Mini reef tank fit for a mad scientist

[MadScientist]

Finally! After years of husbanding tanks of others, it's time to have my personal tank! This time round, this tank will be slightly different from all my other tanks in which this will not just be a test tank, this will be a display tank too! Hopefully,

Right now, I am currently running a 1 ft freshwater tank with a few fishes. After many months of pondering and some form of invisible planning, it will be scrapped off and be converted into a full fledged marine tank. Even after the long periods of pondering (making my brain extremely tender), I am still uncertain as to keep the 1 ft or upgrade to a 2 ft.

Oh well, equipment wise, it doesn't really matter as I benchmark-ed all my equipment to be able to handle at least 2-3ft, mostly geared towards 3ft and more though. A tank fit for a mad scientist must at least be able to withstand some doomsday catastrophes such as having some moron throwing a piece of steak to feed a piston shrimp, etc. Overspec-ing is part and parcel for the planning of this tank.

Managed to procure some items for my 1 or 2ft tank:

Available:

Eheim ecco 2233 (impeller-less; took it out to build a DIY fan for stuffy, warm nights)

Eheim classic 2211 (impeller-less; took it out to build a DIY fan for stuffy, warm nights)

Eheim Pro 2 2024 (currently disengaged)

Eheim Pro 2 2026 (currently disengaged)

Eheim Pro 3 (currently disengaged)

Eheim Universal 1250 (currently driving my impeller-less canisters)

Eden 501 - currently my prefilter (impeller-less; took it out to build a DIY fan for stuffy, warm nights)

Eden 501 (currently disengaged)

Some cheap LEDs running around, gonna combine them all for ATF and my macroalgae/chaeto farm

Incoming:

HnS 110-F1000 Sulphur Reactor

Eheim Compact 1000

E.Shine 4G-1 24X3W LED with Dimmer- CREE

Wishlist:

Coming soon, I guess it will be over 1TB in size,

[MadScientist]

Trying to procure list:

Tunze Comline DOC skimmer 9004 or 9006

Tunze Comline mangrove box 3178

Votech mp10

Teco TR 5, TR10, Arctica nano or mini

2x1x1ft crystal glass (w oro w/o ios) braceless tank

[MadScientist]

Incoming list:

HnS 110-F1000 Sulphur Reactor

Eheim Compact 1000

E.Shine 4G-1 24X3W LED with Dimmer- CREE

Maxspect G1 170W

Deltec MCE600

Trying to procure list:

Tunze Comline mangrove box 3178

Votech mp10

Teco TR 5, TR10, Arctica nano or mini

Eden 501, 511, 522 (preferably 522)s

Satellite boxes

2x1x1ft crystal glass (w or w/o ios) braceless tank

Eheim Compact+ Marine

Eheim canisters

Test Kits

Currently working on a few projects:

2D-3D stacked high density Algae Turf Scrubber

Cheap LED for ATS

Compact retrofit-table Refigum

Compact indoor freshwater hydroponics/aeroponics consumer capacity system fed by saltwater tank water

Calcium reactor fed by citric acid instead of CO2 (need to figure the effects of calcium citrate on corals and water chemistry)

[BFG]

Looks like a big project. The Eheim Compact+ Marine is it a pump for skimmer?

[MadScientist]

Big project? haha, nah, is many small projects. since my tank is not going to be huge. trying to grow some spring onions for cooking, haha.

yup, it is a pump for skimmers. more information at http://www.eheim.asia/prod_pump_compactPlusM.html

[MadScientist]

suddenly realised kept talking about equipment and totally forgotten about the water. after some reading, decided on aquavitro salinity and its range of additives.

[MadScientist]

1 more project to the list:

Using k1 filter media as substrate for ATS; assessing the suitability of k1 surface for algae growth and the feasibility of k1 moving bed filter as a partial self-cleaning ATS (using sponge filter media to filter output water from ATS)

Anyone willing to spare some k1? haha

Extension from 1 previously listed project: Usage of ascorbic acid in replacement of co2 in calcium reactor for the supplementation of calcium and buffered, stabilised vitamin C

[MadScientist]

#2D-3D stacked high density Algae Turf Scrubber:

Start of project:

Introduction

Since the ATS will be designed to be high density, the material should be of thin thickness to allow for high stacking volume. Another issue that users will probably faced with high density ATS would be cleaning during maintenance. As such, scrubbing off the algae from the media may be infeasible. A thin, disposable material of low cost would be ideal.

