Rickztah's Low Iron 22g RBTA / Euphyllia / Clownfish Update: 6-27-16

[rickztahone]

Latest update:

06/27/16

 

DSC09133 by Rick Vasquez, on Flickr

 

 

Hello all. I joined a few months ago, and I specifically joined because of Scorched's tank:

http://www.nano-reef.com/topic/296235-3-foot-office-nano-4-years-old/

 

I knew I didn't have a large place to set up a tank so decided to go with a 12g. Did my research for many months, and while I was doing my research, the 22g Mr. Aqua was released. I got a great deal on two of these tanks, both the low iron variant, and decided to do a SW tank with one of them. This is my first time ever venturing in to the realm of SW, have always had FW discus.

 

After buying so much equipment for the SW build, I found myself without funds to even start the other tank which was supposed to be a fully planted tank. So, I sold that and had more money to spend on this setup

 

As the title states, this will be a Peninsula tank. It is only 22g, but with rockwork it should be much closer to 15g. I'm hoping to offset that a bit with a larger sump.

 

So, here are the specs:

 

• Tank:
  • Mr. Aqua 22g Long (Low Iron) - 36x12x12
• Light:
  • Maxspect Razor 16k 160w
• Filtration:
  • Bean Animal side mount overflow
  • Sump 30g Eshopps - 30x16x12
  • Skimmer Eshopps S-120
  • DC-12000 Swapping this out for a DC-3000
  • DC-3000 This will be the second DC-3000 to serve as redundancy.
  • 3 Way Manifold - will probably end up being run by the second DC-3000
  • Siporax in eggcrate for bio
• Chiller:
  • Customsealife 1/5 HP
• Water movement:
  • MP20
• Water Treatment - RO/DI & ATO:
  • Spectapure 90gpd unit
  • JBJ ATO - will probably replace this with a Tunze soon enough
• Dosing:
  • Still debating on which brand to go with
• Stocking:
  • 1 Pair of Designer Clownfish. Toss up between Frostbite / Phantom / Premium Black Snowflake (Amphiprion ocellaris)
• Additional Equipment:
  • TFL Phosban 150 reactor
  • BRS GFO & Carbon Dual Reactor
  • 2x STC-1000 - Controllers for heater/chiller and box fans for stand

I like to overthink things and love paying attention to detail on builds, this is why this has taken me well over a year to even get to this stage. I have 80% of all the equipment needed.

I love DIY, and the one thing that is left is the stand which is where I usually drain all my money in to, lol. I don't plan on doing that this time and will try to keep it simple yet still look good.

I hope you follow along this new venture with me

Here is a pic of the equipment so far:

DSC08431 by Rick Vasquez, on Flickr

DSC08432 by Rick Vasquez, on Flickr

DSC08435 by Rick Vasquez, on Flickr

[rickztahone]

As I said , I love DIY. I chose to do my own overflow and drill and cut my own glass. Here's how that went at first:

DSC08395 by Rick Vasquez, on Flickr

DSC08397 by Rick Vasquez, on Flickr

 

That was fun

 

Here's my second try:

DSC08487 by Rick Vasquez, on Flickr

DSC08492 by Rick Vasquez, on Flickr

1 Hole - 2 Hole - 3 Hole by Rick Vasquez, on Flickr

 

I also tried to cut the glass myself, however, that was a complete and utter fail. I bought a cutting wheel, running pliers and oil but just couldn't get it to work. A quick tip for those that are planning on getting the equipment to cut their own glass, just save your money and leave it to the pros. They charged me $2.50 per cut and it came out much cheaper for them to do it than it did for me to get the equipment to cut. lesson learned.

 

Here is how the panes look once cut to the measurements I specified:

DSC08495 by Rick Vasquez, on Flickr

 

If for whatever reason anyone is curious of the sizes of the cut panes, here's this:

DSC08437 by Rick Vasquez, on Flickr

the top piece will serve as a lid for the overflow setup

 

 

Everything siliconed in to place:

DSC08496 by Rick Vasquez, on Flickr

DSC08497 by Rick Vasquez, on Flickr

DSC08499 by Rick Vasquez, on Flickr

Sorry about the mess in the tank. I was pretty tired at this point and even taking that out and putting it back in wasn't appealing, lol.

 

For those wondering of the difference between Low Iron and regular glass, you can see a comparison between the 2 here:(I am aware that the pane is not touching, but when I siliconed, it was perfect and does not have a gap like in the pic)DSC08438 by Rick Vasquez, on Flickr

[Elizabeth94]

Hello!

 

Ill officially welcome you to the saltwater hobby! I really love the clean look of the "book shelf" tanks like the 12 and 22gal Mr.Aquas. Looks like you are making good progress. Be thankful that it was just the overflow panel that you shattered, it would have sucked if it was the tank itself.

 

Do you plan on painting the overflow once you know everything is operational? Black is popular, but I would venture to say that white looks pretty nice as well

[rickztahone]

Hello!

 

Ill officially welcome you to the saltwater hobby! I really love the clean look of the "book shelf" tanks like the 12 and 22gal Mr.Aquas. Looks like you are making good progress. Be thankful that it was just the overflow panel that you shattered, it would have sucked if it was the tank itself.

 

Do you plan on painting the overflow once you know everything is operational? Black is popular, but I would venture to say that white looks pretty nice as well

Thanks for the welcome . The overflow will indeed be painted. I am going to wait to paint it though so I can paint it with the same paint that I get for the stand to match. However, I typically will spray paint glass like this and am not sure if I really want to roll on the paint on the outer surface. So, we will see what I end up doing in the end. I think I may still go with spray since I think it comes out much cleaner for an outer surface. If I was painting the inner pane, then I'd go with roll on because it comes out really nice.

 

Thanks for the interest in the build

I will say one thing about the shattered glass pic of me drilling. There were a couple of things that I did that could have easily prevented this disaster. First, the bottom was unsupported. If you check out the pics of the successful drilling, there is a plywood piece as well as 1/4" Styrofoam piece when you drill through. Also, in the failed attempt, I forgot to lower the chuck to 1. When I hit full speed, it shattered immediately.

 

Going slow at first on 1 will not allow you to go faster than you need to be. Once I got the groove going, I upped the drill to 3. Never really went full speed, because I decided to take my time because the small pane could have easily cracked because of the close proximity of the holes.

[Elizabeth94]

Yea, I noticed that you had no support under the first panel. You have a nice support/guide for your drill though! I remember drilling my 29gal. I went pretty slow throughout the whole thing but didn't have a support for my drill. I was really patient and lucky that I didn't break anything. Still, it wasn't as scary as I thought it would be my first time drilling a tank.

 

So I assume that it is warm all year round where you are since you only have a chiller and no heater? Must be nice!

[rickztahone]

Yea, I noticed that you had no support under the first panel. You have a nice support/guide for your drill though! I remember drilling my 29gal. I went pretty slow throughout the whole thing but didn't have a support for my drill. I was really patient and lucky that I didn't break anything. Still, it wasn't as scary as I thought it would be my first time drilling a tank.

 

So I assume that it is warm all year round where you are since you only have a chiller and no heater? Must be nice!

Yeah, 20 minutes north of downtown Los Angeles and it gets roughly 20 degrees hotter here. We reach about 115F in the summer and even with AC in my house, my discus tank still climbs to 84-86 when I normally keep it at 82F. Didn't want to risk this tank getting too hot.

 

With regards to the heater, I simply havent bought it yet but I will. I am doing a DIY heater/chiller controller from a STC-1000 like I have on my discus tank as well and that will controller the heater.

[Elizabeth94]

Thats way too hot for me. I get warm when it is 75 outside haha!

 

Any pictures of your discus tank? That are absolutely beautiful, I hear they are a bit more demanding than the standard freshwater fish. I was going to make my old 75gal a discus tank, but I was in high school then and had no money for those fish. I ended up making it an angelfish tank, then a cichlid tank, and finally an oscar tank.

