Zero brace 95

[Dispar_Anthias]

While anxiously anticipating the arrival of my new tank, I have decided to start this thread to chronicle the progress of this tank. Currently, I am still having some issues with getting temporary homes for the live stocks that I wishes to keep even though most of them have already found new owners and new homes. Nonetheless, I would like to thank some reefing bros that I knew for a long time (Eg. Gouldian and Jewel) for the help they will be providing or the stress they are already undertaking by looking after some of the livestock that will be going into this tank.

My ideal tank was to be as wide as possible as I wanted the "feel" of depth despite the space constraint at my place and I also opt for a shallower tank for ease of maintenance as I am not very tall. Being a avid fan of crystal clear top after looking at some of TFC's tanks, I have opt for a zero brace at the top and also a crystal glass front for viewing and photography. I needed this tank to have as much flow and turnover as possible, as detritus piling up was the main concern and hence, after some recommendation, I have decided to go with 2 return pumps, each powered by a "Fluval Sea Sump Pump SP4" rated at 7200LPH designed and build for marine setup.

Below are the full details

Setup

Tank: 120cm * 66cm * 45cm

Lighting: 2 * 95 watt LED (AI VEGA) (1 existing, 1 new)

Skimmer: Deltec SC 1455(existing)

Return: 2* Fluval Sea SP4 (new)

Chiller: HS 300A (existing, will want to upgrade)

Calcium reactor: PF501(new)

Optional

1) Bio-pellet reactor

2) Fluidised reactor

Livestock

Corals: SPS, LPS, softies

One of the main reason i upgraded to this tank is because I wanted a bigger home and also to get a lovely partner for one of my existing fish, the Bandit Angelfish (A. Arcuatus). The Bandit Angelfish is renown for being tough to feed, delicate and perishes after few weeks to months but this is only true to a certain extent as most Bandits are poorly collected and kept in ill condition facilities before shipping out to us. I have found out that at the right size and understanding the source of collections, a Bandit can be rather hardy and easy to keep and the owner will enjoy the amazing "puppy like" personality it has. My current Bandit has been with me for several months and have grown slightly from the 9cm individual when I first purchased it from "Aquarium Iwarna". Now with this tank, I would love to acquire another similar size individual to pair it up with this one that I have.

Being a angelfish nuts, this tank will also being housing some interesting dwarfies aka Centropyge and one of them is already residing in the sump of my bro, Gouldian's tank giving him the utmost stress . Once again, thank you bro

I am still planning my fish list and there are some which I am searching high and low but currently can only dream. At the same time, I would want my bio-load to be as low as possible but i know its very tough as I am predominantly a " fish guy".

[digibee]

Yo bro,

Your tank dimension is in mm??

[Dispar_Anthias]

Yo bro,

Your tank dimension is in mm??

My bad should be cm or 1200mm * 660mm *450mm

[Admiraltian]

Looks interesting, camping.

[digibee]

No worries bro;

Any reason to use "Fluval Sea Sump Pump SP4"?

How much is this pump?

[nicreef]

wah another 4 feet shallow cant wait to see your tank bro

[Dispar_Anthias]

No worries bro;

Any reason to use "Fluval Sea Sump Pump SP4"?

How much is this pump?

Firstly, this is a new pump by Hagen which they specifically mentioned that is for saltwater usage(Not many pump maker state that). In addition, this is a sump pump which means it is specially to be used in sump area as return and hence head loss should be much lesser compare to other return pump. Hagen also claim that it has low heat transfer and adapt a "energy saving technology" to reduce power consumption. For more info you can visit this URL http://reefbuilders.com/2012/05/16/fluval-sea-recirculation-pumps/ .

Price wise, may varies so you can contact various vendors that carry this pump such as N30 or Iwarna.

[Dispar_Anthias]

wah another 4 feet shallow cant wait to see your tank bro

Thanks bro, awaits its arrival on Saturday. Hopefully will be able to upload more photos by then.

Its not really that shallow, just 1/1/2 feet tall suited for a shorter guy like me

[youdontnowm]

same size as mine except your width is 6cm longer

looking forward to see your progress !

[dnsfpl]

bandit pair

+1 to "puppy like" personality, my bandit always play with my hand

hearsay in the wild, they will play with divers too

btw how many bandit owners in sg, care to share your experience?

hope to learn more about this fish

[Dispar_Anthias]

same size as mine except your width is 6cm longer

looking forward to see your progress !

Thanks bro, trying to go as wide as possible my living room can tolerate before my mum send me and my fishes out of the house

[resser]

Bro Dispar_Anthias,

May I ask what your return pipe size is? I am planning mine as 2 x 40mm, my tank is about the same size as yours (except not the extra 6cm width). I am quite confused with your choice of 2 x 7200L/H return pumps. Please teach.

It seems these Hagen Fluval Sea SP4 are Askoll pumps? I'll buy it for $300 in a heartbeat!

