CADlights 39g Pro build thread

[reeftivo]

what kind are you using? I got one of those green handheld Hanna Phosphate Checkers for Christmas -- tested it 4 times, and it reads 0.00 every time. I just feel like that cannot be correct (especially given that i have some algae growth, not to mention reasonable SPS coral growth), but who knows.

Was using the cupel version LR hanna photometer. Now use the martini MI-412. Both are within .04mg/l. Is your algae primarily on the sand and rock? It is very typical to have 0 readings and still have algae on rock and sand. It would be bound in both, and the algae feeds off it directly, thus giving you a false reading in the water column. Do you dose Kalkwasser? Kalk is reported to bind phosphate and distribute it on the rock and sand and if algae is present it still can utilize the phosphate directly.

 

[reeftivo]

sounds familiar. i actually have been struggling to keep Ca/Alk levels up, even with Mg up around 1400-1500. I actually upped my dosing from 16ml/day to 22ml of both Ca and Alk 2-part solution per day, yet my Alk never goes above 8.5 (lately hovering between 7.5-8dkh). Meanwhile, My Ca is struggling even to get to 400 anymore. I have several pieces of SPS in the tank, but honestly, the uptake is pretty surprising, especially given that i am performing a water change every 10 days with D-D H2Ocean salt.

Try upping the sg to 1.026 and hold it there for a while. More chloride will usually help buffering in my experience. You may also want to try TM pro salt instead of D&D. I used D&D for a while and had trouble with perams.

 

[coolcorals]

Really screwed up yesterday with my ATO!

Got home last night from work and noticed my corals looked stressed. No polyp extension at all and the fish were bouncing around more than usual. I opened the cabinet and noticed my sump level was pretty low. I figured "ouch" my ato pump failed and now my sg is through the roof. Well, the sg was through the roof but the pump was fine. What happened was that I unplug my zeoreactor everytime I do a stone change and didn't notice that when ever I unplug it, the movement from me reaching back there was evidentally bumping the power cord to the ATO controller and over time it had worked its way out enough that when I bumped it last night it unplugged. OOPS! The controller is alarmed so if the pump failed, I would have heard it and since there was no power, there was no alarm.

Probably not too much of an issue for many people, but for me it is. I have alot of evaporation from vigorous surface agitation and fans, so I use up about 5 gallons of RO water every three to four days.

My poor little dudes were suffering for a while! I brought sg back up and things are somewhat back to normal but I'm getting some shedding from the base of a couple acros and I'll have to wait to see if they recover.

Lesson learned!

Tivo

Tivo - sorry to hear about the ATO mishap - I've gone a ton of cords/plugs/outlets behind the tank and aways worry that I'm going to unplug something when I'm messing around back there!

You certainly have a lot of evaporation. What's causing your temps to go up? Fortunately, I only have to top off 1/2 gal every day. I have my fan pointed across light (not blowing onto water), which seems to have really limited evaporation (then again, it's rather cool around here).

How do you like the Tunze ATO? That's my next purchase.

Hope everything is happy again!

 

[coolcorals]

Your tank looks fine! Not overcrowded! Sorry if I mentioned that before, I was wrong! Let the mag fall to 1300 and you'll be good. With mag at 1500 or so you could run the risk burnt tips so let it fall a bit. I had a bryopsis problem in one of my old tanks and ran the mag up to 1550 to battle it. I lost an acro and seriatopora but got a handle on the bryopsis.

Glue? I find it much easier to glue to plugs then snap off the pin and then epoxy to rock. When ever I've tried to adhere a frag directly to the rock, I've always damaged it too much and had problems getting it to hold. JME.

Tivo

That was me misquoting you - you said I'm "not overstocked yet". But I'm certainly working that way. I admit, I've never seen a coral I don't want to add and my tanks are full!

My Mag was originally low, so I bumped it up to 1450+ (Kent Tech-M works great), but decided that was too high, so have changed my dosing to drop it into the 1300s, as you recommend. Trying to do all changes gradually.

