starting a 375g 96x30x30 tank

[xinumaster]

I'm starting this thread so I can get more inputs and suggestions for my 375g project.

The tank dimension is 96x30x30 with two 12x30x5 overflows at both ends. I need help finding the right return pump to use. The setup will have two 1.5" drains and two 1" returns. Each returns will be connected to a 3/4" seaswirl. Will a sequence reflo dart good enough to use as a return pump for my setup?

[Nanook]

I would go with two 2" drains and two 1.5" returns.

[xinumaster]

Nanook, thanks for replying. 1.5" returns seems pretty big of a dia. Should I split each returns to two 3/4"? Will a sequence dart work for this setup?

[i2ik]

I am going about the same size as you and i will be using a Dart for the return pump. My return will be on 2 wavy sea, so its 1.5" split to 2x1".

[mflamb]

xinumaster...use pi times radius squared (area of a circle) when figuring plumbing pipe size reductions...you will find that 1.5" pipe has a flow area of 1.2 square inches and .75" pipe has a flow area of 0.3 square inches, so you need four .75" (3/4") pipes to equal one 1.5" pipe. A dart will work great for a sump return. I'm plumbing in one for a sump return and 2 for closed loops on my 390. You could split the return from the Dart into the two 1.5" returns and split each one into two 1" at the top. Just do the math before the plumbing.
Mike

[xinumaster]

Thanks mike, I calc the flow area for 1.5" to be 1.7sqin. update me after you had the dart setup. I'm still debating with myself whether I should go with dart or barracuda for my return. I'm finishing my tank drawing rightnow so I can give it to my tank manufacturer.

[mflamb]

oh, my bad, I had 2.14 instead of 3.14...thanks

[mflamb]

Don't drink and do math at the same time. The results are embarrasing...hahaha

[xinumaster]

Fisrt part of the project is replacing my carpet flooring with solid hardward -- gee this hobby is really expensive. This would make it a lot easier for me to clean any spil and to avoid stinky smell from the skimmer from sticking on to the carpet. :mad:

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r83/xinumaster/fish-tank/DSCN1222.jpg
That is not me in the picture. That's my contractor.

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r83/xinumaster/fish-tank/DSCN1225.jpg

Here is the finished floor.


http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r83/xinumaster/fish-tank/DSCN1226.jpg:mad:

[drummereef]

Nice job on the floor - looks awesome!

[xinumaster]

bought a couple of 6100 with controller and magnet holders. These were used equipments that I bought for my coming setup. I heard that the 6100s can be converted to 6200 by replacing the transformer. Does anyone know what transfer part number used for 6200?

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r83/xinumaster/fish-tank/DSCN1249.jpg

[CAreefer]

Hate to be the one to break the news to you, but you were mis-informed. :sad2:

The 6200 is a completely different animal. Bigger motor block, and outlet diameter. The 6000 can be upgraded to the 6100 with a transformer swap.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=979125&highlight=6100+to+a+6200

CAReefer

[asnatlas]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8705474#post8705474 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by CAreefer
Hate to be the one to break the news to you, but you were mis-informed. :sad2:

The 6200 is a completely different animal. Bigger motor block, and outlet diameter. The 6000 can be upgraded to the 6100 with a transformer swap.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=979125&highlight=6100+to+a+6200

CAReefer

CAreefer is correct...

[benf]

If you want to broaden the flow of the 6100, you can use 6200 housings in place of the 6100 housings. I did that on my 120 to help with sand blowing.

[Elite]

wow nice floor man .. lets me know if you need help setting it up later on. I can help you put those PHs in the tank for you :D ..

[xinumaster]

Elite, you mentioned u know a place where to get live rocks. Can you pm me that info?

[xinumaster]

Here the picture of the skimmer that will be use in this project. The skimmer is an Euroreef CS12-1 with sedra9000 and sedra5000 pumps. I hope to replace the sedra5000 with a 9000 series in the future. Or I might probably replace the whole thing with a BK.

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r83/xinumaster/fish-tank/DSCN1250.jpg

[xinumaster]

I'm planning to add a diy drain valve in the waste cup. Any idea how I should diy a drain and what parts I need?

[CORALFISHG]

are you going to put the tank directly on the hard wood floor(laminate)? I was told by a intaller that he whould not recomend anything on the floor that is to heavy.. he said that the floor needs to be able to expand and contract.. this was what i was origanaly going to do but i don't want to destroy my floor.

[benf]

I am curiuos too as i plan on putting my 200gal on laminate

[xinumaster]

The tank will seat directly on top of the solid hardwood floor. I don't see how the wood would expand or contract specially when the woods are nailed on a 3/4" plywood and the plywood is nailed on a concrete slab. If the woods underneath the tank breaks it might be just fine for me cause no body would notice or see it anyway.

[woodwrangler]

Laminate floors have minimal expansion/contraction movement, as it is a manufactured product. Solid hardwood will have movement, but the weight of the tank will not effect the wood movement, it will simply move under the tank. Don't get freaked out, cause the minimal movement will not effect the tank or the floor one bit.

As for the weight, yes the tank will weigh 4500 lbs, but if you actually break down the weight of the tank spread out over the surface area, it is only something like 2 pounds/square inch. Even the softest woods can easily handle a load of 2 psi.

Just make sure the stand/tank is nice and level to properly distribute the weight.

[Sparkss]

looking good Perry.. we gonna race to see who gets their tank setup first ? :D

[Chaotic Reefer4u]

looking and sounding good so far xinu, good luck and keep us updated with picture's...

[manofcoral]

I had a BIG PROBLEM WITH PERGO FLOORING! When I had a major flood the corrners of the flooring started curling up and some of the joints started to buckel. My wife will never forgive me. Just though you should know.
Paul<><

[xinumaster]

The solid hardware floor was acclimated in my house for a week before it was installed. So far I don't see any curling up since it was installed last october. Not sure how it would stand in the summer heat though.

Here is the picture of the KORALLIN C-3002 calcium reactor that I will be using. It supposed to be able to handle 800g tank.

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r83/xinumaster/fish-tank/DSCN1253.jpg

[invincible569]

xinu, are you sure thats a 3002? I had a 3002 and it was double the height of that.

[xinumaster]

Your right, dia is more than 6" so it must be C-4002, good for 1600g tank.

[alien9168]

WOW!...

THis looks interesting!

Any plans for aquascaping yet? ... i know its a little soon to be asking :D

[xinumaster]

I don't have the tank yet. I'm expecting the tank would be finished by early february.

[Sparkss]

Ahhh, thought you were going to have it sooner... looks like it is coming together for you though.. :)

[xinumaster]

I'm planning to purchase a sequence barracuda for my project. Do you guys have any experience with this pump? How quiet is this pump?

[benf]

I had one before switching to the Hammerhead...not bad at all, little more noise than the dart.

[Baggerhog]

Everything looks great so far. I have a Barracuda running two tanks i have plumbed though my basement. There is 12 feet of head and it does a great job for both tanks. It is running a 150 reef and a 92 fowler tank.

[xinumaster]

The tank will be setup in my formal living room. I'm concern about the noise level of this pump. How loud is your barracuda?

[xinumaster]

It's been six weeks now and my tank and cabinet/canopy still not delivered. It's been one week delayed already. Hopefully, it'll be ready for delivery next week. So, as not to bore you all, here is a picture of the 6 buckets of RC that I bought from f&s for $31.99 each. shipping was so cheap $16 for all six buckets. My salt supply for 2yrs.

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r83/xinumaster/Dec-25-2007/DSCN1363.jpg

[Sparkss]

we bought 4 bucket the first of the year for our setup.. and if they last through July I will be tickled :). Between the skimmer that will look to hold approx 60g and the 2 sumps at 150g each (although luckily we don't fill the sumps or fuge all the way up, so not really anywhere near 300g worth) we will have about 550g (that is minus rocks, sand, etc). That is almost all 4 of our buckets right there :( ,just to get everything up and running, forget about water changes :).

[Goldleaf Reef]

Floor looks great, yes this hobby is expensive. Ive put about 2 g's into my fish room in the basement, and I haven't even ordered the tank. had to erect walls run, electric service, panelling, tile drain etc..

I would try my best to keep water from getting under the floor, did you use a sealer,around the base boards ?

[orientalexpress]

wow ,the going to look awsome.good job perry.what ever u do,don't try to add up all the money u spend to far.it's so depressing.gl bud

[xinumaster]

Goldleaf,
Thanks for the comment. I didn't seal the baseboard nor the floor but I'm planning to put a pond liner against the wall and on the floor to protect from saltwater spills. But you're right I should have painted the wall with epoxy type of paint same stuff that Sparkss did on his project. Here is the box of the pon liner.

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r83/xinumaster/fish-tank/DSCN1371.jpg


Lapsan,
I know what you mean. Wait and see what I have to buy my wife just to hide my reef speading spree.

Perry

[xinumaster]

Here are the other stuff I ordered. But I'm thinking of selling the lumenmax2 reflector and go with LA3.

The savko bulkheads sch80 are 2" for the drain and 1.5" will be used for return. Those ball valves were 1.5 and 0.75 and 1.25". The 1.25" was ordered incorrectly I so I need to return this and replace it with 1/2" ball valve which I'm planning to use for the manifold. The think I don't like about the savko valves is that the handle is too soft.

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r83/xinumaster/fish-tank/DSCN1372.jpg

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r83/xinumaster/fish-tank/DSCN1370.jpg

[siding88]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9141363#post9141363 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by xinumaster
Goldleaf,
Thanks for the comment. I didn't seal the baseboard nor the floor but I'm planning to put a pond liner against the wall and on the floor to protect from saltwater spills. But you're right I should have painted the wall with epoxy type of paint same stuff that Sparkss did on his project. Here is the box of the pon liner.

