Build thread of the Monterey Marinland 265 84x24x30

[Biggar]

Few More Pics

Few More Pics

Hard to get good shots with camera, but I tried.

 

[M_55G]

Tank looks great. Good job. I thought running 1 skimmer was better than running 2.

 

[Biggar]

Tank looks great. Good job. I thought running 1 skimmer was better than running 2.

thanks, only running two skimmers until the larger one is broken in. maybe a week

 

[M_55G]

Gotcha

 

[DRThompson]

Looking great mike! Like the aquascaping. I hope you've avoided a cycle.

 

[Endy0430]

Looking Good

 

[ReeferEric]

Nice updates! Glad things worked out perfectly minus the shrimp and jumper.

 

[Biggar]

Cycle

Cycle

Looking great mike! Like the aquascaping. I hope you've avoided a cycle.

Thanks! Yea, I dont think im going to get a cycle. Im feeding light till bacteria builds up a bit.

My last tank never showed a trace of nitrates. Must have a good breed of bacteria. Who knows.

If there is going to be mini cycle, when would it start?

I will test the water soon. Keep ya posted.

BTW- I used almost all the prior sand. Some say that is good and some say its bad. I say- Its good! :spin2:

 

[DRThompson]

You need to test regularly for 2-3 weeks, my "mini" cycle hit at 14 days.

I didnt move any of my sand, maybe will work for you. I wish you the best of luck with it!:smurf:

 

[Rogger Castells]

Nice build, tank is looking good, I would be concern with where you installed the LED ballast, most electronics will deteriorate with the salt water, I would have like to install those as far away as possible, maybe on top of the canopy instead of inside.
The other advise I have is to try to make the regular maintenance stuff as easy as possible to change, those socks appear to be a PIA to change but I could be wrong.
Good luck!

 

[Biggar]

Nice build, tank is looking good, I would be concern with where you installed the LED ballast, most electronics will deteriorate with the salt water, I would have like to install those as far away as possible, maybe on top of the canopy instead of inside.
The other advise I have is to try to make the regular maintenance stuff as easy as possible to change, those socks appear to be a PIA to change but I could be wrong.
Good luck!

Thanks Roger. Appreciate the feedback. Its been alot! of work lately. I still have a todo list.

We plan on adding another strip of 26-28 (3 watt) leds. Instead of doing Cool White to Royal blue, I will be adding Neutral Whites to Royal Blue with 55 degree lens to hit the deeper corals in the front. At that time I will make adjustments. I did put those covers over the overflows, and its been 99% better already.

The filter sock situation is going to change this week( the immediate things to do). I did not realize the skimmer would be so big! Therefore, I will be giving my holder another hair cut :fun2:

My main concern right now is the micro bubbles. Im hoping it has something to do with the new plumbing. The only pipes that were not glued are the stand pipes going into the bulkheads, im not sure if air is getting in from there. Going to try and diagnose the problem soon.

 

[REDDAWG43]

The Aquascaping is really sweet.... I really like the open space!

 

[Biggar]

Thanks Reddawg. I dont know what it is, but the fish love the bommies too. They used to always stay near the bottom before, now they swim all over, in and out of the caves, backflips through that tonga piece in the middle.

I think the 30" height made a big difference compared to the 21". Its a ***** to reach the bottom, but the viewing pleasure makes it sooo worth it. I cant describe the sweetness level, words dont do the justice

 

[Biggar]

Thanks Reddawg. I dont know what it is, but the fish love the bommies too. They used to always stay near the bottom before, now they swim all over, in and out of the caves, backflips through that tonga piece in the middle.

I think the 30" height made a big difference compared to the 21". Its a ***** to reach the bottom, but the viewing pleasure makes it sooo worth it. I cant describe the sweetness level, words dont do the justice

 

[Biggar]

Couple Mods

Couple Mods

Skimmer was super splashy and loud.

Stopped splash with this mod
1.25" pvc pieces fit more the SRO 300

Stopped air sucking noise with couple pieces of line.

My Stand needed help. Used larger PVC and glue this time.

Filter sock holder got haircut

I need a microbubble exterminator. They are coming out of nowhere

 

[DRThompson]

You could try putting a filter sock on the skimmer output or put some filter floss inside your bubble trap to keep them from your pump, or just turn down the skimmer until it kicks in.

 

[Biggar]

You could try putting a filter sock on the skimmer output or put some filter floss inside your bubble trap to keep them from your pump, or just turn down the skimmer until it kicks in.

I shut off skimmers, not coming from them. The drains make very little bubbles too. Must be a leak in the pump somehow.

Might silicone some joints soon

 

[DRThompson]

are you socks foaming at the mouth? .....mine did that for a while....It went away though. I floated a couple of polyfilters in my sump over the bubble trap, it helped keep the bubbles down.:spin3:

 

[Biggar]

are you socks foaming at the mouth? .....mine did that for a while....It went away though. I floated a couple of polyfilters in my sump over the bubble trap, it helped keep the bubbles down.:spin3:

No foamage:twitch:

I have the Herbies overflows set so there is almost no air at all coming into sock. Not sure how foam got to yours.

I did experience some foam when my power head decided to seduce an anemone into making it a meal. Old news though

 

[Rogger Castells]

That is an interesting looking valve you have for the skimmer output, is that something that came with the skimmer or did you adapted that valve, if so, were did you purchase it?