Ellery's Multi-Tank System

Ellery · Jun 21, 2018

Background:
Been in the hobby for over 29 years. Worked at LFS during high school years and managed all saltwater livestock. Currently work as a inkjet specialist/Mechanical Systems Engineer in the printing industry. Oldest current tank (125 gallon) in this house was started since 2006 - transferred livestock that had been in a 90 gallon for 8 years previously. Oldest livestock I have are yellowtail blue damsel, Toadstool leather, and Female Solomon Island Cinnamon Clown @ ~22 years old. System is primarily SPS dominant with special interest in various Anemones, Fairy Wrasses & Tridacna clams.

Article Contributor on http://www.saltwatersmarts.com/?s=Ellery

System Description:
Volume: ~420 gallons

System:

Perfecto 125RR + Marineland 120RR +
Deep Blue 80 gallon Rimless RR+ Aqueon 40 Breeder
20 gallon DIY AIO Nano (unattached)

Controller:

Neptune APEX Classic w/ EB8(9) + WXM + Leak Detector + PM1 + PM2(2)+ Autofeeder (3), ph (2), Salinity, ORP probes
KH Guardian Pro Controller
JBJ ATO

Lighting:

125 - Maxspect Recurve 36" (2)
120 - Evergrow D120 w/ SB Reef LED panels (2) & 4 bulb x 2' T5 fixture
80 - Evergrow D120 w/ SB Reef LED Panels (2), Ecotech Radion Pro Gen 3, 4' x 4 Bulb T5 w/ ATI Blue+ and UV

40B - Kessil A80 (2)

Skimmers:

Skimz SK201 Kone (Dry Skim) w/ Avast Marine Neck Cleaner
Coral Box Cloud 9 (Wet Skim)w/ Avast Marine Neck Cleaner
Turboflotor 1000 Multi (Nano)
AquaC EV180 (emergency spare)

Sumps: Aqueon Megaflow 4 w/ Theiling RollerMat +
Trigger Systems Emerald 34 w/ Mangrove and Caulerpa Refugium & MarinePure Block

Circulation:

Reeflo Dart Hybrid (125 & 120 Main Return)
Jebao DCT 12000 (125 & 120 backup Return)
Quiet One 3000 BRS Reactor
RIO 9000 (80 Return)
Maxspect Gyres (4)
Ecotech Vortech MP40 (125)
Jebao PP8 (40B)

Chemical Filtration:

JNS2 Biopellet Reactor w/ Biospheres
BRS Dual Chamber reactor w/ BRS Rox 0.8 GAC
LaCl Doser
CPR Biopellet Reactor Nano
Chemipure
Poseidon Ozone Generator into Skimmer
Nano Bubbling

Supplementation:

RHF DIY 2 Part via 3 BRS 1.1 mL Dosers
KH Guardian Sodium Bicarbonate mix (Arm and Hammer Baking soda)
ATO w/ Kalk via TLF Kalkreactor
ATO w/ Fresh water via JBJ
BRS Kalkwasser dosing Manually via 1 gallon drip daily
Traces elements via Fiji Mud and Miracle Mud
AquaC CaRx w/ Caribsea Coarse Media (pH = 6.6)
Brightwell MicroBacter7
TLF AcroPower
Spectracide Stump Remover (Potassium Nitrates)
Glucose syrup mixture
Lugol's iodine

Feeding:

DIY Frozen Food (Asian Market 2lb assorted seafood for $9.99 + Nori + Garlic +krill)
NLS Spectrum Pellets
Hikari Mysis
BRS Coral food
DIY Frozen food Fridge Feeder

QT:

Anemone - 10 gallon + Sponge filter w/ PFO 250W DE MH
Fish - 20 gallon L + sponge filter + Sea Clone 100 skimmer
Bayer , Melafix, CoralRx

Water Parameter Targets:

