New - Starting 50g Tank

[Happyfeet]

But what about the climb over the top of the tank? I get how a siphon might do it but not sure how it would work otherwise.

 

The first picture is just drawn incorrectly and couldn't find the correct one. It was just to give an idea. The drain works as a gravity drain, but instead of having a whole vertical inch of intake for water to flow into it has more like a 1/4" of vertical intake for the water to flow into. In the event of a power outage MUCH less water is able to flow back into the sump. So long as the return pump kicks back on the water in the tank will rise and the whole system will start again.

 

The reason i included the first picture was I might of gone that route, however since I'm not going that route anymore I was offered help drilling my tank I'm doing the gravity drain. Sorry for the confusion.

Edited August 29, 2009 by Happyfeet

[zygote2k]

[quote name='Boret' post='277524' date='Aug 28 2009, 07:12 P

 

 

I am not crazy about the algae scrubber system but maybe it works for you. One of the biggest draw backs in my opinion is smell and constant maintenance.

I've never caught a whiff of anything around my tank except for me. As far as constant maintenance goes, the 'fuge based system is way less maintenance than a conventional system. About every 2 weeks, I prune half of my assorted macros and do a water change. I clean the glass too (it takes about a month for anything significant to accumulate.)

Edited August 29, 2009 by zygote2k

[Boret]

So I stand corrected. I still think you should go and see setups.

[Happyfeet]

So I stand corrected. I still think you should go and see setups.

 

Yeah I definitely will.

 

Right now I'm searching to find a stand that has space inside it for my algae scrubber. The girlfriend won't let me have anything "ugly" showing haha. Its proving to be a challenge finding a stand that isn't sectioned and has shelves.

 

Yes the maintenance is a bit of a turn off with the algae scrubber, but it gives me something to do once a week!

[Happyfeet]

Also when I say Algae Scrubber, that may not be 100% accurate. It's actually called a Turf Algae Filter. By hanging a sheet of porous material with a light source on both sides and having a constant flow of water over it. Algae will grow on the sheet and removes nitrates and phosphates, most of the time down to zero. Which is better for a reef tank than a skimmer because a skimmer removes food particles (so corals starve) and then leaves the nitrate and phosphate in the water so you have to use other methods to get the nitrate and phosphate out. And how about all that gunk that your skimmer pulls out? Well, half of it is food that you just fed, and your corals wanted to eat it. What about the other half, the waste? Well, that's food too!

 

I've been doing a lot of research on the subject and everyone who set up a trial on their reef tank who submitted feed back ended up switching to using this filtration system over all other ones for their main tanks.

 

That and it costs about 30 bucks to set up!

 

I know I'm the newbie preaching the experienced people, so I won't press the subject

[zygote2k]

You need to read a book called "Dynamic Aquaria" by Adey and Loveland. It's all about ATS systems. I have a real ATS filter that is being used at Fins And Feathers in Ashburn. If you want a pretty package, you should check it out. The hanging filters aren't as efficient as the horizontal filters. I've used both for many years back in the day.

[Happyfeet]

You need to read a book called "Dynamic Aquaria" by Adey and Loveland. It's all about ATS systems. I have a real ATS filter that is being used at Fins And Feathers in Ashburn. If you want a pretty package, you should check it out. The hanging filters aren't as efficient as the horizontal filters. I've used both for many years back in the day.

 

I'll have to pick it up.

[Boret]

I am not questioning the logic behind it. It is one of those things that is inexpensive enough that might make it worth a try! I have read somewhere a long very heated discussions (i need to find it) on the subject, and one of the conclusions was that you needed a fairly large algae scrubber for it to be efficient. One of the bests was a whole thread where a guy posted that every piece of equipment in a reef tank is pretty much worthless and that with $20 you could accomplish the same. He also happened to make this algae scrubbers and sold them in his website.

 

I do have one philosophy... show it to me!!! Meaning I like to see these claims in action. I have never seen, neither on TOTM or in person an SPS tank that I loved (with tremendous growth, fantastic colonies, plenty of livestock, and everything thriving) that didn't use a skimmer and powerful lights, had plenty of mechanical flow and some form of Calcium addition.

 

But what you are saying makes sense, I am sure the skimmer takes away good stuff. But so do water changes.... right? If you dose Ca and your algae scrubber pulls all the "nasties" naturally, why would you replace water?

 

I think that it is awesome to see you guys try to replicate natural conditions, and kudos to you all that try to make this hobby affordable.