 

Needless to say I like to make changes... One reason why reefing is nice because I just add more corals instead of starting over with new livestock.

 

Yeah, 20 minutes north of downtown Los Angeles and it gets roughly 20 degrees hotter here. We reach about 115F in the summer and even with AC in my house, my discus tank still climbs to 84-86 when I normally keep it at 82F. Didn't want to risk this tank getting too hot.

[rickztahone]

Thats way too hot for me. I get warm when it is 75 outside haha!

 

Any pictures of your discus tank? That are absolutely beautiful, I hear they are a bit more demanding than the standard freshwater fish. I was going to make my old 75gal a discus tank, but I was in high school then and had no money for those fish. I ended up making it an angelfish tank, then a cichlid tank, and finally an oscar tank.

 

Needless to say I like to make changes... One reason why reefing is nice because I just add more corals instead of starting over with new livestock.

 

Yeah, sure thing, this vid was taken on 04-26-16. They just turned 8 months old and should grow about another inch to inch and a half:

 

They are certainly more demanding. These discus have gotten a 60-70% water change daily since I first got them. I got them at 1.5 months of age. They get fed anywhere between 3-5 times a day. Twice with beefheart. Since they get fed so much, the tank HAS to be a bare bottom tank. Eventually, when they are full adults they will get driftwood and sand, but until then, bare bottom it is. This 22g btw, will also be a bare bottom tank.

 

When people told me I would only have to do a 10% WC weekly on a SW tank, well, lets say I was more than a little happy

[Elizabeth94]

Wow. Those fish are absolutely amazing. Thats a lot of water changes, I am sure its a lot of water to change at a time too..

 

Water changes really vary on from tank to tank. Stocking, chemical media, and feeding play a big role. I change 2.5gal a week on my ten gallon. But I only have two fish and have an oversized skimmer to help me out.

 

Good choice on going bare bottom. I was supossed to do that with my second reef tank but I didnt. Now I am having trouble removing all of it.

[Marc.The.Shark]

Wow! Good Start! Scorched has inspired a lot of tanks around here. His setup is amazing. He's always willing to help out as well with advice on what he likes/doesn't like about his build. I've taken a few ideas from his setup to my new build that been ongoing for about a year! lol. I almost bought the Mr. Aqua 22L, but was out of stock when I was looking, so had a local guy build one for me with the same dimensions except 2" shorter. Also had him drill it cause I was chicken shit! hahaha. I'll be following along, I love some DIY!!

[rickztahone]

Wow. Those fish are absolutely amazing. Thats a lot of water changes, I am sure its a lot of water to change at a time too..

 

Water changes really vary on from tank to tank. Stocking, chemical media, and feeding play a big role. I change 2.5gal a week on my ten gallon. But I only have two fish and have an oversized skimmer to help me out.

 

Good choice on going bare bottom. I was supossed to do that with my second reef tank but I didnt. Now I am having trouble removing all of it.

 

I have noticed that not many like the look of a BB tank in SW, but, I am stickler for clean setups and the sand would simply be a headache for me. I plan on keeping a lot of bio in the sump so the sand is really not needed except for aesthetics, and I personally prefer without. Not sure if the skimmer I am getting (from a local member) is oversized or not for this tank, but I hear that clownfish are very dirty inhabitants to I am hoping it is.

Wow! Good Start! Scorched has inspired a lot of tanks around here. His setup is amazing. He's always willing to help out as well with advice on what he likes/doesn't like about his build. I've taken a few ideas from his setup to my new build that been ongoing for about a year! lol. I almost bought the Mr. Aqua 22L, but was out of stock when I was looking, so had a local guy build one for me with the same dimensions except 2" shorter. Also had him drill it cause I was chicken shit! hahaha. I'll be following along, I love some DIY!!

