A Golden Reef Tank (v2)
- Thread starter halmus
- Start date
It was great getting to check out this phenomenal system, and I appreciate your hospitality!
For something like this I would recommend a mixture of "mud" (miracle mud or refugium mud [caribsea brand]) and oolite media for the first 2-3" and then transition to another inch or two of pure oolite sand (http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-04/sl/index.php). The oolitic or sugar fine sands will be the closest (I think) that we can get to the optimum range of 0.05-0.2mm, hoping for an average of about 0.1mm (Sandbed Secrets, Ron Shimek, pg. 19, 27).
What are the dimensions of the sump? We can use a sand bed calculator to figure out roughly how much of each to buy, I would shoot for a 4-5" sandbed in the main area and use the raised portion for mangroves. I also think re-plumbing the input drain to the left side of the fuge to push flow across the seagrass bed/mangroves area would be a good idea (but a powerhead could also be used if needed).
Since the current rubble rock has such a good variety of life I think saving it and reusing it would be the best. Creating 1 or two mounds of stacked rubble rock will give pods a safe haven to hide/reproduce in when future fish are added.
For something like this I would recommend a mixture of "mud" (miracle mud or refugium mud [caribsea brand]) and oolite media for the first 2-3" and then transition to another inch or two of pure oolite sand (http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-04/sl/index.php). The oolitic or sugar fine sands will be the closest (I think) that we can get to the optimum range of 0.05-0.2mm, hoping for an average of about 0.1mm (Sandbed Secrets, Ron Shimek, pg. 19, 27).
What are the dimensions of the sump? We can use a sand bed calculator to figure out roughly how much of each to buy, I would shoot for a 4-5" sandbed in the main area and use the raised portion for mangroves. I also think re-plumbing the input drain to the left side of the fuge to push flow across the seagrass bed/mangroves area would be a good idea (but a powerhead could also be used if needed).
Since the current rubble rock has such a good variety of life I think saving it and reusing it would be the best. Creating 1 or two mounds of stacked rubble rock will give pods a safe haven to hide/reproduce in when future fish are added.
That sounds like the perfect way to do it mural, you can even mix in a little oolite with the mud too to make that layer thicker.
It looks like the fiji mud has been discontinued through BRS, but marine depot has some left. A 2" layer of pure mud would be ~75lbs worth (according to marine depot sandbed calculator). I'd shoot for maybe 40lbs of total mud (you could mix all 3 types of mud) miracle mud comes in 10lb bags (x2), refugium mud comes in 1 gallon containers (~5lb) (x2), and Fiji mud comes in 6lb containers (x2); mixing the mud with some oolite should get close to 2.5-3" and cap it off with a 1-2" top of pure oolite sand. The sandbed calculator estimates 150lbs of sand for a 4" sandbed. I think 120lbs of oolite sand and 40lbs of mud would be close to the perfect amount to get a good DSB going in the refugium.
It looks like the fiji mud has been discontinued through BRS, but marine depot has some left. A 2" layer of pure mud would be ~75lbs worth (according to marine depot sandbed calculator). I'd shoot for maybe 40lbs of total mud (you could mix all 3 types of mud) miracle mud comes in 10lb bags (x2), refugium mud comes in 1 gallon containers (~5lb) (x2), and Fiji mud comes in 6lb containers (x2); mixing the mud with some oolite should get close to 2.5-3" and cap it off with a 1-2" top of pure oolite sand. The sandbed calculator estimates 150lbs of sand for a 4" sandbed. I think 120lbs of oolite sand and 40lbs of mud would be close to the perfect amount to get a good DSB going in the refugium.
Mud is ordered.
I'm looking at sand options. Any recommendations? I'm looking at Fiji Pink (o.5-1.5mm) vs Bahamas Oolite (0.25-1.0). I know grain size plays a part in a healthy sandbed (deep).
When it comes time to remodel the fuge, should I plan on having a starter package of critters on hand right away? Or, worry about getting the sandbed in place and then place an order for the critters? I obviously already have a lot of life in the fuge. I'm just not sure how much is there in the sandbed because I have a really course material in there now. It's not an ideal habitat for the sand dwelling critters.
I'm looking at sand options. Any recommendations? I'm looking at Fiji Pink (o.5-1.5mm) vs Bahamas Oolite (0.25-1.0). I know grain size plays a part in a healthy sandbed (deep).
When it comes time to remodel the fuge, should I plan on having a starter package of critters on hand right away? Or, worry about getting the sandbed in place and then place an order for the critters? I obviously already have a lot of life in the fuge. I'm just not sure how much is there in the sandbed because I have a really course material in there now. It's not an ideal habitat for the sand dwelling critters.
I would recommend the Bahama oolite, the Fiji pink is a little larger than what you'd like to see for a DSB.
Hmm that's a good question. I was thinking it might matter if you decided to take the fuge offline or just leave it running after set up, but im not sure if it matters. You have a highly established aquarium so I think it would be fine if they were there to add after the sandbed is later down. Do you remember what sand you used to originally set up the refugium? I can't remember what the grain size was like when I looked at it.
Hmm that's a good question. I was thinking it might matter if you decided to take the fuge offline or just leave it running after set up, but im not sure if it matters. You have a highly established aquarium so I think it would be fine if they were there to add after the sandbed is later down. Do you remember what sand you used to originally set up the refugium? I can't remember what the grain size was like when I looked at it.
