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Top portion of the stand is on, fugly 70s fan is still unfortunately present.
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...h/DSC_0275.jpg Tank full of RO/DI. We held off on filling it completely full to account for the space sand, rock, and the salt would take up. http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...h/DSC_0277.jpg Then we put the salt in. Just a single bucket for now. http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...h/DSC_0284.jpg We also picked up a piece of live rock to seed the tank today. Nice piece that should make a nice island at some point. http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...h/DSC_0280.jpg |
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The lookdowns are quite cool...i was considering one, but have not decided. I wish i could have a Moorish idol, but i got one and promptly gave it to a friend with a 1000 gal reef. Stocking is hard, so many fish you could get on a whim in any lfs in the states ....your lucky to find up here :( On a side Note: You should have waited till next weekend to do this then i could have helped :) |
By next weekend I'll be anxiously watching my test kits to see how all the rock I add later today is working out!
SG is 1.030, glad we left the extra space in the tank, waiting on more RO/DI to bring down the SG. |
Only problem with a Lookdown is that it would outgrow that tank. They get about 14-16".
Looks great so far! |
That is why I passed on it, and the fact that my system is ready yet. The one I saw also had 6" streamers, easily making it way too big.
Something like that would be a much more appropriate choice in our next system, something considerably larger. |
Wow, this is coming together fast, looks great!
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Thank you everyone for the positive comments! I should have one more post to make later tonight.
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It's coming together nicely, Catherine. Gonna be a real nice set-up.
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Lookin' great! Love the new fish you're getting too, especially the purple and sailfin tangs.
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Thank you everyone!
Tonight's final update for a few days; - water; done, temp 79 - salt; done, SG 1.024 - sand; done - rock; done - temporary sump; done - skimmer (temp. placement); done Some more photos for you all; Return plumbing http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...h/DSC_0293.jpg Our Foreman, constantly putting her nose where it doesn't belong! http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...h/DSC_0303.jpg Temporary sump & skimmer set up. http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...h/DSC_0305.jpg Starting to clear up! http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...h/DSC_0310.jpg |
We have a cycle!
Ammonia ~0.5 Nitrite ~0.15 SG 1.025 The tank is about 90% cleared up at this point, I think we may try to aquascape tonight with the rock that is in the display right now. No more skimmate, although there is foam! |
are you running the skimmer right now to just break it in? I usually dont cycle and skim simultaneously. I figure the skimmer would remove a bunch of the proteins that would break down and contribute to the cycle.
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The rock was already mostly cycled elsewhere in a bin, I think we are seeing the tail end of the cycle, I need another day or two of data to determine it though. We were trying to run it normally, I've always run it while doing a cycle, but since its not really skimming, I guess we're just breaking it in. :D
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I have a quick question. Did you see many air bubbles in the silicone when you built the tank? The reason I ask, is that I guess I did not do a great job siliconing my cross brace in and there are small air bubbles. I have noticed that since filling the tank, they seem to have gotten a little bigger, which worries me a little. Im sure it will be fine but I guess the water is putting pressure on the brace (as it should) and when the silicone is being pulled, the air bubbles are getting a bit bigger. Just wondering if you saw any of this with your tank? I ask my step father about it because he used to build tanks and he said it should be fine for a cross brace but it would be really bad if it were the actual corners because each bubble makes the silicone significantly weaker. I think Im just worrying too much though :mrgreen:
EDIT: Sorry that turned out not to be very quick! |
We don't really have a lot of bubbles to look at, but judging from the few are around they have stayed the same since before adding water to the system. I'm really thankful there were no leaks or any problems with the tank.
I liked your question, it was well thought out and worded, easy to comprehend and answer! :D Chemistry update: Ammonia >0.25ppm Nitrite 0.25ppm Nitrate 16ppm pH 8.2 Skimmer is still running, but there doesn't seem to be anything to pull out. I'm glad we started cycling all that rock ahead of time, I think our cycle should finish soon. It will be nice since suddenly my peaceful damsel of 4 years is starting to become a real brat. I guess it can see the new tank and is getting a little cabin fever. |
Some updates for this evening;
First the tank has cleared, it needs some aquascaping. http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...h/DSC_0311.jpg Then we added on our two luminarc reflectors http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...h/DSC_0318.jpg Over the last week we've noticed a 20-30% increase in the humidity reading. However we can't be sure that those numbers are correct because the tank is right around the corner from the thermostat. We do have some options we can explore, should the humidity need to be addressed. http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...h/DSC_0315.jpg We also need to figure out our lighting details. Somehow we have screwed up our measurements, and the space we counting on having between the reflectors is no longer available. As shown in the picture there is only 1 3/4" of space between the reflectors, which does not leave the space required for the 3 T5 bulbs we originally planned for. |
A little more progress on the tank.
