New 5 Footer Reef Setup

[Phang]

Hi All,

I have started on my 5 footer..

Attached are the specs..

Main tank ( still looking for the glass maker) : 5 by 2.5 by 2 ft tank..

still trying to figure out internal or external overflow...???

Sump / Refugium : 4.5 by 2 by 2 ft

Rack : 60 by 24 by 35 inches....(Chengai wood)

I have basically the rack and sump in my room now..

will be getting a 2nd Teco RA 680 soon...(if it works)

thinking of 3 x 250W iwasakis 6500k lamps (DIY) with actinics...(whew...very hot!!!)

Do however take note that development would be painfully slow due to many unforeseen circumstances.... (finance one of the major contributors..)

Do however feel free to comment....

[Phang]

One of my favourite corals to go into my new setup...

The open brain...

[Phang]

Another of my favourite...

Octopus coral..

[Phang]

My previous setup ( now in a mess)

awaiting for the completion of my sump and 5 footer....

[Phang]

Another view of my 3 footer....

[Phang]

And another view...

[Tanzy]

750w of Iwasaki will need a lot of actinics to remove the greenish hue!

[Phang]

Any other alternatives???

I would still like to keep the high PAR the Iwasakis produce...

[Phang]

Hi Guys,

Latest update,

I have jus obtained a 2nd hand Teco RA 680...

anyone out there can provide infor on how to do some spruning up before I use it... Chiller have been left dormant for 2 months without any cleaning up...

What about the internal wirings as I am thinking of getting new ones and rewire them...(a little rusty there)

Owner was nice to let me give it a try before commiting to the purchase...

[Phang]

My Sump/Refugium...

[Phang]

This is the right portion... water will flow into here from the internal overflow which will then overflow into the refugium...

[Phang]

To the left of my refugium is another filter compartment....

Receives water from my refugium and also directly from mains before going into the reservoir....

[Phang]

Latest update...

Siliconed a eurobracing onto my refugium.....

Bought 2 x 29 inches 6mm glass (2 inches width and siliconed it down)

Strengthened the base with 3 x 12mm (2 inches) glass strips...

Also bought from Ocean Planet :

5 packets of grade 1 sand

mushrooms (ricordia) Right spelling???

Encrusting Acropora... IMO looks more like a montipora...

and a torch coral....

Now waiting for the silicon to cure....

[Phang]

My DIY-ed Eurobracing....

[Phang]

Live Rock Stackers made form Light diffusers....

Check out the strips of glass that support these Stackers...

SIliconed down for max Strength!!!!

[Phang]

And of course netting to prevent any burrowing fishes or shrimps from disturbing the projected 3-4 inch DSB....

BTW, Anyone out there uses this...

Bought it from LFS... but has a funny smell... like wax like tat...

Dunno will leak chemicals into my refugium????

[clowntrigger]

Phang, I uses the black coloured one, I think it is the same, jut wash it and it should do the job. I have that in my current tank for like 8 years, should be ok.

[Phang]

Heehee.... I saw that one too... you must have bought it from Sealife..

I saw one in a DIY store (made from Fibre Glass)... but this one I have has a strange smell...

After smelling.... I feel sick....If I feel sick , then later my fishes also feel sick.....

I think better find the fibre glass one.... what do you think????

[clowntrigger]

Yep, got my from Sealife, well to enable for you to sleep soundly at night, just buy it from Sealife, unless someone else have a better idea. BTW I saw your Rock stacker, these are meant for the sump right? Are you going to create another one for the main tank?

[Phang]

Definitely!!!...

Double purpose function ...

1st as LR Stacker and also barrier from large burrowing creatures from your DSB......

[Achilles Tang]

Hey Phang!

Looks like you're proceeding faster than I was!

Actually... I need to update you guys on my tank as well... lots of progress done!

Heh!

[spiff]

wah eddy,

i been aways for my exams for 2 days n i come back to c all this!

super fast man

[Tanzy]

That's looks like the average green netting I used for my plenum.

[Phang]

That's looks like the average green netting I used for my plenum.

Does it have a strange smell??????

My Does.... and I dun like it!!!!! (I'm referring to the Netting...)

[Tanzy]

I can't remember what it smells like because it was so long ago. All I can say is that the plumber's goop and super glue I use to make the plenum with smells worse. Give it a good wash, try soap or bleach, but rinse it thoroughly.