So how do you snap off the pins? Just use some pliers or a vise? They seem to break off easily, just have never done it. I'm still new to fragging, so always glue frags to plugs.

 

[coolcorals]

sounds familiar. i actually have been struggling to keep Ca/Alk levels up, even with Mg up around 1400-1500. I actually upped my dosing from 16ml/day to 22ml of both Ca and Alk 2-part solution per day, yet my Alk never goes above 8.5 (lately hovering between 7.5-8dkh). Meanwhile, My Ca is struggling even to get to 400 anymore. I have several pieces of SPS in the tank, but honestly, the uptake is pretty surprising, especially given that i am performing a water change every 10 days with D-D H2Ocean salt.

Okay, so it's just not me! I thought by raising my Mg, I'd be able to more easily raise my Calc/Alk. Mg has gone up easily, but Calc/Alk are much slower. My SG is 1.025, so a little higher as RT suggested.

I've gone to a daily dosing too (15ml each), and have been able to raise my Calc to 425 and Alk to 8.5. Then again, I have a lot of SPS (12+ sm & 3 med pieces + a dozen little frags) in tank. Plus a clam that's growing like crazy! I suspect my usage is high, so most of what I add, gets used up.

I'm going to keep my Calc/Alk dosing daily, but try to decrease my Mg, which didn't seem to make much difference in raising Calc/Alk levels.

I'm using ESV B-Ionic 2 Part for Calc/Alk and Kent Tech-M for Mg. What are you using and do you like it? I like these products, but have very limited experience (e.g. these are the only products I've ever used).

Keep us informed on how the increased dosing amount works - I may do the same.

 

[CalmSeasQuest]

For reference,

CAD39GPro with 17Gal Frag tank - heavy SPS (30+), lots of Acans (30+) and 2 large clams.

To maintain 420CA, 9ALK with 7 gal (14%) bi-weekly water changes using RC @ 35ppt, I dose -

• 6375ml Saturated Kalk daily dosed at 250ml per hour over 17 hr period (18:00-11:00 / pH limiting) using 50ml/min BRS Peristaltic pump pushing RO/DI thruugh Tunze Kalk dispenser.
  
• 140ml each of Ca and ALK daily (5.9 ml/hour over 24 hours) using BRS 1.1 ml/min dosing pumps.
  
• MG is dosed manually based on need - ~600ml/month maintains 1350

 

[reeftivo]

Tivo - sorry to hear about the ATO mishap - I've gone a ton of cords/plugs/outlets behind the tank and aways worry that I'm going to unplug something when I'm messing around back there!

You certainly have a lot of evaporation. What's causing your temps to go up? Fortunately, I only have to top off 1/2 gal every day. I have my fan pointed across light (not blowing onto water), which seems to have really limited evaporation (then again, it's rather cool around here).

How do you like the Tunze ATO? That's my next purchase.

Hope everything is happy again!

Thanks for the sympathy-LOL! You can feel my pain:thumbsup:!

My superman acro is receeding at the base and so far wont stop. I've reduced my dosing of zeostart because it is fueling some cyano growth at the base of the coral where the tissue has died. All others are doing fine. Oh well, live and learn! I get a lot of evap because of several reasons; my cabinet fan, 4 pumps in sump, my fan at the overflow and the lumenmax fixture. I have a very stable pH of 8.3 to 8.4 constantly. No doubt from the vigorous aeration and surface agitation. I would like to keep more LPS but my flow would have to be dialed down in order for them to do well. I had to find a calmer location for my orange mushrooms because they were getting blown out just about everywhere I put them.

Always having fun with this hobby!

The Tunze ATO is IMO the best money I've spent since I started this tank.
It is very realiable for me and has never had a problem. I've even run it dry on one occasion and the pump didn't burn out. I came home from work and my wife said the tank has been making some wierd noise for the last half hour or so. I freaked and immediately knew it was the ato. I switched the buckets and Whalla! Back to normal. Regarding the frag plugs, I do what timdanger does and snap them off by hand or use my pliers to break and grind off the excess so the plug is somewhat flat at the base. The poly plugs are a different story though.

