Reef Pilot's Undersea Oasis

[Reef Pilot]

I also bought a new skimmer (Vertex In-280), and while it definitely pulled more skimmate, still wasn't making much of a difference with my nitrate problem.


Then I read about bio pellet reactors, so went out and bought a Vertex UF20 (just to the left of the skimmer). I also used MB7 to prevent cyano. I started out slowly with the bio pellets (as recommended), and initially didn't get much results, even after a few months. But gradually I increased the bio pellets and was able to fill the entire reactor with bio pellets (1000 ml). Then finally, my nitrates started to come down. It took another 6 months or so, but eventually they came down right to zero. I had to top up the reactor every few months. But no question in my mind, bio pellets do work, if you have a serious nitrate problem. Again, want to emphasize the importance of MB7 to out compete the cyano.

I still run the bio pellet reactor today, and my nitrates stay at zero. But interestingly, the bio pellet consumption has all but stopped, and have not had to replenish the reactor for almost a year now. I am even considering stopping it, just to see what would happen to my nitrates.

Once the nitrates were under control, I also added GFO to bring down my phosphates. That was with my 3 canister DIY reactor as shown earlier in this thread. It took another 6 months or so for the phosphates to come down (were over 1.0) to zero. But finally had my tank down to zero phosphates and nitrates.

And it really showed in the tank, with the detritus and algae pretty well gone completely. Of course, all along the way, I was scrubbing the rocks and vacuuming the sand. But eventually it all paid off.

[Reef Pilot]

When we bought the house and inherited the SW tank system, it came with an RO (no DI) system under the kitchen sink. It also had a pressure storage tank, which meant you always had a a few gallons of ready made RO water, and a faucet upstairs for household use. And a line ran downstairs to the sump room for the SW tank use.

However, the RO system was not owned, and we had to pay $30+ a month to Canadian Springs to maintain it (change filters, etc). Well, after being on Canreef and searching around on the internet, I soon discovered there was a better way, ie. install and maintain your own.

I bought this used RO/DI from a local Canreefer, and turns out, it is a pretty good system.
http://www.airwaterice.com/product/1...r-100-GPD.html



It is 75 gpd, has an Auto Shut Off valve and I have an inline dual TDS meter giving after RO and after DI readings. It also has a pressure gauge. I retained the pressure storage tank and separate RO only feed for upstairs use and drinking water. Here is a pic of the RO faucet on the kitchen sink.



So I am pretty happy with my RO/DI system.

[lastlight]

Curious to see how the tank is incorporated into the kitchen. Can you post a shot of the whole tank? Nice work on rejuvenating a 10 year old nutrient sink.

[Reef Pilot]

Sure, here is a pic of that part of the kitchen.

[lastlight]

there's the money shot! why the heck were you holding out? looks awesome.

[Reef Pilot]

Haha, it was coming.... Was trying to catch up on history first.... More to come, and eventually more FTS and in-tank coral shots.

[Reef Pilot]

I replaced a bunch of T5 bulbs shortly after we moved in, and a year later was facing another $3 -350 to do it again. At that time, LEDs were really being hyped, especially the Radions. I didn't like the cost, but they sounded good with all the control, and success people were having with growing corals. So when J&L put them on sale on Boxing Day (2011), I jumped on the bandwagon and bought 3 of them for my tank.

But how do I fit them into my enclosed tank canopy, with only 9 inches of room between the ceiling and the top of the tank? I didn't like any of the hanging options that were for sale and wasn't getting a lot of good ideas with my internet searches. What I really wanted was some kind of sliding rail attachment. Then I found this at Home Depot. It was almost too perfect, and cheap, too. And in the electrical dept, of all places.
http://www.homedepot.ca/product/wire...l-ivory/911637



I cut them to size, drilled holes and mounted the rail sliders to the Radion fixtures (using the supplied eye bolts), and the channels to my canopy ceiling.






With the channel and railings, the fixtures can be adjusted fore and aft for lighting preference, and can be easily removed for cleaning.



So, that took care of that. I later added another tank downstairs and used the same lights and mounting system.

[Reef Pilot]

Thanks, guys. But yeah, never would have planned to put a tank in a kitchen. And most wives would probably never allow it. However, this one fits in nicely there in front of the island counter. And gets a lot of attention where it is.