120 upgrade......

[rayn]

Skimmer I ordered came today. I got a nice deal off of e55MD. A Warner Marine K2. Not set up yet though as my skimmer section IS TOO SMALL!!!! Two options. I have a spare 55 sitting out in the garage that I could make into another sump with a smaller return area and bigger skimmer area. I would be moving the fuge with a DSB though.
Second, set up a 29 behind the current 55 sump and somehow plumb it to the 55 sump and knock out the current baffle between the skimmer and return area.

Best bet here?

edit: Third option, cut out the baffle betweent the skimmer and return section and have just one big skimmer/return area.

 

[rayn]

<a href="http://s496.photobucket.com/albums/rr321/dougcobb/?action=view&current=IMG_20100929_203151.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i496.photobucket.com/albums/rr321/dougcobb/IMG_20100929_203151.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<a href="http://s496.photobucket.com/albums/rr321/dougcobb/?action=view&current=IMG_20100929_203159.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i496.photobucket.com/albums/rr321/dougcobb/IMG_20100929_203159.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<a href="http://s496.photobucket.com/albums/rr321/dougcobb/?action=view&current=IMG_20100929_203208.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i496.photobucket.com/albums/rr321/dougcobb/IMG_20100929_203208.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

Very tight squeeze in the sump, but it is in. I had to knock out the baffle between the skimmer and return section, but I'll replace it when I can move some pipes around. Probably next water change day when I have it shut down anyway.

 

[Palting]

Looks good to me, Rayn!

 

[muttley000]

Hey Rayn, hadn't checked out your thread in a while and got caught up today. everything looks great. I sold a tank this size about 8 years ago because it wouldn't work with a remodel, man do I miss it. Keep us posted! Also now that its been a couple weeks how is your Austin Aqua Farms stuff doing? Would you recommend them?

 

[rayn]

I was worried about the acans earlier, and posted a question about them, but they are good. I would use them again though. Packed well, ice pack, and double bagged.
I really like the size of the 120, but the set up costs are what kills. I'm just glad I was able to find good deals on used equipment and good sellers.

 

[Palting]

I've lost track. What fish are in the 125 now?

 

[rayn]

Hey now. The 120 has clowns, rabbit, angel, chromis. 55 has clown and blenny. Tang is in the 29. Hopefully I can get through this hiccup and be back on track shortly.

 

[Palting]

I have no doubt you'll get through this, Rayn. Just keeping tabs, and wishing you well, is all .

 

[rayn]

Yeah, sometimes it bums me out though. All the money, time, and energy seems wasted when you still get a sick fish. Almost makes the no QT guys justified.

On a positive note, the tang is looking better and I haven't seen anything on the rest of my fish. Still thinking I should pull them and let the tank run fallow though, just to make sure.

 

[rayn]

Well as Palting stated on his build thread 'it isn't a true build thread without the problems listed too'. So I have to tell mine.

Skimmer started skimming a little wet and filled the collection cup up a little over half. Went to clean it out last night, but doooooooohhhhh. The cup is about a quarter inch to tall to come out without being tipped almost sideways. Guess where all the skim water went.

Now I have to figure out a solution.

 

[rayn]

Long time no update. Tank is doing okay, but now battling HA as is the norm it seems. I have added to the fish list with a sailfin and a couple other small ones. I tried a couple sps and failed miserably on those and am waiting till I get all parameters in check before I add anything else. All are within in range except nitrate with are in the 40 range and phosphate in the .18 range. Gfo and vodka dosing are working on those as well as water changes.
I have added a tunze ato and a jbj titanium heater with controller so those help too.

 

[rayn]

Figured I would throw some pics up as well
fts

left

right

side

sun coral

groups shot

file fish

rescued sailfin

I have also added a oceanic quadro timer and two evo 1400. I am planning on adding either two more 1400 or two 1250, not sure yet.

 

[thebkramer]

Looking very NICE!! :thumbsup:
LOVE the sun coral.. and that is one awesome filefish!!

Gotta LOVE the Hiccups!!! :deadhorse::headwalls:
Glad to see you updating again too!! I know how you were feeling!! :worried:
I'm sure you'll have that algae cleared up in no time!!

did I miss the post on the rescued Sailfin?? what happened? hows it doing??

 

[rayn]

Thanks!
No I just sneaked the sailfin in a while back. Went out to the fish store and saw him in their holding tank, they are what 20 gallon at most?! He was just hanging there pointed down not really doing much. Someone had brought him back cause he outgrew their tank. They had a price of 90 on him and the guy I always talk to pointed him out. Told me he was stressing and would probably not make it long in their tank. I said no cause if he was stressed and lift die I wasn't shellingout the 90 bucks. He made a call and told me 40, so I took it. This guy is like 6 inches long, eats like a pig, no diseases that I have ever seen. Moved in and made friends with the rabbitfish and has been great ever since.
It is funny now, I go out and see 2 inch ones for 50 bucks and I know what I got mine for.
Sailfin will probably force me into another upgrade, but that is now in the works anyway.

 

[rayn]

Time for a update as I had to redo my lighting system. I had the system for about a year now and figured it was time for bulbs. I ordered new 14k aquamaxx bulbs. Did nothing for a change in the color spectrum. So I figured the ballasts might be going. Sure enough they were starting to burn and get hot. Even started to discolor some.
So I bought one new lumetek ballast and replaced both the bulb and ballast. Wow the difference was huge. So I bought the second ballast and replaced the bulb and light there too.

original

ballast

replaced one

replaced both

 

[rayn]

Well I managed to ignore this thread again.

Fish are all still going, but I did sump the filefish as it picked on some acans. I have added about eight new frags acans, hammer, and a couple sps to try. Currently carbon dosing with vodka too, up to 4.5 ml a day and beginning to see results. Nitrate have dropped, but not steadily yet to eliminate the hair algea. I'll try and post pics later.

Forgot to mention I started brs two part as well. Huge noticeable difference. Should have done it sooner.

 

[rayn]

So here are the pics I promised