An addicted reefer chic's 40B franken tank w/ 2 30g display macro tanks...

[rocking]

green eyes i have a franky tank going too 450g and 5x75g going into 4x55 gal tans 3 of fuges and one is a sump

 

[MeanGreenEyes]

There are a few different types but the ones I have seen there is a piece that sticks onto the phone or is glued on then you hook the lens on whenever you want to take pictures.

I'll pick one up and check it out...

can one of you help me with setting up a Majano Wands

Instructions/info:

http://majanowand.com/

Product demo:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qYVAxFRJ0Sg

green eyes i have a franky tank going too 450g and 5x75g going into 4x55 gal tans 3 of fuges and one is a sump

That sounds insane. lol Do you have a thread for this system?

 

[rocking]

not at this time been besy bilding a lfs in the town wich i live in do to the one that was here last was 25 years ago and they where not to smart on anything that they did

 

[Newbie Aquarist]

I have read your thread and have to say that has to be one of the best 40B I have seen. For their size 40B are the sexiest tank next to rimless. As a man I'd have to say you have more and better DIY skill than me especially on my build. You done well and as a woman reefer you have definitely set the bar for future women reefers. Congrats and I enjoyed your build.

 

[MeanGreenEyes]

not at this time been besy bilding a lfs in the town wich i live in do to the one that was here last was 25 years ago and they where not to smart on anything that they did

Oh ok...good luck...sounds like A LOT of work. There's nothing worse than carelessness...I don't envy you. Lmk how it works out.

I have read your thread and have to say that has to be one of the best 40B I have seen. For their size 40B are the sexiest tank next to rimless. As a man I'd have to say you have more and better DIY skill than me especially on my build. You done well and as a woman reefer you have definitely set the bar for future women reefers. Congrats and I enjoyed your build.

Awww...thank you so much. I still have an insane amount of work to get the system where I want it to be and inline with my original vision for it. I've seen systems a lot better than mine. I'm the type of person that marches to the beat of my own drum, so I love thinking and doing things outside of the box...that's all. I can't see how this system matures long term.

My only current issue with it is the testing of my water parameters. I have no clue where they're at when it comes to Ca, Alk and Mg because my Red Sea test kits are showing off the charts and when compared with Elos kits at my lfs...those show my params are low and gave a Mg reading of only 1000. I was advised to contact Red Sea to see what they say. So I've paused everything besides top-off and w/c's. Don't want to go dosing anything that my system doesn't need. Everything is explained further in a previous post...but I am stressed and not getting answers.

 

[MeanGreenEyes]

OMG...it is official...2nd system/large build is happening sooner than later...a good reefer buddy, OPG, is donating front, side and rear panel glass toward my custom 180g build ...I'm over the freakin' moon right now. If I didn't accept the glass this crazy reefer was going to take a hammer to it...he11ova way to push me to upgrade, buddy!! lol OMG...OMG...OMG...

My lfs Coral Theory has also very generously offered to assist with the build of the tank at their store thankfully because I don't need this thing coming apart on me...they'll be walking me through/instructing me on putting it together...so I'll be doing the work but still very grateful for the help. I wouldn't trust myself doing this alone the first time...especially with the water volume.

It's great to know that I have some amazing reefing friend's that have my back...the reefing community is definitely a great group of people...

As always with me...there will be a lot of D.I.Y.

More details will be disclosed on the build as they happen...can't think...too excited and in shock right now to think...

 

[rocking]

yes green eyes red sea numbers have been off realy bad a mager drop in calber from them ! Elos is what i would go by . even hanna
elos and hanna are the two i use in the shop sens there of the highest qulity out there and have been consesantley

 

[rocking]

green eyes i would dril everything you need to befor you put it together !

 

[Newbie Aquarist]

Oh ok...good luck...sounds like A LOT of work. There's nothing worse than carelessness...I don't envy you. Lmk how it works out.



