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P.Kelly
06/10/2008, 11:39 PM
Let me briefly introduce myself. My name is Pete, I live in the greater Sacramento, CA area and I'm actively involved with the Marine Aquarist Roundtable of Sacramento (MARS). My wife and I setup "our" first reef tank together in either April or May of 2007. It was a Red Sea max, and while the concept was, and is, very cool, there were so many issues with the system that we ended up buying a complete 50 gallon reef from a local reefer who was leaving the area within a month or two and taking the RSM back. It was about June that I went to my first MARS meeting. In December of 2007 I was elected to the board of directors, had 4 reefs in my house and consequently a large electricity bill and no money in my wallet. There is so much more history to tell, but I'll weave it into the story as the build progresses as downtime permits.

Marine Aquarist Roundtable of Sacramento (http://www.marineaquarist.org)

I firmly believe that anything worth doing is worth overdoing, and I take that philosophy to all my hobbies. Reefing is not a passing fad for me, and so my wife and I are embarking into the next phase of the reef lifestyle, the big tank. Most of my friends who have tanks are awe struck that my wife loves the tank(s) and is 100% supportive of the hobby. I guess I'm lucky. She convinced me to buy a 65" tv when I was looking at a 55" and this time she suggested the 210 when I was looking at a 120. I love you Darcy, you're the best!

While there will be lots coming during the setup, I'll commit to nothing less than bi-weekly updates once the system is established. I'll shoot for more often (which shouldn't be an issue with 4.7 posts a day), but I'll set the bar low.

Thanks for reading and tagging along. I'm planning on having a lot of fun.

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_2377.jpg
Me and my number one fan enjoying our other favorite hobby!

mpoletti
06/10/2008, 11:42 PM
Welcome to the LTF Pete :)

kdblove_99
06/10/2008, 11:47 PM
You have graduated to the big leagues Pete:) Congrats

P.Kelly
06/10/2008, 11:51 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12722939#post12722939 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Marko9
Welcome to the LTF Pete :)

Thanks for the welcome!




I've got some past days to update, so it may take me a bit to bring this thread current.

May 31, 2008

Today it started. We went to look at a 300 gallon starfire tank in Ione, CA. On the drive there, my wife, Darcy, and I discussed finally getting a big tank. We looked at the tank:

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1382461

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/DSC00280-1.jpg

And while it was a gorgeous tank, and a sweet deal, we couldn't make up our minds. I did, however, buy a vortech MP40 while I was there for a nice price, and ordered the wireless upgrade from Drs. Foster & Smith later that night. The MP40 made its way onto my 45 gallon tech tank for "testing."

P.Kelly
06/10/2008, 11:52 PM
June 1, 2008

Well, it wasn't meant to be. When I called John back today, he had already sold the tank to another local reefer. The hunt continues, and for real now. My wife is on board and ready to get a big tank. More as it develops.

Jim_S
06/10/2008, 11:56 PM
Another Sactown/MARS guy in the LTF???

Alright :cool:

I look forward to seeing all of your progress Pete :)

P.Kelly
06/10/2008, 11:57 PM
June 3, 2008


Craigslist is my friend. I found a 210 for a very fair price in great shape in Tracy, CA. Called the owner and scheduled pickup for Sunday.

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/DSCN1626-1.jpg

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/DSCN1627-1.jpg

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/DSCN1628-1.jpg

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/DSCN1629-1.jpg

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/HPIM0195.jpg

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/HPIM0196.jpg

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/HPIM0197.jpg

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/HPIM0198.jpg

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/HPIM0199.jpg

The price for the system worked for me. Tank, stand and canopy were really the only things of interest. The rest will end up in my garage, "just in case."



June 7, 2008


I can't wait. I'll leave it there. I started a thread today about skimmer selection:

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1407341


I also read pages and pages of this thread on MSX skimmers:

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1398879

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/MSX250p.jpg

This is a really pretty skimmer. I'm thinking really hard about buying one.


Tomorrow will come soon. But not soon enough...

kdblove_99
06/11/2008, 12:04 AM
I really like my MSX skimmer. For the price point it is the best IMO.

YOu getting the 300?

Jflip2002
06/11/2008, 12:05 AM
Looks like the octopus pro. IF you havent bought it yet, the octopus pro 300 should be awesome... my 250 pro is.

P.Kelly
06/11/2008, 12:08 AM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12723021#post12723021 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by kdblove_99
I really like my MSX skimmer. For the price point it is the best IMO.

YOu getting the 300?

I am heavily leaning towards the 300. Still on the fence between SWC/MSX and CoralVue/Reef Specialty. Pros and cons both ways for essentially (exactly) the same skimmer. More to come on this topic in the next few days, as I'll be placing an order shortly.

kdblove_99
06/11/2008, 12:15 AM
Yeah, Identical. I have SWC. But from all i have seen on this board Mike at RS has some top notch customer service.

P.Kelly
06/11/2008, 12:29 AM
June 8, 2008

The alarm went off at 6am, and I was out of bed in a split second. My wife was groaning about my alarm ring tone, the Scottish National Anthem on bagpipes. I don't understand why it bugs her? ;) I was super excited! The day was finally here that I was going to get a big aquarium. I had longed for the day that I could start a tank thread in the Big Tank area of reef central. My wife and I had decided about 2 weeks prior to take the plunge on something in the 180-215 range (standard 6'x2') and had priced out the various options. Luck just happened to bring a gently used All Glass Aquariums (AGA) 210 onto my craigslist radar a few days after we made the decision.

My friends and fellow reefers started arriving at my house at 6:30, and by 7:15 we were out front of the house making finally preparations to the trailer. I think we were finally on the road about 7:45 towing the trailer behind my wife's Tahoe, containing John, David, Taylor, Rafael and myself, and my friend Paul and Matt in my father's truck bringing up the rear.

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/Map.png
The voyage

An hour and fifteen minutes later, a stop in the crack rock capitol of northern California (Charter Way, Stockton, CA) for energy drinks, cookies and who knows what else, and a broken rear air unit the Tahoe and we arrived at the current owner's house. He was in the middle of packing his house, and had already started to disassemble the tank (canopy and lights were in the garage).

All the guys that came to help me stepped right in and took various tasks. I worked through some logistics with the owner. The tank was inspected and an envelope of money was exchanged. At this point, a broken tank was going to cost me. There was quite a bit of livestock in the tank (fish only) that I had arranged with the owner to buy at a reduced price and help him sell. Any proceeds above what I paid would go to him after the sale. There were some very beautiful fish in the tank, but not safe for my upcoming reef. Aside from a few fish with head rot, most were in great shape, fat and happy.

The fish were caught and placed into two Brute trashcans with powerheads out of the way until the rest was loaded. The doors came off the stand and we got to work draining, disassembling and cleaning equipment. I was super lucky to have enough crew that someone was cleaning the skimmer, powerheads, etc as they came out of the tank.

This ended up being the fastest tank move I've ever done. No live rock and coral made this a breeze.

I had arranged for homes for most of the fish in advance. While I would have loved to keep them all, I didn't have a place to put them and some would have been nibblers. On the way back to Sacramento I called all the people who were going to be picking up fish from me. I must say that it really couldn't have gone any smoother. Within about 45 minutes of getting home 80% of the fish were gone and the rest with 2 hours. This left plenty of time for beer and BBQ. Oh, no cheap beer at my house. The garage fridge is stocker with Widmeir (sp?) Hef, Gorden Beirsch Marzen, a few micro brews and Guiness at all times. I keep a single can of bud light in the door in case my brother comes over to help out. Open in case of emergency!

After BBQing, distributing all the fish and cleaning the tank, those that were still left (thanks David, Matt and Taylor) helped me move the tank into the garage.

Things ended up about like this...

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_2903.jpg
Canopy (and toys)

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_2901.jpg
Stand (in the way)

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_2905.jpg
Tank (buried under stuff and behind my BMW R1200C)

P.Kelly
06/11/2008, 12:39 AM
June 9, 2008

Back to work this morning. My back and neck are really sore from lifting the tank. I wish I had a three day weekend, and more time to work on the new tank, but work and school will keep me busy all week. I thought I was all set on an SWC skimmer, the MSX250. The reviews have been pretty good and the price is very fair. Someone threw a monkey wrench in my plans and pointed out that the new Octopus Extreme's are the same skimmer, for a little less money and no shipping cost on pre-orders. I really wanted the MSX300 ($50 more) but there is no set arrival date on the next batch, where as Reef Specialty is listing July 15 for the preorder arrival.

Decisions, decisions.

I ended up calling and speaking with both Joe at Marine Solutions and Mike at Reef Specialties about the SWC skimmers, respectively the MSX and Octopus Extreme lines. Mike confirmed that they are identical, but he believes that the CoralVue imported version will have all of the updates that the MSX users found and complained about in the first release. The CV unites will be arriving state side mid July, which most likely corresponds with the arrival of the next batch of MSX units. Both gentlemen were very helpful. Joe told me that warranty was through him, while the CV units will be warrantied through CV, not Reef Specialties. +1 for MSX. However, the CV units will have both a pinwheel and meshmod. +1 for CoralVue. The problem is that the footprint of the 300 unit is so close to the 250 and the prices are so close that it seems silly not to buy the 300, which is where the rub come in. Neither have the 300 in stock, and only the MSX250 is currently in stock.

First up on my list are prepping the tank for install and running new electrical. Since I do this for a living, here is a little project schedule for the next week.

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/schedule.png

So, as mentioned early, a full-time job and going back to school for a master's degree, plus a 2.5 year old at home doesn't leave much time during the week for working on the tank, but we'll find a little here and there. Hopefully I can do what I want on father's day and get the electrical done this weekend.

Tank Preparation

First on my list of preparation is to clean the tank. David, Matt and I scraped and cleaned the tank while it was still in the back of the truck yesterday, but I want to get it "clean" before I put it back in service. I also want to look into issues with copper in an older tank. While I have no reason the believe it was used, I was curious.

Thread on cleaning tank with bleach:
http://archive.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&postid=11549273#post11549273

My favorite post on the topic, by WaterKeeper:
http://archive.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&postid=11176244#post11176244

Using muriatic acid:
http://archive.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1249207

Overall, I saw a number of suggestions for cleaning, including bleach, peroxide, and muriatic acid, but most people suggested vinegar.

As for unknown history of copper use, I'm going to fill the tank, run a powerhead and test for copper after a few days. I'm reading that unless anything registers, I'm probably fine, and running carbon will remove any leaching copper. Again, I'm not really worried, but would rather be overly cautious.


VorTechs

Yeah, I came home to an upgraded and fixed vortech and a wireless upgrade kit for my MP40.

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_2892.jpg
Presents for me!

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_2895.jpg
Oooh, my wireless upgrade for the MP40.

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_2896.jpg
My MP40W back from IceCap service with a new magnet, new firmware, new motor and hopefully working...

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_2898.jpg
The new nut should be able to be seen, but my photography skills are a bit lacking

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_2899.jpg
The new magnet wetside extension

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_2900.jpg
The new magnet


Corals

On a totally unrelated note, I've been trying to track down the captive propagation lineage of as much of my corals as possible. Kind of a coral-genealogy exercise, because I have nothing better to do with all my spare time. Confirmed today that my Paletta Baby Blue and Idaho Grape came to me <- Elim <- tfp

I also picked up a frag of Bali Tricolor from Cathoai <- Unarce

P.Kelly
06/11/2008, 12:46 AM
June 10, 2008

Real life (work) has a way of getting in the middle of everything and slowing down progress on my new tank. I was up until 2 am last night preparring for a large presentation to a potential client today. up again at 5:20am and by the time I got home from work and played with my daughter for a while, there was no energy left to work on the tank. I just now finished my homwork for my Operations Management class, so I figured I'd type up a little and get the past few days ready to post.

On the plus side, my wife picked up two cans of Krylon Fusion mat black paint today for the back of the tank. Our current tank has a bright blue backing, which she wanted. In hindsight, she agrees that black would have probably been a better choice. We shall see.

I spent the night doing waiting line problems for my class and writing up my new tank thread, so I'm already behind on my schedule.

Also, I'm hoping that the people who picked up fish from me during the tank take down will post up some pictures of the gorgeous fish that came out of this tank in their new homes. And David is going to send me a picture from mid-take down that snapped on his camera phone.

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_2906.jpg
Part 1 of my garage mess

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_2907.jpg
Part 2 of my garage mess

Hey, Rafael, you left your sump at my house...

kdblove_99
06/11/2008, 01:24 AM
That garage is packed. Love the RO/DI system i own the same one, Great stuff!

I would not get set on that Octo to be in on the 15th. When i set up my mantis tank i was going to get a octo HOB skimmer for it. Well i emailed a few vendors they gave a date, never came in. Then i started Emailing David at Coralvue he said will be here this date, didnt happen. This went on for over 2 months:(

So all i am saying is don't get all set for it to be here then cause that might not happen

little_d
06/11/2008, 01:58 AM
Congrat Pete, now there will be a lot more room for future additions.

jtarmitage
06/11/2008, 03:09 AM
Very nice Pete. Congratulations on the new tank. Here I am at 2 am just getting ready to call it a night after working on my tank.:D

Tofumushrooman
06/11/2008, 08:59 AM
Very nice pete ill be following along. I have the MSX 160 and honestly i think that any of the newest ones that will arrive in the future should be even better then the 2nd gen. Mine was plug and play and pulls nasty gunk. Easy as pie to dial in too IMO.

