CADlights 39g Pro build thread

[reeftivo]

this is some smart stuff. i appreciate you taking the time to type all this out! makes up for a lot of my own personal inexperience!

here's my question about wet-skimming -- you say there's trace element removal. but, would the same be true if i'm topping off the amount of skimmate i drain out of the cup with new salt water (i.e. i take a cup of skimmate out, i put a cup of new salt water back in)? assuming i'm using a high-quality salt, wouldn't that replace the trace elements in correct ratio such that i shouldn't realize any major depletion of those trace elements?

Gillundr has some good advise! As far as salt mixes go, I have always liked Reefcrystals but have switched to D-D Oceanpro +. It has elevated mag and calcium and is the same every bacth. I think it's the best salt I've used but it takes a while to dissolve completely compared to other brands. It's also expensive.

 

[Gillundr]

I've been battling a nasty eye infection which has closed one eye and nearly closed the other so no computer play lately. Gillundr, send me a PM on the deltec-it's ready.

I had a week long battle with red slime on the substrate and finally pinpointed it to my RO/DI unit which I thought wasn't due for change yet. Man those cartridges are expensive on line. Anyone know a cheap outlet for the DI cartridges? I've been ordering the set online and there has to be something cheaper out there. I spend $50 each time. I'd rather spend it on frags:dance:

Man I'm sorry to hear about the eye! I'm blind in one of mine so I know when you start messing with eyes it can be very scary. I hope you start feeling better man. I bought my RO/DI unit from a company in CA I found on EBAY. The unit was cheap AND they have cheap cartridges I would check there. I can look around and try to find the name if you can't locate any there. Just search RO/DI though and you will find many ebay "stores". I would start there you should find something cheap. Let me know if you can't find them. BGA stinks! I battled it a little when I first set this system up but LOTS of water changes fixed it right up. I'm sure the whole skimmer escapade was/is the answer.
I'll PM you right away and I hope you feel better.

 

[reeftivo]

Anyone out there every have a electric blue legged hermit eat your Rics? I want to start a ric garden on the low flow area of my bed but that little sucker started eating my latest addition last night. I've never had a problem with that guy over the years (Rics,Yumas etc.) but I'm wondering if now he has a taste for them and I'm in trouble.

 

[Gillundr]

OH MY GOD! You have GOT to be kidding me. The pump on my Bubble Magus skimmer isn't working now! That is 3 skimmer pumps I have gotten from CAD and 3 pumps that don't work! Nobody could understand how absolutely frustrated I am at this point. The worst thing is I can't figure out what pumps I can buy to make them work. This is DUMB! I don't even want to call over there now. Eddie would never believe me. What are the odds that out of 3 pumps they have sent me 3 worked less than 2 months. I've had this setup since the second week in September and haven't gotten a skimmer to consistently work. Geesh. What do I do? Any suggestions on a new pump I can get for the BM skimmer or the CAD skimmer?

 

[timdanger]

that does suck, Gill. What's not working about the pump?

I thought I might've seen in the "Bubble-Magus Club" thread, they were talking about an AquaBee pump? Tivo would know more about this than me.

 

[reeftivo]

OH MY GOD! You have GOT to be kidding me. The pump on my Bubble Magus skimmer isn't working now! That is 3 skimmer pumps I have gotten from CAD and 3 pumps that don't work! Nobody could understand how absolutely frustrated I am at this point. The worst thing is I can't figure out what pumps I can buy to make them work. This is DUMB! I don't even want to call over there now. Eddie would never believe me. What are the odds that out of 3 pumps they have sent me 3 worked less than 2 months. I've had this setup since the second week in September and haven't gotten a skimmer to consistently work. Geesh. What do I do? Any suggestions on a new pump I can get for the BM skimmer or the CAD skimmer?

