Custom 1000l tank

[Msz3389]

Hello,

I just build my 1000l tank with a 200l sump. It is my first time building an aquarium this big. Hopefully I succeed in this build. I would really appreciate your support into creating the image of having a piece of the ocean in my home.

Aquarium setup

1x Redsea skimmer 900
2x Redsea 160s LED
2x Redsea DC9000 pumps
2x Redsea wavemaker 45
1x Reefmat 1200

to be installed
1x Redsea ATO
1x Redsea dose4
1x ATO tank
1x RODI system
1x Teco TK-2000 chiller

 

[reefsaver]

Living the dream man oh my God. This is beautiful. I'm so impressed that you built this. It looks, phenominally clean. You could probably do this for other people, for insane amounts of money. You make me want to learn how the hell to do this. what the heck dude.

 

[Msz3389]

Cycling phase - I added a biofilter from my old tank into this one to speed up the process.

As you can see ditrus started to form, i reduced the light timings to 6h from 12 and im thinking of adding purigen but lets wait and see.

Sump started to smell a little, i might have to change the activated carbon or install a UV canister. Any thoughts on this?

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Cycling phase - I added a biofilter from my old tank into this one to speed up the process.

As you can see ditrus started to form, i reduced the light timings to 6h from 12 and im thinking of adding purigen but lets wait and see.

Sump started to smell a little, i might have to change the activated carbon or install a UV canister. Any thoughts on this?

Best of luck with the cycle!

 

[Msz3389]

Update on the tank - It has been a while since I've updated on the progress so here it goes.



Due to negligence from my part, the purple tang developed ich and to remove the fish from the DT was nearly impossible with all the rockscape. I decided to go hyposalinity that was pretty straight forward. Had some trouble at the beginning to keep ammonia down but with frequent water changes and bio balls I managed to get it to 0.



It has been a month since then and I'm raising salinity 0.002 ppm per day, I found out raising salinity with daily water changes was a bit much for a 1000L tank, so I decided to mix salt directly to the sump while the skimmer is off. I'm not sure if it is the right way but it's more cost effective on the pocket and health.



In the mean time I set up 1 QT tank and a Frag tank for future purchases.



Currently in inventory



In display

1x Purple tang

1x Brown tang

1x Scribbled Rabbit fish



In QT

2x Moorish idols

1x Cleaner Wrasse

1x Midnight clownfish

1x Clown fish

1x Redtail Butterfly fish



In Frag tank

1x Pink Goniopora

7x Purple Goniopora

2x Lordhowensis colony

1x Beast eye Zoa

2x Ora nge mushrooms

1x Blue/purple scolymia

2x Cyphastrea

 

[Msz3389]

Yesterday I fixed a bottle rack that I got from IKEA and hooked up my Red Sea reef dose4. On the other side I installed a fish net rack to house some of the tank's essentials

 

[Msz3389]

So I decided to run a chiller on the system. I was able to get a teco TK2000, although I did not install it yet because I'm thinking to run it on a separate loop using a heat exchanger.



Usually it is made for pools. After back and forth with different distributors I was able to get a hold of one. It a 30kW the smallest they have. The problem I'm facing is that the chiller has a max flow rate of 210 gph and the exchanger has a min flow of 260 gph. It is either I risk pushing the chiller to a higher flow or run the exchanger at a lower flow in both cases loosing efficiency. Any other inputs that comes to mind please share.



The chiller has an awful flow rate therefore I'll need to install a circulatory booster pump. I'm looking at different models. I've seen some run the exchanger for ponds with a 90W pump but again there are limitations to the chiller. The maximum flow 210 gph and maximum pressure (8.7psi) After looking up Grundfos pumps I came across several models



1. UPS 25-60 180

Flow rate 202.5

pressure 7.1



2. UPS 25-70 180

Flow rate 224

Pressure 8.8



It is either play it safe and choose the lower pressure one or go with the second option and hope the Italians built the chiller good.



In addition, I plan to use propylene glycol at 40/60 both these pumps are rated to run propylene glycol (the safer option than ethanol glycol that is toxic to fish) in a loop between the chiller and heat exchanger.



I'll keep this thread updated!!

 

[Msz3389]

The time has come and decided to hook up the chiller.

I can't find space where to install. I looked at the back wall and sides but it is too big, therefore after some thought, decided it will go Infront of the sump.

I have visited a metal workshop to build a custom hang on the sump. After delivery I coated it with red rustproof primer and painted it with black rustproof paint. You can't be too cautious with saltwater. Anyhow this is the finished product.

I tried fitting it in but was too big and heavy so decided to fix the exchanger without the plate as it needs further modifications.

As for the exchanger I went for a Salus circulating pump to boost the flow to the chiller. I wanted to go for Grundfos but wasn't available at the time and heard bad reviews on their customer service. So decided to support an upcoming brand.

As you can see I placed it on some styrofoam temporarily until I get the plate sorted, I found some manufacturer that will do it with acrylic but wasting some more $$ would be a waste. I placed an inlet nozzle to fill up the loop and forgot to place a air pressure relief valve, that will be next. Some gurgling sounds can be heard.

The chiller is working pretty good and I can confidently say that it is efficient instead of it to work and cool the whole tank, it just cools the loop and therefore the circulating water cools the tank.