Well the time has come to get a reasonable grow out system.
Up to this point in time, I have used a 4' tank divided in two for grow out and large RBT's.
At this point im doing a 50% water change on these every two days. Its a lot of cleaning, lots of work and I need to make this simpler so I can expand.
Each half has an air powered sponge filter a heater and some air stones.
RBTs are vacuumed every two - three days, with 1-4L of water changed every 2-3 days depending on water condition.
This all works but needs to improve to allow for more grow out.
A few weeks ago, I was able to purchase a rack of second hand tanks. This gives me an additional 10 tanks 2'Lx1'Wx1.5'H approx for grow out. And two additional tanks for brood stock.
This came with the majority of plumbing required, some heaters and wooden racks.
I also separately purchased a secondhand return pump 16,000lph, 2 x skimmers (2200L rated each, 1 as backup) and a 1.5hp chiller.
Total cost so far is as follows 10 x 2'Lx1'Wx1.5'H Tanks and stands plus 1 x 3'x2'x2' approx $150.00
100L of Bio balls for Tower, $50.00
16,000lph return pump, $220.00
2 x Skimmers $240.00 ($110 and $130)
1 x 1.5hp Chiller $200.00
3 x 300w heaters $90.00
2 x 200L tubs for sumps (existing parts)
Paint for stands (primer was used from existing, new paint) $100.00
1 x massive amount of pluming $425.00
1 x UV for system $250
2 x swabbie's (skimmer neck cleaners) $120 ea
1 x skim mate locker (skim mate with level sensor for my aquarium controller) $130
8 x Strainers to fit 5 Gal/20L drums $50
4 x Additional probe set for Aquarium controller $350
2 x Additional power bars for Aquarium controller $750
12 x Air filters, bubblers, airline, check valves, mag cleaners etc $500
Total cost (so far) $4,100.00
Done so far 1. Clean and run skimmers in vinegar bath
2. Reorganization of garage to fit additional tanks
3. Sand and repair stands
4. Prime and Paint
5. Clean return pump
6. Order and install foam for stands
7. Sparky to install new GPO outlets
8. Clean all tanks inside and out
9. Paint the outside of tanks (paint and rollers were less than $20.00)
10. build and install return plumbing
11. build and install drain plumbing
12. Build a tower for Bioballs
13. Clean 2nd hand bio balls
14. Install and setup Lights for first 4 tanks
15. 8 of 13 tanks running
16. Install Air Filters into each tank
17. Fish moved in
18. Install and setup of lights for tanks 5-8, includes building a support for the Lights.
Still to do 1. Build Support for return pipes
2. Drill plastic Sump for overflow
3. Clean out old sump and relocate
4. Install UV system
5. Make platform for external skimmer
6. finalize plumbing for all 11 tanks rather than 8 running tanks
7. setup controller components for water monitoring, ATO etc
8. setup UV system
9. setup new sump
10. setup return line for 16,000lph
11. extend existing air line for other tanks to new system
12. 9,000,000 other tasks
13. ...
14. profit! (well probably not)
Other projects to be built/developed 1. DIY auto feeders for during the day feeding with common electronics for control, target cost of $20 - $25 per unit
2. Common Auto Top Off for breeder and grow out systems
3. Common salinity management for breeder and grow out systems (allowing for controlled water changes of both systems)
4. Common chilled "Sump" to allow 1 chiller with separate systems. Idea is to use the Top Up hopper as a water storage system, with isolated piping from each system (breeder and grow out) to provide heat transfer. In the mean time, separate chillers are to be used until the concept can be proved.
<message edited by CaptCrash on Wednesday, September 19, 2012 2:27 AM>