System 120 pics!

[Nuuze]

Hi all,

I just wanted to share some pics of my Elos System 120 just purchased on Thursday! One of the best experience and friendly service in the hobby! Thanks Jesse!

Jesse prepping everything
http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n85/Nuuze/Picture1.jpg

http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n85/Nuuze/Picture2.jpg

http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n85/Nuuze/Picture3.jpg

http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n85/Nuuze/Picture4.jpg

http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n85/Nuuze/Picture5.jpg

[Nuuze]

http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n85/Nuuze/Picture7.jpg

http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n85/Nuuze/Picture8.jpg

http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n85/Nuuze/Picture9.jpg

http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n85/Nuuze/Picture6.jpg

http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n85/Nuuze/Picture10.jpg

http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n85/Nuuze/Picture11.jpg

http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n85/Nuuze/Picture12.jpg

[Nuuze]

http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n85/Nuuze/Picture15.jpg

http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n85/Nuuze/Picture16.jpg

http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n85/Nuuze/Picture17.jpg

http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n85/Nuuze/Picture20.jpg

http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n85/Nuuze/Picture25.jpg

http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n85/Nuuze/Picture29.jpg

http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n85/Nuuze/Picture30.jpg

http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n85/Nuuze/Picture31.jpg

http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n85/Nuuze/Picture18.jpg

[loweryster]

:eek2: Awesome setup man :eek2:

Best pictures I've seen yet of one of these systems setup.:D

[loweryster]

BTW I notice you have a chiller, was wondering if you have any thoughts on how you will be plumbing it, curious because I will be in that same boat.

[Nuuze]

I emailed Jesse and he says it should be okay to T it inline with the return since I have pumps for circulation.

[loweryster]

Whatcha think of the light. I love that fixture, I just started running the Spectra 10k+ last week so far I'm really lovin it. I'm supplementing a ATI Aquablue 2 ATI blue+ and a UVL super actinic, which has been the best looking combo I've had let.
Please keep us updated.

[Nuuze]

The light is awesome! Detailed craftsmanship to the mounting brackets! The adjustments for height is also sweet, think of a push of a tab like a John-Guest quick release. Quiet, cool and bright. I am running Dual 150W Elos bulbs, 2 actinic + and 2 pure actinic Geisemann T5's.

[Nuuze]

I just finished plumbing the chiller...

http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n85/Nuuze/Picture33.jpg

I T'd the return to the black hoses, you can see the chiller return also. I chose black so you don't see the build up later on since the chiller is outside.

http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n85/Nuuze/Picture32.jpg

[Fliger]

Oh damn, sweet! Nice pix. Sorry I've been nuts but I'll update my thread also. I love the light fixture. It really pulls the heat out.

When your life gets nutty thats when you'll particularly love the System. Its just set up so smart that it makes it a lot easier to keep the reef healthy on a limited schedule.

[old salty]

Nice pictures!!! Thanks for giving us the close ups as well. I enjoy looking at anything that is crafted well.

What's with the empty chamber in the sump? Is that for topoffs or something?

[elosusa]

yep that is a freshwater top off reservoir

[old salty]

Very clever!!

Jesse, I will PM you with some questions.

[Nuuze]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8441579#post8441579 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by old salty
Nice pictures!!! Thanks for giving us the close ups as well. I enjoy looking at anything that is crafted well.

What's with the empty chamber in the sump? Is that for topoffs or something?

Yes, its for a top off controller that is also included. I just filled it tonight and its 8 gallons with over an inch to spare. I have to wait for a replacement glass piece that was broken in the box that holds the float valve though. The controller is controlled by a float vavle and has an manual button.

[Nuuze]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8441432#post8441432 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Fliger
Oh damn, sweet! Nice pix. Sorry I've been nuts but I'll update my thread also. I love the light fixture. It really pulls the heat out.

When your life gets nutty thats when you'll particularly love the System. Its just set up so smart that it makes it a lot easier to keep the reef healthy on a limited schedule.

I agree, so far tinkering with the system I can actually say yes to an actual vacation away from the house now with the clever incorporated top off system. The lighting system top is cool to the touch and it's quiet with Icecap softstart ballasts and not ugly and I love the quick release brackets to adjust the height. The tank is a beast but very nice and smooth, the overflow is not like other tanks I've seen. The stand is solid, I had to drill a hole in the back to route wires since I had so many, three pronged plugs wouldn't clear the vent holes but you can also route wires through the overflow. I sump is a piece of work, couple chambers for media, and an auto top off chamber. The skimmer hasn't set in yet but I'm sure it will it won't disappoint me.

