The WB's 70g Custom Acrylic Supersized AIO

[JoJosReef]

Following this build now!

 

[TheWB]

Following this build now!

Cool, thanks for checking it out. I was following yours for quite some time but stopped getting updates. Just fixed that.

 

[TheWB]

I have installed the Klir-7 v1 filter roller this morning.
It appears to be functioning normally.

I’m going to remove some water today to lower the height of the water levels in the filtration area. I’ve had to run the water level very high to keep the noise level of the overflow down with just filter pads in there. I’m hoping that with the installation of the fleece roller it will be quieter with a lower water level. This will allow me to control the water height in the skimmer chamber, refugium chamber and return chamber with the adjustable baffles. Hopefully that all turns out ok. This is part of the fun of trying something new without the ability to make structural changes to the tank. There’s no do over if I’ve got the sock plate height wrong and the overflow remains noisy. Right now it’s silent but the real test will come when I lower the water level using the adjustable baffle in the skimmer chamber.

 

[tharbin]

I have installed the Klir-7 v1 filter roller this morning.
It appears to be functioning normally.

I’m going to remove some water today to lower the height of the water levels in the filtration area. I’ve had to run the water level very high to keep the noise level of the overflow down with just filter pads in there. I’m hoping that with the installation of the fleece roller it will be quieter with a lower water level. This will allow me to control the water height in the skimmer chamber, refugium chamber and return chamber with the adjustable baffles. Hopefully that all turns out ok. This is part of the fun of trying something new without the ability to make structural changes to the tank. There’s no do over if I’ve got the sock plate height wrong and the overflow remains noisy. Right now it’s silent but the real test will come when I lower the water level using the adjustable baffle in the skimmer chamber.

Is your sock plate removable? If so and you need the plate higher just let me know. I made 'spacers' when I was testing my media setup that sit on the plate rails. I have two that are 3/4" spacers and one 1/8" spacer. They would probably just drop right into your sump as your first chamber dimensions should be the same as mine.

 

[TheWB]

Is your sock plate removable? If so and you need the plate higher just let me know. I made 'spacers' when I was testing my media setup that sit on the plate rails. I have two that are 3/4" spacers and one 1/8" spacer. They would probably just drop right into your sump as your first chamber dimensions should be the same as mine.

The sock plate is not removable, it’s fixed in place. What I am probably going to need is something to allow that chamber to fill to a greater height above the sock plate. In other words I’ll need to dam up the emergency overflow opening between the first and second chambers. Similar to how you were making 3d printed inserts to close off those cord passthroughs on your tank. Or at least we talked about doing that during the design process if I’m remembering correctly. I’m not home now but I’ll take a picture later and show you the area. Honestly I could probably just get a long enough piece of scrap acrylic and superglue it to the opening and that would work fine, it just wouldn’t look as good, not that it’s very visible. It’ll make more sense with a picture.

 

[TheWB]

Here’s a couple of shots of the area in question.

Here you can see the sensor on the side of the Klir-7

and here is the emergency overflow. I can’t get a good enough angle but the problem is basically that the sensor may not get triggered befor water starts spilling out the emergency overflow. Still waiting for the fleece to clog up enough to raise the water level to the point where one or the other of those things happen.

If it spills before the sensor is triggered then I’m going to have to fill in the gap on the overflow enough to let the water reach the sensor. I can either glue in an acrylic patch or see about having a dam 3d printed. If the sock tray was another 1/2" to 1" lower this would not be an issue at all but it's too late for that.

 

[tharbin]

Here’s a couple of shots of the area in question.

Here you can see the sensor on the side of the Klir-7

and here is the emergency overflow. I can’t get a good enough angle but the problem is basically that the sensor may not get triggered befor water starts spilling out the emergency overflow. Still waiting for the fleece to clog up enough to raise the water level to the point where one or the other of those things happen.

If it spills before the sensor is triggered then I’m going to have to fill in the gap on the overflow enough to let the water reach the sensor. I can either glue in an acrylic patch or see about having a dam 3d printed. If the sock tray was another 1/2" to 1" lower this would not be an issue at all but it's too late for that.

