60 gallon frag system build

[Frankie]

Hey everyone! Sorry to be away for so long. I have been busy. The cold weather is kicking in and I am starting to think about finishing up this system already before the wife makes me bring it back out to the garage.
So basically to get it running I need to order up some pumps and get the plumbing glued up. Once it is functional I can take my time and do the trim and everything. The goal for now is to get some saltwater running again and a few fish to make the wife happy.
I will be working on stuff all week so I will post up some new pictures along the way.

I went hunting all week last week and got back in last night. I took a few cell video's so you can see what upstate sc looks like.
Bagged a Doe btw

 

[Peppie]

WHERES THE MEAT??????

Glad to hear you are getting back to your build.

BBRRRinggg It OOONNNNN.

 

[Frankie]

WHERES THE MEAT??????

Glad to hear you are getting back to your build.

BBRRRinggg It OOONNNNN.

Lol! The meats in the cooler still on ice. I still need to freeze it and cut it into somthing the wife can work with. Gonna go one more time since the season ends in three weeks.
The doe wasnt somthing i would take a picture of. One of the other hunters got an 8 point buck. Not bad. Maybe next time i will see one.

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[Guerry]

what pumps are you looking to buy? I've got quite the collection of Blue Lines and may be able save you some money

 

[Darthv247]

damn how did i miss this build so long. great work frankie. glad to see you getting your hands wet again. cant wait to see you and your build in action on some frags !

Are you going to be using live rock in the tank or just the zeovit ?

 

[Frankie]

damn how did i miss this build so long. great work frankie. glad to see you getting your hands wet again. cant wait to see you and your build in action on some frags !

Are you going to be using live rock in the tank or just the zeovit ?

Good question Darth, I am not to sure just yet about the zeo. Mike has my head all screwed up about that stuff and I am thinking of doing something similar, just not what they sell in the blue bottles. Basically I will be using the zeolites but the carbon source and bacteria will be from another source.
I doubt I will be using rock in this system. It's not needed for what this system will be used for. Growing corals out for my main display.
I have been thinking a lot about building a new large reef tank. So I want to get this one totally complete before spring time and then start the big build.

As for pumps Guerry I will be using Quiet Ones for return, skimmer and closed loop. The calcium reactor is done already and has an Ehiem on it and thats it. Very little power needed to run this system. I may take you up on your offer though come summer for the bigger build.

Rhodes has been talking about making a trip down there soon to visit you. I'm sure I will be going along for the ride!

Tonight I will be finishing up the skimmer with glue and all. I was going to mod it some more but after firing it up last night I am happy with how it performs. Good enough for this build anyhow. I will build a new one for the new system later next year after all you skimmer builders finish figuring out your current problems so I can improve upon it

I will do a video of the skimmer tomorrow after the glue cures up.

Frank

 

[Darthv247]

sweet man ! yah no need to rush on the main tank. take your time getting your frags started growing etc while you plan and piece together your big tank

 

[user 2204]

Awesome Frankie, Can't wait to see your build completed and see the skimmer in action. How did those colored twisted pipes come out?

Cheers,
Alex

 

[Rhodes19]

Cool beans Frank,

I'm glad your back. I'll be over for some venison soon!! LOL. Glad to hear you got your skimmer done. I'll have to come over and check it out. Get your fish soon though, you know about Tidelines but I found out that Age of Aquariums is closing with in a week or so. There won't be any real fish stores if they both close. Oh, got some acrylic for my SWC. I need to come over and play some weekend.

 

[Frankie]

The twisted pipes came out pretty cool. I will get some pictures up soon of that.
Sorry no video yet, i finished the skimmer late last night and want the glues to cure up. I will take a ride to the ocean tomorrow night and get some saltwater to test it in and show you all how it came out.
Yeah, bummer Chris about the lfs situation here, it seems to be happening all over now.
I have a leg for you if you feel like carving up some before i freeze it. Let me know.

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[Frankie]

Sorry for the delay, I had a glue down floor come in and jumped on it. Thank God! Christmas is saved

I will get the saltwater today and get that video going tomorrow of the skimmer.

Here's a great song for the holidays to keep you entertained until then.

 

[Frankie]

OK here's the skimmer. It still needs to break in over night but I am happy with the results.

 

[mojoreef]

Looking good, why dont you tell us the equipment on it?? Pump and size and so on


Mike

 

[Frankie]

I thought I said it in the video. I made two I guess I didn't say it in the second one.

The pump is a Life Guard Quietone 3000. It pushes 819 gph.
unmodified a single beckett needs over 1500 gph to create any kind of foam. I was able to drop that down to the 819 gph and think it may run also at 600 but need a pump to check.

 

[user 2204]

That is awesome looking Frankie.

Cheers,
Alex

 

[Krish]

Mr Lucci!!! Looking good!!!


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[Frankie]

Thanks guys!

The micro bubbles are not going away apparently. Time for some surgery~

I will shoot some pic's of the modification at the end of the week after I get back from hunting Thursday.

IF I can keep the bubbles from escaping I think this unit will run on a Quietone 2200 which will get me down to 594 gph max/404gph min. The Quietone 1200 does 296gph but I am not to sure it will make the cut even if that falls in Mojo's numbers for proper contact time. What is your take on the 2200 @ 594gph Mike?

 

[Rhodes19]

Looking good Frank. Can't wait to see your whole system up and running.

 

[Frankie]

Same here lol!
When you coming over for some venison?

Reduction of the air intake seems to have improved the density of the bubbles. The foam head is much thicker now. I think i am going to attach a ball valve and back the water volume down to see how little volume the beckett can run on. I need a flow meter, anyone have a link for what i am looking for?
As for the Mico bubbles, removal of the outer ring surroundings the bubble plate has helped that a lot. I may need to install a riser on the bubble plate if it is not 100% bubble free.

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[Peppie]

Frankie, Your skimmer is awesome. I am sure you can get rid of the micro bubbles with a little tweeking. Of coarse the less flow of water in and out is better for dwell time. That will be easier to adjust tan getting rid of the micro bubbles.
Aint it great when a plan comes together??
Keep us posted.