Awww...thank you so much. I still have an insane amount of work to get the system where I want it to be and inline with my original vision for it. I've seen systems a lot better than mine. I'm the type of person that marches to the beat of my own drum, so I love thinking and doing things outside of the box...that's all. I can't see how this system matures long term.

My only current issue with it is the testing of my water parameters. I have no clue where they're at when it comes to Ca, Alk and Mg because my Red Sea test kits are showing off the charts and when compared with Elos kits at my lfs...those show my params are low and gave a Mg reading of only 1000. I was advised to contact Red Sea to see what they say. So I've paused everything besides top-off and w/c's. Don't want to go dosing anything that my system doesn't need. Everything is explained further in a previous post...but I am stressed and not getting answers.

This maybe late into the game but I have had very good success with the Salifert test kits. I used the Red Sea test kit for the big three and I hated the KH tester. I went back to Salifert and I just invested in the Hanna checkers because someone was getting out of the hobby and they were a steal of a deal. My parameters have always been on with those test kits so you can keep that idea in the back of your head. Plus those test kits aren't that expensive. I take that back because my expensive may be different from your expensive. Good luck.

 

[Newbie Aquarist]

OMG...it is official...2nd system/large build is happening sooner than later...a good reefer buddy, OPG, is donating front, side and rear panel glass toward my custom 180g build ...I'm over the freakin' moon right now. If I didn't accept the glass this crazy reefer was going to take a hammer to it...he11ova way to push me to upgrade, buddy!! lol OMG...OMG...OMG...

My lfs Coral Theory has also very generously offered to assist with the build of the tank at their store thankfully because I don't need this thing coming apart on me...they'll be walking me through/instructing me on putting it together...so I'll be doing the work but still very grateful for the help. I wouldn't trust myself doing this alone the first time...especially with the water volume.

It's great to know that I have some amazing reefing friend's that have my back...the reefing community is definitely a great group of people...

As always with me...there will be a lot of D.I.Y.

More details will be disclosed on the build as they happen...can't think...too excited and in shock right now to think...

Congrats on the upgrade. Where are you going to place the tank?

 

[MeanGreenEyes]

yes green eyes red sea numbers have been off realy bad a mager drop in calber from them ! Elos is what i would go by . even hanna
elos and hanna are the two i use in the shop sens there of the highest qulity out there and have been consesantley

Yes, but Red Sea supposedly revamped their kits and have been getting rave reviews recently. Man, if the Elos test results are correct then I'm going to rip Red Sea a new one b/c the Elos results put my Alk @ 8.5 and Mg @ only effin' 1000 and Ca at only 380. So they said that I would've needed a gallon of Mg to bring it up. I haven't touched anything except w/c and ato b/c I'm trying to get some Salifert kits...lfs doesn't have them in stock. Regardless I'm p!ssed. This could be another reason for my SPS looking like sh*t besides my ato/aqualifter malfunction/failure.

green eyes i would dril everything you need to befor you put it together !

Thanks for the tip...

This maybe late into the game but I have had very good success with the Salifert test kits. I used the Red Sea test kit for the big three and I hated the KH tester. I went back to Salifert and I just invested in the Hanna checkers because someone was getting out of the hobby and they were a steal of a deal. My parameters have always been on with those test kits so you can keep that idea in the back of your head. Plus those test kits aren't that expensive. I take that back because my expensive may be different from your expensive. Good luck.

Yes, I actually have been planning to buy some Hanna checkers. The Salifert kits made me pause b/c a local reefer is having issues with them...maybe a bad batch. Idk. We have a local vendor that sells dry goods at decent prices...hoping to run into him tomorrow to get some Salifert kits.

Congrats on the upgrade. Where are you going to place the tank?

Thank you! It's going to be in my living room next to my entertainment center where my 55g planted currently resides.

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[MeanGreenEyes]

#Repost Not sure if you guys saw this on my issues/results with the Red Sea kits...

