So, I'm breaking down the 26 gallon bowfront and setting up a 56 gallon column in its place. In order to do so, I want/have to stage the fish and other critters from that system. I opted to use a 38G that I have kicking around.

I first drilled it, and built a small overflow box:

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d176/JustDavidP/Oflow.jpg

I'm using an old cabinet that my mother was going to toss from her home. I took out the shelving and was left with a sweet stand with room for a decent sump:

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d176/JustDavidP/29A.jpg

I then needed to finish the sump!

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d176/JustDavidP/sump-1.jpg

The left side is a chamber for RO/DI water, for use in a top off. The chamber next to that will hold my skimmer, and the ATO switches. Then there are a series of three baffles leading to the return pump chamber. The section on the right is going to be a refugium.

Here are the ATO switches. I opted to use a dual switch system. Never can be too careful:

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d176/JustDavidP/ATO.jpg

Tonight, I finished putting together the return plumbing. It's 1/2 inch:

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d176/JustDavidP/Return2.jpg

Notice the drilled return nozzles, to prevent back-siphon:

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d176/JustDavidP/Return.jpg

I'll be visiting Home Depot this week to get the PVC for the overflow plumbing to the sump. Simply put, it will split, with water going to the skimmer chamber and the fuge, simultaneously. I'll take piccies then, when I get the supplies.

This system will have a simple NO lighting. It's going to be used for just a few months, until I set up the new tank. Eventually, this will be a system (Fish Only) for a fuzzy dwarf lion.

Dave

Cool Dave - you've always got such great projects going on....looking forward to watching this one! :D

Yeah...would be nice to finish one ;)

D

Nice looking sump! I like the idea of the compartment to hold your topoff water.

Yeah...thanks. This system is not going to be permanent, so I didn't want to tie in unneeded plumbing. This will hold 2 gallons of water and will have to be filled every week or so.. better than having to top off more often.

Dave

Figured out (I think) the overflow plumbing. I've not glued it or anything yet. I need to "sure up" the stand some and make sure it's ready to be fixed in place.

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d176/JustDavidP/plumbed.jpg

Dave

:) Measured the tank tonight.. it's bigger than I thought...edited the post, it's a 38 gallon :) also changed from the 36 bowfront (original wish tank) to the 56 column that I ordered.

Dave

Well I already changed the plumbing! I didn't like the fact that once glued, the overflow plumbing would be tough to move, remove etc. So I put in three unions. One on the pipe leaving the bulkhead and going downward and one on either side of the "T" in the sump. This way, I can remove the plumbing in three different pieces as needed.

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d176/JustDavidP/Union.jpg

I finished the sump, the plumbing (both overflow and return) and began set up today.

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d176/JustDavidP/Sumped.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d176/JustDavidP/TankandSand.jpg

I washed sand for like.. 3 hours *sigh*. and built stands for the rock. 5 inch sand bed and 5 1/2 inch stands.

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d176/JustDavidP/Stands.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d176/JustDavidP/Stands2.jpg

I've got a 20 gallon barrell of salt water going tonight. I should be able to put it in the tank tomorrow. Then one more barrell to go.

Dave

Looking good Dave. Well thought out and executed. Any particular reason you drilled for the overflow, but not the returns? What return pump are you using?

I didn't drill for the overflow :) I got the tank with the hole drilled in it already. A buddy had it kicking around. I didn't want to have to drill myself.

I am using the standard, over the tank, plastic 1/2 inch return tubes. They're plumbed into different hose than shown above. The inside diameter of that clear tube was too small. I rebuilt it this weekend.

I'm using a Mag7 for now. The only pump I have.

Dave

Nice, very nice!
Your the pinicle example to others that planning is key to sucess, regardless of set-up.
Although as with any of us - a few trial & errors over the years to get the correct balance is almost a mathamatical certainty

Built a hood this weekend :) I need more hinges, and need to notch out the back for the return tubes, electrical and such, and then I'm painting.

Dave

Allrighty... Question for the Masses...

This system was set up for no other reason but to hold the contents of my bowfront while I get a floor redone, and a new tank (56 column) set up. Well, it was supposed to be "ugly" and just hold the fish for a while. Instead, I kept going, and going, and going. It's now going to be something that will stay around for a while.

You all know that I've drilled it, sumped it and this weekend, I built a canopy and bought these lights (4X36 inch 39W T5's):
http://bostonreefers.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=35770&stc=1&d=1205535363

My question is this. Once I get the 56 going upstairs, what can I reasonably keep (photosynthetic) in this system thereafter? Any SPS? T. Squamosa? I know I can't try and keep Maxi or Crocea without more light.

What do you all think? I've always had MH and am completely dumb when it comes to T5 technology. Folks say that even though 4X39=156 watts and therefore 4.1 WPG over this tank, it is actually MORE than that because of the T5 Technology.

What says thee?

