90g Reef Rebirth

[KnightReefer]

Sorry if I seems like I have camped out on your thread like a stray cat

Ran across this thread and thought it might interest you. Bear in mind he has a very efficient skimmer and by the time he turned the tank around most of the organics in his rock might have already peter'd out.

With manual removal of the algae, heavy wet skimming, GFO, activated carbon, and proper calcium, alkalinity, and magneseum parameters you can turn the curve and beat the algae. Actual time needed depends on how much is in there.. which is hard to say.

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1742692

Sorry? No way this is exactly what I like, sounds like a good game plan. If I can follow that example I should be able to beat algae in the new tank with patience. I appreciate the input and am looking forward to the challenge.

In other news I decided to take back the RO/DI from the LFS and get a heaping serving of sand and some store credit. The unit was missing a few features I decided I really wanted. I ended up ordering the 5 Stage RO/DI "Plus" system from BRS and a refractometer. With the pressure gauge and dual TDS meter I will know when I need to service it for maximum effectiveness. It's worth the extra peace of mind IMO.

More updates to follow!

-Sean

 

[KnightReefer]

Well in recent news I hope to have my stand done by the end of this weekend. I don't have any pics of it at the moment because it isn't at my house. A coworker/friend/gf's uncle is basically building it to my specs and I have been helping/supervising. He is a bit of a perfectionist so its slow going. Its not fancy looking but it will be very functional and hopefully have a modern look. For visual stimulation I will post a couple pics of the 55 getting cleaned out in preparation for some baffle action.

Before

After

-Sean

 

[KnightReefer]

So I picked up 120 lbs. of sand from the LFS the other day. I really wasn't partial to buying "live" sand but they have a lot of it and it was really cheap. I still plan to get some real live sand to help the tank along from a few different sources. I managed six 20 lb. bags for $100, so not a bad deal.

Here's a pic of the sand.

I am hoping to get the sump baffles installed tonight so we shall see how that goes.

-Sean

 

[KnightReefer]

Well my father and I started to silicone the baffles in place, loads of fun. It went moderately smoothly with the exception that the glass wasn't cut precisely on a few edges. The following pictures are of 3/4 of the baffles siliconed in place. The last bubble trap baffle will be the last to go in when the others set up.

Side view

Angled view

Girlfriend view

I plan to take a razor blade to it later on to clean up the excess silicone.

-Sean

 

[dwd5813]

i'm glad to hear you swapped the rodi units. those horizontal di chambers can end up channeling and losing efficiency over time. the vertical ones tend to work better. good luck with the new setup.

 

[TenKreefer]

Dude, I feel you on the whole being in college and having an expensive a$$ hobby...that's what I'm doing now and it straight sucks.

Excited to see the tank with some water and rock

 

[KnightReefer]

Dude, I feel you on the whole being in college and having an expensive a$$ hobby...that's what I'm doing now and it straight sucks.

Excited to see the tank with some water and rock

Oh ya, thankfully I have a decent job right now and I can afford to upgrade a lot of the parts as I go along. I can't wait to get the new tank filled up and really started. I have a long road ahead of me though.

BTW a lil factoid here for everyone, the 55 gallon that is becoming the sump is older than I am. In fact its 30+ years old and has a rich history of freshwater, saltwater, and reptiles. It has been very well maintained through the years though.

-Sean

 

[stevek480]

Looks good so far, builds are always fun! BTW, you can't see the numbers, but you probably shouldn't leave your CC laying out in pictures you post on the internet.

 

[ChuckG]

Nice score with the BRS RO/DI.. they make quality stuff. I try to buy quality and find it usually lasts longer and I cuss at it less. Buying stuff twice sucks.

Silicone job looks familiar and should hold well. The 55 makes a nice long sump.. leaves plenty of room.. looks great. Nice GF too..

What's next?

 

[KnightReefer]

Looks good so far, builds are always fun! BTW, you can't see the numbers, but you probably shouldn't leave your CC laying out in pictures you post on the internet.

Thanks for the compliments and the advice. They are definitely old cards that are long gone but I appreciate you looking out. Build threads are where all the action is!

 

[KnightReefer]

Nice score with the BRS RO/DI.. they make quality stuff. I try to buy quality and find it usually lasts longer and I cuss at it less. Buying stuff twice sucks.

Silicone job looks familiar and should hold well. The 55 makes a nice long sump.. leaves plenty of room.. looks great. Nice GF too..

What's next?

Thanks, I'm happy I made the switch, should be in Tuesday! This time around quality is the name of the game. I'm glad I decided to have the stand built to hold the 55 gallon, I know I'm gonna love all the volume. Thanks for the gf comment too, she's great.

As for what's next, I brought the mostly complete stand home tonight and it's pretty sweetheart! Pics to follow!

-Sean

 

[KnightReefer]

As promised here are a few pictures of the almost finished stand I picked up tonight. The back of the tank has also been painted with Krylon Fusion (6 coats). The doors still need to be installed and it is awaiting staining. Also, please excuse the quality of the pictures.

New Tank and Stand

Right 3/4 view

Left 3/4 view

More pictures of the stand "features" coming up.

-Sean

 

[KnightReefer]

Alright here are a couple pics of the RKL mocked up in the stand and the magnets that hold the removable side panels in place. I also fitted the sump to make sure it was nice and snug.

RKL

RKL backside

Magnet

Location of the panels

-Sean

 

[KnightReefer]

Updates, the stand continues to get sanded and stained and a couple toys came in today!

BRS RO/DI Plus system

Refractometer

Boys and their toys....

-Sean

 

[ChuckG]

Nice!

You're heading in the right direction.. What skimmer are you planning on?

 

[KnightReefer]

Nice!

You're heading in the right direction.. What skimmer are you planning on?

I already have an ASM G3 I plan on using with the gate valve mod. I think it will be enough to handle this system.

Here is a dry fit pic of the sump sitting cozy in the stand

I tried out the RO/DI tonight and the first impression is love! The door hardware was attached tonight and the staining effort continues.

-Sean

 

[scomar31]

Looking good man and nice RODI unit!

 

[KnightReefer]

Looking good man and nice RODI unit!

Thanks,

I can't believe I would ever be so excited for an RO/DI unit but I must admit I'm pretty stoked. It took me all of 10 minutes to hook up and get some 0 TDS water flowing out. I used the garden hose adapter and it worked like a charm. The unit had no leaks and was moving along at about 50 psi. It leveled out at about 10 TDS in and 0 out after an hour or so of letting it run. When it comes time to fill the new tank it should be smooth sailing as far as water is concerned. I love having all the additional accessories and hook ups if I ever need them also. So far I am very satisfied.

-Sean

 

[spw4949]

I have been following your thread and just wanted to say looking good & I'm looking forward to more updates........

 

[KnightReefer]

I have been following your thread and just wanted to say looking good & I'm looking forward to more updates........

Thanks I appreciate the interest!

Hopefully I can get some pictures of the stand partially stained up soon.

-Sean