Newb's <strike>Zeo</strike> Aqua Forest Powered 25 Lagoon

[NewbReefer316]

I've been trying to get this tank planned out for awhile now and am finally pulling the trigger on it. The plan is to set up a torch heavy mixed reef and pull some vibrant SPS colors with the Zeo and Nano Box ATI Retro.

 

I'm still trying to figure out the equipment but this is what I've got planned so far.

 

Tank: IM 25 Lagoon

 

Stand: 24" Vanity base from Home Depot w/ a granite top, if I can find a cheap remnant, or just a doubled up ply top with some sort of edging.

 

 

Lighting: 6x24" ATI retro from Dave, still need to figure out what bulb combination to go with for the 4 bulbs

 

Skimmer: Thinking about going with the Tunze 9001

 

Flow: 2 Eheim 600's, or something similar, with Spin Streams for the returns and a pair of pp4's for now

 

Media: Floss, Carbon and ZeoLites

 

ATO: Probably a nano osmolator but open to suggestions

 

 

Finally got it wet - 9/15/2016

 

 

Here's the plan for the back of the tank, still need to get some input from current Zeo users since I'm really just guessing at this point.

 

 

 

Trying to get the skimmer, ATO, return pumps and wavemakers figured out so I can go ahead and get almost everything ordered at once.

 

 

 

Trying to get the skimmer, ATO, bulbs, return pumps and wavemakers figured out so I can go ahead and get almost everything ordered at once.

[Dunlager]

The auto top off should be in the center chamber. For the back chambers to run as designed there is about an inch drop off in water level between the middle chamber and the two side chambers. Because of this you will see water loss in the middle chamber first and your pump would start shooting air bubbles before the ato in the side chamber would register a change.

I also see you have a 100 watt heater in the diagram. What brand will you use? I got the best 100 watt Jaeger and it was two long to go into the rear chambers.

[NewbReefer316]

The auto top off should be in the center chamber. For the back chambers to run as designed there is about an inch drop off in water level between the middle chamber and the two side chambers. Because of this you will see water loss in the middle chamber first and your pump would start shooting air bubbles before the ato in the side chamber would register a change.

I also see you have a 100 watt heater in the diagram. What brand will you use? I got the best 100 watt Jaeger and it was two long to go into the rear chambers.

 

Thanks for the input. I'll adjust the ATO location and look into the heater issue. I might go for 2 75w's instead.

[myarmolich]

 

Thanks for the input. I'll adjust the ATO location and look into the heater issue. I might go for 2 75w's instead.

 

definitely would recommend the cobalt heater. they go on Amazon refurbished for ~25 bucks for a 100 watt heater and fit really well into the middle chamber

[reefhound]

I have..

 

middle chamber:

• tunze 9001
• 2 eheim 600's (adjustable flow) Intank

 

2 spin streams (1 only installed because I added a jeabo rw-4) Intank

 

2 filter floss baskets INtank

 

1 IM media reactor (2nd inside chamber) Marine depot

 

I cobalt neotherm 100w (other 2nd inside chamber) Amazon

 

smart ATO (by the heater)

 

I feed pretty heavy so I like the floss baskets... you can buy the quilt stuffing at wallmart for 3$ a bag.. I change it out every few days.. just be sure to buy the one without fire retardant

 

I run GFO and carbon.. I have it mixed together, filled, camped tight so it doesn't tumble, and have the reactor pump on 2-3 to force the water thru.

 

i'll be adding this http://www.a-neutronics.com/shop/product_info.php?products_id=58 run thru a GFI for my switch/power bank.. it's a little more expensive, but after reading amazon reviews on other rack mount switches, i'll get this

 

 

I added the rw-4 to get some crossflow.. but have to have it on the lowest setting

I may change it out for a tunze pump on a dimmer as I only rum it for a few hours a day when the pipefish isn't out hunting.. I have my flow dialed down for that reason, but you will probably find the 2 eheims with spinstreams MORE than enough with a cleaner look.

 

the 9001 needs a mod to fit correctly.. see it in my tank build.. it's easy. you just need a hacksaw blade and sandpaper.. also add a little adjustable air valve to it instead of that stupid little screw in clamp crap for the air flow

 

all of the equipment has really worked flawlessly and exceeded my expectations

the smart ATO is really underrated IMO

 

there also many stand builds here.. just keep in mind the tank will weigh in at over 200lbs

congrats on the tank... couldn't be happier with mine

 

 

edit: also, the heater doesn't need to be shut off for water changes.. the water level in that chamber stays just at the top of the dial (recommended per my call to cobalt aquatics)

[NewbReefer316]

Well, I just burned a hole through my credit card so there should be a decent update by the end of next week! I got pretty much everything I need but couldn't bring myself to pull the trigger on a MP10. From what I've seen in others builds, it looks like many people are either running 2 or supplementing 1 with something else so I figure I'll stick with the pp4's I currently have and let my credit card cool down a bit.

