Finally, Ratpack's 75g Reef!!

Ratpack · 01-15-2009, 09:14 PM

Well after hanging out of these boards for about a year and a half, I have finally upgraded my tank and decided to start a built thread. The tank is a 75g AGA. It is not a reef ready tank so I opted to use an external overflow box. I have had good luck with the past so no big deal. My lighting is a TEK 6x54. It has a 30g sump. The skimmer is a DIY and I am very pleased with the performance so far. For circulation, I have 3 mj1200 mod's with the 2100gph props in them. Tank actually has water in it now and has begun the cycle. So I will fill in the blanks up to this point and share the few photos I have.

Here is the stand, all covered in gloss white industrial paint. All seams were caulked and sealed before priming and painting.

And here is part of the skin painted on the back side to resist moisture.

Ratpack · 01-15-2009, 09:18 PM

Here is the DIY skimmer being tested to see if it works. I placed it in a tub of saltwater and then through in a couple of those fish feeder weekend blocks and some cubes of food.

Next morning, this is what I had and the water was clear. Guess it works well enough for me.

Ratpack · 01-15-2009, 09:22 PM

Here is the stand in the sunroom after the skin has been applied and painted satin black. You can see the sump underneath ready for action.

Next the tank was lifted onto the stand, the doors put on and water put into the tank.

Ratpack · 01-15-2009, 09:26 PM

While the water was filling in from my RO/DI unit, I went ahead and drilled my rock structures for pegging. Here is the finished product.

If you are not familiar with pegging, basically you drill your rock full of holes that will accept 1/4" rigid air line. Then you mount all your corals onto a piece of air line. That way you can can place corals where you want them simply by inserting them into the holes. If you want to move them, pull them out and place in another hole. Here is an example:

Reef Videos

Click on the video "mounting / Pegging".

My rock structures were built using ceramic reef plates from Aquarium Specialty. I drilled one end of each plate and stacked them onto the fiberglass driveway markers. Then trimmed the fiberglass rods after I was satisfied with the look.

Ratpack · 01-15-2009, 09:32 PM

After the water was in, sorry for not having photos of all this, I fired the sump up and dialed the return pump in to match the overflow. Now I could mix the salt. Once the salt was stable at 1.026, I turned on the skimmer, here is what I was getting.

Ratpack · 01-15-2009, 09:34 PM

Next I place the HDPE in the bottom since this was going to be a bare bottom tank and put my rock structures in. Here is the result.

Then two of the mj mods were turned on and WOW what flow they have. This photo does not do it justice.

Ratpack · 01-15-2009, 09:39 PM

Once my stealth heater brought the temps up to the desired range, I placed a piece of live rock from my current tank into the tank to help the cycle. The light went on and I was ready.......to wait on the cycle. Here is what the tank looks like right now, empty.

There is no fish in the tank or any other inhabitants right now. There is a shrimp in the sump to feed the cycle so I am waiting on that to finish. Then I will move my current livestock over slowly.

Ratpack · 01-15-2009, 09:42 PM

And after two weeks running with nothing in the tank, this is what the skimmer is starting to pull. This is about 4 days worth. Not much I know, but since there isn't anything in the tank, I figure that is pretty good. What do you folks think?

So that is where I stand right now, I'll update as things change.

Ratpack · 01-15-2009, 09:55 PM

So after two weeks here are my levels:

Ammonia - 2 ppm
Nitrites - .5 ppm
Nitrates - less than 5 ppm
PH - 8.2

yungreefer2410 · 01-15-2009, 09:57 PM

very nice looking. it looks like you'll need some more lr. how are those stable? drilled together or something?

BigAl07 · 01-15-2009, 10:08 PM

Looks like you're in FULL CYCLE! that's good to hear!!

Good work Tim

Ratpack · 01-15-2009, 10:09 PM

Thanks, the rocks are very secure. They do sway a little with so much flow in the tank but they aren't going anywhere. I used the 1/2" fiberglass rods that you can buy in Lowes or HD for driveway markers. Cut off the reflector and drill the rock. Here is a photo of when I started before I trimmed the rods.

As far as amount of rock, that is it for this tank. There is a large piece in the sump as well, but no more will go into the DT. Since the flow is so high and it is bare bottom, there is nowhere for things to settle and nutrients should go into the skimmer pretty quick. I have seen several tanks running this way. The old saying about 1 pound of rock per gallon is kind of old school IMO, just like watts per gallon for lighting. What I have is about 1/2 pound per gallon.

BLAKEJOHN · 01-15-2009, 10:10 PM

Thats cool. The skimmer you made. Is the top section of the output off of the T, is that capped off or is there hols in the cap for air? And with the out put of the skimmer submerged in the water I'm surprised you dont overflow the cup with water.

Ratpack · 01-15-2009, 10:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BLAKEJOHN

Thats cool. The skimmer you made. Is the top section of the output off of the T, is that capped off or is there hols in the cap for air? And with the out put of the skimmer submerged in the water I'm surprised you dont overflow the cup with water.

If you are referring to this photo, it is without the collection cup on it. I just wanted to see the bubles before I put the cup on. Since it is DIY, you can't see through it to make sure the bubbles are there. Small drawback, but worth the amount of money I saved. Once the cup is on it is no different than any other skimmer.

Ratpack · 01-15-2009, 10:28 PM

My bad, after I re-read your post I see what you are talking about. Yes the output is off the T. The cap has a hole drilled in it for air to escape. There is also a ball valve on it to adjust the water level in the skimmer. It seems to work very well, but if I have any issues with it, I can always scrap it and be out $40 since I can save and use the pump for something else. Of course with the pump which is needlewheel, I only have about $80 invested plus time. It is 6" in diameter, about 30" tall and has a 5 qt collection cup just in case you are interested in the specs.

01-15-2009, 09:14 PM	#1 (permalink)
Ratpack Cabbage Leather Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Lexington, SC Posts: 358 View Gallery Karma Komment	Finally, Ratpack's 75g Reef!! Well after hanging out of these boards for about a year and a half, I have finally upgraded my tank and decided to start a built thread. The tank is a 75g AGA. It is not a reef ready tank so I opted to use an external overflow box. I have had good luck with the past so no big deal. My lighting is a TEK 6x54. It has a 30g sump. The skimmer is a DIY and I am very pleased with the performance so far. For circulation, I have 3 mj1200 mod's with the 2100gph props in them. Tank actually has water in it now and has begun the cycle. So I will fill in the blanks up to this point and share the few photos I have. Here is the stand, all covered in gloss white industrial paint. All seams were caulked and sealed before priming and painting. And here is part of the skin painted on the back side to resist moisture. __________________ Tim My first build thread: http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...-75g-reef.html

01-15-2009, 09:18 PM	#2 (permalink)
Ratpack Cabbage Leather Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Lexington, SC Posts: 358 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Finally, Ratpack's 75g Reef!! Here is the DIY skimmer being tested to see if it works. I placed it in a tub of saltwater and then through in a couple of those fish feeder weekend blocks and some cubes of food. Next morning, this is what I had and the water was clear. Guess it works well enough for me. __________________ Tim My first build thread: http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...-75g-reef.html

01-15-2009, 09:22 PM	#3 (permalink)
Ratpack Cabbage Leather Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Lexington, SC Posts: 358 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Finally, Ratpack's 75g Reef!! Here is the stand in the sunroom after the skin has been applied and painted satin black. You can see the sump underneath ready for action. Next the tank was lifted onto the stand, the doors put on and water put into the tank. __________________ Tim My first build thread: http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...-75g-reef.html

01-15-2009, 09:26 PM	#4 (permalink)
Ratpack Cabbage Leather Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Lexington, SC Posts: 358 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Finally, Ratpack's 75g Reef!! While the water was filling in from my RO/DI unit, I went ahead and drilled my rock structures for pegging. Here is the finished product. If you are not familiar with pegging, basically you drill your rock full of holes that will accept 1/4" rigid air line. Then you mount all your corals onto a piece of air line. That way you can can place corals where you want them simply by inserting them into the holes. If you want to move them, pull them out and place in another hole. Here is an example: Reef Videos Click on the video "mounting / Pegging". My rock structures were built using ceramic reef plates from Aquarium Specialty. I drilled one end of each plate and stacked them onto the fiberglass driveway markers. Then trimmed the fiberglass rods after I was satisfied with the look. __________________ Tim My first build thread: http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...-75g-reef.html

01-15-2009, 09:32 PM	#5 (permalink)
Ratpack Cabbage Leather Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Lexington, SC Posts: 358 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Finally, Ratpack's 75g Reef!! After the water was in, sorry for not having photos of all this, I fired the sump up and dialed the return pump in to match the overflow. Now I could mix the salt. Once the salt was stable at 1.026, I turned on the skimmer, here is what I was getting. __________________ Tim My first build thread: http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...-75g-reef.html

01-15-2009, 09:34 PM	#6 (permalink)
Ratpack Cabbage Leather Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Lexington, SC Posts: 358 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Finally, Ratpack's 75g Reef!! Next I place the HDPE in the bottom since this was going to be a bare bottom tank and put my rock structures in. Here is the result. Then two of the mj mods were turned on and WOW what flow they have. This photo does not do it justice. __________________ Tim My first build thread: http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...-75g-reef.html

