20g Long Prop System

[fishes2889]

Heres the run down what i am trying to achieve with this project:
1) Knowledge about zoa's and corals alike and how fast they grow under T5 lighting.
2) Cleaning up my main display for frags to grow out into this system
3) Increase my collection of my favorite coral, zoa's, by trading and producing more frags.
4) And the best part of all having fun with it!

The run down of the tank specs and costs:
20g Long 30"x12"x12" =27$
2 Tek 2x24watt Retro fit kits= around 230$ total
1 piece of 12"x11" black acrylc for "false wall" = free
Maxi-Jet 1200 = free (not sure this will do the job for the return)
3 feet of PVC and 2 elbows= free
3/4 inch plastic tubing(return)= 6$
Wood for Stand & Canopy(have alot of it)= around 20$
Eggcrate= 10$
5.5g sump and glass for baffles= have the tank baffles=6 or 10$

Total=300$ to 325$

Heres the diagram:

I plan to start this after my hoilday break, seeing as i might get some money from my B-day. 5 days away!!! woohoo!

Opinions and suggestions are welcome.

Thanks Steve

 

[JGoslee]

Steve, Im actually planning a very similar prop tank for myself. Your plan sounds great. I was thinking of doing something very simple to setup. Basically just a 20gal long with a couple nano tunze and a T5 2-24watt icecap retro.

 

[fishes2889]

Sounds very cool. Do you think the 4x24w of T5 is to much??

Steve

 

[Xavier]

nope 4x24 should be good i had a 250 over my 20 long and they were just a little too much so that should be perfect!

 

[bryan]

It's going to rock Steve! I just drilled my Rose prop tank yesterday...now I have to wait on the lok line delivery and all will be ready!

Merry Christmas!

 

[fishes2889]

Yay! 4x24w T5's it is..

Hey Bryan-
Rose prop tank? elaborate...

I'm thinking on stopping by your place around mid January, if its all right with you.

Steve

 

[bryan]

Just a small 17 gal curved glass nano I had sitting around for a while. Finally scored a good pair of old school Bali Rose Anemones. So, I'm going to sump it into a 20 gal, off into a 10 gal fuge, and grow me some sweet clones Should light it with a 150 watt IceCap 65K PAR spot pendant. Hoepfully it will be done, or almost done when you visit. Anytime is fine, just let me know a couple days in advance.

Peace!

 

[fishes2889]

Another prop porch system!! I've been wanting a Rose anemone....

Sure thing i will let you know when i plan on coming down. Still up for the drilling?

Thanks Steve

 

[bryan]

Absolutely!

 

[Timanator]

Looks close to what I have as well. Your sump design might be copied...


Dr Foster and Smith has the Orbit T5 fixture for 190 on sale right now the 36" which is what I got for mine.

 

[fishes2889]

Your talking about the Nova extreme fixture?, i assume. I'm going with the Tek retro kit just because of the individual reflectors and i can have my choice of bulbs on reefgeek.com. They have a deal there: 4x24w T5 Tek retro kit for 269$....

Steve

 

[Timanator]

Your talking about the Nova extreme fixture?, i assume. I'm going with the Tek retro kit just because of the individual reflectors and i can have my choice of bulbs on reefgeek.com. They have a deal there: 4x24w T5 Tek retro kit for 269$....

Steve

This is the 4 x 39 watt with LED's.

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Produ...ll&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&Np=1&N=2004&Nty=1

 

[fishes2889]

Yeah thats the Nova Exteme by current. But the down side to that is that there is only one reflector and not an individual relfector for each bulb. Basically im trying to get as much out of one bulb by getting the Tek w/individual reflectors.

And plus that would hang over the tank. I want to get a retro kit so i can build my own canopy...

Steve

 

[Timanator]

It hangs over because my Cube refugium will sit beside it rather than under or behind(My 20 is not drilled)

Have you built your rack yet?

 

[fishes2889]

Have you built your rack yet?

Do you mean my canopy?

Steve

 

[Timanator]

Do you mean my canopy?

Steve

Nahh, the rack where the frags and things tobe propagated are going to be mounted. I am trying to come up with a scheme for the most surface area and also flexability incase something needs to be moved.

 

[fishes2889]

I have alot of eggcrate laying around that i will use for the frag rack and maybe some PVC piping to keep the stability of the rack when the water flow hits it....

Steve

 

[fishes2889]

Update:
Got the tank and built the frame for the stand couple of hours ago. Still need to put plywood over it and paint it though.

Enjoy:

And a pic of the workbench i built....

Steve

 

[MarvinsReef]

any progress Steve?

 

[fishes2889]

Not much. I finished the build of the stand but still beed to put hinges and stain on it. I have recently bought soem parts, bulkhead, returns, pump/s, and eggcrate. I am going to Bryans place on the 20th to get the tanb drilled and get some frags. But unfortunately i am running low on funds for the 265$ worht of lighting so i will have to wait a while and get back up to speed with my insurance. By the end of January i will have enough for the light and be able to pay my bills.

Thanks
Steve