[Dispar_Anthias]

bandit pair

+1 to "puppy like" personality, my bandit always play with my hand

hearsay in the wild, they will play with divers too

btw how many bandit owners in sg, care to share your experience?

hope to learn more about this fish

Have always wanted a Bandit pair but my current 3 feet is too small to house a pair. Besides bandit, will have also another or 2 pairs of dwarf angels. They are so easy to pair!

Yes, bandits actually approach divers in Hawaii out of curiousity. They seem to be very inquisitive and curious as compared to many other Pomancanthidae and will follow you around should you walk past the tank. I believe there are several Bandit owners out there as so long you get from a good and collect source (usually means slightly more $), Bandits can be relatively easy.

[Dispar_Anthias]

Bro Dispar_Anthias,

May I ask what your return pipe size is? I am planning mine as 2 x 40mm, my tank is about the same size as yours (except not the extra 6cm width). I am quite confused with your choice of 2 x 7200L/H return pumps. Please teach.

It seems these Hagen Fluval Sea SP4 are Askoll pumps? I'll buy it for $300 in a heartbeat!

My return should be 2*32mm and the reason I opt for 2 units rather than 1unit of return is more for contingencies and also each pump will be teed off for different purposes.

Yes, the Fluval sea are Askoll pump and specially made for Saltwater and marine usage.

[resser]

My return should be 2*32mm and the reason I opt for 2 units rather than 1unit of return is more for contingencies and also each pump will be teed off for different purposes.

Yes, the Fluval sea are Askoll pump and specially made for Saltwater and marine usage.

Thanks bro, good to know. I should've planned that way too.

[Anthony]

Who's ur tankmaker?

[Dispar_Anthias]

Thanks bro, good to know. I should've planned that way too.

Believes its better as in scenario of emergency to 1 pump, another is still running for the whole system while you find a replacement.

[subxero]

Can't wait to see the setup .

I'm camping here...

[resser]

Believes its better as in scenario of emergency to 1 pump, another is still running for the whole system while you find a replacement.

Please put up pictures of your flow system this weekend, I need to be taught from sifu(s) like yourself.

[Jameshong]

Can't wait to see the picture of your setup... !

[Dispar_Anthias]

Who's ur tankmaker?

our sponsor, Reef Systems, ordered through them.

[Dispar_Anthias]

Please put up pictures of your flow system this weekend, I need to be taught from sifu(s) like yourself.

Will update my flow system but am no sifu here. Pretty nuts when comes to piping and system , usually is bro Gouldian who gave me the advice.

[Dispar_Anthias]

Can't wait to see the picture of your setup... !

I am excited as well but currently praying my livestock to survive the tank change.

[Gouldian]

My bad should be cm or 1200mm * 660mm *450mm

Edited mm to cm as requested

[Gouldian]

My return should be 2*32mm and the reason I opt for 2 units rather than 1unit of return is more for contingencies and also each pump will be teed off for different purposes.

Yes, the Fluval sea are Askoll pump and specially made for Saltwater and marine usage.

We can only speculate Fluval is a Askoll pump from the build and also from the past relationship between Hagen and Askoll.

Here's some background:

Around 2009, many in US realized that Red Dragon is using motor block from Askoll and this causes many reefers to switch to Laguna pumps as reefers found similarity between the motor block of RD and Laguna.

Askoll is one of the largest washing machine pumps manufacturer in the market.

However, a reefer in UK wrote an enquiry to Hagen (parent company of Laguna and Fluval) and instead of claiming that Laguna pump is suitable for marine usage. Hagen representative replied that Laguna pump are not manufactured for marine usage. This email causes a stir as several reefers around the world already started using Laguna and have also wrote good reviews on it.

As time passes there were many Laguna users reported pumps failures. It was later realized that Laguna pump are not manufactured to run out-sump and will high head that is required for a marine sump pump. Thus the pump electronic shut off the pump once the pump reaches a certain preset temperature.

With this incident, Hagen gained respects from hobbyists around the world (including me). They could have claimed that Laguna pumps can be used for marine and quietly change their specs without anyone knowing but they chose to state in black and white that it is not manufactured for marine applications and risks loosing some quick bucks.

Thus, when I learned that Fluval will be launching a pump made for marine sump application, I started to look out for it and at the same time read reviews of its usage in Europe and North America's forums and am pleased to say that it is reasonably good.

I am also happy to learned that the price of the pump (Singapore) is very attractive compared to what is on the market now. The documentations and accessories that comes with the pump is ample compared to the China-made pump.

In accordance to the reviews I have read and also from my personal experience, I find this pump is an affordable alternative to the China-made pump currently in the market. However, to be realistic, do not expect this pump to meet the performance of the top range pumps from Europe. I also find that their head-loss chart to be truthful unlike some brands whereby they just re-used head-loss chart from known brands.