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r83/xinumaster/fish-tank/DSCN1371.jpg


Lapsan,
I know what you mean. Wait and see what I have to buy my wife just to hide my reef speading spree.

Perry

i know what u mean i had to buy the wife a whole new dining set with hutch and wine thingy mabob(dont know what its called but it wasnt cheap!)

[xinumaster]

7 weeks now and still no tank.:mad2:

Anyway for update:
I just bought a juvenile sohol, large shoulder, medium lavander and a yellow tang last week. They're all in my two holding tanks.

I also scored an african "yellow belly" hippo tang last saturday. And you won't believe how much I paid for it.

Next week I'll be picking up also a colony of 10 heads duncanopsammia for $500 from a local seller who is shutting down his system. Here is his thread http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1039657

-perry

[asnatlas]

Where are you getting your tank from again ??

[xinumaster]

I'm getting it from World Marine Systems locally in SJ, Ca.

-perry

[xinumaster]

I need to order a rail for my lights so I can move the lights 12" back when I need to do maintenance inside the tank. Im thinking of using this http://jhusa.net/111pd.aspx

Also, I'll be replacing my Lumenmax2 with LA3 for better coverage.

-perry

[GSMguy]

any date on when the tank will show up

[xinumaster]

I talked to the owner and he said he can't glue anything because its too cold. However, he said it might be ready for pick up next saturday the 17th, though.

-perry

[hawaiianwargod]

Perry,

Do you have any design in mind for the light rail? I'm thinking of building some sort of aluminum frame to retrofit inside my canopy and use the light rail to move the whole unit for easy accessibilty.
Hope you get that tank soon!

[xinumaster]

I think I do. It's all in my mind. It will be a rectangular frame made of an L aluminum about 96x20 where the LA3 will seat. The frame will be hang on the rail so I can move the lights back and forth manual when I need to do maintenance in the tank. Also, rhe frame will be fasten with a bolt and nuts on the rail roller to make it more stable.

I will be putting a glass cover on th LA3. Yes, I read that with a glass cover the reflector will lost about 13% of its effectiveness. I think I could live with that. I got to this dicision after seen afriends LA3 reflector covered with salt splash. I think I would lost more light if have salt splashes on the reflector. And when it happens you won't be able to take it off.

My tank will have 4x 250W 14k hamilton on an LA3.

-perry

[orientalexpress]

3 -LA3 is plenty.they're spread out pretty good..gl



lapsan

[xinumaster]

Hi Lapsan,

There is a brace at the middle of the tank which I'm trying to avoid getting direct light that is why I choose to use 4 LA3. If I only use 3 LA3 one of it will be directly bellow the brace. But if I can find a way to limit the heat on the middle LA3 when I use 3 reflectors only then that would be perfect. Maybe I could place a dedicated fan on the middle reflector to push the heat away from the middle brace.

How is your tank doin? Have you ordered your monster tank yet.

-perry

[orientalexpress]

my tank is coming along slowly.i pick up a use leemar from aquarium concept,72x36x30 euro bracing with stand and canopy by angelo.i'm just finish bracing my floor and finish most the plumbing.i going to start filling it up with tap water for leak test this weekend.i almost pick up alex tank but it's wouldn't fit thru the door.but this will do.gl

lapsan

[xinumaster]

Okay it is now week7 and still no tank. :mad:

I hope he'll the deliver the tank by this Saturday, else I'll cancel my order and go get a tank somewhere else. :bum:

Anyway here are some more stuff I just received from several orders I placed.

magnavore-10 cleaning magnet

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r83/xinumaster/fish-tank/DSCN1386.jpg

Barracuda sequence pump and 4 3/4" seaswirls

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r83/xinumaster/fish-tank/DSCN1378.jpg

-perry

[hawaiianwargod]

Perry,

Hope you will get your tank this Saturday so you could start the fun part...plumbing and such. Let me know if you need help.
Are you implementing Seaswirls along with Vortechs?
Btw, I like my swirls as well.
Good luck!

[xinumaster]

Yes it will have 4 seaswirls but no CL. There will be also 2 tunze 6100, one on each side; and also a couple of seio 1500 at the bottom of the tank to keep those poo suspended till the skimmer could get to it. The sieos are just temporary while I wait for vortechs that can support 1" thick acrylic. They said they're working on a adapter for 1" thick acrylic.

More plumbing parts received today too. I'm also waiting for the rail tracker to arrive for my lighting.

Yes I can't wait to see my tank. And I can't wait to get rid of my 3 holding tanks and put all the livestocks in just one tank.

-perry

[xinumaster]

Hello everyone,

After 8 weeks of waiting I finally pick up my tank last Saturday. The tank is 96x30x30 1" acrylic all around and it was so heavy. I needs 6 people to lift it to put on the stand.

It has one center brace in the middle that I'm thinking of cutting it down. Will that affect the integrated of the tank?

Here are some of the pictures. I'm slowly dripping the fresh water into the tank. But I already have about 200g of mixed salt water in rubbermaid containers that I be putting in the tank this Saturday.


Cabinet. I was cutting the styroform but because the tank bottom is so thick the side molding could not hide the styroform so I end out removing the styroform.
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r83/xinumaster/fish-tank/DSCN1398.jpg

happy owner and my 7yr son
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r83/xinumaster/fish-tank/DSCN1427.jpg

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r83/xinumaster/fish-tank/DSCN1428.jpg

[GSMguy]

looks great dont cut the center brace could really mess up the integrity of the tank

[clekchau]

ohhh nice but whatever you do, DON'T cut the center brace

[hawaiianwargod]

Looking good Perry!!! At last WM did something good for you. I like the dimension of that tank....you'll have versatility with your scaping.
hw

[rleechb]

Wow perry! The tank looks great! Sounds like it'll be a pretty serious undertaking. Let me know if you need a helping hand with anything ;)

-Ray

[xinumaster]

Thanks for the complement, Ray.

I already started cycling the water in the main tank but no livestocks in there yet. The water is just too cold yet to put some thing in there. I got two heaters in the tank so I can bring up the temp and once the temp reaches 74F I might start adding live rocks in there. So far the water SG is 1.026. I have not measured any other par yet.

Plumbing is still not don't too. I'm still waiting for some gray fitting and pvc pipes from usplastic for my return. Drain will have the white HD pvc pipes and fittings.

I'll update this thread with some pictures next week.

by the way, thanks for the cheato.

[Sparkss]

I don't know if I would have removed the foam either Perry. If the stand is 100% dead on level and true, then it shouldn't matter, but wood and flooring are just never that straight. Maybe go with thinner foam versus none at all ?

[xinumaster]

Nice to hear from you again, Tom. Unfortunately, I already removed the foam and water is already cycling in the tank. I could not also find a foam thinner than 3/4; so I end up just removing that foam. Hopefully, everything will be okay.

How is you tank? I been checking your thread but don't see any update.

GSM and Clekchau thanks for the advice. I end up not cutting the center bracing.

HW thanks for the offer and complement.

I'll update you guys with more pictures hopefully by next week as soon as I could get that canopy on top the of the tank.

[GSMguy]

cant wait
glad you didnt cut the brace i would hate to see that you ended up with 375g of saltwater in your living room

[DrBegalke]

Looking good!

[Sparkss]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9376827#post9376827 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by xinumaster
Nice to hear from you again, Tom. Unfortunately, I already removed the foam and water is already cycling in the tank. I could not also find a foam thinner than 3/4; so I end up just removing that foam. Hopefully, everything will be okay.

How is you tank? I been checking your thread but don't see any update.


Tank is doing fine, me on the other hand have had better months :). I threw my back out pretty badly two weekends ago and was out of work through last Thursday (which is pretty bad considering that I telecommute.. I couldn't even make it from the bedroom to the home office :(). Since then I have been fighting my back and 14 hour days at the office, inclduing getting ready for a 30 hour weekend project implementation that I happen to have the unlukcy happenstance of being the lead on (scheduled to start at 8 pm and run through Sunday midnight)

Regardless I have managed to finish boxing in a portion of the fish room in the garage, including hanging the sheetrock and painting it with the remaining 2-part epoxy paint. Look for some picture updates in our thread around or after this weekend. :)

[raddogz]

Everything looks good Perry. This is one sweet tank!

[Sparkss]

Perry, I finally posted some pictures of the progress of our fish room in our thread... so I am back in the race :D

[xmen0075]

That's a beautiful tank and stand. I can't wait to see the new pics!!!

[xinumaster]

Sparkss, we'll see. I'll be adding the fishes I bought from Alan this coming Saturday.

The fishes I will be adding this weekend are:
Xlarge dussumieri (palani)
med foxface
med purple tank
and an extra large (about 12inches) blue spotted gigas

Hawaiinwargord was in my house last Saturday checking on my tank. Thenk Lapsan and phc567 came by my house too last Sunday when they pickup their fishes from Alan.

[GSMguy]

any chance of pictures ??????

[xinumaster]

Raddogz, thanks for the complement. Yap, big switch from 90g to now 375g tank. A vengeance after crashing my 90g tank last July due to a kalkwasser reactor dissaster.

GSM, I'll post some pictures this weekend.

I just pickup 3 sets of lumenarc3 from pacific garden supply last saturday and I mod my canopy top to add the rollers for the lumenarc3 and cut 2 vent doors at the top. The roller will allow me to move the reflectors about 6 inches back and forth. Hopefully, that would give me additional room when doing maintenance inside the tank.