Deltec to the rescue. Wednesday! Hang in there! You could try the via aqua 370 gph (same body pump). I think they are $18 at Marine Depot. The impeller/magnet should drop right in. I'm not sure on the output dimensions but I believe they are smaller than the Atman so you could just put teflon tape around the sleeve until it fits snug. I would get the 2 via aquas (200gph and the 370gph) and try them both. Less than $30 for both isn't bad and if they dont work you still have pumps to mix salt -etc.

 

[reeftivo]

that does suck, Gill. What's not working about the pump?

I thought I might've seen in the "Bubble-Magus Club" thread, they were talking about an AquaBee pump? Tivo would know more about this than me.

The via aqua pumps will work but they are essentially Atmans. They are cheap at MD about $18 bucks. The neck may have to be shimmed with teflon tape though as I'm not sure on the out put dimensions. The Aquabees are powerfull with great head pressure but have the rep of start up problems occasionally. The new Aquabees may not have that old issue. They came out with a newer model (2000-1) recently and it uses 20 watts so it should kill! The only problem they may have is they generally have needle wheels and sizing that or going with a pinwheel may be difficult for that short of a skimmer. They should figure it out-only time will tell.

 

[LornaS]

I just ordered and received the new 2010 39gPro and will start to put it together tomorrow. I have a question that I haven't seen addressed here. Could someone take a picture of their cabinet so that I can see how you are handling your cords etc. where do you keep your power supply etc. I need some ideas. I have purchased a 19" dj stip and need to know where to put it. Ideas will help. I can't wait to get this up and running. thanks all!

 

[Gillundr]

There are LOTS of pictures of peoples cabinets in here just browse through. We all had a bit of a different twist on things. I left the shelf out of mine and ran the wires out the two holes and mounted power strips on the back of the cab. It gets really damp inside the cabinet I wouldn't put anything you don't want soaked in there. Or think about doing a fan mod like I did with mine. Pics are here on this forum.

 

[Gillundr]

My wife asked me to put an Xmas list together and a VorTech is going to be on the list. Can anybody suggest the size? I was looking at the 10s and 20s. I was wondering if a 10 would be enough flow in here? I don't see the sense in buying a 40 for this tank at all. I have really fine sand and it would make a mess. I was wondering if a 20 would end up doing the same and should maybe just go with a 10?? Not worrying about buying a bigger one for upgrades on the tank down the road so I just want what will do the job in the CAD. Will a 10 do it? Or does it just not have the motion a 20 would? I thought maybe because the tank is almost a cube a 10 would be plenty but I could be wrong. Any input would be cool.

 

[CalmSeasQuest]

I have the MP20 running on reef mode, but I have it dialed back to about 25%. The only time I turn it up is momentarily to blast any sediment off the rocks. The MP10 is probably plenty. I went with the 20 for the inevitable tank upgrade.

 

[CalmSeasQuest]

I just ordered and received the new 2010 39gPro and will start to put it together tomorrow. I have a question that I haven't seen addressed here. Could someone take a picture of their cabinet so that I can see how you are handling your cords etc. where do you keep your power supply etc. I need some ideas. I have purchased a 19" dj stip and need to know where to put it. Ideas will help. I can't wait to get this up and running. thanks all!

I kept all electronics (DJ strip APEX, power strips, Vortex controller and especially the ballast) outside of the cabinet. The humidity and salt spray in the cabinet quickly corrodes the door hinges and any metal light fixtures/clamps.

I chose to keep all electronics out of that environment.

 

[Johnny C]

You never responded to my post... hoping you can offer some advice!

I'm waiting for my BM to arrive. I'm hoping that I won't have issues with the pump. What did you end up doing about it?

BTW, the MP10 will most definatly be enough for the 39g.

 

[BillyBee]

My wife asked me to put an Xmas list together and a VorTech is going to be on the list. Can anybody suggest the size? I was looking at the 10s and 20s. I was wondering if a 10 would be enough flow in here? I don't see the sense in buying a 40 for this tank at all. I have really fine sand and it would make a mess. I was wondering if a 20 would end up doing the same and should maybe just go with a 10?? Not worrying about buying a bigger one for upgrades on the tank down the road so I just want what will do the job in the CAD. Will a 10 do it? Or does it just not have the motion a 20 would? I thought maybe because the tank is almost a cube a 10 would be plenty but I could be wrong. Any input would be cool.

