Phoenix Tank

[allan]

The new build.

A 210 aqueon build, drilled for a Bean overflow.

This will be my 5th build and the 4th tank. Hopefully it will be my last. Nothing but stress and heartache to rise up from.

I've only had two kinds of sumps, my own clumsy attempt using a 55 gallon under a 100 gallon nano... And the Ace-built. This will be my third Ace-built sump and my first Ace-built stand.

Lights will be AI Sol, and Mike's old LED module. Suspended above the tank as cleanly as possible.

I'm not sure I'm going to do any walls this time, was thinking of using one or two of the old walls as island bases or just low lying rock outcrops. From front to rear or back towards the front. Time will tell.

Here are some introductory eye candy.

18150

18151

18152

18153

And of course my closet:

18154


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Scream311]

So this Thread is Dedicated to Showing Us How You will be Coming out of Your Closet with Frags and Colonies ?!

lol

Couldnt Resist Allan.

Glad to Finally See Some Pics ! we all know Ace does Great Work, excited to See what the Stands gonna Look Like

[RayAllen]

Coming back Stronger for sure Allan. Going to be a slick tank. Look forward to the build progress.

[350gt]

How many sols?

[allan]

Two sols. I have three sections that I can suspend over, but only two sols. The third will be that unit that mike had over his tank.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[SinisterLou]

Well that sump and new tank look clean and slick, sorry about the loss of the big L tank.

[allan]

Yeah, I was having problems with it anyway. All the rock and sand in the sump was getting very dark like a soot had settled over everything.

Same for the rubble rock.

This time I'm not putting any sand In the sump, and will be using the filter socks for physical filtration.

On the bright side the room is clean and Gloria has stopped nagging... I mean, mentioning the smell and general dirtiness of the room.

Once I repay Gloria's car fund I think now that I've got a smaller new tank I will rekindle my interest in the MP 40s if the wave maker doesn't work.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[allan]

And the stand taking shape...

18158

18159

18160

18161

I will be applying the stain here at the house, red mahogany 225 by minwax... Although I'm thinking of the lip and top trim a lighter color... I don't know.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[CoryDude]

Wow, you're rebounding faster than Lindsay Lohan!

[jcnkt_ellis]

Maybe this is nothing, but I was reading in one of the current coral mags about black reefs in the line islands. They were saying that a high iron content in the water with live rock would bread a type of black film algea that is smothering the corals out there and in a controlled experiment the black stuff pulled all the dissolved oxygen from the water.

[Sherita]

Wow, you're rebounding faster than Lindsay Lohan!

^Now that right there is funny^

[grouch]

Like I say ya can't keep a good man down looks good Allen I wish I had yur energy.

[allan]

I wish I had the energy. There were quite a few times that I just stared at the sand or part of the old tank and thought to myself "why?".

I don't think I could do it again.

I wonder if its the same thing, but my O2 wasn't depleted. I did find carbon pieces in the sump. I think my reactor was leaking.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Sherita]

Subscribed. I'm gonna watch, maybe you will have some good ideas that I can swipe for my 210g build.

That tank is going to be gorgeous Allan.

[allan]

Thanks sherita

18176

Right before picking up the stand...

18178

Almost in the right spot... Ready for stain...

18179

Got the doors and upper trim to finish before I'm done for the night.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Sherita]

Ohhhhhhh, I LIKE!

[hobogato]

your first pic in that last post isnt showing. you were working hard yesterday, i cant believe you got all the nail holes filled and had time to sand and stain it. you gonna put the stained doors on and snap a pic? i am eager to see how it turned out

[allan]

Ah, the nail holes... I didn't really fill them so much as I drenched them with stain. And the sanding probably could have been a bit more thorough.

I got the entire thing sanded and stained and this morning I'm placing it in the spot that it will sit in until it gets very cold in a location that is historically very, very hot.

In addition to working all the little details, worrying about the coral and fish, I'm attempting to keep the wife placated. This is made doubly hard by the extra equipment that I've got lying about, the smell of the sea which has been replaced by the smell is stain, the old sump in the front yard (anyone need/want a sump, I will make a great deal on it), buckets of sand, broken odds and ends of tank stands and canopies... And I keep getting up in the middle of the night thinking that I have forgotten to do something.

Thinking into the future I've got to plumb it, another trip into one of the LFS for bulkheads, hanging the lights, another trip to Home Depot, filling the tank with water at 75gpd, and moving rock and coral over.

I can't wait to languish about for an entire weekend... But the wife is already bi... Talking about the laundry list of tasks that have started to accumulate while I've been working on this build.

Ah... That felt good.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[RayAllen]

Another Ace built and approved stand. Love it. Looking good Allan.

I sanded and stained my stand several times before I got the finish I was looking for.

[hobogato]

..filling the tank with water at 75gpd...

at least you were able to save all of that water in the 75 and ben's monster sump.

