420g - In wall SPS Tank

[Diesel]

How do you keep nutrients down with no macro? Just skimmer water changes and rock? How big is your tank? And is it heavy with fish? This tank is going to be stocked hard with some larger fish as well. I need the macro I think to help hold my levels down. Maybe 40 inches was too much, I think i'm going to try to get away with a 72' long sump in total. Thinking 72x24x18. Going to get some prices today.

I used to run ZEO with the full vibe reactor, but since I'm off ZEO tanks look better and no issue what so ever with nutrients.
I have only 10 fish in my heavenly stocked SPS tank and have three more in QT.
Maybe it's my skimmer, running a lifereef and since I have this skimmer I noticed it's taking a lot more out than other skimmers.
Tank is 200 gallon and my sump is 70 in water volume.

 

[dankreef]

Never heard of lifereef, just checked out their site is horrible I was going to go deltec route, but I didn't know anyone that has experience with them personally. I've only ever used reef octo, never had a problem. Plus the auto cleaner has its perks

 

[Diesel]

Never heard of lifereef, just checked out their site is horrible I was going to go deltec route, but I didn't know anyone that has experience with them personally. I've only ever used reef octo, never had a problem. Plus the auto cleaner has its perks

YOU NEVER HEARD OF LIFEREEF?????????
Browse around, if you see one for sale it won't last long.
I have two and will never ever go with another skimmer.

 

[dankreef]

Neva eva. That's quite a review. Can you use an auto cleaner on it?

 

[Diesel]

Yes you can but it ain't necessary.
I ran Bubble Mangus, Reef Octopus, and a Bubble King.
Lifereef was a nobrainer after I saw the results.
Been running it now for three+ years and it still runs as it was brand new, the break-in period was just less than 2 hours and I set it once and never had to set it again.
I did upgrade the pump after a year from a 1200gal mag to a 1800gal mag.
You were asking why my PO4 stays low without running reactors or a fuge.................. well that's why for most part.
Same on the frag system, same skimmer and pump.

 

[levi213]

No comments please

'Merica (sorry I couldn't resist [emoji23])

 

[dankreef]

I am liking a lot of the uniqueness of qualities this skimmer claims to bring. I'll try the SVS3-36 IN-SUMP 400-600 gallon. Thanks D for the info's. I've always had reef octo, we shall see Smaller footprint too.

I like this part:

Flange design utilizes a full-face gasket and 8 nylon thumbscrews with keyhole for easy on/off. This allows periodic interior cleaning which may only be needed once per year for aesthetics, not performance.

 

[soggytees Verified Sponsor]

Looking great so far!!

 

[Chris Aldrich]

Awesome build so far. I have an in-wall, so I can always appreciate the additional effort that goes into building a system and building it into a wall. It's definitely a whole different dimension to the project. I look forward to seeing how you progress - good luck!

 

[slojmn]

New build. Tank is on way, cant wait. Went with C2C custom 420g. Really wanted to get a quality tank. After looking around doesn't seem to get much better. 8x3x28. 2 External OF. I have most of the equipment already. Tank room 14x8. Sink, humistat on exhaust fan, drain, front access. Also putting a bulkhead on sump, hooking to drain for instant sump cleaning / water changes.
Apex
4x Photon 48' (Been loving them)
Geo calcium reactor
Tunze Auto top
Reef Octo 5000 w. auto cleaner
Mp40's / 60

This build looks AWESOME Dan!!! Can you give me specs on your "humistat on exhaust fan"? I am looking to add an exhaust near my two tanks so any and all info would be greatly appreciated.

No reactors. I run carbon seldom. I've tried everything it seems like. Pellets, carbon, gfo, vodka, you name it. I think the best turnout for me is basically back to basics. Feeding heavy, lots of macro, regular small water changes. Here's a quick sketch. Let me know what you guys think about sump design.

I feel the same way, rarely run carbon and even rarer that my tanks sees any GFO. I just run it bare bones and simple, some macro algae in a fuge and good skimmer. PO$'s stay relatively low with my fish load and heavy feedings.

