I have been keeping marine's for 2 years now and this is my 3rd upgrade in that time. I started with a 3 x 18 x 18 then moved onto a 4 x 2 x 2'4 which is my current set up. This new 6 x 2 x 2 has been my most thought out to date and is a prelude to a 6'6 x 3 x 2'4. The bigger tank will be an in wall tank which will have a dedicated fishroom and is 2 years away, once we finally get into the new house we have just bought.
I also enjoy been involved in the community and like to give back to fellow members of our society whatever way I can. If it had not been for the likes of long time MASQ members Tone, SteveMG, Dennison, Bill and Sherro57 I would more than likely have thrown in the towel after 6 months. Been a member of MASQ has allowed me to not only to meet fellow reefers but also make some great new friends.
All of the equipment that I have purchased since moving to the 4 x 2 x 2'4 has been with a much larger tank in mind

System Objectives: I am hoping to maintain a successful mixed reef tank incorparating fish, SPS, LPS and a limited amount of softies. I like movement in my tanks and while I love the colors from SPS I can not escape the mesmorising effect LPS and some softies bring to a tank. I also like to see fish swimming around and hope to achieve the desired result through good husbandry techniquies and use of natural diltration methords such as live rock, remote DSB and refugium.
System Type: Mixed Reef
Display System:
Strike up Date: The livestock for this tank has been purchased since I started November 06. I still have the original Jardini and other corals. The 6x2x2 should be in action by mid October. 80% of the this system has been in my 4ft'er for the last 12 months or more.
Display Tank: Display tank specifications. It is a Dennison built 6x2x2 with a centre overflow. It has a 50mm drain and 25mm return hole contained within the weir. The weir is completed with an aqua medic comb and is covered by a black acrylic to enhance coraline growth. I purchased the tank 2nd hand from MASQ member Bill. It also has an adhesive black vinyl on the back wall.
My intention is to run the 25mm drain as a full syphon with a Durso back up. The return will be plumbed over the top.
Display Lighting: Still in the works. Once filled, I will be running a 6ft all in one 150watt MH light with T5 atinics and moonlights. I am hoping Tone still has his Lumenanarcs which I will purchase once the tank is up and running. I intend to still suppliment with T5's to get an appealing color balance.
Stand: The frame is a 50 x 25mm boxed steel stand. This was made by Bill and is 1020 high . I have altered it slightly to get extra hieght to accomadate my skimmer. I have also enclosed the stand after,I repainted it, with 12mm Ply. I didthis to acieve 2 things 1. Allow me to hide my equipment and 2. try to keep the noise to a minimum. Once set up, if it is still noisey I will put insulation on the inside panels to reduce the noise further. I have sanded and stained the ply in a Redwood color and is finished with a gloss.
While the cladding offers a purpose it still needed to look ok to go in the house!!!!

Hood: Open top, no hood planned at this stage. If the lights are annoying I will make a surround for the top to stop excess light shining through the room.
Sump: Sump is built by Dennison and is coppied from the many that are appearing on these pages. It is 900 x 580 x 450mm high. It is devided into four sections which comprise of the overflow -> DSB -> Media -> refugium ->return.
Refugium: See above
Refugium Lighting: 2ft power compact.
Support systems:
System Water: Natural salt water
Display Water circulation: I will have 2 x Vortex at either end. I intend to run 2 pumps around 6000lph off the side walls of the weir to blow directly into the back of the rock work to make sure I have no dead spots. Total turnover I expect to have will be around 35K lph. This does not include return.
Return Pump:Undecided but something around 3000lph at 1.6mtr head hieght.
Skimmer: Marine Sources MS-A-200-2-6540
Skimmer type:External type
Evaporation Top Up:Manual at this point. Can someone make an auto 1?

Other Equipment I will be running a Halia 1HP chiller and 1000watt Titanium heater with external Temperature control.
I will have 2 FBF running a phosphate reducer and possibly Seachem Denitrate in the other.
Chemical Support:
Calcium Addition: Calcium Reactor (Turbo Special)
Alkilinity Addition:Calcium Reactor (Turbo Special)
Other Chemical Maintenance:
None at this point.
Current Water Chemistry: If applicable
Nitrates: 10PPM
Phosphates: .17
Alkalinity: 2.96KH
Calcium: 420PPM
Salinity / Specific Gravity: 1.026
Magnesuim: 1350
These are current parameters on my 4ft system.
Images:
