1000 gallon tank for a beginner!

[Sltloser]

We're in the same boat! I'm also looking at the atlas quantas for my large tank, they seem to be great lights from what I've seen.

I thought about Orphek as well, but after seeing all the issues and poor support state side I decided it wouldn't be worth the possible headache and extra $$.

Not sure if you've found these tests already, but here's some data and discussion on them.

 

[SlowAndStupid]

I had not. Thanks for the link!

 

[Sltloser]

Always happy to help! Those guys answered all of my questions and had good discussion/data so I hope it's helpful.

 

[SlowAndStupid]

An updated pic of the aquarium filled. I realized I had only previously posted a snapshot while it was in the process of filling.

This is my limited space above the tank itself and where I will need to hang lights:

Just to the left I have designed and printed out my own Rube Goldberg feeding device. I have two super feeders I recently purchased which will drop the pellets down some ramps and into the tank. I actually purchased the sicce nano pump and mixing pump tubing from the Avast Plank which the pellets drop into as I like how that helps distribute the sinking pellets. You can see the tubing in the first picture in the top right corner.

 

[smitten with ocean life]

looks so nice! i just wish youd change your name! :smiling-face: because youre neither slow nor stupid!;)

 

[Sltloser]

Looking great, it's nice ane clear!

What is the height from ceiling to tank top?

I'm very jealous of your 3d printing skills, those honey combs look like awesome for hanging stuff. Much easier than screws .

 

[SlowAndStupid]

What is the height from ceiling to tank top?

4 Feet.

 

[keepingfishwithnoidea]

Nice!! make sure to get those parameters stable

 

[Sltloser]

4 Feet.

Perfect! Plenty of room, I chatted with Luca a bit and for my 34" height he recommended 8-10" between the reflector and water line.

Do you know what type of hanging system you're going to use?

 

[SlowAndStupid]

I am planning to mount t slot to the ceiling to hang the lights from.

 

[Dom]

An updated pic of the aquarium filled. I realized I had only previously posted a snapshot while it was in the process of filling.

This is my limited space above the tank itself and where I will need to hang lights:



Just to the left I have designed and printed out my own Rube Goldberg feeding device. I have two super feeders I recently purchased which will drop the pellets down some ramps and into the tank. I actually purchased the sicce nano pump and mixing pump tubing from the Avast Plank which the pellets drop into as I like how that helps distribute the sinking pellets. You can see the tubing in the first picture in the top right corner.

This tank is looking incredible! Maybe place some zoa frags on the walls to grow over?

 

[SlowAndStupid]

This week I placed an order for 4 Quanta Atlas lights (with reflectors) along with some t-slot to mount them to the ceiling. I need to get to work designing and 3D printing some mounts for it. I have some ASA-CF filament on the way specifically for that. I'm looking forward to getting those into place and seeing what the PAR numbers look like. I plan to purchase some 6 foot long meso blue bar lights once they are back in stock as well.

I continue to monitor my water parameters and my alkalinity continues to decrease daily though not in the same amount each day. It still drives me crazy not knowing what is driving the alkalinity down by around a point a day. I continue to replace the loss with sodium bicarbonate. I would like to set up a doser for this but given the amount I have to use daily it would require a large bucket to have enough on hand to make sense to do it that way. I still may do it but am just being slow about setting it up.

In the meantime I have now started culturing my own phytoplankton and copepods.

I am currently culturing both Nannochloropsis and Tetraselmis strains and Tisbe pods. I plan to culture Tigre pods as well however when I ordered a bottle then accidentally sent more Tisbe pods instead. I am using the phytotanks from poseidon reef systems and although they are pricey they are very nice and I am pleased with that purchase.

Finally, I am successfully just over 1 week into quarantining my first round of fish! The have been in copper for a week now.

I started with 2 clownfish, 5 firefish, and 5 banggai cardinals. I lost one cardinal within 24 hours due to what I suspect was stress from shipping. I lost a second because I think I literally scared it to death. I went to check on them late at night and shined my cell phone light at the tank to see. This once cardinal bolted out from his pvc pipe and then immediately went tumbling around in the water column floating with the flow. And that was then end of him and the end of me checking on them after lights out. The rest have so far done well.

 

[Sltloser]

I order 4 atlas quantas with reflectors on Friday! Haha.

You're killing it with getting things set up man, I wish you were in Colorado so I could check this thing out!

I've been debating how to hang my lights, my initial build has been to use trolleys and superstrut so that I have movement in both the x and y axis and am able to move lights into whatever position is needed versus hanging them hung statically. Are you planning to 3D print a clip or something that is movable on the T slot?

 

[SlowAndStupid]

I order 4 atlas quantas with reflectors on Friday! Haha.

You're killing it with getting things set up man, I wish you were in Colorado so I could check this thing out!

I've been debating how to hang my lights, my initial build has been to use trolleys and superstrut so that I have movement in both the x and y axis and am able to move lights into whatever position is needed versus hanging them hung statically. Are you planning to 3D print a clip or something that is movable on the T slot?

The T slots will be hung so that I can adjust in the x and y planes as well and then can secure them down once they are in a good position. I want to design a clip the attaches to the t slot that I can move up and down if needed. I would like to include a design with a hirth joint/detent allowing for some swing of the light forward or backwards to fine tune its aim down into the tank as well. Though it may not be needed depending on how the light hangs.

 

[Sltloser]

I love that, it sounds perfect. I might have to put mine on hold to see how you feel about yours once it's done :beaming-face-with-smiling-eyes:.

 

[keepingfishwithnoidea]

wow

 

[SlowAndStupid]

New toy day!

The Quanta Atlas lights and reflectors arrived today. They are bright! Looking forward to trying them out and getting some numbers with my PAR meter. It will take a little time to get these mounted. The aluminum extrusions have arrived that I plan to mount these guys onto the ceiling with. Getting that up on the ceiling is my priority for this weekend. If I could do it over again I would have gone with the light or ultralight extrusions. This aluminum is heavy. I'll be securing them with 6 lag screws each but I think the light extrusions would have been fine.

I laid the reflectors out above the tank to get a general idea of their layout.

Now that I have the lights in-hand I need to take some measurements so I can finish designing the 3D printed mount for it. I have the extrusion portion of it ready to go now.

Finally on this update, my group of royal grammas have arrived yesterday and are in quarantine. I am ramping up the copper in their tank. These were ordered from biota and look great. They remain quite timid but are venturing out a little more today into the tank. They shipped with mesh tubes to hide in if they feel scared and they have absolutely darted for the little safety blankets a few times! They did not eat yesterday evening but took pellets today.

 

[keepingfishwithnoidea]

Any pics above tank??

 

[twentyleagues]

Any pics above tank??

Post 224 middle pic.

 

[jrawk1120]

Incredible build. I was thinking of a sealing solution for the rock backdrop but it's way too late for any recommendations lol.

Going to start following