Materials & Methods

A food grade polymer mesh with perforations is chosen as a starting material as it is disposable, doesn't not leak significant amounts of chemicals, easily available and affordable. Ease of availability is advantageous to DIY-ers.

The material, as shown in the first picture, is rough on one side and smooth on the other, hence it is thermally spot fused to provide 2 sides of rough surface. This method of attachement is more superior than stapling as it is more suitable to marine conditions and no additional material is used, which will not increase the chance of additional chemical leakage into the water.

A clear nylon fishing line is punctured on the top and bottom edge of the mesh to provide structural strength to the mesh, allowing it to remain flat. This also serves as a means to support and hold the mesh in place. Lead strip is used to weigh down the mesh.

An Eheim air diffuser is used, driven by a Hi-blow baby air pump. The mesh is placed above the diffuser, along the flow of the air bubbles, as shown in the second picture. The bubbles will direct oxygen and nutrient rich water along the surface of the mesh, providing a suitable condition for the growth of algae. The third picture shows a close up of the mesh from the surface of the water.

Both surfaces of the mesh are inoculated with small amounts of green algae. The reason for this is to determine if the mesh surface is suitable for the attachement of algae. And since the tank used is a freshwater planted tank with 2 ottos, this will provide the algae a higher chance of populating the mesh faster than the rate of ottos consuming them.

Seachem Excel and Flourish are being dosed at 25% higher than recommended at a rate of twice weekly.

The 4th picture shows the ottos.

The mesh will be subjected to a 8-12 hours variable lighting (blue and white 12W led).

[MadScientist]

#2D-3D stacked high density Algae Turf Scrubber:

Results:

Day 0

[MadScientist]

Updated incoming list:

HnS 110-F1000 Sulphur Reactor

Eheim Compact 1000

E.Shine 4G-1 24X3W LED with Dimmer- CREE

External breeder box

Hanna phosphorous checker HC

5 stages RO/DI

Eheim 1262 x 2

Deltec MCE600

Maxspect G1 170W

Norit Carbon GAC 1240w 5 litres

Next month pay gone,

[MadScientist]

#2D-3D stacked high density Algae Turf Scrubber:

Results:

Day 0

Experiment aborted prematurely as phosphate and nitrate of water are both 0ppm. However, it seems bacteria film is growing there, hmm, possibly a good bio filter media? haha, jk

[MadScientist]

Available:

Eheim ecco 2233 (impeller-less; took it out to build a DIY fan for stuffy, warm nights)

Eheim classic 2211 (impeller-less; took it out to build a DIY fan for stuffy, warm nights)

Eheim Pro 2 2024 (currently disengaged)

Eheim Pro 2 2026 (currently disengaged)

Eheim Pro 3 (currently disengaged)

Eheim Universal 1250 (currently driving my impeller-less canisters)

Eden 501 - currently my prefilter (impeller-less; took it out to build a DIY fan for stuffy, warm nights)

Eden 501 (currently disengaged)

Some cheap LEDs running around, gonna combine them all for ATF and my macroalgae/chaeto filter

5 stages RO/DI filter

1.2L external breeding box

Incoming list:

HnS 110-F1000 Sulphur Reactor

Eheim Compact 1000

E.Shine 4G-1 24X3W LED with Dimmer- CREE

Maxspect G1 170W

Deltec MCE600

2 x Eheim 1262

Possible 3 x water filter

Teco TR20 1/3hp

Arctica DBM-250 1/3hp

Hanna phosphorus Checker HC

Trying to procure list:

Votech mp10

Eden 501, 511, 522 (preferably 522)s

ADA 60P Clear

Eheim Compact+ Marine

Eheim canisters

Test Kits and Hanna Checker HC range

Fluidizing Reactor

Biopellet Reactor

Calcium Reactor

Dosing pumps

Aquavitro salinity and additive range

[kaykay]

Wah bro,

Macham reading the index page of a book titled "Equipment marine aquarists use"..

Haha..

[MadScientist]

Add "Tunze comline filter to hide my inlet and outlet" to trying to procure list.

