Building My 375gal Glass Reef
- Thread starter JohnL
- Start date
can't tell how it got there however Prozac can help :lol:
Elliott, I'm trying to think of a witty comeback - but its no use, in my condition, I just can't do it.
Here are a couple equipment pics I took, this morning:
I've had the chiller for about a year, but I just installed it last week. It's a Teco 1/3HP. I kept putting of the installation because I wanted to feed it using a manifold comming off the 1-1/2" Frag/Fuge tank return line - and I just managed to get the tanks online recently.
Seems to do its job well. Here's a pic of the manifold:
The manifold also feeds the UV-Sterilizer. It's an Emperor Aquatics 80W High Output model. Here's a pic of the business end:
I run it at approx. 300GPH. It's rated to kill protozoa at that through put. It's the only thing I've ever found that will hold ORP at a steady 400mV - no matter what's going on in the tank.
Tom,
Does UV actually raise or maintain ORP? I thought that was ozone. I have a 400w UV that needs a minimum flow of 6000g/hr to even turn on and my ORP has been really low lately. 260ish. I just changed the bulb 3 weeks ago and ORP has not improved. Maybe I need to calibrate my ORP probe or borrow another ORP meter for a quick comparison. Actually now that i think of it I don't think my ORP has ever gone much past 300 according to the ACIII
Thanks, Leonardo. I'm working on some pics now.
Thanks Tom
Happy 2010 to you!Leonardo
Yes, I've been changing water automatically, almost from the beginning. Here's a pic of the setup:
I've had no issues at all, so far. I really think going automatic is one of the best decision I've made about my system. I change 20 liters (5-1/4gals) a day. As you can see in the pic, I use a LiterMeter III. It spreads the change out to 150 increments every 24 hours. The very small amounts cganged in each increment mean I don't have to worry about the temperature of the new water. Up to a point (and within reason) the salinity (SP) doesn't even matter.
An interesting point - I dose Alk, Ca, and Mg automatically. The constant water changes facilitates very stable parameters, and it minimizes the amount of supplements I need to dose. At this point, my system is approx. 400gals and I only need to dose about 160ml of each supplement per day! I attribute that to the constant water changes functioning, up to a point, as additional supplement dosing.
Last edited:
Dinoflagellates
Dinoflagellates
I'm looking for suggestions on a problem I'm having. I'd like to ask all you experts that have had experience with dinoflagellates to chime in here. I originally posted the following in my club's forum, but I didn't get many responses.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Up 'till now the reef hobby powers that be have seen fit to spare me any problems with Dinoflagellates - no longer. I've got a bad case of the little buggars. They are all over my rocks and form little jelly-like globules. I put a sample under the microscope and, although my biology class days are way behind me, I think I have identified the culprit. For those interested, its Prorocentrum lima, a photosynthetic species:
Maremagnum (e-coralia)
Here's what they look like in the tank:
Although the species is toxic, my inverts - snails etc. - don't seem to be suffering, yet
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
So.... does anyone have a recipe that has successfully eradicated these guys from an SPS tank in the past - without harming the corals?
Dinoflagellates
I'm looking for suggestions on a problem I'm having. I'd like to ask all you experts that have had experience with dinoflagellates to chime in here. I originally posted the following in my club's forum, but I didn't get many responses.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Up 'till now the reef hobby powers that be have seen fit to spare me any problems with Dinoflagellates - no longer. I've got a bad case of the little buggars. They are all over my rocks and form little jelly-like globules. I put a sample under the microscope and, although my biology class days are way behind me, I think I have identified the culprit. For those interested, its Prorocentrum lima, a photosynthetic species:
Maremagnum (e-coralia)
Here's what they look like in the tank:
Although the species is toxic, my inverts - snails etc. - don't seem to be suffering, yet
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
So.... does anyone have a recipe that has successfully eradicated these guys from an SPS tank in the past - without harming the corals?
stealle
Premium Member
I don't think I can offer you a cure, but I have some thoughts of the possible cause... which might help.