 

I am not going to lie and say I wasn't scared of drilling/cutting. However, I tried the drilling and did it successfully but I knew when to admit defeat when it came to cutting the panes of glass. It just wasn't happening. I am all for DIY, but I knew I was just making matters worse at that point haha

[Halo_003]

Awesome so far! The side overflow is a sweet idea, if I ever switch up to the 22 I plan on a BA overflow but might go through the bottom instead. Are you only going to have a clown pair?

[rickztahone]

Awesome so far! The side overflow is a sweet idea, if I ever switch up to the 22 I plan on a BA overflow but might go through the bottom instead. Are you only going to have a clown pair?

 

Yeah, just one clown pair and that's it. The tank will mainly be BTA's.

 

How would you do a BA setup from the bottom?

[Halo_003]

 

Yeah, just one clown pair and that's it. The tank will mainly be BTA's.

 

How would you do a BA setup from the bottom?

I'd want it through the bottom with a center or end corner overflow like the Red Sea Reefer tanks. Would be neat to do I think because then I could get the stand against the wall.

 

Your tank plan sounds like mine, mainly BTAs with a bit of LPS.

[Matteo]

this is going to be a really nice build!

[Cencalfishguy56]

This is sick! Glad someone has my vision as well! I plan on BTAs and euphyllia! This is gonna be a sick setup! And scorched has definitely inspired my long tank as well!

[rickztahone]

As I said, going bare bottom with this tank. Painted the tank bottom with Rustoleum textured paint and added flat white in to the mix to better look like reef sand. I have been using this textured paint for years and love how it looks. It gives a good balance between BB and sand, at least I think it does. Better than no paint IMHO.

DSC08501 by Rick Vasquez, on Flickr

DSC08502 by Rick Vasquez, on Flickr

After a good round of masking

DSC08503 by Rick Vasquez, on Flickr

and done

DSC08504 by Rick Vasquez, on Flickr

It will look better from the inside, I promise

Next I am going to try to make my own lid out of acrylic. Does anyone know, can you use a jig-saw on acrylic?

I'd want it through the bottom with a center or end corner overflow like the Red Sea Reefer tanks. Would be neat to do I think because then I could get the stand against the wall.

Your tank plan sounds like mine, mainly BTAs with a bit of LPS.

Very cool. That would work nice actually. This tank will be up against the wall as well. BTA's and LPS is what my plan is too. However, there are locals that would like for me to go sps as well. Not sure if I am ready to go that route yet.

 

this is going to be a really nice build!

Thank you Matteo, I hope so.

 

This is sick! Glad someone has my vision as well! I plan on BTAs and euphyllia! This is gonna be a sick setup! And scorched has definitely inspired my long tank as well!

It is very difficult to keep a tank stable for such a long time, and that is what I admire the most out of his build. I wont lie though, there were quite a few tanks here that have inspired my vision of my own tank. Love this forum and all of its creative setups.

[Benny314]

Yes fine tooth blade and go slow, it will cut ok. You'll have to polish the edges afterwards, rub them down with fine sand paper and either use compound and a polishing wheel on a dremel or flame polish it with a blow torch.

 

Loving the look of this build can't wait to see it setup.

[rickztahone]

Yes fine tooth blade and go slow, it will cut ok. You'll have to polish the edges afterwards, rub them down with fine sand paper and either use compound and a polishing wheel on a dremel or flame polish it with a blow torch.

 

Loving the look of this build can't wait to see it setup.

Cool, thx for that info. I will go buy a fine tooth one.

[Cencalfishguy56]

 

As I said, going bare bottom with this tank. Painted the tank bottom with Rustoleum textured paint and added flat white in to the mix to better look like reef sand. I have been using this textured paint for years and love how it looks. It gives a good balance between BB and sand, at least I think it does. Better than no paint IMHO.

