240 gallon mixed reef

[RayAllen]

looking good ACE!

[hobogato]

thanks ray - just a couple of pvc parts away from finishing and installing this ATS. for those who dont know what this is, it is a way to clean N and P out of your water by growing and harvesting algae in a high light exposure situation. the water will pour down the plastic canvas and the algae will grow on the canvas (like the algae that grows on any ocean shoreline rocks/structure). this algae grows very fast and takes lots of inorganic nitrogen and phosphate out of the water.



the bottom section will be full of live rock rubble to encourage pod growth and the pvc drains will come thru the front and drain down into two sections of the sump (one of which will eventually serve as a rearing chamber for pink skunk clowns or marine bettas.

[sharkboy]

Might have missed it but is that a special screen or one of the window nature? also what kind of light will you be using?

[hobogato]

it is plastic canvas from the craft store. i will be using four 24" NO fluorescent plant grow lights - two on the front and two on the back.

[ErikH]

I was wondering how to set one of those up! Looks really nice with those new actinics!

[hobogato]

thanks erik

got it all installed and it is running very well. here are some pics - notice the first chamber is cleaned out and ready for some fish rearing

before

installed and running - still havent put the stand brace back in

[Firstman]

Man it is cool, I have to try this method. It was even better in person, thanks for having us over and your tank looks great.

[Mr Cob]

Just keeps getting better man! I remember your tank full of SPS and I have to say you have done a great job keeping up with your past accomplishments but with a different flavor! Very nice.

I saw a dude in Austin implement the algae water fall concept but with acrylic and lots of holes drilled into it. I suspect your canvas will work better since it has many more holes.

[hobogato]

here is a quick update on the ats - 9 days running



also, nice surprise this morning. i got a chili coral a while back and cut it in half to put it in two different locations in the tank. needless to say, it wasnt too happy with me and looked pretty rough for a while. this morning, like a switch, both pieces decided to perk up

[hobogato]

picked up these three yesterday - should be interesting to see how they do...