[Tmr8188]

Well, I just burned a hole through my credit card so there should be a decent update by the end of next week! I got pretty much everything I need but couldn't bring myself to pull the trigger on a MP10. From what I've seen in others builds, it looks like many people are either running 2 or supplementing 1 with something else so I figure I'll stick with the pp4's I currently have and let my credit card cool down a bit.

Following.

 

Imo 2 mp10's really wouldn't be needed with your dual returns. I only run 2 because of the way my rock is setup. While Zeovit has some amazing results, I know almost a dozen people that have tried it and stopped after a year because of expense and the inability to keep lps happy. 3 of them switched to aquaforest and have had great results. Some thing to consider if you plan on going mixed reef.

[reefhound]

I also was thinking mp10.. but all I wanted was a little cross flow and have a minimal CUC (of which I just placed a reefcleaners order)

 

I would get it set up and tweak it slowly. you are definitely on track with the 600's and spin streams. it's borderline "too much" running on full.

depending on the rock setup, you probably won't want or need anything else

 

I will probably even ditch the rw-4 and go with a tunze on a dimmer and switch that I can kick on for a few hours to clear the tank after feeding

 

I have an abalone that fights with a giant emerald crab over a scrap of seaweed, and a pipefish that needs to be doused in mysis to pick "the perfect" morsel. the tank is a disaster after feeding.

[NewbReefer316]

Well, got most of my equipment in for now. Unfortunately the cabinet base was back-ordered, wasn't informed when I ordered it, so it won't be in until next weekend.

 

Here's a couple of shots of what I've got so far.

 

 

 

 

My little helper

 

 

Now that I've got most of the equipment, I have no idea how I'm going to jam all of this stuff in the back compartment!!!

 

I also forgot to order some tubing to connect the two return pumps. Anyone know what size tubing the Eheim 600's use?

 

Still need to order a neotherm 100, possibly a cover since the wife wants fish known to jump and an ATO container. I'm still undecided on dosing ca\alk or just performing more frequent water changes. So I'll get it up and running then figure that part out.

 

I picked up a used RKL so once the stand comes in I'll figure out the wiring and look into possibly adding a pH probe to it.

[reefhound]

1/2" ID tubing from home depot will do the trick

 

this pretty much shows what to do with the pumps and skimmer mounting..

I don't use the hose clamps

http://www.nano-reef.com/topic/349113-the-new-tunze-9001-is-here/page-11

[mgsullivan24]

Looks like a cool build!

I am running a 25g fusion also. Pretty much the exact same plan as you also(IM25 sps/lips t5 zeo). I used full zeo method a few years back on my fathers tank and my pico tank. It is great if that's your type of thing, I had a very positive experience with it but my dad had some rough times keeping up with it. It's very easy to get impatient and start adding too much and have a crazy imbalance in the tank. That being said I am currently using a zeo hybrid dosing method now. One word of advice, on a small tank you will want to be very reserved in dosing zeo food, that stuff is very potent.

 

I am running t5's now and love it. But if I'm honest I miss the exaggerated color pop you get from the blue LEDs. I will be retrofitting blue LED supplement to my t5's in the near future. I think you are headed in the right direction with nanobox's hybrid system. Also on that note, obviously these tanks are shallow and t5's and LEDs are very powerful. Be prepared to have the lights pretty high off the tank and/or dimmed down quite a bit.

If you havnt opened the two return pumps yet you might look into Sicce. I easily fit one of their small adjustable flow pumps back there and actually had to turn it down quite a bit and it is dead silent. I have used spin streams in the past and they do choke down flow a bit so one sicce might be good for two spin streams.

[reefhound]

If you havnt opened the two return pumps yet you might look into Sicce. I easily fit one of their small adjustable flow pumps back there and actually had to turn it down quite a bit and it is dead silent. I have used spin streams in the past and they do choke down flow a bit so one sicce might be good for two spin streams.

 

the problem with that is trying to cram a "Y" in there to fit the skimmer in the middle chamber. the 2 eheims will just run straight up with the tunze 9001 in the middle. these pumps are also adjustable and have been running in my tank without a problem.. i'm quite happy with them, and like the idea of adjusting one side down a bit to have a powerhead with crossflow that I can shut off at night when the hunter comes out (blue stripe pipe)

[NewbReefer316]

Any advice on how to make the vanity that I'm using for the stand more sturdy and will a sing layer of 3/4" ply be enough to top it?

