The Rebirth/Rebuild of my 180g sps thread
- Thread starter ACRONUTS
- Start date
ACRONUTS
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Nice! Should be a pretty straightforward process
Let's hope so!
Look forward to seeing the build !
ACRONUTS
Member
Thanks nanoreefing4fun!
ACRONUTS
Member
great!! thanks for the follow!!
ACRONUTS
Member
I have decided that while I was at it I will do some other upgrades.
I would like to upgrade my main pump. It is an old gen x and i can tell it is about to die on me.
I would like to get a gph flow rate of about 10 times my actual gallons which when up and running is about 220 to 225 including sump.
What pumps do you guys recommend that are energy efficient ? And quiet? And can do about 10x the turn over of my tank?
I am upgrading my mp 40's vortex pumps to the es model by upgrading with the hardware kit like this one.
I have also taken the advice of a fellow reefer and ordered mortar for the reconstruction of the reef aquascape. This product is more cost effective than buying tubes of epoxy.
The tank is now almost ready. I got rid of most of the sand and did a 10% water change yesterday. This will be the last water change.
I have put most of the larger pieces of rock into a 35 gallon garbage bin with tap water. So far in one day I have not noticed any bad odors.
I do not want to add bleach to the rock but will be soaking with vinegar. I will also add a pump for circulation. The rock will be held for one week and then rinsed throughly and left to dry again for another week while the smaller pieces are soaked in vinegar, rinsed and dried.
Well guys that is the update for now.
I would like to upgrade my main pump. It is an old gen x and i can tell it is about to die on me.
I would like to get a gph flow rate of about 10 times my actual gallons which when up and running is about 220 to 225 including sump.
What pumps do you guys recommend that are energy efficient ? And quiet? And can do about 10x the turn over of my tank?
I am upgrading my mp 40's vortex pumps to the es model by upgrading with the hardware kit like this one.
I have also taken the advice of a fellow reefer and ordered mortar for the reconstruction of the reef aquascape. This product is more cost effective than buying tubes of epoxy.
The tank is now almost ready. I got rid of most of the sand and did a 10% water change yesterday. This will be the last water change.
I have put most of the larger pieces of rock into a 35 gallon garbage bin with tap water. So far in one day I have not noticed any bad odors.
I do not want to add bleach to the rock but will be soaking with vinegar. I will also add a pump for circulation. The rock will be held for one week and then rinsed throughly and left to dry again for another week while the smaller pieces are soaked in vinegar, rinsed and dried.
Well guys that is the update for now.
ACRONUTS
Member
Hey guys just tested po4 with API test kit and the bru is coming in at a whopping 1.5!
Not as bad as I thought but the rock has been sitting outside my back yard for 4 weeks and every week I would rinse. I know that i would be freaken if this were the measurement on a normal basis. But let's see what happens!
Not as bad as I thought but the rock has been sitting outside my back yard for 4 weeks and every week I would rinse. I know that i would be freaken if this were the measurement on a normal basis. But let's see what happens!
ACRONUTS
Member
Today I removed the rock that had been soaking in tap water. Interestingly though was the smell. The typical smell one has when rock is cycling.
I plan on soaking in RO water and place a power head this time. I will test after a week and see what the phosphate readings are by end of next week.
Next week is install time! Stay tuned guys!
I plan on soaking in RO water and place a power head this time. I will test after a week and see what the phosphate readings are by end of next week.
Next week is install time! Stay tuned guys!
ACRONUTS
Member
Well before I go and bathe the rocks in bleach and after that vinegar, here is an idea of what I am looking for as the final look to my aquascape. Looking at it from three angles for a couple of days allows it to be just right before I mortar it together.
Front view of proposed aquascape, two islands with lots of nooks, small and large cave like settings.
Proposed front right side of tank closer look
Proposed front left side of tank closer look
From a far looks like the islands are the same but when you see the pics individually you can see they are different.
I also took into consideration water flow. I want as much flow as possible so these pics show plently of room for my my vortechs and korallias.
I am also thinking of adding a bridge at top to connect the two islands. What do you guys think?
I am also taking into consideration the height of my islands. The tank measures 24" tall. With the Star board taking about 1/4" and the trim another 1 1/2". This leaves me about 21 1/2".
Right now I am about 18 to 19 inches from bottom. I think I have plenty of room for acros to grow.
Another factor I always hated was the the fact that I had things very close to the glass making it hard to clean and pass magnets around.
As you guys can see the star board has been cut and there is plently of room for siphoning detritus.
What do you guys think? Am I forgetting to think about something?
Front view of proposed aquascape, two islands with lots of nooks, small and large cave like settings.
Proposed front right side of tank closer look
Proposed front left side of tank closer look
From a far looks like the islands are the same but when you see the pics individually you can see they are different.
I also took into consideration water flow. I want as much flow as possible so these pics show plently of room for my my vortechs and korallias.
I am also thinking of adding a bridge at top to connect the two islands. What do you guys think?
I am also taking into consideration the height of my islands. The tank measures 24" tall. With the Star board taking about 1/4" and the trim another 1 1/2". This leaves me about 21 1/2".
Right now I am about 18 to 19 inches from bottom. I think I have plenty of room for acros to grow.
Another factor I always hated was the the fact that I had things very close to the glass making it hard to clean and pass magnets around.
As you guys can see the star board has been cut and there is plently of room for siphoning detritus.
What do you guys think? Am I forgetting to think about something?
rock & rockscape looks great to me ! +1 on leaving room around the glass for cleaning
I also think the islands look good and if you can keep them together with the mortar, than you should be all set!
It would be really nice to have a holding container that would fit either of the pieces whole and submerged if you ever had to remove them.......would be a really easy job assuming you can put them in and remove from the tank whole.
It would be really nice to have a holding container that would fit either of the pieces whole and submerged if you ever had to remove them.......would be a really easy job assuming you can put them in and remove from the tank whole.
Aqua-scaping is always fun. Islands are a nice touch to any tank. Might I suggest a build up between the two islands turning it into a single island with two pinnacles? This change would provide a lot more area for coral placement in the middle area. Additionally, I have seen lots of these formations in actual scuba diving versus solitary islands.
ACRONUTS
Member
Thanks Robzilla! Funny I can't decide if a bridge is the way to go or not. Maybe a bridge not at the top but closer to the middle of the two islands.
ACRONUTS
Member
I agree! Thanks!
ACRONUTS
Member
Unfortunately I have braces on the top of tank and I can not place in rocks in tank. I have to build and mortar inside the tank. but you did give me an idea though. I will keep each isalnd in its own holding bin while bleaching the rock.
ACRONUTS
Member
ACRONUTS
Member
Hey reggie I will consider adding more rock since I do have more rock. Interesting what you said about diving and seeing more of a single island. I dive too and I have seen many different nature made setups. This aquascape is inspired by my trip to Maui, HI and there I saw pinnacles coming up out of nowhere and right next to it a small island. Eitherway I am open to it. Hey where do you go diving?