--75g Barebottom/Starboard Reef Project--

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Don't know what to tell ya about the uv's. I was thinking about getting one a while back but the cost for a unit large enough for my tank was pretty high. I haven't found any good reading about what exactly they do to organics in the water so I couldn't justify spending the money. But for a smaller tank, I would definitely give one a try. Since you are planning to upgrade to a 120 some time I would be sure to get one that will be able to handle the upgrade also.
 
I plan on doing alot more research before I buy one but oversizing is a must. I forgot but are you running ozone Travis?

Also I went to Lowes today to buy what I needed to attach my Mag 7.5 to my overflow setup.

I was wondering if this would work:(take note I will be using the strainer material from that website or other modified screen.)

What will this wider 1 1/4 90 do for me in terms of noise?increased surface area?

Thats a 1 1/4 90 with a 1 1/4 reducer to 1" Remember it's just a idea.

DSCF0904.jpg
 
Looks good to me Erik. Shouldn't make noise any worse. Actually if you were to build a Durso standpipe, they start with a larger diameter pvc reduced to a 1" also. I believe it helps stop that flushing action you were getting.

Also, the larger diameter pvc will give you more surface area on the screening. This will allow some of it to clog up without impeding the flow. When it clogs up a bit, you'll have time to clean it up without worrying about a flood.......as quickly.

Travis also mentioned above that you should install the screening so it is horizontal in the water, half submerged and half above the waterline. I agree. If the screening clogs, it'll most likely clog below the waterline. That will cause your water level to rise. When it does rise, the higher waterline will now be above the clog. Good point Travis.

Russ
 
Really nice tank, man!
Sorry for being lazy - its really late here - but I didn't see the reason why you are not using a regular strainer. I recently bought a couple for my tank 30g, and they seem to work pretty good. why r u using an elbow?
thanks, and keep those pics coming!
 
siete77 said:
Really nice tank, man!
Sorry for being lazy - its really late here - but I didn't see the reason why you are not using a regular strainer. I recently bought a couple for my tank 30g, and they seem to work pretty good. why r u using an elbow?
thanks, and keep those pics coming!

Elbows allow you to raise the water level in your tank without drilling the back glass too high and compromising the structural integrity of the tank itself. Especially when you drill four or five holes across the top like Arconom did.

HTH,
Russ
 
i was thinking on using a durso-like overflow with the strainers - probably now with the elbows. Is it too loud?
 
arconom, masterswimmer already said everything I would have said in regards to the overflow strainer. I'm not sure what the larger elbow will do in regards to noise, but I doubt it would make it any worse.
 
Travis said:
Me likes the sliding canopy.:D Is there any way for you to raise/lower it? I have been trying to figure something out to easily raise/lower mine now that I'm running 250's and would like to drop them a little lower to the water. I can drop the height but the whole process takes over an hour. The problem is, when it is dropped down much lower I can't clean coralline off of certain parts of the tank. I need something that can be adjusted in a few short minutes and can still handle the weight of my canopy.

You may want to just use a standard bulkhead strainer on your tank drain. That screen could clog up pretty fast with bubble algae or something similar leading to a flood. At least a bulkhead screen would only clog at the bottom and just force the water level in the tank to go up a bit so it would drain down the unclogged portion.

Erik, long time no post, I wanted to chime in and show Travis what I did. This gives me TONS of flexiblity to raise the lights if the tank is too hot or if I need to climb up on top of the tank. It also allows me the pleasure of lowering them down to bake my corals. What do you think?

<img src="http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a12/ryanreeves/P8200278.jpg" alt="Image hosted by Photobucket.com">

<img src="http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a12/ryanreeves/P8200279.jpg" alt="Image hosted by Photobucket.com">

One of the other considerations for your tract idea is to purchase a linear light mover that is a motor that will move your light over your tank. This way you can use less bulbs and cover more area! SLS sells them and they are used commonly for hydroponic farming. Neat idea for reef tanks! If you are primarily propagating SPS it would be awesome, but I'm not sure how it would affect the aesthetics of a tank.

http://www.sunlightsupply.com/aquarium/products/lighting_components.shtml
 
SERVO, I have always liked the pulley systems for raising and lowering lights. But it wouldn't work in my situation as I'm already using a rail system.
<img src=http://sio.midco.net/cdshelton/website/page10/canopy/8-3-040012.JPG>
<img src=http://sio.midco.net/cdshelton/website/page10/canopy/8-3-040013.JPG>
 
Sorry for the lack of updates.