[raddogz]

Those fish from Alan's tank are going to look really really nice. I remember going to his house to pick up a 120g from him, and those fish were healthy fat =)

[xinumaster]

phc567 pick up most of the fishes. I should have bought the spawning pair of Chrysopterus blue striped clowns too. But I spend too much already for this project.

[orientalexpress]

hey perry if u change your mind about that giga lmk,that would look very nice in my tank also :)

lapsan

[hawaiianwargod]

Perry's tank is looking great!!! Can't wait to see some fish and corals in there.
I got Alan's crosshatch and immidiately felt at home as soon as I introduced her in my tank. It already eats like a pig..lol!!!
I guess Alan and I will be downsizing, I showed him my friend's inwall tank and he is amped to start his project!

[xinumaster]

Hi Jerome, Thanks for dropping by. I talked to Alan today he said the two of you went to Los Gatos to check out your friend's tank. If you're downsizing let me know which coral you're be selling I might be interested.

I received the black piping and fitting today and started working on it right away. I might be able to fire up the external pump by tomorrow night.

[650-IS350]

thank goodness your an engineer... couldn't afford that stuff on my salary hahahhaah

[xinumaster]

Now you're scaring me :D

[cbui2]

hello mr xinumaster, on my setup i have total 3 opening 2 31x21 on each end and 38x21 in the middle with 1" eurobrace, using LA3 with pfo 400w hqi ballast, approx. 8" above and i will channeled them down with aluminum plate to get the most use out of them without problems, so heat won't be an issue on my eurobrace...

[xinumaster]

Cbu, is your LA3 the mini 14.5x14.5 footprint or the 19.5x19.5 fullsize Lumenarc? I got the 19.5x19.5 LIII which would give me a better spread. I'm not done installing the lighting yet but I will have time to work on it this weekend.

Do have picture of the alluminum plate?

[Sparkss]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9408413#post9408413 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by xinumaster
Sparkss, we'll see. I'll be adding the fishes I bought from Alan this coming Saturday

Yea, we only have about a half dozen fish and almost that many shrimp.. not going to add any more until the new skimmer arrives (maybe.. if I wait that long :)). Although we do have a couple of dozen corals and clams already in :). Got the new pumps online last night, the old Deltec skimmer and calcium reactor too.. so I finally can take the Remora HOB out of the tank and quit dosing 2-part :D. Still lots to do though... it will be months before it is all finialized (don't even ask about the moulding *sigh* :().. going to get our controller setup this weekend and start using the new DCs we ordered... How are you controlling your lighting ? and calcium reactor CO2, etc ?

I definitely think that your thread needs more pictures :)

[cbui2]

have the large not mini, my tank size 96l x 48w x 30h so the large was perfect for what i am doing, getting my tank this friday
so anxoius, waiting two months for them to do it all..tank, stand, & sump/refugium..worth the wait... what part of la, my friend stay in monvoria, la

http://www.geocities.com/cbui21/tank1.jpg

[StunnaShadez]

any updated pictures?

[hawaiianwargod]

Perry,

Did you get those fish and those Gigas yet? I'm definetly searching my options as far as downsizing my 300g. I'm just scared downgrading....since my 300 looks like its maturing. I took out lots of LR last week and I love the open structure.
This was taken last year with all those LR.http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g304/Islandmindanao/reef5-25-0600019.jpg

[xinumaster]

Okay you guys just could not wait for pictures here they are:

With the Barracuda pump, drain and return pipes. The white pipe on the left is one of the drain and gray is return. I still need to paint the wye to match the color of the valve and pipe for return.
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r83/xinumaster/fish-tank/DSCN1441-baracuda.jpg

Another picture of the underneath the tank with the sump.
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r83/xinumaster/fish-tank/DSCN1442.jpg

Here is another picture. The valve that didn't have the output connected to will be used for my manifold which will feed the chiller and refugium and calcium reactor.
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r83/xinumaster/fish-tank/DSCN1440.jpg

Hi Jerome, I still have got the livestock yet. But, hopefully tank will be ready by this weekend to for stocking.

[hawaiianwargod]

Looking good Perry. I like your plumbing skills.

[cbui2]

looks good, haha fedex freight just call me for confirmation for 3-8-07 friday, worth the wait and hopefully everything goes as plan

[jmccown]

3/8 is Thursday, lol.

[Goldleaf Reef]

I like the way you branched of the return.. Does it add any head pressue to the pump ? Great skills, but of course your an Engineer you had a many late night to obtain those skills

[cbui2]

lol 3-9-07

[Sparkss]

Perry, I noticed that you went with 1 1/2" pipe coming out of the barracuda, couldn't find any 2" wyes ? Is that barracuda for a closed loop ? or is that your return pump ?

EDIT : I see that it is your return pump.. that just seems like alot. I am actually planning to take out our sequence 4200 and replace it with a dart for our return pump. Are you using your return to supplement your in tank circulation ?

Looking good, can't wait to see some fish in it :). I should post some picts of our tank shortly.. took some this morning. Most of the corals are already starting to encrust, so all is well with our. I hope that you have good luck as well :D

[xinumaster]

Hi GR, I don't know how much pressure loss I get due to bents and from wye fitting. But I can tell for sure that the barracuda pump as what Sparss says is too strong for my return and for what I intended to use it for. I only have two 3/4 seaswirls installed yet, but 2 more additional 3/4 will be installeld at the middle of next week. I have to trottle several valves just to slow down the pump.

Right, I was able to fire up the external pump last night. Found a few spots were water were leaking. All the leaks are coming from those threaded fittings. I managed to fixed a few of them but there are 3 more spots I need to fix for water leakage.

The barracuda doesn't seem to be quite. I hear vibrations and hamming. It was too loud that I can hear it from my bedroom on the second floor. My 7yr old son complained to me that he woke up in the morning because of the noise. I end up shutting down the pump before I leave for work (don't want to wait for my wife to tell me so :D).

Another thing I need to do is fixed first the overflow drain. Rightnow, the splash from the overflow is too loud. I need to bring up the 90deg elbow fitting on my durso pipe higher so that the level of the water in the overflow box is close to what the level is on the main tank. Hopefully, this will fixed splashing noise.

Here are some more pictures.

Return pipe with 1 connected seaswirl. The other end of the pipe is for another sea swirl. There is a weight on the seawirl to hold it down.
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r83/xinumaster/fish-tank/DSCN1439.jpg

Both left and right sides have sea swirls already.
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r83/xinumaster/fish-tank/DSCN1437.jpg

Here is picture of the tank before the sea swirls were installed.
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r83/xinumaster/fish-tank/DSCN1436.jpg

Sparss, you are right the barracuda seems to be too strong for a return. If I can't fixed the noise level in due to that pump I might replace it with a sequence dart.

Jerone, thanks for the complement. My plumbing is not perfect. I got water leak evey where. I talked to Rolly last Tuesday he said you're be helping him reaquascape his tank. I'm pretty sure you gonna be breaking a few frags a long the way. Tell him to save it for me if he don't mine.

[Sparkss]

Perry, when you throttle back the barracuda, do it on the inlet side. IIRC that is the best way to throttle back a pump like that. It will also reduce your electrical consumption versus throttling the output will put more wear on the pump and can actually increase your electrical usage. At least that was how I understood it.

Not that you should replumb, but if you do redo your plumbing, try to always go up a size on the outlet of the pump.. IE: if it has a 1 1/2" outlet, connect it to 2" pipe, etc. The manufacturers head pressure/flow rating will never be reached using the size pipe that comes off of the wet end, they rate them with one to two pipe sizes larger connected. Just use REs, female connecter and close nipple to connect the larger pipe.

I will also note that our sequence rattled like a mutha the first night and took 2 days to totally quiet down. And it was not a new pump.. but it had been sitting up for about a month between the old tank and this new one, but what I am saying is that it should not have been "break in", but it was still noisy at first. One other reason your's may be noisy is the restriction on the output. Try closing the inlet valve some and opening the outlets valves all the way (uysing the inlet to adjust the output flow) just to see if it helps with the noise.

HTHs :)

P.S. I just updated a ton of picts in our build thread... check em out and let me know what you think :)

[xinumaster]

Hi Tom, trottling the input was what I thought shoud be. But when I read the manual it says on #6 not to restrict the inlet. But at one point I read somewhere where sequence guys recommended trottling the output for power saving; which actually contradict what they wrote on the manual. http://www.premiumaquatics.com/sequence/bar-ham-man.pdf

I didn't use 2" for my output. The spec says output is 1.5" so I just use 1.5" fitting. However, the pipe after the wye on the right side is reduced to 1.25". And on the left the 1.25" starts inside the overflow box.

I saw your new post. Pictures look great. I like how you aquascaping lots of room for your corals to grow.

[Sparkss]

hmmm, interesting what you say they published about the pumps and which 'let to restrict. I am tempted to call up MDM and just ask them. Thanks for the link and the info :)

EDIT : I checked MDMs web site and you are correct. I was giving out bad information. It says on the site not to restrict the inlet :

http://www.reeflopumps.com/tipstroubleshooting.html

They say this about the dart, hammerhead and barracuda :

LOW SPEED, ADJUSTABLE FLOW PUMPS

Our pumps can be adjusted for use on all tank sizes from 40 gallons to 500 gallons by "valving down" the discharge. "Valving down" our pumps lowers the wattage and extends the life of the pump.



Sorry for the original mis-information :(

[hawaiianwargod]

Perry,

No problem with the frags...I will be "careful" moving Rolly's colonies. I guess Rolly and I will be aquascaping his tank next week since he is running out of room.

