--75g Barebottom/Starboard Reef Project--
- Thread starter arconom
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arconom
Premium Member
Thanks
It's not the best of equipment. But I tell you one thing. I believe you have to know what so so equipment is before you realize that you need better. Or what your needs are. It's a expensive lesson, but if someone told me I need this or that I would say why? So now I know why.
For example I have spent more money on my Euro skimmer getting customized then I should have. After buying it I decided to turn it into a recirc and spent money on the beta pump. All in all I should have listened to SeanT in the beginning and bought a Deltec.
Lets not talk about my Reef Devil that I tried 3 different pumps on
Man I wasted money on pumps.
The Next tank will have external Overflows.
The chiller it's a cheapy but hey
Lets not forget my ReefOptix III's I want! and my HQI ballast. Maybe Santa will bring it to me?
gwaco I'm just rambling I guess
It's not the best of equipment. But I tell you one thing. I believe you have to know what so so equipment is before you realize that you need better. Or what your needs are. It's a expensive lesson, but if someone told me I need this or that I would say why? So now I know why.
For example I have spent more money on my Euro skimmer getting customized then I should have. After buying it I decided to turn it into a recirc and spent money on the beta pump. All in all I should have listened to SeanT in the beginning and bought a Deltec.
Lets not talk about my Reef Devil that I tried 3 different pumps on
Man I wasted money on pumps. The Next tank will have external Overflows.
The chiller it's a cheapy but hey
Lets not forget my ReefOptix III's I want! and my HQI ballast. Maybe Santa will bring it to me?
gwaco I'm just rambling I guess
gwaco
New member
nothing is inexpensive in this hobby ! some cheaply made yes . i have found my euro - reef keeps me happy ! looks like you have the same one es5-2 ? i don't care for the way you have to unscrew the cup ( seems like your unscrewing forever ) but guess what there new ones come with a 1/4 turn release. also i was told that euro-reef was going to have a substansual price increase . surprise !
Lunchbucket
Premium Member
nice level job. everything is coming together
keep us updated
Lunchbucket
keep us updated
Lunchbucket
masterswimmer
New member
arconom said:
I didn't know HQI made ballasts. I thought HQI was a type of bulb. Bluewave makes a number of different types of ballasts. Bluewave is just a brand.......
arconom
Premium Member
Whats the major differance between the Bluewave and the PFO?? I know you get more par from the PFO.
Also Travis I know what you mean Zip Ties,Zip locks I love them. I just can't believe you drilled all of those fittings. Also what fittings did you use for the pillers that went under the light diffuser?
Also Travis I know what you mean Zip Ties,Zip locks I love them. I just can't believe you drilled all of those fittings. Also what fittings did you use for the pillers that went under the light diffuser?
Travis
10 and over club
I don't know what the difference between those 2 ballasts are. Generally speaking if you buy an HQI ballast you are getting the same ballast regardless of brand. The only difference would be the shiny box it comes in and the name stamped on it. If there is any difference in performance, it should be negligible. This can be applied to all ballasts, electronic, M58, M59, M80, son agro/HQI.
I didn't actually use fittings. I just used lengths of 1" pvc painted black. Don't forget to NOT do what I did though. You don't want them collecting detritus.
Either cap them on top or cut teeth in the bottoms. The cap in the tops would be your best bet. Actually, if you go with the caps, I would cap both ends. You don't want them to fill up with tank water when you are putting them in the tank and then become anoxic zones due to no 02 getting to the water.
I didn't actually use fittings. I just used lengths of 1" pvc painted black. Don't forget to NOT do what I did though. You don't want them collecting detritus.
Either cap them on top or cut teeth in the bottoms. The cap in the tops would be your best bet. Actually, if you go with the caps, I would cap both ends. You don't want them to fill up with tank water when you are putting them in the tank and then become anoxic zones due to no 02 getting to the water.
arconom
Premium Member
I actually bought all of the items needed to do the project Travis. I was on the check out line in Lowes when I decided to not raise the rock. I think it might end up being a problem with the Starboard and the Light diffuser platform. I plan on only having 1 to 2 fish if any at all. In my case I think it might end up looking like an eye sore. My tank is small. In yours you can't even see the platform.
I will try to put the rock on the points if possible.
Also travis I went with the 3/4 Locline I changed the order the next day. Where is the best place to put holes in my locline?
Also I will get my calcium reactor online as soon as I get my feed pump. Also should I start dosing B-ionic? for my calc and alk for now?
Also Travis if I remember correctly you had fresh air coming in via pipe to your skimmer by some means?
I will try to put the rock on the points if possible.
Also travis I went with the 3/4 Locline
I changed the order the next day. Where is the best place to put holes in my locline?Also I will get my calcium reactor online as soon as I get my feed pump. Also should I start dosing B-ionic? for my calc and alk for now?
Also Travis if I remember correctly you had fresh air coming in via pipe to your skimmer by some means?
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Travis
10 and over club
Another idea would be to make "peg legs" for your rock out of acrylic rod. Some people have even used coat hangers. Just make them tall enough to elevate your rock by about 1/2". You should only need 3-4 legs on each rock that touches the bottom. This should even make your aquascape more stable.
Once your tank is aquascaped you can aim the loc-line where it will be most beneficial.
You don't need to supplement any ca/alk until things start taking off.
Yes, I have a 1/2" line running from outside to my skimmer air intakes. In the middle there is also a carbon chamber to filter the air. Pictures should be on the last or second to last page of my website.
Once your tank is aquascaped you can aim the loc-line where it will be most beneficial.
You don't need to supplement any ca/alk until things start taking off.
Yes, I have a 1/2" line running from outside to my skimmer air intakes. In the middle there is also a carbon chamber to filter the air. Pictures should be on the last or second to last page of my website.
arconom
Premium Member
hmmm Sounds like a plan on the pegs. I will see when I go to Lowes, I wonder if they have acrylic rod? I know they have nylon rod I think.
I am shooting for a feed rate of 1-1 1/2 gph in my recirc skimmer. I tried a new maxjet 400 I think? It does around 115 gph I have to check on it again. It works but it has to much head pressure to push the water up the extra distance. You can basically close the water return gate valve and it won't over flow.
So I'm using a 175 powerhead a cheapy from Petmart that I used originally on my Beta testing thread. It is ajustable for the water intake. So I will try to dial it in.
I am shooting for a feed rate of 1-1 1/2 gph in my recirc skimmer. I tried a new maxjet 400 I think? It does around 115 gph I have to check on it again. It works but it has to much head pressure to push the water up the extra distance. You can basically close the water return gate valve and it won't over flow.
So I'm using a 175 powerhead a cheapy from Petmart that I used originally on my Beta testing thread. It is ajustable for the water intake. So I will try to dial it in.
Travis
10 and over club
Not sure as I haven't tried it myself. I would check with some of the ones who have. Do a search for "peg legs" and you might come up with a couple people that have done it.
I would think 1/4" thick acrylic rod extending about 1.5-2" into the rock and sticking out about .5" would be good. I would use some epoxy to get a tight fit into the rock and keep it secure. Keep us updated if you go this route. I'm setting up a 300 FOWLR within the next month and I'm planning on using acrylic rod to secure pieces of LR together to make some cool shapes.
I would think 1/4" thick acrylic rod extending about 1.5-2" into the rock and sticking out about .5" would be good. I would use some epoxy to get a tight fit into the rock and keep it secure. Keep us updated if you go this route. I'm setting up a 300 FOWLR within the next month and I'm planning on using acrylic rod to secure pieces of LR together to make some cool shapes.
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