I am a sucker for technology and half of the fun in my tank is to tinker with equipment, so I guess I am bias. Anyway, this is probably not the place to start this discussion, as this it your build thread, and as such should contain your setup the way you want it. I would love to hear more about this system, and definitely look forward to see how it works out for you. We can even start another thread about the algae scrubber to continue a friendly dialogue about it.

 

You are still very welcome to see my setup. I might even change your mind if I can get a hold of you before Ron does!

Edited August 30, 2009 by Boret

[zygote2k]

Rob not Ron. My 'fuge system has maybe a whole pound of growing macros to filter nitrogenous wastes and phosphates from the water. I can successfully grow the few sps that I have even with the malfunctioning ballast. I use carbon to make the water crystal clear. Even with no carbon, the water is clear- not yellow from the tannins produced by growing turf algae or hair algae. Another reason not to use them as filters. Stick with true macroalgaes for better results. I only do twice a month waterchanges too. I do notice an 'oil slick' on the surface every now and then. I also experience huge blooms of micro critters on the glass every few weeks. I've got tons of 'pods of all shapes and sizes too. I've even spotted some isopod fish lice too. I have a large colony of cluster dusters and maybe a few hundred of the larger feather dusters growing and breeding as well. Lots of cyclopeeze and phyto food use!

I dose 2 part to keep the ph, alk, and calcium high. I also dose Lugols solution. My fish are healthy and happy too.

This existing system was probably less than $750 including lights and R/O. No nuisance algae or cyano either.

[Happyfeet]

Rob not Ron. My 'fuge system has maybe a whole pound of growing macros to filter nitrogenous wastes and phosphates from the water. I can successfully grow the few sps that I have even with the malfunctioning ballast. I use carbon to make the water crystal clear. Even with no carbon, the water is clear- not yellow from the tannins produced by growing turf algae or hair algae. Another reason not to use them as filters. Stick with true macroalgaes for better results. I only do twice a month waterchanges too. I do notice an 'oil slick' on the surface every now and then. I also experience huge blooms of micro critters on the glass every few weeks. I've got tons of 'pods of all shapes and sizes too. I've even spotted some isopod fish lice too. I have a large colony of cluster dusters and maybe a few hundred of the larger feather dusters growing and breeding as well. Lots of cyclopeeze and phyto food use!

I dose 2 part to keep the ph, alk, and calcium high. I also dose Lugols solution. My fish are healthy and happy too.

This existing system was probably less than $750 including lights and R/O. No nuisance algae or cyano either.

 

Yeah I really want to see your set up now.

 

P.S.from what I've read Turf Algae won't turn your tank yellow if its harvested weekly. The yellow is caused when there is too much competition for the light source (Or so I've read)

 

I just got back from the horse show... man am I ever burned... Kate took 3rd place though!!

I'm going to nap off my burn

[Happyfeet]

I filled up the tank last to make sure it didn't leak and left it over night full to sit. I woke up this morning and looked outside and didn't see the tank.

 

I thought to myself... What the H-E-double hockey sticks did someone steal my tank!!!!

 

I looked down... nope there it was.

 

good news, Tank didn't leak

 

Bad news, stand evidently had rotted and gave out during the night.

 

I'll be going this weekend to get a new tank and a new stand.

[L8 2 RISE]

lol, sorry that happened to you, but at least it happened sooner rather than later.

[Sugar Magnolia]

I filled up the tank last to make sure it didn't leak and left it over night full to sit. I woke up this morning and looked outside and didn't see the tank.

 

I thought to myself... What the H-E-double hockey sticks did someone steal my tank!!!!

 

I looked down... nope there it was.

 

good news, Tank didn't leak

 

Bad news, stand evidently had rotted and gave out during the night.

 

I'll be going this weekend to get a new tank and a new stand.

DOH!! Now's your opportunity to get a larger tank.

[Origami]

Sorry to hear the news. But, like Sam said, better now than later when you have even more invested but, more to the point, before you've moved it into the house!

[Happyfeet]

Sorry to hear the news. But, like Sam said, better now than later when you have even more invested but, more to the point, before you've moved it into the house!

 

I agree 100%!! Thats why I set it up OUTSIDE!!! haha

 

I should of just got a new stand to be perfectly honest. I had stored the stand outside for a couple months at my parents place. I looked over the stand before I set everything up and it looked like it was still perfect. Lesson learned.