After you get to where you know how high the dam needs to be we can get some measurements and make a dam. It's probably better to have a 3d printed (in TPU) dam than gluing on in as it would be removeable, like you mentioned a similar idea to the plugs I made for my cutouts.

 

[TheWB]

After you get to where you know how high the dam needs to be we can get some measurements and make a dam. It's probably better to have a 3d printed (in TPU) dam than gluing on in as it would be removeable, like you mentioned a similar idea to the plugs I made for my cutouts.

I'm sure the 3d printed option will be better. I'm gonna grow old waiting for the fleece to clog though. It hasn't come close to getting triggered yet. I'm gonna have to move more fish over and start feeding more. The skimmer is online and starting to pull a small amount of gunk. I tested the other day and NO3 was 2.0 and PO4 was 0.06 so there's not much of a nutrient load yet. I'm really kind in a holding pattern until the fleece gets dirty enough to see if the water level will rise enough to trigger the sensor. I'm getting tired of waiting though, lol. I just want to know if it works.

 

[TheWB]

I did a 13.5 gallon water change today and transferred the Lubbock’s Wrasse, the Royal Gramma and the Chalk Basslet from the old tank. Predictably they are freaked out and hiding. I meant to do a drip acclimation for them over about an hour but I messed it up and filled about half of a 5 gallon bucket over about 2 minutes cuz I wasn’t paying attention. Salinity was close between tanks, temp was about 2 degrees higher in the new tank. Hopefully I will get away with the quick transfer. The Filefish went through the same transfer last week and has been doing fine so I think it’ll be ok.

 

[TheWB]

Just fed a cube of Hikari Spirulina Mysis Shrinp and everyone came out to eat except for the Neon Dottyback which is nowhere to be seen. That was the most aggressive fish in the tank so it's weird. I wonder if the Lubbock's wrasse had to teach it a lesson? It didn't jump out so it's gotta be in there somewhere. Even the so far reclusive McCosker's wrasse popped out for a few bites before going back to its safe place. I was worried about the Lubbock's and the Yellow Wrasse just because it's so tiny but they seem to be getting along just fine.

Current Stocking List:
Lubbock's Fairy Wrasse.
Royal Gramma.
Chalk Basslet.
Aiptasia Eating Filefish.
Yellow Coris Wrasse.
McCosker's Flasher Wrasse.
Neon Dottyback.
Blue Damselfish.

Next week I will transfer over the Tomini Tang. I think I will also take the Black Molly and the Peppermint Shrimp out of the 20 long in the garage and redo that tank. Then I will move in the remaining zoas from the Lagoon 50 and the Clownfish who lives in the zoas. He can have his own tank with the leftover corals out in the garage until I'm ready to turn on the lights in the new tank.

I am expecting an order of Pods and Phyto from Eldredge on Tuesday so I'll add the pods and start dosing the phyto then. I'll move a few pieces of live rock from the Lagoon 50 to the refugium on the 70 to give the pods more places to live.

 

[navada718]

just fed a cube of Hikari Spirulina Mysis Shrinp and everyone came out to eat except for the Neon Dottyback which is nowhere to be seen. That was the most aggressive fish in the tank so it's weird. I wonder if the Lubbock's wrasse had to teach it a lesson? It didn't jump out so it's gotta be in there somewhere. Even the so far reclusive McCosker's wrasse popped out for a few bites before going back to its safe place. I was worried about the Lubbock's and the Yellow Wrasse just because it's so tiny but they seem to be getting along just fine.

Current Stocking List:
Lubbock's Fairy Wrasse.
Royal Gramma.
Chalk Basslet.
Aiptasia Eating Filefish.
Yellow Coris Wrasse.
McCokers Flasher Wrasse.
Neon Dottyback.
Blue Damselfish.

Next week I will transfer over the Tomini Tang. I think I will also take the Black Molly and the Peppermint Shrimp out of the 20 long in the garage and redo that tank. Then I will move in the remaining zoas from the Lagoon 50 and the Clownfish who lives in the zoos. He can have his own tank with the leftover corals out in the garage until I'm ready to turn on the lights in the new tank.