[Ceak]

Thanks Nuuze you just made my day... awesome setup congrats!

Keep the pics and info coming!

[hawaiianwargod]

That's freakin cool system! How much would a system cost similar to that one Nuuze?
TIA,
HW

[joetbs]

Awesome pics Nuuze...You'll be so happy with the system.

The Planet light is great, you just need the light rack from Jesse :) *hint hint*

joe

[elosusa]

Hey, take it easy joe, let me get them in stock first:) Hawaiianwargod, your pm is full.

[Nuuze]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8446278#post8446278 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by elosusa
Hey, take it easy joe, let me get them in stock first:) Hawaiianwargod, your pm is full.

Hehe! If you have a pic I would love to see what it looks like Jesse.

[elosusa]

I have pics but I won't have them in stock for a week or so. It is similar to a picture of the Roma store on the pictures thread.

[jman77]

very nice .....

[otterpop510]

wow.. beautiful system.. really like the tank setup..

[Nuuze]

Some tonight pics...

Wonder if I can get my wife to okay a black wall... :)
http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n85/Nuuze/DSC06582.jpg

Looks like the NS500 skimmer is starting to kick in
http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n85/Nuuze/DSC06583.jpg

[boozeman]

schweeeet!!!
the most pics I've ever seen of an elos system, thanks!!
are you happy with the finish/construction?

[Ceak]

Awesome Nuuze, keep em coming!

I for one would really like to see some daylight/white balance pics so we could see the details of the tank and light...

[Nuuze]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8450697#post8450697 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by boozeman
schweeeet!!!
the most pics I've ever seen of an elos system, thanks!!
are you happy with the finish/construction?

Thanks! I'm very happy with the system. Built solid!

[Nuuze]

I just took my fixture apart to clean all the reflectors from all the grease from the protective film. Since I had most of it opened I went a little further underneath. All I can say is wow! This light is built like my X5! Not one thing was left out to cut cost, no wire nuts or crimps, everything is fasten down with screws. Even splices in the wires for the ballasts is held together by little power blocks with screws. Definitely European made! And the shell; I think it's more solid and thicker than the bumper on my Integra! What an awesome light!

Nuuze

[Nuuze]

Here's some pics of my DIY float glass switch mounted to an algea magnet.

http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n85/Nuuze/DSC06631.jpg

http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n85/Nuuze/DSC06633.jpg

http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n85/Nuuze/DSC06634.jpg

Skimmate pic
http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n85/Nuuze/DSC06618.jpg

[Nuuze]

Just discovered that some if not all float valves are magnetic. *Sigh* Back to the drawing board...

Jesse, can you confirm this on the Elos sensor?

[elosusa]

Didn't even think of that and I imagine that ours is, as well.

[Bricky]

You could try one of the Tunze bracket that so few of us use.

[Bricky]

You could try one of the Tunze brackets that so few of us use.

[Nuuze]

Good idea Bricky! Here's what I came up with tonight...

http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n85/Nuuze/DSC06649.jpg

http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n85/Nuuze/DSC06650.jpg

I used zip ties because I did not want to completely alter the float glass or cover it with silicone.
http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n85/Nuuze/DSC06652.jpg

Woohoo!
http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n85/Nuuze/DSC06653.jpg

[Bricky]

Now that's what I'm talking about. That's exactly what I was thinking.

[old salty]

Hey Bricky,

Got any ideas on how to mount an intercooler onto a 1983 Mercedes Benz Turbo Diesel??

Pretty clever!!

[Bricky]

Duct tape, some chewed up gum and don't forget that you'll need your swiss army knife. I can share more details later if your interested.

[boozeman]

WOW.. Mcguyver in disguise and on RC!!!

[Bricky]

I've got some buddies that are close to opening a new store in the Seattle area and will be carrying Elos. Their display is a system 60 and this is perfect for them too.

Is it just me or can everybody else not get enough of any Elos product? Everything just seems a few notches above in quality compared to the competition.

[elosusa]

Very cool stuff you guys. Nuuze it looks like the NS500 is breaking in nicely? That is a cool idea and thanks for the compliment Bricky? Tim and Cy look like they are putting together a cool little store and when things get going I will have to make a road trip to check it out in person. Jesse

[elosusa]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8508931#post8508931 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by elosusa
That is a cool idea and thanks for the compliment Bricky?
That was not meant to be worded as a question. It was late, I guess:)

[Nuuze]

Yes Jesse, skimmer is working nicely!

http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n85/Nuuze/Picture051.jpg

http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n85/Nuuze/Picture058.jpg

http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n85/Nuuze/Picture059.jpg

[elosusa]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8520253#post8520253 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Nuuze
Yes Jesse, skimmer is working nicely!

http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n85/Nuuze/Picture051.jpg

http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n85/Nuuze/Picture058.jpg

http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n85/Nuuze/Picture059.jpg
What the hell have you been doing the last 2 weeks? I mean you would think you could get something done on this thing:lol:
Great job and thanks for the updates.

