homer1475's 80 gallon build - Page 14

Rakie · 07/30/2016, 08:29 PM

very cool. I'll have to lift my pump off the bottom slightly.

I kept reading and just couldn't find any dosing instructions... Now I know why. I'd have kept searching like a fool if you didn't tell me Kalk can't overdose that easily..

Do you happen to know where Kalk likes to stabilize Alk at?

homer1475 · 07/31/2016, 01:40 PM

I honestly can't answer that. I have always 2 part dosed in this tank with kalk in the ATO. In my biocube, I got away with just kalk and kept pretty stable alk @ 8.0.

Rakie · 07/31/2016, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by homer1475

I honestly can't answer that. I have always 2 part dosed in this tank with kalk in the ATO. In my biocube, I got away with just kalk and kept pretty stable alk @ 8.0.

Very cool. I keep my Alk a little higher at 9.5 - 10dKH. I probably don't need to keep it that high, but I use Red Sea Coral Pro so I kept it higher.

Tons of good info as usual Homer, thanks!

homer1475 · 07/31/2016, 02:28 PM

I do keep this tank at 9, and would have kept the biocube higher, but kalk kept it at 8.

Anything from 7 to 10 is plenty acceptable(I think NSW is like 8), so I didn't see a need to 2 part dose just to up the alk by 1 dkh.

Rakie · 07/31/2016, 03:35 PM

I think you're right about NSW, so that makes sense Homer.

Been like 2 months since your last FTS, hows everything looking?

homer1475 · 07/31/2016, 03:57 PM

Wow hadn't realized it had been that long. I'll post up some pics tomorrow.

I would do it now, but I did just blow off my rocks and so much dead HA came off, I have an ATS going on inside the display. lol

Rakie · 07/31/2016, 04:23 PM

lol, well it sounds like you have the HA reigned in, good stuff!

homer1475 · 08/02/2016, 04:53 PM

So as promised, one of the only shots I have of my Mandy, and an FTS.

homer1475 · 08/02/2016, 04:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by homer1475

So as promised, one of the only shots I have of my Mandy, and an FTS.

Rakie · 08/02/2016, 08:56 PM

Nice man, the HA looks more under control and the colors on the plate coral are coming though. Also is that a rock anemone or a maxi-mini? It's huge for what I'm thinking it is

homer1475 · 08/03/2016, 03:20 AM

It's a rock flower, one of the largest I've seen.

Rakie · 08/03/2016, 06:09 AM

Yeah that rock nem is a giant. Top right by the coral croucher or clown goby is thst a favia or acan?

homer1475 · 08/04/2016, 01:23 AM

Probably an acan as I have no favia.

homer1475 · 08/04/2016, 06:50 PM

I got out of work early today so decided to go for a drive to my LFS. Not that I need anything, but it was a nice day for a drive.

I ended up with a very nice green and yellow rock flow nem, red plating montipora(which broke into a bunch of pieces on the drive home. Thats how they frag them anyways so it should be fine), a nice teal and yellow acan. So much for not needing anything. Lol I also got another wad of chaeto to try again.

Work all day tomorrow, so you'll have to wait a couple days before I can get any decent pictures.

Rakie · 08/04/2016, 07:35 PM

Teal and Yellow acan sounds like a winner Homer

kjay88 · 08/04/2016, 09:30 PM

Looks amazing

homer1475 · 08/07/2016, 11:24 AM

So as promised some pics of the new stuff I got.

Pink Lobo

Teal and yellow acan

Green and yellow rock flower

And Red plating montipora

It's in 2 pieces as it broke in half on the ride home.

homer1475 · 08/20/2016, 02:43 PM

So I'm having a slight conundrum, I need a couple new dosing pumps(I bought used BRS dosers and the motors are wearing out). I've been considering the DOS and DDR combo as they hook up easily to my apex and there is no second guessing on time. You just plug in the amount you want to dose, and at what times and apex does the rest, easy peasy.

But I've also been considering a Libra 3 head doser. It's quite a bit more to setup(again have to figure out the time increments), but I've read great things about the libra doser. The only downside I see is I would have to purchase separate containers for the fluids which will bring the cost up considerably compared to the DOS and DDR combo.

They both use stepper motors, but I'm leaning more toward the DOS. My only issue is the DDR won't fit in my stand with the sump, so it will have to sit outside the stand on the side(hey at least its good looking).

Anyone got any thoughts on the two, or perhaps another option that won't break the bank, and is rock solid stable?

soulpatch · 08/22/2016, 07:29 AM

You could use the DDR with any doser. It is not DOS specific. Though for the cost of one you are better off getting Building an Obsession containers. They are nicer looking and hold a bit more fluid. They also still have the float built in.