I am expecting an order of Pods and Phyto from Eldredge on Tuesday so I'll add the pods and start dosing the phyto then. I'll move a few pieces of live rock from the Lagoon 50 to the refugium on the 70 to give the pods more places to live.

Nice update. What cc do you intend to do with the 50 gallon?
Mine is just collecting dust lol

 

[TheWB]

Nice update. What cc do you intend to do with the 50 gallon?
Mine is just collecting dust lol

Thanks. There's two answers to your question.
Officially, if my wife is reading this, I'm going to sell it since we really don't have anywhere to put it.
Unofficially, like my Radion XR15 gen 4 and my pair of Reefi Uno v1's which were also supposed to get sold, its going to sit around in my garage for a long time and then probably get put into use again. The Radion is being used on the 20 long with the Tenecor DIY AIO kit in the garage. The Reefi's aren't being used right now but I could see them going back over the Lagoon 50 at some point if I weasel my way into setting it up as a dedicated Lightning Maroon Clown Pair Tank with some BTAs. Something super easy to maintain. Two fish, nems, rocks, sand, that's it. It would actually fit on my workbench next to the RODI container, I'd just have to take down the 20 long. I might sell it but more than likely I'll set it up again in some form or another, even if it's only as a frag tank. I like zoas and trading them off to the LFS for other supplies I need isn't a bad idea either.
Any plans for yours?

 

[TheWB]

I should also note that yesterday when I was doing the water change I ran into a problem. I'd placed to tank to close to an electrical outlet and the result was that I couldn't use the outlets, there wasn't enough room for the plug and I needed to plug in a pump. With 13.5 gallons out of the tank I was able to unlock the leveling castors and very easily move the tank to get it farther away from the outlet so now it can be used without issue. Score one for the decision to get the leveling castors instead of just leveling feet.

 

[TheWB]

Neon Dottyback just made an appearance to grab a bite of food but it's definitely hiding from the newcomers.

 

[navada718]

Nothing in mind. Always wanted a puffer of some sort.

 

[TheWB]

The McCoskers wrasse finally came out of hiding and ate in the open water today. Probably visible for about 2 hours. I got a couple quick iPhone pics and then as I was watching it swim and ward off some light intimidation from the blue damsel it suddenly freaked out and disappeared. I hope it comes out again during the next feeding time.

 

[TheWB]

Some updates.

The Neon Dottyback got over its issues and has rejoined the group.

The McCoskers wrasse is also much more active although it tends to stay at the opposite end of the tank from where everyone else congregates waiting for food. I have three feeding ports in the lid and I think I’m going to start varying where the food comes from so they don’t all hover in one spot.

I lost the Chalk Basslet earlier this week. It was fine at feeding time that day and then maybe an hour later it was upside down on the sandbed dead. I’m not sure how long they live but it was fully grown when I got it and I had it at least 3 years. I’m hoping it was just old age. Looked very healthy otherwise.

The LFS where I have credit for the Anemones had a very nice, and most importantly, small Flame Angelfish yesterday. I went ahead and picked it up. I got to the store at 5:15pm so by the time I got it home, floated it, ate dinner, then acclimated it to the tank it was 8:30pm and the room was dark. That allowed me to slip it into the tank without attracting a lot of attention. So far this morning the whole gang is out and the angel is swimming around exploring its new home without any attention at all from the other fish. I was concerned about the Damsel and the Dottyback, and a little about the Lubbock’s Wrasse because it chases the Damsel and Dottyback sometimes but so far no aggression from anyone.

Obligatory bad picture of the new arrival.

I'll try for some better ones later when there's more light in the room.

 

[tharbin]

Some updates.

The Neon Dottyback got over its issues and has rejoined the group.

The McCoskers wrasse is also much more active although it tends to stay at the opposite end of the tank from where everyone else congregates waiting for food. I have three feeding ports in the lid and I think I’m going to start varying where the food comes from so they don’t all hover in one spot.

I list the Chalk Basslet earlier this week. It was fine at feeding time that day and then maybe an hour later it was upside down on the sandbed dead. I’m not sure how long they live but it was fully grown when I got it and I had it at least 3 years. I’m hoping it was just old age. Looked very healthy otherwise.

