Chronicles of A 6 footer

[nim75sg]

Eversince I embarked into Marine Fishkeeping, the decision to include one more 6ft tank is so temptating that I have to delay due to other urgent needs.

Finally, with the blessing of the other half, the decision was made early July that there should be a new 6ft tank in addition to 3 other FOWLR tanks and 1 "Rojak" 6ft tank.

Initial thought was to have a full-fledged Berlin System but later changed my direction as I felt that it didn't complete the "look" without a sandbed.

So instead opted for a half-fledged Berlin System which set the route for a list equipment, the type of filtration, lighting, probe monitors n controllers, protein skimmer, chiller, UV Sterilizer, tubby, power heads for water movement, filter media, piping system, type of aquascaping, etc.

Following postings are sequence of events leading to the setup of the tank which was completed recently with the tank now in "maturing" mode.

On July 29, some of the equipment arrived were Dosing Pump, Deltec T5 80W Lighting, Salt, Ocean Runner Magnetic Centrifugal Pumps, Tubby, George Fischer piping, Kalkwasser Reactor, Denitrator, Fluidised Reactor and Protein Skimmer.

[nim75sg]

A closer look at the 2 units of Aqua Medic SP-3000 Dosing Pump for Kalkwasser and Denitrator:

[nim75sg]

This photo shows the Protein Skimmer and George Fischer piping assessories together with the marine salt.

[nim75sg]

Initial order of 20Kgs of salt was not sufficient for the tank and eventually had to buy another packet of Tropic Marin salt to achieve the desired specific gravity of 1.024

[nim75sg]

This photo shows the Tubby, Rowa, American PinPoint monitoring probes, Kalkwasser, etc.

[nim75sg]

As it was a half-fledged Berlin System tank, need to have two return pump having its own dedicated drain and at the same time providing to turn the total water capacity through the sump filter at between 14 to 18 timers per hour.

With that on the roadmap, the various flowrate of pumps for a specific purpose are required eg 2 x OR 6500 for return, 1 x 3500 for Chiller, 1 x OR 2500 for Skimmer in addition to the one included with the skimmer, etc.

[nim75sg]

This photo shows both the Kalkwasser Reactor and Denitrator still in the packaging cartons together with a tube of HoldFast Glue for liverock binding.

[nim75sg]

On Aug 1, took delivery of the tank, sump and chennai cabinet but prior to that I had to give a new coat of paint on the walk over the weekend as the possibility of re-painting it is very remote.

Had a short discussion as how to mount the tank due to the limitation of the space caused the pillar on the left side of the wall and finally, it had to proceed with the laying of towels before placing the tank on the cabinet top.

[nim75sg]

Any suggestion as how are we going to place this tank with only two of us?

[nim75sg]

Finally .. with two additional helpers, we managed to do it without any excuses of taking another 5 min coffee break.

[nim75sg]

My "Black Beauty" Sump with a reservoir top-up tank on the right ... followed by the inlet chamber from tank, then the skimmer section and last on the left is the return pump section.

No Refugium as this is a half-fledged Berlin System.

[nim75sg]

Doing the final touches before installing the rest of the piping system before doing the freshwater leak test ...

[nim75sg]

Got 2 of this funny looking George Fischer Durso piping ...

[nim75sg]

2 Mysterious Looking Vertical Piping .....

[nim75sg]

What? Another 2 mysterious horizontal piping?

[nim75sg]

Is this the cousin of R2D2???

This Protein Skimmer can supports tank up to capacity of 1500 litres and comes with a OR3500 venturi pump with aspirating needle wheel.

Water supply to the skimmer requires a second pump which I am using a OR2500 here.

[lightningstrike]

hi bro, nice to see ur setup. meanwhile, keep us posted wif ur updated pics. catch up wif u when i'm back in dec.

[pangz]

Wow, that's tons of money spend on your equipment. But i guess when you see the final product, you will find it's money well spent. Good luck!

[FuEl]

Nice durso standpipes...Do you have to regulate the air flow or something? I know for D.I.Y versions they suggest installing a control valve to control the air intake or something..

[RAV-65]

Wow! looking good bro!!! Will be keeping a close look on this thread, coz I'm planning a 6ft too!!! but may end up with a 5 feet... Coz the thought of the $$$ of the 6 ft is really putting me off!

Have a good time bro! Keep the pics coming!

[nim75sg]

Nice durso standpipes...Do you have to regulate the air flow or something? I know for D.I.Y versions they suggest installing a control valve to control the air intake or something..

Just need a hole at the Durso cap and adjust it up and down ...

[nim75sg]

Pangz: Spent quite alot and that's why I am relying on bread everyday.

Blenny: Yes, it is a good skimmer and kick-in pretty fast too just like the Deltec Skimmer which I am using for another 6ft tank.

RAV-65: The price difference between the 5ft and 6ft is minimal and that was the reason I bite the bullet.

[nim75sg]

The tank was filled with freshwater for a "leak" overnite before siphoning 50% of water.

[nim75sg]

Need another 3 pkts in addition to these boxes of sand for the tank to create 2 inch of sand bed.

[jesperlam]

Wow...thats alot of $$$$$