Mikey Donuts
06/11/2008, 10:06 AM
Pete, congrats on the new tank! You should talk to Joe (Joes210gal). He has the exact same stand and had an issue with the bottom section sagging under the weight of his sump. He had to shore it up after his tank was established (not fun). I would get with him and discuss the issues he had so your build will be as trouble free as possible.
Take care!

Joes210gal
06/11/2008, 10:09 AM
As you know Pete, I have the same tank and stand. I had some serious trouble with the stand. The bottom shelf needs to be reinforced. The strength of the whole stand depends on this because the front and back posts are sitting on the bottom shelf.

Fortunately the fix is easy with the tank empty. With the tank already setup it's a nightmare.



http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff262/Joes210galreef/Joe210gal011.jpg

http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff262/Joes210galreef/Joe210gal014.jpg

http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff262/Joes210galreef/Joe210gal020.jpg

bladeruner143
06/11/2008, 10:43 AM
Wow Pete, looks good! I'm getting excited waiting to see this thing filled and it's not even my tank!!!

Joes210gal
06/11/2008, 10:59 AM
I'm sending you a PM. Don't hesitate to ask for my help.

P.Kelly
06/11/2008, 11:08 AM
Joe, it's all your fault. After seeing your setup, and then the same one for sale on CL, I had to jump on it. I remember what you said about the stand bottom, and seeing the pictures is great. I fully intend on reinforcing the stand before seting it up. Better add that to my project schedule.

reefer334
06/11/2008, 12:19 PM
Awesome read Pete!!!!



I will post some pics of the fish soon.


I am looking forward to seeing your progress.



Chris

jthao
06/11/2008, 01:30 PM
looking good pete!!! keep posting pics of the progress. if you need any help, hit me up.

Balgie
06/11/2008, 03:54 PM
You must have a pertty cool wife because my girlfriend would flip with a garage looking like that. I would even go nuts. Good luck with the build and getting that garage clean.

D&KSac
06/11/2008, 04:02 PM
I guess its no to lame though i think you should have gone bigger!! :)) 210 just seems so small.

No really you got a sweet deal on a really nice tank. I can't wait to see it filled.

P.Kelly
06/11/2008, 04:34 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12726982#post12726982 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Balgie
You must have a pertty cool wife because my girlfriend would flip with a garage looking like that. I would even go nuts. Good luck with the build and getting that garage clean.

Thanks :p

I work crazy hours, am going to school part time, have a family and a reef tank, something has to go, and it tends to be finishing projects and picking up after projects.

Wish we had taken a picture of the garage while we were making room for the tank, because I could have actually fit a car in there.

P.Kelly
06/11/2008, 07:06 PM
I just got a picture from David of the tank teardown. I think this was me scooping out sand. I was actually impressed with the sand, so I'll be re-using it in the reef. Since the tank is 29 5/8" tall, I'm planning on having a fairly sizable sandbed. My wife has put her foot down on bare-bottom. She likes sand.

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/c1ed90d8291e.jpg

P.Kelly
06/11/2008, 07:30 PM
We have two locations that the tank could go, and have decided on the first location, in blue. Excuse the mess in the pictures, as I've been doing a bit of work on all the tanks in preparation for the new addition to the family.

We decided that the tank will go here:

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_2902-1.jpg

This of course creates a problem, in that my frag tank is currently in the way. I'll be relocating it to the right of the corner tank during the setup of the 210. The spot to the right of the 92 is the fireplace, so I've got a mandated completion date of Thanksgiving, as we heat our house using the woodburning stove.

So, the countdown starts at T minus 168 days

Once I get the frag tank moved, and the electrical run, I can move the 210 into place. Once the 210 is completely setup and the livestock from the 92 is moved over, then I'll break down the 92 and most likely put the frag tank in its place.

Anyone want to place a pre-order for a gently used 92G tank? :D

The other option was in the dining room, but it lost for a number of reason, not the least of which was that it would be a little hard to get around the table. However, the most important reason, is that we live in the room where the 92 tank is today and want to be able to look at our tanks from the couch and the kitchen.

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_2904-1.jpg

Anyway, I should probably pay attention in my MBA class, even though the teacher is currently berating students for asking questions. ;)

Layla'sreef
06/11/2008, 08:15 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12727232#post12727232 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by petes97
Thanks :p

I work crazy hours, am going to school part time, have a family and a reef tank, something has to go, and it tends to be finishing projects and picking up after projects.


I saw what you did to your signature...DAVID!! Didn't you read the above quote? Where do you think Peter is going to find the time to do the duties of the VP? ....and still help you with your project??? Hmmm????:mixed:

Darcy

D&KSac
06/11/2008, 09:22 PM
Hmm... lol Well after seeing Peter's spreadsheet of his timeline... I didn't see give buddys stand and canopy a face lift factor'd in. LOL

P.Kelly
06/12/2008, 09:03 PM
I picked up a Pinpoint Salinity meter/probe from Josh tonight on the way home from work. While I'm quite proficient with a refractometer, my wife seems to get inconsistent readings and thus has problems making up water for water changes. I hope that this should clear up that issue and make things a little more point and click for her!

Plus, it's just one more cool gadget for my tank.

rafael13
06/13/2008, 02:15 AM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12723139#post12723139 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by petes97
June 10, 2008



http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_2907.jpg
Part 2 of my garage mess

Hey, Rafael, you left your sump at my house...


I'd go and pick it up, but I'm a little afraid you'd yell at me :D

D&KSac
06/13/2008, 03:55 PM
Haha no doubt Rafael! Pete the monster boss... LOL Geez its so hard to find a good boss these days. :P

P.Kelly
06/13/2008, 04:09 PM
David, are we getting together this weekend to do some stand design for you? I'm planning on running electrical tomorrow. Maybe we can get in and brace the stand and cut the opening larger and then start on the skinning?

P.Kelly
06/13/2008, 07:39 PM
June 13, 2008 - 6:28pm

I could be watching paint dry, but that is really boring, so instead, while the first coat of paint dries on the back of my tank, I'm posting more pictures. I decided on the Krylon Fusion Satin Black, as most people seemed to like the product. We opted for black this time around as the blue back on our 92g never seemed "natural." In fact it kind of glows in the light reflection.

Here is the "clean" tank. I thought I had asked Darcy to clean the back of the tank while I was at work today. She cleaned the whole thing and was a little sore with me due to the heat. One more thing done!

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_2911.jpg

And since I've always been curious to know how thick the bottom of an AGA 210 tank, this was a perfect opportunity. Turns out is is 5/8" thick tempered. No where on Aqueon's website does it list the thickness of the glass, as far as I could find. The sides appear to be 1/2", but I didn't measure.

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_2912.jpg

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_2913.jpg
Taping off the overflows so if/when I breakdown this tank for a 450 gallon, I can see the inside of the overflows for cleaning.

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_2914.jpg

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_2915.jpg

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_2916.jpg

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_2920.jpg

P.Kelly
06/13/2008, 07:39 PM
More prep work.

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_2916.jpg

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_2917.jpg

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_2918.jpg

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_2919.jpg

Now we wait 15 minutes...

laud
06/13/2008, 08:08 PM
I noticed two things that had me laughing.

1. When I saw the 20 shims under that tank, I thought, "holy smokes that thing is outta level." Then I read the caption.

2. The quote, "My wife put her foot down on bare bottom. She likes sand." - Now that had me rolling. I just love puns.

Great thread and I'm in the same boat, same tank. I've also got a 3 and 4 year old helping me along the way.

Peace,
Michael

P.Kelly
06/13/2008, 08:27 PM
http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_2921.jpg
2nd Coat

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_2922.jpg
3rd Coat

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_2923.jpg
4th Coat

D&KSac
06/13/2008, 08:53 PM
Lookin great Pete! Love the details of this thread. Oh Darcy your such a trooper K would have told me where to go had i asked her to clean my tank for me. LOL

As for this weekend the only time I have this weekend is Sunday around miday. Son taking me golfing for fathers day in the morning and then dinner with my dad that evening. LMK if your available around then. Our tee time is 9:30 am. Also were just doing 9.

Joes210gal
06/13/2008, 11:02 PM
Nice to know about the bottom glass. I like that you're giving us details.
You're obviously a perfectionist. That's going to help make this build real interesting. Looking forward to this Pete.

P.Kelly
06/13/2008, 11:25 PM
Once I finished watching the paint dry, and I've even cleaned up after myself, I was bored and there was nothing good on TV, so I took a trip over to the local big box home improvement center and picked up what I hope is everything I need for my electrical project this weekend.

Shopping list:
- Slim double 20A circuit breaker
- 250' 12/2 wire
- 2 double gang outlet boxes
- 4 20A recepticles
- 2 double gang outlet covers
- cat5 recepticle and cover

Anyway, with the supplies in hand, I peeled back the masking tape and the final product isn't too shabby, as my daughter would say.

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_2924.jpg
I lost track of the number of coats, but this was somewhere in the second spray can.

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_2925.jpg
Almost there

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_2926.jpg
All done, pulling the motorcycle back into the garage.

Now I need to learn how to make an acrylic sump. Maybe I'll try my hand at that this weekend too.

Joe - thanks for the kind words. I'm not a perfectionist, just particular. I figure I might as well document the whole thing, since it will probably be my main tank for a few years to come.

kdblove_99
06/14/2008, 01:19 AM
I love that paint:) I have all white plumbing but will be painting it with this paint when the time comes, Oh yeah!

Looking good Pete. Cute Kid! Wife that cleans your tank when its 100 degrees outside=Priceless!

MayorOfWhoVille
06/14/2008, 03:05 PM
Very good stuff Pete, this is a sweet thread. I will definitely be checking back on this one! The paint job looks nice.

P.Kelly
06/14/2008, 03:31 PM
June 14 - I stayed up late and got up late

So much for getting an early start. On today's plan is moving the frag tank, chiller and water top-off, testing the location of the stand and running the new electrical circuits.

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_2927.jpg
The frag tank, or stick cemetary as my friends call it.

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_2928.jpg
In all its glory.

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_2929.jpg
More glory, and some majesty for good measure. Too bad my camera, and the guy behind it still sucks.

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_2930.jpg
Getting ready to drain the tank. Better turn of the pump.

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_2932.jpg
Top down view of low tide.

P.Kelly
06/14/2008, 03:39 PM
http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_2934.jpg
Where did it go?

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_2936.jpg
Up close and personal

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_2937.jpg
Tide's coming in.


Alright, the frag tank is moved, the yellow tang has been moved into the main display so he can get used to his new tankmates. I finally caught Peeking, the yellow watchman goby and took him up to Kim. We met at Exotic about 1pm today and I came really close to buying a Sohal while there, but I'm not ready to start the quarantine. Kim, on the other hand, bought one with the cash from the IceCap 660 I bought from her.

That makes 2 IceCap 660s and 2 more to go before I can start the lighting system. :D

Before I left for Exotic, I made some holes in the wall.

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_2943.jpg
Why use a small saw when you can use a big one?

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_2945.jpg
A vague reminder of the two door knockers from the movie Labyrinth. Yeah, not really, but for some reason I was thinking, "one of these always lies and the other tells the truth"

It's going on 3pm and it's a little hot in the attic, so I'm finishing posting these pictures and then heading back up to run the wiring.

P.Kelly
06/14/2008, 07:10 PM
The running of wiring is complete. Now I just have to wire the outlets on the inside, and wait for David to come over tomorrow to install the dual 20A breaker. He says I will electricute myself if I do it while the panel is live. He's probably right. If I turn the panel off I can finish it in 10 minutes, but I'll wait for him and his extensive experience electricuting himself! :D

miracles38
06/14/2008, 08:53 PM
hey Pete - great thread! I will enjoy watching your progress. Peeking is doing well. He and my other YWG flared gills for awhile and then disappeared down into the burrow. I am hoping they are "getting to know each other" :).

The Sohal is beautiful! You might want to rethink and go pick one up.

P.Kelly
06/14/2008, 09:02 PM
I'm glad Peeking has a good home. I'll let Layla (my daughter) know he/she/it has a good home. Those Sohals are so pretty. I may go back tomorrow and buy myself a nice father's day present. Heck I bought my wife a nice blue sponge for one of our tanks for Mother's day, so this is right in line.

D&KSac
06/15/2008, 08:50 AM
Just do it. Go buy the Sohal.

Yeah let the Sparky get lit up and electrocuted. Ill give you a call when my round of golf is over today.

P.Kelly
06/15/2008, 11:30 AM
June 15th, AKA Big Tank Day

I got to spend the morning sleeping in. Getting a cool t-shirt and approval from my wife to buy a Sohal, if I want to. I'm still on the fence about quarantining a 4" Sohal in a 20g tank for 4-6 weeks. I'll try calling Chris to see if he still has the 125g he was giving away.

I figured I'd go back and check my project schedule, to see how far behind I am. As I read through the thread it appears that I am not behind schedule and I haven't responded to a few people, so thanks to all the MARS folks for the warm welcome to LTF, Davey, Jim, Anthony, Jeremey, Mike, Joe and Joe, Rudy, Chris, Josh, and anyone else I missed.

Plans for today:
- Wire the cat5 outlet for my AC III, then test it out.
- Electricute me, or David while connecting the new 20A breakers.
- Check out Exotic again and try not to buy a Sohal.
- Move the chiller on my 92g (backflush it while it is out)
- Re-connect the lighting and DC4HD on my frag tank.

If I get all of that done today, I will be super happy.