[allan]

18191

18192

18193

I should have snapped a photo with the upper and lower trim.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Scutterborn]

I cannot for the life of me recall what I was looking at in the first pic! Lol.


-Ben-

[allan]

Okay, going with a shallow sand bed, waiting to water test the pump connections, going to try something a little different this time with the rock walls.

I'm going to use a few of them as rock out croppings, from the front glass back to give another, less doppelgänger, look... Hopefully. :)

With the trim, sans the doors:

18198

And the rock peninsula:

18199

So far seal appears dry as a desiccant packet.

18200


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Scutterborn]

Of course it's dry! It's "Ace made"! My monster sump is also "Ace made" and yes, it's awesome...


- Ben -

[FireWater]

Looks good Allan.

Strangely familiar. ;)
The minimal top is a nice touch and I like where you are heading with the rock work.

[allan]

It isn't Ace's work I'm concerned with, rather its the fact that I had to drill two holes to install the top off and the return pump.

Over all I'm happy as a cowboy watching the Super Bowl from the relative comfort of my living room. ;)

I've got water running, going to have to get some salt tomorrow. Ugh. And bulkheads.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[allan]

Some updates... Can't believe how many times I've been up to Home Depot.

I have up on the bean animal... They loss of a siphon bothered me every time I thought of how I feed coral and forget about it since the pump started up again in 30 minutes.

18287

18288

In the morning I will snap a few of the plumbing.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Tristan23]

Hey Allan how tall is the tank with the stand. Looks good by the way :)

[allan]

I think it's about six feet.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[BBQHILLBILLY]

I cannot for the life of me recall what I was looking at in the first pic! Lol.


-Ben-


Did somebody say cheeese!!!:bigsmile:

[Zen Reef]

Some updates... Can't believe how many times I've been up to Home Depot.

I have up on the bean animal... They loss of a siphon bothered me every time I thought of how I feed coral and forget about it since the pump started up again in 30 minutes.

18287

18288

In the morning I will snap a few of the plumbing.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Allan, there's a way to make it resume the syphon automatically after shutting off the return. It's done by drilling a small hole in the syphon ell. This lets the trapped air out and starts the syphon after the hole is submerged. The open drain ell will need to be turned up and the syphon ell turned down. The emergency drain ell will also need a small nipple to make it a bit taller then the open drain ell. I can stop by and help you with it. Lmk.

[allan]

It's too late. I went durso to keep it nice and easy.

I just ran into too many roadblocks and the research that I was turning up didn't give me that warm fuzzy. I just know that I would eventually forget to do something and then I would be toast.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[allan]

I'm also running out of time. I've got about 8 days in a temp home for the coral and fish. I feel like I'm on borrowed time.

The tank is well past half way, and if I truly wished to rush it I could get the tank up and running tonight.

But I'm worried about the temperature swing if I've got coral in the DT which is at a nice 80 degrees and put the sump into operation at a balmy 75 degrees.




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Zen Reef]

It's too late. I went durso to keep it nice and easy.

I just ran into too many roadblocks and the research that I was turning up didn't give me that warm fuzzy. I just know that I would eventually forget to do something and then I would be toast.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I feel ya. I ran into the same issues and resolved them that way after I understood the principle behind the design. Its more of a set it and forget it. Nothing to remember. It has worked flawlessly for me for a year now. If you ever decide to swap back to it and I can be of assistance, Lmk.

[allan]

I'm also running out of time. I've got about 8 days in a temp home for the coral and fish. I feel like I'm on borrowed time.

The tank is well past half way, and if I truly wished to rush it I could get the tank up and running tonight.

But I'm worried about the temperature swing if I've got coral in the DT which is at a nice 80 degrees and put the sump into operation at a balmy 75 degrees.




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[allan]

Okay, I moved half of the coral over, out of room. I'm going to have to start organizing before I can put in the rest.

First problem started last night. One of my return bulkheads started leaking so I shut down the tank, attempted a rush temporary job, and started it up again this morning. I've now got a drop a minute leak that I will have to deal with later.

I also had to tune the pump down. In the old tank the pump ran through a series of right angles before going through the chiller and up to the tank. I straightened out the lines and the chiller is no longer part if the equation. I thought with the extra height that it would be about the same... Wrong.

18320

Forgot that I had my dragon's breath in the sump, ran through the pump and dragon salad in the main tank. I wasn't happy, wanted to blame someone but Gloria wasn't having none of that.

18321

My temporary redneck light rack. I will build something with cleaner lines later.

18322

18323

18324


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[rrasco]

Allan, there's a way to make it resume the syphon automatically after shutting off the return. It's done by drilling a small hole in the syphon ell. This lets the trapped air out and starts the syphon after the hole is submerged. The open drain ell will need to be turned up and the syphon ell turned down. The emergency drain ell will also need a small nipple to make it a bit taller then the open drain ell. I can stop by and help you with it. Lmk.

