Tank Trials: Ultra Low Maintenance Tanks | BRStv Investigates

Ryanbrs said:

One of options we have talked about as a ULM approach to kalkwasser is using a dosing pump to dose freshwater from the trigger storage container in the softy tank through a kalk reactor. This would allow you to limet and time the pH effect to your exact tank desires.

It should be fairly close to fully saturated in the reactor so the dose should be stable enough and easy to adjust with growth. I think the kalk reactor would likely only need to be refilled every month or two with tanks like this. The ATO could independently replace additional freshwater.

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Yup, about what I do. Also the 1.1 ml pump gets rid of the hassle of an inline flow restrictor. I used to have my RO hooked up to a trio of solenoids (freshwater, ato, kalk). I added a flow restrictor and then a .5gl per hour micro emitter to ensure I didn't kill the tank with kalk accidently. Sure made life a lot simpler when I started using a dosage pump pulling from and ATO container hooked up to the RODI and a couple of solenoids. Using the 50 ml per hour pump you could dose about .8 gl per hour - probably way too much but again spreading it out over the low PH periods may really help with stability.

Greaps said:

BRS, can you give us a noise measurement on your different sump return pump combo's. Everyone would expect the DC's to be silent, but how much quieter than the AC tank.

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I grabbed our handheld decibel meter to test the tanks and here's what I got for averages between the three. (The meter bounces around during reading, so these are the rough averages that I came up with while watching the meter.) For each tank, I held the meter above the tank right at 4"-5" for the first reading and about 8" in front of the closed cabinet door for the second reading.

*Ambient room noise (no tanks running): Approx ~43dB

*Softie tank. (Sicce pumps): Approx ~50dB on top / ~53dB in front

*SPS tank. (COR pumps): Approx ~49dB on top / ~47dB in front

*LPS tank. (VarioS pumps): Approx ~49dB on top / ~47dB in front


Very minimal differences between the three, especially thanks to @Ryanbrs expert skills at tuning the overflows!


-Randy

This is my 2 cents. Neptune is forcing me to buy a new WiFi controller since some new products do not work with my, now classic, controller. I am seriously looking at the GHL for two reasons, so far everything they have created still works on older platforms. The second reason, is for aesthetics, the P4 just looks prettier on a shelf with a 2.1 or Maxi dozer, which i have and love. Maybe i am the only one that doesn’t like the APEX “wall” i would much rather have a system that saves me room. BUT i am nervous to try and learn a new system, so an honest GHL vs APEX pros and cons video would be very helpful. I know the Doser will sell great on the store, but I too would like to see GHL products in your store. We all love your great service and already great product line.

Frankly, i feel you should carry everything German made in your store, Royal Exclusiv, GHL, etc.

I think you should use the ULM series to compare and contrast different controllers!!!
Just a food for thought.

ULM Tank Trials Ep-9: BRS160 as an Ultra Low Maintenance Tank | BRStv

It's finally here, an update to the BRS160! Along with the update, Ryan discusses his thoughts on whether the Triton Method could be considered ULM or not.

Oh, and watch for the announcement of a surprise BRStv guest host for next week's video.

Thanks for your comments this week! Keep them coming!

I'm interested to hear if the biology triangle of using specific lighting, filtration, and chemistry solutions to achieve a specific biology or goal with the tank is a valuable concept to the community.

As a component of developing this weeks video, I really felt like this got to the heart of "there are 100 ways to maintain a reef tank debate," and one is not better than another unless you fully understand the user's goals for the tank.

At first glance "affordable biology" might not seem like a real thing but I think it pus a laser focus on many reefers goals. "I want a successful reef tank and I don't want to break the bank." Same could be said of biology goals like NPS, LPS, softy, best, easiest, lowest maintenance, ultra color, ultra growth, high tech, low tech, natural, diverse, ultra cheap, really any number of common goals reefers have for their tanks.

If we can ID the actual goals I think we can transform the debate into something more useful to those asking for help from the community to achieve them : )

So in that spirit, what type of biology is your tank or what would you like it to be? What are some of the best lighting, chemistry and filtration solutions for that goal?

Sweet. Can’t wait to watch it.

which model of gyre pumps did you select for the tank?

Very interesting success going forward with Triton method. In getting ready to set up my next reefing project I am wondering which would be the most cost effective option in the long run: triton or the tried and true method we are all used to.

solaris187 said:

which model of gyre pumps did you select for the tank?