Oh, and pictures of un-exciting stuff from last night to prove I'm still making progress and trying to clean-up after myself.

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_2953.jpg

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_2954.jpg

Each double gang box is connected to its own 20A circuit (or will be). I'll have a DC8 on each circuit and try to run half of the tank on each circuit, as to minimize risk of loosing power completely in the event of a "thrown" circuit breaker.

I installed the outlet boxes at 21" off the ground, which is a bit high, but will work for this application. I'm looking at sump construction in the 16-18" height, and the stand will elevate the sump 4.5" off the ground, so plugging into these outlets should be relatively easy.

We've also decided to keep the stand and tank 3.5-4" off the wall, to allow for future vortech placement on the back of the tank. I'll be starting with one on each end of the tank, but I've seend Howie's tank with more powerheads in the middle back. I figure the tank might be a little difficult to move out from the wall once it has water in it.

bayareaquarist
06/15/2008, 01:24 PM
Put me to work Pete!

P.Kelly
06/15/2008, 08:13 PM
Matt, you got it. Let me know how that rock ended up looking. Also, I've got tons of stuff to do, and will be free from Thursday on this next week.

David, let me know when you've figured out your doors sizes and we can work on your stand. Thanks again for hooking up the breakers for me. I have power now!!!

And, here is what I got done this afternoon. No where near what I planned, so on the week, I'm a little behind now. I'll have to see if I can make it up on Tuesday night.

I still have to run the cat5 and I'm beat, so that will not happen tonight. The chiller is running, and I need to get more tubing, so that it out tonight, and we never made it to Exotic. But 2 out of 5 is okay, right?

There was some water damage on the stand, which made things a little more difficult.

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_2955.jpg


Here is the stand reinforcement:

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_2956.jpg
Just cut, and not assembled.

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_2957.jpg
Done, and painted.

P.Kelly
06/15/2008, 10:57 PM
Last post of the night, hopefully pictures of the finished stand bracing, installed when I get home from class tomorrow. But, I finished running and punching down the cat5 cable for the AC3 tonight. I'll test it in the next few days and get the AC3 hooked up to AquaNotes soon. Then I can get the webserver going.

Goodnight everyone. Thanks for tagging along for the ride.

kdblove_99
06/16/2008, 12:00 AM
Great Work, Pete.

Going to send you a PM

P.Kelly
06/16/2008, 02:44 PM
If you're following along (thank you), but haven't posted anything, feel free to give me a hello post. It feels nice to know that people are reading. This new tank, being my baby and all.

There won't be any updates until tomorrow night, as I have to go from work to class tonight.

BTW, I am doing research on two topics in my spare time:

1. Prophylactic coral treatment (Interceptor, Lavamisole, Tropic Marin Pro, Flatworm Exit, etc). If anyone has links to good threads on these topics, please let me know.

2. Dosing pumps. I'm looking for input in this thread, but it seems to be a slow RC day. I'm considering the AquaMedic ReefDoser and Spectrapure Litermeter III.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1412688

Rickey
06/16/2008, 02:54 PM
Following along. Trying to get some new ideas. You sure received a nice setup.

P.Kelly
06/16/2008, 03:10 PM
Thanks Rickey, hopefully you'll find some of what you're looking for. I'm sure I'll make enough mistakes to offer some learning opportunities. ;)

Also, I couldn't not post a picture today, so here is the updated project schedule:

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/Schedule-1.png

Bax
06/16/2008, 08:24 PM
Very cool project!

Good luck with it!

P.Kelly
06/17/2008, 04:26 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12761124#post12761124 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Bax
Very cool project!

Good luck with it!

Thanks Bax!


June 17, 2008 - Bored at work, so I spent some money

I placed an order with Phishybusiness today for a LiterMiter III. Man, these things are hard to come by; everyone is backordered, but per an email I got back from them today, they had stock on the meter and pumps, so they got some tag-on business.

1 x SpectraPure LiterMeter III Water Exchange Module
1 x Spectapure LiterMeter 3
1 x SpectraPure Remote Pump Module for LiterMeter III
5 x 20 Reef Plugs
5 x 15 Reef Disks
1 x Flatworm eXit
1 x RED SEA AIPTASIA-X 2.02 OZ
1 x Air Dryer
1 x Coralife Ozone Resistant Tubing 3 feet
1 x Elos AquaTest Mg
1 x Elos AquaTest PO4

I'm guessing it will ship-out FedEx tomorrow from Ohio, and get here mid-next week.

I'm waiting to hear back on a vortech group buy about a pump and battery backup, and should be ordering that today or tomorrow. That will make 3 vortechs on the 210, one on each end and one in the middle back.

Stand and Canopy

I'm hoping to get started moving the chiller on the 92g tonight, so I can test fit the stand in place.

I laid out some 36" T5 bulbs, reflectors and end caps in the AGA Mission Style canopy last night. I confirmed that I will be able to fit at least 16 36" units in there; 4 in the front area tha opens and 12 in a fixed mounting position under the back section. I'm thinking that this will give me plenty of light. :D

Stay tuned.

Jim_S
06/17/2008, 04:29 PM
Why did you decide to go with T5's over MH's?

Sorry if I missed it somewhere back in your thread :)

P.Kelly
06/17/2008, 04:47 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12767142#post12767142 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Jim_S
Why did you decide to go with T5's over MH's?

Sorry if I missed it somewhere back in your thread :)

Jim, I actually haven't posted a section about lighting yet, so I figured this might cause a little "controversy." I've seen a number of tanks with both and have run MH myself on all my tanks. I like the broad, but targeted spectrum that you can get with T5 bulbs. I prefer the more consitent lighting, rather than the point-source of MH, and I'm looking forward to a little less radiation (heat) in my tank with the T5s. I'm still running about the same number of watts as a 3x250w MH system.

I plan on getting my hands on a Apogee PAR meter after the install to document PAR levels in the tank.

Oh, and I like being different! :D

Jim_S
06/17/2008, 04:56 PM
Thats cool. To each their own ;)

I hope they work out great for you!

Cheers,

Jim

P.Kelly
06/17/2008, 04:59 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12767320#post12767320 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Jim_S
Thats cool. To each their own ;)

I hope they work out great for you!

Cheers,

Jim

And the controversy begins... ;)

Out of curiosity, have you run a full tank of T5s or had a bad experience? I'm basing my decision on 2 tanks that I loved, Brian (Napa) and Howie. I've been amazed with the results.

mpoletti
06/17/2008, 05:01 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12767341#post12767341 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by petes97
And the controversy begins... ;)

Out of curiosity, have you run a full tank of T5s or had a bad experience? I'm basing my decision on 2 tanks that I loved, Brian (Napa) and Howie. I've been amazed with the results.

FWIW, Brian is switching back to halides on his new elos ;)

I think that if you are going to keep the AGA canopy, you need a low profile lighting set up as there is minimal room as is. I raised min up an inch when I had my maristar on my 90.

Jim_S
06/17/2008, 05:03 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12767341#post12767341 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by petes97
And the controversy begins... ;)

Out of curiosity, have you run a full tank of T5s or had a bad experience? I'm basing my decision on 2 tanks that I loved, Brian (Napa) and Howie. I've been amazed with the results.

Actually, I ran two sets of TEK T5's (48") over a 50 gallon reef I had a while back. I didn't like what they did for me, so I switched them out for some MH's.

But just because they didn't work for me doesn't mean they're not any good :)

I've seen EXCELLENT results with T5's on other hobbyist's tank.

The only reason I ask is that with tanks as large as ours, MH's with nice reflectors seem to be the more popular route. I was wondering if you were trying something different, or just didn't like MH's :)

Go with what works best for you! Thats what this hobby is all about. So many different ways to reach a common goal ;)

P.Kelly
06/17/2008, 05:09 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12767359#post12767359 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mpoletti
FWIW, Brian is switching back to halides on his new elos ;)

I heard, but didn't get a chance to ask for his reasoning. You guys know?

As for MH. I'm torn on the issue. With good reflectors (i.e. Lumenarcs or lumenbrights) I agree. Not enough room in my canopy for either at this time. The pointsource of lighting from the MH can be a neat effect, but I prefer the lighting pattern of the T5 refector, when used with as many as I will have.

Who knows, in a year I may decide I don't like it. But you're right, experimentation is part of the game.

mpoletti
06/17/2008, 05:14 PM
There are certain corals and colors that do much better under halides because the T5's are basically too much for them. I believe he is getting a Spectra, which is a super sexy fixture that will allow for more flexability in his reefkeeping.

That is just what he told me when we were discussing it awhile back.

I believe you can you achieve great colors and great growth with T5's, but its just not my boat; as I am a VHO guy. I have ran T5s and was dissapointed everyime I came home from a vho tank.

kdblove_99
06/17/2008, 06:38 PM
You should be good with T5's. i have seen the 2 tanks also and both are very nice and get great growth. Believe Howies is a 180 also? His corals look super nice last time i was over there.

You could ask hahnmeister also, he seems to know quite a bit about T5's and a ton about lighting overall, One of the few people i would trust about lighting.

I would say start a thread but you are right you will either get the hard core MH users that think that is the only way to go or the opposite. I love to experiment also. that way you know for sure what is best for you! Good work on you tank! looks like you are buying some very nice equiptment for it. I would love to get a LM3 also heard nothing but good things about them!

reefer334
06/17/2008, 07:42 PM
Pete
I hope you get the tank ok.

As for lighting I have tried everything and I like MH with VHO's the best for sure!!!!!


If I had to all over again I would get good lumenarc reflectors with se raidium bulbs on a m80 ballast with UVL VHO's for actnics .

Just my 2 cents


I have 2x250 wat de phoenix 14 ks and 2x 36inch UVL acntic and love that combo,
my corals are really coloring up and groeing really fast now!!1


TTYL

Chris

kdblove_99
06/17/2008, 08:12 PM
I have a full size lumenarc but i am going to try the lumenmax Elite these look very cool and have heard great things about thema nd they tested out very nicely, better than the lumenarcs.

I do agree Radiums on M80 ballast is my favorite!

jthao
06/17/2008, 09:15 PM
waiting on another picture.....................
good job so far pete...... man you move fast!!! You're already almost passing me up. I guess I need to get my butt up and start working on my tank.
I also need to run a couple of breakers and such, but I'm low on cash right now, the Nikon D80 emptied out my wallet.:sad2:

D&KSac
06/17/2008, 09:53 PM
Pete did you check the LAN yet? Glad to hear you got the LM3 I love mine makes things so much more easy and consistant.

P.Kelly
06/17/2008, 10:46 PM
I picked up my new QT tank from Chris tonight. Thank you very much! I'm still not sure how I got it into the back of Darcy's Tahoe by myself, but here it is in all of its dirty 125 gallons of splendor. Couple of chips in the glass, but nothing I would be worried about for a garage quarantine system. Here come the Tangs!

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_2962.jpg

Stopped by both big box home improvement stores on the way home to get 3/4" ID black tubing so that I could relocate my chiller, so I can get the new stand in place. While I had the chiller out, I figure it is due for a backflush (hot water and vinegar). Man the water coming out of this thing is dirty!

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_2961.jpg

As for the LM3, it's all your fault David. Yours, and the guy who said his ReefDoser was all loud and janky. What's an extra $100 or so for piece and quiet? Oh, and I didn't get the LAN tested, but it is installed.

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_2960.jpg

Josh, you better get moving, or I'll have my reef done before you.

Stand Update

Some pictures of the painted reinforcement installed upside down from Sunday night.

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_2958.jpg

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_2959.jpg


Schedule

So on the whole things are moving along about as planned. I'll be ahead of schedule tonight once I get the chiller moved.

D&KSac
06/17/2008, 11:03 PM
Hurray for tangs! lol Did you go get that Sohal? You better hurry up or someone else is gonna take that fish home. Its to nice to be there for long.

Alright i was the first post on page 3 and page 4... Lol

mikid
06/17/2008, 11:38 PM
i think i got it on fathers day,there were 2 small(3inch) one perfect one with a couple of minor fin/tail inperfection,i got the one out of the purple tang tank,spotless and heathly,sorry pete!mikid i think beat you to it,:(

P.Kelly
06/17/2008, 11:48 PM
No worries. I'm sure they will get more in again soon.

P.Kelly
06/18/2008, 10:19 AM
Make some money, spend some money

The inevitable wallet drain continues. I firmed up my order for:

a third Ecotech Marine VorTech MP40W (gen2)
a VorTech battery backup
a third Neptune Systems DC8


Hopefully this stuff will arrive early next week, if not Friday of this week.

So, this leaves a few major items to acquire:

Skimmer (leaning towards the SWC/MSX/Octo Extreme 250 or 300)
Sump
A second return pump (think about another Ocean Runner 3500)
Heaters (I only have 30 at home)
Moonlights (considering the Neptune Lunar Sim)
Lighting (T5s)


I'll get a post soon with a list of all my mechanicals and maybe even a diagram of a proposed sump layout. Still trying to decide between building my own or having someone build it for me.

jthao
06/18/2008, 01:53 PM
I'm jealous......... I wanted a vortech too!!!:D
how big of a sump you going to do?? a separate sump and fuge, or combined?

kdblove_99
06/18/2008, 06:43 PM
Anotehr Oceanrunner user ey? I love mine.

jthao
06/18/2008, 06:58 PM
pete, what do you need 3 dc8s for?? are you trying to control all the lights in elk grove???:lol: :D :lol:

P.Kelly
06/18/2008, 07:07 PM
I'll post a list when I get into work tomorrow. I'm figuring on about 20 controlled plugs (3 DC8s and a DC4HD) and 7-8 non controlled plugs. I hope my two 20 amp circuits will be enough...

