Haydn's system

[haydn]

I am in the process of re-setting up my system. The tank is 2mx1mx1m (480UK galls) 250-300 kilo of LR-minimum stock at the moment.


The sump is a 'marine pond' set into the floor, size is 1.5mx1mx600mm deep (120UK galls), it is stocked with red manroves, has a 6" DSB and about 40k of LR, when finished it will hold a cryptic zone.

The mangroves have been pruned to bush them out.

The equipment is in a cupboard


2x sequence 15000ltr pumps on closed loops
2xehime compact 5000ltr sump returns
1xaquamedic 5000 skimmer
1x korallin Calc reactor
1xdelrec calc reactor (as a de-gassing unit for the korallin)
4x 400watts 14KK BLV M/h with electronic ballasts
2x 80w actinics
6 stage RO unit auto top-up via a deltic Kalk stirrer.
2x heaters
Fluidised reactor with rowaphos

[aquawolf]

Wow! That has got to be the coolest sump idea I have ever seen. Good luck with everything.

[dobejazz]

Welcome to TRT

Very nice thanks for sharing with us

[bkoz]

Sweet setup!!! I have to agree thats one of the most unique sumps ive seen.

[Loverotties]

Originally Posted by bkoz

Sweet setup!!! I have to agree thats one of the most unique sumps ive seen.

Ditto!And Welcome to TRT!

[Jnicho]

Hello...where in the UK are you? I spent many years in Surrey myself. I agree with the others, very cool sump!

[haydn]

Thanks for making me welcome and for the comments-I seem to get more of them about the pond than the tank -Ah well . so here's a closer picture of the mangroves.



Jnico-I'm in a place called Leicester in the midlands (near birmingham) the frozen north compared to Surry.

[abull]

Hello Hayden

I am a rookie (just joined today), but your whole setup is very impressive!! Do you have problems with humidity in your home from the mangrove pond?

Cheers

[haydn]

Hi Abull

Welcome to the board-I only joined a week ago, so we are both newbies.

The tank is in my 'garden room' -I'm not sure what they are called in the US, its a room with lots of windows, a high ceilings with more windows and a stone floor (so I don't get the carpets wet). My wife keeps her orchids in there so highish humidity is acceptable. There is also a dehumidifier in there which helps keep the moisture down, it takes out about 2 galls a day. We can close the door to the rest of the house so we don't get too much damp in the living areas.

[abull]

Thanks for the lightning reply!

I guess our 'Sun Room' is the same as your garden room. I made the mistake of showing the pics to my son who now wants me to cut a hole in the floor and put in a mangrove also!! I'll have to give him $10 to forget he ever saw the pics.

Cheers

[Mizer67]

Love the pond. Not familiar with the term "cryptic zone". A bit more info on that please, if you get a minute. Thanks, and welcome to TRT.

[haydn]

A cryptic zone is a dark, low flow area where non-photosynthetic organisms grow, Steve Tyree is one of the advocates for them.

The idea in my system is to have a boxed off area in the sump with only a small diameter connection with the main sump creating a low flow, low oxygen environment. It will be kept dark and LR stocked in there to allow to organisms (sponges, worms, formiums, etc) to grow un-molested. These organisms filter feed on detritus, etc and should help keep the conditions in the system in tip top condition, as well as supplying a source of food for the corals, etc. Plus I find the inhabitants-sponges, etc fascinating.

Many tanks have a crytic or semi-cryptic zones created accidently in dark corners and under the LR structure-I am just creating a 'proper' one.

There are many references to them just type 'cryptic zone' into google. The experts can explain them and the benefits much better than I can.

[Mizer67]

Thanks!