Help...help...help...pulling my freakin' hair out... :facepalm:

I'm not dosing any two part yet...only upped my Kalk to a saturated (2tsp/g of top-off reservoir) back on Feb. 10th. Was told to do daily testing to see where my params are and what's been used up. My concern is the dramatic difference in the test results between different brands/kits.

I've been having issues with the Red Sea Pro test kits that everyone is raving about after they revamped them. I've been the brunt of quite of few reefer buddies jokes for actually purchasing the Red Sea kit's v.s. going with Elos or Salifert. I've ran the tests to a "T" and so have a couple of reefer buddies. It's showing my params are off the charts. Have 2 of the same kits...one brand new and one that I picked up in Oct. Expiration dates are not until 2014 and 2015 on both boxes.

Ran the tests according to the Red Sea's Youtube tutorial and instruction booklet. Anyone that uses their kits knows that the syringes for the have a little air pocket between the plunger and liquid line to make up for the liquid in the tip. So I put, as instructed, the bottom of the plunger to the 1ml. mark.

My lfs tested with elos kits and they're showing my calcium is at 380, alk is at 8.5 and mag is only 1000. I was told that I'd need like a gallon of mg to bring it up but refuse to dump it in the tank until I know *** is going on. I've ran both kits back to back...several times. I had my lfs test my water back on the 8th and again yesterday. Their elos test showed that my ca, alk and mg were low both times. They said alk was only 6.5 on the 8th...can't remember what ca and mg were.

At reefer's advice I did up the Kalk to a saturated solution of 2tsp per gallon of my ato reservoir after the lfs said my params were low.

I know I'm not supposed to chase ph, however, last night was the first night since I made a saturated kalk solution that the tank hasn't fluctuated from 8.2 at lights on to 8.5 at lights out. It was at 8.38 last night and 8.34 this morning at lights on. Hoping that's a positive sign since I don't know what to believe in the wide range of test results that I'm getting on this system.

My reefer buddy last night suggested pulling out half of my chaeto in which is 3/4 of the way filled in the bottom macro fuge.

I've done water changes in between with no real changes in the Red Sea test results. Trying to get some sailfert tests asap instead of waiting for shipping.

I've been doing 15-20g water changes weekly v.s. my normal 5g weekly w/c to try to see if that helps.

Also, figured I should mention what salt that I'm using. I'm trying to use up the last of a 200g box of I.O. (1.5 bags left) and will be switching to Reef Crystals...

Examples of crazy test results from Red Sea v.s. Elos testing done at the lfs.

From Feb. 12th

Salinity 1.026
PH 8.3

Newer Red Sea Pro kit expires 01/15:

Ca 490
Alk 10.6
Mg 1440

Older Red Sea Kit expires 07/14

Ca 480
Alk 10.4
Mg 1400

Feb. 13th

Salinity 1.026
PH 8.3

Newer kit:

Ca 450
Alk 9.5
Mg 1520

Older kit:

Ca 450
Alk 11.2
Mg 1520

Feb 18th (before w/c)


Salinity 1.026
PH 8.2

Ca 450
Alk 11.2
Mg 1480

Old kit:

Ca 470
Alk 10.5
Mg 1600

Feb. 19 (day after w/c):

Salinity 1.026
PH 8.1

New kit:

Ca 465
Alk 11.2
Mg 1480

Old Kit:

Ca 490
Alk 9.8
Mg 1600

I even ran through the Mg tests...both of them a second time last night with a reefer friend...they still came out between 1480 and 1600. Who's tests do I believe? I'm definitely going to get some sailfert kits asap. I'm going out of my effin' mind over here being that Elos and Red Sea results are showing drastically different. The only thing that's looked ****ed off in any part of my system was my green poccilliopora, but this morning it was showing PE again...though not as great as I would like it to.

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[rocking]

Salifert ,Elos and hanna are all i use
hate to brake it to you red sea is api on a stick

 

[MeanGreenEyes]

Salifert ,Elos and hanna are all i use
hate to brake it to you red sea is api on a stick

So I've learned...

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[rocking]

better now than when ur new tank is in line !