Davey, I think the OR is your fault. I have one on my 45 tech, and I like it. Very reasonable rated power draw for the performance.

Joes210gal
06/18/2008, 11:53 PM
With limited space under the hood, T5's are a good choice.

Looking at your schedule, other than David helping you once, it seems that you and Darcy are doing all the work. Judging by the way things are going, it looks like you have everything under control. But if you need help with something let me know.

P.Kelly
06/19/2008, 12:03 AM
Thanks again Joe. I'm sure I could use your help when we get ready to bring the tank into the house and onto the stand. I'm guessing sometime in the next week or two.

Tofumushrooman
06/19/2008, 09:24 AM
Very nice pete, wish the pictures worked for me they were working last week : (.

What kind of flow scheme will you do with 3 vortechs? 2 on the sides and one in the middle back?

bkvreef
06/19/2008, 09:56 AM
Pete,
Wow impressive setup.
I am going to be setting up a 220g (glass) and was wondering what paint you used to do the back of the tank?

P.Kelly
06/19/2008, 10:41 AM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12779058#post12779058 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by bkvreef
Pete,
Wow impressive setup.
I am going to be setting up a 220g (glass) and was wondering what paint you used to do the back of the tank?

Thank you. I used Krylon Fusion, Black Satin finish bought at Wallyworld. I used standard 3M blue painter's tape for masking and a 1mil plastic tarp for taping off the outer edges to protect my garage from overspray. It took about 10-15 light coats spaced out about 10-15 minutes between coats to achieve the end results, which I am very happy with.

bladeruner143
06/19/2008, 10:50 AM
Wow Pete, I leave for a couple days and you basically have this thing filled up! Where are you getting the DC8s from? I'm planning on getting my AC Jr pretty soon

P.Kelly
06/19/2008, 10:59 AM
I already have 3 DC8s, the third is on the floor next to my 45 tech waiting to be hooked up.

I needed a 4th, (3rd for the 210) for flexibility in automating the tank with redundant safety controls. read: I want to be able to take vacations.

bladeruner143
06/19/2008, 11:12 AM
So you're not going to run a CL right Pete? Let us know how your experiment with the T5s goes!

P.Kelly
06/19/2008, 11:28 AM
No, I am planning on running 3 vortechs in some sort of synchronization/anti-syncronization mode. Propably Reef Crest.

I'm also working on getting the brand new Aquactinics SLRs instead of IceCap units, so I may be able to squeeze even more under the "hood."

spongebobby
06/19/2008, 11:28 AM
Been following your thread. Your build is coming along quite nice. I just wanted to show you a pic of my 210. I am using a Aquactinics 72 in. constellation light and have been very impressed with the light output. I am keeping clams on the sand bed with this light with no problems.

Good luck on your build :)


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/spongebobby/7e2b34be.jpg

Doahh
06/19/2008, 12:02 PM
So what are you doing sump wise? Completely making an Acrylic one or adding baffles to an existing tank?

P.Kelly
06/19/2008, 12:56 PM
I'm planning on trying my mad skillz on a smaller sump for my 45 tech this weekend, if I can find the time. If it turns out half decent, then I'll be building my sump from scratch. If I botch the job royally, then I'll have on built. Acrylic is too expensive to do a half-donkey job.

bladeruner143
06/19/2008, 01:06 PM
How big are you planning to have your sump Pete?

P.Kelly
06/19/2008, 01:34 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12780309#post12780309 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by bladeruner143
How big are you planning to have your sump Pete?

I'm estimating about 42x20x16 ID, so in the neigborhood of a max capacity of 58 gallons


Why do I need 3 DC8s and a DC4HD?

In no particular order:

A1 - IceCap 660 1
A2 - IceCap 660 2
A3 - IceCap 660 3
A4 - IceCap 660 4
A5 - IceCap 660 5 (maybe???)
A6 - Frag tank MH
A7 - Frag tank PC
A8 - Frag tank moonlight

B1 - Sump light
B2 - Return Pump 1
B3 - Return Pump 2
B4 - Heater 1
B5 - Heater 2
B6 - Chiller
B7 - Calcium Reactor Solenoid
B8 - Ozone

C1 - Lighting Fans 1
C2 - Lighting Fans 2
C3 - Skimmer Pump 1
C4 - Skimmer Pump 2
C5 - UV Sterilizer
C6 - UV pump
C7 - Media reactor pump 1
C8 - Medium reactor pump 2

D1 - Calcium reactor feed pump
D2 - Calcium reactor circ
D3 - ?
D4 - ?


Plugged in, but not controlled

X1 - ATO
X2 - MP40W 1
X3 - MP40W 2
X4 - MP40W 3
X5 - Battery Backup
X6 - Litermeter III

P.Kelly
06/20/2008, 12:37 AM
Ideas for my sump

Well, I killed a few hours tonight learning Google Sketch. Not too shabby once you get past the learning curve of working on three axises.

Here is my idea of a sump. It measures 42x22x16.

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/sump4.png
A bird's eye view

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/sump3.png
From the front

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/sump1.png
The center divider goes the full height so it can support my 20" sunpod over the refugium area.

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/sump2.png
From the back. You can see the are on the left where dual return pumps will go, as well as misc things, like media reactors, etc.

D&KSac
06/20/2008, 05:43 AM
So then your going to have a seperate fuge Pete?

P.Kelly
06/20/2008, 08:05 AM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12784813#post12784813 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by D&KSac
So then your going to have a seperate fuge Pete?

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/sump4.png
The fuge will be the lower right hand side of this image.

bladeruner143
06/20/2008, 10:33 AM
How are you working out your flow through your sump Pete?

P.Kelly
06/20/2008, 01:49 PM
http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/sump4-flow.png

Green will be the drain from the overflows. 2/3 to 3/4 in the skimmer chamber on the left, the remaining into the refugium on the right.

Blue is water flow throught he baffles and the grate into the return section.

Red is return pumps back to the tank.

reefer334
06/20/2008, 08:06 PM
Pete,

How big is the fuge compartment on the right?

Are you running sand in your tank?

Are you going to have a RDSB in your sump or elsewhere?

Just curious as these are areas I wish I would have thought more about before building my sump/fuge.


Sorry I a missed the meeting tonight, I finally got new carbon fiber exhaust for my Ducati so I have been tinkering with that today.


TTYL

Chris

P.Kelly
06/20/2008, 11:36 PM
The fuge, as drafted in that pictures is the dimension of a standard 10g tank, but a tad taller, so closer to 12g, with probably a 4-6 inch sandbed.

We plan on having somewhere between a medium to deep sandbed, maybe about 4 inches or so.

You missed a fun meeting, but nothing earth shattering.

P.Kelly
06/21/2008, 12:18 AM
June 20, 2008 - TGIF

On Thursday, Darcy and I put the stand in place to test out the location and to see how level my tile job is. I think it will do nicely!

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_2968.jpg

You can see the location next to the existing tank in this picture. The 92g will come down when the 210 is all setup. Anyone looking for a corner bowfront?

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_2969.jpg

Darcy missed the UPS man today, so she tracked him down so I could have Christmas early. I got all of this from a socal vendor, except the Jalli heaters that I picked up at Your Reef today.

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_2973.jpg

I also placed an order for 16 sets of Aquactinics 36" SLRs, end caps and stand offs.

More to come, as it develops.

SSJR714
06/21/2008, 09:55 AM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12723139#post12723139 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by petes97
June 10, 2008

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_2907.jpg
Part 2 of my garage mess

If I didn't know any better.... I would think you were brewing something more than salt water.

chenzo1099
06/21/2008, 11:17 AM
Nice setup

jthao
06/21/2008, 06:56 PM
how many vortechs you gonna run?? I was trying to make it out to the meeting but couldn't make it. anyways, your quick lesson on the acIII actually helped. I also went on the AC forum here on RC, and I've been messing around with it. So now I'm actually pretty good with it. To my surprise, it's not hard at all once I actually messed with it. I still haven't figured out how to write out the commands for the aquasurf though, I tried it over and over for about an hour, but couldn't get the tunze to work with it.
so when is water going into the tank???

P.Kelly
06/21/2008, 07:42 PM
June 21, 2008 - Might as well put the tank on the stand

I had an impromptu gathering at my house today and we ended up putting the tank on the stand. Thanks to David, Matt and Joe. Sorry Joe, I know we were set for tomorrow, but you've got your afternoon free again.

I had Darcy take up residence behind the point and shoot for a couple of quick poses. Turns out I'm not such a horrible photographer by comparison, so it must be the crappy camera.

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_2974.jpg

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_2975.jpg
Me bench pressing a 210g tank!

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_2976.jpg
Luckily, David didn't try to get fresh with me. At least not on camera!

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_2977.jpg
Proof that I'm not the only bad photographer in the house... :D

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_2978.jpg
As much as I like laying under a 300lb aquarium, I'd rather admire it from the front, rather than the bottom.

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_2979.jpg

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_2980.jpg
Canopy is on for looks, will be coming back off as soon as the reflectors come in.

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_2981.jpg

That's a wrap.

Bax
06/21/2008, 07:59 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12789908#post12789908 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by reefer334
Pete,



Sorry I a missed the meeting tonight, I finally got new carbon fiber exhaust for my Ducati so I have been tinkering with that today.


TTYL

Chris

The words Ducati and carbon fiber in the same sentence make me soil myself.

That, and this build, the tank looks good on the stand! Very nice work!

reefer334
06/21/2008, 09:25 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12795060#post12795060 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Bax
The words Ducati and carbon fiber in the same sentence make me soil myself.

That, and this build, the tank looks good on the stand! Very nice work!




LOL
I have two bad addictions motorcycles and reef tanks!!!!






Pete it is lookin good!!!!!!!


So how long before water goes in?


Chris

D&KSac
06/21/2008, 10:15 PM
By the looks of the 3rd picture down we were using demon power. lol You know red eye reduction is point and click. jk Though looking at the picture again it could be the white powdery substance that appears to be on my chin. That gave me the power.

K now that I herniated a disk lifting that monster I wanna see water in it next week. =D

P.Kelly
06/22/2008, 12:45 AM
Darcy and I are going to be washing sand tomorrow. So, that is a move in the right direction. Since this tank is a bit larger than my current, I'm looking for best practices in placing rock (i.e. cut the bottoms flat, embed it in the sand, place it on egg crate, etc). Your thoughts and ideas would be appreciated.

So, next up:

1. Rock
2. Sand
3. Water

Still waiting on the skimmers to be ready for sale... Looks like mid July.

iriejp1
06/22/2008, 12:46 AM
Wow...lookin good Pete! You're catching up to me and I had a head start. :D

P.Kelly
06/22/2008, 01:00 AM
I've had some practice. I think this is the 9th tank I've setup in the last 18 months. And that doesn't count the other tanks I have that are sitting dry.

Hi, my name is Peter and I'm a tankaholic. The first step is admitting you have a problem.

P.Kelly
06/23/2008, 01:43 PM
June 23, 2008 - Lunch break

I just placed two of the last few orders I have to make today. FIrst off was a 1/2" sheet of Cyro GP acrylic (72x96"). Will be coming in Friday, special order. Interstate Plastics will be cutting it in half (48x72") for me, so I can fit it in Darcy's Tahoe.

Also, placed an order with MarineDepot for the following:

(2) IceCap 660 Electronic Fluorescent Ballast
(1) Neptune Systems Dimmable Lunar Simulator - 5 LED
(6') CO2-Proof Tubing - Black
(1) Bubble Counter Liquid - 50mL
(1) Neptune Systems Temperature Probe For AC 3 and PX1000
(1) Elos Aqua Test Kit - Nitrate


Rock

And, now that the garage is cleaned out a little more, I setup a piece of foam 2'x6' that resembles the bottom of my tank and Darcy and I are playing around with various rockscaping layouts. I'm planning on leaving 4" between rock and the three sides so that I can easily clean the glass.

I'll try to get some pictures of the ideas up tonight.

I'm also trying to decide on how to mount the rockwork. We've decided on a shallow sand bed (2-3"), but I don't want the rock resting on the glass bottom, so I'm looking at PVC pipe and the acrylic pin method. Any ideas? I don't want to loose 2-3" of rock in the sand, nor do I want the rock directly on the glass. Call me a wuss, I don't care.

reefer334
06/23/2008, 02:12 PM
I have seen a tank setup were a guy drilled large holes through the live rock and slid them over the pvc pipe stand it looked sweet!!




Chris

reefer334
06/23/2008, 02:15 PM
I am sure you have seen it and you probably know him.

But here is the link anyways


http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1383915



Chris

bladeruner143
06/23/2008, 02:18 PM
Pete, what kind of shapes are you looking to make? if you're looking more at the Pillar type shape, acyrilic rods or PVC may be the way to go. If you're looking to make some Bridge type shapes, I had found this little rack somewhere on RC

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b1/bladeruner143/46311rack2.jpg


I'm not sure how they made it, but I was very interested in trying to make this. The rock basically sits on top of it, and you aren't able to see the rock at all. I dont know where the link to this thread is, but maybe someone else knows so that you can see the finished product. You could always go old school and just stack it and hope its structurally sound! ;)

P.Kelly
06/23/2008, 03:32 PM
I was planning on just stacking, maybe some epoxy, as needed, but want to get the rock about 2" off the glass.

jtarmitage
06/23/2008, 04:30 PM
Pete, I like to put a little bit of sand down first, then put in the rock. Once everything is in it's place, I add the rest of the sand. The benefit of this is that the sand on the bottom will fill in the nooks and crannies on the bottom of the rock, providing a more stable base. The rest of the sand helps to hold the rock in place.