[Sparkss]

no matter what size tank, it is inevitable to run out of room.. oft times sooner than you would ever think :(

[xinumaster]

Hi Tom, I forgot answering your question about controller. The tank setup will be controlled by ACpro with DC8, DC4HD and socket expansion http://www.neptunesys.com/aquaControllerPro.htm The metal halides will be spread on these 3 connectors. Each netpune system connectors are tied to different breaker too. This allows me not to lost all lights at once if one of the breaker trips. Same thing with pumps they'll all be distributed on those NS connectors.

I got this controller already and currently being used on my holding tank. The socket expansion which will replace my X10 I still need to ordered from NS.

[Sparkss]

kewl... we actually have a very similar setup but using an ACJr at the momment (but also with DC8, DC4HD and socket expansion). :D

[cbui2]

i think will always work better at full power with having to dial them down, just point flow to diiferent area, the way my tank design is 2 CL on 1 4-way OM each on sequence 5800SEQ, also did loc-line total 16 pc's 3/4" 8 on each, since my tank is 48"W design it with little amount of dead spot, on each segment one foot was installed, here general idea how my tank was drilled..diagram only shows back of tank but in the front bottom is 4" where other 4-way was drilled...

http://www.geocities.com/cbui21/BackCL.jpg

[Sparkss]

delayed double post

[xinumaster]

CB are those holes at the bottom? I didn't drill the bottom for CL under my tank -- I'm scared it might leak. Just like one of my overflow box which is leaking in the fitting for my return. To fix the problem I have to drain the overflow box -- I won't wanna do this in the main tank.

[xinumaster]

CB do you have a build thread for your tank?

[cbui2]

no yet will soon my tank is due friday 3-9, today. i will post up soon as i see the tank and that it's problems free. yes i did drilled holes on the bottom of tank, but i have also ordered all haywood sch 80 heavy duty bulks all around, besides my whole setup will be in garage..i been working for about a month on it but have been saving all pics, was waiting to post tank on front page than follow the rest. i think estimated on my system will be 1300gal total. it should be nice by gathering all info from all sort and guys building here to put together the ultimate setup.

[xinumaster]

Hi CB, I say wooowwww that is a very big volume of water to manage. You gonna have a lot of fun aquascaping your tank. I used sch80 bulkhead only in my setup too. I didn't like those black thin sch40 bulkhead; they easily breaks base from my experience.

I just rework some of the fittings last night to take care of the water leaks and it looks fine now. Though there are still a couple spots were water still leaks but it only leaks like 1 drop per 2 hours or less. Not really worried on that. I'll probably gonna fix it when I got the time. Rightnow, I need to concentrate my effort on getting up the canopy and lighting.

I also fixed the noisy overflow by extending the 90deg elbow on the durso high enough so that water level on the overflow is pretty much at the same level with the prefilter slots on the overflow.

Tomorrow will be a big day. I'll be replacing 100g of the water in the tank with an equivalent amount of water from a friend where I'll be buyin his livestocks. His livestocks will be move to my tank on that same day too. This includes the palan, purple tank, foxface and 12" blue spotted giga clam.

[cbui2]

patience my friend and make sure everything is in order, that's the route I am taking so I had preorder all items down to last ball valves and gate, I used all heavy duty fittings from hayward everywhere so no leak or mistake of having to redo, because a system this large in size can't have any room for error, and yes i will have alot of fun doing this..haha hehe waiting for fedex right now.

[xinumaster]

I didn't got the chance to put the livestocks that I planned, but instead I stock the aquarium with livestocks from this thread http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1067442

So, my tank now have his tangs: yellow, hippo, desjardini (sailfin) tang. I also bought his pair of japanese swallowtail angel fish.
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r83/xinumaster/fish-tank/DSCN1446.jpg

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r83/xinumaster/fish-tank/DSCN1445.jpg

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r83/xinumaster/fish-tank/DSCN1444.jpg

I also bought a neon green carpet from a local LFS.
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r83/xinumaster/fish-tank/DSCN1443.jpg

I would probably add the other livestocks from my friend's tank this Tuesday.

[55semireef]

Any full tank shots?

[Sparkss]

looking good Perry... you are braver than I am with that green carpet nem :D

[cbui2]

you going with bare bottom, looking good there and angels are great

[xinumaster]

55, I'll post picture of the full tank after I mount the canopy tonight. You can go back to page 4 and there's a full tank shot there with out the canopy.

CB, time to try BB. I used to have DSB in my old tank but I always have problem with cyano. But if I need to switch to DSB it should be easy, but not the other way around.

Here is picture of my skimmer when I turn it on last Thursday. Note this skimmer is a euroreef CS12-1 with too pumps sedra9000 and sedra5000. However, I only turn ON ONE pump which is the sedra5000 and yet it is already skimming.

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r83/xinumaster/fish-tank/DSCN1448.jpg

[Sparkss]

Looking good Perry... we had similar experience with our skimmer once we finally turned it on.. since we had run the tank for several weeks with a seriously undersized HOB skimmer (still better than nothing).

Looks like you are skimming pretty wet there ? I forget, do you have it gravity fed ? I set ours to skim pretty dry only because I had trouble adjusting the gravity feed to be consistent. Can't wait for the FTS of your tank :D

[xinumaster]

Hi Tom, I don't use gavity. the pumps just sucks the water from the sump.

[Sparkss]

Ah, gotcha.. thought it was maybe one of the recirc models from ER. Personally I like gravity feed, since it usually results in higher skimmer efficiency, it is just that right now our plumbing is configured for a different skimmer, so it is not so "tuned" for our current skimmer :) (hence our flow consistency issues).

[hawaiianwargod]

Looking nice Perry! How's the Giga doing?

[xinumaster]

Hi Jerome, Didn't got the chance to pick up the giga, I was in Daly City over the weekend and i didn't have time to install the MH. Hopefully, I'll pick up the giga this Saturday after I install the MH.

[xinumaster]

As requested here is the full shot of my tank. One think I didn't like about this setup is that I can see the water line. That canopy was not able to hide it.

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r83/xinumaster/fish-tank/DSCN1451.jpg

Shot from another angle
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r83/xinumaster/fish-tank/DSCN1452.jpg

And here another addition to my livestocks list. A more than a foot long giga clam.
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r83/xinumaster/fish-tank/DSCN1453.jpg

[lbear]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9483165#post9483165 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by xinumaster
As requested here is the full shot of my tank. One think I didn't like about this setup is that I can see the water line. That canopy was not able to hide it.


Perry, I have similar problem for my new tank and canopy. The waterline is to high and touches the tank bracing. If I lower the waterline, the canopy can not hide it.

Are you going to leave it that way or you will do some fixes? From the picture, it seems it's impossible to lower your canopy.

That giga is huge!

[hawaiianwargod]

Very nice Perry. The clam looks so huge! The canopy can be lowered more if you like. Just take the wood stoper around it and move it higher so the canopy will sit lower.

[xinumaster]

Hi Albert, Nice to hear from you. I didn't know you were following my thread. I might probably just cover the water line with black thin acrylic. By the way how is your new tank?

Hi Jerome, The canopy can't be lowered. The canopy uses the lower edge of the side wall of the canopy to act as the wood stopper itself then they added a 2"x3/4" molding on the side that hide the top of the tank. One think I could probably do also is add an additional 1" wide of wood molding to hide the water line. Problem is that I'm not a good carpenter.

[cbui2]

i think you would do better to modify the inside before adding anything on the outside due to looks

[hawaiianwargod]

Perry,

Maybe you could talk to WM and let them fix the issue.

[xinumaster]

Hi jerome, yah I talked to WM today he said it was me who told them to cut the overflow prefilter (slots in the overflow box) 2" high. the reason why I want a 2" prefilter slots is so that I can us the wavebox. They said that the only way I can fixed the problem is to cover a 3/4" of below the slots behind the overflow box so that the water will rise. Unfortunately, if I do that I won't be able to use my wavebox.

[hawaiianwargod]

I don't think its a big issue...you could keep it as it is...your tank looks great and definetly utililize that WB...flow and lots of flow since you have BB.

[lbear]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9483483#post9483483 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by xinumaster
Hi Albert, Nice to hear from you. I didn't know you were following my thread. I might probably just cover the water line with black thin acrylic. By the way how is your new tank?


Yep, I subscribed this thread from day one.

Since it's not a good option to lift the waterline (I was about to suggest that), just cover it with thin acrylic stripe. It's less than one inch. Your beautiful tank will be the focal point and people won't notice the acrylic stripe.

I am way behind the schedule I planned for my new tank. I didn't do anything since last fresh water test. I will fill it with fresh water again this weekend to test the new sump. I also want to test gravity feeding to my skimmer. I am not happy about my new tank.

[xinumaster]

Thanks Albert, I might probably just do that. I hope TAPS plastics can cut a 3x96 thin acrylic for me.

I have a juvinile sohal tang that is still in my 75g holding tank. He is so aggressive. He already killed 2 xxlarge chromis and a pair of percula. Should I add him now to my 375g?

Here is a stocking list I have now:
xxlarge dussumeiri tang
juvinile yellow tang
pair of japanese yellow tail angel
hippo tang
desjardini tang
1 cleaner shrimp
1 15" xxlarge giga clam
1 haddoni carpet
foxface rabbit
purple tang

Here he
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r83/xinumaster/fish-tank/DSCN1380-1.jpg


Here is the tank
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r83/xinumaster/fish-tank/DSCN1452.jpg

[Sparkss]

Perry, We love the sohals, but they are among the most aggressive tangs. A good number of the more colorful acanthrus (sp?) fall into this "aggressive" category. But if the other fish are already established in your 375, then you will likely be able to add him (but don't expect to add anything else after he gets established... and watch out as he grows and matures). But I did say "likely", as in each fish is an individual, and yours may just be a bit more aggressive than a "normal" sohal (which is still pretty aggressive in their own right).