[fishsoldseprtly]

Mike its Warren from Sac, hows all the frags doing?.. hope you have them all still.

[scarletknight06]

very nice. 2 questions
1) what are the dimensions of the skimmer compartment in the sump?
2) what gph can the overflow handle?
TIA

[Nuuze]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8542028#post8542028 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by fishsoldseprtly
Mike its Warren from Sac, hows all the frags doing?.. hope you have them all still.

Hiya Warren,

Frags are all doing great! Some look like they are already starting to encrust! Thanks again!

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8545175#post8545175 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by scarletknight06
very nice. 2 questions
1) what are the dimensions of the skimmer compartment in the sump?
2) what gph can the overflow handle?
TIA

Its about 10x17, not sure about the flowrate. It currently has a Eheim 1260 and the return is 1 1/2".

[Nuuze]

Here are some pics of a GEO kalk reactor that I spliced into the existing Elos top off system. It's been running for a week without any problems. All of my top off now is with kalk and the aqua controller mixes the kalk 4 times a day for 15 minutes:

http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n85/Nuuze/DSC06856.jpg

http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n85/Nuuze/DSC06857.jpg

[Fliger]

Thats too clean to be a sump. :lol:

Nice!

[boozeman]

:D

:thumbsup:

[kalkwasser]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8654858#post8654858 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Nuuze
[B]Here are some pics of a GEO kalk reactor that I spliced into the existing Elos top off system. It's been running for a week without any problems. All of my top off now is with kalk and the aqua controller mixes the kalk 4 times a day for 15 minutes:


Hi Nuuze,

Firstly, thanks for taking so much time to share with us your Elos system. I'm a fan of Elos too. Perhaps because I'm a person who observe very minor detail, and I really appreciate how much effort and little details that they put in their product.

For example, every little screws, valves, and even the tubing (White silicon) are different from the so call "Standard material" that everyone is using in this hobby. And I call it "exclusive" ;-)

And really, you don't need a messy sump to "look pro" and to justified the health in the tank. Just tell me how many people adore a clean sump? :-)

Ok, better stop and come to my question about the kalkwasser stirrer. (Just would like to hear some views). I do my top up using kalk too. However, due to my high evaporate rates. About 1.5 gallon per day. Top up is done 24/7 thru the kalk reactor.

And my ph in almost constant at 8.5 and KH about 8-9

Do you guys think that it's kinda too high? By the way, im into a fish only and minor lps tank.

Cheers!

[Nuuze]

Hi kalkwasser,

I'm just so glad Elos was local to me to be able see it in person. Jesse provides the best service! I'm still amazed with the quality of the system.
I was topping off with a Kent dripper at first but was a pain because I had to fill it everyday and every other day the line clogged. With the Geo I chose it due to its build quality to go along with Elos. Whats great with the reactor is kalk water does not touch your freshwater resevior or top off pump. Freshwater in the resevior goes from the pump to the reactor then to the sump. After running it a couple weeks I can't complain. I was about to get a calcium reactor but was afraid my pH problem may get worse from the c02. I was having low pH problems opposite from yours ranging 7.9-8.0. Since adding the kalk reactor my pH is now 8.1-8.3. Your Alk seems okay but pH seems on the high side. Maybe try adding a lower dose of kalk to your usual top off supply may help.

[kalkwasser]

Hi Nuuze,

To what I understand, when kalkwasser are freshly made (no matter what is the quantity). It will give the solution approximate a value of pH 12.

And perhaps, only when the concentration gets thin out along the way, reducing the amount of kalkwasser powder into the reactor doesn't help (i think)?

What I was thinking is to split the ro/di water inlet tube to the kalkwasser reactor into 2 way, one directly into the sump and the other to the stirrer. In this way I get 50% kalkwasser solution and 50% ro/di which may lower my pH abit :-)

What do you think of my idea :-)

[Nuuze]

Thats an idea to try. You may want to use a valve at then end where RO/DI goes to the sump to help create some pressure to push through the reactor to adjust.