As for the doser I am going back and forth with Neptune now as using it for AWC the DOS is pretty loud. I am actually somewhat shocked to be honest. It is due to it running at higher speed for the AWC I guess. I am still going back and forth with them but it is what it is.

If I were you I would think about 3 things:

1 - If you go doser you know you will want to run other items like nopox with the doser and as such you will want 3-4 heads. If I was buying a doser again today I would look at the GHL but you are talking 4-500. It has ability to have slave units and a bunch of other very nice features.

2 - Go calcium reactor instead. You will have more stability and less worry about things. You basically set it up and mess with it once a year. Bit more upfront but you would break even quickly. Figure:

Geo reactor, ap carbon doser, tank, ph controller - 700 You could add 200 to that if you got a used masterflex pump to handle the feeder duties.

3 - Buy my unused dosing setup (with even awc pumps) so I can get calcium reactor. HA HA. Seriously though my Kore 5th doser and BOA containers will likely be going up for sale shortly when I have time to list. I want to go calcium reactor route instead.

ReefWreak · 08/22/2016, 08:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by soulpatch

You could use the DDR with any doser. It is not DOS specific. Though for the cost of one you are better off getting Building an Obsession containers. They are nicer looking and hold a bit more fluid. They also still have the float built in.

Or just go extra cheap and use gallon containers from walmart, since you're looking at small volumes anyway. I could share pics of the ones I picked up that I've seen others on RC using.

Quote:

Originally Posted by soulpatch

If I were you I would think about 3 things:

1 - If you go doser you know you will want to run other items like nopox with the doser and as such you will want 3-4 heads. If I was buying a doser again today I would look at the GHL but you are talking 4-500. It has ability to have slave units and a bunch of other very nice features.

And check out Litermeter. They're the best for reefs, and have decades of proven track record in the hobby, but also pricey, but expandable.

Quote:

Originally Posted by soulpatch

2 - Go calcium reactor instead. You will have more stability and less worry about things. You basically set it up and mess with it once a year. Bit more upfront but you would break even quickly. Figure:
Geo reactor, ap carbon doser, tank, ph controller - 700 You could add 200 to that if you got a used masterflex pump to handle the feeder duties.

Yep. Set it and forget it (for a while, anyway). Annual media changes (or longer, depending on utilization). I'd get one for my biocube if I had the room (I've seen some GEOs for good prices in the area, but just don't have the room).

Quote:

Originally Posted by soulpatch

3 - Buy my unused dosing setup (with even awc pumps) so I can get calcium reactor. HA HA. Seriously though my Kore 5th doser and BOA containers will likely be going up for sale shortly when I have time to list. I want to go calcium reactor route instead.

Always an option!

If spending money anyway, check out the DaStaCo "automatic calcium reactor". Just an option, especially if you're considering paying new prices already. I used to have a Deltec PF601, and I bet that reactor is still running great on someone else's setup to this day, and I bought it a few years used. They have lifespans of decades. I love calcium reactors and would recommend it for anyone who needs moderate to high calcium/alkalinity supplementation in anything larger than a nano.

soulpatch · 08/22/2016, 08:18 AM

the auto calcium reactor is roughly 2500. Pacific Sun is coming out with one (technically out in pre order stage now) for around 1K but it includes the peri pump and such similar to the dastaco setup.

Yes cheap conainers are an option but from him bringing up DDR I assume he wants the integrated floats. And sure you can add floats to any setup but not always clean looking.

Devaji108 · 08/22/2016, 08:28 AM

looking good bud, nice new goodies love the rock nems i have a few myself and need more.

Rakie · 08/22/2016, 02:43 PM

As for the cheapest options: You can go cheap and buy replacement motors, slightly less cheap and buy new BRS 1.1 dosers.

homer1475 · 08/22/2016, 02:44 PM

Yes I have el' cheapo gallon jugs now, but I want at the least a float in them so I know when they are getting empty ( reason behind the DDR).

I may end up in the long run going the calcium reactor, but not needed right now, so a better doser for 2 is on my list.

homer1475 · 08/22/2016, 02:49 PM

I have the BRS doses and after only a year of use they have gone all wonky. No where near in calibration, and the motors sound like they are knocking on my stand. I do not want to go that route again. Although they are cheapish, I would not call them very reliable.

I'm looking for a little more reliable option, and something that won't break the bank. I figured the DOS and DDR as they are obviously apex ready, and from what I've read and watched are super simple to setup.