Also, PM incoming.

P.Kelly
06/24/2008, 10:13 PM
June 23, 2008

Chris, my bike isn't as cool as yours, but it's still fun. After a few crotch rockets, I decided to go back to a cruiser.

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_2982.jpg


May favorite fishie

It seems like everybody either takes a picture of their child or small asian friend in their tank. All of my asian friends are too big to sit in my tank, so I took a picture of Layla! ;)

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_2984.jpg

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_2986.jpg

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_2985.jpg

Just kidding about the asian friend joke... Most of my asian friends would have fit. :D I just wanted a picture of my daughter in the tank.


Rock work ideas

Here was my first thought for the left side island. I later decided on a different, mo betta idea.

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_2987.jpg

Here is the current idea for the left island:

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_2989.jpg

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_2990.jpg

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_2991.jpg

P.Kelly
06/24/2008, 10:15 PM
June 24, 2008

Another bit of stuff arrived today from the FedEx man. I had a serious time tracking down a LM3 in stock, but I did!

I also put the Aiptasia-X to work tonight on my frag tank. We'll see in a week or two how it goes.

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_2992.jpg

Dustin1300
06/24/2008, 10:46 PM
Tagging along....Really jealous so far!

P.Kelly
06/24/2008, 11:46 PM
Success at last with the AC3 and AquaNotes

For such a cool idea, the documentation that comes with AquaNotes is horrible! Surely written by a programmer. I should know, I played one on TV in a former life. ;)

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/AquaNotes.jpg

I stopped by Fry's earlier today and picked up a patch cord for my telecom closet and a network cable for the AC3, and 2 hours after I started a 15 minute task, I had connectivity.

Oh, the controls displayed are on my current 92g and frag tank. The AC3 will be one of the last items moved over.

Good night!

kdblove_99
06/25/2008, 12:43 AM
looking good. Super jealous of the LM 3

FFrankie
06/25/2008, 07:05 AM
Nice tank build thread. Tagging along here :)

Jim_S
06/25/2008, 08:07 AM
Nice Pete!

Did you order you skimmer yet? What Ca-rx are you going to run?

P.Kelly
06/25/2008, 09:42 AM
Thanks everyone... Don't be jealous of my credit card statement though...

Jim, I haven't ordered a skimmer. It's keeping me up at night. I have a Korallin 1502 and will run it until I decide that its worth buying something else.

Jim_S
06/25/2008, 09:45 AM
Nice. Don't lose too much sleep over it ;) You're on the right track as long as you choose an efficient model :)

Definitely not jealous of the CC statement :p

P.Kelly
06/25/2008, 09:51 AM
I'd love to get a recirc, but it seems that most are either too tall or way too expensive for my current budget.

Jim_S
06/25/2008, 09:59 AM
Yeah, I prefer them for a couple of reasons, but also feel that for the cost, you don't really get an equal amount of performance in return.

If an RC style is outta your budget, I wouldn't worry about it.

I'm just a freak. If I don't get exactly what I want, I'm never happy. I wind up spending money twice, when I could have just spent it once. But thats just me and my reasoning for buying the skimmer I chose :)

bladeruner143
06/25/2008, 10:57 AM
Pete, everything is looking good! I especially like the rock island. Any ideas for the rest of the rock work? Also, what about an ASM G4x modded for recirc? I know that it isn't a top of the line skimmer, but with the mods it should be fairly efficient and would be great on your budget right?

P.Kelly
06/25/2008, 12:47 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12818967#post12818967 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by bladeruner143
Pete, everything is looking good! I especially like the rock island. Any ideas for the rest of the rock work? Also, what about an ASM G4x modded for recirc? I know that it isn't a top of the line skimmer, but with the mods it should be fairly efficient and would be great on your budget right?

The other half of the tank will have a similar rock structure, but will come out of my current tank, so the left half will get setup and cycled and then I'll move on to the other side once the system is stable and I'm ready to break down the 92g and frag tank.


Skimmer Update

I had an interesting talk with Mike at ReefSpecialty today. He suggested I shy away from Octopus line of products, as I questioned the performance gains of recirc skimmers. His suggestion in my price point (albiet the top end) was the ReeFlo Orca 200. Anyone have any thoughts on this skimer? I know Jeremy votes for the ReeFlo 200.

Jeremy, thank you for the PM reactor and the T5 endcaps.

Jim_S
06/25/2008, 01:30 PM
I like the reeflo's. Powered by great pumps, rc config, bubble diffuser, great price considering the power and build quality and readily available parts and service.

Not sure how they sound, but I hear they are very quiet.

P.Kelly
06/25/2008, 02:52 PM
Well, Darcy and I are playing ball with the big boys now. I just placed the order with Mike at Reefspecialty for the Reeflo Orca 200. Interesting to think that my skimmer, along with most of the other equipment on this tank cost more than the tank itself.

Hi, my name it Peter, and I have a problem...

bladeruner143
06/25/2008, 02:59 PM
Congrats on making it to the Big Leagues Pete! I can only hope that one day, I am able to also have a CC statement like yours. The only problem though is that my wife would kill me before I got a chance to enjoy it! be sure to take some pics of that sexy skimmer when it comes in

little_d
06/25/2008, 03:13 PM
That's right Pete, I though with not much differences in volume I would be able to use most of the equipment in the current tank, but guess not, the equipments cost is getting there :D

Jim_S
06/25/2008, 03:29 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12820668#post12820668 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by petes97
Well, Darcy and I are playing ball with the big boys now. I just placed the order with Mike at Reefspecialty for the Reeflo Orca 200. Interesting to think that my skimmer, along with most of the other equipment on this tank cost more than the tank itself.

Hi, my name it Peter, and I have a problem...

:lol:

My tank was pretty cheap compared to the Tunzes, lights, skimmer and Ca-rx :lol:

You're not alone in your addiction ;)

jtarmitage
06/25/2008, 03:50 PM
Good to see you today Pete, albeit briefly. The Reeflo will be sweet, but make sure you account for it's size before you build you sump. The space under that stand will be at a premium.
And, yeah, the tank was cheap by comparison to the equipment!:lol:

P.Kelly
06/25/2008, 04:16 PM
Jeremy, likewise. We'll have to get together on a reefing weekend just to hang out sometime. Thanks for the stuff, and the drop off.

I'm also getting a waste collector, with auto shut-off from Mike, so he's modding it for me tonight, and it will ship out tomorrow. I expect I'll have the skimmer by the end of next week at the latest. I'll be going back to the drawing board for the sump design. Oh well, I'm super stoaked (sp?) about the new skimmer.

Best part, is that I called Darcy, told her what was going on. She agreed that this was the better route to go.

I love my wife!!! We may go poor together, but at least we'll have a cool fish tank.

Layla'sreef
06/25/2008, 04:31 PM
We'll just call this "Vacationing in!"

...No Hawaii trip this year....besides - airline tickets are truely too expensive!

You just have to weigh the differences: 4-5 hour plane ride (for 1) vs. cool protien skimmer (which means more fishies for all of us to enjoy!) ;)

P.Kelly
06/25/2008, 04:32 PM
Hey, your post count is getting up there. ;)

jtarmitage
06/25/2008, 04:35 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12821290#post12821290 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Layla'sreef
We'll just call this "Vacationing in!"

...No Hawaii trip this year....besides - airline tickets are truely too expensive!

You just have to weigh the differences: 4-5 hour plane ride (for 1) vs. cool protien skimmer (which means more fishies for all of us to enjoy!) ;)

If only my wife took this view.:( I think her choice would be for her to take a trip while I played Mr. Mom a bit more.:lol:

Rickey
06/25/2008, 04:35 PM
Pete,
I found I have the same issue except with my 240 I haven't bought the "other" equipment. I'm still using what I had on my 75. My wife just shakes her head every time I show her the price of the skimmer I eventually want. Then I remind her about that pretty Emporer she wants.:D That used to work anyhow till I showed her the price for a couple Tunze and a controller...

Layla'sreef
06/25/2008, 04:41 PM
Yeah! I just need 75 more before I can put a really cool picture on there! :frog:

Ratpack
06/25/2008, 06:08 PM
That is a very nice setup. Mind if I tag along and drool?

P.Kelly
06/25/2008, 06:17 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12821938#post12821938 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Ratpack
That is a very nice setup. Mind if I tag along and drool?

Please do. I find myself sometimes wondering if I'm really so lucky to be doing this myself. I can't wait until it is done, but then, the doing is half (or more) of the fun.

P.Kelly
06/25/2008, 10:03 PM
Just like Mark, I had two boxes waiting for me when I got home from work. MarineDepot and Phishy Business. PB was getting me the air dryer that was on back order from my previous shipment, but the MD order was a little more exciting:

- (2) IceCap 660s
- Bubble counter fluid
- Lunar Simulator (5 led)

some other stuff

kdblove_99
06/25/2008, 11:46 PM
Good stuff Pete. I think i will have to see if that DAS EX3 will fit on my new system once i get it. It has a very high stand. Just worried about the width:)

reefer334
06/26/2008, 07:32 PM
You have got some nice equipment in the works.


My 120 is only 6 months old and now I want to do a 240 reef!!!!


Are you filling it this weekend?



Chris

P.Kelly
06/26/2008, 08:02 PM
Water = possible this weekend (but not likely)

The skimmer is due to arrive by the end of next week.

I'm building an acrylic rod base for the rockwork this weekend if all goes well. I'm also planning on building a sump for the 45 gallon to try my hand at sump building.

I'm in the middle of building fish netting screens for the 210 right now. Pictures to follow.

P.Kelly
06/26/2008, 10:13 PM
June 26, 2008 - Finally some more pictures

I'm so sorry. I can't beleive that I went an entire page without pictures. I'll try not to let it happen again.


Pile-o-Stuff

So, it looks my stand is already full and there isn't even room for a sump or skimmer.

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_2993.jpg


My prayers are with Jeremy and his family

His daughter broke her arm today, and I hope that all goes well. In his honor, I built some fish net screens tonight after dinner. Thanks to Matt and Layla for their help.


Cutting the aluminum frame with my chop saw.

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_2995.jpg


A nice fit in the tank rim.

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_2994.jpg

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_3000.jpg


Adding netting.

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_3001.jpg

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_3002.jpg

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_3005.jpg


Finished product, time for some comedy relief. Seriously, who is that guy? What a dork.

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_3007.jpg


I decided to go with a single layer for now. Once I get some jumpers then I can redo it with 2 layers if I like the way it works out.

kdblove_99
06/26/2008, 10:24 PM
nice work Pete. Things are looking good!

jtarmitage
06/27/2008, 12:51 AM
Lookin' good Pete. Thanks for the kind wishes. It's not a day I'd like to re-live any time soon. Or ever.

P.Kelly
06/27/2008, 01:24 AM
Here is what got me thinking about using acrylic rod to elevate my rock work off the sand bed. I'm picking up my acrylic tomorrow for the sumps, and will be getting some rod and a 1/4" sheet to build something similar for under my rock and sand.

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/150_Background_Done.jpg

J4Life
06/27/2008, 10:03 AM
Nice job on the netting. What made you decide to use that over eggcrate? Just curious.

Thanks,
Bill

P.Kelly
06/27/2008, 10:47 AM
I wanted to minimize off axis light diffusion, or what "eggcrate" is designed to do.

J4Life
06/27/2008, 11:03 AM
I see. I actually use eggcrate and to be honest I believe the it creates a much more evenly spread lighting pattern and I have pretty impressive growth in my 75 gallon. I think your idea is nice to. I was actually thinking at one point of using screen that they use for screened in porches because I have some fish that are known to be jumpers.

Your setup is nice. How many Vortech's are you planning on using? And is that the only think you will be using for circulation outside of return pump from the sump to the tank?

Thanks again,
Bill

P.Kelly
06/27/2008, 11:24 AM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12833444#post12833444 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by J4Life
I see. I actually use eggcrate and to be honest I believe the it creates a much more evenly spread lighting pattern and I have pretty impressive growth in my 75 gallon.

Since I'll be using T5s only, I really haven't been worried about light spread, as I won't have a point light source, like MH. :D

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12833444#post12833444 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by J4Life
Your setup is nice. How many Vortech's are you planning on using? And is that the only think you will be using for circulation outside of return pump from the sump to the tank?

Thank you. I have 3 vortechs I plan on running and they will be the only circulation, save for the return from the sump.

J4Life
06/27/2008, 12:30 PM
Yeah T5's do cover more area. I am running T5/MH combo's on my 75 and I intend to run the exact same setup on my 180 that is sitting in my basement.

I consider myself a tight budgeted reef keeper so I try to keep the expense to a minimum although I must admit I intend to use two Vortech's in my 180 gallon and that will set me back close to $1K after shipping and tax. Then again by time I get around to setting that baby up my kids maybe grown and living on their own. Lol!

I also like simplicity therefore I won't be running any reactors and may not even use my Octopus Skimmer in the 180 gallon.