Did you add those chromis and percula after you had added the sohal to your holding tank ?


BTW, I know I said it before, but I will say it again.. nice looking tank :)

[xinumaster]

Hi Tom, Thanks for the complement. I'm too worried to add the sohal in my tank right now. I might have to wait for a few weeks before I add him in or maybe not.

Can you guys comment on this continuous saltwater system I'm planning to work on? The system will be located outside my house -- about 3 ft away from the aquarium.

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r83/xinumaster/fish-tank/continuous-water-change-system.jpg

[Sparkss]

Perry, I think that I follow how it is all set up... it looks good. One question is do you have it set up so that when you are mixing salt water that the litermeter will shut off it's #1 and #3 pumps ? but still operate #2 ? I am unfamiliar with how those are setup or what functionality that they have, which is why I am asking :). Also, will #2 be on a float switch ? or are you just going to try to calculate evaporation and dial in the top off ? Also, how much fresh SW per day do you plan to replace with the continuous WC ?


Either way it looks well thought out. Nicely design :)

[clekchau]

basically you will set the top off remote pump (pump 2) to fill the maximum amount a day. it will turn off when a special sensor hits the litermeter indicating the maximum level you want in your sump. at least that's how i understood it. pump 2 works independently from pump 1 and 3.

[xinumaster]

CC seems to be right. I just don't know how to shut off pump1 and 3 when I'm mixing the salt or adding fresh water to SW container. I need to get a manual for the LM3. Does anyone have one?

[cbui2]

http://spectrapure.com/manuals/LiterMeter3f.pdf

looking good perry, i will be pulling another all nighter again. lol

[cbui2]

hey perry I remember you had a problem with hammerhead is this correct..I just finished powered up my 5800seq sequence I believed its the same specs, what did you have to do. has loud huming sound coming from the shaft. pump is quiet and fan is too, but shaft is so noisy and loud. thanks let me know

[xinumaster]

mine is barracuda. But what your description of the loud noise on your hammerhead is pretty much the same noise that I hear on my barracuda. I haven't than anything yet but I'm thinking of replacing it with dart.

[cbui2]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9568122#post9568122 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by xinumaster
mine is barracuda. But what your description of the loud noise on your hammerhead is pretty much the same noise that I hear on my barracuda. I haven't than anything yet but I'm thinking of replacing it with dart.

do you think maybe my plumbing might be a problem but even i shim it or add insulation on the bottom of pump still make same noise, all coming from shaft. was this the noise you had also
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s259/cbui2/3-23d.jpg

[cbui2]

even tried one at a time and same noise, i'll guess have to call mdm and figure out the problem hopefull they can hel me

[alden168]

I got engineered hard wood floor. Just recently installed my 450 gallon tank with no problem except few minor scratches causes by the move....duh...my wife almost kill me...http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q256/alden168/450GallonReefTank006.jpg[/IMG]

[xinumaster]

CC, I done that too I placed a flat rubber seal underneath the pump but it is still loud. Let me know what you'll find out from mdm.

Alden. nice tank. 1) Is your tank still cycling? 2) I don't see the solid floor? 3) what kind of rocks are you using?

[cbui2]

ok I found out the problem, real simply turn your pump on and remove screws which mount to the pump, then while the pump is on hold it from the bottom and then raise it up, the pump should be quiet then, because of all the vibration and motor turning causes the pump to have loud humming noise, I might have to mount it on the floor to have solid contact so no vibration can occur, before pump was mounted on 3/4" plywood frame with 2x4 but that didn't do the job, hope this helps

[xinumaster]

Thanks CC. Let me try that too. How quiet is it now? But I won't be able to work on it till this weekend. I just got too much workload at the office rightnow.

[cbui2]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9572868#post9572868 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by xinumaster
Thanks CC. Let me try that too. How quiet is it now? But I won't be able to work on it till this weekend. I just got too much workload at the office rightnow.

very quiet the only thing i can hear is my fan which blows, but not loud...these pumps are truly amazing..hope this helps...2 mouse pads stack together should do the job

[xinumaster]

Here i what I need to try per chris from reflo:

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The input valve is open all the way. It is close in the picture because I was doing maintenance. all output valves are trottle 1/4" back.

I'll try and close the discharge to night when I get home.

Perry



----- Original Message ----
From: "chris@reeflopumps.com" <chris@reeflopumps.com>
To: perry eugenio <xinumaster@yahoo.com>
Sent: Tuesday, March 27, 2007 1:43:14 PM
Subject: Re: pump noise


Perry,
You have more discharge capacity than intake capacity. Do I see that you have the valve closed on the intake? Open the valve on the intake all the way and close the valve on the discharge line and see if you can get the hum to stop..let me know
Chris
-----Original Message-----
From: perry eugenio [mailto:xinumaster@yahoo.com]
Sent: Tuesday, March 27, 2007 01:57 PM
To: chris@reeflopumps.com

Hi Chris,



Maybe you can help me diagnose why my pump is too loud. I hear humming noise from the pump and I can hear it from my room on the second floor. The pump seats on rubber washers or seal about 2” in diameter then a 1/4 wood then foam pad. Here are some pictures of the return pipes.



http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r83/xinumaster/fish-tank/DSCN1441-baracuda.jpg



http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r83/xinumaster/fish-tank/DSCN1442.jpg



http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r83/xinumaster/fish-tank/DSCN1440.jpg



Thanks,

Perry





--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The fish are biting.
Get more visitors on your site using Yahoo! Search Marketing.

--------------------------------------------------------

[cbui2]

I found that yoga mat are cheap and you can get a lot for your money, mouse pads works but need at least 3pc's on each pump.since pump sit directly on foam pad and wood, which will cause that humming noise. my noise is completely gone and my wife can sleep in peace now without yelling me., also I noticed your plumbing which is nice btw, need more room to flex, I had to redo all of mine and use spa flex intake and discharge because the pump need more room to give than hard pvc since vibrating and pressure application are used and it is too stiff when mounting to the floor causing it to hum..i use 3/4" wood since you want to make foundation of pump as sturdy as possible..hope this helps

[xinumaster]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9532774#post9532774 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by clekchau
basically you will set the top off remote pump (pump 2) to fill the maximum amount a day. it will turn off when a special sensor hits the litermeter indicating the maximum level you want in your sump. at least that's how i understood it. pump 2 works independently from pump 1 and 3.


So, to use the LM3 for water change and auto top off I will have to order the following?

LM3 dosing system $339
Remote pump module $135
water xchange module $165

[cbui2]

http://oceanencounter.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=OE&Product_Code=SLDS&Category_Code=dp

try this perry, hope this helps

[xinumaster]

Wow $50 cheaper. That surely will help. Thanks CB.

[xinumaster]

Just called reflo and let them hear the noise thru my cell phone. They think the loud noise issue I have on my barracuda is due to a bad brush. Thery're sending me a replacement and should be in my door by Friday.

Here is a new livestock addition in my tank.

Pepermint Hog wrasse.
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r83/xinumaster/fish-tank/bodianus_masudai_or_Bodianus_opercu.jpg

I just added him last night. But this morning I can't find him anymore. I hope my 6line wrasse didn't scare him or he might have jump already.

[clekchau]

are peppermint hogs aggressive? i still haven't decided my wrasse plan

[xinumaster]

Not much info about it. But they're supposed to be reef safe. This is the only info I can fine.

http://www.marinecenter.com/fish/wrassereefsafe/pepperminthog/

[Sparkss]

I had also thought that the pepprmint hogs were on the aggressive side.... Best of luck with him. They are really nice looking fish. :)

[cbui2]

hey perry think my problem is solve now, haven't heard loud humming noise ever since I completely redid plumbing and mounted pumps on solid concrete floor, mounted each yoga mat on 2 pumps each, and still quiet been running for 4 days straight now. also love your wrasse

[xinumaster]

CB, is the water cycled already in your tank? Don't rush on stocking your tank with livestocks. Don't be too brave like me. All of my fish almost died after I added them due to I think stress and not really getting the tank aged long enough to establish the sw bacteria needed. All the fish started to have ick all over their body. But luckily, they all recovering now and I see only a few 3 to 5 dots of white spots on their body. However, my pricey pair of japanese yellowtail angel didn't make it.

Over the weekend I added a few corals that I bought from guppy02 (aka jose). Actually I bought all his livestocks. This includes the following corals:

superman monti
LE dinosaur egg monti
LE palawanensis monti
rainbow monti
LE Montipora monasteriata Blue and Red
LE Sarcophyton Green Polyped Toad Stool
Blue milli
pink milli
xxlarge colony of pink birdnest
purple pocillapora
amor of god paly
amagedon paly
purple of death paly
tubs blue zoa
micromusa
neon green frogspawn
super bright orange ric
acan
etc
etc
etc


African yellow belly hippo tang
6 line wrasse
1 green chromis
about 20 scarlet hermit

I'll take some pictures when I have the time.

[cbui2]

no I am not done yet with all the plumbing work, and no I will not rush in getting live stock in my tank, I will make sure week after week to test all water flow to get it right the way I want it and fine tuning then live sand and rocks will be added, at the same time I will be ordered the fish and have them in QT for aleast a month before entering my main display. sorry to hear about the ich. when I start to cycle the tank I will test the water over and over again before any fish will be released in. I am not taking any chance of any fish messing up main display having to removed all the rocks out just to catch a fish. good selection of livestock you have there

[xinumaster]

Here are some pictures of the tank and livestocks.

