Black Mammoth's 325g Tank Part Deux - The Recovery!

[Black Mammoth]

6 years ago I started a build thread for my 325g A.G.E. tank (http://wamas.org/forums/topic/27453-mammoths-325-age-build/?hl=%20black%20%20mammoth) After awhile, I got really busy and stopped updating the thread. Then about 2 years ago the back panel of the glass cracked. I was pretty devastated when that happened, especially since 6 months prior to the crack I just spent a lot of money installing 2 closed loops (both with OM-4 way). I was really frustrated with A.G.E. because I wasn't getting a response on fixing it or getting a new tank. At that point I decided to take a break.

 

About 6 months ago I started looking at getting another builder. I crossed A.G.E. off my list of builders because of the lack of response I got. During my research I noticed that Tom left A.G.E. at the same time I had my problem. I then thought that was probably why they dropped the ball with me. So I thought I would give them another chance and tried contacting them. I was surprised at how fast they responded. They took the time to talk to me about my failure and the changes that have made over the years to address particular problems. After talking to them a couple times, I felt that things were different and that they were a better company than when I initially purchased from them. A.G.E. was also willing to help me out on replacing the tank. In the end, I decided to purchase another tank from them. As you can see below, the tank is a bit different from the last one.

 

My new setup will be similar to my old one. There are a few changes in the equipment.

 

Display Tank:

• 325 gallon - 96L x 30W x26T built by A.G.E.
• 3/4" Starphire on 3 sides; front and 2 end pieces. The back panel will be blacked out
• 30" long external overflow centered on the back panel with 3 1.5" drains
• There are no returns on the tank. I plan on coming over the back.
• 2" Stainless steel bracing on the bottom and the top. There will also be two stainless steel cross braces

Stand:

• I'm reusing the original stand that came with the tank. It is a black powder coated cantilever stand

Flow:

• I used to have Tunzes, but I felt that the quality of those weren't very good. So I'm thinking about going with either the new Vortex's or the MaxSpec Gyre. If I go Vortex, I'll probably start out with 1 MP60 and 2 MP40s. I'm going to check out the MaxSpec Gyre's in person. I'm leaning away from them because they seem cheap and fragile. I'm also not a big fan of CoralVue. IME their products (either sell or resell) seem to be crap.
• Dart return pump that will go in to an OM-4way that will probably have eductors on them.

Filtration:

• Super Reef Octopus SRO-5000INT with the auto neck cleaners that I got from Premium Aquatics
• AquaUV 57W Sterilizer that I got from Blue Ribbon Koi
• Carbon Reactor that I got form Bulk Reef Supply
• Filter Socks
• Cheato
• About 300 pounds of live rock about a 50/50 mix of Tonga and Marshall. I might trade out some for another type of rock. I'm still research on that.

Sump:

• 112 gallon acrylic (6' long) sump
• Will contain the cheato, probes, frag section

Supplementation:

• Calc reactor (I forget the brand)
• Rest TBD as needed

Lights:

• 4 IT2080 lights. I got from a vendor here, but I won't mention them as I think they are a terrible vendor.
• 1 D-120 type light I got from a friend on the cheap for the frag section.
• I might get 2 more IT2080 lights.

Controller:

• Apex controller. I got this directly from Apex.
• 2 EB-8s
• Temp, PH, and Orp Probes
• Auto-top off
• I'll probably get more things for it as I redo the system

 

I think that is the majority of the stuff. You can check out my original build thread for the fish room build out.

[Black Mammoth]

While working on the previous post, I got an email from A.G.E. that my tank is shipping today! Woo hoo! Anyone interested in a tank install party??? This time I won't have the fire department available to help me. However, I will have winch!

[GraffitiSpotCorals]

Glad you hashed it out with them. You will love the new qd vortechs. I can put my eat up to the back of the motor and I don't hear anything til I am not even a foot away. On 100%!! No spinning the fan to align it so it doesn't vibrate either. It feels twice as sturdy attached to the tank as well. My gyre is currently sitting on top of a waterchange trashcan. Not sure if I will add it back or not. Not enough flow options and the reverse mode was weak sauce and the main reason I bought it.

 

Look forward to seeing the build come along. What kind of corals will you keep?

[Black Mammoth]

Glad you hashed it out with them. You will love the new qd vortechs. I can put my eat up to the back of the motor and I don't hear anything til I am not even a foot away. On 100%!! No spinning the fan to align it so it doesn't vibrate either. It feels twice as sturdy attached to the tank as well. My gyre is currently sitting on top of a waterchange trashcan. Not sure if I will add it back or not. Not enough flow options and the reverse mode was weak sauce and the main reason I bought it.

 

Look forward to seeing the build come along. What kind of corals will you keep?

 

Thanks for the info on the new Vortechs! I plan on keeping SPS and LPS and maybe a few softies. The gyre's intrigue me because I might be able to put them on my cross bars and keep them completely hidden. I just hope that they are good enough for flow and quality. I liked my Tunze's at first, but they started to have issues. I'm interested in the Vortech's, but I don't like that I can't really adjust the flow like the Tunze's.