I do like how corals pop under T5's but the cost of running all T5's was more expensive than my current setup so I opted for a combo. I push the use of my bulbs for along time. I just replaced my XM 10k 250's after 2 years of use with 10K Reeflux. Most would probably have replaced them at a year.

Can't wait to see your tank up and running. Glad to be apart of the ride along. Also you have a beautiful little lady there. I have a 3 year old daughter and 6 year old boy. I love being a father but it has it's definite challenges. Tell your friend sorry to hear about his little girl breaking her arm. Both my kids have broken their arms and it is definitely not a fun thing to deal with at all.

P.Kelly
06/27/2008, 02:17 PM
I picked up the Acrylic today! Can't wait to get started tomorrow.

Endy0430
06/27/2008, 05:14 PM
cool tank...will be tagging along....

P.Kelly
06/27/2008, 08:02 PM
I bought the first new fish that will go into the 210 today... What, you say? There's no water in your tank.

Ah... Well, Kelly Jedlicki said, "4-6 weeks of quarantine" and Anthony Calfo said, "Not using a quarantine tank is like playing Russian roulette. Nobody wins the game, some people just get to play longer than others."

I must admit that I've not been good about this in the past, although probably better than most. Anyway, I picked up an algae blenny from the LFS on the way home from work. Since I moved the yellow tang from the frag tank into the 92g, the hair algae has taken a nice foothold. While there, I saw a 2" clown tang. Since I missed out on the sohal a few weeks back, I jumped on this guy for $29.99.

Darcy is prepping the QT tank, and I'm slowly acclimating the clown tang in a 5 gallon back down to 1.009 from 1.020 the LFS had their water at. I have to run out and grab a few more things, but once I get him the QT, I'll try to get a picture.

Anyway, what I meant was that this is the first fish that wiil not go into any of my other display tanks. Once done with QT, it'll go into the 210. Yeah!

Bax
06/27/2008, 08:47 PM
Great work!

I just pulled the egg crate off my tank with 400s and T-5s and the rection from the corals was dramatic! I'll never leave egg crate on a tank long term again.

reefer334
06/27/2008, 08:50 PM
Pete
are using the 125 for a qt?


Be careful with clown tangs as they can be very very aggressive.
You might want to add him last if you are doing more tangs.

I need to build some acrylic things as well let me know how your stuff turned out and if you have any tips to share.

Chris

P.Kelly
06/27/2008, 08:58 PM
Chris, the 125 is in the sunroom. Probably needs to get moved into the garage this weekend. I think I'm going to laminate some glass on that corner with the bad chip, just in case, and then it will turn into a long term QT, in garage tank. In the mean-time, I'm starting by recycling my 20g frag tank that has been dry since I setup the 35g frag tank I got from John. Should be up and running in the next hour or so and then some more pictures.

BTW, you're welcome to come by pretty much anytime this weekend and checkout the acrylic work in progress. I should be starting tomorrow around 1pm or so.

P.Kelly
06/27/2008, 11:28 PM
June 27, 2008 - Setting up the QT

I went over to the local big box pet store to get a few supplies.

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_3015.jpg


http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_3016.jpg

Darcy got the old frag tank cleanup up while I was getting supplies.


http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_3017.jpg

I've got a 5w UV sterilizer/power head (JBJ Submariner), 50w Eheim Jager heater, AquaClear 20 HOB filter and an airstone in the tank. Salinity is currently 1.012 and the temp is 81. If my memory serves me, I'll be targeting 1.009 and 82 for about 4-6 weeks, which should get me right around the time I'm ready to add fish to the new tank.


http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_3018.jpg


I was acclimating the Clown Tang to hypo salinity in a 5g bucket, when I snapped this picture. I thought it was going to be terrible, but it looks kinda zen...

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_3013.jpg


Here it is in the QT.

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_3019.jpg


It was an impusle buy, and I can only hope that because it is half the size of my other tangs, that it won't be a meanie.

kdblove_99
06/27/2008, 11:40 PM
Pete, hope this doesnt come out jerky.

But i would worry more about him eating and surviving than being a meanie.

I just dont see hardly any of these living in aquariums:(

But wish you the best

P.Kelly
06/28/2008, 12:05 AM
Fair enough. He was eating at the LFS. I plan on prophylactic treatment during QT for parasites. If he makes it through QT, then I get to worry about his temperment.

kdblove_99
06/28/2008, 12:06 AM
I do wish u teh best:) I tried 2 in my 180 and they both died. but i never saw if they were eating at LFS so that was my bad

FishGuy5
06/28/2008, 12:10 AM
Finally found it Pete!!! What an IMPRESSIVE thread!! Man, you're building the tank of MY dreams!!! Very impressed. Just hope Darcy and Layla won't have to eat Top Ramen and mac and Cheese for the rest of their lives!! Loving what you're doing w/ the rock work. Leave the 92 corner where its at, plumb the 2 tanks together and have a "2 Wall" tank!!!! LMK when you need a hand...just around the corner. Just don't yell at me.

little_d
06/28/2008, 01:06 AM
Nice looking fish Pete, I tried a few times but my other tangs was too aggressive.

Reef n' Madness
06/28/2008, 10:27 AM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12837923#post12837923 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by FishGuy5
Just hope Darcy and Layla won't have to eat Top Ramen and mac and Cheese for the rest of their lives!!

:lol:



Everything looks great Pete! Awesome shot of the fish too!

Tofumushrooman
06/28/2008, 10:28 AM
Very nice fish one of my favorites. Yeah the larger tanks I went with (biggest being 150 for myself) I always had a QT system set up to make sure nothing nasty got into the tank. Unfortunatly with my current apartment setup I dont have room for a QT, but at least I dont have to worry about tangs in my 58 :).

Looks really good Pete. Very jealous :D

bayareaquarist
06/28/2008, 11:30 AM
I wish you luck with that fish as well Peter...They never lasted at Exotic. They would eat and eat and eat but never gained weight...Ive read nothing positive about their longevity and I think they are very prone to Lateral Line Disease...But in this hobby, anything is possible!

reefer334
06/28/2008, 04:33 PM
Pete
deworm the tang and it should do fine.

Use praziquantrel for a dewormer same as used in dogs and cats.



Chris

cathoai
06/28/2008, 05:16 PM
Petes,

It looks like you're zipping through this project at the speed of light. When intalling your T5 lighting, make sure to include fans at both ends.


Howie

P.Kelly
06/28/2008, 06:46 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12840727#post12840727 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by reefer334
Use praziquantrel for a dewormer same as used in dogs and cats.

Any guidance on where to get it, how much to use and for how long?

I picked up Formalin 3, Malachite Green, Copper Tru and Ampicillin, since they were cheap to have lying around...

P.Kelly
06/28/2008, 06:50 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12840916#post12840916 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by cathoai
It looks like you're zipping through this project at the speed of light. When intalling your T5 lighting, make sure to include fans at both ends.

Howie, I am planning on doing that, but I haven't bought fans yet. What did you use? Did you get the temperature sensing IceCap fans?

Layla'sreef
06/28/2008, 07:28 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12837923#post12837923 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by FishGuy5
Just hope Darcy and Layla won't have to eat Top Ramen and mac and Cheese for the rest of their lives!!

Funny thing....I actually like Top Ramen (but Peter doesn't), and I can make a mean Mac-n-cheese!! :rollface:

cathoai
06/28/2008, 08:40 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12841392#post12841392 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by petes97
Howie, I am planning on doing that, but I haven't bought fans yet. What did you use? Did you get the temperature sensing IceCap fans?


I connect 4 regular computer fans on each side to one of these http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811999167 and program them to turn on at the same time as the light. I think it's best to have the fans on all the time during your lighting period regardless of temperature.

Howie

P.Kelly
06/28/2008, 10:02 PM
June 28, 2008 - Helping friends

I had two visitor's stop by this afternoon. Shout out to my friend Matt, who is moving back to the bay area. Gonna miss you man! The other was John, who brought a Euro Reef over that had seperated at the seam between the body and the neck. I've never seen anything like it. The seam between the acrylic body and the PVC outlet tube was also totally seperated.

Some quick research and Weldon 16 appears to be able to bond PVC to Acrylic, so I used a little on that piece and taped it up before moving on to the neck.

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_3021.jpg

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_3024.jpg

Here, I'm using needles to keep the neck seperated. I hadn't cut up guitar strings yet. Stay tuned for the next post.


http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_3025.jpg

Some weldon 4 being applied to the joint.


http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_3026.jpg

More of the same.


http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_3028.jpg

Some left over floor tile as a weight.


http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_3029.jpg

Admiring my handywork.


http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_3030.jpg

A little more weight for good measure.


John justed picked up the skimmer body, and everything appears to be good. We'll see in a few days? Also a nother big thanks to Matt for mesh-modding John's Sedra 5000.

P.Kelly
06/28/2008, 10:18 PM
June 28, 2008 - My first sump from scratch

I spent the mid afternoon at my dad's wood shop cutting the acrylic on the table saw, and using the router table to clean up the edges. I gave some thought to using the jointer, but the router table gave a very nice finish and was much easier to use for large pieces. Sorry no picstures of the woodshop.

After a couple of trips to TAP (for some black 1/4" acrylic) and Home Depot for supplies, I set out to the final assembly. I opted for 1/2" Cyro Acrylite GP (Cell Cat Acrylic). The Cyro is arguably one of the best products on the market, and given oil prices it has become quite exepnsive. I ended getting two sheets 6' x 4' for more cash than I care to share.

Given the cost, I opted to try my hand at making a sump for my 45g Oceanic Tech tank first. If I screw it up, it will cost a fraction of the larger sump.

I cut up a new set of guitar strings (good thing I bought a few sets last time I got new strings for my guitar) for spacers. These ended up working much nicer than the pins.

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_3031.jpg

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_3032.jpg

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_3033.jpg

Here's the results of my work earlier, a stack of acrylic.


http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_3035.jpg

Setting up the outside edges.


http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_3036.jpg

Adding the bubble trap.


http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_3037.jpg

Setting a top and some weights on to hold it together (I hope).


http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_3038.jpg

The pin method, using guitar strings (high E).


http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_3040.jpg

Applying the weldon 4. About 30-45 seconds and then I pulled the strings.

P.Kelly
06/28/2008, 10:23 PM
http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_3041.jpg

Given the difficulty getting to the middle bubble baffle, I opted to only glue up two of the three in the first pass.

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_3042.jpg

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_3043.jpg

The first section glued up. I'll be back at it in the morning, and hopefully finish up tomorrow night.

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_3044.jpg

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_3045.jpg

little_d
06/28/2008, 11:08 PM
Looks great Pete, I don't think you'll have problem with the larger sump either.

FishGuy5
06/28/2008, 11:39 PM
Thank you so VERY MUCH for all the help today Pete.......was thinking I was going to have to dump $400-500 on a new skimmer. Will let it sit for a couple of days before testing it out, but it looks like you fixed it perfect!! You had a full day planned with your sump project, but still found time to fix my emergency. You are always so gracious and generous with your help. You look like you've been doing that acrylic thing your whole life......the new sump looks awesome. I would have never known you were a computer guy.....I'd guess that you were an engineer with your attention to detail and your various mechanical skills. I really appreciate your help and friendship.
Many thanks also to Matt for modding the pump. Can't wait to fire it up!! Good luck with the move! Your friendship, knowledge and expertise will be missed.

kdblove_99
06/28/2008, 11:49 PM
who is Matt?

P.Kelly
06/29/2008, 12:20 AM
Matt = bayareaquarist

John, you're too kind. Thank you for the compliments. You know I'm there to help whenever I'm free!

P.Kelly
06/29/2008, 02:27 AM
June 29, 2008 - Good morning, I'm going to bed

I had to stay up, to glue the second set of seams on the small sump. Everything I read suggested a 4 hour wait between moving anything using Weld-on 4. So I waited 4 hours, which meant that I started the 2nd side at 12:30am. 45 minutes later, here are the results:

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_3046.jpg

I welded the ends, and 2 of the 3 baffles on this side (both sides now have 2/3 of the baffles glued). I ran into a small problem I'll have to resolve tomorrow. The black acrylic I got from tap wasn't cut squarely, and has a slight lateral shift in it, so I'll get to hit the bottom of 2 of the 3 baffles with a LONG sanding black to take up the clearance issue, before I glue up the bottom.


Clown Tang

I've had the clown tang now for 32 hours. The tank was reading .25 ammonia earlier today, so I used a 5x does of Prime to tide me over until tomorrow for a partial water change.

He is eating (a little) live brine, frozen copepods and I've seen him nibble at some purple nori. Hasn't touched the pellet food or the lettuce or brocolli.

I'm planning on looking for some Prazi-Pro tomorrow at the LFS to proactively treat for parasites, worms, etc.

Does anyone know of the website the Kelly Jedlicki suggests for fish gut analysis (i.e. what wild fish of particular species actaully eat in the wild?

reefer334
06/29/2008, 11:27 AM
Pet that sump looks sweet!!!


Try doing a search on marine depot forums for that info.



Here is a couple of pics of your old tank mates.


http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk311/Reefer334/Parrot.jpg
http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk311/Reefer334/DSC_0001e.jpg
http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk311/Reefer334/DSC_0032.jpg
http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk311/Reefer334/DSC_0061.jpg


Sorry for the bad pics
These fish just move to damb fast!!!!


Chris:cool:

kdblove_99
06/29/2008, 11:54 AM
I LOVE the male blonde Naso tangs one of my favorite fish.