 

[charleslotz]

Life reef is the best in my opinion. I'm runing a ro 6000sss with neck cleaner and 36 " life reef ... On a 400 gallon heavily stocked ,... There is no comparison... Also running Jeboa 12000 on the 36 inch life reef for power consumption reasons .Pulls loads more crap than the reef octopus... No comparison ... hands down best skimmer I have owned.

It's not modern with pretty colors or fancy bubble plates ,... Down and Dirty work horse....

 

[dankreef]

Thanks guys that tagged on. I got some updates. I went with life reef skimmer and sump. Both are looking great. Also having made a couple ceramic rock sculptures made that are black, looking pretty cool. One major setback was the tank from coast to coast came in SMASHED. Pretty disappointed.

 

[dankreef]

Here's how it left c2c.

 

[dankreef]

Here's one of the rock structures. Using black ceramic plugs as well. Really happy about being able to have all the perfect holes for frag plugs .

 

[dankreef]

I have also been in contact with Mindstream people, I'm hopeful they will send me a unit [HASHTAG]#fingerscrossed[/HASHTAG].

Equipment update :

Added 100g breeder rock bin rubber maid
Added frag tank 48x18x12
Added t5 48' 6x54w two of them to add to RB leds. So I will have 4 photon 48's and 2 6x54w
Added Rewnew water change system & topoff
Added doing steel stand instead of wood (w powdercoat) in production now.
Added epoxy floor.

More pics soon.

 

[dankreef]

This build looks AWESOME Dan!!! Can you give me specs on your "humistat on exhaust fan"? I am looking to add an exhaust near my two tanks so any and all info would be greatly appreciated.



I feel the same way, rarely run carbon and even rarer that my tanks sees any GFO. I just run it bare bones and simple, some macro algae in a fuge and good skimmer. PO$'s stay relatively low with my fish load and heavy feedings.

Hey Slo, I just used a bathroom exhaust ceiling fan, its pretty big probably a little overkill. Just added same one I put in my master bathroom. Its on a sensor if humidity goes higher than whatever you set it on the exhaust fan will kick on.

 

[BigKid4788]

Great choice on the lifereef. I have one of his custom sumps. Extremely quite and great quality. You won't be disappointed. Looking forward to the build. Thinking of upgrading my system from 180 to 340. By thinking I mean saving the $$$$.

 

[dankreef]

DR updates. Lots been happening . Got 2 rubber maids one for rock one for fresh water. Got all the plywood cut, and my good old fish over in QT . Have two 100g tall storage tanks coming for mixing and holding saltwater. Think I have a pretty good idea how I'm going to plumb it. The second tank is due next week . Excited . Life reef sump next week. Skimmer is in garage now looking sweet. Here's some pics. Ceramics came in, one broken... Cuz why not I guess ?

These things are pretty huge in person, they look small in photos but they are big and pretty heavy. Ive epoxied a few rocks before. Where's that purple sticky stuff. Called up my buddy and we drank a couple Mickie's and did some repairs .

 

[dankreef]

The cap games are always fun after a couple. Some of them are pretty tough. Who's got skills.

Couldn't wait to put them up and then realize how much space there was left. That's 2 ft on the tape . . I wanted really simple. But I can't waste that much good sps space the coral gods would not approve. So I got a middle piece in production to fill the gap. That's a 55 QT in background for reference . More next week. Making aluminum light rack and stand to stack the rubber maids.

Filling up quick .

 

[dankreef]

My fish are tired of being in a 55 and ready to move in ! All these guys are over 9 years
Old . Poor YT getting beat up . Hippo and squirrel are both huge and have some pretty intense battles sometimes then there fine for weeks . Geeze ! Been feeding them really good diet about 4-5 times a day they are starting to look better and calm down. They are all pigs . 3 clowns large large squirrel gama 2 large tangs 6 months now in 55.