500 Gallon Build

[foxvalleypcgeek]

Got a Hanna phosphate checker. Not really a fan of the packets and trying to get it all into the small opening of the vial. Just for the fun of it I tested the 29 that has been up and running for the last 3 years with no maintenance done to it at all.

Also put the mur-lok bulkheads into the top of the containers to house the dosing ingredients. The acrylic tubing is perfect!

I have one more 5 gallon bucket to put down there yet for vinnegar or vodka or a combination of both. The magnesium is the small little gallon jug.

 

[dave.m]

Here's a vid Hanna put up about how to do the phosphate test using their tester.

I found it easier to tamp the packet along one side to settle the powder there, then cut two adjoining sides with scissors to open. Fold the packet along the middle to form a bit of a crease. This method seems to get most of the reagent powder into the vial with the most accuracy.

Dave.M

 

[worm5406]

Here's a vid Hanna put up about how to do the phosphate test using their tester.

I found it easier to tamp the packet along one side to settle the powder there, then cut two adjoining sides with scissors to open. Fold the packet along the middle to form a bit of a crease. This method seems to get most of the reagent powder into the vial with the most accuracy.

Dave.M

Thank you! That will help! (for me at least)

 

[foxvalleypcgeek]

The way the lady did it in that video seemed to work pretty well. But they always make it look easy lol. I will try that next time.

Not much going on anymore as there is not much left to do besides wait for the tank.

Ran the airline tubing for the dosing pumps last night. Don't worry, the calcium and alkalinity will be at totally seperate times so they are just fine right next to each other on the outputs.

Wednesday was 5 weeks and I was told it could be as soon as 6 as they cought up since Christmas time. Normal time period would be 8 weeks.

 

[foxvalleypcgeek]

Just placed my order for the rock. I would love to be here when the UPS guy shows up with my boxes of rocks. It's all dry rock from Billys Reef Connection which I hear good things about. I ordered 400 pounds which may not be enough but I will see how it pans out on the floor or something in a taped up outline of the tank. I don't really want a lot of rock, but not look silly either with not enough.

 

[foxvalleypcgeek]

This is what we picked up yesterday:

Solarensis Fairy Wrasse
Lyretail Anthias x 3
Hepatus Tang
Yellow Eye Kole Tang
Swallowtail Angel
Lemark Angel
Starry Blenny
Christmas Wrasse
Banggai Cardinal x 3
Mata Tang

All doing good this morning. First thing I did was check for ammonia and nitrite and nothing.

 

[foxvalleypcgeek]

 

[scubadan206]

The swallow-tail angel looks great. As do the other fish. I've been looking for a male angel locally for months with no luck. You will love them. They behave quite well among the coral, and will eat any kind of food you put in for them. Mysis to nori or cheato. Even pellets and flake.
Another trick with the Hannah reagent is simply to pour the powder on a piece of paper. Then fold the paper in half and just use the paper as sort of a funnel. Works quite easily.

Daniel. :wildone:

 

[foxvalleypcgeek]

GoPro video of the fishies in quarantine.

 

[foxvalleypcgeek]

I got the boxes open this morning, minus one missing box being delivered today. It is some very clean stuff with little to no breakage in shipping. I have the outline of the tank on the floor so I can get a rough idea how I can put it all together, and decide if I need another 100 pounds or not.

I see the 32oz of black acrylic paint as well on the stand which will be used to paint the back of the tank right away.

 

[foxvalleypcgeek]

Here is what I put together last night on the floor. The rock goes a long way, and I did not even use it all. The tank is only 2 feet tall so I did not need to go very high. The highest point is about 18 inches with the rocks.

 

[foxvalleypcgeek]

I took new pics with the camera, boo for not being able to edit posts.

 

[A_CoupleClowns]

I like the structures!

Off topic what kind of dog do you have there? Kind of looks like a dobe with some longer hair.

 

[foxvalleypcgeek]

I like the structures!

Off topic what kind of dog do you have there? Kind of looks like a dobe with some longer hair.

That would be Chloe. She is a chiweenie, chiwawa and dachshund. Long legs though that dont fit either of those dogs.

 

[A_CoupleClowns]

That would be Chloe. She is a chiweenie, chiwawa and dachshund. Long legs though that dont fit either of those dogs.

Cool, never heard of that breed. I think I may have even asked you about that dog already. She looks like she is having a good time helping out with the rock, happy with her little toy there.

 

[foxvalleypcgeek]

40 breeders for the $1 gallon sale. Got a stand from Menards. The larger quarantine soon to come.

 

[foxvalleypcgeek]

Cool, never heard of that breed. I think I may have even asked you about that dog already. She looks like she is having a good time helping out with the rock, happy with her little toy there.

Ya she likes to play fetch with her ball all the time. Anytime i go under the stand to work on something she needs to play.

 

[A_CoupleClowns]

That's awesome, gotta love a four legged friend. Great photo at full stride greyhound style!

I just got back from the petco sale too, thanks again for the heads up on that and the menards stand. Picked up the stand last night. Pretty pumped. I see you picked up the oversized 55/75 powerfilter, wish I would have thought about that. I got two 20-50g ones and already opened them LOL.

 

[rfgonzo]

Ya she likes to play fetch with her ball all the time. Anytime i go under the stand to work on something she needs to play.

OMG, what a cute little bugger!!!!

 

[foxvalleypcgeek]

Only filled them halfway as I will be using the existing water from the 20s to fill the rest of the way. I need new heaters to put in these and get them up to temp and salanity, and then I can began the transfer.

The quiet one pump in the bucket is a perfect match to pump the water into the tank at nearly the same exact speed as the water is dumping into the bucket.

55-75 powerfilter on the top

Aquaclear 110 on the bottom which I have had for many years. The filters on the 20s were brand new but I can just keep those for backup.

Chloe is always near by

And leveled