[kalkwasser]

Hi Nuuze,

Yeah, I have thought about it.
And I will add another valve on the tube going directly into the sump as without a valve. The resistance would be lower than that going into the kalkwasser stirrer and it might ended up all the ro/di bypass the reactor.

Will try it out later and post a few shots of it here if you don't mind?

Cheers!

[elosusa]

If you want to keep a lower ph and a stable kh you can add less kalk and a kh buffer in your reactor. Of course, you should use elos kh+ buffer;) What are your Ca needs and what is your Ca at now? Hope that helps and please post any information, pictures you have.

[sleevasteve]

beautiful tank!! great setup as well!!

[neyugn0w01]

How much would a system like this run?

[elosusa]

System 120's are 2699.

[ReefRockerLive]

What is included for $2699? Tank, Stand...anything else?

[elosusa]

tank with elos overflow, stand, sump, skimmer and eheim pump, eheim return pump, top off controller and all plumbing connections.

[Twins Guy]

jesse-in the catalog the position of the skimmer is reversed with what is shown in nuuze's pics...is that up to the user? or a design change? is this the same on the system 120xl's sump?

does water enter the sump by passing thru a filter sock-or is that optional? then it looks like it is free to be cycled back to the tank-OR go to the skimmer right? it doesn't have to go thru the skimmer first right? not a big deal either way-just educating and convincing myself i like the elos design. i'm okay with skimmer bypass-i've got plenty of it now!

also i am trying to understand the design of the three anterior chambers in the sump-what they are supposed to be used for?...what is the water flow through them?...the tinkerer in me wonders about cutting them out to create a larger more open sump space...but it looks like the osmocontroller floatswitch bracket is mounted to the one left-right oriented divider right?

once i buy the setup i promise i will be much less of a PITA:rollface:

tg

[Twins Guy]

Nuuze-how are your corals coloring up under the planet? not sure what my clams and sps would think of the change...(seeing how they are currently under a single 250 de halide with 2 t5s i can convince myself that the benefits of having light from multiple angles would offset any step back in intensity because of the lower wattage-of course wattage isn't everything-doubt sanjay has looked at the elos lamps though).

oh also-are all of the t5s controlled by a single switch/plug or are they paired 2 and 2 on a switch?

thanks for your info and all the great pics!
rich

[Nuuze]

Hi Rich,

I'll try to answer some of the questions. :)

I think the catalog picture you see is the sump 500 instead of the sump 1000. I asked Jesse the same questions before buying. :) The water drains from tank to the big sump area where the two Eheim pumps are. I placed the Eheim pump for the skimmer right next to the drain pipe so most of the return is pumped to skimmer. From the skimmer water goes to the filter sock then to the first chamber. I also run some carbon in the first chamber. Before going to the second chamber there is a bubble trap section that it passes through, then on to the second chamber that I have some rubble rock stored for frags. The second chamber flows two ways, one back into the main sump area and to the third chamber. The third chamber is controlled by valve. Here's where I put phosphate removal media when needed, from there it also flows back into the main sump area. The chamber on the left holds a little over eight gallons of RO/DI water for top off. The Elos Osmolator is awesome, so far I only top off the resevior once a week. Since purchasing Elos I also tapped in a Geo kalk reactor to the Osmolator and works great.

For lighting the Planet II is awesome. I took it apart to clean the grease from the protective film you peel off when new and the build quality is awesome. I forget which T5 ballast but the two halide ballast are Icecap with softstart. My corals did lighten some but it was not due to lighting. At first I thought it was too much or not enough light. Then from testing and asking in RC I discovered I was not feeding/dosing enough for livestock load I had. So from a combination of only feeding once a day and having the skimmer set pretty high pulling everything out of the water it was pretty stripped. By the way the NS500 skimmer rocks! I'm getting color back now with an 8 hour halide/12 hour T5 photoperiod (I'm up late) and the skimmer turned way down. The lights are wired up with two plugs. One powers the 4 T5 and fan and the second powers the two halides. I believe there is a 250w option also but Jesse can confirm.

So far I'm completely satisfied with my Elos purchase. At first I thought the price was crazy but if you add everything up its not bad for what you get along with quality. The build quality of all the pieces is very detailed and it seems that no shortcuts were taken. Oh, and you don't have to take a dozen trips to home depot looking for parts either! :)

[Twins Guy]

thanks nuuze! great description of the front chambers-i really appreciate it.

the idea of setting up another tank would prolly tick my girlfriend off because of all the HD runs, tinkering and plumbing-and the time i let it consume. but the system is looking more and more attractive for its ease of setup and completeness. its a strong selling point for me right now!

the lights look great! i may have to keep my current lighting for awhile and save up-for the planet II, its that or the giesemann infinity (the looks of which I LOVE) but the guts of the elos light (icecap ballasts vs 230v magnetic and stepup transformer) are no comparison.

thanks again!
rich

[catchit]

twins-

it is insane how clean and *complete* these systems are. you could feasibly have it uncrated, up and wet in a couple hours. i am still waiting on a couple things on my end and couple from Jesse...but if you time it right they are turn key.

