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Thread: adding ATS to bio filtered mixed reef

  1. #1

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    adding ATS to bio filtered mixed reef

    afters stumbling across an old thread on another forum, i have been reading here. i have decided to try breeding marine bettas in my mixed reef which has become increasingly stocked with non photosynthetic corals. i already do not run a skimmer - instead i have a very deep sand bed fuge with mangroves. i wanted to boost pod population and increase the nitrogen processing capacity of the tank to accommodate the heavier feeding i will have to do for the nps corals and the fry once i get to that point (since they will be housed in a rearing chamber plumbed into the whole system. the total water volume is about 320 gallons with the display size of 240 gallons.

    here is the design i have come up with - still have to add the pvc drains that will take the water into the sump. this will be run with one of my two drain lines (about 800gph). it is a 24" wide screen. the bottom section will be filled with live rock rubble.


  2. #2

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    Re: adding ATS to bio filtered mixed reef

    Welcome to the site!
    A few questions, is 24" the widest part, or the thinnest part? 24" wide for 800gph is perfect for flow.
    How tall is the screen too? If the thinnest part is 24" you really want the whole thing to be 10" tall or more, if the widest part is 24" then you'll need to make it taller (15"?)
    Don't forget to light it on both sides.

  3. #3

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    Re: adding ATS to bio filtered mixed reef

    yep, the widest part is 24" and the total height of the screen is right at 10". planning on putting a plant grow fluorescent tube (24") on each side. also, i will be filling the bottom of the box (up to the bottom of the screen) with live rock rubble to provide plenty of pod growout space. i wont be relying on this as my only filtration, the dsb fuge full of mangroves will stay in the system. currently i have been skimmerless for at least three months with a heavy fish load and feeding four times a day, so it is doing a pretty good job already. i have right at 30 fish including a 30"+ zebra moray eel in the display.

  4. #4

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    Re: adding ATS to bio filtered mixed reef

    You may want to try and make it taller if you can, it's likely the water flow won't properly cover the sides. Also, you will need more than one tube either side, careful on the colour temperature of the grow lights, make sure they're "warm" around 3000-4000k.
    The liverock rubble is probably a good idea for trapping the pods in.

  5. #5

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    Re: adding ATS to bio filtered mixed reef

    thanks for the tips. unfortunately, there is no space in my stand to make it taller. hopefully it will be efficient enought to help filter the water along with the existing fuge.

  6. #6
    kcress's Avatar
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    Re: adding ATS to bio filtered mixed reef

    I can not figure out what I'm seeing in that photo. Completely perplexing. Got a farther back shot?

  7. #7

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    Re: adding ATS to bio filtered mixed reef

    I think it's not finished yet =)

  8. #8
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    Re: adding ATS to bio filtered mixed reef

    Since only the center of the screen will be used (the flow will not make it out to the ends), and since you have a heavy load, double up on the lighting on both sides. I'd try to get 100W of CFL 2700K on each side (total 200W). Your eyes will not see the brighness, but the photosynthesis will. Double up on the screen thickness too.

  9. #9

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    Re: adding ATS to bio filtered mixed reef

    thanks for the suggestions, i will keep them in mind if i need to tweak it. i got it installed and it is working well. just like you suggested, the water doesnt make it all the way to the edges, but it is sheeting down the middle 18" (or so). i have more screen that i can add to double, but i was wondering why do you suggest that?

    anyway, here are the pics

    before

    installed and running - still havent put the stand brace back in


  10. #10
    kcress's Avatar
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    Re: adding ATS to bio filtered mixed reef

    Nice job!

    Thanks for the pictures.

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