Coral Tank from Canada (1350gal Display Tank)

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Robb in Austin said:
I was going to try to stay out of this thread, out of not having anything to contribute, but I can't do it any longer.

I subscribed in the first few days, and for the most part just skimmed it looking for pic updates. Tonight I read through the last 50 pages to get caught up on the latest developments. One word: wow.

By far this is one of the most impressive builds of all time as well as one of the best threads. Well done sir! And to the team as well!

Looking forward to the next 50 pages and beyond.
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Robb, if you have been following even a bit you will know that this culture really appreciates lurkers who come in from the cold. This is also a group where membership does have its priviledges. You will find a real appreciation for those who interact in this thread whether it is to ask a question or answer one. Thank you very much for taking the effort to get a little more involved. This promises to be anything but boring.......

Peter :dance:
 
mr.wilson said:
Thanks for the confirmation. What about calcium testing? Anything more accurate or easier to use than the usual Salifert or Seachem?

Do you think I can pawn off my Pinpoint calcium meter on Peter? :)
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absolutely, just slap a 94 octane rating on the front dial and I'll pay double.

:jester:

Peter
 
Nineball and Mr.wilson,

I have yet to see this topic talked about very much BUT I would like to know what plans are in place and what your individual thoughts are on this one.

With a system like this it's not going to be a water change whenever you feel like it and there is obviously going to have to be a routine that allows for regular maintenance and all checking of systems. So with that being said I was wondering, what do you have in mind for maintenance. Are the Brothers Grimm going to be long term involved in a maintenance or is the goal to take over the system yourself and maintain once you "get up to speed".

Also, I am assuming some sort of computer tracking of actions and levels is in order. I mean I track all kinds of metrics at work and have begun to track the info on my 54gal tank so I cannot imagine undertaking such a project without some sort of plan for keeping track of what in the heck is happening now and what happened a year ago........

I know this is just one more thing in the list but I am interested in knowing how you are planning to maintain this project long term.

Scott
 
mr.wilson said:
Thanks for the confirmation. What about calcium testing? Anything more accurate or easier to use than the usual Salifert or Seachem?

Do you think I can pawn off my Pinpoint calcium meter on Peter? :)
Click to expand...

For test kits, anything La Motte is high quality. It would be a good idea to buy 2-3 differen't companies test kits and take the average to ensure one isn't off. But personally I put my trust in La Motte and only use them. Hanna is supposed to bringing a new digital tester for Nitrate, Alkalinity, and Calcium soon though, that might be something worth trying out as well.
 
Hmmm, photos turned out not to be as enlightening as hoped. My bet would be some type of chiton / flatworm based on the updated description and pictures though it's probably moot at this time since it's no longer in the tank/rock. Hopefully reef safe if there are any cousins still in there!

mr wilson - as for the new Hanna phosphate colorimeter, you may want to take a look at this thread where there has been some debate about the accuracy of the new one versus the old Hanna colorimeter

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1847060&page=12

As for calcium, the typical hobby recommendations are Salifert and Elos. I'd agree though the LaMotte and the Hanna test kits are probably more accurate and are likely to be more suitable for this project. I'd also agree that the Pinpoint calcium monitor was not worth it. :)
 
Reefer08 said:
For test kits, anything La Motte is high quality. It would be a good idea to buy 2-3 differen't companies test kits and take the average to ensure one isn't off. But personally I put my trust in La Motte and only use them. Hanna is supposed to bringing a new digital tester for Nitrate, Alkalinity, and Calcium soon though, that might be something worth trying out as well.
Click to expand...

thanks for the Hanna tip. I'll be waiting anxiously. For now, Salifert does the trick. I agree, you can't go wrong with Lamotte & Hach for scientific quality testing. The only issue is how many steps their kit requires, but you get what you pay for. I have used Lamotte kits in the past, but never for calcium. I even had a cyanide kit. She never tried to poison me once, so I never found out the true accuracy :) i worked with a marine biologist at the time and he said cyanide has a short molecular chain so there is no point in testing for it by the time fish make it to the wholesaler. That's why it's so popular in murder mysteries.
 
MabuyaQ said:
Peter,
Your new found friend is indeed a chiton more specifically the Cryptoplax larvaeformis or flexible chiton. Here is a link with some pictures of it for comparison.
http://www.poppe-images.com/index.p...&fullspecies=Cryptoplax larvaeformis&catid=53

Regards Rainier
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You win the prize! When do you want to pick up your Cryptoplax :) My guess was chiton but it was so elongated and the spines on the back weren't sharp so I thought they might be for burrowing into rocks. I have found some large black burrowing (slug-like) worms in South Pacific rock that are of a similar size, but without the spines and chiton-like "skin".
 