Started on the power center http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...h/DSC_0352.jpg http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...h/DSC_0354.jpg http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...h/DSC_0355.jpg http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...h/DSC_0380.jpg http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...h/DSC_0381.jpg Aquascaping, which I'm not super happy with, but its getting there. http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...h/DSC_0361.jpg With a single 175w MH in the center. We think we will go with 2x250w MH and supplement with T5s. Taking that 3rd MH off will save us electricity, heat, and some operating costs. http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...h/DSC_0362.jpg We ended up taking the 28g nano down yesterday evening. It wasn't expected, but had to be done. The tank started leaking! So glad that it is down now, its such a relief. http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...h/DSC_0386.jpg |
Looks Great Mickika. Really makes me want to clean up my wiring
J |
I loath mess, so this little power box just helps keep it out of sight and out of mind. I can't wait for it to be in place, I think it will look nice once its all set up.
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A close up of the front of the control panel. We'll be adding in pH, nitrate, and ORP monitors below the timers.
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...h/DSC_0400.jpg |
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as i will be building my 120 into a wall stand, and will need to clean up the wires.. |
They came from Rona, and are made by UPM Innovation and are called Programmable Light Switch Timers. Our models are the ETW350 Single Pole 18000w for use with incandescent or flourescent lighting. I'll look for some packaging and try to get you a photo.
They themselves do have a battery back up. We also have a UPS backup which will be wired in to a heater and power head. |
Some more progress. Our gate valve FINALLY came in, at $60, it was quite the expense. Kevin used it to adjust the overflow height. So right now the water from the overflow goes straight into the rubbermaid sump/skimmer compartment, and then is returned to the tank.
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...h/DSC_0428.jpg New fish pictures http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...h/DSC_0402.jpg http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...h/DSC_0403.jpg http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...h/DSC_0430.jpg |
Hey Catherine, it's looking great!!
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Looks Great Catherine.
Did I ask this already, What Juv Angle is that? J |
Its an emperor. Had it since it was probably size of a quarter. I'm so pleased with it, it doesn't touch anything in the tank it shouldn't. Very peaceful and graceful too.
Here are some better photos of it. http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b2...DSC_0027-2.jpg http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b2...DSC_0050-1.jpg Its spiny dorsal fin has actually been gaining more of a white color lately. I think I am seeing the beginning of something. While its not necessarily a color morph per say, I think its part of its natural growth sequence. I am trying to document my fish at least once a month with photos to track its changes over its life. |
good luck with your emperor. my full size guy eats pretty much everything. the only things so far he hasnt eaten, is some leather, florida rics, hairy mushrooms, orange cap.
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Wow! Amazing build. Just read thru the entire thread.. These 150G+ build threads seriously blow my mind... Soo nice! Makes me wish I was doing things differently with my small 54G.. haha :lol:
Keep up the great work. Can't wait to see a finished product! |
2" or 1.5" valve?
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The gate valve? 1.5" its also threaded on both sides.
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I never thought I'd look at a gate valve and think, "Ooh, it sure is purty..."
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Another quick update;
We ordered the RKE yesterday (digitalaquatics.com), along with the ORP probe. All I have left to get on my list now for that control box is varnish. I have the Nitrate monitor, so its just a matter of mounting everything. Sump should be coming next week. We will also be building it from scratch. If I remember correctly it will be 3 ft long, 2 ft wide, and 18" tall. It will contain my phosban reactors (filled with non phosban things), the refugium compartment, and I think that is it. My SPS frags I got at last week's Reef Meet are still doing well, which makes me hopeful! |
Be sure to post up your thoughts on the RKE when you get it.. I'll be looking to pick one up around Sept for my tank.. :mrgreen:
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I definitely will. I just want it to arrive now so I can goof around all day playing with it. I just ended up picking up the basic unit and the ORP probe. I'll pick up anything else I need down the road.
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Any idea if they plan on releasing an OS X version of their software?
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I haven't heard anything, but I hope they do. I am making Kevin do all the PC connective stuff with the RKE when it gets here. I really really do not like windows. I'm still holding a serious grudge for its decision to eat 3 very important term papers at the last minute.
There have been lots of requests for it though on the RC Digitial Aquatics forum. I know there has also been talk about their MyReef program becoming availble for Mac. It seems that there is lots of demand for mac friendly programming, and it seems like they are looking into it, and starting to address it. |
Swapped out the lighting from the 175w MH to a single 250w MH. We need a second 250w bulb to turn the second light on.
With the 175w bulb (XM 15K SE) http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...h/DSC_0362.jpg With the 250w bulb (AquaConnect 14K Plus) http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b2...a/DSC_0502.jpg This is what happens every time I try to work, my computer grows a dog. This one suffers from Roll-Over syndrome. As soon as you reach your hand out to pet her, something causes her to become a limp noodle and to immediately show you her belly. http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b2...a/DSC_0504.jpg Sump should be coming on Wednesday, and again we will be building it from scratch. |
^^ haha... Your a MAC user... Nice! :biggrin: Good Choice! Mine doesn't have dogs growing out of it though..
Lighting change was a HUGE improvement! |
I love my macs, I will never use a PC again if I can help it. I have a MacBook and an iMac G5. I want to upgrade, but I can't bear to part with either of them.
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