The LFS where I have credit for the Anemones had a very nice, and most importantly, small Flame Angelfish yesterday. I went ahead and picked it up. I got to the store at 5:15pm so by the time I got it home, floated it, ate dinner, then acclimated it to the tank it was 8:30pm and the room was dark. That allowed me to slip it into the tank without attracting a lot of attention. So far this morning the whole gang is out and the angel is swimming around exploring its new home without any attention at all from the other fish. I was concerned about the Damsel and the Dottyback, and a little about the Lubbock’s Wrasse because it chases the Damsel and Dottyback sometimes but so far no aggression from anyone.

Obligatory bad picture of the new arrival.

I'll try for some better ones later when there's more light in the room.

Flame Angels are one of my favorites but I haven't had one in 20 years or so. It looks really good.

 

[TheWB]

Flame Angels are one of my favorites but I haven't had one in 20 years or so. It looks really good.

It’s my wife’s favorite fish and since I have that store credit it made sense. I don’t usually spend $99.00 on anything alive, fish or coral, but I thought now would be the time since the Anemones essentially paid for it. No more new fish for a while though. I feel like I’ve stocked this tank super fast but the ammonia badge never got off of yellow and nitrates are at 2.9 as of yesterday. Phosphates are a little high at 0.11 so I’m keeping an eye on that. No diatoms yet. I haven’t turned on the lights and won’t for a while but there’s plenty of ambient light in the room, tank is near a window. So far the filtration is keeping up with the bio-load. We’ll see if that lasts once my big pig Tomini Tang goes in. Probably hold off on that for another week or two. So far cooking the rock in the garage for 6 months seems to have been beneficial. I have added pods and phyto from Eldredge and just ordered some Pods from Reef by Steele. Probably get some from Dinkins as well. I want to keep adding diversity and let the tank mature. While I was out getting the Flame Angel I stopped at a different LFS and grabbed some live rock rubble, just a few pieces, cost me a cool buck fifty. Threw that into chamber three along with a handful of substrate from one of the coral flats at the LFS where I got the Flame. There was already some rubble and a couple of those porous ceramic things (I forget which brand they are) in there and I’ve got at least two more of those plus two big bags of Seachem Matrix that have been stuffed in those empty areas under the filtration chambers in the lagoon 50 for the last 4 years that will end up in there too. I’ve been adding the pods back there with the pump off and that’s also where I’m adding the phyto before the pumps go back on after feeding. Even without any macros I’m kinda hoping to get a fuge/cryptic area going in that chamber. A self sustaining pod population would be nice.

You have the room, you should get a Flame Angel. Just get it small and keep it well fed. You don’t have anything showy besides the Foxface that I can think of. Your tank needs a star.

 

[TheWB]

Today I completely drained, cleaned (sort of) and refilled the 20g long garage holding tank. It was an algae disaster and needed a reboot.
While I was at it I took a pair of coral cutters to the lexan lid that came with my Tenecor AIO kit. It had a lip which went all the way around the AIO section that trapped power cord and the ATO line so you couldn’t take the lid of without unplugging everything. I hated it. Cut off that piece and now it works much better. I also had an old Aquamaxx NF-1 laying around that I wanted to use. It won’t fit in the filtration area so I cut out some more of the lexan lid and attached it to the back wall. The skimmer never worked very well in my lagoon 50 but this tank is much smaller so I’m hoping it will work. I also added a 5# bag of Ocean Direct sand that’s been sitting in the garage for way too long. The Black Molly and the Peppermint Shrimp went back in once I was done and the temp was back to 78.

The main reason for doing all of this, besides that it was just ugly, is to make a place for the zoa colonies and the large gorgonian from the Lagoon 50. I want to take that tank down soon and get it out of the room. Since I won’t be turning the lights on over the new tank for a while that coral needs to live somewhere with a light. I’ll also be moving the misbar clownfish to the garage tank. It lives within the colony of Pink Zipper zoas and I don’t want to evict him from his longtime home. He never goes more than 3” away from the zoas. Since the other clown died (couldn’t finish a fight she started with the Tomini Tang and couldn’t recover from the scalpel cut) he just sits in that zoa patch. I’m tired of clowns anyway so into the garage he goes. Don’t really want any in the new tank.