07/31/2016, 01:40 PM	#327
homer1475 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Upstate NY Posts: 5,313	I honestly can't answer that. I have always 2 part dosed in this tank with kalk in the ATO. In my biocube, I got away with just kalk and kept pretty stable alk @ 8.0. __________________ 80G SCA Build: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2560256 Originally posted by der_wille_zur_macht: "He's just taking his lunch to work"

07/31/2016, 02:28 PM	#329
homer1475 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Upstate NY Posts: 5,313	I do keep this tank at 9, and would have kept the biocube higher, but kalk kept it at 8. Anything from 7 to 10 is plenty acceptable(I think NSW is like 8), so I didn't see a need to 2 part dose just to up the alk by 1 dkh. __________________ 80G SCA Build: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2560256 Originally posted by der_wille_zur_macht: "He's just taking his lunch to work"

07/31/2016, 03:57 PM	#331
homer1475 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Upstate NY Posts: 5,313	Wow hadn't realized it had been that long. I'll post up some pics tomorrow. I would do it now, but I did just blow off my rocks and so much dead HA came off, I have an ATS going on inside the display. lol __________________ 80G SCA Build: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2560256 Originally posted by der_wille_zur_macht: "He's just taking his lunch to work"

08/02/2016, 04:53 PM	#333
homer1475 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Upstate NY Posts: 5,313	So as promised, one of the only shots I have of my Mandy, and an FTS. __________________ 80G SCA Build: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2560256 Originally posted by der_wille_zur_macht: "He's just taking his lunch to work"

08/03/2016, 03:20 AM	#336
homer1475 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Upstate NY Posts: 5,313	It's a rock flower, one of the largest I've seen. __________________ 80G SCA Build: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2560256 Originally posted by der_wille_zur_macht: "He's just taking his lunch to work"

07/30/2016, 08:29 PM	#326
Rakie In Memoriam Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Huntington Beach, CA Posts: 3,059	very cool. I'll have to lift my pump off the bottom slightly. I kept reading and just couldn't find any dosing instructions... Now I know why. I'd have kept searching like a fool if you didn't tell me Kalk can't overdose that easily.. Do you happen to know where Kalk likes to stabilize Alk at?

07/31/2016, 03:35 PM	#330
Rakie In Memoriam Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Huntington Beach, CA Posts: 3,059	I think you're right about NSW, so that makes sense Homer. Been like 2 months since your last FTS, hows everything looking?

07/31/2016, 04:23 PM	#332
Rakie In Memoriam Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Huntington Beach, CA Posts: 3,059	lol, well it sounds like you have the HA reigned in, good stuff!

08/02/2016, 08:56 PM	#335
Rakie In Memoriam Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Huntington Beach, CA Posts: 3,059	Nice man, the HA looks more under control and the colors on the plate coral are coming though. Also is that a rock anemone or a maxi-mini? It's huge for what I'm thinking it is

08/03/2016, 06:09 AM	#337
Rakie In Memoriam Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Huntington Beach, CA Posts: 3,059	Yeah that rock nem is a giant. Top right by the coral croucher or clown goby is thst a favia or acan?

08/04/2016, 01:23 AM	#338
homer1475 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Upstate NY Posts: 5,313	Probably an acan as I have no favia. __________________ 80G SCA Build: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2560256 Originally posted by der_wille_zur_macht: "He's just taking his lunch to work"

08/04/2016, 06:50 PM	#339
homer1475 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Upstate NY Posts: 5,313	I got out of work early today so decided to go for a drive to my LFS. Not that I need anything, but it was a nice day for a drive. I ended up with a very nice green and yellow rock flow nem, red plating montipora(which broke into a bunch of pieces on the drive home. Thats how they frag them anyways so it should be fine), a nice teal and yellow acan. So much for not needing anything. Lol I also got another wad of chaeto to try again. Work all day tomorrow, so you'll have to wait a couple days before I can get any decent pictures. __________________ 80G SCA Build: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2560256 Originally posted by der_wille_zur_macht: "He's just taking his lunch to work"

08/04/2016, 07:35 PM	#340
Rakie In Memoriam Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Huntington Beach, CA Posts: 3,059	Teal and Yellow acan sounds like a winner Homer

08/04/2016, 09:30 PM	#341
kjay88 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Windsor Posts: 57	Looks amazing

08/07/2016, 11:24 AM	#342
homer1475 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Upstate NY Posts: 5,313	So as promised some pics of the new stuff I got. Pink Lobo Teal and yellow acan Green and yellow rock flower And Red plating montipora It's in 2 pieces as it broke in half on the ride home. __________________ 80G SCA Build: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2560256 Originally posted by der_wille_zur_macht: "He's just taking his lunch to work"

08/20/2016, 02:43 PM	#343
homer1475 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Upstate NY Posts: 5,313	So I'm having a slight conundrum, I need a couple new dosing pumps(I bought used BRS dosers and the motors are wearing out). I've been considering the DOS and DDR combo as they hook up easily to my apex and there is no second guessing on time. You just plug in the amount you want to dose, and at what times and apex does the rest, easy peasy. But I've also been considering a Libra 3 head doser. It's quite a bit more to setup(again have to figure out the time increments), but I've read great things about the libra doser. The only downside I see is I would have to purchase separate containers for the fluids which will bring the cost up considerably compared to the DOS and DDR combo. They both use stepper motors, but I'm leaning more toward the DOS. My only issue is the DDR won't fit in my stand with the sump, so it will have to sit outside the stand on the side(hey at least its good looking). Anyone got any thoughts on the two, or perhaps another option that won't break the bank, and is rock solid stable? __________________ 80G SCA Build: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2560256 Originally posted by der_wille_zur_macht: "He's just taking his lunch to work"

08/22/2016, 07:29 AM	#344
soulpatch Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Downingtown, PA Posts: 4,017	You could use the DDR with any doser. It is not DOS specific. Though for the cost of one you are better off getting Building an Obsession containers. They are nicer looking and hold a bit more fluid. They also still have the float built in. As for the doser I am going back and forth with Neptune now as using it for AWC the DOS is pretty loud. I am actually somewhat shocked to be honest. It is due to it running at higher speed for the AWC I guess. I am still going back and forth with them but it is what it is. If I were you I would think about 3 things: 1 - If you go doser you know you will want to run other items like nopox with the doser and as such you will want 3-4 heads. If I was buying a doser again today I would look at the GHL but you are talking 4-500. It has ability to have slave units and a bunch of other very nice features. 2 - Go calcium reactor instead. You will have more stability and less worry about things. You basically set it up and mess with it once a year. Bit more upfront but you would break even quickly. Figure: Geo reactor, ap carbon doser, tank, ph controller - 700 You could add 200 to that if you got a used masterflex pump to handle the feeder duties. 3 - Buy my unused dosing setup (with even awc pumps) so I can get calcium reactor. HA HA. Seriously though my Kore 5th doser and BOA containers will likely be going up for sale shortly when I have time to list. I want to go calcium reactor route instead. __________________ 150 SC tank build: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2550948 Some have bar tabs. I have a coral tab at my LFS. Life goals.

08/22/2016, 08:18 AM	#346
soulpatch Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Downingtown, PA Posts: 4,017	the auto calcium reactor is roughly 2500. Pacific Sun is coming out with one (technically out in pre order stage now) for around 1K but it includes the peri pump and such similar to the dastaco setup. Yes cheap conainers are an option but from him bringing up DDR I assume he wants the integrated floats. And sure you can add floats to any setup but not always clean looking. __________________ 150 SC tank build: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2550948 Some have bar tabs. I have a coral tab at my LFS. Life goals.

08/22/2016, 08:28 AM	#347
Devaji108 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Jackson Hole Wy Posts: 3,430	looking good bud, nice new goodies love the rock nems i have a few myself and need more.

08/22/2016, 02:43 PM	#348
Rakie In Memoriam Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Huntington Beach, CA Posts: 3,059	As for the cheapest options: You can go cheap and buy replacement motors, slightly less cheap and buy new BRS 1.1 dosers.

08/22/2016, 02:44 PM	#349
homer1475 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Upstate NY Posts: 5,313	Yes I have el' cheapo gallon jugs now, but I want at the least a float in them so I know when they are getting empty ( reason behind the DDR). I may end up in the long run going the calcium reactor, but not needed right now, so a better doser for 2 is on my list. __________________ 80G SCA Build: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2560256 Originally posted by der_wille_zur_macht: "He's just taking his lunch to work"

08/22/2016, 02:49 PM	#350
homer1475 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Upstate NY Posts: 5,313	I have the BRS doses and after only a year of use they have gone all wonky. No where near in calibration, and the motors sound like they are knocking on my stand. I do not want to go that route again. Although they are cheapish, I would not call them very reliable. I'm looking for a little more reliable option, and something that won't break the bank. I figured the DOS and DDR as they are obviously apex ready, and from what I've read and watched are super simple to setup. __________________ 80G SCA Build: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2560256 Originally posted by der_wille_zur_macht: "He's just taking his lunch to work"