Need help setting up Triton in DFW area as well as asking for tips.

FangsAndGames · Aug 6, 2020

Hello all,

I have a FOWLR 110 gallon tank which I am converting into a triton reef tank. We (My dad and I) have been using an aquarium servicer and have not been pleased with the results. The tank has not been successful and we have not been pleased with the results. Also for the amount we pay on the tank servicer we would want better results. The sump is messy, the fish die because of poor water quality, and algae outbreaks and aiptasias used to be a huge problem. We are ready to move on from the service providers and care for our tank by ourselves.

I have a list of equipment ready for purchase but need some help figuring out how exactly to setup a Triton system. Here is a list of the equipment we do have (*) and things we are planning on buying ($) Any pointers on equipment I might need in addition of this list or things i will not need would be greatly accepted.

Lighting* (We have)

Hydra TwentySix HD LED (Black) - Aqua Illumination (DISCONTINUED) https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/hydra-twentysix-hd-black-aqua-illumination.html

Sump

EMERALD34* http://www.triggersys.com/ts/emerald34/

PhosBan Reactor 550 - Two Little Fishies https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/phosban-reactor-550.html $85.14

BRS Bulk Premium ROX 0.8 Aquarium Carbon https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/bulk-premium-rox-0-8-aquarium-carbon.html $53.99

H80 Tuna Flora Refugium LED Light - Kessil https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/h80-tuna-sun-flora-refugium-led-light-kessil.html $129.99

Macro Algae with Pods | Pest Free https://www.podyourreef.com/collect...oducts/chaeto-macro-algae-with-pods-pest-free $25.00

Powerhead

https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/pumps-plumbing/aquarium-powerhead-pumps/icecap.html

Skimmer*

Regal 150INT 6" Internal Protein Skimmer (VarioS) - Reef Octopus https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/regal-150int-6-internal-protein-skimmer-varios-reef-octopus.html

Ato

ATO - IceCap (DISCONTINUED)* https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/ato-icecap.html

Triton

ICP-OES Testing Kit - Triton https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/icp-oes-testing-kit-triton-1.html $141.00

Core7 Reef Supplements 5L Set - Triton (Other Methods) https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/core7-reef-supplements-5l-set-triton-other-methods.html $219.00

Maintenance

No Spill Water Change System - Python https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/python-no-spill-water-change-system.html $39.99

I am exited to get to work on the tank and am planning on making adjustments to my sump such as moving my protein skimmer to the refugium section in the second chamber and converting the protein skimmer chamber located in the first chamber into a refugium. I am going to use an HOB carbon reactor in the second chamber so that it does not compete with the chaeto for nutrients. On top of that I am going to remove the filter material from my sump as well.

We will be looking for help in the DFW area to setup the sump as this will be our first endeavor in completely running the tank ourselves. We plan on renovating and cleaning the sump, possibly removing the hood, and converting the tank to triton.

Duncan Tse · Aug 6, 2020

How many hydras do you have? 1 would not be enough to cover that size of a tank.

With the reactor, you can probably get away with the 150 instead of the 550 saving you some money.

Other than that it seems like a fine plan.

FangsAndGames · Aug 6, 2020

Duncan Tse said:
How many hydras do you have? 1 would not be enough to cover that size of a tank.

With the reactor, you can probably get away with the 150 instead of the 550 saving you some money.

Other than that it seems like a fine plan.

I have three hydras spread out over 72 inches

weamdog · Aug 10, 2020

IMO, running the Triton method for FOWLR is an overkill. Fish don't need dosed, only LPS and SPS corals. ICP tests probably aren't going to do you much good either as it doesn't measure nutrients which sounds as if that's your problem.

H80 for fuge: I use one, not stong enough, ended up using a cheato reactor instead. Expensive, but worth it in the long run. Otherwise you may need a bigger light and have to constantly churn the algea to keep hair algae from growing on the top.

