220 Inwall - Plan

[melev]

Bryan, you got the right clean up crew. It should work out well for your tank.

I've done my research on the ZeroSurge systems, and they are nice, but expensive. And they only have a few outlets. I've actually talked with them about some ideas I felt they should incorporate for us, especially with their units running at the prices they set. I can't remember if it was $250 each or less.

I've been using the American DJ units for over a year. I just replaced one because it was tripping for no reason. Well, the brand new one is tripping as well, so I guess there is a real problem with something plugged in. So I ordered a Kill-a-watt device so I can start testing things one at a time to find out what is pulling so much juice. The DJ unit isn't something you need to worry about, as it has a 15 amp trip button.

 

[tgunn]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6301946#post6301946 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by bheron
Hey Tyler - thanks. They're all settled in now and getting right to work! I've spent a good deal of time tonight, however, righting up all the darn turbo snails! What a pain. I hope I dont lose many.

I thought turbos could self-right.... But I could be mistaken. I had a number that were on their back that I did right just so that they'd get to work faster.

Tyler

 

[melev]

No, Turbos and Astreas get stuck on their backs. Ceriths and nassarius are able to right themselves.

 

[tgunn]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6304724#post6304724 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by melev
No, Turbos and Astreas get stuck on their backs. Ceriths and nassarius are able to right themselves.

Good to know! Thanks! I better keep an eye on them to make sure they don't fall over then..

Tyler

 

[bheron]

Hey Marc- good to know on both points. first, the cleaner crew. I think it really is a good one. They're working like mad. And the hermits and snails are both on the small side, so they can only grwo bigger and do more, right?! Its cool b/c I have a couple of rocks that have a good deal of hair algage. I cant beleive how the snails (Astreas and Ceriths) have literally mowed right through them!

Also, on the Surge protector issue. Its comforting to know you actually know this product and talked to the MFR! Wow. When I read this thread about it I was worried.

Tyler and Marc- yea, the snails with the pointed tops, from my experience, are the ones that usually fall and land upside down and have the hardest time righting themselves. I was like a worried parent with the poker stick righting them for 2 days. I thoght I lost a bunch but, in the end, I onyl see maybe 3 or 4 out of 100 that have died.

UPDATE:
Today, my new ricordia disappeared after it moved out from under the rubber band I tied it down with. After looking for hours I found it one level below the original ledge. I decided to pick it up, reattach it, and move the rock down to a lower, lesser flow area. THing looks pretty hardy. And, since my YT has stopped eating my zoos, they're starting to make a recover.

Also, still battling Ich with my Hippo. BUt it hasnt really gotten any worse. I just keep feeding him and he just keeps eating it. All is good there.

Unfortunately I blew my latest lot of cash on the cleaner crew, so unless I get a gift cert or two for xmas (??) I wont be adding too much to the tank until Jan/Feb. should give me enough time to let theCC do their work and let the tank mature. Ihave tons of little things I need to improve with it anyway.

And, hopefully this time next week I'll have a new dig camera and can post some pics!

 

[bheron]

Hey all, back on my microbubble mission. I have a note into Roger at Tunze.

- Was wondering: could my PVC plumbing possibly be the cause of microbubbles? Specifically, I was wondering if maybe the joints werent sealed perfectly, or maybe too many bends, would cause bubbles?

I've ruled out the sump. I dont think its air spaces in my loc lines, although I may remove them altogther and test it to be sure.

 

[melev]

If you don't see any bubbles in the sump (return section), then it must be from the bulkhead/plumbing/pump/plumbing/returns. Somewhere in there is your problem. Even a pinhole leak will cause it. It won't leak water, but rather will suck in air just like a venturi would.

Figuring out the precise spot may be somewhat frustrating, which is why I try to keep it very simple with minimal connections. This means less potential places to figure out.

 

[rdmpe]

I seem to remember reading somewhere that if you take a piece of tubing and put one end next to your ear and the other end you move around the suction side plumbing joints, you can find leaks that are sucking air because you'll hear it. Not sure if it'll work though, I've never tried it...

 

[melev]

A stethoscope would be a nicer option, but the tubing is a method mechanics look for vacuum leaks on cars. It might work, but I've never tried it. I'm a little heavy handed with glue and primer, and haven't had this happen except for once in all these years. And that spot was obvious, so I was able to mend it with Weld-On #16.

