[GaryZ]

Well, now that I have decent light under my tank, I thought I'd rifle off a few pictures and get some feedback.

Explanations:

I was a little limited financially because I'm saving for a light. So I took what I had and created the best filtration I could. You'll notice a lack of a skimmer, thats next. I plan on going with a hang-on Aqua-C because of space limitations. My goal was to cycle the water through a re-vamped wet/dry containing some rubble rock and algae. From there, it gravity feeds into another tank which I baffled off (God, I suck a caulking). I left an empty space in between, its the future home of some MM and a few mangroves. I tried to baffle it in such a way as to promote as much flow without making things too turbulent. Seems to be working well. I can't wait to get the mud and groves. Add one more week onto my waiting time for a light.


Concerns:

It feels like 10lbs of **** in a 5lb bag. I'm hoping it will be enough to accomodate a 130gal tank. I've tested for power outages and siphon failure. I feel safe. I was hoping some of you fine people could either give me a or a :slap: . Regardless, wether its adequate or not, it was alot of fun work on.

[Reefland]

Hi Gary,

Looks like you did just fine. Here is a suggestions. Can you use the smaller, first vessel as your refugium for your sand and mangroves? If so, you might consider extending on of the drain hoses to the second vessel (thus reducing overall flow through the first) and using it as your refugium. The slightly lower flow might be more productive for a refugium with sand and algae.

[GaryZ]

Originally Posted by Reefland

Hi Gary,

Looks like you did just fine. Here is a suggestions. Can you use the smaller, first vessel as your refugium for your sand and mangroves? If so, you might consider extending on of the drain hoses to the second vessel (thus reducing overall flow through the first) and using it as your refugium. The slightly lower flow might be more productive for a refugium with sand and algae.

I appreciate the suggestion. Would you mind telling me why this would be better?

[Reefland]

Well, refugiums are considered to be homes or safe havens for delicate invertebrates to prospor without the predatory environment of the display. They are also frequently used for additional natural filtration with sand beds and algae. To this, most people try to reduce the flow through them as to not disturb the sand bed and to provide a more gentle environment. This is why I recommend to split the drains, one to the first vessel and the other going directly to the second.

[GaryZ]

Ok, I'll monkey around and see if I can't reduce the flow a bit, though I gotta say, the way I have it baffled really seems to make the second tank appear to be very, very calm. No way to be sure until I get some stuff in there though.

[Reefland]

What you see is much more concrete than what I think. How much water are pumping back to the display per hour?