[Nuuze]

Rich,

Here's a little something I uploaded for you that may help visualize! :) Please excuse the overflowing filter sock and floating thermometer. Wednesdays are glass cleaning and filter swap days and my ACjr temp probe has been acting up. :)

http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n85/Nuuze/th_MOV07038.jpg (http://s110.photobucket.com/albums/n85/Nuuze/?action=view&current=MOV07038.flv)

[Twins Guy]

that nog looks great! overall the system seems very quiet-obviously the venturi is gonna make some noise but...do you run the sump with the lid on? an modified ventilation for your stand? last question for now...there's a valve on the skimmer outlet-is it ok to use that to adjust the water level in the skimmer?

does jesse throw in a spare sock or two for the weekly swap out?

rich

[Twins Guy]

btw-preciate your effort with the camera!

rich

[Nuuze]

I run the sump with the lid off because I'm always playing with the system. (Can't keep my hands out) Jesse did include some socks with the system so I rotate them out twice a week, flip them inside out and run a quick plain hot cycle in the washing machine then dryer. I left the drain valve on the skimmer open full recommended by Jesse and adjust the air-flow only. Just by opening the air-flow up all the way with raise the bubbles to the collection cup. With the air-flow alone you can run the skimmate really dry or really wet depending what you want. I was running it super wet where it must of skimmed all the good stuff out of the water because I wasn't feeding/dosing enough and started to loose color on some corals, so that's why its running very dry now and color is coming back while I re-tune it and feed/dose more. It's great with the two adjustment clamps, you can fine tune one while using the other one to completely turn off air-flow to dump the skimmate without messing up the settings of the tuned clamp. I never thought I could over-skim but the NS500 proved that it could.

[Nuuze]

Jesse,

Do you get any reports of the venturi clogging where the silicone meets the venturi with salt or salt spray on the skimmers? So far a few times now I noticed some salt build up inside the silicone tubing restricting some of the flow. Its a quick fix simply pinching the tube a bit then the salt gets sucked in but I wanted to make sure I was not doing anything wrong with adjustments. I just let the tube suck some RO/DI when I do water changes now.
Also I was reading up on some pumps using mesh wheel impellers and was wondering if it was ever tried on Elos skimmers by Elos?

[elosusa]

What you are saying is normal Nuuze and I do the "pinch" every once in awhile too. The hot RO water with water changes is a good idea and when I run my skimmer real dry I notice it more probably because you are sucking less air through the hose as opposed to running it wetter.
As for the needlewheel on an NS. We are testing the eheim needlewheel on some of our skimmers and I know a few people have done it with our skimmers with good results. We like the idea of having increased contact time with our patented injection and the ability to use any pump unmodified so we have not produced a needlewheel. As the eheim needlewheel becomes available we will likely offer it if our customers want to try a needlewheel with their NS skimmers. Hope that helps.

[Nuuze]

Thanks Jesse! I'm still adjusting my skimmer to skim wetter now since I'm dosing/feeding more...

[Nuuze]

Hi All,

I wanted to post some updated pics of my tank. So far I'm very impressed with the 150w 10k bulbs from Elos.

http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n85/Nuuze/DSC_3321.jpg

http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n85/Nuuze/DSC_3326.jpg

http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n85/Nuuze/DSC_3322.jpg

http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n85/Nuuze/DSC_3323.jpg

http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n85/Nuuze/DSC_3327.jpg

http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n85/Nuuze/DSC_3083.jpg

http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n85/Nuuze/DSC_3198.jpg

[Nuuze]

Hi All,

I just wanted to let you know that I added another thread of my livestock in my system. Lots and lots of pics of my SPS, just click on my red house icon to take you there. Enjoy!

[Nuuze]

I finally got rid of the frag rack that was hanging on the back side of the tank. Only took a few days for the snails to do the cleanup work.

http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t54/Nuze_2007/DSC_6162.jpg

[slovan]

Looks good w/o the frag rack, Nuuze! :) Did you do a little reaquascaping while you were in there? It looks like you took out some rock as well.

