Coral Tank from Canada (1350gal Display Tank) - split

[mr.wilson]

Mr. Wilson, that was quite the dissertation but certainly accurate and helpful in a way. Lets get the Apex and slowly displace the profilux documenting our experience for the benefit of our community....... Since what matters to me is the functionality, quality and support let the best product win its place in our environment.

Agreed?

Peter

Agreed. Let's install the Apex this weekend.

 

[mr.wilson]

Well done Shawn, I doubt that anyone regardless of controller preference can complain about that review. And yet you kept true to the premise of always sharing best practice. I would not use any controller that demands more time "tinkering" or up-loading patches to keep running. The whole point of a controller in my eyes is to take a few of the daily chores away. In this day and age there really should be no need to read a 100 page manual on how to run a controller unless you are trying to extend or modify the controller from its core purpose. Plug and play in other words

I have yet to buy a controller for two reasons; the biggest being cost. I would be out at least a grand for a system that could operate the lighting ozone kalk and monitor on a system as big as mine. Second has been ease of use; it seems like guys are always posting asking for help with how to add another probe or how to navigate through the screens

We have a need of a controller but I am not sure the right one for us has been made yet. I will be reading through this conversion story very closely.

DB

Reef Angel might be a good option for you. I haven't used one, but it's a cheaper option and users are happy.

 

[mr.wilson]

Wow that is very in depth experience with the Profilux. It's unfortunate you are having so many issue with it.

I am a long time user of the Aquatronica controller which I started on my first large saltwater setup almost 8 years ago. It has worked reliably for me over those years and still today. AQ did have it's issues way back in the early days, mostly with a flakey hardware run but I feel have learned from that period and have moved forward.

AQ will be launching very soon a new touch screen wifi control unit that will be able to connect to all the existing hardware that I have and I am definitely looking to get. A black box version minus the touch screen (to cut cost) which can be controlled with my own tablet and smartphone devices is also being offered.

As an IT guy I appreciate the ability to monitor my tank remotely. Having a controller you can count on certainly gives you piece of mind knowing things are working as they should even when you are away from home.

You are the satisfied Aquatronica user I was referring to in my previous post. It's hard to use anything for 8 years and still be happy

 

[mr.wilson]

I'm sure if you were to contact the guys at Neptune and discuss with them exactly what you're looking for and what you need that they'll be able to accomodate you on every level, and if they don't have what you need, they'll build it. With the level of operation and a tank like this, it would be a win win situation for both parties. Keep the Apex in mind!

Back in the summer, the Profilux distributor graciously offered to "jump on the train and come service the controller personally". As much as we enjoy personalized treatment, this isn't something they can offer every customer. What Peter was asking for was better documentation and support, namely a comprehensive & user-friendly manual.

One of our goals is to share the hobby experience, however grand. I will talk to Curt at Neptune about our controller architecture, but we will try to share the same experience you would have if you were installing an Apex on your own tank.

Someone saw a need a few years back and made a third party instruction manual for the Apex. It was complete with equipment flowcharts, screen shots, and real world pictures. Neptune was nice enough to buy the manual and adapt it to their support program.

We will be posting the development, warts and all as usual

 

[Briney Dave]

Reef Angel might be a good option for you. I haven't used one, but it's a cheaper option and users are happy.

thanks I will look into that one
I don't think I need one that will remote start my car but it should be expandable, reliable, and relatively straight forward to use

 

[chingchai]

How is your tank Peter?
We all miss the update.

 

[nineball]

How is your tank Peter?
We all miss the update.

Thanks for stopping by Chingchai. I must say I have been following your tank conversion very closely and am very impressed with the results. You continue to make progress for us all in this hobby.

I may not have been quite as active on the thread as I used to but its NOT a reflection of a lack of activity on the aquarium. I decided to let the flatworm infestation run its course naturally. I made a decision right from the beginning of the build that I would NOT treat the display tank and I would work hard to find the best natural balance of frequent water changes and good nutrition. A healthy tank is the best treatment I know of. It is still difficult to watch something like a flatworm infestation but I'm learning to find new reserves of patience in this hobby to help keep my passion going.

As you know from my recent comments we have made some important changes in the fish room with the addition of the two new tanks. They are very impressive and I am pleased with how well they are coming along. It is a lot of work however because I made the decision to run the two new tanks separately and they are designed to help me aggressively grow coral.......mostly SPS. So two more skimmers, two calcium reactors, a whole bunch of new LED's etc....you know how it goes.

One of the big issues we ran into was how to control all this new equipment. I was not happy at all with my Profilux experience so I decided to experiment with using the APEX brand. We are going to do an in-depth review on the thread with pictures but I do have to say that so far our experience has been considerably more positive than the Profilux. If the new build with the Apex continues to go well I will probably convert my entire Profilux environment to Apex. Stay tuned for the detailed review with pictures!!