Salinity - 35 ppt
Alkalinity - 9 dkH
Calcium - 465 ppm
Magnesium - 1400 ppm
Nitrates - 2-5 ppm
PO4 - 0.03-0.05 ppm

Salt water:

Instant Ocean 200 gallon boxes but will be transitioning to LiveAquaria 205 gallon boxes
5 Stage RO system @ 150 gpd + BRS 75 gpd waste water saver upgrade
Using 2 Norwesco 100 gallon water tanks

Water Changes:

BiWeekly gravel vacuum of 10 gallons from 40B
5 gallons gravel vacuum in nano

Tank #1 - 125 gallon SPS & Tang dominant system (in wall)

Tank#2 - 120 gallon Birdsnest and Fairy Wrasse Dominant Tank

Tank#3 - 80 gallon rimless Frag Tank

Top down view

Tank#4 - 40Breeder Anemone & LPS

Top Down View

Tank #5 - 20 gallon AIO Nano ULM setup

Fish Room: (Rear view)

Next Project: Winter 2018

Purchase Klir Fleece filter for Trigger systems sump
Integrate a 12 gallon Mr Aqua Tridacna Clam Raceway into the system
Debate on upgrading to NEW APEX and Trident system

NY_Caveman · Jun 21, 2018

Ellery said:
Background:
Been in the hobby for over 29 years. Worked at LFS during high school years and managed all saltwater livestock. Currently work as a inkjet specialist/Mechanical Systems Engineer in the printing industry. Oldest current tank (125 gallon) in this house was started since 2006 - transferred livestock that had been in a 90 gallon for 8 years previously. Oldest livestock I have are yellowtail blue damsel, Toadstool leather, and Female Solomon Island Cinnamon Clown @ ~22 years old. System is primarily SPS dominant with special interest in various Anemones, Fairy Wrasses & Tridacna clams.

Article Contributor on http://www.saltwatersmarts.com/?s=Ellery

System Description:
Volume: ~420 gallons

System:

Perfecto 125RR + Marineland 120RR +

Deep Blue 80 gallon Rimless RR+ Aqueon 40 Breeder

20 gallon DIY AIO Nano (unattached)

Controller:

Neptune APEX Classic w/ EB8(9) + WXM + Leak Detector + PM1 + PM2(2)+ Autofeeder (3), ph (2), Salinity, ORP probes

KH Guardian Pro Controller

JBJ ATO

Lighting:

125 - Maxspect Recurve 36" (2)

120 - Evergrow D120 w/ SB Reef LED panels (2) & 4 bulb x 2' T5 fixture

80 - Evergrow D120 w/ SB Reef LED Panels (2), Ecotech Radion Pro Gen 3, 4' x 4 Bulb T5 w/ ATI Blue+ and UV

40B - Kessil A80 (2)

Skimmers:

Skimz SK201 Kone (Dry Skim) w/ Avast Marine Neck Cleaner

Coral Box Cloud 9 (Wet Skim)w/ Avast Marine Neck Cleaner

Turboflotor 1000 Multi (Nano)

AquaC EV180 (emergency spare)

Sumps: Aqueon Megaflow 4 w/ Theiling RollerMat +
Trigger Systems Emerald 34 w/ Mangrove and Caulerpa Refugium & MarinePure Block

Circulation:

Reeflo Dart Hybrid (125 & 120 Main Return)

Jebao DCT 12000 (125 & 120 backup Return)

Quiet One 3000 BRS Reactor

RIO 9000 (80 Return)

Maxspect Gyres (4)

Ecotech Vortech MP40 (125)

Jebao PP8 (40B)

Chemical Filtration:

JNS2 Biopellet Reactor w/ Biospheres

BRS Dual Chamber reactor w/ BRS Rox 0.8 GAC

LaCl Doser

CPR Biopellet Reactor Nano

Chemipure

Poseidon Ozone Generator into Skimmer

Nano Bubbling

Supplementation:

RHF DIY 2 Part via 3 BRS 1.1 mL Dosers

KH Guardian Sodium Bicarbonate mix (Arm and Hammer Baking soda)

ATO w/ Kalk via TLF Kalkreactor

ATO w/ Fresh water via JBJ

BRS Kalkwasser dosing Manually via 1 gallon drip daily

Traces elements via Fiji Mud and Miracle Mud

AquaC CaRx w/ Caribsea Coarse Media (pH = 6.6)

Brightwell MicroBacter7

TLF AcroPower

Spectracide Stump Remover (Potassium Nitrates)

Glucose syrup mixture

Lugol's iodine

Feeding:

DIY Frozen Food (Asian Market 2lb assorted seafood for $9.99 + Nori + Garlic +krill)

NLS Spectrum Pellets

Hikari Mysis

BRS Coral food

DIY Frozen food Fridge Feeder

QT:

Anemone - 10 gallon + Sponge filter w/ PFO 250W DE MH

Fish - 20 gallon L + sponge filter + Sea Clone 100 skimmer

Bayer , Melafix, CoralRx

Water Parameter Targets:

Salinity - 35 ppt

Alkalinity - 9 dkH

Calcium - 465 ppm

Magnesium - 1400 ppm

Nitrates - 2-5 ppm

PO4 - 0.03-0.05 ppm

Salt water:

Instant Ocean 200 gallon boxes but will be transitioning to LiveAquaria 205 gallon boxes

5 Stage RO system @ 150 gpd + BRS 75 gpd waste water saver upgrade

Using 2 Norwesco 100 gallon water tanks

Water Changes:

BiWeekly gravel vacuum of 10 gallons from 40B

5 gallons gravel vacuum in nano

Tank #1 - 125 gallon SPS & Tang dominant system (in wall)

Tank#2 - 120 gallon Birdsnest and Fairy Wrasse Dominant Tank

Tank#3 - 80 gallon rimless Frag Tank

Top down view

Tank#4 - 40Breeder Anemone & LPS

Top Down View

Tank #5 - 20 gallon AIO Nano ULM setup

Fish Room: (Rear view)

Next Project: Winter 2018

Purchase Klir Fleece filter for Trigger systems sump

Integrate a 12 gallon Mr Aqua Tridacna Clam Raceway into the system

Debate on upgrading to NEW APEX and Trident system

That is truly beautiful. Great job!

NY_Caveman · Jun 21, 2018

I have been using the LiveAquaria salt for months on some rocks I am maturing. I really like it. I always let it mix a while, but the overall parameters are right about at my targets.

crashegordon · Jun 21, 2018

That is one amazing and beautiful setup. I have a 180 and am plumbing in a 90 gallon to the same system and this is just amazing. The amount of work you have done, wow. Love it!

crashegordon · Jun 21, 2018

Also I switched to the new Apex like it much better than my Apex Gold.

Ellery · Jun 22, 2018

NY_Caveman said:
I have been using the LiveAquaria salt for months on some rocks I am maturing. I really like it. I always let it mix a while, but the overall parameters are right about at my targets.

Thanks for the comments and good to hear about the LiveAquaria salt. Been using Instant Ocean for over 20 years since it was cheap and I dose anyways but a 200 gallon box only makes 160 gallons at 35ppt so I looked for others.

Ellery · Jun 22, 2018

crashegordon said:
That is one amazing and beautiful setup. I have a 180 and am plumbing in a 90 gallon to the same system and this is just amazing. The amount of work you have done, wow. Love it!

Thanks Crash for the feedback... Yes I will have to see if I can justify the New Apex with Trident in the future but it's a big cost to swallow. I may get it just to act as a Dosing controller and monitor first before I switch the Classic out.

I would love to re-do my entire system to make it alot neater now that I have accumulated all the things I really needed but it would require a total system crash for me to justify it.