[Nuuze]

Yeah, I got bored with the rock wall look so I re-arranged a bit. The same amount of rocks are still there just re-arranged to a 3 mound look. A lot of aquamend and superglue gel that's what I ended up with. :) The fish seem to like it as they swim in/out and around the mounds exploring now.

[nanoguy]

Very nice setup you have there Nuuze..........I'm salivating all over the place........need to put on a bib.

[Nuuze]

Hi All,

Just thought I'd post a little something to my tank thread. Not much going on but some re-arranging of again from the three mound look back to the wall look.

I also took my GEO kalk reactor offline for the time being since I have a GEO calcium reactor coming this week. I decided to try the calcium reactor route since I'm finishing up on my year supply of two part.

I also bought a couple EcoTech Marine Vortech pumps to compare to my Tunze 6000's but for some reason they arrived dead/DOA/FUBAR so delayed on playing with those.

Here are some quick pics....

4 T5 actinics
http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t54/Nuze_2007/DSC_9502.jpg

2 250w 10k's
http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t54/Nuze_2007/DSC_9511.jpg

I also pulled my sump yesterday to clean...looks brand new again after some vineger! :D
http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t54/Nuze_2007/DSC_9513.jpg

http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t54/Nuze_2007/DSC_9514.jpg

I also started a small 15g tank that I'm going to house a mantis shrimp/stomatopod and possibly use it as a quarantine tank.
Enjoy!
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=1310860

[nanoguy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11819930#post11819930 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Nuuze




I also bought a couple EcoTech Marine Vortech pumps to compare to my Tunze 6000's but for some reason they arrived dead/DOA/FUBAR so delayed on playing with those.


http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=1310860

That really sucks.........both of them too??? Are you getting a replacement or did you have to send it out for warranty work? I had problems with mine out of the box too. I had to send it out for warranty work.

[Nuuze]

Yeah, both came sealed in boxes but after connecting everything. Wet side of pump in tank, driver on outside, connected power and nothing. Opened the second box and same thing. I must of read the couple page manual a dozen times to make sure I wasn't forgetting anything. Sucks for getting something $800+ and can't get it to work. I been exchanging emails with Dave @ Ecotech and Greg @ ReefGeek since Friday and now waiting to see if Ecotech wants to look at them or will Greg do an exchange for me...

[nanoguy]

I feel your frustrations. I had to go through the same thing but at least mine turned on. Did the green led on the power supply even turn on when you plugged it in? I find it absolutely ridiculous that a product of this type with such a hefty price tag attached to it would have so many problems. I think the pump is plagued with so many problems not because of a design flaw but because of the cheap parts they use in it.

[Nuuze]

The power indicator on the power supply comes on when it is not plugged into the controller part of the pump. As soon as you plug it into the controller the lights go off. Almost seems like some kind of short within the controllers. Maybe the units I have were made on a Monday with reverse polarity?

Anyhow, I just checked my voicemail and Greg @ RG is waiting to hear back from EcoTech. Tim? @ EcoTech is out today...hopefully tomorrow I will get an answer where to send it to.

[nanoguy]

EcoTech has a pretty quick turn around time on their repairs.....1-2 days. So far mine is running pretty good since I got it back from them.

[Kinetic]

that sucks with the vortechs =( maybe I should send mine in... they're a bit noisy but maybe that's how they are.

[Nuuze]

I'm a bit frustrated and ticked off today!

Since Friday 2/8 I attempted to setup and try the Vortech pumps but they did not work from the begining.
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=1315274

Since then I been bouncing between Greg @ ReefGeek and Ecotech Marine support. Greg has been contacting Tim @ EcoTech Marine.

They say they never heard of this problem before and never had any come back that way...I sense they think I did something wrong. I'm wondering how I could of done anything wrong in sticking two ends together via magnets and plugging in.

I called Greg @ ReefGeek back today and he states that he will except the pumps back for exchange with credit card # for collateral. That's when I questioned the credit card # and why he needed it again for an exchange. He stated that he will send the bad ones to EcoTech for evaluation and per Greg and Tim if there are any damages to the pumps from misuse I will be charged for repairs.

So there's my test for EcoTech's so far. They stick to the glass pretty well although I been reading some detatch somehow. I have no idea how they run because I never got that far. Size is a big plus because half of the pump sticks outside of the tank.

Comparing them to my Tunze's 6000's/7095 that have been running over a year and half with periodic cleaning every 6 months. They are bigger...that's about it. Everything else I like about the Tunze from the fanning of water not blowing like most powerheads. Many controller options and settings. Moonlight and light sensor for calm nights. Maybe I should of tried out the nano stream 6055's.

