -

[Mitchell]

Mitchell's 4 x 4 Reef – Take2

I’ve been busy beavering away on my system over the last two months correcting some school boy errors from when I first set it up.

I’ve dropped the floor of the stand by three inches allowing for better access to the sump area in addition to investing in some new equipment (that I can now fit in)to help maintain stability and water quality.

The system now comprises of the following equipment:

Glass box 48 x 48 x 21
Rear weir with 2 x 40mm (Closed loop and main drain) & 2 x 32mm (Emergency overflow & Return)
Closed loop with three return jets circulated by a Deltec 8020s
Ocean Runner 6500 return pump
KZ Revolution Skimmer (S)
KZ Calcium reactor (S)
FM Zeomatic 2
2 x ATI 8 tube 54w T5’s
1 Heater + 1 backup heater

I’ve nuked my once live rock to eradicate that “full of life” feeling in pursuit of repopulating it with life of my choosing.

The rock has been soaked in bleach then vinegar then jet washed and finally soaked several times in RO before being left to cook in a rock bin for several weeks.

I’m currently doing a partial system fill so I can scape the rockwork and get a true reading for PO4. I plan to run my skimmer in the DT along with some Rowa prior to filling completely and kick starting the system.

I’ve added a reactor today running fresh Rowa to mop up the PO4 that is still washing out of the rock/reef plates. The reading today is 82 on the Hanna Phosphorus ULR checker which equates to 0.251.


Empty


I've fitted a new frame around the tank as I plan to scape around the edges of the tank.



At last the RO unit is running, although shortly after this picture I emptied the tank again after turning the closed loop on and putrid water spurted out, DOH!



Crate in ready for the rocks!



The rock has been soaking for a few weeks in Salty water with a heater and skimmer and looks and smells very, very clean.


No crabs, no worms, no aips (yet), no bugs or FLAT WORM just plain pest free rock, what could possible go wrong!



It looks very cool and calm at the moment with just the rock in.

[barracuda]

Great start bud, done a good job on that rock and good that its pest free now
will you be using cheato/culerpa to take out nutrients as well?

[Mitchell]

Great start bud, done a good job on that rock and good that its pest free now
will you be using cheato/culerpa to take out nutrients as well?

No, I'm planning to run full Zeo and have low(ish) fish stock.

[Wayne]

Dont fiddle with it so much this time, just leave it be! Looking forward to seeing how you get on second time round mate.

[screwloose]

good man


and after our chat today...i am pretty sure your on track this time

[Mitchell]

Well I've added a big scoop of Nev's pod concoction today to give the little suckers chance to get established before I introduce any other livestock. I'll add some phyto to help sustain them.

[rhys1992]

great start mate well done

[Hudson]

Nice looking scape you got there

[killi]

Looking good so far

[kinevil]

Sad to see you starting again.... I still love the dimentions of this set up.. looking forward to seeing it take shape...again.