ampemployee1
Member
Soaking rock in dechlorinator overnight:
Will update tomorrow.
Will update tomorrow.
57G Illuminata Build
- Thread starter ampemployee1
- Start date
ampemployee1
Member
Finished the plumbing. The first T off the return will go to the main tank and the second will go to the external fuge. I have my old sump still plumbed through the wall into the closet. Will be a breeze to install the new system and utilize the existing. The extra water volume of 12-15 gallons should help and the reverse light photoperiod for the fuge should help with pH stabilization at night.
I used industrial strength velcro to attach the lighted power strip. Its nice because all the power plugs in above it all, minimizing the risk of water damage. Because the Oceanic Tech stand is made of particle board (even with the clear cote treatment), I was concerned about drilling screw holes into the stand to secure the power strip.
I'm also planning to replace the main power outlet with a GFI socket just in case...
I used industrial strength velcro to attach the lighted power strip. Its nice because all the power plugs in above it all, minimizing the risk of water damage. Because the Oceanic Tech stand is made of particle board (even with the clear cote treatment), I was concerned about drilling screw holes into the stand to secure the power strip.
I'm also planning to replace the main power outlet with a GFI socket just in case...
maybeshewill
New member
Looking good mate!
ampemployee1
Member
Thanks to VtheMaestro for the inspiration on the plumbing on the return. Yes, there is a check valve and quick change connection inline on the return, and a quick change connection on the overflow with a ball valve to control the flow (and tune the overflow noise from the megaflow)
One concern I have, that is easily remedied, is the length of flexible tubing that came with the Proflex 2 is longer than it needs to be and it forms a sideways "U", with part of the U going lower than the feed to the sump. I'm not sure if this will cause air bubbles to be caught in the tube and resulting in a lot of overflow noise. Worst case, since this tubing is connected via hose clamps, I can remove and replace. See the picture above.
If you have any experience with this situation, please let me know. I'd rather make the change now then when the system is loaded with 500 lbs of water, rocks, sand and livestock...
One concern I have, that is easily remedied, is the length of flexible tubing that came with the Proflex 2 is longer than it needs to be and it forms a sideways "U", with part of the U going lower than the feed to the sump. I'm not sure if this will cause air bubbles to be caught in the tube and resulting in a lot of overflow noise. Worst case, since this tubing is connected via hose clamps, I can remove and replace. See the picture above.
If you have any experience with this situation, please let me know. I'd rather make the change now then when the system is loaded with 500 lbs of water, rocks, sand and livestock...
Last edited:
ampemployee1
Member
@maybeshewil, thank you. RC has been an unbelievable resource to design, prepare and execute. I never would have thought about things like a check valve and quick change adapter on the plumbing, or buying a skimmer off the internet (jury's still out on that until I get the system up - the thread on the skimmer was very informative. Willing to give the skimmer a try out).
Cheers, Ed
ampemployee1
Member
Moving day! Almost..
Moving day! Almost..
Migrated all my live rock and livestock into a large rubber maid with heated, pre-made saltwater from my LFS. Then siphoned most of the 29g main tank water into the holding tub with a heater and powerhead for flow.
I moved the old tank/stand with old, smelly substrate outside, and moved the new system into place. Filled the sump with water and tested the plumbing system. No leaks detected.
I figure the livestock will be ok in the holding tank for 24 hours. I need to get some additional pre-made salt water, and get the water up to a good temperature, then move the rock into place, then the livestock, and use as much of the holding tank water as possible.
I decided to use "new" sand. After a lot of reading about the pros and cons of using the old system live sand, I decided against it because I had a DSB, and figured there would be a significant amount of detritus bound up in the system. I took two small cups of the old system sand and dumped it into the new system, added 4" of water with a powerhead for circulation to ensure the beneficial bacteria from the old system would have some good flow.
Shot of the sump with skimmer breaking in, and plumbing. I have the SC150 set at 2. Just noticed the reflection of my feet/sandals! The iPhone 3gs phone just doesn't cut it...
Front tank shot
Will finish the upgrade tomorrow. I have the supplemental live rock in dechlorinator for another day even though I didn't detect the smell of any chlorine, better safe than sorry. Another good reason to complete the upgrade tomorrow.
Will post pics of the reefscape tomorrow.
Moving day! Almost..