You started your tank with dead rock and you are using UV and ozone. I suspect that you probably tried to introduce some bacteria into the tank. However, I really don't think your dead rock has had the opportunity to establish a healthy bacterial flora. I would consider doing this. Turn off the UV and ozone. Start dosing some bacteria such as Prodibio BIO DIGEST and Prodibio BIOPTIM. After a couple weeks, turn off all the lights for 3 days while using/changing carbon heavily to remove toxins as this photosynthetic dinoflagellates begin to die off. No doubt much of it will die, but much of the cysts will go dormant. Continue use of Prodibio and hopefully the bacteria will colonize and wipe out the remaining dinoflagellates over weeks/months. I think bacteria is the key. It can't hurt. Only the toxins from dying dinoflagellates is the concern. You can do a total lights out for 3 days every month until it's under control.
Well, that sounds good to me. I'm not speaking from experience, just from reading. Just trying to help. My only other tip would be to try the "reef chemistry forum". Someone like Randy Holmes Farley would probably have more sound knowledge and experience than me. Good luck...
You started your tank with dead rock and you are using UV and ozone. I suspect that you probably tried to introduce some bacteria into the tank. However, I really don't think your dead rock has had the opportunity to establish a healthy bacterial flora. I would consider doing this. Turn off the UV and ozone. Start dosing some bacteria such as Prodibio BIO DIGEST and Prodibio BIOPTIM. After a couple weeks, turn off all the lights for 3 days while using/changing carbon heavily to remove toxins as this photosynthetic dinoflagellates begin to die off. No doubt much of it will die, but much of the cysts will go dormant. Continue use of Prodibio and hopefully the bacteria will colonize and wipe out the remaining dinoflagellates over weeks/months. I think bacteria is the key. It can't hurt. Only the toxins from dying dinoflagellates is the concern. You can do a total lights out for 3 days every month until it's under control.
Well, that sounds good to me. I'm not speaking from experience, just from reading. Just trying to help. My only other tip would be to try the "reef chemistry forum". Someone like Randy Holmes Farley would probably have more sound knowledge and experience than me. Good luck...
stealle
Premium Member
I found a good thread. You've probably already found this, but it has some good info: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1619925&highlight=Dinoflagellates
Looks like it might also be a good idea to elevate your pH.
I'm sure some other folks with more experience than me will chime in here soon.
reefrubble
Premium Member
Tom , Thank you so much for all your help .
Tom , Thank you so much for all your help .
Tom , I have installed set ups like yours in my system .
First off I am now using your constant water change set up , and it works fantastic .
This is the Master Flex pump , with twin pump heads .
This is the two 60 gal. barrels , I mix , and store my salt water for the water change .
Tom , I thank you very much . This set up has made my life a lot easier .
Ted
Tom , Thank you so much for all your help .
Tom , I have installed set ups like yours in my system .
First off I am now using your constant water change set up , and it works fantastic .
This is the Master Flex pump , with twin pump heads .
This is the two 60 gal. barrels , I mix , and store my salt water for the water change .
Tom , I thank you very much . This set up has made my life a lot easier .
Ted
I've been reading the thread, but thanks for posting the link!
There is a wealth of information there.
I'm in the process of finalizing a kalkwasser dosing program for my Apex controller. I'll try to keep the pH steady at 8.5. It should work out fine.
Glad that I could be of help, Ted. Your setup looks good! How about some pics of your dosing setup? I think you got the new 1.1mL peristaltic pumps from BRS, didn't you?
reefrubble
Premium Member
Tom , And another Big Thank You
Tom , And another Big Thank You
Tom , I am now using your dosing set up . The I did doesn't look as nice , and neat as yours , but it works great . This thing is awesome
Tom , Thank you again , and thank you for recommending Bulk Reef Supply. They were super as well .
Tom , And another Big Thank You
Tom , I am now using your dosing set up . The I did doesn't look as nice , and neat as yours , but it works great . This thing is awesome
Tom , Thank you again , and thank you for recommending Bulk Reef Supply. They were super as well .
reefrubble
Premium Member
The I did doesn't look as nice , and neat as yours , but it works great . This thing is awesome . This line should read The one I did doesn't look as nice , and neat as yours , but it works great . This thing is awesome
Tom , I can't thank you enough , for all the help your thread has given me . The things that I have learned from reading your thread has made my tank maintenance a breeze .
Ted
Tom , I can't thank you enough , for all the help your thread has given me . The things that I have learned from reading your thread has made my tank maintenance a breeze .
Ted
Caulerpa and chateo in the fuge helped me getting rid of diatoms..
I know you like everything clean and tidy but DSB and the fuge shouldnt be as clean as yours.