At this rate all I do is keep adding stuff on

Ellery · Jul 14, 2018

I am too anxious so I decided to start my winter project :clam tank early.

12 Gallon Clam Raceway Project

Project Goal: Develop a dedicated Tridacna Clam tank that is connected to the main system.

The Goal is to emulate this fine example by Scorched on NanoReef.com even though I am plumbing to my existing 420 gallon system.

Bill of Materials:

Mr Aqua 12 gallon rimless -low iron glass (BRS $125 Ordered)
36” x 13”x 28” Stand (Petco Ordered)
Maxspect Razor 420 w/ hanging Kit (Existing)
Quiet One 3000 or RIO 3100 (750/900 gph) (Existing)
1” JT Mfg Bulkhead Suction Screen (Amazon) Drain
1” Double Threaded Bulkheads x 2 (BRS) Drain
1” Plug Caps x 2 (BRS) Drain
1” Manifold PVC Tee Slip x Slip x MIPT x 2 (Amazon)Drain
1” Formufit Black PVC pipe x 1 x 5’ lengths (Formufit) Drain
1” Union x 3 (BRS) Drain
1” Formufit Orange PVC pipe x 3 x 5’ lengths (Formufit)Drain
Cepex 1” True Union Ball valve (BRS) x 1 (Drain)
1/2” Double Threaded Bulkheads x 2 (BRS)Return
1/2” Sch80 90 degree Elbows x 6 (BRS) Return
1/2” Formufit Black PVC pipe x 2 x 5’ lengths (Formufit) Return
1/2” Union x 2 (BRS) Return
1/2” Formufit Orange PVC pipe x 2 x 5’ lengths (Formufit)Return
3/4” Formufit Orange PVC pipe x 1 x 5’ lengths (Formufit) Return
3/4” x 3/4” Sch 80 Tee Slip x Slip x Slip x 2 (BRS) Return
Cepex 3/4” True Union Ball valve (BRS) x 1 (Return)
3/4” to 1/2” Reducers x 3 (BRS) Return & Reactor
Cepex 1/2” True Union Ball valve (BRS) x 1 (Manifold)
3/4” Wye Check Valve (BRS) Return
3/4” Union x 1 (BRS) Return
Black Gloss Spray Paint
Substrate = Reborn Coral Rubble 44lbs (BRS $99) or just Ceramic Tiles
Jebao DCP 6500 (1710 gph) (Amazon)

Ellery · Jul 14, 2018

Got some of my materials and had to itch to at least build the stand tonight.

NY_Caveman · Jul 14, 2018

Ellery said:
Got some of my materials and had to itch to at least build the stand tonight.

Awesome. I love those rimless tanks. They are simple, elegant and well made.

Ellery · Jul 14, 2018

Got it in position today and pulled out one of the old Maxspect R420R 16K. Pending how it looks I may hang it but I also don't want the light spreading beyond the tank if it's too high. Clams are meant to be seen from top down so will try to focus on that.

I will also need to relocate my Anthony Calfo Anemone Poster to avoid any moisture and light damage long term. Already moved the dehumidifier which was originally in that corner.

Next Step:
Drilling the tank for the 2x 1" Drains and 2 x 1/2" Returns

Fin · Jul 14, 2018

Awesome!

Ellery · Jul 15, 2018

crashegordon said:
Also I switched to the new Apex like it much better than my Apex Gold.

How much of a pain was it to convert? Seems like you'd have to manually reprogram everything and can't just restore a saved configuration due to some compatibility differences.
I will eventually make the switch if I really want to get the Trident but that's a huge investment of $800 + $600

Ellery · Jul 17, 2018

Drilled the tank and inserted the bulkheads tonight.

Next Step:
- Cut out the plumbing port holes in the cabinet sides.
- Size and dry fit the 2 drains and 2 returns to the 2nd sump.