Migrated all my live rock and livestock into a large rubber maid with heated, pre-made saltwater from my LFS. Then siphoned most of the 29g main tank water into the holding tub with a heater and powerhead for flow.
I moved the old tank/stand with old, smelly substrate outside, and moved the new system into place. Filled the sump with water and tested the plumbing system. No leaks detected.
I figure the livestock will be ok in the holding tank for 24 hours. I need to get some additional pre-made salt water, and get the water up to a good temperature, then move the rock into place, then the livestock, and use as much of the holding tank water as possible.
I decided to use "new" sand. After a lot of reading about the pros and cons of using the old system live sand, I decided against it because I had a DSB, and figured there would be a significant amount of detritus bound up in the system. I took two small cups of the old system sand and dumped it into the new system, added 4" of water with a powerhead for circulation to ensure the beneficial bacteria from the old system would have some good flow.
Shot of the sump with skimmer breaking in, and plumbing. I have the SC150 set at 2. Just noticed the reflection of my feet/sandals! The iPhone 3gs phone just doesn't cut it...
Front tank shot
Will finish the upgrade tomorrow. I have the supplemental live rock in dechlorinator for another day even though I didn't detect the smell of any chlorine, better safe than sorry. Another good reason to complete the upgrade tomorrow.
Will post pics of the reefscape tomorrow.
JasonKlink
New member
Off to a great start!
ampemployee1
Member
Moving day, part 2 - finally
Moving day, part 2 - finally
I made a trip to the LFS, and got 5 gallons of the LFS display tank water, and an additional 15 gallons of pre-made water, and moved the rock, most of the water and finally the livestock to the new system this afternoon.
The SC150 skimmer is set at level 3, but is producing a lot of microbubbles (pretty much what the review forum said would happen). I hope the SC150 follows form and the microbubbles subside.
There was only one mishap in the migration from the holding tub to the new system, my maroon clown decided to jump out of the tank! I've had this guy for 2 years and never had him jump. Fortunately, my 8 year old came home and asked me where the clown was. After a brief search, we found him behind the tank, flopping around. Got him back into the tank and he started swimming around. He found himself a quiet place in a cave and I think he'll make it. I was debating on whether to use the glass cover that I ordered. I think I'm going to keep it in place for a while....Put the MP10 in the Nutrient Transport Mode (NTM); along with the dual return from the Eheim 1262, I'm debating on whether I need to get another MP10. I'll see how things go.
I'm letting the additional rock that I bleached sit in the dechlor bath for another day. Although it doesn't smell of chlorine anymore, I'll take the rock and set it in the sun tomorrow, then start reefscaping in earnest.
Moving day, part 2 - finally
I made a trip to the LFS, and got 5 gallons of the LFS display tank water, and an additional 15 gallons of pre-made water, and moved the rock, most of the water and finally the livestock to the new system this afternoon.
The SC150 skimmer is set at level 3, but is producing a lot of microbubbles (pretty much what the review forum said would happen). I hope the SC150 follows form and the microbubbles subside.
There was only one mishap in the migration from the holding tub to the new system, my maroon clown decided to jump out of the tank! I've had this guy for 2 years and never had him jump. Fortunately, my 8 year old came home and asked me where the clown was. After a brief search, we found him behind the tank, flopping around. Got him back into the tank and he started swimming around. He found himself a quiet place in a cave and I think he'll make it. I was debating on whether to use the glass cover that I ordered. I think I'm going to keep it in place for a while....Put the MP10 in the Nutrient Transport Mode (NTM); along with the dual return from the Eheim 1262, I'm debating on whether I need to get another MP10. I'll see how things go.
I'm letting the additional rock that I bleached sit in the dechlor bath for another day. Although it doesn't smell of chlorine anymore, I'll take the rock and set it in the sun tomorrow, then start reefscaping in earnest.
yellowRubi
New member
good thing that u saved the clown! everything looks great! r u gonna keep the korallia? hows the NTM mode works for ya?
ampemployee1
Member
The clown is back! He's eating and navigating his new home normally.
So far, NTM mode works well. When its at the peak output stage, it really does a great job of moving detritus off the rocks and substrate.