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We use two XF250s.

Ian Burns said:

Very interesting success going forward with Triton method. In getting ready to set up my next reefing project I am wondering which would be the most cost effective option in the long run: triton or the tried and true method we are all used to.

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I don't think Triton will be an obvious win on that front. Cheap really isn't the value proposition they are offering : )

That said, as long as you are not trying to play mad scientist with constant tests and adjustments the net result of the entire program is probably not all that different than many other retail options.

randyBRS said:

We use two XF250s.

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Hey how do I uploaded the XF250 FILE for my system?

Ryanbrs said:

I don't think Triton will be an obvious win on that front. Cheap really isn't the value proposition they are offering : )

That said, as long as you are not trying to play mad scientist with constant tests and adjustments the net result of the entire program is probably not all that different than many other retail options.

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On an unrelated note, have fun on vacation! I'm excited to see the mr.saltwatertank video and his take on the whole thing.

Great update Ryan. How do you think the corals are dealing with the Triton method - do you think you’re getting the same colour pop? Cheers Chris

Can someone share a link to the Gyre code? can't find it.

Awesome update.
Have a great vacation
Do you think the response the tank is showing is because of its maturity or from the Triton?
I’m starting my tank with dry rock and from what people are saying it takes time for the biodiversity to develope. A lot of what you discussed in your last video.
Do you think the BRS 160 would be at the same point if you stayed with The zeo system vs tritium or even just your basic 2 part.
Thanks and keep up the great work.

Xclusive Reef said:

Can someone share a link to the Gyre code? can't find it.

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If you go to the video they posted it in the comments section. I can also PM you the code.

Great update boys. Very good.

randyBRS said:

We use two XF250s.

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Hi guys, can you recommend a basic method to mimic your Gyre settings using the Maxspect controller?
I’ve been trying a few different Auto program modes with different ramp up and down times but I don’t seem to be getting the end result I’m after. Id certainly appreciate some guidance on controller programming if anyone’s willing and able.

Ryanbrs said:

I'm interested to hear if the biology triangle of using specific lighting, filtration, and chemistry solutions to achieve a specific biology or goal with the tank is a valuable concept to the community.

As a component of developing this weeks video, I really felt like this got to the heart of "there are 100 ways to maintain a reef tank debate," and one is not better than another unless you fully understand the user's goals for the tank.

At first glance "affordable biology" might not seem like a real thing but I think it pus a laser focus on many reefers goals. "I want a successful reef tank and I don't want to break the bank." Same could be said of biology goals like NPS, LPS, softy, best, easiest, lowest maintenance, ultra color, ultra growth, high tech, low tech, natural, diverse, ultra cheap, really any number of common goals reefers have for their tanks.

If we can ID the actual goals I think we can transform the debate into something more useful to those asking for help from the community to achieve them : )

So in that spirit, what type of biology is your tank or what would you like it to be? What are some of the best lighting, chemistry and filtration solutions for that goal?

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My approach on this subject has been piece by piece to maintain “affordable biology” while moving to sps.
I upgraded filtration first.
-better fuge light, better than the compact fluorescent not m top of the line either, i might use my now unused blackbox for this as a test.
-added lower cost media reactor, aquatop, not the most maintenance easy but, achieves the low flow environment key to chemical filtration.
-much more efficient skimmer with eshopps x-160
-tank being 3 years old i removed my filter socks with no ill effect thanks to filter feeder population. Will probably have to reinstall after i upgrade tank.

Lighting was next.
-after saving switched my blackbox to ai primes

Chemistry
Is still a work in progress
-I am currently using brs 2 part to maintain alkalinity stability with additional dosing of iron.
-i do not test everything. Alk, ca, weekly
Ma, n, p monthly.
I wouldnt say i have best biology in relation to nsw. But i have
- drastically reduced algae, i still hate bubble algae lol
-seen growth of all hard corals, strangely my “easy coral” my paly colony has started to reduce recently, everything else lps,sps, gregorian all growing with good color.
-no fish losses minus a jumper about a year ago.

-Plan to switch to ati essentials next month.

-After that plan is upgrading from hydor koralias to dc circulation pumps.

strangely my “easy coral” my paly colony has started to reduce recently, everything else lps,sps, gregorian all growing

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Fairly common occurrence with softies, when nutrients drop.