Teton Mustang Ranch...a build thread

Devaji

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So were to start I have been interested in keeping SH for quite some time, however for some reason I have not done it. I have been reefing on and off for 10 years now..wow times go by go fast.
in that time I have had quite a few tanks but with moving had to take them all down. I either sold or gave them away.

my latest project is a 1.5 year 90 reef and a 1 year 20L macro algae tanks. in my macro tank I got a pretty bad case of red cotton candy algae. so my thoughts where to either tank it down or run a ATS on it to strip it of all No3 &Po4 killing the macro in the process but then do something cool with it and save the cycle once clean, like a nem tank or something...

anyway I got to thinking...OH NO thanks a costly think to do in this hobby... I thought about setting up a FW planted tank as I really like the aquascaping of those or a DSH tank.
after some research on the DSH I quickly decided that was just to much work for me at this time.
so now it was between a FW planted and a SH tank. well you know what choose i made!

so the next task was to decide on the tank and that was no easy task let me tell you. I spent the better part of 4-5 days researching, reading googling etc. there were a few good options out there but in the end I decided to go with a 40/40 setup that is 40Br DT and 40Br sump as I already had them around + a simple metal stand. I really like the foot print of these tanks lots of aquascaping options.
might as well use what I have and not drop 400-800 on a tank. it was tempting to get a matching SCA 50 starfire rimless to go with my 90 and I might some day. but for know its a 40/40 set up.

Equipment:
40br DT 40br sump
SCA 302 skimmer rated for 180 gal tank
DIY up flow ATS
jebao pp4 wave maker (might need to add 2 or a pp8?)
Rio 1700 RT pump just a little less that 10X turn over rate ( I have the pump if there is more funds I might get a better pump.)
petco metal 40/40 stand
Jager tru temp 150W or finnex HPS 200W heater ( for winter months )

Controler
rasberry PI based controller with temp probes, cam, and 8 outlet power bar

Temp control:

Jager tru temp 150W or finnex HPS 200W heater ( for winter months )
fan for cooling. during cycle
chiller if needed it will only run 2-3 months of the year so I will see if I can get by with out one, but if needed I have no problem adding one.

ATO:
10 gal res.
smart aqua ATO

lighting:
not 100% sure on this one yet but I have time to think about it.
my options are :
2x kessil A80
Reefbreeders photon V2
mars 300W black box
ocean revive It247 or some crap
4 bulb t5 fixture ( prob go with LED tho. )

Rock/sand :
again not 100% sure but I might go with 20# of live pukani from TBS with some DIY branch
or just dry pukani from BRS and DIY branch rock.

for sand I will use special grade reef sand I really like the look of it. will go with a shallow bed maybe an inch.

stocking:
I will start with one pair of CB erectus or redi have yet to decide on this one.
1x purple fire fish
1x mandarin goby

eye candy:

this will be gorg heavy system, with lots of macros and some mushrooms.
 
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Devaji

Devaji

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And the project begins...
1st step is to scrap off the black paint I had on the 4obr tank.

I tried to use what I had around but ended up running in to town to get some razor blades. Once I had that it was smoth sailing, that and the due from last night helped too!
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Devaji

Devaji

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Going to paint the back ground blue for many reason one of I like it SO MUCH MORE.
And hopfully the SH will turn yellow :)

Now to find that paint the local hardware store did not carry it, so hopefully I can track it down. It's a such a nice color used it on the 20l Marco build and love it,
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Devaji

Devaji

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I am really excited to see this build come together. I think you are wise to use the tanks and stand you already had as that will free up funds for other equipment.
Yeah I think so to after adding up the coast of a new tank and all the goodies was way over my budget.

Tomorrow I am gonna order my modular marine overflow box, skimmer.

Until them I will enjoy the sunset...
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Devaji

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well not much to report, still deciding on the lights and live rock. I was gonna go with some live pukano from TBS but I got some pics and was hoping it would be more live there are a few songes and what not but I was hoping for the purples like in the W.S 2.1 LR.

so now I have to decide my options are
dry:
pukani with a cure
All DIY
carabe sea
reef ref rock

live
pukani
w.S 2.1 from TBS shipping is 100 and price around $5 a pond not bad for nice LR.
I have 40# if it in my 90 reef I like it so might just to that.

or I might play around with the DIY then decide.

also need to order my overflow and get the tank drilled.
 
