The Upgrade
My goal with the upgrade is to have the most efficient tank and have it look like modern art. I want to try and have this look totally different than you average tank. Something that you would see in a IKEA catalog and say, " I have to have that". The stand will be three sections. The middle stand will hold the tank, a majority of the equipment and will measure 30" ( Long )x 22" ( Width )x 36" ( Height ). This stand will be made from 1" square steel powder coated off white with 1/4" wood panels that will be stained birch. The panels will be connected by 1/2" magnet's for easy maintenance. The sump ( 12x20x12 ) and remote DSB/Mangrove/Macro Algae tank ( 13x20x17 ) will also be stored underneath this middle stand. I will also have my RKL, Ozone equipment, skimmer and Tunze Osmolator in this stand. The left stand will be 18"x15/16"x 25" and will hold the ATO resivior and the dosing pumps with CA and ALK 2-part. The right stand will be the same dimensions as the left but hold a small and shallow frag tank ( 18x15x8 ). Lighting will be attached to a floating shelf above holding my nerdy fish books.
Tanks
The main tank will be all DIY. I am going to use the same method that A.G.E uses for there amazing builds. The bottom will be made from grey 1" Type 1 PVC board. This will be rabbet routed around the edges to assure a strong bond. The edges will have the "secret" sealant and I will be using using GE SCS 1200 silicon for the bonding. The glass will be 1/2" low iron flat iron polished. Dimensions are 30"x22"x18". The overflow will use the "Herbie" silent method with 1" drains and the return will be 1/2" over the overflow with lockline powered by a Eheim 1250. Oh and rimless!
The frag tank will be as simple as possible rimless, acrylic, shallow. This will be plumbed in with the main system. Nothing much to say about it.
Equipment
This tank will only use very efficient gear. MP20 and MP10 will circulate the main tank and a Tunze 6025 for the frag tank. I will keep my iTech 100, Tunze Osmolater, RKL, Eheim 1250 and Sunpower fixture. I will be adding a DIY pendant for the frag tank that will use 12 3w CREE LED's with 60 degree optics. The only lighting I will add for the main tank is four Powerbrites. I have picked up two dosers that will be powered by my RKL. The biggest change is the use of Ozone. I want this tank to be to be CRYSTAL clear, almost fake looking.
The ozone will be set up as followed...
Corallife Luft Pump->BRS Air Dryer->Sanders 25mg/hr->DIY Ozone Reactor->MR1 Shorty media reactor. This will be retuned back to the the refugium. The ORP will be monitored by my RKL and will turned on and off accordingly.
Fuge
Like I said above, its all about being different and efficient
I want this fuge to be just as active and focused on as the main tank. The sand bed will be 5-6", 4-5 mangroves along the back side and various macro algae's in the tank. I few small pieces of live rock will be thrown in there and my goby shrimp pair will be in here. I plan on finding a pair of Bangaii cardinals and breeding them in this tank. If I am successful I will put a urchin in there for the babies. This will be lit by either two 18" T5's or another DIY LED set up.
Livestock
Its all about being small
Gobies, Red Spot Cardinals, Dwarf Moray Eel, Bangaii Cardinals, Grade B Clown and small inverts. I want every acro to have an acro crab too.
Well I hope I did not bore you to much. I cant tell you HOW excited I am about this build, while it may take me a little longer than expected it will be just to my standards. If you have any questions or suggestions, shoot away!
Here's a few teasers....
Ozone
MR1 Shorty
PVC
-Dave