[nanoguy]

When I sent mine in to EcoTech they denied that the problem I found with the pump existed but they said that there was an occasional minor decrease in speed of the prop that they didn't like. They said that they repaired it and it now "runs perfect." . I found this a bit odd because the problem was very...very easily reproduced in pulse mode and there was nothing minor about the problem (pump would stall and the power supply LED would dim and a click can be heard from it). I even posted a vid of this problem and all the vortech owners that viewed the clip said that there is something definitely wrong with it. Anyways, I got it back and the problem magically disappeared. I think someone is doing some damage control here. With all the negative talk aside the pump does produce some serious flow and I really like the fact that it doesn't take up a lot of real estate inside the tank . It works pretty good now and I'm fairly happy with it but I will never buy another one again until they work out all the kinks in the unit.

[Kinetic]

It's a good product, but I'm thinking they don't have the capacity to do QC on a majority of the units. It's probably more worthwhile to deal with each situation individually rather than trying to catch all before shipping.

Just be glad they're fixing these things I guess. We'll just need to be ready to accept that it might not be good on the first try... but in another direction, we shouldn't be paying so damn much for something that has a risk of not working out of the box =(

Nuuze: Why do you have to go through reefgeek? That just takes longer, why not talk to Tom directly? Is it just how things work? I'm just curious =/

[Nuuze]

I seem to be caught in the middle of a triangle here...and no one want to loose any money and it's my credit card in the air for $863.73 for the two pumps and collateral for possible repairs...

But here's what I think I am hearing...

Greg Morgan=ReefGeek Inc.
Tim?=EcoTech Marine
Dave=EcoTech Product Service Center

Here's what I got from EcoTech Product Service Center:

With both pumps doing exactly the same thing I am at a loss on what is happening. With both power supply lights green and going out when plugged into the WWD indicates a problem with the WWD. The mystery is why 2 of them at the same time.
Being a repair facility the only thing I can do is have you send them in to me for inspection so I can get the problem corrected. Possibly a better option is to return them to the retailer for an exchange and have them send the bad ones back to the factory.

So as of now pumps were just dropped off at UPS to go back to Greg.

[Nuuze]

A little something the brown truck brought yesterday. Just finished putting all small pieces together for installation. :)

http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t54/Nuze_2007/DSC_9527.jpg

[cartman5579]

Nice, what model is that?

[Nuuze]

It's the GEO 6x12 next to a Reef Fanatic 10 lbs. Co2 bottle.

[cartman5579]

thanks, just doesn't look like its 18" high. Did you special order a stubby?

[Nuuze]

I got the deluxe package from Jason @ Premium Aquatics.
http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=PA-GEO612HD&Category_Code=CRpackage

[nanoguy]

Sweet! Anything special about that Ca media you're going to use? I just took my reactor offline waiting to find a replacement for the ARM media I have in there. I believe it's giving me an algae problem.

[Nuuze]

Not sure besides the larger size and some good reviews. It came with the package. I read up on some liking it as it gets smaller over time easier to id for replacement versus the small one turning even smaller clogging pumps and stuff.

I'm still unsure if I will still need to used my kalk reactor along with the calcium reactor. With out the kalk reactor so far this week and using only two part my pH is 7.9-8.1. I saw some folks running both units but I don't think both will fit under my stand.

[boozeman]

The crm media is very good....it doesnt clog up like the arm does

[nanoguy]

From the pics I'm guessing that it is a course grade media. What would the reactor ph have to be to dissolve that? Any concerns that the system ph will be affected?

[elosusa]

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/113960ccapur-med.jpg

[Mac Inger]

hehehe,..with all this stuff that Jesse posts, i need to get a second job to quench this elos addiction.

Nuuze please update on the reactor. I am about to get one myself. Also,..why the ph controller ? Dont you have a controller/or plan on getting one ?

[Nuuze]

Sorry Jesse, I didn't mean to hurt your feelings. Just accessorizing my Elos. :)

Mac, I'm currently running most of my system with a Neptune Aqua Controller Jr. The calcium reactor package came with a Pinpoint pH controller to read/control pH from within the reactor so I can still use the ACjr to read pH of the tank.

Will post more pics when I get a chance to play with it some more. :)

[boozeman]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11847301#post11847301 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by elosusa
I'm insulted!