Ellery · Jul 23, 2018

So I was able to get all my plumbing done and filled it tonight.
I added some leftover ceramic tiles on the bottom of the tank just in case some byssal threads end up reaching the bottom and attaching down there and filled with a 1" layer of TLF Reborn Coral media.
I also reprogrammed the lighting to more daylight color spectrum but since this is a Maxspect R420R 16,000K I may just bring it down to more of a 15,000K to start.
The current clams (2x Tridacna squamosas, and 2 Tridacna croceas) are lit off of a Kessil A80 in a 40B so I will transfer them over next once I am certain everything is well balanced.

While I was at it I also cleaned up some messes in my sump for better access and serviceability. I figured it needed to be done at least once every 12 years.

Ellery · Jul 23, 2018

Note to self- Never attempt to paint PVC since it comes out scratched up and doesn't glue well. Next time I will actually by the furniture grade pre-colored PVC even though it costs more. For now fit-form-and function is good enough since my system is not a new build per se.

Ellery · Jul 27, 2018

Transferred my existing clams over to start: 2 Tridacna Squamosas and 2 Tridacna croceas.
Will be looking for at least one of each of the following: Tridacna derasa, Tridacna maxima, Tridacna gigas and Hippopus hippopus.

Don't usually order from online sources but may have to in order to obtain these if I can't get my LFS to order any for me.

Ellery · Aug 3, 2018

Decided to move all my montipora digitata (Forest Fire, Peach, and German Blues) and a bunch of other frags over since my Frag tank is too full. They may color up better in here with more intense lighting.

Added some Clean up and maintenance fish: Tailspot blenny, Rainfordi Goby, and Orchid Dottyback for Bristle Worm control. Also pickup up a nice size Tridacna Derasa.

Ellery · Aug 25, 2018

Just made my 1st order ever from LiveAquaria.com for 5 clams (2x Hippopus hippopus, Ultra Gold Maxima, Cocos Aquacultured Blue/Purple Maxima, and Tiger striped Derasa) I received the shipment yesterday morning but unfortunately 2 of 5 didn't make it past day 1. One of the Hippopus was bad right out after the recommended drip acclimation (as you can see on the left most clam next to the good one) and the primary reason I ordered was for a Cocos Blue/Purple clam but it gaped;Dead this morning but the Ultra Gold Maxima and Derasa was fine.

I am waiting for a response from [email protected] on the 14 Day Arrive Alive/Stay Alive warranty claim. I am glad they have such a warranty since it makes buying online less risky since it's already risky enough worrying about the shipping/handling. UPS clearly didn't read the Up Arrow on the boxes since the delivery woman handed the 2 boxes to me upside down from the truck.

Also on a downside, I found my Tailspot blenny carpet surfing ;Dead when I came back from being away for a week vacation. I really don't want to put a screen on the top of this tank but I may have to if I want another herbivore blenny. So the only algae eaters left are the Rainfordi goby and the 5 Trochus snails...

Question: Does anyone have any other suggestions for algae control in this clam tank? Would it be worth adding a tiger cucumber or anything that would help keep the substrate cleaner?

Once I get a replacement for the Cocos Maxima and Hippopus I will be done with my clam additions to let things run their course.

Ellery · Oct 8, 2018

Got some Jumbo Maximas finally from UniqueCorals. Unfortunately it's been difficult to acquire clams these days and they are just so finicky. Just as I got these 2 my derasa died the next night. Not sure if there's infections from wild clams or not.

At this point I have lost at least 7/8 clams purchased throught LA DD (luckily the warranty covered at least 6 of 8) and the 1 derasa I got from a LFS that was good but somehow slowly withered away. To make my collection complete I still need 1 more squamosa and 2 Derasas.

Also had to replenish the carpet surfers with another Rainfordi goby and a Royal gramma for bristleworm control. I accidentally froze my orchid dottyback in one of the dead clams, didn't see him till I pulled the clam out of the freezer..Ugh