Actually, the most common thing to do is shorten the siphon pipe to the sump. If the pipe is too far below the water level in the sump, the siphon has issues starting because it can't push the air out of the pipe. Mine is maybe 1/2" below water level.

[Zen Reef]

Actually, the most common thing to do is shorten the siphon pipe to the sump. If the pipe is too far below the water level in the sump, the siphon has issues starting because it can't push the air out of the pipe. Mine is maybe 1/2" below water level.

Yup, that's an option. However, in my application(which may or may not hold true for others) when the return pump is turned off, the water level in the sump fills further above the siphon pipe which can affect the siphon starting consistently. So rather then being dependent on water levels--incase of mishaps that tend to be the norm at the worse times- I devised this way to minimize the chance of the siphon trapping air and not starting. This also allows me to run the siphon pipe to the bottom of my rock rubble chamber which eliminates any splashing that usual occurs at the start up while the drain rates are leveling out. So far I haven't had any issues and haven't really had to think twice about whether or not my drains will start up while enjoying the silence of the bean animal.

[allan]

I'm missing the silence, but I don't think it's from the durso, rather the water splashing into the overflow. I think I may tune my pump back a little more.

Looks like I will be in the market for a new pump soon, something a little less in volume and a little more in silence like one of those darts.

[rrasco]

Good point Tuan. I don't think I ever had that problem because once the siphon is starting up, my sump level has dropped down to normal operating level, if not lower.

My overflow was noisy too, from the water going over top and into the chamber. I had to raise my standpipes for this. Not so easy to do on a back-drilled tank though. Dart's are *pretty* quiet, but they do make noise. I also don't like how they all inevitably leak at the shaft.

[ErikH]

WOW, all hail the hardest government employee of all time. Looks great buddy.

[RayAllen]

Getting there Allan. Did you leave the inside of the stand bare? No kilz or anything to protect the wood from moisture, mold etc.?

[allan]

Getting there Allan. Did you leave the inside of the stand bare? No kilz or anything to protect the wood from moisture, mold etc.?

no, I was thinking about it, but I was in such a hurry to get it done before I lost anything else. I may go back in there and paint sections at a time to ward off the moister monster.

[adolph_09]

I'm missing the silence, but I don't think it's from the durso, rather the water splashing into the overflow. I think I may tune my pump back a little more.

Looks like I will be in the market for a new pump soon, something a little less in volume and a little more in silence like one of those darts.

my tank is pretty much exactly the same size as yours and i have the Dart/ Snapper hybrid pump on my tank and i think it is too much flow. i have my pump closed off about half way with a ball valve then going thru a manifold that feeds my biopellet reactor and carbon reactor and i still have problems with bubbles from the overflow drain making it into the display. and it is kinda quite but not silent although iv never had a pump this size to compare it too my biggest pump before this was a Sicce Syncra 4.0

[ErikH]

I just use a mag9 on mine. For flow I rely on my MPs. I am a big believer in the slow flow through your sump/fuge. Too much, too fast seems not very efficient. In fact, my UV and GFO reactors feed from the return section, and release the water back into the first section.

[allan]

Good point Tuan. I don't think I ever had that problem because once the siphon is starting up, my sump level has dropped down to normal operating level, if not lower.

My overflow was noisy too, from the water going over top and into the chamber. I had to raise my standpipes for this. Not so easy to do on a back-drilled tank though. Dart's are *pretty* quiet, but they do make noise. I also don't like how they all inevitably leak at the shaft.

I can try raising my standpipes, I hadn't thought of that. Premis is that the higher the level within the box, the less the water falls to make noise.... I like it.

I may eventually go back to an internal pump, and leave the external for what ever other reason I c... actually, if it's plumbed together I would need to get another ball valve to prevent water from back tracking through the external pump.

Erik, I'm no where near ready to worry about the flow, can tell you one thing though: I've got some serious flow/water turn over.

[allan]

my tank is pretty much exactly the same size as yours and i have the Dart/ Snapper hybrid pump on my tank and i think it is too much flow. i have my pump closed off about half way with a ball valve then going thru a manifold that feeds my biopellet reactor and carbon reactor and i still have problems with bubbles from the overflow drain making it into the display. and it is kinda quite but not silent although iv never had a pump this size to compare it too my biggest pump before this was a Sicce Syncra 4.0

Sometime when you're in the area perhaps you can peep my tank and make some comparisons to your setup. I don't have bubbles making it into the return sump area, but I do have them from my skimmer going into the fuge area.

[rrasco]

I second what Adolph said, because that dart on my 210 was way too much flow as well. I do as Erik and try to keep sump flow low and use powerheads for circulation.

[allan]

I may "upgrade" later then. I should be able to tie in a Mag9 easily enough. I can't really imagine a situation where the external pump would be necessary.

[allan]

Update on my nano-tank.