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Devaji

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well I decided on my lighting I am going with a 14K BML strip then use the aqua max nemo light as well if needed, not sure I will need that tho.
now to decide on the rock...
 

vlangel

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Some long time keepers say that you should always start a new seahorse tank with clean dead rock. I did not know that and I recycled the live rock that I had in my reef tank. I don't know if it was beginner's luck or not but my tank did just fine.
 
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Devaji

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Some long time keepers say that you should always start a new seahorse tank with clean dead rock. I did not know that and I recycled the live rock that I had in my reef tank. I don't know if it was beginner's luck or not but my tank did just fine.

hmm that is good to know. I see both side of the topic as if right now I am between waltsmith 2.1 aquacultered from TBS or the Dry real reef rock. like anything in the hobby both have there advantages and disadvantages.
 

vlangel

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I think the thought is live rock from a reef tank could be a way of transporting pathogens or dangerous hitch hikers into the seahorse tank. One knows exactly what is in a tank that is started with dry dead rock.

Having the live mature reef tank rock is full of nitrifying microbes which help safeguard against new tank syndrome and other related issues.

So you are correct, there are 2 sides and ways of looking at it. Both ways have folks who have succeeded so I don't think you can go wrong.
 
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Devaji

Devaji

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While starting with sterile rock is a great idea, it's also fun to start with live rock, especially uncured rock like this https://www.kpaquatics.com/product/aquacultured-live-rock/

I've never bought that, but I've read great things. I'll definitely purchase it for my next reef tank. Check out the reviews!

Hey Hans solo nice to see you over here too. yeah I have some of the LR from KP in my macro nano it was nice stuff but I got an out break of red cotton candy algae ( no fault from the LR) so I thought why not set up a SH tank I get macro and sh all in one. not sure why I did not do that to began with. I guess i was under the impression that Sh tanks needed to be 24" tall.
 
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Devaji

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got the skimmer ordered today lights should be here in soon.
still need to order the modular marine overflow or life reef. I did drill one of the 40br for a glass holes overflow but crack one in the process so I am a bit nervous..haha
 
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Devaji

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got the lighting in. found a good deal on a 36" 14K dim-able BML light. not the fanciest light on the market but I think it should do just fine. I like the look of these units. if i feel I need more light I can add my aquamax nemo light in the middle for extra pouch.
 
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Devaji

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more progress has been made. spending alot of time dialing in my my filtration system.
here is what I am doing:
alternative filter sock: found a nice 4" sock holder on ebay then i got a cpl of these filter media cups. (scroll all the way to the bottom ) http://the-mold-shop.com/ I will run my top self carbon and poly fill in it. I will change out and toss the poly fill every 3-4 days. or more or less if needed.
basically it's bypassing washing the socks.
skimmer:
then to my oversized SCA 302 skimmer rated for 180 gal.

algae turf scrubber :
then in the fuge section a DIY upflow ATS rated at 1-2 cubes a day.

LR or other media
will add some nice biomedia or LR/dry rock for surface area for bacteria

UV:
still not 100% sure on this one but thinking about adding a jebo 55W UV

also I think I am gonna do 30# of real reef rock for the LR I keep going back and forth between TBS and this.
but the TBS would require me to drive 100miles each way to get the rock + $100 in air fright. so I am looking at 140 just to get the LR then 5 a pound so 20# of LR would run me $240. we shall see...
 

Hans Solo

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Hey devaji. I'm interested in your raspberry pi controller. Have you designed it yourself? I have a controller I'm working on that I'm hoping to get a DIY thread up about soon.
 
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Devaji

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Hey devaji. I'm interested in your raspberry pi controller. Have you designed it yourself? I have a controller I'm working on that I'm hoping to get a DIY thread up about soon.
No it's not a DIY it's a conerical unit that was trying to come to market but not sure they are?
I'll try to get some pics up for ya
 
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Devaji

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Here are some pics, from what I understand they are stopping the cider wood and going to an aluminum housing.
Not sure they still plan to bring this to market tho...
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Devaji

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still plugging along here.
so I decided on the rocks I am going with 30# of real reef rocks.
adding a jebo 55W UV
and found these cool filter cups with I will add poly filter then toss every 3-4 days.
https://www.facebook.com/FilterMediaCup/
also found a nice acrylic sock holder on ebay so I got one for my reef as well.

still thinking about the biomedia for the sump. might go with a gallon of pond martix or just a few pices of reef saver dry rock.
 

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