Tank of the Month - January 2005 - Page 3

GeneSilvey · 01/07/2005, 05:38 PM

How do you make your SPS grow all crazily long!!! Nice Tank

rbaker · 01/07/2005, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by melev
So do you know what your new skimmer is rated at, in gallons? The reason I'm asking is you have two pretty large skimmers right now, and many try to determine the skimmer's rating vs the total gallons in their system. I know I do. So what is your total volume now? Will you match that, or double it, or triple it with your new skimmer?

I really don't know how many gallons the skimmer will be rated for, but it should handle a lot. I have just about 500 gallons in my system and feel pretty confident the skimmer will work well. I'd be happy if it worked as well as the two skimmers I have now. I'll enjoy a huge reduction in my electrical consumption...

Ryan

rbaker · 01/07/2005, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Rook
Fantastic tank and setup.

Could you explain the plumbing on the refugium and sump more? I understand the baffle box, which is a great idea, but is the refugium just open with the macro/sand/rock/etc in it and a bulkhead on the end as an overflow to the sump? Also, in the sump, how do you have the return pump setup so that it does not get pieces of algae stuck in it? And, do you simply have the hole sump at a constant level with a top-off system?

Thanks, great tank once again.

Thanks...

Basically, the water comes from the tank, into the refugium, then makes its way to the sump thru a surface overflow. There is a strainer on the intake of the pup in the sump. Here's a picture of the overflow in the refugium.

The level in the sump is maintained by the "Reef Filler"

Ryan

rbaker · 01/07/2005, 06:12 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Reefcherie
Absolutely beautiful Ryan! To be a two-time TOTM winner is truely to have achieved something special!

Cheri

Thanks Cheri!

Quote:

Originally posted by GeneSilvey
How do you make your SPS grow all crazily long!!! Nice Tank

I don't trim them like you're supposed to! Honestly, I haven't touched them since I glued them to the rock. I'm curious how big it will get before it breaks...

Ryan

officerricv · 01/07/2005, 08:50 PM

Ryan,
I love the idea of using the peristalic pumps for the bionic. I tried the calcium reactors but got tired of the fiddling, so i went back to the bionic. Can you tell me where I can get the pumps? Also, how much are you dosing a day? Where did you get the containers. Got an email address as I would love to set the same thing up and you can guide me through.
Ric

GeneSilvey · 01/07/2005, 11:40 PM

I'll never prop another sps

Big E · 01/08/2005, 06:12 AM

Awesome as always Ryan..............it's really changed since the last time I saw it. I'd like to see that monster skimmer in action once George gets it done for you.

That baffle box is one of the best DIY ideas for eliminating bubbles.........suprises me more people don't use it. Maybe cause they couldn't understand the design before now

Irenicus · 01/08/2005, 07:12 AM

I'm speechless, that is a excellent tank & tank/setup. Nice Work!

rbaker · 01/08/2005, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Big E
Awesome as always Ryan..............it's really changed since the last time I saw it. I'd like to see that monster skimmer in action once George gets it done for you.

That baffle box is one of the best DIY ideas for eliminating bubbles.........suprises me more people don't use it. Maybe cause they couldn't understand the design before now

Hi Ed,

I'll let you know when I get the skimmer up and running.

Yeah, the bubble box works really well. I have a friend that made one out of a small bucket with a lid. It works great as well...

Ryan

reefcrazy00246 · 01/08/2005, 09:48 PM

OK, to start off, very nice tank. still drooling over it. the one thing i can't figure out though, is what is that coral thingy on the left side of your tank??? Its the tall fuzzy thing. kinda purplish. It has several stalks growing upwards, about an inch or two in diameter. In your TOTM article in the "left side view" it is to the right of the spagetti(sp?) leather, and directly above what looks like a toadtool.

