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Unread 03/19/2015, 01:59 PM   #51
Cstaricansrfer1
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nice build, subscribed!
Thank you!


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Unread 03/19/2015, 02:11 PM   #52
Cstaricansrfer1
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Well the leak test did not go so well, but it could always be way worse!

I had two leaky bulkheads that simply required some tightening, which was quick and painless, but I ran into one more problem that has caused more of a headache.

My overflow box has a pinhole in the silicone that allows water to leak ever so slowly. Doesn't seem like a big deal, but when the return pump is off, the water leaking into the overflow from the DT keeps the box full enough so that water can siphon down into my sump from it. It's so slow that it siphoned about 3-4 gallons in 8 hours or so. Luckily I caught what was happening before my sump overflowed all over the floor. (This was the next morning when I woke up)

The effect of this issue is the DT draining into the overflow until the water level is below the pinhole in the silicone, which is about 10 gallons or so. The plan is to silicone the outside joint of the overflow box and see if this does the trick. If not I might have to rebuild the overflow box which I would really prefer not to do. I originally only siliconed the inside of the box, so hopefully I can get a good seal around the outside.


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Unread 03/19/2015, 04:01 PM   #53
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Subscribed


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Unread 03/20/2015, 06:47 AM   #54
reefdogg1107
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Fellow Jacksonviller here! Subscribed! I got out of the hobby when I moved from NY to FL a little over a year ago but I am looking to get back in now that family is settled. Thinking 35 gal hex seahorse tank so I will be paying very close attention to this build!


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Unread 03/24/2015, 11:08 AM   #55
Cstaricansrfer1
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Fellow Jacksonviller here! Subscribed! I got out of the hobby when I moved from NY to FL a little over a year ago but I am looking to get back in now that family is settled. Thinking 35 gal hex seahorse tank so I will be paying very close attention to this build!
Thanks for the input. I bet you're loving the weather down here compared to how cold it's been in New York over the winter.

Hope to see a build thread from you soon!


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Unread 03/24/2015, 11:14 AM   #56
Cstaricansrfer1
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Subscribed
Thanks!


The leaky bulkheads have been fixed and I siliconed the outside of the overflow box. I will give it about a week to cure fully and then give the box a leak test. Hopefully that will be the last setback before I can start filling with RODI.


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Unread 04/11/2015, 05:59 AM   #57
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If it isn't one thing it's another!

The overflow box is sealed and not leaking, which is good news. On the other hand, I over-tightened the drain bulkhead for the refugium and of course it cracked.


The good news is Petco's $/gallon sale that happens to be running now, which cut the cost in half of a new tank. I purchased the new refugium already and drilled it. Once the paint dries on it we will be back in business.


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Unread 04/14/2015, 07:20 AM   #58
Cstaricansrfer1
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It's alive!!!

After a lot of work and setbacks we finally have a running system!

I finished filling it with RODI and added salt on Sunday night. So far it has been running perfectly.











I still need to tidy up some wires and holes in the wall, and install the skimmer. Then I can fill the DT with live rock that has been curing since last June and add sand.


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Unread 04/14/2015, 11:48 AM   #59
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What a beautiful clean looking system! That should be a wonderful set up for seahorses with husbandry so well thought out.


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Unread 04/16/2015, 04:49 AM   #60
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Nice setup. What skimmer are you planning on using? Sorry, if I missed it in an earlier post.


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Unread 04/16/2015, 06:15 AM   #61
Cstaricansrfer1
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What a beautiful clean looking system! That should be a wonderful set up for seahorses with husbandry so well thought out.
Thank you very much. I'm excited to finally be at this point in the build.


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Unread 04/16/2015, 06:18 AM   #62
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Nice setup. What skimmer are you planning on using? Sorry, if I missed it in an earlier post.
Thanks for the compliment.

Skimmer is a Reef Octopus 110INT. It is a small skimmer but hopefully it will perform well enough. If not I will upgrade to something more powerful.


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Unread 04/16/2015, 06:23 AM   #63
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I had some time to hook up the skimmer last night, so it is being broken in right now. I also cleaned up some of the wires to tidy up the closet a bit.

Here are some pictures of how it looks right now. I also got the ATO running.






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Unread 04/16/2015, 06:23 AM   #64
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Your welcome. Actually I think that skimmer should be a good choice for that size tank. I was considering the exact model for the 65 gallon build I am working on myself.


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Unread 04/16/2015, 08:00 AM   #65
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I think it will work well also. If you do buy it for your tank, ignore the manual where it says to run it in 7" - 7.9" sump water depth. I have mine in about 5.5" of water and it seems to perform better.


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Unread 04/16/2015, 09:14 AM   #66
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Thank you for the suggestion. I will keep that in mind if I get it.


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Unread 04/18/2015, 07:48 AM   #67
Cstaricansrfer1
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I finally got to get rid of the brute trashcan that has been curing all my live rock. Most of the rocks from it went to the DT, and the rest went into the refugium.

I'm still working on the aquascape for the display. It will end up a bit different than what i had originally planned, but I think it will look better this way. I'll have some pictures of that when it is finished.

For now, here are some pictures of the refugium. I added a Maxijet 1200 to keep it circulating. I'm still deciding what livestock to add to it for nutrient export. I've seen some pretty nice xenia refugiums, but also wanted to add macros such as chaeto so I think I will try a little bit of each and see how it goes.






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Unread 04/26/2015, 03:45 PM   #68
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Here is the display tank at the moment. I haven't decided if i like the rockwork yet so it might change but I think it will look better once corals are there. I plan to keep gorgonians, sponges, and other soft corals such as ricordeas and leathers. I also might grow something on the overflow to conceal the plumbing a bit better.








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Unread 04/28/2015, 05:00 AM   #69
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Personally, I am not of fan of single island/column rock formations but it is a personal taste thing. Are those rocks mounted together in some way? The only thing I would caution you about it that the top rock looks unstable and would be a potential risk to damage your tank or horses.


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Unread 04/28/2015, 06:08 AM   #70
Cstaricansrfer1
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Personally, I am not of fan of single island/column rock formations but it is a personal taste thing. Are those rocks mounted together in some way? The only thing I would caution you about it that the top rock looks unstable and would be a potential risk to damage your tank or horses.
Yea I'm still playing around with it. It will probably change a couple more times until I am satisfied. I do like to keep a lot of negative space though so it will probably stay as one formation.

All of the rocks in the pillar including the one on top were drilled with a masonry bit and have a fiberglass rod (driveway reflector) going through them for support. Each rock was also epoxied and the whole pillar is zip tied to a piece of egg crate that is under the sand to help it stay stable.


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Unread 05/19/2015, 09:03 AM   #71
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I know this build has moved along pretty slowly, but I want to make sure I have everything right before I add livestock. The system is now cycled, and seems to be running smoothly.

Does anybody have experience with sealifeinc/kpaquatics? They seem to have a good assortment of gorgonians and sponges and at a decent price. I will probably put in an order with them in the next couple of days so I can get some life in the tank and add hitching objects for the seahorses.


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Unread 05/20/2015, 02:17 AM   #72
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I have placed several orders with KP Aquatics and have been very happy with them. In addition to the coral, they also have very reasonable prices on Seahorses when you are ready for those.


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Unread 05/20/2015, 05:09 AM   #73
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Are their seahorses wild caught, tank raised, or true captive bred?
Reasonably priced doesn't often equate to true captive bred but is more often associated with tank raised or wild caught.


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Unread 05/20/2015, 06:51 AM   #74
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Their seahorses are wild caught I believe.


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Unread 05/20/2015, 04:05 PM   #75
Cstaricansrfer1
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Yea their seahorses are wild caught from what I've seen.

I am going to stick with captive bred seahorses from seahorsesource and place an order with kpaquatics for gorgonians and such. I don't like the risks associated with wild caught seahorses, even if they are priced significantly lower.


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