Addiction wins, 450 gallon system begins

[Hop]

I may wind up with one here before too long, as I need to check out the older equipment on the other tanks. Plus checking other appliances would be a real plus

I think that switching up the lights and a few pump mods should take care of the real energy brutes. I think that the barracuda has got to be the worst offender and in reality it's by far, too much pump for my application. I'm wasting half of it's usefulness, by directing 1000-1500 gph right back into the sump

 

[jnarowe]

Even for my large system I am using a lower end Sequence for the return lines. Most of the flow will be lower energy consuming power heads. There's just no real reason to have that much flow through your sump/filteration. I really think that reefers who are shoving wads of flow through their skimmers and sumps are actually working against themselves. It's fun to buy the biggest pump, but not neccessarily good for your eco-system.

 

[melev]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6313081#post6313081 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Damon1
melev,
do you have a link? Too bad we don't have a list of common items used by reefers and actual wattage used in real life situations!!

Damon

Here you go:

http://www.spytown.com/kilwatwatkil.html

 

[jnarowe]

Even better deal on the Kill-a-Watt: 20 hours left on an eBay Buy-It-Now for 23.95 + 3.95 shipping. I just bought one!

 

[melev]

You might end up getting yours before I get mine.

 

[jnarowe]

It's already on the way. nyuk, nyuk, nyuk.

I am refurbishing a Sequence pump which has been a load of fun. Lots of rust. I wish they built these pumps out of plastic. Anyway, I'll have it painted by tommorrow and put a pic on my thread.

Can you recommend a top-notch practical guide to setting up a reef? I am having trouble deciding on some issues and could use some help.

 

[melev]

Hmm. No, I guess I can't. There are plenty of publications that touch on many facets, as well as websites and of course Reef Central. However, one specific one doesn't come to mind that will just spell it out like you seem to want.

Have you seen Mike Paletta's book Ultimate Marine Aquariums?

 

[jnarowe]

Well, spelling it out would be nice, but the "hobby" has too many variables for that to happen. I haven't seen the book in person but I have seen it advertized. Is it a good one worth buying?

 

[melev]

That book had something like 50 tanks listed with all of the specifications. It is very interesting reading how they are set up, and how their owner cares for it. Plus all that data is compiled to determine what the averages are for all of them combined. I'm glad I got a copy. I bought it at MACNA a couple of years ago. I think in Louisville, KY.

You might be able to do something similar by reading all the TOTM pages here on RC perhaps.

 

[jnarowe]

Yes, and then have my brain put in a jar on my desk!

 

[Hop]

So I thought that after a month it was time for a little update and to prove that the tank was still operational

I have not been able to put much into the tank, I've been too busy. Basic maintenance has been it! I've cut some costs here and there, but other wise it's about the same...

Sorry that things have slowed down with the tank, but as I made mention to... Life has not let up in the past few months. I also narrowed a little algae down to a bad bucket of salt. Since I quit using this one bucket, it's been slowly going away. The instant I do a water change with this one bucket... Poof, Instant algae, just add salt water aquarium.
Looks like the next six are no better... I have a 99% chance on leaving for about two months and I'm going to have to help the wife keep the tank going via telephone:eek2:

 

[sellout007]

Thanks for the update, I had been wondering if you decided to keep it running. Im glad you did.

BTW good luck with the telephone/wife thing. *lol*

 

[Hop]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6556271#post6556271 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sellout007
Thanks for the update, I had been wondering if you decided to keep it running. Im glad you did.

BTW good luck with the telephone/wife thing. *lol*

LOL, yeah it's probably going to be similar to a nuclear fission course offered via an online college in a third world country!

 

[melev]

I'm glad you kept the tank up and running. What was the electricity bill like this month?

 

[AllenFord_SC]

Wow, 6 hours ago I didn't realize this thread was so long...... thank God for :beer:. I am simply amazed at the thought you put into this setup Hop. I do hope that all works out for you whether you keep the tank running or not. I do believe, even if you tear this tank down, you will regret selling it. I, just last week, had to take down my 55 gallon for litigation reasons. Since then I am living through other peoples tanks. I vist Reef Central, Melevs Reef, Oregon Reef, and Weatherson's page almost daily just to re-read what I have read countless times before. You have definetly been an inspiration to others, including myself, and it would be a great loss to this hobby if you decide to let this dream die so quickly. Keep in there bud.

Best Regards,
Allen Ford

 

[MAreefer1]

tank looks good

 

[jnarowe]

Hey, great to se some pics! No date stamp? You must be doing something right because the frogspawn looks like it is happy to be there. Love that Foxface.

Tell us about the salt!!! Which one? Was it a substitute or have you been using other buckets of the same kind?

 

[Hop]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6556676#post6556676 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by melev
I'm glad you kept the tank up and running. What was the electricity bill like this month?

Hey Melev... Let's see I attribute $90 from the last bill to the tank. It's balanced out a bit, that first month was a real eye opener:eek2:

AllenFord_SC: Thanks. I could never give it up completely... Too addicted I've had to slow down for a while to prevent my wife having the nicest tank in the cardboard box district

MAreefer1: Thanks, I'm hoping after a year it will really balance out.

Hey, great to se some pics! No date stamp? You must be doing something right because the frogspawn looks like it is happy to be there. Love that Foxface.

Tell us about the salt!!! Which one? Was it a substitute or have you been using other buckets of the same kind?

Sorry I forgot the date stamp or current newspaper Thanks for the compliment J...

The salt is just a fluke. I never would have figured it out if I didn't alternate between salt mixes for my waterchanges. I had a bit of this algae and cranked up the skimmer, cut back on feeding and did a water change with a brand new bucket of reef crystals. Then POW.... overnight my entire tank was covered in this thick green fuzz algae. For the next three weeks I would do water changes every few days, it would almost go away and then return. I finally figured out that it got worse after doing water changes using this particular bucket of salt. So I tried it with another bucket and nothing... It's just that one bucket and I gave it ye' ol' heave ho... out the door. It's completely gone off the rocks now and slowly going bye-bye from the back of the tank!

 

[jnarowe]

That is bizzarre. How could one bucket be so different from the rest??? Maybe some condensation and mold in the bucket?

$90? I am facing the reality that my tank may cost $400 to $600 per month to run. :eek2:

 

[Hop]

I did some tweaking with the lighting schedule. I moved the few corals I have to one side of the tank and am only using one MH right now. Then I shortened the lighting period on the VHOs. I need to replace the barracuda pump here tomorrow or next week. I think that this is what really dropped the electric bill.

But today it's football