Suggestions please :-)
Printed From: Utah Reefs
Category: Main
Forum Name: General Discussion
Forum Description: Posts that don't fit in any of the other categories.
URL: http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=2902
Printed Date: November 26 2025 at 2:32am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.03 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Suggestions please :-)
Posted By: Mark Peterson
Subject: Suggestions please :-)
Date Posted: July 04 2004 at 9:16am
I'm moving to a new place in Bountiful and it's time to start up a new tank. 
I'm open to suggestions for making it the most efficient system using the most natural processes known to man! It will be located in an east facing window so it will get some direct sunlight all morning. I will need everything, since all I have right now is a jug! 
What do you think of this plan? - used 75-100 gal glass tank with overflow(s) - old stand to be painted off-white and modified with two large removable front panels - PC lighted RDP refugium connected to unlighted sponge refugium - used or custom built canopy with fan, 175-250 W MH & VHO lighting and a surge unit 
- medium sized skimmer... ?fed by water from the overflow? - one external pump or two large submersible pumps? - Lake Bonneville LR and LS - coral from frags The intention is to have only locally grown coral that came from at least second generation frags. This tank can be on this years Annual Reef Aquarium Tour! ------------- Reefkeeping Tips, & quick, easy setup tricks: www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=9244 Pay it forward - become a paid WMAS member 
|
Replies:
Posted By: jfinch
Date Posted: July 04 2004 at 10:02am
|
175-250 W MH medium sized skimmer... This tank can be on this years Annual Reef Aquarium Tour! Better get hoppin' Great Mark, I like your plan! Drilled overflows, right? fed by water from the overflow? Are you considering dumping the falling water (and air) directly into a skimmer (i.e. no skimmer pump)? I've done this. It works, but does require a little more tinkering then a normal skimmer. ------------- Jon https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6y_EzjI_ljbIwf2n5uNzTw" rel="nofollow - What I've been doing... |
Posted By: Weimers
Date Posted: July 04 2004 at 11:50am
|
Bountiful is closer to Ogden. Hooray! I don't have any advice for you, except that corals are easier than fish. Ha ha! I don't know if I have 2nd generation frags for you, but you pretty much know what I've got, so let us know what you can use. Maybe you could have a Pres. meeting at your new house, and we could "pot luck..." each of us brings you a frag or two. Renee |
Posted By: reptoreef
Date Posted: July 04 2004 at 12:22pm
|
Wait a minute... Mark, aren't you currently in Centerville? Maybe, I've mistaken... ------------- www.captivereefing.com |
Posted By: Adam Blundell
Date Posted: July 04 2004 at 1:58pm
|
I would ditch the sponge sump. I'm sure it would work, and help. But, in that same amount of space you could have much better filtration (xenia, more algae, mangroves, etc). Oh yah, and that tank is way too small. At least 300 gal. Adam ------------- Come to a meeting, they�re fun! |
Posted By: chrisslc
Date Posted: July 04 2004 at 3:29pm
|
Think "aragocrete" Everything else sounds great, 'cept I'm with jon on the MH, two 400's would do nicely ------------- Murray, Utah just north of the park. "It's all the same to the clam" -Shel Silverstein |
Posted By: Marcus
Date Posted: July 04 2004 at 5:24pm
|
Mark, if you're ever in Midvale, stop by and check out my tank. I have a 90 that I drilled and built the overflow and a 40 gal sump/refugia w/2 250 MHs and VHOs. I think its pretty good lookin' but maybe you can get some ideas. You are more than welcome. Call me. Marcus 898-6899 |
Posted By: Mark Peterson
Date Posted: July 04 2004 at 6:11pm
Renee, That is some of the best advice I've ever heard  Thanks.
Marcus, you have VM. Jon, I'd like to see if the force of dropping water will create a moderate foam that can be collected above the "dropzone". Let's talk later when I pick up the salt.
Reptoreef, You are correct, my other tank, a 180+20, is in Centerville, which is closer to Ogden by 5 minutes. Adam, Why not use a sponge refugium? Don't you agree with Chrisslc? Mangroves are too much trouble because of their requirement for a humid environment and room to grow, unless I had a tall stand like the one I made and then sold to Chuck Earnest. Maybe I should call him 
Chrisslc, I would love to use some aragocrete. What about pumps? Which is better, external or submerged? ------------- Reefkeeping Tips, & quick, easy setup tricks: www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=9244 Pay it forward - become a paid WMAS member
|
Posted By: chrisslc
Date Posted: July 04 2004 at 9:57pm
|
I think the above may qualify for the most personal responses ever in one post Don't know anything about external pumps having never had one, but I'll make as much 'crete as you'd like. Any shapes you'd prefer? .... in fact that's a good question for all, I'll start a new thread at once. ------------- Murray, Utah just north of the park. "It's all the same to the clam" -Shel Silverstein |
Posted By: reptoreef
Date Posted: July 05 2004 at 8:30am
|
My only answer is about the pumps... internal can cause the water to heat up and take room from your sump. ------------- www.captivereefing.com |
Posted By: Adam Blundell
Date Posted: July 05 2004 at 8:52am
|
I'd go external pump. No, I don't agree with Chris (sorry Chris). I still think sponge is a terrible filtration method. I like sponge, and have lots of it in my tank. But I still think the extra space for algae or xenia is way better. Look at it like this, in 6 months time how much growth does sponge have? How much actualy mass does it create? To me, that is far less mass than algae or xenia would create. Adam ------------- Come to a meeting, they�re fun! |
Posted By: chrisslc
Date Posted: July 05 2004 at 7:43pm
|
Good point, sponge is slow growing, and doesn't produce nearly the physical mass of any algae or xenia, hmmm. I guess if you are pressed for the space and compartments go with the algae, then maybe xenia, then sponge, but if you have a spot that works for it best then, go drop in some LR rubble and let it sponge up. Again though, sponge is reliable, I have never heard of it crashing like other live filters.
------------- Murray, Utah just north of the park. "It's all the same to the clam" -Shel Silverstein |
Posted By: Mark Peterson
Date Posted: July 06 2004 at 8:46am
|
The point I like about sponge/tunicates is that it needs different nutrients, silica for example.
I've done it before and it seemed to add a beneficial aspect of filtration, so I'm planning on doing it again, but maybe I don't need to devote an entire 10 gal tank to it. I think I'll use an external pump this time. Thanks for the comments. I like the idea of growing sponge in rubble! It needs to be darker in that area too.... Keep the ideas coming, please. ------------- Reefkeeping Tips, & quick, easy setup tricks: www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=9244 Pay it forward - become a paid WMAS member
|
Posted By: vangvace
Date Posted: July 06 2004 at 11:25am
|
Mark, I've heard a rumor on the web that a Clams are making their way into sumps... ------------- McGuire AFB, NJ Moments of brilliance |
Posted By: Mark Peterson
Date Posted: July 07 2004 at 3:48am
|
High light refugium, phytoplankton, most beautiful from the top... makes sense, thanks. ------------- Reefkeeping Tips, & quick, easy setup tricks: www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=9244 Pay it forward - become a paid WMAS member
|
Posted By: Adam Blundell
Date Posted: July 07 2004 at 2:18pm
|
If I had a nice looking clam I don't know if I would waste it in my sump. By the way Mark, why are you posting at 4:48 AM!? Adam ------------- Come to a meeting, they�re fun! |
Posted By: Mark Peterson
Date Posted: July 07 2004 at 4:53pm
I woke up and felt like doing something constructive! ------------- Reefkeeping Tips, & quick, easy setup tricks: www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=9244 Pay it forward - become a paid WMAS member
|
Adam Blundell wrote: