1000 Gallon System...The long road is almost over

[South City]

I noticed you have a couple of Next Reef reactors.(I own some as well and love them) They went out of business a few months ago. More than likely, their warranties aren't going to be honored.

Yours look new. If you recently bought them from a retailer that allows returns, you might want to test them and make sure that everything is in order. If they are defective/leaking, you may still have an opportunity to return them to their place of purchase.

 

[Mr J&J]

I noticed you have a couple of Next Reef reactors.(I own some as well and love them) They went out of business a few months ago. More than likely, their warranties aren't going to be honored.

Yours look new. If you recently bought them from a retailer that allows returns, you might want to test them and make sure that everything is in order. If they are defective/leaking, you may still have an opportunity to return them to their place of purchase.

yes, I am aware of that. I actually bought them pretty inexpensively after he went out of business. I'm ok gambling on them working...I really couldn't find anything close in size for even triple the money.

 

[Mr J&J]

And here I am feeling worried/overwhelmed at having to actually plumb a sump into my new tank, involving 1 drain and 1 return line haha. All that plumbing there looks so nicely put together. Great start so far!

LOL...thank you. This plumbing has become very involved...luckily I enjoy doing it. I'm thinking that I have saved close to $10K by doing it myself (especially at the rates my plumbers charge). I still have many more hours left to complete it.

 

[fishybudguy]

Looking great

 

[gargoylenest]

clean lab design, love you fish room

 

[Mr J&J]

Plumbing is crawling along with the folks in town...but i did manage to get the Sump return pump plimbed today

 

[Mr J&J]

also the drain for the sump

 

[Mr J&J]

and the reactor supply lines in the sump

 

[klipprand]

Very nice plumbing work. Thanks for sharing the details and pics.

 

[Mr J&J]

So as with most "easy" things, hurdles have been hit! Let's start with the RO/DI system. I have a 180 gpd set-up that is producing about 25 gallons a day Seems the 18psi of pressure my building water has isn't quite enough. Ordered a booster pump to help...won't run b/ of the low line pressure. Seems the pressure switch won't send a signal to the pump to turn on at this low pressure...ARGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG

All is not lost, Spectrapure is sending me a new pressure switch that works from 2-22psi. MAYBE I'll start to make real water quantities before year end.

Next I filled my beautiful new sump with water and found a few problems. Bulkheads were leaking...I fixed that easy enough...but the bigger issue was the leak in the crash zone between the side and bottom panel. Looks like the shipping company "racked" the sump on delivery. A top piece (non-structural) was cracked and this bottom seal was compromised. A claim has been filed and I do expect a full refund. My choices are as follows:

1) Have a new sump built locally so I can avoid the potential shipping issue
2) Go crazy and get a unit from MRC
3) Fix this one and get a boat load of cash for my trouble.

For now I am going with #3. I got some 2-part epoxy and applied a bead to the entire joint on the right side. Filled with water and leaks are gone. I am hoping this is a permanent fix. If any future issues arise, I'm probably going with #2.

Planning on finishing the plumbing all up this week and possibly getting the tank filled by next Monday! I am so hoping the long road is almost done so I can get to the fun stuff.

 

[biecacka]

Also check out geosreef for a sump. Awesome build quality and it'll get there quickly.

But either way, real bummer about your sump, sorry to hear that. It stinks that they don't always handle packages carefully. I'm sure the epoxy will hold up though. Still am a,axing looking build!


Corey

 

[Socaltoaz]

If you are looking for a new sump- Dreambox from Royal exclusiv. To say that I am pleased with the product would be the understatement of the century. Beautifully built and the way it was shipped it could have survived a nuclear blast!

 

[Mr J&J]

If you are looking for a new sump- Dreambox from Royal exclusiv. To say that I am pleased with the product would be the understatement of the century. Beautifully built and the way it was shipped it could have survived a nuclear blast!

yes they are beautiful and I did see how yours was crated better than a coffin! I'll consider it if I go the new sump route. As you probably know by now, the money and costs never seem to end

 

[Socaltoaz]

Oh believe me, I know. Now that all my equipment expenses are over, my fish and coral expenses have begun.

 

[Mr J&J]

Oh believe me, I know. Now that all my equipment expenses are over, my fish and coral expenses have begun.

I hear that! I still have to have cabinetry made for around the tank. Luckily I know a good construction company

I'm scared to see what the fish are going to cost me b/ I never buy small fish!

 

[Socaltoaz]

I've purchased all small fish. I want them to grow. And honestly, I haven't gone nuts on fish costs. A 20 dollar fish gives me just as much enjoyment as a 200 fish. No need to go nuts.

 

[Mr J&J]

I've purchased all small fish. I want them to grow. And honestly, I haven't gone nuts on fish costs. A 20 dollar fish gives me just as much enjoyment as a 200 fish. No need to go nuts.

I agree on most. I'm going to be moving my existing fish over from my 210 system so I have a good start. I need about 10 yellow tangs so those are cheap. Problem is I want a matted pair of crosshatch triggers...I can only imagine the cost.

 

[Mr J&J]

I wanted to ask a general question of the people following my Thread regarding moving my fish. Like most of you, I have had my battles over the years with ich. Knock wood (yup I typed that), I haven't had an issue in well over a year. What should I do about moving my fish into the new tank? I do have a dual 75 gallon QT system for the new tank. ALL new fish will be QT'ed. I will probably do TTM and then observation for 4 weeks. One of the 75 gallon tanks will be for meds. Not sure if I should medicate all new arrivals or not...but before that, I have to figure how to move my existing fish. Should I just move them, or should I do something below:

1) Copper
2) TTM

My goal is to have ZERO ich introduction into the new tank. My question is simple...do I need to do anything with the existing fish? I am VERY concerned that the stress of moving AND doing TTM will actually hurt them more than help them...thoughts?

 

[BigBlueTang]

1000 Gallon System...The long road is almost over

I wanted to ask a general question of the people following my Thread regarding moving my fish. Like most of you, I have had my battles over the years with ich. Knock wood (yup I typed that), I haven't had an issue in well over a year. What should I do about moving my fish into the new tank? I do have a dual 75 gallon QT system for the new tank. ALL new fish will be QT'ed. I will probably do TTM and then observation for 4 weeks. One of the 75 gallon tanks will be for meds. Not sure if I should medicate all new arrivals or not...but before that, I have to figure how to move my existing fish. Should I just move them, or should I do something below:



1) Copper

2) TTM



My goal is to have ZERO ich introduction into the new tank. My question is simple...do I need to do anything with the existing fish? I am VERY concerned that the stress of moving AND doing TTM will actually hurt them more than help them...thoughts?

I'm a newbie, and I'm sure you're way more experienced than me but this is how I'd do it

Let the fish settle down after moving, place them in the 75 for a week or so, then TTM, shouldn't be too bad, these fish are already accustomed to aquarium life, I wouldn't be too worried


Edit:
I would say if you are pretty certain that your fish are healthy and are not carrying crypto, just do a 4-6 week observation. Easiest and not stressful to the fish or to you
If they do show signs of crypto, just TTM, I would refrain from using copper.

 

[woodnaquanut]

If you have ever had ich in the old tank, your fish have it! Even if you can't see it, it's there!

TT them all. Easy, sure fire way to make sure no ich makes it into the new tank.

For new fish I use either copper, chloroquine phosphate or TT for ich and then PraziPro for internal parasites. It's so easy to make sure nothing gets in the new tank that doesn't belong.

Also make sure you let the old tank go fishless for a month + so you don't bring anything with them into the new tank.