Greg's 75g

[mrhasan]

Originally Posted by gregzz4

Thanks guys
Sometimes I think I like playing around with hardware more than actually having the critters

I already pointed that out few posts before

I haven't seen anyone putting so much effect on what's outside the tank itself

[gregzz4]

Thanks again Sheena, you're too kind

Raied, it's hard to not see I like building stuff

So, another little thingy for whoever is interested
Way back before I started this tank, I bought the NPX screens for my TLF 150s, just in case I'd ever find a need, or what have you

I started using Vertex Rox 0.8 last month and thought, wow, these pellets are tiny, so I experimented and it worked out well

I was concerned the pellets would get stuck in the foams worse than other carbon, but was surprised to find a benefit ...
The dispersion plates actually work even though they weren't designed for this use
My carbon is no longer stagnant, with little geysers, and the same goes for my GFO
I was also able to turn down the flow through the reactors, so no more 'grinding' the product

So, after more than a month of testing, I'll say this works fine for both Carbon and GFO

I installed the plates between the product and the foams. It makes rinsing out the foams easier than before
Of course I don't need a plate on top for any flow benefits, but it helps keep the foam from plugging if pellets want to go that way. I do find that on initial start-up I get pellets going crazy, so why not use 2 plates per reactor

[gregzz4]

Due to some advice from Tang Daddy, I've cut back 1/2 of the Carbon I'm using. Hopefully I'll see a difference in my corals ...

I found some flat-bottom glass jars with plastic lids for the dosers
They don't hold quite as much but whatever. I'm bumping dosing pump run times so getting a month out of them is out the window
Maybe 2-3 weeks

The jars were designed for food storage and came with little movable day/month tabs inside the lids. Maybe I'll use them to remind me when I last filled them



Nice vortex from the stirring bar







I kinda like the look of the pseudo stainless lids
They are plated plastic, and the top inserts are also plastic, so drilling for the tubes was a piece of cake

[gregzz4]

I tried doing 15% WCs every 2 weeks, but my sand didn't like it
I've gone back to 10% WCs every week and now my dosing is out of whack, but my sand is clean
I had a good thing going on with my dosers dammit

My Alk is up to 10.5 so I've turned off the pump and await it to drop

Now I'll have to adjust the pump timing again ....

Looks like it's time for me to dump the Seachem additive powders and get on the 2-part bandwagon

[Bblinks]

Originally Posted by gregzz4

I tried doing 15% WCs every 2 weeks, but my sand didn't like it
I've gone back to 10% WCs every week and now my dosing is out of whack, but my sand is clean
I had a good thing going on with my dosers dammit

My Alk is up to 10.5 so I've turned off the pump and await it to drop

Now I'll have to adjust the pump timing again ....

Looks like it's time for me to dump the Seachem additive powders and get on the 2-part bandwagon

Enough of this hardware talk, we want to see some photos!

[tang daddy]

Just add a few more sps, that will bring the alk down fast....

[gregzz4]

Originally Posted by Bblinks

Enough of this hardware talk, we want to see some photos!

Nothing worth posting right now as there's been little growth
The only growing has been from our Coris, Junior
He started out the size of our Hector's and now he's twice as big

Originally Posted by tang daddy

Just add a few more sps, that will bring the alk down fast....

I may be doing that come this labor day weekend

[gregzz4]

Nothing to look at here ... carry on

Turned off the Alk doser pump for a few days and looks like I'll have to back-off on the amount of powder I'm adding to the container

This coming long-weekend has me busy already, but I hope to post a couple FTSs as I may move some LR, so look back for a 'scape change

I'm also going to cut my GFO in half and am considering why I'm using socks

Stay tuned for some pics

[Wheelman76]

Why are you cutting your GFO in half Greg?

[gregzz4]

Originally Posted by Wheelman76

Why are you cutting your GFO in half Greg?

I'm having issues with bleaching and can't get enough food into the tank through fish poop and coral feeding, and changing my lighting hasn't helped
I don't want to remove my socks yet, so this is my next best idea

Hope to see you Sept 1st BTW