BUSTED!!!
:lol:
careful, Jesse has a way of making you feel like a cheating housewife. :lol:

[Nuuze]

The white truck brought some replacements today! :)

http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t54/Nuze_2007/DSC_9528.jpg

http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t54/Nuze_2007/DSC_9532.jpg

http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t54/Nuze_2007/DSC_9534.jpg

[StrategicReef]

How are the noise levels on the Vortechs?

[Nuuze]

The Vortech's are not completely silent, but not too noisy either. I can hear mine from a few feet from the pumps. But then again I'm pretty picky and my System is almost dead silent. From 5 feet away I don't think they're noticable.

Comparing them to my Tunze 6000 so far they take up way less room in tank, especially my 79G. You probably wouldn't notice much if you had a bigger tank. I haven't gotten to play with it much but flow pattern seems a bit wider on the Vortech's. You probably have more wave control with the Tunze 7095 controller and it comes with a moonlight and light sensor for calm/night mode.

I finished setting up my calcium reactor couple days ago. I ended up keeping my kalk reactor inline with Elos ATO to help with low pH. Snug fit...:)
http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t54/Nuze_2007/DSC_9533.jpg


I also swapped out my Sfliligoi light fixture ballasts yesterday to try out IceCap 660 to overdrive the 4 -54w T5's and ACLS to 2-250w new style IceCap 250w halide ballasts.
http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t54/Nuze_2007/DSC_9608.jpg

More reading on the fixture here:
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?postid=11870153#post11870153

Enjoy! :)

[Fliger]

Dang bud, your tank looks AWESOME. Good job on the 660 - I've done that with a couple different fixtures. It will cook you tubes if you don't cool them - I'd take the protective glass off for sure. You can get little plexi strips at HD cut to protect the endcaps if you're worried about splash.

No fuge at all?

[Nuuze]

Thanks Fliger! :)

I may add some fans in the finxture since ther's a lot of room. I'm only using the T5's currently for sunrise/sunset currently for 3 hours before and after the halides.

No fuge...not yet at least. :D

[elosusa]

looking great. Skimmer seems happy with the recent pump cleaning....

[Nuuze]

Yes Jesse, skimmer is making good tea again! :D

[clownnrnd]

Hate to be a buzz kill but I heard the sfigiloi T-5 end caps are not to be overdriven. I looked into it when I changed my MH ballast and wanted to get all the 220v ballasts converted to 120v.

Chad

[Nuuze]

Thanks for the heads up Chad. I'll look into it...

[nanoguy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11870182#post11870182 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Nuuze
The Vortech's are not completely silent, but not too noisy either. I can hear mine from a few feet from the pumps. But then again I'm pretty picky and my System is almost dead silent. From 5 feet away I don't think they're noticable.


What do you have it set at? It's not that noticeable even in pulse mode? Mine sounds like a loud "zipper" going up and down when it's in pulse mode but is fairly quiet in all the other modes.

[Nuuze]

I have mine in reef crest random mode in anti-sync master/slave at 50%.

[Nuuze]

clownnrnd,

Where did you hear that Sfiligoi endcaps cannot be overdriven. I heard back from AO and the said it can be.
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?postid=11879098#post11879098

[Nuuze]

More info on Sfiligoi endcap temps and thresholds...
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?postid=11893410#post11893410

[Nuuze]

I will be taking down my System 120 / 79G Elos tank in the next several weeks. The good news is that I am not getting out of reefing or leaving the hobby. I am upgrading to a Elos System 160XL / 210G!

Please feel free to stop by my new thread to take a peak and say hi!
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=1340198

[boozeman]

you should've kept both :D

[Nuuze]

You know boozeman, I thought about that. But if I EVER need to go bigger than this, I will have to get building permits and Jesse to get me a custom 63"x63"x24" and need lots of counseling! :D

[Mac Inger]

Nuuze,..i have a question about the Kalk reactor. I am not running an Elos ATO rather a Tunze Osmolator, but it looks like the pump is similar...

On my System 70 (around 65 gallons including sump) i am a little afraid to connect the kalk reactor inline with the ATO for fear of spiking the PH too much at one time.

How long does your ato run for ? Is it a steady stream or are you constraining the output to drip the kalk ? Any details on your kalk setup would be great

cheers

Ergin

[Nuuze]

Hi Ergin,

I had it tapped free flowing without any flow control. The ATO runs around 10-15 seconds at a time. I use the kalk reactor becuase I have low pH to begin with. The reactor keeps pH around 7.9-8.1. Once pH levels start falling I know to add kalk. I add about 1/2 cup every couple months or so.

[elosusa]

The Osmocontroller has a function to change the dosing times but the standard dosing time is about 17 seconds.