So It Begins ...
Hey guys! So after a lot of consideration, I've decided NOT to go for an uber big tank at this time. The Mrs. has given the okay for my dream tank (12x4x2) to be built as part of the plans when we start building our house, so this tank is going to be something to keep my occupied until we start drawing up house plans.
System Objectives: To have a colourful and eye catching tank filled with rarer corals and a diverse range of life. The plan is to hold off buying the more common stuff and instead wait until the more uncommon livestock comes up.
System Type: The Mrs. prefers SPS and I love my Acans and Zoas. I'm going to have to try and see if I can give both coral types what they need.
Display System:
Strike up Date: Before Christmas
Display Tank: Eurobraced 6' x 3' (actually 85cm but it's easier to say 3') x 2'. The tank is being built by Lang and supplied through Le Aquatic on the Hume Highway at Lansvale. The sump will be fed by two large bulkheads at the back of the tank. I wanted an external overflow but I don't have the space to fit it into my house :P It was a choice between the bean animal or a wider tank, I chose the wider tank!
Display Lighting:
DsunY LED lights (can't post a link because I have less than ten posts)
OR
Chinese CT LED (can't post a link because I have less than ten posts)
AND
LEDS will be supplemented by T5. Two reflectors with 4x80W in each
Stand: White, poly 'modern' cabinet.
Hood: Crown rather than a hood. It'll be a 'topless' hood. The plan is to buy a sheet of MDF and mount my lights to it. That way I can disconnect the lights and lift them all off attached to the MDF in one piece.
Sump: 4x20"x20" if memory serves. It's a basic three compartment job. Tank feeds through a filter sock into the skimer/reactor compartment, then into the refugium before hitting the return pump.
Refugium: Looking at 2x20"x20", so a couple of hundred litres.
Refugium Lighting: Cheap LED most likely.
Support systems:
System Water: Natural salt water. Unfortunately water changes are going to have to be by hand because I'm renting and cant install new drains or cut into the wall. I'll probably buy an IBC and keep plenty of NSW delivered. Does the NSW need to be circulating within the IBC?
Skimmer: Internal, I prefer to over-skim so something rated for a 1500L tank most likely. I love the Royal Exclusiv stuff provided I can afford it.
Aquarium Controller: None for now. I'm trying to keep costs down on the build and whilst a controller would be awesome, it's not a necessity.
Evaporation Top Up: Probably Tunze Osomolator
Chemical Support:
Calcium Addition: Dosing Pumps (I'd like to set up a calcium reactor but I've heard it's quite expensive to get a decent one going)
Alkilinity Addition: Dosing Pumps
Other Chemical Maintenance: Dosing Pumps
Reactors: Bio Pellet
Current Water Chemistry:
Nitrates:
Phosphates:
Alkalinity:
Calcium:
Salinity / Specific Gravity:
Magnesuim:
So there we have it. Apparently the build should take a few weeks. In the mean time I'm going to start buying my gear. Expect lots of "so what do you think of xxxx" posts :)
Thanks for reading!
Cheers,
Blake
System Objectives: To have a colourful and eye catching tank filled with rarer corals and a diverse range of life. The plan is to hold off buying the more common stuff and instead wait until the more uncommon livestock comes up.
System Type: The Mrs. prefers SPS and I love my Acans and Zoas. I'm going to have to try and see if I can give both coral types what they need.
Display System:
Strike up Date: Before Christmas
Display Tank: Eurobraced 6' x 3' (actually 85cm but it's easier to say 3') x 2'. The tank is being built by Lang and supplied through Le Aquatic on the Hume Highway at Lansvale. The sump will be fed by two large bulkheads at the back of the tank. I wanted an external overflow but I don't have the space to fit it into my house :P It was a choice between the bean animal or a wider tank, I chose the wider tank!
Display Lighting:
DsunY LED lights (can't post a link because I have less than ten posts)
OR
Chinese CT LED (can't post a link because I have less than ten posts)
AND
LEDS will be supplemented by T5. Two reflectors with 4x80W in each
Stand: White, poly 'modern' cabinet.
Hood: Crown rather than a hood. It'll be a 'topless' hood. The plan is to buy a sheet of MDF and mount my lights to it. That way I can disconnect the lights and lift them all off attached to the MDF in one piece.
Sump: 4x20"x20" if memory serves. It's a basic three compartment job. Tank feeds through a filter sock into the skimer/reactor compartment, then into the refugium before hitting the return pump.
Refugium: Looking at 2x20"x20", so a couple of hundred litres.
Refugium Lighting: Cheap LED most likely.
Support systems:
System Water: Natural salt water. Unfortunately water changes are going to have to be by hand because I'm renting and cant install new drains or cut into the wall. I'll probably buy an IBC and keep plenty of NSW delivered. Does the NSW need to be circulating within the IBC?
Skimmer: Internal, I prefer to over-skim so something rated for a 1500L tank most likely. I love the Royal Exclusiv stuff provided I can afford it.
Aquarium Controller: None for now. I'm trying to keep costs down on the build and whilst a controller would be awesome, it's not a necessity.
Evaporation Top Up: Probably Tunze Osomolator
Chemical Support:
Calcium Addition: Dosing Pumps (I'd like to set up a calcium reactor but I've heard it's quite expensive to get a decent one going)
Alkilinity Addition: Dosing Pumps
Other Chemical Maintenance: Dosing Pumps
Reactors: Bio Pellet
Current Water Chemistry:
Nitrates:
Phosphates:
Alkalinity:
Calcium:
Salinity / Specific Gravity:
Magnesuim:
So there we have it. Apparently the build should take a few weeks. In the mean time I'm going to start buying my gear. Expect lots of "so what do you think of xxxx" posts :)
Thanks for reading!
Cheers,
Blake