CADlights 39g Pro build thread

[reeftivo]

try reefcrest first and see if you like it. You may! I only suggest the slow pulse because that works better for my animals but all tanks are different. I found that reefcrest was great for my sps but everything else was getting blown out so I found that the slow pulse and lagoon mode are workable for me. You'll love the vortechs.

I like to use the night time mode on mine. Just dial them in to what works and at night after lights are out, hold both buttons down on the controller until the lights flash red white then release and press again. This will put the pumps on a ten hour whisper mode at night and make it easier for the animals to feed without using the feed mode. I usually feed right after lights out because thats usually when I get the best polyp extension. The vortechs remember the time you set the nightime mode and it automatically resumes at the same time each night after that-Nice!

So many options for these. The only thing I wish that could be implemented on them is for the wet side to be able to be angled in different directions.

 

[mylifeismyown66]

Reeftivo- I was looking through the threads and saw you removed that panel between the skimmer and the water tubing in the sump. Is that easy to do, and could I do it without removing and draining my sump?
I am looking into buying a Deltec MCE500 or the Tunze DOC 9006. Opinions on the 2 skimmers would be helpful too. I asked on my local reef club forum and it looks like the deltec is the way to go, but they are quite expensive.

EDIT: Just noticed I could actually leave that random baffle in with the Tunze, but not for the Deltec.

 

[timdanger]

another note: Do you keep your magnet inside the tank? If so, you may want to remove it each time after cleaning because they have been reported to collect iron out of the water. The iron can collect on the magnet and actually scratch your glass after a while of repeated use. I use mine and rinse it in tap then dry it and put a piece of folded paper towell between, then store for the next cleaning.

It's only speculated as to the source of iron but it may come from wear and tear of components in the system or source water.

Couldn't hurt though!

Happy Reefing

Tivo

i can attest to the fact that iron does in fact collect on the magnets, and it does in fact scratch your glass.

i have several scratch marks on my tank to prove it. sigh. i'm sure no one notices them but me, but that is so frustrating.

 

[timdanger]

try reefcrest first and see if you like it. You may! I only suggest the slow pulse because that works better for my animals but all tanks are different. I found that reefcrest was great for my sps but everything else was getting blown out so I found that the slow pulse and lagoon mode are workable for me. You'll love the vortechs.

I like to use the night time mode on mine. Just dial them in to what works and at night after lights are out, hold both buttons down on the controller until the lights flash red white then release and press again. This will put the pumps on a ten hour whisper mode at night and make it easier for the animals to feed without using the feed mode. I usually feed right after lights out because thats usually when I get the best polyp extension. The vortechs remember the time you set the nightime mode and it automatically resumes at the same time each night after that-Nice!

So many options for these. The only thing I wish that could be implemented on them is for the wet side to be able to be angled in different directions.

i couldn't tolerate the vortech (mine is an mp10) if not for night mode -- my tank being in the bedroom makes night mode a must. but, it's on night mode for me right now, and i can hardly even tell it's running from about 12 feet away!

 

[timdanger]

some new pics from my Cad...

first

and then

and then

and then

sad red planet right above clownfish

and finally, FTS (my GSP was all retracted here - camera shy?)

 

[mylifeismyown66]

i couldn't tolerate the vortech (mine is an mp10) if not for night mode -- my tank being in the bedroom makes night mode a must. but, it's on night mode for me right now, and i can hardly even tell it's running from about 12 feet away!

The vortechs are that loud? My tank is about 10 feet from my bed so I hope they arent too loud. I dont notice my 4 koralias, but the stock BM skimmer is the only thing I can hear.

Sweet looking tank by the way!

 

[reeftivo]

Wow! Nice camera timdanger!! I officially hate you! LOLOL(kidding).
Tank is looking awsome!!!! Growth is looking really good.

 

[reeftivo]

The vortechs are that loud? My tank is about 10 feet from my bed so I hope they arent too loud. I dont notice my 4 koralias, but the stock BM skimmer is the only thing I can hear.

Sweet looking tank by the way!

My MP10 has a bit of a rev sound when it pulses but my MP20 is silent.

Many including timdanger have noise issues with the 10's. I find mine is more quiet when its cleaned weekly during my water changes. If I let it go for a couple weeks, it builds a mulm around the impellar and gets more audible.

I suggest trying one first off the side and see if it's acceptable (sound wise). Then if it's too loud you can clean it up and repack it, then send it back for an MP20. You could always run an MP20 off one side and use a korallia off a corner.


Just a thought

 

[reeftivo]

there may be better info on quieting them down on the ecotech marine forum (vendors).

I will check it out

 

[mylifeismyown66]

My MP10 has a bit of a rev sound when it pulses but my MP20 is silent.

Many including timdanger have noise issues with the 10's. I find mine is more quiet when its cleaned weekly during my water changes. If I let it go for a couple weeks, it builds a mulm around the impellar and gets more audible.

I suggest trying one first off the side and see if it's acceptable (sound wise). Then if it's too loud you can clean it up and repack it, then send it back for an MP20. You could always run an MP20 off one side and use a korallia off a corner.


Just a thought

I know the 20s are better because they also have the wider flow, but they dont make them anymore and I got mine straight through ecotech. Are they easy to move? I may actually try them on the back first just to see how the flow is, if it is being blocked by my rock work then I will try the sides. I just like having the sides clear for viewing if I can.

 

[reeftivo]

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1734276

some noise info

ecotech has great customer service. Just make sure to save your boxes with the serial numbers.

 

[mylifeismyown66]

Hey Reeftivo, just want to make sure you saw my post right above Timdangers. If you could help me out with that when you get a chance that would be great! Thanks for the link.I was not able to get the pumps yesterday because Fedex kind of sucks, hopefully today or tomorrow though. Cant wait!