I have a 20 now and thinking about adding another 20. There is really never too much flow. Think about the ocean, there is always constant turbulence.

The thing I like about the 20 vs the 10 is flexibility. If I think some of my animals are not liking the 100% I can turn it down. With the 10, some of that flexibility is not there.

You will be disappointed with the 10. lol there are times I think I should have got the 40 or 2.

 

[timdanger]

I have a 20 now and thinking about adding another 20. There is really never too much flow. Think about the ocean, there is always constant turbulence.

The thing I like about the 20 vs the 10 is flexibility. If I think some of my animals are not liking the 100% I can turn it down. With the 10, some of that flexibility is not there.

You will be disappointed with the 10. lol there are times I think I should have got the 40 or 2.

2 mp40s in a 39g tank seems problematic if you have anything other than SPS in the tank. you certainly would be creating an ocean-like environment, but... let's get serious for a second. could you even keep fish in a 39g with 2 mp40s? it seems like they'd just get whipped around like ragdolls in a tornado.

 

[reeftivo]

You never responded to my post... hoping you can offer some advice!

I'm waiting for my BM to arrive. I'm hoping that I won't have issues with the pump. What did you end up doing about it?

BTW, the MP10 will most definatly be enough for the 39g.

Hi CaliDreaminjC,

Which post are you refering to? If it's the divider then you need to remove the lid rails with pliers by "gently" tweaking them starting at the ends and working your way across. They should just pop off. Watch the acrylic wall carefully though because if it starts to spider crack down stop immediately. Once you remove the rails then drain the first chamber and then you'll need to use a small hammer. Starting at one side of the divider, tap the top portion of the divider as close to the wall as you can and the divider will start to splinter away from the wall. As you tap it you will notice it splintering inward a bit and you should then use your pliers to tweak it until a portion breaks off then progress downward. You can go from one side to the other. As long as you go slow and don't try to take off too much at a time, you should be fine. You will have some small pieces of acrylic protruding from the area after the divider is removed and that can be tapped off gently with the hammer or you could just leave it as long as it doesn't get in the way of anything. This is something you can do to open the chamber up for more skimmer or media options but is fairly risky. I would recommend having a backup sump at the ready just in case. 10 gallon glass tanks are cheap and sold everywhere.

Tivo

 

[reeftivo]

IMO the MP10 is more than enough for mixed reef with hardy sps (gigantes,brush,caps etc.) but if you want to keep acros then I would go with the 20 because of the much broader flow. The MP10 is awsome at pushing water but it is a more concentrated flow than the MP20. The 20 is very wide and seems to affect all the little nooks and crannies. While the MP10 moves water just as quickly, it doesn't seem to pull water as well from the lower areas than the 20 unless it's turned up. The problem I've had with that is when I turn up the MP10 to get everything moving, it is too strong over the areas directly in its path. The MP20 is so broad it moves everything without negatively effecting the corals in its direct path. I believe you could still use a 40 in these smaller tanks but turned way down obviously.

 

[timdanger]

... or you could just buy my spare sump from the hardware classifieds...!

 

[BillyBee]

2 mp40s in a 39g tank seems problematic if you have anything other than SPS in the tank. you certainly would be creating an ocean-like environment, but... let's get serious for a second. could you even keep fish in a 39g with 2 mp40s? it seems like they'd just get whipped around like ragdolls in a tornado.

Good comment above as to the flow pattern on the 10 vs 20. The same applies to the 20 vs 40.

Yes you can keep fish in a 39 with 2 X 40s', its called turning them down and alternating patterns. ie: waves!!

I am not trying to be smart but I want flexibility with everything I do. The more flexibility one has the better off we are.

 

[reeftivo]

... or you could just buy my spare sump from the hardware classifieds...!

Good one! I'll have to check it out!

Thanks