DKoKoMan's 150g Reef Tank

[DKoKoMan]

Originally Posted by duncangweller

I made a plexiglass lid for my tank and it was a nightmare. The heat from the tank and the lights (I was running LEDs at the time so not much heat) made the plexiglass

You got cut off Duncan...

[duncangweller]

That's weird, here's the whole bit....

I made a plexiglass lid for my tank and it was a nightmare. The heat from the tank and the lights (I was running LEDs at the time so not much heat) made the plexiglass bow, and I picked fairly thick plexi. I even reinforced the middle by doubling up a strip and it still didn't help.

The condensation on the underside of the plexiglass looked awful and it made the pH of the tank plummet instantly.

The moment I took the lid off the plexiglass rapidly climbed back to normal.

The idea was born and killed within 48 hours.



Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk

[DKoKoMan]

Thanks for the feedback! The PH factor and the condensation was my main concerns. I didn't even think that the heat off the leds would be of concern. So far the dehumidifier has been flawless in keeping down the moisture but with the warm weather it has been running steady. I won't waste my time sourcing out plexiglass. Thanks again.

[DKoKoMan]

So today I found that my chaeto has disintegrated. My guess is the cree led light I was using didn't provide enough light. I'm also thinking that maybe there wasn't enough flow through the chaeto. I know for a fact that nutrients weren't the issue as nitrates and phosphates are present. I changed the bulb to a CFL 100w 6500k which I have read on the web has worked for many. I have also added my colbalt MK400 powerhead in the fuge to add some circulation.

Did a 20% WC today, started half of AF Reef Salt and half IO Reef Crystals. Slowly transitioning to AF and almost done all my IO. I will test my parameters tomorrow to see what they are at.

I think it's cool that the salt bucket comes with a certificate of the parameters. I used the scoop provided but was unable to figure out how much salt to mix salinity at 1.026. I kept adding to the bucket and tested with my refractometer until the number was reached.

[DKoKoMan]

So the other day I noticed my temp was up to 81 degrees Fahrenheit from its normal 79 degrees Fahrenheit. I assumed this was because of the warm weather we have had (30 degrees Celsius). To my surprise when I was looking at my digital temperature gauge, I noticed my one Eheim jäger heater light was on. I physically felt the heater and it was in fact heating... what gives?

I looked in to the matter further and noticed the second heater (exact same heater) did not have the light activated and was not heating. I double check both thermostats and they had not been changed. I proceeded to turn down each a click for good measures, unplugged the one and then plugged it back in. The heater light was on for a bit then cycled off. Within a minute or so the light was back on and the heater was heating already above temperature water. The other heater remained off like it should!

I have unplugged the heater and now have the other one heating the water. Temperature is now back to 79-80 and is being held there. The heater is cycling on and off. I'm guessing my other heater has stuck in or is faulty in some way. I have only had these for 6 months, can't find anything about the product warranty.

I will replace the heater most likely today. Should I get another of the same or does anyone else recommend a more reliable heater they are using?

[DKoKoMan]

Originally Posted by DKoKoMan

I used the scoop provided but was unable to figure out how much salt to mix salinity at 1.026. I kept adding to the bucket and tested with my refractometer until the number was reached.

Anyone have an answer to this? I always test my buckets with a refractometer however it is annoying to have to add water or more salt in each bucket.


Couple new photos.

[DKoKoMan]

Just a quick update:
Clowns have another round of eggs as of yesterday. Still battling high nitrates (20ppm) and high phosphates (0.17ppm). I have been running a reactor of biopellets and recently bought another to run GFO again. I also took another pick at the cat with a ball of chaeto.

I have noticed some more coralline algae forming (not nearly as purple as some people's tanks) and my frags are starting to grow out a bit. I'm hoping with the lower nutrients along with my consistent ALK/CAL/MAG that I will see some more growth. The fish all seem happy and fat so that's a plus. Here are a couple photos under the moonlights

[Myka]

This is a common issue with heaters and reason why I always recommend that people use two smaller heaters ike you are rather than one larger one. In all honesty, I don't think there are any good heaters anymore, which makes the 2 heater method more important. I have a bunch of really old Jager heaters - they used to be made very well, and now they are not. I've had better luck with Cobalt NeoTherm heaters than Jager but I've also heard of the NeoTherm heaters blowing up (not quite as dramatic as it sounds).

[tang daddy]

Titanium with temp control on top of apex control, because my tank is in the garage with no insulation the temp drops pretty low so I use a 300 and 500w titanium the smaller one goes on first then larger if needed. The upside to a cold garage in the winter is a cool garage in the summer.

I see lots of people using the glass ones and while they're not supposed to be submersed, most people do and that is just a disaster waiting to happen, house fire all the way. Never happened to me but when sparks happen underwater it's just a matter of time before the cord catches and then boom. I had a stupid stealth before and the thing did exactly what I described above. The thing with glass is if it does explode I am worried about the glass shards in your sump and possibly getting electrocuted whenyou stick your hand in not knowing.

[DKoKoMan]

Originally Posted by Myka

This is a common issue with heaters and reason why I always recommend that people use two smaller heaters ike you are rather than one larger one. In all honesty, I don't think there are any good heaters anymore, which makes the 2 heater method more important. I have a bunch of really old Jager heaters - they used to be made very well, and now they are not. I've had better luck with Cobalt NeoTherm heaters than Jager but I've also heard of the NeoTherm heaters blowing up (not quite as dramatic as it sounds).

Your absolutely right Mindy! It's all about safe guarding against failure. That's the problem with mass production these days, quality suffers. I heard the same about the cobalt Neo's, although the LFS assured me that Cobalt had corrected this issue. I will take a look and find a suitable replacement. At least I'm diligent in checking the tank

Originally Posted by tang daddy

Titanium with temp control on top of apex control, because my tank is in the garage with no insulation the temp drops pretty low so I use a 300 and 500w titanium the smaller one goes on first then larger if needed. The upside to a cold garage in the winter is a cool garage in the summer.

I see lots of people using the glass ones and while they're not supposed to be submersed, most people do and that is just a disaster waiting to happen, house fire all the way. Never happened to me but when sparks happen underwater it's just a matter of time before the cord catches and then boom. I had a stupid stealth before and the thing did exactly what I described above. The thing with glass is if it does explode I am worried about the glass shards in your sump and possibly getting electrocuted whenyou stick your hand in not knowing.

no need for a chiller for summer . Ya that would not be fun trying to remove glass shards and like you mentioned not realizing and doing a hand dip. Thanks for the information! I will see what I can find for a replacement. As of right now the defective heater is taking a ride in to the trash.