 

[borderreef]

Just a couple of things. First, congrats on the new build. I hope you keep us up to date. Reef Crystals is all I use. Love it for keeping my parameters constant. Of course, my tank is no where near as stocked as your system, but I think you'll se a big difference in how stable your parameters will be.

 

[MeanGreenEyes]

Just a couple of things. First, congrats on the new build. I hope you keep us up to date. Reef Crystals is all I use. Love it for keeping my parameters constant. Of course, my tank is no where near as stocked as your system, but I think you'll se a big difference in how stable your parameters will be.

Thanks...still in the decision making process on a lot of things with the new build. I have Reef Crystals, but was finishing off a 200g box of I.O. Kalk has been taken offline for a while now and the tank has been coasting along. Sporadic water changes and haven't really been keeping to a schedule with it. Have dosed when need be and everything is doing much better in the tank. The few pieces that I was having issues with are showing a lot of improvement. Lost a very close family member and just haven't been into the tank since, but I need my hobby back to get my mind off of things.

Won't be building the tank...going to be buying. Most difficult is whether to somehow consolidate this system into the 180 or keep 2 separate systems running. I really DON'T want to break down my current system for a million reasons. I love falling asleep staring at it but also because I've done so much to get it exactly where I want it and want to see it grow out to it's full potential long-term. I was also told that it'd be impossible for this system to survive long-term because of the heavy feeding required for the NPS...so I just have to prove otherwise or I wouldn't be me. :lmao: Still discussing everything with a couple of good friend's to figure out what to do...

It will be a slow build b/c I don't want to go with crap equipment...want to buy/do things right the first time and well...in typical female fashion...I have good taste. lol I also want it to last long-term. So it will be lit with at least 2 Mitras...possibly 3 and it was recommended that I go with a reeflo dart as the return. Stand will be D.I.Y. and I have a vision on exactly what I want. Debating on D.I.Y. sump or custom acrylic and whether or not I want a display fuge as well on this system. There are a LOT of things still up in the air. Was considering at least setting up tank, stand, sump and return w/ sand and rock and letting it do a long cycle while I collect other equipment that I want because I can get a great deal on a new tank if I order with a friend next week. Or maybe I should buy everything else before the tank. I don't like rushed decisions and this sorta feels like one. Decisions...decisions. Not even gonna bother with a build thread until I've collected everything that I want for the build.

 

[rocking]

green eyes check in to sea horse pumps i like the one i have on my tank

 

[MeanGreenEyes]

Hmmm...I can get a 180 tank, stand, sump, skimmer, return pump and plumbing off of someone selling locally for a 1,000. Tank is around 4 1/2 years old, but looks to be in perfect condition as well as the stand. Insta-system? Or buy new and build slow?

This:

"180 gallon reef tank -- awesome condition. 72x24x24 with stand. Two overflows in the back corners, Dursos in both overflows. $700 tank and stand.

40 gallon breeder $30

Poseideon Velocity T4 -- wish I was building a new tank that could handle this pump -- it's soooo quiet $125

Octopus In Tank Skimmer -it's an older model, wish I could tell you which it was-- it's one of the first models with a bubble plate. Works great. The pump could use a new impeller as a snail got caught in it and broke a few of the needle pins. Rated at 200+ gallons. $125"

 

[MeanGreenEyes]

green eyes check in to sea horse pumps i like the one i have on my tank

Never heard of those...gotta link?

Did a little research on the reeflo dart's and like that they're quiet, energy efficient, don't throw off excess heat and I can run a manifold for my reactors off of it like I have on my current system. I hate the idea of several pumps running v.s. 1 pump capable of handling return/reactors.

Definitely won't be running a mag on any system again. The one on my current build is rusting at the screws. I've noticed others complaining of rust as well and a few have replaced the screws but a local reefer took his apart after finding rust and found that the inside of the pump housing itself was also rusted. A friend suggested I pull it off, clean it and silicone over the screws but I might just chuck it and replace it to be safe.