Happy Reefing

 

[coolcorals]

For reference,

CAD39GPro with 17Gal Frag tank - heavy SPS (30+), lots of Acans (30+) and 2 large clams.

To maintain 420CA, 9ALK with 7 gal (14%) bi-weekly water changes using RC @ 35ppt, I dose -

• 6375ml Saturated Kalk daily dosed at 250ml per hour over 17 hr period (18:00-11:00 / pH limiting) using 50ml/min BRS Peristaltic pump pushing RO/DI thruugh Tunze Kalk dispenser.
  
• 140ml each of Ca and ALK daily (5.9 ml/hour over 24 hours) using BRS 1.1 ml/min dosing pumps.
  
• MG is dosed manually based on need - ~600ml/month maintains 1350

Wow, that's a lot of dosing. Double Wow - that's a lot of SPS + clams and Acans. With the frag tank (I'm assuming lots of corals), your system is consuming a huge amount.

My goal is to get Calc to 450 and Alk to 10. But, I'm happy with the levels I currently have. Means I'm at least keeping up with uptake. I'm totally new to dosing, so I'd rather under dose than overdose. Do things gradually till I know what I'm doing and don't overdo (unlike my coral buying).

Thanks for the info.

 

[coolcorals]

Thanks for the sympathy-LOL! You can feel my pain:thumbsup:!

My superman acro is receeding at the base and so far wont stop. I've reduced my dosing of zeostart because it is fueling some cyano growth at the base of the coral where the tissue has died. All others are doing fine. Oh well, live and learn! I get a lot of evap because of several reasons; my cabinet fan, 4 pumps in sump, my fan at the overflow and the lumenmax fixture. I have a very stable pH of 8.3 to 8.4 constantly. No doubt from the vigorous aeration and surface agitation. I would like to keep more LPS but my flow would have to be dialed down in order for them to do well. I had to find a calmer location for my orange mushrooms because they were getting blown out just about everywhere I put them.

Always having fun with this hobby!

The Tunze ATO is IMO the best money I've spent since I started this tank.
It is very realiable for me and has never had a problem. I've even run it dry on one occasion and the pump didn't burn out. I came home from work and my wife said the tank has been making some wierd noise for the last half hour or so. I freaked and immediately knew it was the ato. I switched the buckets and Whalla! Back to normal. Regarding the frag plugs, I do what timdanger does and snap them off by hand or use my pliers to break and grind off the excess so the plug is somewhat flat at the base. The poly plugs are a different story though.

Happy Reefing

Yes, I know how frustrating those "Homer Simpson" moments are - I have way too many!

Hope the Acro pulls thru. What does a Superman Acro look like? I have some SPS that are growing like mad, some that are just slowly growing and a couple that have died. First couple that started to die, I just moved around, but nothing seemed to work and I lost them. When a couple more started to look bad, I fragged, and so far 90% of the frags are doing good. Actually better than the parent ever looked.

I now know I need to react much faster. One, I cut off several branches and all but one survived. The other I topped, so only the encrusting base was left, and it's doing better than ever!

No wonder you have so much evap, that's a lot of sump pumps! I'm learning SPS really like flow. I'm in the process of increasing my flow. But it does make placing LPS harder. I have a lower flow area on the right side (flow blocked by large Birdnest), so I've put my LPS there and all seem very happy.

Okay, I'm sold. Will stop buying corals and invest in a Tunze ATO. Already have the basket to hide 5 gal jug and the 5 gal jug, just need the ATO! :thumbsup:

 

[meinestrasse]

It's been many months since I've posted here. Recently moved to sunny Ontario, Canada (Waterloo region) from South Florida. Hoping to setup my 39G Pro very soon. Never got around to it in what's quickly approaching a year since I bought it.

Tivo, I like the changes you've made to your tank. What bulb are you running on your Lumenax?

 

[reeftivo]

Yes, I know how frustrating those "Homer Simpson" moments are - I have way too many!