I'm going to test the water parameters today to ensure we're good on pH, phosphate, ammonia, nitrate/nitrite, kH and calcium levels.
ampemployee1
Member
The supplemental rock that I bleached is still faintly (my imagination?) like pool water. I'm going to wait a week and let the chlorine fully outgas. I know the chloramines have been removed with the water treatment product I used. I just think the chlorine is still deep inside some of the crevices of the live rock and is still outgassing.
Anyway, nothing new to relate. Zoas, shrooms, xenia are all fully extended, fish seem happy (eating). I didn't make it to the LFS to pick up the test kits, I'll get them tomorrow and update the thread with the latest water params.
Peace
Anyway, nothing new to relate. Zoas, shrooms, xenia are all fully extended, fish seem happy (eating). I didn't make it to the LFS to pick up the test kits, I'll get them tomorrow and update the thread with the latest water params.
Peace
ampemployee1
Member
Water Params
Water Params
Testing kit results: Red Sea Algae Control Test Kit (from my understanding made by the same mfr as Salifert test kits. 100 tests of Phosphate and Nitrate each. Well put together test kit. Easy to use with a color wheel to measure results against a base sample. Dropper bottles are accurate to dispense and easy to use. Works out to about $0.25 per test. Totally worth the investment.
Nitrates 2ppm
Phosphates 0.08
I'll test Ca and kH later.
Water Params
Testing kit results: Red Sea Algae Control Test Kit (from my understanding made by the same mfr as Salifert test kits. 100 tests of Phosphate and Nitrate each. Well put together test kit. Easy to use with a color wheel to measure results against a base sample. Dropper bottles are accurate to dispense and easy to use. Works out to about $0.25 per test. Totally worth the investment.
Nitrates 2ppm
Phosphates 0.08
I'll test Ca and kH later.
ampemployee1
Member
Tested a couple other params: Tetra Test Laborett Kit:
Ammonia 0ppm
Hardness 8dKH
pH 8
Thanks to Valer for the chaeto for my fuge. Getting that online now.
Ammonia 0ppm
Hardness 8dKH
pH 8
Thanks to Valer for the chaeto for my fuge. Getting that online now.
ampemployee1
Member
Test: Hach Hardness, Total and Calcium Test Kit
Calcium: 400 mg/L
Pics of the test kits
Pics of the fuge
Calcium: 400 mg/L
Pics of the test kits
Pics of the fuge
ampemployee1
Member
Hi Ed, nice meeting you the other day. You have a great looking build. I'm going to tag along
Valer, where did you get your float valves for your ATO? Ed
ampemployee1
Member
SC150 Skimmer breaking in
SC150 Skimmer breaking in
I've been super pleased with the performance of this cone skimmer. Because I have it in about 12" of water, I have it dialed up to 3.5. That's producing a nice skimmate.
Went to Neptunes, checked out my Ca and alkalinity. 495ppm and 6.85 kH. I have been adding Kent Superbuffer to get my kH to 10. Slow but sure progress. I did a 5 gallon water change.
While I was there, I picked some additional CUC. Now have a total of 8 hermit crabs, 3 astrea, and 5 trocus snails.
SC150 Skimmer breaking in
I've been super pleased with the performance of this cone skimmer. Because I have it in about 12" of water, I have it dialed up to 3.5. That's producing a nice skimmate.
Went to Neptunes, checked out my Ca and alkalinity. 495ppm and 6.85 kH. I have been adding Kent Superbuffer to get my kH to 10. Slow but sure progress. I did a 5 gallon water change.
While I was there, I picked some additional CUC. Now have a total of 8 hermit crabs, 3 astrea, and 5 trocus snails.
ampemployee1
Member
Updated picture. Just ordered a 48x3 CREE fixture with controller/simulator from eShine systems. Current light is the Coralife Lunar 4 bulb T5 HO fixture, which has worked great. But it was time to replace two of the bulbs, and it pushed me over the edge towards getting an LED system. Will post pictures in about a week. I've seen the pink birdsnest grow about 1/2" all the way around in 2 months.
Michigan Mike
Freedom costs a buckofive
Cool build, the update picis looking good! You mentioned awhile back that you were concerned about the flex hosing, I had an issue with mine because it was too long and it kinked like a garden hose would, it took a couple months but it kinked and stopped water flow completely! It sucked I had to tear it all apart and trim it. Anyways looks good keep us updated.
ampemployee1
Member
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