MabuyaQ said:
Peter,
Your new found friend is indeed a chiton more specifically the Cryptoplax larvaeformis or flexible chiton. Here is a link with some pictures of it for comparison.
http://www.poppe-images.com/index.p...&fullspecies=Cryptoplax larvaeformis&catid=53

Regards Rainier
Click to expand...

Rainier, how incredible is that. Fantastic catch. You are bang on. Thank you for taking the time to source that little guy. I have to think he has family and I will get to meet them soon enough. That is a great site as well for future reference as other species begin to stretch their legs or bodies or antennas or whatever. I see this is your first post so I thank you doubly for your effort.

Peter
 
spleen93 said:
Hmmm, photos turned out not to be as enlightening as hoped. My bet would be some type of chiton / flatworm based on the updated description and pictures though it's probably moot at this time since it's no longer in the tank/rock. Hopefully reef safe if there are any cousins still in there!

mr wilson - as for the new Hanna phosphate colorimeter, you may want to take a look at this thread where there has been some debate about the accuracy of the new one versus the old Hanna colorimeter

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1847060&page=12

As for calcium, the typical hobby recommendations are Salifert and Elos. I'd agree though the LaMotte and the Hanna test kits are probably more accurate and are likely to be more suitable for this project. I'd also agree that the Pinpoint calcium monitor was not worth it. :)
Click to expand...

Thanks for the link. Food for thought. The price difference isn't that great with a project of this scope. I'll let Peter call this one, but I think I know the answer. The only thing the Hanna offers is it fits into your hand better, and $120 savings. If it were for me, I would save the money and take door number one, but that kind of thinking is what got me a closet full of questionable digital testing equipment :)
 
Peter,
Great thread, tooks me two days to finally get thorugh it! what an amazing build and a beautiful house.
But man that was alot of reading we need more pics! Hopefully the moving inot the tank goesn smoothly
 
mr.wilson said:
Thanks for the link. Food for thought. The price difference isn't that great with a project of this scope. I'll let Peter call this one, but I think I know the answer. The only thing the Hanna offers is it fits into your hand better, and $120 savings. If it were for me, I would save the money and take door number one, but that kind of thinking is what got me a closet full of questionable digital testing equipment :)
Click to expand...

Lets do what is right in the interest of best practices. If its still not clear as to the right choice then let's mark it in the undecided column and the world will know that it is Mr. Wilson best guess which may or may not become a best practice. At that point experience will help us decide or technology will do as it usually does......and overtake any decision we make!!!

So your choice Mr. Wilson.........


Peter
 
nineball said:
now I'm curious, there has to be a product that is trusted by this group and reliable as well..........there just has to be.


Peter
Click to expand...

I'm a Very Big Salifert brand support for the following test kits. Mg, CA, ALk, PO4, NO3.

i find the test kits to be very accurate and more important very consistent from batch to batch. I test more often than most and the the results are extremely easy to read.
 
I'd also like to chime in on the Controller you are choosing to run your system. The Profilux 3 IMO is extremely well built and easy to work on and upgrade. The Probes are very durable and extremely accurate. My controller currently takes care my ORP, PH, runs all of the lights, skimmer, Top-up... etc...etc... Im addition to all of that it can do much much more.

I would urge to to investigate this possibility. You won't regret it. In addition in is very well supported in your area. Part are readily available.
 
mr.wilson said:
You win the prize! When do you want to pick up your Cryptoplax :) My guess was chiton but it was so elongated and the spines on the back weren't sharp so I thought they might be for burrowing into rocks. I have found some large black burrowing (slug-like) worms in South Pacific rock that are of a similar size, but without the spines and chiton-like "skin".
Click to expand...

There is an extensive article in wikepedia and if I read it correctly it is not harmfull and it likes micro algea under the rocks. As best I can see, all things being equal it probably doesn't generally show itself in day light so we got a relatively rare oportunity to catch him/her/it during the move. So this is one hitchhiker that can stay...........

Peter
 
Luckylouse said:
I'd also like to chime in on the Controller you are choosing to run your system. The Profilux 3 IMO is extremely well built and easy to work on and upgrade. The Probes are very durable and extremely accurate. My controller currently takes care my ORP, PH, runs all of the lights, skimmer, Top-up... etc...etc... Im addition to all of that it can do much much more.

I would urge to to investigate this possibility. You won't regret it. In addition in is very well supported in your area. Part are readily available.
Click to expand...

I think we are drifting in that direction already. The profilux technology is well known and has a good established user base for reference. There are some items on our list that we are going to take to the MACNA in Orlando to check out.....I forget but this may be one of them.

Peter
 
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