[MadScientist]

Wah bro,

Macham reading the index page of a book titled "Equipment marine aquarists use"..

Haha..

haha, bro, if you notice,2/3 of the equipment listed is not mine yet, haha. if I write a review for every equipment, maybe it can become a book, haha. don't we all, as a dedicated reefer who cares a lot for our livestock, till some of us hug our livestock to bed, use this many equipment? some reefers use enough equipment to set up their own water treatment plant or maybe even a desalination plant. I am minute compared to them,

[MadScientist]

Available:

Eheim ecco 2233 (impeller-less; took it out to build a DIY fan for stuffy, warm nights)

Eheim classic 2211 (impeller-less; took it out to build a DIY fan for stuffy, warm nights)

Eheim Pro 2 2024 (currently disengaged)

Eheim Pro 2 2026 (currently disengaged)

Eheim Pro 3 (currently disengaged)

Eheim Universal 1250 (currently driving my impeller-less canisters)

Eheim Compact 300

Eden 501 - currently my prefilter (impeller-less; took it out to build a DIY fan for stuffy, warm nights)

Eden 501 (currently disengaged)

Some cheap LEDs running around, gonna combine them all for ATS and my macroalgae/chaeto filter

5 stages RO/DI filter

1.2L external breeding box

Deltec MCE600

2 x Eheim 1262

TLF Phosban Reactor 150

NP Biopellets (2/3 packet)

Tunze Silence 1073.05

Incoming list:

HnS 110-F1000 Sulphur Reactor

Eheim Compact 1000

E.Shine 4G-1 24X3W LED with Dimmer- CREE

Maxspect G1 170W

Teco TR20 1/3hp

Arctica DBM-250 1/3hp

Hanna phosphorus Checker HC

Trying to procure list:

Votech mp10

Eden 501, 511, 522 (preferably 522)s

ADA 60P Clear

Eheim Compact+ Marine

Eheim canisters

Test Kits and Hanna Checker HC range

Biopellet Reactor/ Fluidizing Reactor

Calcium Reactor

Dosing pumps

Tunze comline filter to hide my inlet and outlet

Aquavitro salinity and additive range

[MadScientist]

I have been looking at Deltec MCE600 for the past 15 minutes. It's design is simply elegant. Simple yet effective, just the way I like it. The design also allows of modifications, which is what I am looking forward to. A lot of evil plans are popping up all over my brain now, muahahahaha

[MadScientist]

I have a Hopar 2T5HO-60cm 2X24W. Wondering if it is of any use or should I sell it, hmmm

[MadScientist]

Need ideas! How do I hide all the pipings and cables in ADA tank? I have no overflow sump or ios

[kaykay]

How about an overflow box?

Get an over-over-oversized overflow box. Sort of like an external ios..

Make sure to prop this box up properly. Such big volume will be a big strain on the nano tank glass..

[MadScientist]

I've thought about that. wouldn't it make the tank look bad? haha. and I will need a pipe to the tank itself somehow

[MadScientist]

Proposed filtration setup:

Protein skimmer will run independently, using filter outlet as inlet.

[MadScientist]

Available:

Eheim ecco 2233 (impeller-less; took it out to build a DIY fan for stuffy, warm nights)

Eheim classic 2211 (impeller-less; took it out to build a DIY fan for stuffy, warm nights)

Eheim Pro 2 2024 (currently disengaged)

Eheim Pro 2 2026 (currently disengaged)

Eheim Pro 3 (currently disengaged)

Eheim Universal 1250 (currently driving my impeller-less canisters)

Eheim Compact 300

Eden 501 - currently my prefilter (impeller-less; took it out to build a DIY fan for stuffy, warm nights)

Eden 501 (currently disengaged)

Some cheap LEDs running around, gonna combine them all for ATS and my macroalgae/chaeto filter

5 stages RO/DI filter

1.2L external breeding box

Deltec MCE600

2 x Eheim 1262

TLF Phosban Reactor 150

NP Biopellets (2/3 packet)

Tunze Silence 1073.05

HnS 110-F1000 Sulphur Reactor

Maxspect G1 170W

Incoming list:

Eheim Compact 1000

E.Shine 4G-1 24X3W LED with Dimmer- CREE

Teco TR20 1/3hp

Arctica DBM-250 1/3hp

Hanna phosphorus Checker HC

Trying to procure list:

Votech mp10

Eden 501, 511, 522 (preferably 522)s

ADA 60P Clear

Eheim Compact+ Marine

Eheim canisters

Test Kits and Hanna Checker HC range

Biopellet Reactor/ Fluidizing Reactor

Calcium Reactor

Dosing pumps

Tunze comline filter to hide my inlet and outlet (or maybe get kaykay to diy 1)

Aquavitro salinity and additive range (maybe? - brightwell and redsea pro/tropic marin pro seems good too)

[MadScientist]

Available:

Eheim ecco 2233 (impeller-less; took it out to build a DIY fan for stuffy, warm nights)

Eheim classic 2211 (impeller-less; took it out to build a DIY fan for stuffy, warm nights)

Eheim classic 2211 (currently disengaged)

Eheim Pro 2 2024 (currently disengaged)

Eheim Pro 2 2026 (currently disengaged)

Eheim Pro 3 (currently disengaged)

Eheim Universal 1250 (currently driving my impeller-less canisters)

Eheim Compact 300

Eden 501 - currently my prefilter (impeller-less; took it out to build a DIY fan for stuffy, warm nights)

Eden 501 (currently disengaged)

Some cheap LEDs running around, gonna combine them all for ATS and my macroalgae/chaeto filter

5 stages RO/DI filter

1.2L external breeding box

Deltec MCE600

2 x Eheim 1262

TLF Phosban Reactor 150

NP Biopellets (2/3 packet)

Tunze Silence 1073.05

HnS 110-F1000 Sulphur Reactor

Maxspect G1 170W

Incoming list:

Eheim Compact 1000

E.Shine 4G-1 24X3W LED with Dimmer- CREE

Teco TR20 1/3hp

Arctica DBM-250 1/3hp

Hanna phosphorus Checker HC

Trying to procure list:

Votech mp10

Eden 501, 511, 522 (preferably 522)s

ADA 60P Clear

Eheim Compact+ Marine

Eheim canisters

Test Kits and Hanna Checker HC range

Biopellet Reactor/ Fluidizing Reactor

Calcium Reactor

Dosing pumps

Tunze comline filter to hide my inlet and outlet (or maybe get kaykay to diy 1)

Aquavitro salinity and additive range (maybe? - brightwell and redsea pro/tropic marin pro seems good too)

Apparently, a friend of mine commented that it looks like I am keeping equipment more than a reef, oh well.

[MadScientist]

Available:

Eheim ecco 2233 (impeller-less; took it out to build a DIY fan for stuffy, warm nights)

Eheim classic 2211 (impeller-less; took it out to build a DIY fan for stuffy, warm nights)

Eheim classic 2211 (currently disengaged)

Eheim Pro 2 2024 (currently disengaged)

Eheim Pro 2 2026 (currently disengaged)

Eheim Pro 3 (currently disengaged)

Eheim Universal 1250 (currently driving my impeller-less canisters)

Eheim Compact 300

Eden 501 - currently my prefilter (impeller-less; took it out to build a DIY fan for stuffy, warm nights)

Eden 501 (currently disengaged)

Some cheap LEDs running around, gonna combine them all for ATS and my macroalgae/chaeto filter

5 stages RO/DI filter

1.2L external breeding box

Deltec MCE600

2 x Eheim 1262

TLF Phosban Reactor 150

NP Biopellets (2/3 packet)

Tunze Silence 1073.05

H&S 110-F1000 Sulphur Reactor

Maxspect G1 170W

Incoming list:

Eheim Compact 1000

E.Shine 4G-1 24X3W LED with Dimmer- CREE

Teco TR20 1/3hp

Arctica DBM-250 1/3hp

H&S A150-2001 Skimmer

Hanna phosphorus ULR/calcium/alkalinity/nitrite ULR Checker HC

Trying to procure list:

Votech mp10/40

Eden 522s

ADA 60P Clear

Eheim Compact+ Marine/Eden Marine Air/Sicce PSK 600/1000/2000/ Eheim universal pump needle wheel impellers

Eheim canisters

Test Kits and Hanna Checker HC range

Biopellet Reactor/ Fluidizing Reactor

Calcium Reactor

Dosing pumps

Salt and additives