Dave

I forget where (most likely on here because I don't have time to browse too much else), but I have heard of people keeping clams under T5s. I love my T5 actinic supplementals. They put out a good amount of light with very minimal heat. I think the main thing is to not go too deep with the stuff that has high light needs. T5s probably don't have the same penetration as MH. That tank doesn't look too deep. How far is it when you add the sand bed? Also, to get close to MH power I think you have to pack as many bulbs as will fit over the tank.

Here's a couple links to serious T5 reefs. (Thanks to ReefBaby).
Incredibly Simple - Reef Hobbyist Online Magazine (http://www.reefland.com/rho/0106/feature8.php)
Hausriff.ch-Seite für Meerwasseraquaristik (http://www.hausriff.ch/4477/index.html)

Dave - as you know, in Europe T5 technology is big...and popular. What's the depth of your tank? I'm not familiar with the "typical" american-sized tanks. I, personally, use 54W T5s (exclusively), but my tank is also 31.5" deep. You might be fine with 39W.

From what I've seen, you should even be fine with the Maxi and Croceas. My LFS has lots growing in his tanks, and I know of several very successful German and Swiss tanks that are growing them under T5 lighting.

by the way...what's the brand of your T5 bulbs? (couldn't read the writing in the pic)

Tank dimensions are 36x12x20.

The bulbs are 36" Nova Extreme 4x39Watt.

I probably wouldn't try to keep maxi or crocea at 4 watts per gallon unless you all tell me that T5 = more power for the punch.

Dave

Incredibly Simple - Reef Hobbyist Online Magazine (http://www.reefland.com/rho/0106/feature8.php)

Reefland server is asleep and will not let me on.

Hausriff.ch-Seite für Meerwasseraquaristik (http://www.hausriff.ch/4477/index.html)

No English here :)

Dave

Oh yeah... so 36X12X20 - 5 inch sand bed. The hood is built so the lights are 9 inches above the water though.

Dave

The DIY hood in progress:

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d176/JustDavidP/Hood2-1.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d176/JustDavidP/Hood1-1.jpg

Need to "pimp it" with trim and molding etc.

Dave

Started Pimpin :)

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d176/JustDavidP/Canopy.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d176/JustDavidP/Canopy2.jpg

Now I need to back off the hardware, sand, caulk, prime, paint and stain.

Dave

Height from the water isn't a huge deal IMO. But the effectiveness of the reflectors and the light spread is going to increase a bit the higher you get from the water. From the PAR research I've seen, a few inches difference above the water isn't nearly as big of a difference as the PAR drop under the water. (My lights are 5-6" above the water.)

Here's the canopy with one coat of stain. I need to match it to that cabinet it will be on, and then polyurethane.

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d176/JustDavidP/stain.jpg

Dave

Looking really fantastic! I will be looking forward to seeing where you go from here.

Also, where did you get your ATO system and did the mount come with?

Actually... once this is set up, and I move everything into this tank...it's time for the next project :) Just picked this up today...

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d176/JustDavidP/56g.jpg

This is going upstairs where the existing tank is now. Again, this 38 was supposed to just be for staging. Now it seems it will be a system kept in the basement.

Dave

Dave,

This project is looking nice! Isn't it funny how these things seem to take on a life of their own?

Plumbed, running, and the obligatory milky water picture:

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d176/JustDavidP/38Runnin2.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d176/JustDavidP/38Runnin.jpg

Dave

Matt,

I got the ATO from autotopoff.com. Yes, the mount came with it, except, I messed up and got a tank mount. I had to melt it again, reshape it, and then add some additional acrylic to make the inside mount longer, to reach into the sump.

Dave

Now, I have to let this thing settle in. The water is from the 75 Sump and from water changes in the bowfront. The rock is the Marco Rock, that's been in the 75 Sump forever. I'm not expecting a big cycle.

I have to break down that bowfront in a matter of weeks to get the hardwood floors done. The fish and such NEED to go into this new tank sooner, rather than later. After the floors are done, it's time to set up the 56 column and rock and roll on another project.

Dave

My 38 gallon, with 90% Marco Rock.. and LR from an existing system at home..

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d176/JustDavidP/Runninwithrock2.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d176/JustDavidP/Runninwithrock.jpg

The LR has clams, worms, pods, mysid etc. The Marco Rock was in my sump since the Summer. Water was 1/2 new IO and 1/2 from existing systems. I expect little to a slight cycle, and zero bad critters.

Dave

and zero bad critters.ha ha haaaaaaa !! good luck with that ... we all know how that goes !! but if anyone can do it .. it is you.

It's pretty darned sterile right now. Anything going into this system takes a bath in interceptor first :)

Dave

Dave
Your tank looks very nice. What the total time you have in to it? With T5's you can have some montipora. I had a nice colony in my 140 that had only T5's. I think a nice finishing touch would be one or those fancy knobs with a starfish or seahorse, that would look nice. I saw them at home depot this last week. Great job!!!

That came out nice :up:

Thanks folks..

Victoria (boy I've missed ya), I've spend very little time actually. The plumbing took a day and another day to do it over :) with unions. My decision to use unions came shortly after 6 beers and thinking it through!

I had the overflow that I built at a buddy's house one night, just to make one.

The sand was kicking around, and it took a couple hours to rinse.