Everything is together and running beautifully.

My return pump is closed off quite a bit, going to try a pump from Chris that is smaller, if the piping is the right diameter.

I have two issues right now, one is the noise of my current pump. I tune it out a bit, but it's definitely noticeable. The second is the noise from my overflow. This diminished when I tuned down the pump, but the wave maker (thanks Ace, it's working like a dream) causes sloshing on both sides. I fabbed a few right angle pipes to raise the level inside the overflow, but I want to be home when I put that dastardly plan into the execution phase.

The fish and the coral are doing well, and Chris was right, LEDs do work well in a small tank like this.

I've only got one little piece of dragons breath after the salad event, going to get some chaeto from a few folks this weekend.

I have plenty of rock, going to have to get rid of it, just have to wait till I finish the aqua scape.

18415

18416

18417

18418

18419

I want to raise the rock on the left, and separate the features into three areas.

I also have to fab a rail system that I can mount the lights too. That one is completely temporary.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[allan]

And at 5 am... The wave maker is only on for 8 hours during the day.

18420

18421


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Scutterborn]

I was starting to get the DT shakes from waiting so long for an update! ;)

Looking sharp.

[Flyride95]

Man this is looking sharp.

[Big_Pun]

Update on my nano-tank.


My return pump is closed off quite a bit, going to try a pump from Chris that is smaller, if the piping is the right diameter.

The fish and the coral are doing well, and Chris was right, LEDs do work well in a small tank like this.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

sorry forgot to emily to bring pump to work, also the pump has 3/4 inch threaded fittings.
if leds are so great why not drop cash on 3 sols? lol like i said my issue is dropping a grip for lights when mine are doing fine and there isnt a big enough gain(at the moment) to replace my lighting. if i where to go led it would be 2x radion pros which is 1800 plus the mounting system. ouch!

everything looks good glad the build went off pretty smooth and livestock made it. what are plans on hooking up kalk stirrer to system, how will you control doseing.

[allan]

I'd like to get a third AI sol to make it all AI... But texreefer's led system is a beast.

Kalk isn't online yet, but it will be on with the RKE... Truly a magnificent device.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Big_Pun]

I'd like to get a third AI sol to make it all AI... But texreefer's led system is a beast.

Kalk isn't online yet, but it will be on with the RKE... Truly a magnificent device.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

once you have one you wonder why you didnt do it sooner. so will the ph probe trigger dose or ato on kalk. once you get the hang of RKE you can manipulate it to do so much, i need to get my net module up and running. i have a sl2 which is a paper weight since they dont work properly, ive been holding out for the new version but i was given the option to send it back and use credit for another pc4 or module.

[allan]

I wanted to use it as an ORP controller, but my ozone is no longer working.

Right now I've only hooked up the main pump, wave maker, heater. Tonight I want to hook up my fan and kalk.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[allan]

Okay, almost done. I did some more work on the rock work last night, wasn't really motivated.

The emergency is over, and there are a bevy of folks that deserve a huge shout out. In no particular order:

Ace, huge assist in holding my lps for the duration at the cost of a cyano bloom. Such a quick turn around on the stand/sump build that my loss was minimal to non-existent. Forever in your debt.

Ben, after grabbing your coffee you double timed over with your sump and 75 gallon and helped me and the others set up the temp home. Blowing off work to get me squared away the day after Christmas.... Remind me not to actually hire you in the future. :)

Leroy, came by to pick something up, spent nearly the whole day there and even came back for more the next day.

There were countless others who texted me and/or filled up my mailbox with messages to help in some way or another. Too many to count or list. I'm sorry that I was unable to get back to your offer for help as I was elbow deep in tank water and rock.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Milly]

Uh hello, I helped you destroy the old tank and stand. My hands have scars to prove it :P.


J/k. Loving the tank dad, looks sharp. See you and mom tomorrow :)

[allan]

LMBO


Man, I forgot about you coming over and helping me with the tank.

Big shout out to the smallest charter member, from the tallest. :D


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Scutterborn]

Hey! You didn't go to work either! We're in the same boat.

[allan]

You forget, defending freedom is a full time job... Whether I'm at work or not. :)


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Milly]

Yes thank you for defending our freedom......in a hospital. I'm sure seeing those people coming in from the front lines was dangerous. Glad you were able to tell people to fix the medical equipment that were able to help them! Teehee

[allan]

Lol, I did see a lot of wounded insurgents, lol

Butthead!

:)


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Scutterborn]

I was issued an M16A3. Not a DMM.

;)

[Sherita]

Great pictures Allan!

Wait a minute..............

[hobogato]

Great pictures Allan!

Wait a minute..............

now i see what you did there. at first, i scrolled up and went to the previous page looking for new pics :lauging: then i realized allan was slacking...

[Sherita]

now i see what you did there. at first, i scrolled up and went to the previous page looking for new pics :lauging: then i realized allan was slacking...