P.Kelly
06/29/2008, 11:56 AM
December 22, 2007 - Bringing home the Oceanic Tech 45

Since I've been showing the build of the sump on the 45g, I figured I might throw some more pictures of that tank build in here along with the 210. This goes back the last year's MARS Holiday Meeting, where I bought the grand prize from the winners. I had no intention of doing this at the outset of the meeting, but when I found out that the winners would not be keeping the tank, but rather selling it parted out, I thought it would be better to buy the entire thing from them and put it to good use.

Thanks to Mike B for lending me half the cost that night, as I had to max out the ATM and payed him back the next day!

Unfortunately, I haven't seen the winners at a meeting since to thank them.

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_2386.jpg

The system included an Oceanic Tech Stand, Model 1 sump, Coralife 1x150MH light, Oceanic 1/10hp chiller, and the tank.

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_2387.jpg

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_2388.jpg


As it turned out, the model 1 sump didn't actually fit under the stand, so I worked with Bruce to get it exchanged for a Model Micro sump. The picture is of the old sump.

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_2390.jpg

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_2396.jpg

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_2399.jpg

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_2400.jpg

If you can't tell already, we have a few cats, a dog and a mess of fish.


June 29, 2008 - Clown tang is working on day 3

Is still doing okay. Nibbling at live brine, lettuce and purple nori, but not really eating much, so I'm off to finish the bottom of the sump, and then get some medication to start treating for internal parasites.

The next updates will be of the sump.

P.Kelly
06/29/2008, 03:58 PM
I picked up the Prazi-Pro at JoJo's along with some more Formula fish food and started the prazi treatment.

P.Kelly
07/01/2008, 12:24 AM
June 30, 2008 - Clown Tang Day 4
I did a 3 gallon water change on the QT today and mixed in the correct amount of Prazi-Pro for the replaced water. Salinity is at 1.010 (need to drop it another .001 for Hypo). Tang is eating well, live brine, purple nori and Formula 2 flake. No signs of ich or parasites, but the QT continues.


45 Tech Sump Build - DONE (kinda)

I finished routing the excess off the sump today for the 45g. I must say that my first foray at a custom built sump (from scratch) didn't turn out too bad. It hold water, no leaks that I can tell yet and it looks pretty darn good too.

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_3053.jpg

Glueing the bottom on on sunday using the "pin" method.

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_3057.jpg

A little water to check the seams

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_3059.jpg

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_3060.jpg

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_3061.jpg

Routing off the excess material

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_3062.jpg

Finished product (kinda). I still need to build a return baffle and a probe holder, but that stuff can wait a little bit. I'm pretty confident with my mad skillz now, so I'm hoping to move onto the BIG sump this weekend. My skimmer arrives tomorrow, so that will dictate the height of my sump. I can't wait!


Rock work

I cut two acrylic panels for the bottom of the tank. The 3/4" pincushion will get glued to these two pieces, forming the base for the rockwork, keeping the rock from compacting the sand, and distributing the pressure of any "points" in the rock to a lrager surface area on the glass bottom.

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_3055.jpg

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_3056.jpg

No, it's not blue acrylic, it just has a plastic coating that I need to peel off that is blue.

rob1991
07/01/2008, 01:08 AM
hey lookin great!

idk how good i am at this stuff, but if you ever need help just let me knw, i mean its summer, i am a teenager with WAY too much time on my hands, and i would be happy to.

kdblove_99
07/01/2008, 01:58 AM
Really nice DIY sump Peter

P.Kelly
07/01/2008, 07:09 AM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12856242#post12856242 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by kdblove_99
Really nice DIY sump Peter

Thank you. It's a bit dirty in the picture, but looks even better in person. There is some bubbling at the edge of the seams, but the center of the seams are really nice and solid/clear. It turned out better than expected.

Rob - Thanks, I'd love the help, but I'm guessing that the drive from Rocklin is a bit much for you?

KMP
07/01/2008, 07:29 AM
that's incredible pete. so building the sump...is that the way it's done; build with the edges over extended and then router it down flush? i've been tempted to try this.

Balgie
07/01/2008, 07:36 AM
Impressive sump you got there!

P.Kelly
07/01/2008, 08:50 AM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12856812#post12856812 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by KMP
that's incredible pete. so building the sump...is that the way it's done; build with the edges over extended and then router it down flush? i've been tempted to try this.

Kenny, thank you! I learned most of the approach for sump building by deconstructing what Melev wrote on his website:

http://www.melevsreef.com/acrylics/sumps/chvy/chvy_sump.html

http://www.melevsreef.com/tools.html

It wasn't all that easy to figure out, but I also used the Acrylic how-to thread in the DIY forum.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=169326

It really wasn't TOO hard, but takes quite a bit of patience.

You have to plan very carefully, as the pieces of acrylic must be sized in certain dimensions, perfectly, and the edges need to be very smooth. The kerf from a tablesaw blade leaves a rough edge that needs to be cleaned up with a jointer, router or block sander. I opted for the router.

I'll try to post a more detailed how-to on the big sump, now that I've got the process down a bit better.

P.Kelly
07/01/2008, 08:54 AM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12856844#post12856844 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Balgie
Impressive sump you got there!

Ben - thank you. It's a bit overkill, being 1/2" and all for a 15" tall, 20 gallon sump. It is incredibly heavy, but I needed the thickness for the larger sump for the main tank, so what the heck. It's only money, right?

:D

bladeruner143
07/01/2008, 10:59 AM
Pete, don't be so modest! For a first attempt, that thing looks amazing!!! Now when you plan on upgrading the 210 to a 360, you can build it yourself!!! ;) (ok, maybe not there yet huh?!)

Underwaterparadise
07/01/2008, 01:03 PM
Good stuff! The sump looks really nice.

P.Kelly
07/01/2008, 01:04 PM
Rudy and Rob, thank you very much. I'm enjoying this a whole bunch, even if it does mean working on it from 9:30 - 10:30 in the evening after class. But, I can't wait to get the system up and running.

JRaquatics
07/01/2008, 01:22 PM
Great job on the sump. Did you ever get the Reeflo 200?

P.Kelly
07/01/2008, 02:01 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12859086#post12859086 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by JRaquatics
Great job on the sump. Did you ever get the Reeflo 200?

It should be waiting for me when I get home. Mike even said to call him tonight. Top notch customer service. Seriously, better than I could possibly ask for so far.

P.Kelly
07/01/2008, 10:51 PM
July 1, 2008 - Shall hence forth be known as Skimmer Day

I called Mike at Reef Specialty on the way home from work to make sure I had the correct PVC cement. I ended up not glueing the skimmer tonight, after all, but that is another story.

I walked in the door after work tonight and was greeted by two very lovely boxes, and my wife, and sleeping daughter. ;)

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_3063.jpg

Opening boxes is always fun. I love opening things.

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_3064.jpg

Packaged nicely, if not a little well worn on the packing material. But hey, I guess that's what it is for.

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_3065.jpg

This is one big skimmer collection cup.

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_3066.jpg

The body is none too shabby either.

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_3067.jpg

Hmm, won't fit.

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_3069.jpg

Well, actually it will, but you have to take the cup off. Interestingly, whomever measured these things for the specifications, 14.5x17.26 was smoking something funny. This bad boy is 27.5" tall. Good thing that leaves me a whole 1.25" inches of clearance to get the cup off...

Wheew...

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_3070.jpg

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_3071.jpg

Cat's like fish, but skimmers?

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_3072.jpg

P.Kelly
07/01/2008, 10:55 PM
Oh, another box.

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_3073.jpg

Ah, the skimmate storage container, making getting that collection cup off a "little" less important.

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_3074.jpg

What's this? Another box?

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_3075.jpg

Ah, the skimmer pump. A Reeflo Dart Gold. What a monster!

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_3076.jpg

Back to the skimmate storage container.

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_3077.jpg

Silicone greese for all the fittings, courtesy of Mike.

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_3080.jpg

Adding the carbon filter to the container.

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_3082.jpg

The coralvue auto shutoff switch. This bad boy, with the mod by Mike will shut off the recirc pump in the event that my skimmer collection fills up due to either me being lazy, or a skimmer gone wild. Not to be confused with girls gone wild. Not even close to the same thing.

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_3083.jpg

The modified switch, to detect the skimate height in the container.

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_3084.jpg

Installed in the lid.

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_3085.jpg

P.Kelly
07/01/2008, 10:59 PM
All assembled and ready for some crap... literally. No, I'm serious.

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_3086.jpg

At this point I moved on to the skimmer. A quick call to Mike after I couldn't find any instructions concluded with the fact that even had there been any instructions they weren't very good. Unfortunately, given that this thing is pretty intense on the assembly side, instructions are a required part of the product. -1 Reeflo. That said, the sheer bulk of this skimmer is pretty cool, and the packaging was pretty decent. +1 Reeflo. Score: 0

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_3087.jpg

Even though I'm joking around about the score, I bought this from Mike at Reef Specialty because he has a reputation for excellent customer service. I can now vouch for that reputation.

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_3088.jpg

Silicone goes everywhere. Here is some in the neck, with the compression fitting.

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_3089.jpg

Full Skimmer shot

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_3090.jpg

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_3091.jpg

The union on the outlet tube.

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_3092.jpg

Assembled.

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_3093.jpg

Dry fit the riser tube. I used the too long riser, which I later corrected.

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_3094.jpg

Dry fit the T.

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_3095.jpg

P.Kelly
07/01/2008, 11:02 PM
Dry fit the wedge pipe.

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_3096.jpg

Silicone lubed and added the drain valve.

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_3097.jpg

The attachment point for the pump stand.

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_3098.jpg

Attached to the body with large black thumb screws.

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_3099.jpg

Part of the pump inlet tube, lubed up.

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_3100.jpg

Added the rest of the inlet tube.

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_3101.jpg

The nylon set screw is designed to keep the whole thing from comign apart? Okay, I hope it works... Seriously, I'm not sure where it would go. The whole inlet tube goes together pretty tight.

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_3102.jpg

Messing with the volute/venturi. This is the one piece I'm not thrilled with. I can't get it to turn past 9 o'clock. From what I can tell, this has been one area of poor and inconsistent build quality. I called Mike back. He suggested more teflon tape. I can't imagine that any amount of teflon tape s going to make up 3/4 of a turn, and without milling the volute, there is no way to make it spin anymore, which is what it needs to do. I'll talk to him and see what my options are. Worst case, I can try to mill it on the lathe.

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_3103.jpg

Installed... a 9 o'clock. Yuck!

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_3104.jpg

P.Kelly
07/01/2008, 11:05 PM
The pump is now set in place, waiting on the inlet tube.

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_3105.jpg

Inlet tube attached.

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_3106.jpg

Full skimmer shot.

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_3107.jpg

Full skimmer shot with sexy air silencer!

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_3108.jpg

Test fitting under the stand.

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_3109.jpg

Picture from the floor cam of the skimmer under the tank. Not much room to mess around.

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_3110.jpg

Top down shot through the bottom of the tank. This is a never again seen picture... :D

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_3111.jpg



Clown Tang Update

Continues to eat. Picky, but eating. All things considered, this is going pretty well.



Rockwork Update

I measured and marked for the acrylic pins in the "pincushion method."

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_3113.jpg

And setup a jig to cut 1 3/4" dowels of 3/4" acrylic rod. Something like 100 of them...

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_3114.jpg

P.Kelly
07/01/2008, 11:08 PM
Then the fun process of adhering the rod started, and went on and on and on. I used weldon 16 for these, as I'm not too particular about the finished look, and it was the fastest to apply.

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_3115.jpg

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_3116.jpg

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_3117.jpg

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_3118.jpg

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_3119.jpg

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_3120.jpg

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_3121.jpg

I had to glue them, you have to at least look at a few pictures. Once these set and cure 'll add them to the tank, and the build up the left side with the base rock in my garage.

Off to catch up on my American Gladiators from last night. More as it develops.

KMP
07/01/2008, 11:55 PM
thanks for the links pete. looking forward to seeing the next sump build.

jtarmitage
07/02/2008, 12:59 AM
Wow, Pete. That skimmer looks awesome. As for the pin method for elevating the live rock, it just wasn't worth the effort for me. Looks good though, and everything was very well thought out. Props to Darcy as well, for taking pics of the details. Those little details really help people when deciding how to set up their own systems, and what is actually required to do it. Very well done.:thumbsup:

P.Kelly
07/02/2008, 01:07 AM
Jeremy - thank you. I'm not sure if the pin method will be worth it, I was just paranoid about putting too much pressure on the glass. Luckily, out of this entire project, that part only took about 30 minutes.

jtarmitage
07/02/2008, 01:10 AM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12863362#post12863362 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by petes97
Jeremy - thank you. I'm not sure if the pin method will be worth it, I was just paranoid about putting too much pressure on the glass. Luckily, out of this entire project, that part only took about 30 minutes.

That's not nearly as bad as it seems, and I can definitely see the value in it, so consider it 30 minutes well spent!:D

FishGuy5
07/02/2008, 01:17 AM
Looks great Pete. Monster of a skimmer too!! I think you made a super choice. Speaking of skimmers, I finally put the ER back in the tank. Plugged it in, and between your fix-it skills and Matt's mod, it works like a champ!! No signs of leaks either. Thanks again for helping me save $400!!!!

little_d
07/02/2008, 02:09 AM
That skimmer is looking good, very well thought out design. I love that modified float valve on the skimmate storage container and the ability to shut off the skimmer if it overflow. Looks like I'll be ordering one soon.

kdblove_99
07/02/2008, 03:42 AM
man, that was exhausting putting that skimmer together, or at least watching you do it, nice pics:)

You sure the height isnt right, just curious if you took into account that syrofoam you have on the bottom of your stand?

