Ellery's Multi-Tank System

[Ellery]

After 1.5 years of clam ups/downs I am going to re aquascape this entire system for a new theme. I have 1 Indo Squamosa and 1 Flame scallop left but this system has turned into an overflow frag tank for the most part.

To reinvigorate my interest I got some dead rock from a friend and will see what I can come up with relative to the Rule of Thirds using this grid template I made up divided into thirds in each Axes.

Goal: To setup a Nano Display concept tank that will have room to grow.

Lighting: Rebuilt Maxspect Razor 16,000 Kelvin
Flow: Start with exist flow from the returns but have a Jebao PP-4 just in case.
Substrate: CaribSea SeaFlor grade left over from other system.

Theme: May focus purely on Euphyllia since my 40B is running out of space.

or turn it into a another stick factory like my 80 Rimless

Strategy:
1. Settle on Layout and Glue Rocks to Tiles for stability
2. Add Rocks to sump to colonize bacterially 1 at a time slowly.
3. Slowly add substrate back into the tank 1 cup at a time to prevent a cycle to occur.
4. introduce Livestock - while starting off with a lower lighting intensity.

Oh Well this is what keeps us going in this hobby. This has been my shortest tank setup. My 125g is going on 23 years... still contemplating whether or not to rip that apart to restart fresh again.

 

[Ellery]

It's been a while but hear are some tank updates as of November 2021

View from my viewing chair while listening to music

50 g LowBoy Clam centric lagoon system

120g Montipora & Fairy Wrasse Dominant system

125g SPS dominant with monster Toadstool that's been with me for over 25 years.

12g Mr.Aqua Bookshelf tank for Frag Tank overflow

80g Rimless Frag Tank

Top view of 80g Frag Tank

40Breeder LPS and Anemone Tank

Top Down View of 40 Breeder LPS Anemone Tank

29g Planted with 1 Female Black Convict (needs revamp)

1.7g EcoQube C NeoCardinia Shrimp tank with 4 Endler guppies

 

[Ellery]

In 2022, I have a new project in the works. Picked up a Fluval EVO 13.5 and thinking about adding that into the system or as a separate setup. I've had a 20gLong DIY AIO I made for a bit till I upgraded that to a 50g Lowboy but as a separate system seemed more work than the automated main system.

Focus - Micromussa Lords or just species specific.

Bill of Materials: Shows what I already have

Fluval EVO 13.5 kit
Sicce 0.5 or 1.0 Return Pump Upgrade
50/100W Heater
3D Printed Random Flow nozzle Upgrade
In-Tank Chamber 1 Media Basket Upgrade
PS2 Skimmer in Chamber 2 Upgrade
3D Printed Chamber 2 Plug Upgrade
Jebao SLW-10 wavemaker Upgrade
10lbs of sand (maybe)
Kessil A80 (maybe but want to stick with the OEM hood)
Auto Aqua AWC/ATO Kit
Need to build a custom Peninsula stand if I decide not to place it in the Fish Room.
Live Rock - (Already have some in my sumps, just need to break them down to make a properly scaled aquascape for for specific live stock I choose)

Dilemma:
1. Plumb into Main system for more stability via Auto Water Changes or keep it separate?
2. Do I rework some of my existing systems since they are overgrown 1st or is that opening a can of worms that will mess up my system?

 

[Ellery]

Started some Aquascaping with live rock from my sumps.
Attempting to mock up to follow the "rule of thirds" and the 60:40 rule in terms of Open Space:Rock ratio.

 

[Ellery]

Decided to start my Fluval EVO 13.5 Build a little early to get the cycling started today with just the stock filtration setup.

1. Added the live rock I already had from my sump, though dried for aquascaping.
2. 10lbs of Dry Carib Sea Aragonite sand
3. Existing Tank water
4. Existing seeded ceramic media from main system
5. Expired Microbacter 7

Bio-Load Plan:

Coral focus will be existing extra LPS frags I have from my other systems due to lighting constraint.
1. Euphyllia (torches)
2. Frimbriaphyllia (Frogspawn, Hammers, Octos)
3. Blastomusa wellsi
4. Micromussa lordhowensis

Fish:
1. Rainfordi / Hectors goby (Filament algae removal)
2. Neon goby
3. Yellow Striped Cardinal
4. Tailspot Blenny

Invertebrates:
1. Ceriths
2. Trochus
3. Conch
4. Nessarius
5. Cleaner/Fire/Peppermint Shrimp

Was tempted to just ignore the cycle and just start adding live corals right in since they are already seeded but decided to give it a few days at least.

 

[Ellery]

Quick Updates -
Latest view from my sitting area with the Fluval EVO getting into week #10

Latest Frag Tank Top down view. It's already full again after removing quite a bit last November 2021.

Also had to cut down multiple fimbriaphyllia colonies since they were starting to shade themselves on the bottom.

Latest top down view of my Shallow Mangrove Lagoon

Still contemplating resetting the 120g and the 12g Bookshelf tank.

 

[Ellery]

May have to invest into a Gryphon XL Aquasaw at some point but hard to justify the ~$500 cost when I keep hearing they go through blades quickly @$42/each