Return of the Reef!

[Steve_bham]

Current progress:



Equipment

AC Aquatics 4ftx2ftx2ft Tank with sump
Evergrow IT5012
2 x Jebao RW-15 with Twin Controller
1 x Jecod DCT 6000 Return pump
1 x tunze osmolator with 30L storage container
1 x 300W heater and temp controller
1 x Avast Marine Spyglass Reactor running bio pearls
1 x Deltec SC 1351 Skimmer

Stock

4 x Green Chromis Fish
2 x Tangerine clownfish
5 x Hermit Crabs
5 x Narcissus Snails
4 x Turbo Snails

Corals:

1 x Hammer Coral
1 x Goniopora
1 x Green / Red Favia
1 x Red branching Montipora
1 x Green Zoa

Current salt = Red sea coral Pro

 

[Steve_bham]

So it’s like a mini Christmas day for me as my new 4ftx2ftx2ft tank has arrived from AC Aquatics!

I’ve been keeping fish since I was a teenager (so a fair few years now!) but work got in the way and I reluctantly gave up fish keeping and converted my tank as a mini forest for my Crested Geckos.



But working every hour isn’t the best and you tend to do nothing but work, and have very little time to enjoy the important things in life. So ive got my work social life back in balance and ordered a replacement tank and sump (ive reused the cabinet on open top hood as they are still in mint condition).



Tank (needs to be cleaned up a bit)



Sump layout

Im not to sure about the sump layout and what will work best for it. I do want the middle section for cheato. Any suggestions on the layout?

The tank will be mainly an SPS / LPS reef tank and this time around will take it nice and slow, as im kinda enjoying the journey of setting it all up this time.

 

[Steve_bham]

Pipe work ready to be plumbed (just doing a wet test on the main tank and sump first).



And ive already got the flow in the DT tank sorted ill be using 2 x Jedao RW15 and a twin controller.

 

[Steve_bham]

All plumbing done and wet test completed. Only a small leak between one of the glass baffles in the sump, quick dab of sealant sorted it out!



Brought a few goodies today from Marine Aquatics:



They had some really nice Pukani reef bones in stock so got some of those as well, as i want to soak them for 8 weeks before adding live rock.



The visitherm heater is going to be my back up heater as i can't decide which is the better heater Aqua Medic or Schego Titanium Heater?

 

[Steve_bham]

Aquascaping completed and glued in place with reef cement. I'm quite pleased with it as wanted to go with two islands and open areas.



What do you think?

 

[feeblebob]

I like the two islands look, and reckon I'll go with it on the 400 when it's rebuilt. For some reason, it just looks good to my eye, anyway. There will be a reason though, having read very arty and creative articles on why various rockscapes work Not enough space in the 170 for it though, not enough width to get the same effect.

 

[CEECH]

Nice build so far Big Thumbs Up the scape looks good but i think we are all different when it comes to the scape in are tanks. Being honest as long as you are happy that is all that matters as you will be the one looking at the tank Look forward to seeing more

 

[Steve_bham]

Thanks both. Yeh I'm pleased we with how it turned out. I've tweaked the layout by adding a large plate to link the islands together to allow for a ledge for corals.

Just soaking them now in the tank for a few weeks.


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[CEECH]

get some pics up then

 

[Steve_bham]

get some pics up then

I will promise! The water is very green at the min so will wait till I change it for the 2nd soak [emoji4]


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[Steve_bham]

Not much of an update still changing the water every few days as after this length of time it starts to go green and stink!



The only problem i have is the RO unit is just too slow, so decided to splash out on a higher rated unit :w00t:

Osmotics 6 stage 150g and an inline TDS meter (and a bog tub of DI Resin):





Oh and whilst i was in a spending mood thought i might as will buy a few more bits and bobs

 

[Phil077]

Not much of an update still changing the water every few days as after this length of time it starts to go green and stink!

View attachment 134378

The only problem i have is the RO unit is just too slow, so decided to splash out on a higher rated unit :w00t:



Osmotics 6 stage 150g and an inline TDS meter (and a bog tub of DI Resin):

View attachment 134382

View attachment 134380

Oh and whilst i was in a spending mood thought i might as will buy a few more bits and bobs

View attachment 134381

I Have yet to see an R/o unit that will give you those numbers
I Use a Booster Pump and pushing it 9x25 ltrs
Mine is 150 pd , Good luck

 

[warby]

I Have yet to see an R/o unit that will give you those numbers
I Use a Booster Pump and pushing it 9x25 ltrs
Mine is 150 pd , Good luck

give what numbers?

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[Phil077]

give what numbers?

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150 gpd mine does 45 gpd with r/o pump

 

[Steve_bham]

I Have yet to see an R/o unit that will give you those numbers
I Use a Booster Pump and pushing it 9x25 ltrs
Mine is 150 pd , Good luck

Thanks i know it depends on water pressure and temp, but my old one was only 50 pd.

There is definitely an increase in water production plus it's a 6 stage rather than 4 stage my old one was.

Really pleased with it input water is 215tds and 0tds output.


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[Steve_bham]

I also ordered an 8oz bottle of Dr Tims one and only, but looks like they didn't have an 8oz bottle in stock so sent a half full 16oz bottle.

Would it still be ok as it's been opened? I'm not going to use it straight away.


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[warby]

I also ordered an 8oz bottle of Dr Tims one and only, but looks like they didn't have an 8oz bottle in stock so sent a half full 16oz bottle.

Would it still be ok as it's been opened? I'm not going to use it straight away.


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not sure and I wouldn't be happy with being sent a half opened bottle. did you agree this before hand? if not I'd be tempted to send it back and ask for a sealed bottle.

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[warby]

150 gpd mine does 45 gpd with r/o pump

I get 25L in roughly 1 hour with non pumped twin membrane unit but my tap water pressure is 6bar. take slightly longer when it's colder.

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[Steve_bham]

not sure and I wouldn't be happy with being sent a half opened bottle. did you agree this before hand? if not I'd be tempted to send it back and ask for a sealed bottle.

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No didn't agree to it, have contacted them and they said it was because they had no stock of the 8oz bottle.

Not sure once opened will it start to degrade


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[Steve_bham]

150 gpd mine does 45 gpd with r/o pump

Just measured the output and I'm getting 18 litres an hour out of the unit.


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