A few side notes by the way Chingchai. I changed my 130 gal hospital tank over to a predator tank. I had a Lionfish, a large predator crab and a very nice grouper who was maturing very nicely...about a 12" long. Mr Wilson got me an additional fish to add as a gift......a rather large reddish brown Angler fish. A few days after the Angler fish was introduced my very very nice Grouper disappeared without a trace. I'm surprised it took us so long to figure out where he went but we finally realized with some research on the web that the Angler fish can eat prey twice their size. I think we are going to find the angler fish a new home!!!!

I also had a very interesting observation through the last four months with my Bangaii cardinals. I stopped feeding the tank reef roids and cyclopeze at the peak of the flatworm infestation. Two months later my cardinals stopped breeding. Four weeks ago I started to feed the roids and cyclopeze again and I am capturing cardinal fry again!! I think what is happening is that either the roids or the cyclopeze are triggering a breeding instinct because the adults know there is suitable food in the water for the fry. Purely anecdotal but this is the second time this has happened.

So thats a few of the things that are happening with my tank and I hope we will get some pics posted very soon...........

Peter

PS Thanks again Chingchai for staying in touch.

 

[dave.m]

Moo-Vees! Moo-Vees! Moo-Vees!

Sounds like a major re-vamp of your web page will be in order, too.

Dave.M

 

[nineball]

Moo-Vees! Moo-Vees! Moo-Vees!

Sounds like a major re-vamp of your web page will be in order, too.

Dave.M

You could be right Dave........we will get together soon in better weather.
It shouldn't be too much longer with the snow........I sent another email to the weather people but it doesn't seem to be working....:deadhorse1:

Peter

 

[nuccadoc]

Thanks for the update Peter!

Scott

 

[Made2Rock]

Snow is a 4 letter word

BAD, BAD, BAD

I was born and raised in Buffalo and now live in Al. I'm not sure what is worst snow or brown yards during winter. The one thing I can tell you is shoveling rain is much easier than snow

Joe

 

[mr.wilson]

I'll bring my camera into Peter's today. We have some updates on the coral acclimation and fragging system we have recently built.

 

[Newbie Aquarist]

I also am a believer in not treating a display tank and to let nature take its course. And as you said choosing the right course will either make you or break you in this hobby.

A local fish store experienced the same thing with an angler as you did and with a bumble bee grouper. These particular ones were about 2-3 inches in size and both were housed with fish about twice there size. They thought the missing fish had jumped or worse someone stole them because the fish couldn't be found anywhere.

So while I was there I said something is wrong with your fish because it looks like their stomachs were about to explode. They now know where their missing fish went.

Wishing you the best on your progress and cant wait until the new movies come out.

 

[mr.wilson]

Snow is a 4 letter word

BAD, BAD, BAD

I was born and raised in Buffalo and now live in Al. I'm not sure what is worst snow or brown yards during winter. The one thing I can tell you is shoveling rain is much easier than snow

Joe

Sorry if our melting snow floods you this spring

 

[nynick]

Sorry if our melting snow floods you this spring

Is it just me or did that not sound entierly sincere?

 

[mr.wilson]

Is it just me or did that not sound entierly sincere?

I'm just jealous of the Alabama weather... well not so much in June & July, but it's been a cold winter this year and the grass is definitely greener down there this time of year. I think we take the green grass award in June & July though.

 

[Made2Rock]

I'm just jealous of the Alabama weather... well not so much in June & July, but it's been a cold winter this year and the grass is definitely greener down there this time of year. I think we take the green grass award in June & July though.

Don't be jealous, while you have snow we have brown grass and rain. While you have a nice summer we have HOT HUMID summers (I've seen 106). While you enjoy spring we watch the tracks on tornados (I've had them a mile to the south and close enough to the north that I needed a new roof). I will say Fall is really really nice here.

So I do not miss the snow but I need to do a better job of finding a "good" place to live, Hawaii comes to mind :spin1:

Joe

 

[bullitr]

Apex is really easy to use and very expandable
Still love to see some current pictures even without SPS if you can

 

[mr.wilson]

Apex is really easy to use and very expandable
Still love to see some current pictures even without SPS if you can

I'm mounting the Apex on a board today to clean up the octopus of wires. So far Apex has been a great experience. We had a hiccup with the old firmware, but since the update, no problems and it's a pleasure to program.

 

[captngreg]

You have some great cars, a house, to die for, and an aquarium setup that is the envy of every reeffer. But if you ever get tired of all that snow come on down
I'll even let you feed the fish so you don't get homesick.

Taken two weeks ago