This is the picture of the Pepermint Hog wrasse I just bought. But I think this is not the true Pepermint Hog wrasse. Nevertheless, she is so pretty in my tank.
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r83/xinumaster/corals/false-pepermint-hog-wrasse.jpg

My extra large 8in dussumieri
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r83/xinumaster/corals/xx-large-dussumieri-acantharus.jpg

Hippo tang
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r83/xinumaster/corals/hippo-tang-from-james-of-aquascene.jpg

Purple tang hidding behind the rocks. He is a bully though.
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r83/xinumaster/corals/purple-tang-from-alan.jpg

My monster size 15in blue spotted giga
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r83/xinumaster/blue-spotted-giga-15in.jpg

Full tank shot with my son.
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r83/xinumaster/fish-tank/full-tank-shot-and-son.jpg

[Sparkss]

nice score on those corals Perry.. btw, your picts don't seem to be working for me :(

[xinumaster]

I move the pictures on a different folder now everything is screw up.

[clekchau]

wow nice buyout, can't wait to see the pics

[xinumaster]

Here are more pictures.

xlarge colony of pink birdnest
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r83/xinumaster/corals/pink-birdnest.jpg

green pocillapora
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r83/xinumaster/corals/greenpocillapora.jpg

bright orange ric, duncan and blasto
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r83/xinumaster/corals/blasto-and-duncan.jpg

scolymia sp
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r83/xinumaster/corals/scolymia.jpg

Superman monti in the middle.
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r83/xinumaster/corals/superman-monti-pic2.jpg

Can't remember the name of this.
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r83/xinumaster/corals/f-thing.jpg

Not sure if this is the AOG or the amagedon. I know I have both of them
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r83/xinumaster/corals/amagedon-or-aog-not-sure-yet.jpg

Tom I think you have this too.
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r83/xinumaster/corals/purple-stem-goniapora.jpg

Tyree green polyps toad stool

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r83/xinumaster/corals/green-polyps-toad-stool.jpg

[xinumaster]

Here more pictures.

neon green frogspawn
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r83/xinumaster/corals/neon-green-frogspawn.jpg

acan enchinata
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r83/xinumaster/corals/acan-echinata.jpg

tubs blue zoa
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r83/xinumaster/corals/tubs-blue-zoa.jpg

[sdaousa]

Check out the pump made by Tunze model 1073.090 output 2377 GPH and use a lot less energy only 130w compared to other at more than 220w. Marinedepot selling it. They're little pricey but it worths the price in term of energy and reliability.

[xinumaster]

My barracuda reflo pump is only drawing 1.48A according to my kill a watt meter. Which is equivalent to 162W only.

Here is the shot of my purple styllopora.
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r83/xinumaster/corals/purple-pocillaporaJPG.jpg

[Sparkss]

looking good Perry :)

[xinumaster]

Thanks Tom.

catch me a couple of Dr Le's chromis when you go there.

[clekchau]

wow very nice, where did you get that beautiful dussimmer?

[xinumaster]

CC, I got it from my neighbor. He broke done his 375g tank and I bought most of his fishes.

[cbui2]

looking good there perry, seems like you have a great collection to start off with and of course the good deal from neighbor, keep em coming

[xinumaster]

I received the Barracuda replacement pump and installed it over the weekend. The new pump is just as loud as the old one. My output has flex pvc and I added the yoga matt underneath the pump too but to no avail. I will try to change the input with flex pvc next week and if pump still loud then I will have to replace the Barracuda with Dart.

[cbui2]

hey perry, if you could take some pic's of how the pump is installed with all connections.

[xinumaster]

I'll take a picture tonight.

[cbui2]

that's fine, 3 replacement seals were sent to me since it was leaking. they did me a favor and press them in was housing for me and all i had to do was to replace them.

[xinumaster]

Here some pictures CBui2. Let see if you can diagnose the noise issue I have on this setup. Let me know what you think.

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r83/xinumaster/fish-tank/DSCN1441-baracuda.jpg

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r83/xinumaster/fish-tank/DSCN1442.jpg

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r83/xinumaster/fish-tank/DSCN1440.jpg

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r83/xinumaster/reef-equipments/DSCN1482.jpg

[cbui2]

that's how mine was in the beginning with all hard pvc, looks like you started from the outlet and work your way out. also your pump is mounted inside the cabinet wood floor correct. this would suck but I would replumb to spa flex and hard pvc combo, that's how I did mine to removed a lot of stress on the pump so that all the pressure wont be on the pump pressing it down. my route would be from the outlet onion ball valve then spa flex toward the top then hard pvc. inside the cabinet is wood then wood floor I believed last time I check when you started the build, I would try to find a way to have pump mounted on solid surface that can not cause any vibration so maybe try 4-5layers of yoga mats. mine is directly mounted on the concrete floor.

this is completely quiet now, the only things you can here is the fan. before the motor was mounted on top of 3/4 plywood which created a loud humming noise, baldor is the motor I have for saltwater series pump, the one you have I think should be ao smith. baldor motors will handle long term usage without heating up as bad as ao smith and runs a lot quieter.
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s259/cbui2/3-30b.jpg
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s259/cbui2/3-30a-1.jpg
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s259/cbui2/3-30.jpg

this is what i had before, so much problems and had to rip everything out and completely redo all plumbing
:mad2:
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s259/cbui2/3-23d.jpg http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s259/cbui2/3-23.jpg

if you noticed so much stress was on these pumps creating loud humming noise which was heard into master bedroom. from the garage to living room and then to master bed. that noise traveled so far and my wife was telling me hell no, the kids couldn't have a good night rest. also i had them mounted on 3/4" plywood and tried also to double up the wood making it 1.5" plywood still didn't work, then mounted extra 2x4 below to make surface harder still didn't work. finally gave in and rip it all out

[xinumaster]

Yah I hear a lot of humming noise and when I touch the cabinet I can fill the vibration. I might be able to replace the hard pvc with flex pvc. But I only can do at less 4 to 6" lenght of flex pvc on the input and about 4" on the output. Unless, I remove the 2nd ball valve ( see picture #1) then I might be able to replaced the section of pvc with a 10" flex pvc. I hope that would be enough to reduce the vibration and loud noise. By the way my barracuda pump is a Baltor motor.

[cbui2]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9829335#post9829335 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by xinumaster
Yah I hear a lot of humming noise and when I touch the cabinet I can fill the vibration. I might be able to replace the hard pvc with flex pvc. But I only can do at less 4 to 6" lenght of flex pvc on the input and about 4" on the output. Unless, I remove the 2nd ball valve ( see picture #1) then I might be able to replaced the section of pvc with a 10" flex pvc. I hope that would be enough to reduce the vibration and loud noise. By the way my barracuda pump is a Baltor motor.

the more spa flex use the better, good that's a great motor. the reason why I use a lot of spa flex because when time comes for maintenance it is a lot easier to remove pump then hard PVC since you have to be real careful not to break glue and cause a leak, which I have seen on your intake side where a plate with abc's was use to hold water, lol. get plastic bracket to hold spa flex in place since 1.5" hold a lot of water and ball valve are use thoughout the plumbing. need to brace every 16" just to be on safe side. you also have to remember that you have wood floors too that's why I ask for you to use 6 layers of yoga mat ($10 for cheap $17 nike like I have at academy) since the cabinet sits on wood floor..hope this helps

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s259/cbui2/Dec2306.jpg

[xinumaster]

Hi CB. Thanks for helping a fellow reefer.

Everything that you suggested were what I intend to do just didn't have the time yet. However on the the double 90 I can only put a 4" flex pvc if I don't remove the second ball valve. I think it is still okay to remove that ball valve since there's another valve on top of the tank just before outlet connects to SS. check this picture.
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r83/xinumaster/fish-tank/DSCN1439.jpg

There is also 2 layers of yoga mat sandwiching a 1/4" wood underneath the pump (I might probably have to remove that 1/4" wood). By the why, when I replaced the pump with a new pump that reflo send me the joint start to leak. But was not there before I change the pump. So I put that ABC plate there.

I was also thinking of replacing the input 1.5" ball valve with 2" so that I can rise the pump by at least 1/2". That would give me more space to add another extra layers of yoga mat.

[cbui2]

the spa flex should move a little bit on intake side so 2" ball since you're moving the pump back, exactly how much distance from the sump to intake not including any fittings when you finished moving the pump back. yeah that 1/4" wood would create alot of noise, which will be louder than my 3/4". need to get aleast 4layers and up. i have 4 layers and its super quiet.

[xinumaster]

Okay I'll try and remove the 1/2 plywood. If I move the pump back to remove the double 90 elbow I should be able to gain at least about 6" alone just for that. But I am also planning to turn the intake bulkhead around and that would give me an extra 2" linear space. However, I'll lose that extra 2" from the 2" ball valve that I be putting in to replace the 1.5" intake ball valve. Do you think I should keep the 1.5" ball valve?

I'm not gonna be doing any work on my tank setup for now I gotta wait for a couple of weeks before I start tuning my setup again. Wife is not happy right now cause I been spending too much time working on my tank instead of speading time with family.

[Chaotic Reefer4u]

I'm not gonna be doing any work on my tank setup for now I gotta wait for a couple of weeks before I start tuning my setup again. Wife is not happy right now cause I been spending too much time working on my tank instead of spending time with family!
i feel you on this one, lol...

[cbui2]

thats fine perry, but tried to keep 1.5" ball no reason to make intake larger, make sure the bulkheads you have can be used either way. mine is hayward sch 80 can be mounted both ways

[erics3000]

Wow looking great. I agree with Bart the larger diameter will not increase flow. That is a great idea he had with the yoga mats. I need to start looking out for them. I am planning on using as much flex pipe for my plumbing also. Can we get some more pics Perry? It is looking great so far..

