Update on new 415 gallon tank and pics of new skimmer and re

[M.E.Milz]

Mouse and Nathan:

I believe we have had this discussion before. I am going to use a closed loop/overflow configuration like what Mouse is describing (ie, the intakes for the closed loops behind the overflow partition). In any event, I believe that either set-up will work so long as everything is plumbed correctly (for example, you must use Durso standpipes on the non-closed loop intakes). I also believe that either configuration has its advantages and disadvantages.

My tank is currently in transit, and should be delivered next week. I will try to take some photos once everything is plumbed.

Nathan, how did you connect the Ampmaster 3000 to your skimmer? Did you split the 1.5" feed near the pump and then run separate tubes to the skimmer injectors? Or did you split the pump output closer to the injectors? I will be using the same skimmer/pump combination and would like to hear your opinions.

 

[M.E.Milz]

By the way, my tank will have a single center overflow that is about the same size as each of Nathans (22"x8"). My total flow should be just under 4000 gph, including the closed loops. From what Nathan described, it sounds like I should be ok.

 

[npaden]

M.E.,

I split the 1.5" coming off the ampmaster closer to the injectors than the pump. I think the key is to transition slowly from the 1.5" to the intake to the beckett. I went from the 1.5" to 1" at the Y about 2' from the injector then to 3/4" about 6" from the injector and then to 1/2" right at the injector.

FWIW, Nathan

 

[whirley]

Geez...M.E.Milz

...and I thought your last tank was impressive.

I'm about to buy a myReef Calcium Reactor, myself, fyi. With all the great words about myReef, from all the fellow reefers, it's a no brainer.

Plus, everytime I email/ask a question to Andy, he seems to reply very quickly to my question.

whirley

 

[SPC]

Nathan, do you have any problem with protein scum on the top of the water inside your overflow box? I have the same Durso design as you and am having this problem.
Steve

 

[npaden]

Steve,

Not that I'm aware of. The way my lights are set up there is a lot of light that makes it into the overflows so there is almost a turf like algae that grows on the surface of the water and on the plumbing in there. I periodically remove handfuls of it (it is almost like a sponge - real easy to remove) and it seems like a good nutrient export mechanism.

I've never noticed any kind of an protien slick though. How much water are you running through your overflow? The surface water in my overflows is pretty turbulent except for the areas with the sponge algae growth.

FWIW, Nathan

 

[Saxe]

http://www.hawkfish.org/snailman/skimmer101.htm

 

[SPC]

I am running about 1200 gph through each one. The scum actualy builds up behind the Durso where the water is not very turbulent. I have the Durso set where the water only travels about 1/2" oner the spillway. If I set it where the water fell further it would probably eliminate this problem, but then of course the noise would increase.
Steve

 

[dgasmd]

Nice set up. Do have a few questions.
*About how much did the tank, sump, stand, and shipping set you back if you don'y mind me asking? I am planing in the future to get something this big too.
*I had heard horror stories about InterAmerican. Any regreats?
*About how much sand and live rock is there? It looks a bit bare.
*I see you have 4 X 400W MH. Is that enough lighitng or are you supplementing with something else? Actinics?
*Did InterAmerica offer a stand and canopy as options as well? If yes, about how much were they if you can remember?

Thanks,

Alberto

 

[npaden]

<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by dimaggio:
<strong>Nice set up. Do have a few questions.
*About how much did the tank, sump, stand, and shipping set you back if you don'y mind me asking?</strong><hr></blockquote>
I got the tank ($1,900) and sump ($400) and stand ($550) (metal frame) all prices including shipping.
<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote

<strong>*I had heard horror stories about InterAmerican. Any regrets?</strong>

No regrets at all. The price for this size tank is WAY better than anyone was close to in glass. I wanted glass and this was the only way I could afford it. The quality is excellent. The sump didn't come out perfect (I only changed the design 8 or 9 times) and I probably should have just bought a couple used 75 gallon or 58 gallon tanks and made my own refugium/sump with them.
<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote

<strong>*About how much sand and live rock is there? It looks a bit bare.</strong>

There is around 300 to 325lbs of rock and 750lbs of sand in the display. The pic is an old one before I added all the rock or aquascaped. I continually debate that I have to much rock and may end up removing some before it is all said and done.
<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote

<strong>*I see you have 4 X 400W MH. Is that enough lighitng or are you supplementing with something else? Actinics?</strong>

I'm supplementing with 4 X 110W VHO Actinic and 2 X 160W VHO Actinic & 50/50.
<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote

<strong>*Did InterAmerica offer a stand and canopy as options as well? If yes, about how much were they if you can remember?</strong>

I never asked.

I was going to post a recent pic but I really don't have a single decent pic of it lately. Here is a crappy overexposed one:

FWIW, Nathan

 

[SPC]

Nathan, now that you have had this tank for a while, do you wish you would have gone with a larger one? Different dimensions?
Steve

 

[npaden]

Steve,

I designed this tank to be the biggest possible tank I could fit in this particular space. Of course I would like a bigger tank but would probably have to choose between the wife and the bigger tank and for now I'll keep the wife!

I'm happy with the height at 28". I think 30" might have been a touch to tall and I like it quite a bit more than my 24" tall tank I had previously. With the 36" tall stand and the 28" tall tank I keep a little 3 step ladder around the tank pretty much all the time and I'm 6'3". Sometimes it gets folded up and makes it back to the utility room but usually it is either in front of the tank or leaning againt the end of the tank. I think this is well worth it though. It helps me stay out of the tank for the most part and really isn't too much of a pain IMO.

I would have loved to add some more depth, but 28" is pretty good. Actually, even with the 28" it is still quite a chore to reach back into the bottom back part of the tank. I think anything over 30" wide and 30" deep would require a snorkel to reach the bottom back of the tank. I've had a couple times doing some moving around in the tank that required me to get about 1/2 of my upper body over the tank and hold my head just right to keep from having to just put my face in the water to reach something.

The length is awesome! I love to watch the fish swim the length of the tank. If you sit in front of the tank you can't keep the whole tank in your vision so I've taken to sitting in the living room (about 15' away from the tank at a slight angle) so I can watch the interaction of the fish for the whole length of the tank.

If somehow I did get to upgrade sometime down the road, I would probably take out an entire room and build an L shaped tank where the walls would have been. If you want to go much over 30" I think you would need to be able to reach in from both sides of the tank to get to all the areas in the tank. I've actually got the room picked out and the tank would be 12' X 36" X 30" on one side and 10' X 36" X 30" on the other. Now all I have to do is win the lottery!

In retrospect probably my biggest flaw in the design and setup in this tank is only having 1 closed loop setup. I really should have planned for 2 of them. Also I should have just done my own sump/refugium out of multiple tanks chained together. Other than that I think for the most part I would do everything about the same with the resources and space that I had available at the time.

FWIW, Nathan

 

[M.E.Milz]

Thanks Nathan, I will probably plumb the skimmer the same way.

 

[AQUADOC]

Impressive pieces of reef machinery! By the math, npaden (I did the math myself as well when I had tanks as this), you have designed a skimmer that will provide your system with excellent turnover and service. Some aquarists get skimmers that "fit their need" and not look to the future of their system requirements(ie-what kind of livestock-rock-bioload). To wit, their tank is setup and running and they buy a skimmer that "just handles" the bioload of THAT setup. However upon adding and subtracting rock, livestock, adding-subtracting nutrients, etc. etc., there tends to get lost, the factor of what will this skimmer actually do, plus... how much will this skimmer actually handle? (Wish I had thought of this before I bought this skimmer, it's not big enough.)
Goes back to the old adage of, "there's no substitute for horsepower!"(of course...within reason, that is!)
I ALWAYS used equipment that was MORE than adequate to handle the task @ hand! Great job and anyone that sets up big tanks, IMO, I'm there with you!! Bigger IS better. (If you can afford it!)
Aquadoc-