 

I did upgrade... by 5 gallons. I wanted to save a little bit of money so I went on craigslist to find a stand/tank combo and found one I liked... but it was about 50 bucks more than I wanted to spend. Though 200 dollars for a 55g tank and stand is still good.

[Happyfeet]

I agree 100%!! Thats why I set it up OUTSIDE!!! haha

 

I should of just got a new stand to be perfectly honest. I had stored the stand outside for a couple months at my parents place. I looked over the stand before I set everything up and it looked like it was still perfect. Lesson learned.

 

I did upgrade... by 5 gallons. I wanted to save a little bit of money so I went on craigslist to find a stand/tank combo and found one I liked... but it was about 50 bucks more than I wanted to spend. Though 200 dollars for a 55g tank and stand is still good.

 

I didn't get the 55 gal for 200, I got there and the stand was all bowed out!! I couldn't believe it was still holding that tank.

 

Anyways I picked up a different 55 gal with a stand. I'm kind of iffy about the stand but sadly it was the best one I've seen yet. I'll take pictures of it and post them. think I'm going to reinforce the stand it just doesn't seem strong enough, but then again I prefer to stay on the safe side haha. I'm sure its actually strong enough.

 

The tank came with some goodies too. So as of now I have.

55g Tank

Stand

2 Powerheads

2 hang on back filters (I won't be using)

2 compact Floracent lights, that I will be putting in the sump

and a whole bunch of base rock

 

I'll post pictures this afternoon when I get home.

[ctenophore]

You need to read a book called "Dynamic Aquaria" by Adey and Loveland. It's all about ATS systems. I have a real ATS filter that is being used at Fins And Feathers in Ashburn. If you want a pretty package, you should check it out. The hanging filters aren't as efficient as the horizontal filters. I've used both for many years back in the day.

My old ATS? Where are they using it?

[ctenophore]

Also when I say Algae Scrubber, that may not be 100% accurate. It's actually called a Turf Algae Filter. By hanging a sheet of porous material with a light source on both sides and having a constant flow of water over it. Algae will grow on the sheet and removes nitrates and phosphates, most of the time down to zero. Which is better for a reef tank than a skimmer because a skimmer removes food particles (so corals starve) and then leaves the nitrate and phosphate in the water so you have to use other methods to get the nitrate and phosphate out. And how about all that gunk that your skimmer pulls out? Well, half of it is food that you just fed, and your corals wanted to eat it. What about the other half, the waste? Well, that's food too!

 

I've been doing a lot of research on the subject and everyone who set up a trial on their reef tank who submitted feed back ended up switching to using this filtration system over all other ones for their main tanks.

 

That and it costs about 30 bucks to set up!

 

I know I'm the newbie preaching the experienced people, so I won't press the subject

Glad you are doing research. Lots of beginners don't do that.

 

Corals don't starve with a skimmer any more than with an ATS. Two different approaches to the same problem: nutrient export.

 

While I am a big fan of turf scrubbing in theory, and having used both in practice, I have to say that I get more consistent results (with colorful sps) using technology (skimmer, UV, ozone etc) over biology (ATS, macroalgae, etc). Maybe you'll find the opposite and honestly I hope you do. One thing is for sure, you will learn a lot in the process, which is probably the most worthwhile thing of all.

[Happyfeet]

Glad you are doing research. Lots of beginners don't do that.

 

Corals don't starve with a skimmer any more than with an ATS. Two different approaches to the same problem: nutrient export.

 

While I am a big fan of turf scrubbing in theory, and having used both in practice, I have to say that I get more consistent results (with colorful sps) using technology (skimmer, UV, ozone etc) over biology (ATS, macroalgae, etc). Maybe you'll find the opposite and honestly I hope you do. One thing is for sure, you will learn a lot in the process, which is probably the most worthwhile thing of all.

 

I'll agree 100% with learning a lot! Thats the second biggest reason I want to get into this hobby. It goes along with my career and my study. I work for Fish and Wildlife (DEAR GOD DON'T KILL ME ABOUT HR 669!!!! I AM NOT A SUPPORTER!) and I'm studying Biology/Conservation and I want to specialize in Marine Conservation/Ecology

 

On a side note I took a picture of the tank I'm going to be setting up. It needs a lot of work, I'm going to sand down the stand and restain it so it looks decent.

Photo was taken by my cellphone I didn't feel like pulling out the DSLR