Sand is ordered. I’ll have everything on hand in the next week or so. Think I’ll hold off on ordering the sandbed critters until everything is swapped out. Planning on the remodel happening after Reefstock.
I think we’ll take a majority of the existing substrate out. It’s a mixture of large particle junk from previous projects. Save some to seed the new sand.
I’ll clean, dry out, and store the rest later. I use a DIY sifter like a gold miner to sort the various substrate sizes. (Sounds like a summer project).
Since I tried to design the system to be fairly modular, I’ll be able to isolate the fuge for a few days/weeks. Currently, there is a line on the far left side of the tank where the display system feeds into the tank. I also have a Vectra that pulls water from the fuge center overflow and directs it back into the fuge under the cave structure. So, a pseudo closed-loop.
I’ll turn off the feed from the display and turn off the drain line back to the display system sump. Isolation complete. Throw in a heater and another flow pump if needed. I might see an impact to the display Ph without the fuge online but I’ll just have to monitor that.
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Ever since I built the system, I had planned on the fuge being a place for pipefish or maybe seahorses. I just didn’t have success growing anything other than the slimy hair algae, a little kelp, and mangroves. Hopefully I can get some seagrass growing and the mangroves transplanted. The kelp will remain. Outcompete the junk algae. Probably won’t go with seahorses because I don’t think I have the time right now to ensure they’re getting proper nutrition. Pipefish only when I feel comfortable that the system is healthy for them. Maybe a mated pair of Ruby Red Dragonetes.
I think we’ll take a majority of the existing substrate out. It’s a mixture of large particle junk from previous projects. Save some to seed the new sand.
I’ll clean, dry out, and store the rest later. I use a DIY sifter like a gold miner to sort the various substrate sizes. (Sounds like a summer project).
Since I tried to design the system to be fairly modular, I’ll be able to isolate the fuge for a few days/weeks. Currently, there is a line on the far left side of the tank where the display system feeds into the tank. I also have a Vectra that pulls water from the fuge center overflow and directs it back into the fuge under the cave structure. So, a pseudo closed-loop.
I’ll turn off the feed from the display and turn off the drain line back to the display system sump. Isolation complete. Throw in a heater and another flow pump if needed. I might see an impact to the display Ph without the fuge online but I’ll just have to monitor that.
———-
Ever since I built the system, I had planned on the fuge being a place for pipefish or maybe seahorses. I just didn’t have success growing anything other than the slimy hair algae, a little kelp, and mangroves. Hopefully I can get some seagrass growing and the mangroves transplanted. The kelp will remain. Outcompete the junk algae. Probably won’t go with seahorses because I don’t think I have the time right now to ensure they’re getting proper nutrition. Pipefish only when I feel comfortable that the system is healthy for them. Maybe a mated pair of Ruby Red Dragonetes.
NDaquarist came over yesterday to help out with the refugium remodel. Thanks!
We pulled out the old substrate in the lower section of the tank. Pulled out a lot of junk algae and saved a little cheato to re-seed the tank.
Then mud! Lots of mud. Used a mix of Fiji mud, miracle mud, and two others for the base layer.
We pulled out the old substrate in the lower section of the tank. Pulled out a lot of junk algae and saved a little cheato to re-seed the tank.
Then mud! Lots of mud. Used a mix of Fiji mud, miracle mud, and two others for the base layer.
The lower mangroves are just in a temporary position. I’m going to mount an acrylic rod horizontally across the face of the overflow and bend it slightly to follow a gentle curve along the back. Then secure the mangroves to the rod while they root.
That will give a natural backdrop to the tank with the root systems as they grow together.
Next is to order some sea grass.
I was watching videos of garden eels and got excited for a bit. Then realized that it probably wouldn’t be good for them to burrow down into the mud.
So, I’ll probably end up with pipefish in this tank or maybe some other fish I wouldn’t want in the display. Cowfish? This tank is still a refugium but it’s probably going to end up being more of a secondary display before I’m done. Just different part of the marine ecosystem.
That will give a natural backdrop to the tank with the root systems as they grow together.
Next is to order some sea grass.
I was watching videos of garden eels and got excited for a bit. Then realized that it probably wouldn’t be good for them to burrow down into the mud.
So, I’ll probably end up with pipefish in this tank or maybe some other fish I wouldn’t want in the display. Cowfish? This tank is still a refugium but it’s probably going to end up being more of a secondary display before I’m done. Just different part of the marine ecosystem.
I'm always happy to help, it was a fun Saturday. The tank looks so great! I'm honestly surprised how quickly the aquarium settled.
I think raising the water level another 4-6 inches would be exactly what you need. The manatee grass will grow as tall as 14" so allowing it to get close to that natural height will be perfect. You might also look at getting one of the flat nozzle for the locline to widen the flow across the seagrass bed.
When do you plan on adding it to the rest of the system?
I think raising the water level another 4-6 inches would be exactly what you need. The manatee grass will grow as tall as 14" so allowing it to get close to that natural height will be perfect. You might also look at getting one of the flat nozzle for the locline to widen the flow across the seagrass bed.
When do you plan on adding it to the rest of the system?