 

[reeftivo]

Deltec MCE500 is great. You'll just need to pay attention to the venturi because they clog easily. The best way to clean them is to take the air intake tube and stick a piece of ro tubing into it and suck up some hot ro water or tap water to clear the deposits. It will need this periodically. I had to clean mine (MCE600) weekly. If I did not run hot water through it it would cake up so much that I would have to take the pump out and ream out the venturi with the non cutting end of a drill bit. The regular hot water treatment would help eliminate that. The Tunze would be a great option as well but I have no experience with the 9006. I own the 9410 and a 9002.

The sump mod is easy but care needs to be taken. The skimmer/drain compartment must be drained. Once drained, remove the skimmer and drain hose, any media etc.. Then take a flat head hammer (no ballpeen) and tap the divider at the sides from the top and work your way down slowly. The acrylic glue will split. The key is to run the hammer against the side of the sump (confusing?). moderate taps should release the glue. If it fragments don't worry. Just tap it until all pieces are off. If you decide to do this then be sure to buy a small rubbermaid tote or equivalent in the event the sump cracks. There is always a risk when doing something like this so take some time to think about it. I was terrified when I did mine but it was a piece of cake. If you don't want to do it then you can design your own sump and give the plans to a glass or acrylic shop and they can cut the pieces for you. I designed my simple 15 gallon sump and decided to drive over and talk to Eddie to see if he could get the glass. He did and we put it together in his shop. He won't ship glass but he may be able to build you one from acrylic if you decide you want to go that route.

If you do the sump mod then just keep the circulation pumps running in the tank. The animals will be fine for hours!

 

[timdanger]

The vortechs are that loud? My tank is about 10 feet from my bed so I hope they arent too loud. I dont notice my 4 koralias, but the stock BM skimmer is the only thing I can hear.

Sweet looking tank by the way!

thanks for the compliment -- it's definitely still a pale work in progress, but it is improving every now and again. i'm increasing my feedings to try and get some nutrients in there (phosphates are 0.00 even on the Hanna colorimeter).

as far as the vortechs go, I really do think they can make a racket when they're revved up. If you set them to night mode when you're sleeping, it will just be white noise. But, like others have probably mentioned, because the motor is outside the tank, the water isn't able to muffle the sound at all. I do think keeping it clean helps (a short bath in muriatic acid or a longer bath in vinegar makes it like new). and, if you do have trouble, Ecotech was very helpful -- they actually replaced mine (it was either the dry side of the wet side -- i can't remember) when i was having noise issues with my first one. my second one is much better.

 

[timdanger]

Wow! Nice camera timdanger!! I officially hate you! LOLOL(kidding).
Tank is looking awsome!!!! Growth is looking really good.

I appreciate it!

the camera is the same one i've always had -- 4-year old Nikon D40, sitting on a tripod.. not a bad little camera. But, I did just get a new lens for it for Christmas -- it's a nikkor 35mm f/1.8 -- very cheap for a lens, but i love it. it does a much better job at "freezing" action than my other lens (which is a nikkor 18-135mm). it almost hides what a horrible photographer i am!

as far as the tank goes, there are ups and downs. one of my corals (the acro just left of the green slimer in the middle of the tank -- ATL ocean blue papillare) lost some tissue a few days ago, but the tissue loss just sort of happened and then stopped. 48 hours since i first saw it, and although i don't know if it's getting better, at least it's not getting worse. everything else is doing ok.

These are actinic shots, hence the blue "glow" on the skeleton left behind.

 

[reeftivo]

Good time to work on tanks right now since the weather is so sucky. Hope you guys aren't freezing your butts off

 

[reeftivo]

I appreciate it!

the camera is the same one i've always had -- 4-year old Nikon D40, sitting on a tripod.. not a bad little camera. But, I did just get a new lens for it for Christmas -- it's a nikkor 35mm f/1.8 -- very cheap for a lens, but i love it. it does a much better job at "freezing" action than my other lens (which is a nikkor 18-135mm). it almost hides what a horrible photographer i am!

as far as the tank goes, there are ups and downs. one of my corals (the acro just left of the green slimer in the middle of the tank -- ATL ocean blue papillare) lost some tissue a few days ago, but the tissue loss just sort of happened and then stopped. 48 hours since i first saw it, and although i don't know if it's getting better, at least it's not getting worse. everything else is doing ok.

These are actinic shots, hence the blue "glow" on the skeleton left behind.

My camera skills pale in comparison to yours buddy. Nice shots!

Looks like you may have a sun dial snail in there or a dove shell snail picking at that sucker. I found a sun dial munching on one of my milli's and it left the same bare spot as yours. Is the tissue gone or is it just bleached? Those snails usually are active at night although I saw the sun dial out during the day. Check about an hour after lights out and see if you have some prowlers.

 

[reeftivo]

look for one of these suckers.

http://glassbox-design.com/2009/got-aes-acropora-eating-snails-unwelcome-in-sps-reefs/

 

[timdanger]

well, i looked, and i didn't find that -- what i did find was about 100+ pyramid snails on the sand bed and on my 2 of my turbo snails' shells!

i'm assuming they are pyramid snails - i can't see them well enough without a magnifying glass. i took the snails out and cleaned them off... tried to take some pictures, so we'll see how they turned out (my guess: not well -- these guys are tiny).

but, i can't find anything about these eating SPS.. anyone else heard of this? i'm still researching.

 

[timdanger]

on a related note, my mccosker's flasher wrasse brings shame to its wrasse name. what kind of wrasse would allow this infestation to happen!? i've been thinking about adding another fish. looks like it might be a six line wrasse.