 

DSC08501 by Rick Vasquez, on Flickr

 

DSC08502 by Rick Vasquez, on Flickr

After a good round of masking

 

DSC08503 by Rick Vasquez, on Flickr

and done

 

DSC08504 by Rick Vasquez, on Flickr

 

It will look better from the inside, I promise

 

Next I am going to try to make my own lid out of acrylic. Does anyone know, can you use a jig-saw on acrylic?

Very cool. That would work nice actually. This tank will be up against the wall as well. BTA's and LPS is what my plan is too. However, there are locals that would like for me to go sps as well. Not sure if I am ready to go that route yet.

 

Thank you Matteo, I hope so.

 

It is very difficult to keep a tank stable for such a long time, and that is what I admire the most out of his build. I wont lie though, there were quite a few tanks here that have inspired my vision of my own tank. Love this forum and all of its creative setups.

you are absolutely correct! And I have also had quite a few inspirations off this site as well! This forum is very Helpful and creative

[rickztahone]

I have hit a bit of a snag. I was talking to a buddy yesterday and he noticed one thing that has got me really scratching my head. Initially, this build wasn't supposed to be a peninsula type tank, it was going to be up against a wall. Now however, the layout of the room it is going in has changed and it allows for a peninsula style tank. However, now that it is a peninsula type tank, I (we) cannot think of way to put in a return for the tank.

When the tank was going to go up against the wall, it was going to have a lily pipe return through the back over the tank. However, now, I cannot achieve this since the overflow is in the way. My friend suggested drilling another hole in the overflow itself, however, I was pushing it with three holes in such a small space, remember this is a space that is 11"x4.5" small. Getting another hole in there is going to be next to impossible, imho.

He had another suggestion as well but not too sold on it either. I was thinking of possibly reaching out to a lily pipe maker and asking if they'd be willing to do a custom made one where it goes over both the overflow in to the tank. This would make it so the lily pipe is really long, but I believe I may manage it. It would however be covering the overflow lid which is also a problem. I believe I can still slide the lid in and out under the lily pipe but seems like a lot of work.

Not sure if it is even advisable to try to drill another smaller hole (1/2") for a bulkhead and route the lily pipe through there. More than likely though, I will probably have to scrape all the silicone off this overflow box and try to drill 4 holes somehow. I am really dreading that prospect as drilling these 3 holes took FOREVER!

I will try to reach out to lily pipe sellers and see if there is an option.

I'm all ears as far as other solutions are concerned though.

[Matteo]

Yes that is a dilemma. Considering how clean this build already is I think drilling would be more in favor then having a Lilly pipe reach over the rim of the tank bit yes you have 3 holes already. If you are going to cut silicone anyway I say drill a 1/2in return, bulk head it and then wet test? I don't think it would stress too much to were you would be concerned. If you do drill and make everthing work I'm sure the DIY finished good work feeling will kick in:)

[rickztahone]

Yes that is a dilemma. Considering how clean this build already is I think drilling would be more in favor then having a Lilly pipe reach over the rim of the tank bit yes you have 3 holes already. If you are going to cut silicone anyway I say drill a 1/2in return, bulk head it and then wet test? I don't think it would stress too much to were you would be concerned. If you do drill and make everthing work I'm sure the DIY finished good work feeling will kick in:)

My friend also suggested that if I was going to take this route, I could drill the tank wall itself under the overflow as a return and inside the overflow I could add airline tubing out of water so that it does not back siphon.

[Matteo]

My friend also suggested that if I was going to take this route, I could drill the tank wall itself under the overflow as a return and inside the overflow I could add airline tubing out of water so that it does not back siphon.

No need for air tubing. Just get a reverse flow stop. Basically a coupling that has a flap on the side letting flow in one direction but closes as soon as the flow reverses.

[Matteo]

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/swing-check-valve-true-union-1-604b37ea63ea51fa5fb3d8a89ec056e6.html?sku=202457&gclid=CjwKEAjw6sC5BRCogcaY_dKZ2nESJABsZihxGHnLADC_LBjAEpTLyLmCrOxiAiKZSPfoGmFaYszmsBoCHsXw_wcB