[xinumaster]

Okay, first pardon me for that messy wires in the picture. I need some time to work on it. Got the chance to replace my plumbing over the weekend. I replace the output double 90deg elbow with flexible pvc. The side of the wye output is not connected and it is just hanging, so I only have one output going up straight. The input side was also replaced with flexible pvc between both ends of the valve. There are also about 4 layers of yoga mat underneath the pump. After spending one whole day replacing the plumbing and going back and forth to HD the hamming noise still persist.

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r83/xinumaster/reef-equipments/barracuda-pump-plumbing.jpg

[cbui2]

i dont understand why the noise still persist. what is directly underneath the yoga mats? give me all details from the concrete and dont leave anything out all the way up to the pump. i remember when you first install wood floors that 3/4" ply was used under wood floors. if you could lift and hold the pump up while still on and see if noise still persist. if it does the pump is bad again but didnt they send out another one for you that means this is no.2 pump. also i remember you said this has a baldor motor too correct.

[xinumaster]

Bart, the house seats on a concrete slub and I got solid wood flooring where the tank cabinet seats. There is a 1/2" thick plywood flooring inside the cabinet but this plywood is seating on a 1.5wood which is part of the cabinet framing.

The noise level have improved by 50% so far. I think it just needed some time for the pump to seatle on the yoga mat. I can live with this noise level for now. At least I don't hear the hamming and vibration anymore in our bedroom.

I also ordered a few of the ORA sps corals:
- Nathan's Green Millepora
- Blue Millepora (I like this better than the LE millie)
-Chips Acropora
- Blue Tort Staghorn
-blue tip staghorn

And non ORA sps corals:
-blue slimmer
-blue Monster (I love the color on this)

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r83/xinumaster/corals/DSC_0684.jpg

[erics3000]

Nice.. I cant wait to see them in the tank...

[cbui2]

that the problem perry all that wood underneath the pump with yoga mats. the pump will not seatle anymore, its because 1.5 wood part of cabinet framing and wood under that also meaning that there is still a hollow point somewhere and sound will travel and echo, but if you can deal with it. looking good

[xinumaster]

You're right there is a hollow space underneath the plywood and there is nothing I can do about it now. May be I could dril a hole and spray it with foam.

I'll see if I can take pictures of the frags in my tank. Right now, frags are temporarily stack on an egg crate.

[TandN]

any pics of them in the tank yet

[Sparkss]

nice frags collection.. you know you could have gotten some of those from Spencer, who lives just around the corner from you ? :)

What sort of dip regime do you have ? we always end up needing to wait a week or so after we add the corals to take any pictures.. because they are ticked off at us over the dipping they have to go through :)

[xinumaster]

Not sure if I meet Spencer before. What is his RC handler?

To be honest I don't QT new corals. I only dip new coral arrivals in Lugol for 1hr; then visually inspect them using a magnifying glass before they go in my tank.

[Sparkss]

I don't QT either.. but the dips we put then through tend to stress them out to where they aren't at their "picture best" for a couple of days.

Spencer is AfricanGrey (I think I spelled that right :)). He has some great corals and is just around the corner from your house :)

[xinumaster]

Okay I heard of him but never meet him yet.

[xinumaster]

Here is the pictures of the newly acquired frags. I'll see if I can get a good close up shots later.

L -> R
ORA chip
ORA blue milli
ORA blue tip
ORA blue Tort
Pink Poccilapora (from my on colony)
Blue slimmer (turning brown)
Blue Monster
ORA Nathan's green milli.

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r83/xinumaster/corals/DSCN1703.jpg

[cbui2]

nice and building up the collection...

[erics3000]

Any updates??

[FFrankie]

bump!

[Barriememo]

can you get the Picture you light track work?

[cbui2]

any good news perry, your fish should be fat and chubby by now

[xinumaster]

Wow I forgot I have this thread. I think it is time that I should resurrect this thread.

Let me start by posting the lastest available full tank shot of my tank. This shot was taken about 3 months ago.

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r83/xinumaster/full-tank-shots/DSC_0012.jpg

And here is another one. Problem with clear back tank is that wires/cables and water runs is an eye sore.

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r83/xinumaster/full-tank-shots/DSC_0014.jpg

[xinumaster]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11792516#post11792516 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Barriememo
can you get the Picture you light track work?

I'll get back to you on that.

[tbone28]

Another beautiful local tank! Love it :)

[xinumaster]

man, you are still awake!

[cbui2]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11793286#post11793286 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by xinumaster
Wow I forgot I have this thread. I think it is time that I should resurrect this thread.

Let me start by posting the lastest available full tank shot of my tank. This shot was taken about 3 months ago.

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r83/xinumaster/full-tank-shots/DSC_0012.jpg

And here is another one. Problem with clear back tank is that wires/cables and water runs is an eye sore.

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r83/xinumaster/full-tank-shots/DSC_0014.jpg

great job Perry, the FTS is very nice
i dont understand what eye sore, i think your looking at the wrong thing :D

[FFrankie]

Thanks Perry! The tank looks great. Have you thought abut painting the back? I did mine and like the look very much.

[doog]

nice build keep up teh good work

[xinumaster]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11794333#post11794333 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by FFrankie
Thanks Perry! The tank looks great. Have you thought abut painting the back? I did mine and like the look very much.

That would be impossible to do now. I only have 1 1/2" of room to work behind the tank. I though about covering the back with black thin acrylic. So, I went to an acrylic store a few weeks ago and asked them how much it would cost to cut me a black 96x30x30 thin acrylic and the price was about $175. I end up no getting it. I'm just gonna wait till the back get encrusted with coralline.



One of the recent upgrade I have don't so far on this setup up is the replacement of my euroreef CS12-1. I bit the bullet and ordered an ATB "Large" model skimmer http://atbskimmers.com/product.php?id=57

Here is my previous skimmer CS12-1 which has one sedra9000 and one sedra5000.
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r83/xinumaster/fish-tank/DSCN1250.jpg http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r83/xinumaster/fish-tank/DSCN1448.jpg

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r83/xinumaster/reef-equipments/DSCN2106.jpg http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r83/xinumaster/reef-equipments/DSCN1633.jpg

[xinumaster]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11795235#post11795235 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by doog
nice build keep up teh good work

Hi Doog, Thanks for the kind words.
.
.
.

Here is the new ATB skimmer that replaced my euroreef CS12-1.

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r83/xinumaster/reef-equipments/DSCN1618-1.jpg http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r83/xinumaster/reef-equipments/DSCN1619.jpg
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r83/xinumaster/reef-equipments/DSCN1631.jpg

[tbone28]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11793561#post11793561 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by xinumaster
man, you are still awake!

LOL, I was getting over the fact that my beloved Warriors lost to the BULLS!!! C Webb needs to get in shape.

Love the new skimmer! Are you skimming wetter, compared to your ER?

Regarding the back of your tank, would it be cheaper to order that in 2 or 3 pieces, instead of one big 96"x30" piece?

[FFrankie]

OOOH! Pretty! :)

[cbui2]

that's a monster skimmer, about how big is your collection cup? i know you didn't use your bare hands to clean that :) looks pretty thick there. another cheap route you can go with to covered the back display is to used automotive window tint film, you should have no problem purchasing them where you at. much easier to install with little space you have. if you have a hard time locating some film, let me know i can shipped you some.

[tbone28]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11795589#post11795589 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by xinumaster


http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r83/xinumaster/reef-equipments/DSCN1633.jpg

How'd you clean underneath your fingernails after that? :D

[xinumaster]

Tbone,
The price quote I got was from a local store. Price is still gonna be the same if they cut it to 2-3 pieces. However, I got a price quote from an online store too at half the price. But shipping the acrylic as on piece cost almost the price of the acrylic itself -- they can only do drop ship for this size. But they can cut in 2-3 piece so it can be ship standard for a lot least. Not sure which direction I should go yet. I might check another local store.

Hi Bart,
I'm worried about using window tint. It might bubble during installation or after a while -- just like what I see on most cars.

[xinumaster]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11795780#post11795780 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tbone28
How'd you clean underneath your fingernails after that? :D

Just the same way I wash my son's as#&!:mad2:

[tbone28]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11795952#post11795952 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by xinumaster
Tbone,
The price quote I got was from a local store. Price is still gonna be the same if they cut it to 2-3 pieces. However, I got a price quote from an online store too at half the price. But shipping the acrylic as on piece cost almost the price of the acrylic itself -- they can only do drop ship for this size. But they can cut in 2-3 piece so it can be ship standard for a lot least. Not sure which direction I should go yet. I might check another local store.

Hi Bart,
I'm worried about using window tint. It might bubble during installation or after a while -- just like what I see on most cars.

I have window tint on my A.G.E. tank. I have it on the sides and back. A.G.E uses window tint when their customers want a black back. I think the bubbling will come down to how well it was installed. The one factor you have working for you is that you won't have the sun beating down on your tank, so there is less chance of bubbling.

[xinumaster]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11795678#post11795678 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tbone28
LOL, I was getting over the fact that my beloved Warriors lost to the BULLS!!! C Webb needs to get in shape.

Love the new skimmer! Are you skimming wetter, compared to your ER?

Regarding the back of your tank, would it be cheaper to order that in 2 or 3 pieces, instead of one big 96"x30" piece?

Yes I'm skimming wet now. I have a bare bottom setup which works better when you are skimming wet. ER from my experience was so hard to setup for skimming wet. It always over flow on me.

[tbone28]

I agree. I have an ER. Can't afford the big-boy skimmers like you guys :)

[cbui2]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11795952#post11795952 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by xinumaster
Tbone,
The price quote I got was from a local store. Price is still gonna be the same if they cut it to 2-3 pieces. However, I got a price quote from an online store too at half the price. But shipping the acrylic as on piece cost almost the price of the acrylic itself -- they can only do drop ship for this size. But they can cut in 2-3 piece so it can be ship standard for a lot least. Not sure which direction I should go yet. I might check another local store.