 

It finally came in today so I'll be going to pick it up later this afternoon, if the weather clears up.

 

Plan is to get the stand sorted then all that's left is to modify the skimmer and figure out the aquascape before getting it wet.

[reefhound]

3/4 ply is enough

take some of the same 3/4 and run bracing inside the cabinet

 

look at my 25 build.. it starts out with the stand build..

it should give you some ideas

[NewbReefer316]

Well, it looks like I should change the title of the thread... After doing some research I realized that a full zeo system probably wouldn't be the best for this tank since it will be LPS heavy so I decided to go the Aqua Forest route after someone else posted about it along with a 20% coupon code from Foster and Smith.

 

I've been slacking on the build so hopefully I can get some progress made this weekend. He's a couple pictures of the vanity I purchased, it's pretty sturdy out of the box and also comes with levelers inside of the feet which was a big plus. I'm not sure if I need to add any more bracing to it but am definitely open to suggestions since I've never built a stand. The little one took his first steps today and that just reminds me that I have to have this thing as sturdy as I can get it.

 

 

 

[reefhound]

if it isn't glued, I would unscrew, sand, and glue the joints.. but really, without looking at it in person it's hard to tell how sturdy it is..

total tank weight about 260 lbs I think

 

doing a 3/4 ply top?

 

Also, we are awaiting another lagoon build...

which means "you" need to step up the program a bit and get WATER IN THE TANK!

[reefhound]

I do like the classy look of the stand BTW.. didn't want my post to sound negative

how much was the stand?

 

also, you may want to get your power strip in first.. it's a pita later...

 

I have one of these http://www.a-neutronics.com/shop/product_info.php?products_id=58 on the way, and it looks like mounting it "after the fact" is going to suck

[NewbReefer316]

I do like the classy look of the stand BTW.. didn't want my post to sound negative

how much was the stand?

 

also, you may want to get your power strip in first.. it's a pita later...

 

I have one of these http://www.a-neutronics.com/shop/product_info.php?products_id=58 on the way, and it looks like mounting it "after the fact" is going to suck

Stand was like $220 and I picked up a matching 17" cabinet that may one day host a small aio that I can take with me to local frag swaps.

 

I thought about trying to find a granite/marble remnant for the top but since there isn't much of an exposed lip I'm just going to stain some 3/4 ply and maybe some foam board or at least a thin rubbery leveling mat.

 

Still have to decide between an RKL or just simply running a dj powerstrip, I've got both in the parts bin so I'll probably go with the basic RKL.

 

Also read up on people running the aqua forest stack in a reactor so I'm keeping my eye out for a midsized minimax. The desktop size is only 150 ml and I couldn't fit all 3 medias in it.

[Bowen1022]

Just saw this thread! Great looking build. I am going full Aquaforest on my lagoon too! I am still trying to figure out what to do with the media. I got both the Carbon and Phosphate- as well as the ZeoMix and I dont know which to run in a reactor. Im excited to follow along and progress with you

[NewbReefer316]

Just saw this thread! Great looking build. I am going full Aquaforest on my lagoon too! I am still trying to figure out what to do with the media. I got both the Carbon and Phosphate- as well as the ZeoMix and I dont know which to run in a reactor. Im excited to follow along and progress with you

 

There's a decent sub-forum on RC, the only forum I can hit from work, and they are running all 3 zeo, carbon and phos - stacked in the same reactor. The desktop size minimax can only hold 150ml but the midsize holds 350ml, which should be enough. I'm going to just stick with the media in bags for now since I already purchased the inTank baskets. Looking back I would have just spent the money on the reactor and just used floss in the first compartments.

[Bowen1022]

I might just run carbon and gfo in a reactor and passively run the Zeo mix.

[NewbReefer316]

Well, I got called in to work this weekend so I didn't much, or really any, progress made on the tank. Only thing I was able to do was stop by the hardware store to pick up some 3/4" ply, stain and edge banding. While I was in there I got a number for a local counter top company so I will check with them tomorrow to see if they have any cheap remnants I could use.

 

Here's a quick picture of the tank and both cabinets, trying to figure out where we are going to put them and I'm not too sure about putting it in front of the stair rails.

 

[Bowen1022]

Where did you buy the stand at?

[reefhound]

put it where you can sit and enjoy it

[NewbReefer316]

Where did you buy the stand at?

 

Got it from Home Depot - 24" Vanity base from Home Depot