Hope the Acro pulls thru. What does a Superman Acro look like? I have some SPS that are growing like mad, some that are just slowly growing and a couple that have died. First couple that started to die, I just moved around, but nothing seemed to work and I lost them. When a couple more started to look bad, I fragged, and so far 90% of the frags are doing good. Actually better than the parent ever looked.

I now know I need to react much faster. One, I cut off several branches and all but one survived. The other I topped, so only the encrusting base was left, and it's doing better than ever!

No wonder you have so much evap, that's a lot of sump pumps! I'm learning SPS really like flow. I'm in the process of increasing my flow. But it does make placing LPS harder. I have a lower flow area on the right side (flow blocked by large Birdnest), so I've put my LPS there and all seem very happy.

Okay, I'm sold. Will stop buying corals and invest in a Tunze ATO. Already have the basket to hide 5 gal jug and the 5 gal jug, just need the ATO! :thumbsup:

Thanks buddy!

The super man is just a millipora I got from so. cal tropical that is blueish/purple (stalk blueish/polyps purplish) and resembles the superman costume color a bit. Mine has bit the dust so I had to frag it in an attemp to save a couple good branches. Fingers crossed!

 

[reeftivo]

It's been many months since I've posted here. Recently moved to sunny Ontario, Canada (Waterloo region) from South Florida. Hoping to setup my 39G Pro very soon. Never got around to it in what's quickly approaching a year since I bought it.

Tivo, I like the changes you've made to your tank. What bulb are you running on your Lumenax?

Thanks,

250 watt DE 14k phoenix:thumbsup:

 

[reeftivo]

Hey all!

Thinking of adding some moonlights to the front of my lumenmax fixture.
Anyone have any experience with the BM ones. Attached is a link to the ones that peek my interest. http://www.fishtanksdirect.com/SimulationMoonlightLEDI.aspx

TX

Tivo

 

[meinestrasse]

Thanks,

250 watt DE 14k phoenix:thumbsup:

Wow, do you have to limit the photo period with that...to like 4 hours a day? Do you kind a need to run actinics, as well, or is the Phoenix blue enough?

 

[reeftivo]

I'm running it 10 inches above the surface at 250 watts w/o additional actinics. The phoenix 14 is very blue. Nice thing is with the lumatek dimmable ballast, I can switch it down to 175 and 150 watts if I wanted to. My photo period is 7 hours. I'm looking into a cool little moonlight to attach just for asthetic purposes during the evening when lights are out.

 

[reeftivo]

Wow, do you have to limit the photo period with that...to like 4 hours a day? Do you kind a need to run actinics, as well, or is the Phoenix blue enough?

meinestrasse,

ther are some pics on page 64 with the different ballast settings.

happy reefing

tivo

 

[mylifeismyown66]

Okay so I am finally getting my 2 MP10w ES vortechs today!!! I am still unsure on where to put them though... I feel like with the way my rock is set up the flow might be better with the vortechs on the sides of the tank, but I have seen most on here putting them on the back walls and I do think they will look better on the back walls. Just look for opinions and pros/cons

 

[reeftivo]

The mp20's "pull" much more water than the 10's so I would say the sides for you. The only issue would be getting flow behind at the sides of the overflow. I would try them off the sides and put one set back a bit and the other towards the front third of the tank (instead of directly facing eachother). Try them on slow pulse mode (pink) and ramp them up so they alternate from one another. This should give you a nice push/pull in the tank. You can take the adhesive mounts and run them neatly up and along the top of the tank. Should look nice and functional. Only thing I really don't like about running off the sides is cleaning the glass. A bit more work to get around the wet side because any algae will show much more.

IMO to run off the back with your configuration, a 20 would be better because it can pull water up better. 20's are too much dinero though and you'll be fine with the 10's.

Looking good my friend!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[reeftivo]

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

 

[mylifeismyown66]

Thanks reeftivo. I do leave my magnet in there, but will probably remove it now. I hardly ever use it anyways. You think pulse mode will be best? I was thinking of using reefcrest as recommended by others. The settings was another thing I was unsure about (never used vortechs before).