240 Gallon Cube Tank Photo Diary

[vitz]

beautiful tank and stand

the only 'critique' i have is a suggestion to get rid of that nautilus,and exchange it for a real skimmer

 

[sonofgaladriel]

beautiful tank and stand

the only 'critique' i have is a suggestion to get rid of that nautilus,and exchange it for a real skimmer

I've been planning that since the beginning. The Nautilus was just to get me by until my new custom skimmer was completed. This custom skimmer was supposed to be completed over a month ago and parts were back ordered. I am getting a nice 28" tall x 8" diameter, recirculating, beckett type skimmer today or tomorrow.
spoon671- I have a mild micro bubble issue and my photo skills are not the best. The 10Ks don't help either, but I will take your advice and look into your filtration recommendation. Thanks for the suggestion.

 

[kimoyo]

I've been planning that since the beginning. The Nautilus was just to get me by until my new custom skimmer was completed. This custom skimmer was supposed to be completed over a month ago and parts were back ordered. I am getting a nice 28" tall x 8" diameter, recirculating, beckett type skimmer today or tomorrow.
spoon671- I have a mild micro bubble issue and my photo skills are not the best. The 10Ks don't help either, but I will take your advice and look into your filtration recommendation. Thanks for the suggestion.

You could just get some filter socks to get rid of the bubbles and they would help clean the water at the same time. Carbon would help also.

 

[spoon671]

Diatom filters...1 micron water polishing. I think thats what he means.

That is correct. Diatom filtration... commonly used only for water polishing. I use it in my mech filtration 24/7. Although I have to change the media about 2-3 times a week, sparkling water is well worth it. My LFS (www.Aquatic-Gallery.com) recommended this to me a while back. Works even BETTER for large tanks.

 

[elephen]

Explain more in depth about this filtration.

Sorry to take away from your thread Sean. I cant wait to see your new skimmer, Scott said it is pretty kick butt!

 

[sonofgaladriel]

Here's the new skimmer. I'll be installing it today. It is a recirculating, needle wheel design, 28" tall, 8" diameter.

 

[melev]

What color stain is that on your stand? I really like it.

Nice skimmer. Not only does it recirculate, it appears to self-rotate for your camera too.

 

[sonofgaladriel]

Hi Melev. The stain is MinWax 'Red Mahogany', applied heavy and then wiped with a clean dry rag 30 seconds after application.
Yep, this skimmer has a mind of its own. I affectionately call it my little 'R2D2'!

 

[sonofgaladriel]

Explain more in depth about this filtration.

Sorry to take away from your thread Sean. I cant wait to see your new skimmer, Scott said it is pretty kick butt!

No problem. I'm also very interested in this diatom filtration. I spent about an hour last night looking at some of the markets 'diatom filters' and they are intriguing. They range from $90 to $150 for filters big enough for this cube though. I'm hoping that this new skimmer, a phosphate pad, and some carbon will do the trick in terms of clearing up my water. Maybe down the road I'll invest in a diatom filter.

 

[shaw]

if you really want clear water, hook up some Ozone to that skimmer
shawn

 

[melev]

You mentioned microbubbles before. Maybe I can help you resolve that problem. Can you explain how your sump is plumbed, including the flow rate and how your return pump is set up? Pictures help.

 

[LittleBlueGT]

if you really want clear water, hook up some Ozone to that skimmer
shawn

I second that, and third it.

 

[spoon671]

Hey SONOFGALADRIEL...

Here is a link to the diatom pads that I use 24/7 in one of my Tidepool trays!
Diatom Pads
Cheap right? My LFS also has this media in a BAG form. You would run the overflow hoses directly into these bags. WHAMMY! Sparkling water!

 

[sonofgaladriel]

Hey SONOFGALADRIEL...

Here is a link to the diatom pads that I use 24/7 in one of my Tidepool trays!
Diatom Pads
Cheap right? My LFS also has this media in a BAG form. You would run the overflow hoses directly into these bags. WHAMMY! Sparkling water!

Thanks spoon671!!!
I'll order some of those ASAP and get some of the diatom media too.

 

[sonofgaladriel]

New skimmer is in place. Multi plug controller box installed. All power cords to in sump equipment nicely aligned and attached to the top to be out of the way.
This multi plug box control power to all in sump equipment and I can easily turn on or off anything in the stand. Very nice to have this type of control.
I'll be installing the calcium reactor in the section to the right tomorrow morning.

 

[nbd13]

where did you get that box to control things?

and about how much was it if you dont mind me asking?

thanks

Nick

 

[melev]

I bought one like it at Guitar Center for $29 each. I have two on my system.

That looks good, even if you did post it twice to get more attention for your thread. :lol:

 

[sonofgaladriel]

Ooops! The first time I clicked 'post reply' it didn't seem to do anything, so....I clicked again. Sorry.
I found the control box on ebay for $12.50 plus $5 shipping. Not bad.

 

[nbd13]

Thanks, so what does that control box plug into?

so all your equipment plugs into that and then the control box plugs into what?

also how many watts or amps are these raetd for?

thanks!

Nick

 

[melev]

Thanks, so what does that control box plug into?

so all your equipment plugs into that and then the control box plugs into what?

also how many watts or amps are these raetd for?

thanks!

Nick

Nick, take a look at these posts in my 280g thread. It should answer your questions. You can also go backwards in that thread a couple of pages for some preliminary discussion.

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&postid=3285894#post3285894