The canopy took me just a weekend, after thinking about it for a few days.

Dave

BTW.. .I'm not done. Am making a three sided frame of molding to cover the stupid oak trim on the bottom of the tank.

I'm really impressed... Again great job!!!

I'm glad to be back!!!!!

Awe... sanks :D

Thanks for the link for the ATO. I will be ordering one for myself this week.

Do you have dimensions of the brace ready? I'd have them do it right the first time, and not "guess" the way I did. Also, the Zip ties they send are old...brittle, and broke when I was installing. Have some large sized Zips ready in case.

Dave

Dave, I'd have to move that comfy chair so I could sit in front of the tank with my feet up!

Dave, I'd have to move that comfy chair so I could sit in front of the tank with my feet up!

Soon enough.. but right now, I'd be looking at an empty tank, of diatoms :(

Alrighty then.. it's been weeks, and I had just the smallest of cycles. I got the blanket o' diatoms, and that too has passed. I added a clean up crew a week and a half ago. Didn't take pictures (not many find crabs and snails sexy) but I have about 2 dozen nassarius snails, both large and small. A dozen hermit crabs, blues and scarlets. A half dozen turbo snails, and a half dozen cerith snails. I also put my serpent star in, from the 26, the lone peppermint shrimp, and the lone skunk cleaner. I then got three emerald crabs. Clean up crew done.

A week later, I began catching the fish from the bowfront and putting them in the tank. The first to go in was my lone survivor PJ cardinal. The other two beasts died months ago. This was the smallest of the trio when I got them.

I then waited two days and added the two false percs from upstairs. Then waited two days and checked water quality. No notable spikes.

On the third day, I caught the blue goby and the orchid dottyback.

A buddy called me and said, "I've got cichlids, and my wife brought home a marine fish...want it?" So I adopted the cutest little Hawaiian tang. He's just two inches long.

Fish moved successfully.

Then, a buddy of mine in Boston Reefers was breaking down his tank. I got monti cap frags, a pocillopora colony, ricordea and a blasto rock with three polyps. They too are in the tank...

Piccies???

Blasto polyps

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d176/JustDavidP/blasto.jpg

Red bumpy shrooms, with an emerald crab in the rock. They were opened larger, until I cleaned the skimmer, they then closed up.

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d176/JustDavidP/Shroomcrab.jpg

Ricordea... I got this rock, with 5 polyps, and another with 4 on it.

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d176/JustDavidP/Rics.jpg

Pocillopora colony....though, I think I'm going to frag it up and clear out some of the dead wood. A friend of mine moved to FL and his mom was taking care of the tank. It kind of suffered for a while, some of the branches are dead.

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d176/JustDavidP/Pocillopora.jpg

Ha.... didn't notice the danged mythrax in that picture till I posted.

Monti Cap frag. This was brown with a purple rim, months ago. I'm hoping it will color up in the new tank.

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d176/JustDavidP/MontiCap.jpg

And the obligatory full tank shot. I'm not sure if the landscaping will stay this way.

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d176/JustDavidP/38Stocking.jpg

I just put in a Koralia 2 on the left. I have to see how things react. That's a K4 on the right. Those and the Mag Drive return pump = LOTS o' flow in a 38 G huh?

Dave

looks great Dave! I like the landscape.

Do you have a sandstorm with that flow? Do you have a hard time keeping the sand down?

Nope... as you can see, I had a "settling" of sorts, where the sand in the middle of the tank was displaced a bit. This happened within the first day. All has settled now.

Once some of the corals are acclimated, I plan on moving the mushrooms to cover that PVC stand that you see dead center.

Eventually, all the fish from here will go upstairs in the large display and this will be a fuzzy lion den.

Dave

will you just glue the shrooms with super glue? or how will you glue them to the PVC stand? do you have to drain the water?

Nope nope nope :) Silly Christi. See the PVC stand in the middle.. yep...that one... okay...see the rock to the right of it, standing in the sand? Yep...that one. That is covered in those red bumpy shrooms.

As of today, I'm shading the shrooms by way of that shelf like rock above it. Because they were in a tank with PC only and kinda got grumpy from the T5's. Once they are happy, I'm moving the entire rock, out more, and centered, in front of said PVC.

Dave

tell you what dave, even when your busy you still move quick. well done brother! looking the goods!

quick question,

When building the PVC stand I understand that you need to cut holes all the way up the pipe. Are these holes supposed to be through both sides of the pvc so that you can see through it? or on just one so that if you look in it, you see the back end of the pvc?

mariog,

You probably don't have to drill holes through the PVC pipe but I did in my 135 mixed reef. The reason I chose to do so is the purpose of the PVC is to raise the LR off the DSB to prevent or delay dead areas under the LR. I thought, if you don't cut holes in the PVC there could be dead zones within the PVC pipe. So to allow flow through I drilled holes. You can read about my system of raising LR above the DSB in the link provided in my signature area below.

Dick

Tanks looking good David. Where did you get your rocks?

They're Marco Rock :) More pics to come soon..everything is rocking...purple and happy