 

[bheron]

Hmmmm. How about this:

I take a page out of marcs book and slather the joints with extra glue on the outside. I dont have much PVC so it wouldnt take long?

 

[melev]

You could run a bead / swipe of the solvent around each fitting, and then wipe it clean with you finger to tidy up. It would fill the joint with a neat sloped filler. Wipe your hands off on paper towels as you work.

Do this with the pumps off. You don't want the venturi to suck in glue into your system. Let it dry 10 minutes, then restart the pumps.

 

[bheron]

Ah, cool. Sounds easy enough. I'll give it a try and will be able to rule out at least one area.

You know, I was thinking in hindsight, I never used primer on my joints and just used PVC glue. Wonder if that has anything to do with it.


I also have a post to Roger at Tunze and he pointed me to some ideas and a stick post in his forum:

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=732454

 

[melev]

[chimp]

No primer? You might consider just replacing all of that with new stuff, primed and glued properly.

 

[tgunn]

Do you have a screen over your pump intake in the sump? If so, do you notice any bubbles collecting on or around it? I find that the screens in my sump collect the microbubbles on them, which occasionaly gets sucked into the return pump. This at least lets me know that my bubbles are almost definitely coming from the sump...

HEh, I used 4x473mL cans of PVC cement to plumb my system; I REALLY overdid it with the cement, but hey, whatever.

Tyler

 

[rdmpe]

I didn't use any primer on my plumbing. Just lots of cement. But YMMV... I agree that you could go over some of the suction side joints with cement. If you get the "heavy duty" cement forumla it is a bit thicker and may make a better seal. Watch out for the fumes! Especially if working under your tank in an enclosed space with that cement.

I wonder if sucking the fumes into the skimmer air intake is bad? :eek1:

 

[bheron]

Thank guys. Yea, Marc, are you serious? Is that monkey serious? You think using no primer can be that detrimental?


At the very least I'll coat the seams and see what happens. But maybe I will replace it. I have very little PVC but it will still cost.


In other news, is it possible that a Ricordea will split?? :eek2:

My new ricordia appears to be doing that. Either that or its dying. I attached it to a piece of LR with a rubberband. It seems that its splitting right down the middle where the band is. I thought, when I got it, it looked like it might've had a 2nd mouth. But I have no idea if thats how these types of corals multiply. I beleive its a polyp/mushroom, right?

WISH I HAD A CAMERA!!!

 

[melev]

Yes, it would be wise to replace it - I would just because, but give your method a try first. It might be just fine.

Yes, that is one way to split some soft corals. The rubberband constricts the coral just enough to cause it to split in half.

 

[rdmpe]

WISH I HAD A CAMERA!!!

I wish you had one also! Consider it an important part of your reef tank. An essential piece of equipment. Tell your Project Manager how much money it will actually SAVE you since you'll be able to post pictures of what is going on in your tank and will therefore get lots of help and save lots of money! :rollface:

As for the primer, I think most people actually don't use it. But don't blame me for any leaks!!! :worried: :worried: :worried:

 

[bheron]

Thanks guys. Marc, I agree. In the short term I'll just go voer the seams.

Thats cool about the Ric. I guess its doing well then, and I just got lucky with where I put the rubber band!


rdmpe - Thanks for the idea! I HAD a camera, but it fell prey to my dog. I think we're getting one from santa in a few days. Also, i'm gonna borrow a vide camera on new years and take a video of the whole setup!


By the way, I've had this cleaner crew almost a week now and they're totally transformed the tank! I dont realize it at the time b/c they seem to work so slow. but, when i assess the whole tank I'm amazed at how clean theyve gotten it! I'm a believer!

 

[bheron]

Ok, this is scary. We just got our Utility Bill for the past month. -- I got the tank up and running about a month ago --.

Well, our normal bill is close to $300 this time of year, maybe a bit more. And we've been hearing they're gonna spike a nice amount around here b/c of the oil crisis and all. But, my wife and I almost fell off our chair when we saw a $675 bill!!!

I havent said anything yet but I'm really worried how much the new tank has to do with the increase. I expected some, but not double! (our bill last month was $286). We do have a large home with two HVAC units and 9-10' ceilings and all. But, whoa!

I remember this happened to Jarhead too. I've heard of these kill-a-watt things but i hate to spend more money just to see where I'm spending more money!

I never thought the increase would affect my staying in the hobby, but I know for sure we cant live with $675 a month utility bills!