Thanks
&
Congrats

Skipper · 01/09/2005, 08:56 AM

Hey reefcrazy. That's a gorgonian. Here's some info about them:

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/20...ides/index.htm

gwrulzmylife · 01/09/2005, 09:03 AM

two thumbs up!

rbaker · 01/09/2005, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by reefcrazy00246
OK, to start off, very nice tank. still drooling over it. the one thing i can't figure out though, is what is that coral thingy on the left side of your tank??? Its the tall fuzzy thing. kinda purplish. It has several stalks growing upwards, about an inch or two in diameter. In your TOTM article in the "left side view" it is to the right of the spagetti(sp?) leather, and directly above what looks like a toadtool.

Thanks
&
Congrats

Like Skipper said, it's a gorgonian. More specifically a corky sea finger (Briareum ashetinum) I've had him for a long time...

Ryan

reefcrazy00246 · 01/09/2005, 06:25 PM

Cool, thanks. I do not know much about them. All the gorgonians i have ever seen are a lot skinnier, like the purple one on the other side of the tank, thats a gorgonian too, right?? I think that is what threw me off. I heard that they were kinda hard to keep. Apparantly that is no problem for you. Is there anything special(feeding) you do to keep it healthy??

Thank you for the link Skipper!

Thanks
Jason

ab5ebdxer · 01/09/2005, 07:25 PM

How do you get the water down to the basement, how hard was this?

noukje · 01/10/2005, 08:17 AM

it's beautifull, i wish that i had a tank like that!

bye bye,
anouk

rbaker · 01/10/2005, 08:22 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by reefcrazy00246
Cool, thanks. I do not know much about them. All the gorgonians i have ever seen are a lot skinnier, like the purple one on the other side of the tank, thats a gorgonian too, right?? I think that is what threw me off. I heard that they were kinda hard to keep. Apparantly that is no problem for you. Is there anything special(feeding) you do to keep it healthy??

Thank you for the link Skipper!

Thanks
Jason

As long as you get a photosynthetic gorgonian, they are fairly simple to keep. I don't do anything special for them.

Ryan

rbaker · 01/10/2005, 08:28 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by ab5ebdxer
How do you get the water down to the basement, how hard was this?

I simply drilled some holes in the floor. I uses "spa-flex" schedule 40 PVC to make the runs from the tank to the fishroom. It wasn't that hard at all...

Ryan

ab5ebdxer · 01/10/2005, 03:20 PM

Did you support the spa-flex on the way down or did you just let it dangle for the 15ft feet or so down?

rbaker · 01/11/2005, 07:56 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by ab5ebdxer
Did you support the spa-flex on the way down or did you just let it dangle for the 15ft feet or so down?

Yeah, I use PVC "J-Hooks" to secure and support the pipe along the entire run.

Ryan

rbaker · 01/11/2005, 07:59 AM

Here's a pic...

The Yellow Longnose · 01/11/2005, 05:42 PM

Nice tank. Nice corals. A++++
Joe

salty joe · 01/11/2005, 08:56 PM

Beautiful tank!
You mention a temperature controller for the heaters. Is this a separate piece of hardware from the heaters?

rbaker · 01/11/2005, 09:03 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by salty joe
Beautiful tank!
You mention a temperature controller for the heaters. Is this a separate piece of hardware from the heaters?

Yes, I use a Ranco dual temp controller. It controls the heaters and the fans. It works very well. Here's a pic...

Ryan

salty joe · 01/11/2005, 09:14 PM

Thank you!

01/08/2005, 06:12 AM	#57
Big E Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: South Euclid, OH Posts: 4,281	Awesome as always Ryan..............it's really changed since the last time I saw it. I'd like to see that monster skimmer in action once George gets it done for you. That baffle box is one of the best DIY ideas for eliminating bubbles.........suprises me more people don't use it. Maybe cause they couldn't understand the design before now __________________ 80g Rimless Acropora System reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2197142&page=31 Ed

01/08/2005, 09:48 PM	#60
reefcrazy00246 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Gilmore City, IOWA Posts: 303	OK, to start off, very nice tank. still drooling over it. the one thing i can't figure out though, is what is that coral thingy on the left side of your tank??? Its the tall fuzzy thing. kinda purplish. It has several stalks growing upwards, about an inch or two in diameter. In your TOTM article in the "left side view" it is to the right of the spagetti(sp?) leather, and directly above what looks like a toadtool. Thanks & Congrats __________________ All is fair in love, war, and reef keeping! Current Tank Info: 90 gal reef, and a 55 gal. prop. tank

01/09/2005, 08:56 AM	#61
Skipper Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Hattiesburg, MS Posts: 18,271	Hey reefcrazy. That's a gorgonian. Here's some info about them: http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/20...ides/index.htm __________________ Skip Attix Former Editor of Reefkeeping Magazine

01/09/2005, 09:03 AM	#62
gwrulzmylife Awaiting Email Confirmation Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Indy Posts: 1,052	great tank two thumbs up!

01/09/2005, 06:25 PM	#64
reefcrazy00246 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Gilmore City, IOWA Posts: 303	Cool, thanks. I do not know much about them. All the gorgonians i have ever seen are a lot skinnier, like the purple one on the other side of the tank, thats a gorgonian too, right?? I think that is what threw me off. I heard that they were kinda hard to keep. Apparantly that is no problem for you. Is there anything special(feeding) you do to keep it healthy?? Thank you for the link Skipper! Thanks Jason __________________ All is fair in love, war, and reef keeping! Current Tank Info: 90 gal reef, and a 55 gal. prop. tank

01/07/2005, 05:38 PM	#51
GeneSilvey Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: KC, MO Posts: 66	How do you make your SPS grow all crazily long!!! Nice Tank

01/07/2005, 08:50 PM	#55
officerricv Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Canandaigua, New York Posts: 202	Ryan, I love the idea of using the peristalic pumps for the bionic. I tried the calcium reactors but got tired of the fiddling, so i went back to the bionic. Can you tell me where I can get the pumps? Also, how much are you dosing a day? Where did you get the containers. Got an email address as I would love to set the same thing up and you can guide me through. Ric

01/07/2005, 11:40 PM	#56
GeneSilvey Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: KC, MO Posts: 66	I'll never prop another sps

01/08/2005, 07:12 AM	#58
Irenicus Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: River Falls, WI Posts: 293	I'm speechless, that is a excellent tank & tank/setup. Nice Work!

01/09/2005, 07:25 PM	#65
ab5ebdxer Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Canyon Lake, Texas Posts: 1,064	How do you get the water down to the basement, how hard was this?

01/10/2005, 08:17 AM	#66
noukje Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 5	nice :P it's beautifull, i wish that i had a tank like that! bye bye, anouk

01/10/2005, 03:20 PM	#69
ab5ebdxer Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Canyon Lake, Texas Posts: 1,064	Did you support the spa-flex on the way down or did you just let it dangle for the 15ft feet or so down?

01/11/2005, 07:59 AM	#71
rbaker Reef Central Admin Join Date: Dec 2001 Posts: 32,642 Blog Entries: 4	Here's a pic... __________________ Ryan A life spent making mistakes is not only more honorable but more useful than a life spent doing nothing. -- George Bernard Shaw

01/11/2005, 05:42 PM	#72
The Yellow Longnose Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Plymouth Meeting PA Posts: 563	Nice tank. Nice corals. A++++ Joe __________________ And when he gets to Heaven To St. Peter he will tell: "One more Soldier reporting, Sir -- I've served my time in Hell." Current Tank Info: 180sw,24sw Jbj nano cube reef. Hopefully a 3gallon Pico in the near future

01/11/2005, 08:56 PM	#73
salty joe Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: medina, ohio Posts: 2,419	Beautiful tank! You mention a temperature controller for the heaters. Is this a separate piece of hardware from the heaters? __________________ Time to roll the dice.

01/11/2005, 09:14 PM	#75
salty joe Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: medina, ohio Posts: 2,419	Thank you! __________________ Time to roll the dice.