Bahahaha! Sorry 'bout that :bigsmile:

[Scutterborn]

You got me too!! I even scrolled up right past my post... I'm not always very bright. ;)

[allan]

You got me too!! I even scrolled up right past my post... I'm not always very bright. ;)

Trust me, I know... Who ever heard of a M16A3??? Now, after we got rid of the A2s we got M4s... But I guess you're just that special, Ben. :)

I will snap a few this weekend. I just have to get rid of some eyesore frags. :(


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Scutterborn]

Sorry. Fat fingers.

[allan]

Lol


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[allan]

18516
Fts

18518
Left side

18519
Right corner

18520
Left third




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[allan]

18521
Middle third

18522
Right third

Close ups
18523

18524

18525



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[allan]

18526

18527
Chicken!

18528

18529

18530


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[allan]

18531

18532

18533






Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Milly]

He's a pretty chicken. This is the picture I was taking while helping you earlier:

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/01/13/4uty5uve.jpg

[350gt]

lol wow he got HUGE-ER!!!(lol)


tank looks awesome allan, look at all that color!!!!!!!!!.....


how are you liking LEDS?

[hobogato]

looks great allan!

[allan]

Thanks, guys.

The LEDs are pretty cool. The color variation is nice and being able to fine time it is also awesome.

Wouldn't mind a third AI sol, but I'm really digging that middle unit.

Speaking of which, I should have started the light rack. Lol


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[350gt]

4 sols on that thing mounted the other way would rock!

[allan]

Two more, huh? Sheesh, never able to keep up. :)


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Kristy]

It's a shame you can't manage to get a picture of that elusive vlamingi!!

I like your new fish additions, Allan. Tank looks great!

[350gt]

Two more, huh? Sheesh, never able to keep up. :)


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk


Mo lights the betta!!!! Lol

curious to how this works for you.... Looking forward to updates! Wish u the best.

[350gt]

Did you cut back on heat in the room?

[Paul28]

Man love the tank and VERY nice zoa colonies all over

[allan]

Thanks Paul and kristy. I wanted to do something other than the chromis this time around.

Heat was cut way back after using a fan, but now that I'm struggling to keep the house warm the room isn't a problem. But yeah, you can tell a significant change in temperature.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Milly]

Took a few shots with my iphone today:

He's a little confused...
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/01/20/pe5eqabu.jpg

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/01/20/za3y9e9u.jpg

FTS:
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/01/20/qe3u6y5u.jpg

[Scutterborn]

Man, that's one heck of a rebound and slam dunk!! I gotta get over there and see it tomorrow.

Great shots Milly!


-Ben-

[Milly]

Thanks Ben! It's a nice sight, def go and check it out!

[CoryDude]

Too bad you're the vp. This is totq worthy! Very nice garden you've got there.

[BBQHILLBILLY]

Thats is a very nice clean tank and using the full length too. Good job.

[allan]

Thanks, Cory. I appreciate that.

Ben, still have those lock lines for you.

I got to say it, I am absolutely loving this tank. The height worried me a bit, but being able to walk up to it and just gave in... Priceless. Now I know how King and JT feels looking into the stock height tanks. :)

I've made a few mistakes, to include over dosing the tank with kalk. But the remaining sps is doing very good.

These bumps on the pink birds best is since setting it up...

18690


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[SoLiD]

I feel ya. I ran into the same issues and resolved them that way after I understood the principle behind the design. Its more of a set it and forget it. Nothing to remember. It has worked flawlessly for me for a year now. If you ever decide to swap back to it and I can be of assistance, Lmk.

Yes... Bean Animal is the way to go. Dead Silent and once you understand how to set it up correctly, it will never need tweaking and works every time. I turn my return pump off and on at least once a day to feed the fish and corals and I've had Zero problems.

[SoLiD]

Thanks, Cory. I appreciate that.

Ben, still have those lock lines for you.

I got to say it, I am absolutely loving this tank. The height worried me a bit, but being able to walk up to it and just gave in... Priceless. Now I know how King and JT feels looking into the stock height tanks. :)

I've made a few mistakes, to include over dosing the tank with kalk. But the remaining sps is doing very good.

These bumps on the pink birds best is since setting it up...

18690


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Is that new growth or did the sudden Alkalinity boost burn the tips?

Sent from my Fingers using My Keyboard

[allan]

That's all new growth.

New spikes popping up all over the branches.

I've go almost 100% new water in the tank so it kind of "set things right", now I just have to keep on top of it.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Big_Pun]

time for some vortechs! looking good

[350gt]

Very nice Allan....


what's holding your frags up on the back glass?

[Troy Valentine]

Wow!!! Alan your tank looks great... Makes me want to start over again and "set things right" as well.

[allan]

Very nice Allan....


what's holding your frags up on the back glass?

That would be super glue. The blue sympodium will/should cover the wall. That orange something is a frag from sherita... I think she calls it "I dunno" punctuated by a shoulder shrug. :)




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[allan]

time for some vortechs! looking good

Lol, once the market saturates, maybe. I have a wave maker that works for about 20 minutes at a time. I use it also when feeding.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[allan]

Wow!!! Alan your tank looks great... Makes me want to start over again and "set things right" as well.

Troy,
Thanks, brother. I truly appreciate the assist when I was fixing to quit.

Starting over on your own terms and schedule is where it's at. What I went through, as many can attest to, was a major PIMA.

Glad it's over and I am really happy with the tank now.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[hobogato]

really turned out nice allan, i hate to say it, but i like it better than the old "L"

[allan]

Me too, Ace. Me too.

I liked the uniqueness of the L, the available space was nice, but all those angles lost much of the viewable area... And the scratches drove me bananas.

Word to the wise, never use a wire brush to clean algae and Coraline growth.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[350gt]

Tank looks awesome... Really like the layout and glad your liking LEDS..

I was curious how they would work out for you coming from the 400wart MH.

i want to start over and imply what I have learned on my second tank.. I will soon.

[Pennies2Cents]

Amazing Allan. Tank looks beautiful in pictures, im sure it looks spectacular in person. Love all the colors.. :)

[SoLiD]

Me too, Ace. Me too.

I liked the uniqueness of the L, the available space was nice, but all those angles lost much of the viewable area... And the scratches drove me bananas.

Word to the wise, never use a wire brush to clean algae and Coraline growth.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Wire Brush????

http://tromoticons.files.wordpress.com/2012/11/jackie-chan.jpg?w=1280

[allan]

Lol, previous owner scrubbed the inside glass with a Brillo pad/wire brush. Some of the panes were actually foggy with the scratches.

Thanks eve

Tony, my next build will be from the floor up and on my own schedule. Like Ben is doing.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Scutterborn]

A year in the making...


-Ben-

[Mr Cob]

wow, what a great comeback!

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/01/20/qe3u6y5u.jpg

[allan]

Well, part of that is Millie's photo skills.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Mr Cob]

Great pic Fo sho!

Sent from my HTC VIVID using Tapatalk

[SoLiD]

A year in the making...


-Ben-

Don't feel bad, you'll get there. My little 40 took me a year to plan and build. I literally designed every little aspect and went a little unconventional with some things. Like my lighting; and my return coming up from the bottom fed through an Ocean Motion Squirt; secured by a check valve. So far so good. :shades:

[FireWater]

A year is nothing. I actually planned longer than I procrastinated this last time. You've seen my results Allan.

Tank is looking nice bro.

[CoryDude]

I love that pic of the vlamingi tang on Facebook.

[allan]

iPhone pic, but I used the FB editing to color and crop. I was worried when I got him that he'd just be a big fish, but he's even more inquisitive than sponge bob was. I can't peer at anything without him maneuvering himself right between.

The phone used to frighten him, but now he just hangs out.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[allan]

I posted this picture on January 19th...

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/01/25/upa3evab.jpg

I just took this picture of the same coral a moment ago...

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/01/25/aseva4a3.jpg

I am digging the new tank and the LEDs. :)


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[rrasco]

The one you gave me from that did the same thing when I put it into my tank. Starting growing like 30 new limbs.

[Scutterborn]

Looks great, Allan. Lots of growth and color.


-Ben-

[SoLiD]

You have a Purple Coral Thumb Allen. :)

[RayAllen]

Im diggin the Phoenix

[allan]

Thanks, guys.

New additions.

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/01/26/ryseju2e.jpg

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/01/26/nu7y3ere.jpg


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[koa25]

FTS:
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/01/20/qe3u6y5u.jpg
The tank is looking pretty awesome, Allan. Very cool setup.

[Triggerman]

Nicely Done!

[cowboy572]

The tank is looking pretty awesome, Allan. Very cool setup.


I agree the tank looks good with that quick of a turn around.

[allan]

I had a dream last night that the bottom of this tank popped loose. That would've hurt.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Scutterborn]

That's a horrible dream.

I had a dream that a new goodwill store was opening and had a ton aquarium stuff. He was able to get me in to browse before they opened.

:)


-Ben-

[allan]

19266

I can always tell when this guy is happy.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[rrasco]

What is it Allan? Trachy?

[Fracture]

That's beautiful

[allan]

Idk, I always called it a brain. I got it from mike and kristy, who called it a brain. It's about the size of half of a volleyball.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Scutterborn]

Looks really happy!


-Ben-

[Sherita]

Looks like an open brain to me. I've got one real similar. Yours sure is pretty!

[rrasco]

Yeah that's what I meant. Trachyphyllia = brain.

[Louis-210]

Love how clean the tank is......looks great Allan!!!

[Louis-210]

That's a horrible dream.