01-15-2009, 09:39 PM	#7 (permalink)
Ratpack Cabbage Leather Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Lexington, SC Posts: 358 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Finally, Ratpack's 75g Reef!! Once my stealth heater brought the temps up to the desired range, I placed a piece of live rock from my current tank into the tank to help the cycle. The light went on and I was ready.......to wait on the cycle. Here is what the tank looks like right now, empty. There is no fish in the tank or any other inhabitants right now. There is a shrimp in the sump to feed the cycle so I am waiting on that to finish. Then I will move my current livestock over slowly. __________________ Tim My first build thread: http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...-75g-reef.html

01-15-2009, 09:42 PM	#8 (permalink)
Ratpack Cabbage Leather Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Lexington, SC Posts: 358 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Finally, Ratpack's 75g Reef!! And after two weeks running with nothing in the tank, this is what the skimmer is starting to pull. This is about 4 days worth. Not much I know, but since there isn't anything in the tank, I figure that is pretty good. What do you folks think? So that is where I stand right now, I'll update as things change. __________________ Tim My first build thread: http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...-75g-reef.html

01-15-2009, 09:55 PM	#9 (permalink)
Ratpack Cabbage Leather Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Lexington, SC Posts: 358 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Finally, Ratpack's 75g Reef!! So after two weeks here are my levels: Ammonia - 2 ppm Nitrites - .5 ppm Nitrates - less than 5 ppm PH - 8.2 __________________ Tim My first build thread: http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...-75g-reef.html

01-15-2009, 10:08 PM	#11 (permalink)
BigAl07 Do I look as lost as I am Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Waynesville, North Carolina Posts: 21,549 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Finally, Ratpack's 75g Reef!! Looks like you're in FULL CYCLE! that's good to hear!! Good work Tim __________________ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~ *Live Rock Rubble will do the SAME thing as Bio-Balls and is NOT a suitable replacement for BIO-BALLS in a Reef System! It's ALL gotta go!!* Nitrate (NO3) reduction is directly proportional to percentage of Water Change. Allen's home-made formula...currentNO3-((%WC.01)currentNO3)=finalNO3 (thanks Luukosian) This means if you change 50% of your total water volume (That's EVERYTHING) you'll get a net reduction of (NO3) somewhere around 50%. Ask me about how to increase your REEF budget without going without FOOD!!* Big Al's 10g Julie's (BigAl's Gal) 6g NanoCube Gone but not forgotten BigAl's Slow 90g Tank Chronicle Allens OFFICE 12g Nano-Reef

01-15-2009, 10:09 PM	#12 (permalink)
Ratpack Cabbage Leather Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Lexington, SC Posts: 358 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Finally, Ratpack's 75g Reef!! Thanks, the rocks are very secure. They do sway a little with so much flow in the tank but they aren't going anywhere. I used the 1/2" fiberglass rods that you can buy in Lowes or HD for driveway markers. Cut off the reflector and drill the rock. Here is a photo of when I started before I trimmed the rods. As far as amount of rock, that is it for this tank. There is a large piece in the sump as well, but no more will go into the DT. Since the flow is so high and it is bare bottom, there is nowhere for things to settle and nutrients should go into the skimmer pretty quick. I have seen several tanks running this way. The old saying about 1 pound of rock per gallon is kind of old school IMO, just like watts per gallon for lighting. What I have is about 1/2 pound per gallon. __________________ Tim My first build thread: http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...-75g-reef.html

01-15-2009, 10:10 PM	#13 (permalink)
BLAKEJOHN Elegance coral Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: KINGSTON, I.L. Posts: 1,073 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Finally, Ratpack's 75g Reef!! Thats cool. The skimmer you made. Is the top section of the output off of the T, is that capped off or is there hols in the cap for air? And with the out put of the skimmer submerged in the water I'm surprised you dont overflow the cup with water. __________________ 110 gallon acrylic 1 Yellow Tang, 1 Blue Tang, 2 Eng Gobies, 1 Six Line Wrasse, 1 Tomato Clown, 1 Lion fish RBTA, Longspine Urchin, Approx. 200 snails Red Monti, Purple Rim Monti, Leathers, Elegence, Yellow Polyps, various Zoa's, FrogSpawn, Ricordias, Greenbirdsnest, Pink Milli, Blue Milli, Bonzai, unknown Acropora's, Purple Digi, GSP, Bubble Coral, Staghorn, Slimer

01-15-2009, 10:28 PM	#15 (permalink)
Ratpack Cabbage Leather Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Lexington, SC Posts: 358 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Finally, Ratpack's 75g Reef!! My bad, after I re-read your post I see what you are talking about. Yes the output is off the T. The cap has a hole drilled in it for air to escape. There is also a ball valve on it to adjust the water level in the skimmer. It seems to work very well, but if I have any issues with it, I can always scrap it and be out $40 since I can save and use the pump for something else. Of course with the pump which is needlewheel, I only have about $80 invested plus time. It is 6" in diameter, about 30" tall and has a 5 qt collection cup just in case you are interested in the specs. __________________ Tim My first build thread: http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...-75g-reef.html

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