Jim_S
07/02/2008, 08:00 AM
Nice skimmer Pete. I really dig the collection container. Very cool. I see one in my future :D

Are you going to drain feed that baby and take full advantage of its potential??

JRaquatics
07/02/2008, 09:14 AM
All your skimmer pics bring back memories. Looks good. I ahd to use a whole roll of teflon on the venturi to align it correctly. The skimmer collection container is a lifesaver, I will never run an external skimmer again with out one. Now you just ahve to get it running. It will take about a month to break in. Are you going to feed it by an overflow or pump?

P.Kelly
07/02/2008, 10:03 AM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12863460#post12863460 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by little_d
That skimmer is looking good, very well thought out design. I love that modified float valve on the skimmate storage container and the ability to shut off the skimmer if it overflow. Looks like I'll be ordering one soon.

Anthony, it wasn't cheap, but I'd rather not chance water or skimate on the floor or under the stand.


<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12863519#post12863519 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by kdblove_99
man, that was exhausting putting that skimmer together, or at least watching you do it, nice pics:)

You sure the height isnt right, just curious if you took into account that syrofoam you have on the bottom of your stand?

Yeah, it took a couple hours, and still isn't done. I still have the cut the riser pipe to the correct height and glue it up.

As for the height, I measure the skimmer sitting on a glass table, from the table top to the top of the collection cup with the lid on. Oops, somebodies measurement was off and it wasn't mine... :D


<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12864270#post12864270 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Jim_S
Nice skimmer Pete. I really dig the collection container. Very cool. I see one in my future :D

Are you going to drain feed that baby and take full advantage of its potential??

Mike at Reefspecialties makes the modified collection device for about $10 more than you can buy the two parts. I was all for him doing the work and sending it to me done.

Yes, I plan on drain feeding. I'll be splitting one of my two drains to feed it.


<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12864746#post12864746 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by JRaquatics
All your skimmer pics bring back memories. Looks good. I ahd to use a whole roll of teflon on the venturi to align it correctly. The skimmer collection container is a lifesaver, I will never run an external skimmer again with out one. Now you just ahve to get it running. It will take about a month to break in. Are you going to feed it by an overflow or pump?

Thanks. My only complaint so far is that volute. Very poor implementation. Mike said it will run just fine from 10 o'clock to 2 o'clock.

My plan, now that the acrylic pins are in the tank, is to get some rock in to start cycling and hook the skimmer up to a temporary sump to start the break-in process.

Reef n' Madness
07/02/2008, 10:16 AM
Wow Pete, this is all very impressive! You put my projects to shame. ;)

P.Kelly
07/02/2008, 10:27 AM
Thanks Kay!


Clown Tang Update - Day 5

This morning (or probably last night) brought the death of the Clown Tang. I think I did everything I could and should have. I'll post a picture to the fish health forum on MarineDepot.com and see if Kelly has any advice.

Bummer, but that is why you QT.

reefer334
07/02/2008, 11:11 AM
Pete
sorry to hear about your tang.


If you want a Sohal I can get you one for a good price.

Sohal's are much hardier than clown tangs.


Chris

P.Kelly
07/02/2008, 11:13 AM
Chris, I DO want a sohal, but I want a small one, so as to have the best chance of keeping my tank community oriented. My other tangs are all 3-3.5" in size.

The face and stomach area of the clown were a darker color. Otherwise, no noticeable exterior ailments to my untrained eye.

I also noticed that the dwarf algae blenny I got was stone cold in the frag tank. -2 for Exotic.

FishGuy5
07/02/2008, 12:24 PM
Sorry about the fish Pete.

J4Life
07/02/2008, 01:51 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12865232#post12865232 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by petes97
Thanks Kay!


Clown Tang Update - Day 5

This morning (or probably last night) brought the death of the Clown Tang. I think I did everything I could and should have. I'll post a picture to the fish health forum on MarineDepot.com and see if Kelly has any advice.

Bummer, but that is why you QT.

Pete sorry to hear you lost the clown tang and blenny.:( The tank project is coming along nicely and that skimmer is huge!! Can't wait to see it with the rock work in it.

kdblove_99
07/02/2008, 02:42 PM
Clown tangs just dont live for the most part. They are definitely a fish i dont think should be caught, there survival rate is so very low.

P.Kelly
07/02/2008, 02:58 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12867165#post12867165 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by kdblove_99
Clown tangs just dont live for the most part. They are definitely a fish i dont think should be caught, there survival rate is so very low.

I should learn to research fish before buying. Always getting better at this hobby, but sometimes I slip.

kdblove_99
07/02/2008, 03:12 PM
yeah, i learned the hard way twice with clown tangs

D&KSac
07/04/2008, 12:39 PM
Sorry about the fish bro. Love that skimmer though may have to pick up one for my big tank! So when do you project the tank to be up and running?

kdblove_99
07/04/2008, 12:43 PM
Pete it might be too big and too much $$. but AL has a 8" clown tang right now it has to be the thickest one i have ever seen. I mean its fat. usally they come in pretty thin. but think if any have a chance this one does. they have 2 smaller sohals also. maybe 3" each

P.Kelly
07/04/2008, 12:48 PM
I'm still working on the tank. I've got the acrylic pin cushion finished and sitting in the tank. I've been under the weather the last two days, so it has been slow going. I'm working through how everything will be located under the stand, so that I can design the right sized sump. I thought I had it, and then I realized I wouldn't be able to get the skimmer out from under the tank without draining the sump. Not good if I need to clean the venturi, or get to something else, so back to the drawing board. It looks like about 55 gallons (total capacity) is the largest sump I'll be able to fit and leave room for my skimmer, skimmate collection, carbon and phosphate reactors, 3 part containers, etc, etc.

Jflip2002
07/04/2008, 12:51 PM
Sorry about the tang, that sucks to hear. IMO, Clown tangs are nicer looking than the Sohals. So their poor survival rate is indicated by the huge difference in pricing, Id think.

P.Kelly
07/04/2008, 07:30 PM
Since I'm at home, sick, today, I'm not enjoying the 4th of July festivities. Here are some updates, one old, one new.


January 2008 - Continuing to setup the 45g

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_2401.jpg

Opening the chiller. I've never used an Oceanic chiller. We'll see how it goes (NOTE: it still isn't hooked up today, July, 2008).

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_2403.jpg

Still looks just like this.

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_2406.jpg

Overflow piping. Pretty standard stuff.

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_2407.jpg

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_2410.jpg

The wee one helping out!

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_2419.jpg

Tada! With the light on top.

P.Kelly
07/04/2008, 07:37 PM
Back to today...


July 4, 2008 - Sick at home

My wife bought Layla a new bike this morning. Even though I felt like crap, I enjoyed every second of assembling the bike, while she helped. It was fun to watch her try it out.

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_3156.jpg

The girls went over to my folks house. I'm on the couch, big figured I'd try to do a few things between running to the bathroom. So, I took the rocks and started them in a bleach bath. I added a gallon of bleach to what I'm guessing was about 20 gallons of water and a ton of rock. It is running out front with a powerhead now.

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_3157.jpg

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_3163.jpg

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_3180.jpg

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_3187.jpg

My goal is to kill everything. I remember with my first aquarium that I couldn't wait for the cycle. This time, things are different. I want to *attempt* to control everything coming into my tank. Yeah, I know it is futile, but that doesn't mean I shouldn't try to minimize the nuisances.

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_3193.jpg

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_3194.jpg

So I moved back inside for a while. Took it easy. Ran to the bathroom again.

Then I moved on to the pincushion.

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_3195.jpg

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_3197.jpg

A thin layer of silicone at the edge and under each standoff should help distribute the weight and keep sand from getting under the acrylic.

One more side to go.

P.Kelly
07/04/2008, 07:42 PM
July 3, 2008 - Out of sequence, but oh well

I finished up my first pass at the sump for the 45g last night. I added a holder for the pH probe and the ATO float in the return pump section.

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_3125.jpg

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_3126.jpg

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_3127.jpg

Now, I'm dealing with micro bubbles in the display. Yeah!!! ;)

It looks like the amount of water I'm returning is causing the problem when it drains into the sump. I'll be adding the chiller this weekend, if all goes as planned and maybe a ball valve to control the flow a little. I hope that will help.

Back to the couch.

joshallan86
07/04/2008, 07:42 PM
I have been waiting for more pictures for a while now....do you have anymore updates? Sorry you're sick on the 4th. Hope you feel better.

Josh

P.Kelly
07/04/2008, 07:50 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12866028#post12866028 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by FishGuy5
Sorry about the fish Pete.

Thanks John, it happens. You know.


<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12866728#post12866728 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by J4Life
Pete sorry to hear you lost the clown tang and blenny.:( The tank project is coming along nicely and that skimmer is huge!! Can't wait to see it with the rock work in it.

Thanks. Yes, the skimmer is a beast. It is actually causing me a little consternation at the moment. I'm having to rethink my sump design. I was all ready to put together a cut list when I realized I wouldn't be able to get the skimmer out unless I drained the sump. Not good. I hope to have a new design done this weekend.


<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12879985#post12879985 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by D&KSac
Sorry about the fish bro. Love that skimmer though may have to pick up one for my big tank! So when do you project the tank to be up and running?

David, my official commitment to Darcy is that it will be up and running, and the frag tank will be moved from out front of the fire place before we need the fire place. That would be about Thanksgiving time. That said, I'm hoping for water in the tank to start cycling the new rock within the next 1-2 weeks.


<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12880010#post12880010 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by kdblove_99
Pete it might be too big and too much $$. but AL has a 8" clown tang right now it has to be the thickest one i have ever seen. I mean its fat. usally they come in pretty thin. but think if any have a chance this one does. they have 2 smaller sohals also. maybe 3" each

Davey, a bit too big for me. I may head up to take a look at the sohals, but I want to make some progress on the tank first. Thanks.


<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12880053#post12880053 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Jflip2002
Sorry about the tang, that sucks to hear. IMO, Clown tangs are nicer looking than the Sohals. So their poor survival rate is indicated by the huge difference in pricing, Id think.

Assuming you mean that sohals are uber expensive compared to clown tangs? Yeah, about 3-4 times as expensive here in Sacramento.


<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12881689#post12881689 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by joshallan86
I have been waiting for more pictures for a while now....do you have anymore updates? Sorry you're sick on the 4th. Hope you feel better.

Josh, I'm working on it man! Thanks for letting me know you're watching. Glad to see that people are out there checking in.

joshallan86
07/04/2008, 07:53 PM
I am looking to get a bigger tank now too, Not too big but bigger than the 29 gallon bioCube that I currently have. The 45 gallon that you are setting up, how much does it cost? Who makes it, because I really like the way it looks. Any feed back on it yet? Do you have it set up and running?
Josh

P.Kelly
07/04/2008, 08:13 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12881732#post12881732 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by joshallan86
I am looking to get a bigger tank now too, Not too big but bigger than the 29 gallon bioCube that I currently have. The 45 gallon that you are setting up, how much does it cost? Who makes it, because I really like the way it looks. Any feed back on it yet? Do you have it set up and running?
Josh

Josh, it's an Oceanic Tech series 45g. Measurements are 24x18x24. For a small tank, I really like it. There is not a lot of room under the tank, so you're going to need some space on either side side for a chiller and water storage container.

Cost is not cheap. I'm guessing right about $400 for the tank and another $300 for the stand.

P.Kelly
07/05/2008, 12:28 AM
I finished siliconing the pincushion in the tank bottom today, both halves. The LR is now onto its second freshwater/prime rinse. I'll drain the trashcan an layout the rock tomorrow to air dry, and then give it one more rinse with a dechlorinator. Hopefully, I'll be able to stack some rock in the tank tomorrow and see if I still like the configuration in the tank, as much as I did in the garage (provided I can reassemble it the same way).

Doahh
07/06/2008, 10:27 PM
Hey got any updates?

P.Kelly
07/07/2008, 07:44 AM
I was finally feeling a little better yesterday, so after a drive around town with John, I set to finishing up the sand bed, and some rock for good measure.

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_3199.jpg

I had a leftover back of CaribSea, so it went in the tank.

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_3200.jpg

Followed by 2 buckets of rinsed, and rinsed, and rinsed sand from the tank during the tear down.

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_3201.jpg

A good use for a BBQ spatula.

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_3202.jpg

I'm a little concerned about how fine the sand is, with the vortechs, so I may add some larger grains over this as the top layer.

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_3203.jpg

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_3204.jpg

Add some rock for good measure.

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_3205.jpg

The is how it looks from my couch (or command central).

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_3206.jpg

From the left end.

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z153/petes97/IMG_3214.jpg

A quick picture from this morning.

scubajim
07/07/2008, 08:43 PM
dang that looks awesome. I think i'm goin to steal your acrylic rod idea for my next tank.

Doahh
07/07/2008, 09:23 PM
I'd steal the idea but I can't afford it!

P.Kelly
07/07/2008, 09:25 PM
The pincushion was pretty cheap, maybe $40-50 tops for a 6'x2' tank.

gmneil
07/08/2008, 01:25 AM
sorry about the clown tang, i got one from saltwaterfish.com and it was very healthy 7 months strong now, it came in at about 2 inches it's alot bigger now, just a thought if you were interestedin another one