I bought a mag 7 to try as my return pump and it worked out great!! I have my drain all the way open and the return pump full bore. I guess I was getting to much flow from the 9.5

I brought my Calcium up to 400 and alk to the high end of 9.0

All of the Valonia is gone:) No Aiptasia. No more cotton algea yet. But I have this. This thread has the pictures of the type of alga I have.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=682305

I am in the process of a group buy for Astreas and Ceriths with my Reef Club. I hope this will help out with my situation. I also have some diatoms but nothing worth talking about.

How did it survive I don't know. I know I have upper hand since I don't plan on adding any fish. I also decided on going with a UV unit. It's a small used unit I might buy from a Reef Club member. Its a 15 watt AquaUV.

I already took out 5 large rocks with the algae but there is more on the other rocks growing. So this won't work. I would have no rocks left.
 
Well it's time for some updates.

I recently was involved with a Club group order and ordered about 100 ceriths. Lets just say the are so small they get stuck in my screen for my CL intake. So I am taking out one at a time.

Yesterday I picked up my first batch of test corals for my tank. All the corals were from Wagerja's collection. I picked up 3 different color variations of Monti Digi's. Also 1 Ora Tort I believe. I guess the tort is a test coral to :)

The 3 variations are Yellow,Purple,orange digi. Wagerja and I feel the same way about the well beings of corals. So rather then take alot of the more difficult corals, it's best to start with the more easier ones to see if they live. We both wouldn't like to see alot of corals die.

Update on the Emeralds Travis...................Umm lets just say you were right. Actually, I never doubted you. But I thought you would like to here.... I saw one of the 6 Emeralds last night mounting my testing tort. I'm not sure but I think he was picking at it. Well He's banished..

The banishment home will be a 20 gallon setup I'm working on putting together. Alot of the ceriths and the emeralds will go there. I actually was planning for this the whole time. I knew at least some of the emeralds would get out of control. I read a lot of peoples experiences on RC with the Emerald Crab and they say the same as you did Hit and miss.....But the main experience was yours that stuck with me since you have tons of stonies.

Pictures to come tonight. Also more updates..
 
Thanks for the update on the emeralds. I was actually starting to consider trying them out again but your experience put things back into perspective and reminded me why I once vowed never to put another emerald in an sps tank. How did they do with your red turf algae?
 
Tavis

All of the Red Turf stalks that were growing are all gone.
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Currently I have a filter sock on my overflow to the sump. It's causing tons of micro bubbles.



I really hate doing this since the sock will have to be changed out very often. I really don't want another chore.
 
Does your sump have any baffles? Microbubbles are pretty much a given with any new tank. Give everything a couple months to slime up real good and it will get better.
 
Yeah my sump has baffles not a lot. I know I need more. I want to buy a new sump very soon

I want to order a custom made sump but have no idea where to start.

It will be used for my 120 next year so I'm not sure.

Also I will be buying a new Skimmer..... I will be ordering the APF600.I'm waiting for Doug's call. It's sized for my current tank and for my 120 next year.

Also New lighting system Research in progress for my present and future 120
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Personal Thread Jack

Travis, I have to ask why did you skip the Deltec and go right for the Bubble King? Did alot have to do with the "THAT SKIMMER IS SICK" Factor

I really thought you would buy a Deltec. I actually lost track of your skimmers since the MRC.. But I know you owned a Deltec Kalk stirrer that was sold. But I really thought you would go Deltec. Hey, If I had that much more money I would buy it to.

PS.. You were right Zeo guys take there Phosphates seriously.
 
Well I did it today!!! I ordered my New Deltec APF600 Skimmer. It will probably be at my house on Tuesday. I guess I will sell or trade my EuroReef Skimmer.

I also am in the market for a nilsen reactor. Atm I'm using a 18gallon rubbermaid container and mixing the kalk in there. It works great but it takes up alot of room. I'm also sick of sticking my hands in the container.

I have my eye on the Geo nilsen reactor. I like the idea of being able to unscrew a cap to fill it with kalk. I will do some more reading on it.

My tank is doing great I will try to take some pictures.
 
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