Lighting: whatever suits your visual prefs since you're not growing coral. Good place to save some money.

Rox: some claim it can be tricky for reef tanks, may be ok for your purpose. My fear would be adding too much and ending up with bigger issues that may make you want to leave the hobby.

Skimmer: moving sounds like a good idea. Having it after chaeto causes pieces to get lodged in the pin wheel creating monthly skimmer maintenance. The alternative is to get some foam to block pieces from entering the skimmer chamber. If you've ever watched finding nemo, you know what a malfunctioning filter/skimmer can do.

Invest in: large diverse cleanup crew. Sand sifting stars, a diamond goby, crabs and peppermint shrimp. Make sure you have plenty of live rock to deal with nutrients. I'd even keep the filter socks in place until nutrients get under control. I know you're trying to get away from that but the alternative is scheduled water changes which can be automated (smart ato).

Another seahorse trick is to run the tank a little cooler to stunt growth of bad bacteria and algae, but this would depend on your tank stocking obviously. My 125 is run at 73-74 degrees with soft coral and a couple small fish and clean-up crew. I've only cleaned the glass once in a year.

Anyways, just a couple pointers. Good luck!

FangsAndGames · Aug 11, 2020

weamdog said:
IMO, running the Triton method for FOWLR is an overkill. Fish don't need dosed, only LPS and SPS corals. ICP tests probably aren't going to do you much good either as it doesn't measure nutrients which sounds as if that's your problem.

H80 for fuge: I use one, not stong enough, ended up using a cheato reactor instead. Expensive, but worth it in the long run. Otherwise you may need a bigger light and have to constantly churn the algea to keep hair algae from growing on the top.

Lighting: whatever suits your visual prefs since you're not growing coral. Good place to save some money.

Rox: some claim it can be tricky for reef tanks, may be ok for your purpose. My fear would be adding too much and ending up with bigger issues that may make you want to leave the hobby.

Skimmer: moving sounds like a good idea. Having it after chaeto causes pieces to get lodged in the pin wheel creating monthly skimmer maintenance. The alternative is to get some foam to block pieces from entering the skimmer chamber. If you've ever watched finding nemo, you know what a malfunctioning filter/skimmer can do.

Invest in: large diverse cleanup crew. Sand sifting stars, a diamond goby, crabs and peppermint shrimp. Make sure you have plenty of live rock to deal with nutrients. I'd even keep the filter socks in place until nutrients get under control. I know you're trying to get away from that but the alternative is scheduled water changes which can be automated (smart ato).

Another seahorse trick is to run the tank a little cooler to stunt growth of bad bacteria and algae, but this would depend on your tank stocking obviously. My 125 is run at 73-74 degrees with soft coral and a couple small fish and clean-up crew. I've only cleaned the glass once in a year.

Anyways, just a couple pointers. Good luck!

I didn’t say it in my first post but the fish we have in the tank have always been fine. On the other hand the corals we’ve had in the tank are always unhappy. We have softies and even then some like a small mushroom we have are really not taking off. LPS are a no show. The acans we've had steadily decline even after weekly small feedings. So with that in mind after two years with the same provider we have decided to maintain our tank by ourselves. We decided after watching BRS that the triton method would be our best bet. With that being said... which Chaeto reactor would you say would work the best for our needs? Also why would a chaetomorpha reactor be a bad thing? Are their other alternatives? Do we not need it entirely? The only reason I have it on the list is because BRS runs it in their hybrid 160 and recommends one. Also triton’s homepage talks about needing one as well.

Sorry for the lengthy reply and questions. I just want to get this down.

FangsAndGames · Aug 13, 2020

Gyre xf250 compatible with gyre xf350?

Hello all, Is the gyre xf250 compatible with the gyre xf 350’s controller and/or vice versa? Please let me know. I currently have an icecap and a maxspect gyre and am getting rid of the icecap.

www.reef2reef.com