I had a dream that a new goodwill store was opening and had a ton aquarium stuff. He was able to get me in to browse before they opened. ]

:)


-Ben-

Hahaha that is a good dream!!

[allan]

Love how clean the tank is......looks great Allan!!!

Ah, a fts would show a bunch of frag swap frags lying about. And the glass is ripe for a cleaning.

But I couldn't be happier... Until I saw Ben's setup. Now I want to build a new tank from the floor up. His set up is right sweet.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[cowboy572]

Until I saw Ben's setup. Now I want to build a new tank from the floor up. His set up is right sweet.

Amen, just a nice clean set up. After seeing it, its fueling my new tank fever.

[allan]

19282

This guy is happy as well. :)


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[allan]

Referring to the neon green hydnophora, not the clowns.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Fracture]

Love it!

[BBQHILLBILLY]

Actually, both are right, both are happy. lol Thats a tall tank 30 inches very nice setup.

[allan]

Closer to 28", but because of the stand I can barely look over the top of the tank.

I really need to clean the glass and put the carbon reactor online. I just don't feel like doing anything.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[BBQHILLBILLY]

Snickers bar. :bigsmile:Very nice carbon reactor. I usually just throw a sock in the sump with carbon. Need to get a reactor pronto. I do have this extra skimmer I could probably use and throw some carbon in it.

[allan]

I've used the socks before, the reactor provides a very pronounced effect quickly... But either I get used to it or it only lasts a few weeks before you stop stopping in front of the tank to "ooh" and "ah" at the clarity.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[allan]

Took a drop down of my frags while I was feeding the fish.

19415


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[CoryDude]

Very very nice! That pearlberry or red planet in the upper right hand corner is friggin sweet!

[350gt]

Nice Allan... You still all led?


if so, how are you liking it?

[Bill S]

Dang it, Allan, I need to see this tank...

[Flyride95]

Yea me to. Maybe a fishy swap meet at Allan's house this time? Lol jk

[allan]

Red planet, I've broken that thing in half trying to get it away from the bonsai... I forgot who got the other half.

Tony, yep, the only thing that isn't led is my Home Depot grow lamp for the macro. I'm loving the led. Most of those frags started out under T5, then they transitioned to metal halide, and they've been under led since... Since when ever I got the units from John and Ben. I've got comparable growth all around, and so far haven't been able to note a difference in growth over the two modalities although I'd guess that MH has a higher growth rate.

I've been wanting to build a dual chambered acrylic tank and hang a 150 watt MH over one and an AI sol over the other. Shared sump. Then place a myriad of equally sized double frags in each so I can document the growth in both. But I keep getting distracted by walkers.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[allan]

Bill, you're welcome anytime. Maybe you can even let my wife know that stairs aren't all that bad. lol


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Milly]

I think Ben got the other half...

[Scutterborn]

Oh, yeah, I did! :)


-Ben-

[allan]

Of the planet? No, I traded it for a .22 single shot rifle.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Scutterborn]

Oh. So it WAS only a big ol' frag then...

;)


-Ben-

[allan]

Yeah, that piece you got was a large overgrown frag. The piece I traded out was about the size of a normal man's fist.

Last night I finished my tank office, so I'm going to snap a few fotos for the group. I don't have the knack for clean lines, but oh well. I'm not italian, but I've got speghetti behind my tank.

[allan]

Okay, finally installed the lights on the AI sol rack, suspended and even took some zip lines and tied up the wires into a '90s rat tail looking thing to minimize the mullet looking thing I had with the wires draped down the back.

19472

I have the free running end of the suspension cable is only there for now until I establish the appropriate height.

19473

I have three pjs and two Bengais, these three are huge. Seem to like each other's company.

The big brute is my water change station, the five gallon is my ato saturated with kalkwassar.

The bucket on the floor is my chair while I'm back there doing maintenance.

19474

19475

19476


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[SoLiD]

The light rack looks snazzy!!!

Judging by the size of your feet; that bucket is undersized!!! :wink_smile:

[allan]

I wish, I wear a 15 wide. :)


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Paul28]

Love the setup and i see that cute little green toadstool in the top right of the tank how does he like leds ?

[allan]

He's digging them. Starting to show signs of self fragmentation.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Zack]

Update??

[Scutterborn]

Update??

His tank is only a myth, Zach.

:)


- Ben -

[Zack]

Lol that'd be something..

I was talking to my gf about Allan's old tank and thought I'd check up haha :P

Edit: The frag of toadstool I got from Allan two years ago is still doing great, know it's about 4.5''x 3'' and 3'' tall.

[allan]

Very nice, Zach. I'm glad it's doing well. It's a fairly hardy coral. And my other one is starting to self propagate.

I'll post up some pics this evening.

[BBQHILLBILLY]

Allan how deep is your sand bed? is it fine or porous? side pics dsb:bigsmile:

[allan]

It's swept up in graceful dunes that remind me of those far gone days when, as a lad, I would play with my siblings on the beach dunes in california.

That being said, no more than two inches at the high, and as low as a quarter of an inch in the low areas. I don't employ a DSB anywhere in my system.

[BBQHILLBILLY]

lol

[Big_Pun]

Allan how deep is your sand bed? is it fine or porous? side pics dsb:bigsmile:

reaching ! good luck finding someone runnin one for more than a few years that didnt have probs

[BBQHILLBILLY]

o stop it chris:bigsmile:I will allways be a dsb fan over sock and siphoning, respectfully of course:shades:dsb works

[BBQHILLBILLY]

At the same time both you and Allan are successful at sps, so whatever yall are doing, its perfect.

[allan]

I'm not sure that a sock, or lack of one, has anything to do with a DSB.

My own preference was that I don't like how much space it takes in the DT, and the side shot of what's going on beneath the surface isn't something I'm keen on either.

I ran a DSB in my sump with the 190, but went bare bottom on this new tank because I didn't want to fool with it.

I have a very large section lit by a HD lamp and an led fixture for filtration and pod production. Of course without a dragonnette in my DT, pods are off the chain.

I'm home, so let me snap a few pictures.

Btw, I absolutely love this set up. And the work that ace put into the stand, and the elevation of the tank, is flipping awesome.




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Zack]

Are you still running the 2 sols and the 1 other fixture? How's the growth from each side if you are?

[allan]

20373

20374

20375

20376

20377


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[allan]

20378

20379

20380

20381

20382



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[allan]

20383

I really should have cleaned the glass, but there was only a few days of algae film. Not much.

Zack,

Yes to the LED set up. I've got growth on all three, more pronounced growth on the center fixture. Found out the other day that its a 120 watt fixture and it has two magenta stunner strips that really bring out a rich color that is really evident in the Stuber colony.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Zack]

Wow.......... that's an amazing zoa collection you have man, very jealous. What are your percents on the sols during the day?

[350gt]

look at all that color.... looks good allan... wish you were closer, I would like to snap some photos.

[allan]

I have the sols maxed at 85% for a few hours during the day and again for a few hours before the lights begin their final fade to night.

I love the strength of the center fixture, but I love the functionality of the sols. I wish they'd increase the overall output of the sols to something comparable to that center fixture. I would rather have too much power tuned down than over push the unit.

My dream tank would have two sols to each section where I'm currently running one. The ability to limit the strength of the light individually is huge IMO.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[allan]

I wish you did as well, Tony.

In fact I wish there were more reefers living by me. My wife won't let me sell the house only to move closer to the rest of you. :)


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[hobogato]

looks great allan, the colors are stunning!

[allan]

Thanks, ace!

I'm very happy with it.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[allan]

Update time.

I've had some issues, treatment and the repercussions of the treatment, restructuring the left side... And Wednesday I was reaching for something at the back of the tank when dislodged a lot of stuff and had to move stuff around.

Let me tell you, ever move a basketball sized branching sps? Not easy.

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/09/14/enu3y7eq.jpg

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/09/14/a5a4y6up.jpg

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/09/14/tavu6ase.jpg

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/09/14/4e6use3y.jpg

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/09/14/uhada2et.jpg

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/09/14/e5enahag.jpg

[allan]

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/09/14/quvezudy.jpg

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/09/14/3egaqety.jpg

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/09/14/quvyqe6y.jpg

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/09/14/evetebeq.jpg

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/09/14/ydamybus.jpg

[allan]

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/09/14/y4yny5e3.jpg

I think my favorite are the red litmus zoas.

[Scutterborn]

I think my favorite are the red litmus zoas.

Where are those?

[Scutterborn]

And by the way, I didn't send you to the fish room to take pics of the tank... Still waiting...

[allan]

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/09/14/du5uvyja.jpg

I sent you the pictures. They are the red zoas next to the other zoas that are kind of bright.

[Scutterborn]

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/09/14/du5uvyja.jpg

I sent you the pictures. They are the red zoas next to the other zoas that are kind of bright.

Uh-huh....

:)

[allan]

These. Says tank.

I got them from Malofish.

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/09/14/sy9ezuve.jpg

[Tristan23]

Lol I giggled when I open up the picture.

[Bill S]

Looks great Allan!

[hobogato]

man, that purple/blue stag is a monster!

[allan]

Thanks, guys.

Yeah, it's a big piece. I still consider myself a noob... But gone are the days where I would glue each piece that I would accidentally break. Now I let the pieces fall where they will to grow or die.

I also got a Tuan built frag tank installed. I tried to post up the pictures but they didn't go through. Since the spot for the frag tank was next to the return area of the sump, tuan built the external overflow long enough that it drains into the fuge area of the sump.

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/09/15/pumajuvu.jpg

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/09/15/qe7ebata.jpg

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/09/15/jada2ame.jpg