[GraffitiSpotCorals]

Yea, the flow on the vortechs spreads out nice and covers a good area. The gyre really has a long linear path for about two feet, then breaks up and fans out a bit. It does move water around the tank well, so for larger tanks I would probably keep it running.

[camelcruiser]

I would say with you running a calcium reactor I would probably do at least a gyre. The movement you get on the surface of the water is not really comparable to any pump I've ever owned and it would really help with gas exchange running the calcium reactor. I can't really speak to the new QD ecotech but I run a mix of mp40's and a gyre and they complement each other really well if you place them right.

[DCReefer1964]

I vote for Tunze !!! Flow & reliability I don't mind the cords. That is if Eric (epleeds) has not brought them all

[Black Mammoth]

Everyone, thank you for your input on flow. I might give Tunze another chance. I just got tired of the poor quality. They would work fine, but then power supplies would start to go bad. It appears to be a common issue with those. Things are starting to settle down. I'll probably go to a couple stores to check out the MaxSpec Gyre's and new VorTechs. If anyone is willing to let me borrow/come over for a few min to check out a gyre in my tank, that would be awesome!

 

So I have a tank update. I wanted to post this earlier, but I was a bit busy. I got my new tank last Monday (the 20th)! I'm pretty excited about getting this new one in. I took some shots, but the quality isn't that great. The tank is right by the wall of my garage and it was hard to get a good photo in that location with my iPhone. I also just wanted to take a quick few shots and not spend forever to get the best pics 

 

The plan is to pull out the old one and install the new one this weekend, Sat May 2nd. Anyone interested in helping? I could sure use some people! I'll make it a party and have beer and food!   My next door neighbor (and WAMAS member) will be bringing over a Gator with a winch to help remove and install the new one. Anyway, here are the pics I promised....

 

 

 

[Black Mammoth]

Today we removed the old tank and installed the new one. Special thanks to joec1212 for the awesome Gator with a winch. I would also like to thank Rayr18 and Hopeitlives for helping out! Unfortunately, I didn't get any pictures of the install. The winch was awesome and things went very smoothly. The biggest surprise is that the new tank weighed a lot more than the old one. I guess the stainless steel bracing on the bottom and top added more weight! There was more than the 4 of us, but they aren't fish people

 

I'm hoping in 2-3 months everything will be back up and operational with some livestock.

[YHSublime]

Unfortunately, the way it works around here is "pictures or it didn't happen!" 

 

Look forward to some updates. Big ups to all the members that gave you a hand! 

[zygote2k]

I've got a brand new Gyre that you could borrow. I'm not impressed with it and I think the good ole Mp40 still is the king of water movement. Who wants to look at cords anymore?

[Black Mammoth]

I've got a brand new Gyre that you could borrow. I'm not impressed with it and I think the good ole Mp40 still is the king of water movement. Who wants to look at cords anymore?

 

Thanks! I know what you mean. I was thinking with my brace and the cross members that I might be able to hide the gyres there. What do you not like about them? I was pretty excited to hear about the Quite Drive Vortechs. I'm thinking 1 MP60 and 3 MP40s for the tank.

[surf&turf]

This bad boy wet yet?

[Black Mammoth]

Sorry for the delay in updates. Unfortunately, things have been pretty hectic for me and I haven't had much time for the tank. I'm going to try and post pics in the next week or two. Here is the current state.

 

So the tank is wet....mostly.

 

The tank is aquascaped and it has sand. The tank is almost filled to the overflow with water. I bought some EcoTech pumps, 1 MP60WQD and 3 MP40WQD. I'm about to clean off the glass and install those. I'm pretty excited to see these things in action!

 

It took awhile to go through and clean up my old sand. I also learned a VERY important lesson. I bought 3 pieces of LR from a vendor on here to reseed my live rock since it was base rock. I quarantined the LR in a trash can for at least 4 weeks. Usually I would QT in a fish tank, but I'm reconfiguring my fish room so I put them in the trash can. The problem with using a trash can, it makes it difficult to see if there are any problems. After a couple weeks in the tank I noticed that I had red planaria (aka flatworms). Lesson learned and it isn't too bad. I'm going to run some Flatworm Exit and that should wipe those guys out. I just need to finish hooking up the sump, skimmer, etc first.

 

I'm still working on the fish room. The sump is about ready to be hooked back up. I expect some time this week I'll have it all running at a basic level. I'll throw my one piece of coral, 2 maroons, and my juvenile Emperor in this week. I imagine after nearly 2 months of being wet that it is done cycling Of course I'll double check. Stay tuned for pics! 

[Hopeitlives]

Sweet. If you need anything, I'm around the corner. I have plenty rodi if you want to come get some.

Edited August 31, 2015 by Hopeitlives

[sethsolomon]

If you want a cheaper solution for killing flatworms, use Prohibit.  Its the same thing as flatworm exit but cheaper.

 

I will find the exact dosages to mix the solution that is comparable to flatworm exit.  Also, this is an awesome dip for killing AEFW.

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Prohibit-Levamisole-Hydrochloride-Soluble-Powder-Wormer-Sheep-and-Cattle-52g-/291534315695?hash=item43e0cca0af

Edited August 31, 2015 by sethsolomon