Hi Bart,
I'm worried about using window tint. It might bubble during installation or after a while -- just like what I see on most cars.

its easy, soapy water on display and on tint film so you can slide left to right and align wherever you want then use rubber squeegee to removed soapy water and your done. flat glass are easy to do rather then cars with curved glass. if the tinter is getting bubbles in the car then he has no business touching the vehicle :D its best to try on scrap piece of glass before working on the display

[tbone28]

Listen to Bart!! See his occupation? car audio and video. He can probably tint your tank with his eyes closed! :)

[xinumaster]

Alright, let's close that topic about covering the back of my tank with something for now, while I'm thinking about what to do with it.

For now to spice up this thread here are a few pictures of some of my livestocks that were taken by a friend. Eric has taken a lot of shots of my tank more than I do. I think he had shot pictures on a few tanks in our club, too. I should do the same otherwise I won't learn how to use my Nikon D200.


My big 'ole tang doing his favorite thing. And he is a monster -- close to 12".
http://ericdo.com/pictures/tanks/Perry/D2X_1364.jpg

http://ericdo.com/pictures/tanks/Perry/D2X_1362.jpg

Part of the extensive collection of fish.
http://ericdo.com/pictures/tanks/Perry/D2X_1342.jpg

http://ericdo.com/pictures/tanks/Perry/D2X_1346.jpg

http://ericdo.com/pictures/tanks/Perry/D2X_1348.jpg

http://ericdo.com/pictures/tanks/Perry/D2X_1350.jpg

http://ericdo.com/pictures/tanks/Perry/D2X_1355.jpg

[xinumaster]

Here are a few more.




http://ericdo.com/pictures/tanks/Perry/D2X_1357.jpg

http://ericdo.com/pictures/tanks/Perry/D2X_1359.jpg

http://ericdo.com/pictures/tanks/Perry/D2X_1363.jpg

http://ericdo.com/pictures/tanks/Perry/D2X_1356.jpg

http://ericdo.com/pictures/tanks/Perry/D2X_1349.jpg

[nu_beta_2016]

Beautiful female bellus!

[tbone28]

Awesome pics! I miss my Duss. He was a gentle giant - I sold him, in case you're wondering :)

[cbui2]

that's beautiful Perry, any vitamins or supplements you're feeding the fish?

[xinumaster]

No vitamins only garlic. Most food I give them are soak first on garlic for 1 to 2 hours before feed time.

They are fed 2 to 3 times a day with different fish food every feeding time pellets, flakes, nori, frozen vegie, diy mix sea food, and clopee-eez for small ones.

[FFrankie]

Wonderful! Your fish are well loved i can see :)

[erics3000]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11795969#post11795969 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by xinumaster
Just the same way I wash my son's as#&!:mad2:

LOL thats a good one. Your tank looks great

[xinumaster]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11792516#post11792516 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Barriememo
can you get the Picture you light track work?

Here you go.

The rail allow me to move the reflector another 6 to 8" back when I need to work inside my tank.

Each reflector is connected to each individual rail. Here is picture on top of my tank.

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r83/xinumaster/reef-equipments/DSCN2170.jpg


Here is video inside canopy.

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r83/xinumaster/video/th_DSCN2171.jpg (http://s142.photobucket.com/albums/r83/xinumaster/video/?action=view&current=DSCN2171.flv)

[xinumaster]

Another additional equipment added to my setup is the sulfur denitrator reactor. I got too many and very large tangs; my nitrate is up the roof about +100ppm. I used a very old Geo calcium reactor that I save that I thought about using as a kalk reactor. But since, this old calcium reactor has a secondary chamber, I might just DIY that secondary chamber as a kalk reactor -- I just need to add a pump for mixing.


Here is a picture of the reactor.

When it was still a calcium reactor
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r83/xinumaster/reef-equipments/85119ca-reactor.jpg

Now a sulfur denitrator reactor.
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r83/xinumaster/reef-equipments/DSCN2101.jpg
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r83/xinumaster/reef-equipments/DSCN2102.jpg



It took about a week to bring down the N03 level from +100ppm to 0ppm at the reactor effluent. Below picture you'll see the NO3 test result. The left test vial is from my reactor effluent. The right vial (+100ppm) come from my main tank.
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r83/xinumaster/reef-equipments/DSCN1627.jpg

[mpoletti]

Wow Perry. That is pretty impressive.

[xinumaster]

Thanks Mark.

I have problem with the sulfur denitrator though. The sulfur is getting compacted and water inside the is no longer circulating. I will be removing the reactor Wednesday to fix this problem. My plan is to mix some seachem matrix media and sulfur on the top second half of the chamber to minimize the sulfur beads from bonding together. I hope this method will prevent the sulfur from getting compacted.

[erics3000]

That is a big drop. I love the diy...........

[tbone28]

Perry, are you still running your ATB skimmer wet? If you're running it dry now, can you post some pics of the skimmate?

Thanks

[xinumaster]

Sorry, man I just changed the water level from 10 to 8" yesterday. So, I been fine tuning the output gate valve opening to find the sweet spot. It looks like this model works better when the water level is at 10". I'll give it month before I decide if I should revert back to the old setup.

[tbone28]

No worries. Good luck dialing it in.

I've been looking at a BK skimmer. Browsing those threads, I noticed you had inquired about them yourself. What made you go with the ATB over the BK?

[xinumaster]

Hans evaluation of the conical type skimmer and from other reefers who I talked to that have this type of skimmer.

[khoivo1]

my sulfur denitrifier have the yellow sulfur on 1/2 top and then calcium carbonate in 1/2 bottom,,,,i dont' know why your is opersite,,,anyway very good thread and i will look forward to see what is next,,thanks

[xinumaster]

Khoivo1,
I don't use calcium media in my sulfur denitrator. I'm using the seachem matrix de-nitrator media, this is used for housing the bacteria. The reason why others use calcium media is because of the sulfur will cause pH to go low in the chamber. So if you add a calcium media your sulfur denitrator will serve 2 purpose: a sulfur de-nitrator and calcium reactor.

It doesn't really matter which media should be put on the top or bottom, because the water inside the chamber circulates anyway.

[khoivo1]

ohh ic,,,thanks

[khoivo1]

so another word i can use either media
seachem matrix de-nitrator media or
calcium media
,,do you have to replace seachem matrix often?

[xinumaster]

You know that is the reason why I use seachem matrix. I don't need to replace it. Only, the sulfur needs to be replaced when they run out of steam; which is the reason why sulfur is on the top -- it makes easy to replace it. By the way, I learned this method from new jersey reef club. Calcium media is also okay to use. It will house the bacteria and at the some time dose CA in your tank.

[asmodeus]

what type of media for sulphur are you using i was using the sea chem the Live sulphur media and on my rector im not using any CAl reactor media , and with that being said my media was turning to mush. you have any reason on why that woudl happen.

mike



great tank budy love your large tangs

[JazzZero]

O man whats a good word was this....hmmmm..... AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!

[xinumaster]

Mike,
I opened my reactor just a few days ago to fix a problem -- the sulfur media where getting compacted inside the chamber. But the media were still intact, not disintegrating lik yours that turned into mush.

I have a friend who has a sulfur reactor too and he is not using any other media same setup as yours -- only sulfur in the chamber and his does fine too. He got his from medwest aquatics. he speed roughly $250 to fill up his reactor.

I am using the garden type sulfur media and I spend only $25 for the sulfur. Here is the link for my sulfur media.
http://www.hydroponicsoutlet.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=704055

[asmodeus]

looked at some reflectors ,however they want 190 dollars to ship to Canada. I couldnt believe it.

[asmodeus]

DP sorry

[xinumaster]

That would to much. Try the coralvue version.

[patmack]

Where did you get your tank?
You could put a piece of black sticker vinyl on the back. You can get it at a place that makes graphic signs or window tinting places.

[xinumaster]

Tank was build locally. The builder suggested to laminate a black acrylic at the back before the tank was build. But I decline so I can save money. Now I'm regreting that. I'm thinking of ordering black vinyle or acrylic at usplastic and just have time cut in to 3 to 4 piece so it can be ship standard. We'll see.

Here are some pictures of my corals.


http://ericdo.com/pictures/tanks/Perry/D2X_1395.jpg

http://ericdo.com/pictures/tanks/Perry/D2X_1368.jpg

Love these things! This is big, about 1/2dollar size.
http://ericdo.com/pictures/tanks/Perry/D2X_1379.jpg


Tyree ponape birdnest. Started as 3/4" got it from a trade last April 2007.
http://ericdo.com/pictures/tanks/Perry/D2X_1367.jpg

http://ericdo.com/pictures/tanks/Perry/D2X_1369.jpg

http://ericdo.com/pictures/tanks/Perry/D2X_1371.jpg

[xinumaster]

Christmas favia from the swap. Started about 1/2" 6mo ago. Now it about 3".
http://ericdo.com/pictures/tanks/Perry/D2X_1372.jpg

http://ericdo.com/pictures/tanks/Perry/D2X_1374.jpg

http://ericdo.com/pictures/tanks/Perry/D2X_1375.jpg


Tyree Purple monster. Acquired about 1/2" 3mo ago. It has growned to 4 times its original size now.
http://ericdo.com/pictures/tanks/Perry/D2X_1376.jpg

http://ericdo.com/pictures/tanks/Perry/D2X_1377.jpg

http://ericdo.com/pictures/tanks/Perry/D2X_1381.jpg

http://ericdo.com/pictures/tanks/Perry/D2X_1382.jpg