syedjilani
Active member
Well done Brett..... looking very nice, tank is looking much more clean.... I don't know it's my vision or something else, why red algae on your bumps is still there?
drummereef's 180g in-wall build
- Thread starter drummereef
- Start date
Fishdisease
New member
Wow, I know I've posted this before but, excellent job!
Every time I catch up on this thread I get inspired, then overwhelmed as I'm positive I wont be able to do such a great job. I've got my 180 sitting dry in my basement waiting for some time and money to start. I'm trying to exert this "patience" thing that is the underlying theme of this thread.
One quick question as I'm lazy, but did you go with the Apex Lite or Standard? I'm trying to figure out which one I want. Thanks.
Happy Holidays everyone!
Every time I catch up on this thread I get inspired, then overwhelmed as I'm positive I wont be able to do such a great job. I've got my 180 sitting dry in my basement waiting for some time and money to start. I'm trying to exert this "patience" thing that is the underlying theme of this thread.
One quick question as I'm lazy, but did you go with the Apex Lite or Standard? I'm trying to figure out which one I want. Thanks.
Happy Holidays everyone!
drummereef
Team RC
Thank you S.J.! I don't know if you meant pumps instead of bumps , but there was a little algae growing on the Vortechs and Tunzes. I took the video before I cleaned the tank again so I gave all the pumps a good vinegar bath to get rid of the remaining algae.
Thanks for the kind words Dave.
I'm sure you're build will be fantastic in it's own right. 
I went with the Apex Lite for a variety of reasons. Mostly budget and I wasn't planning on measuring ORP and the like. If I end up incorporating a Ca Reactor it will probably be a separate system just for backup redundancy, rather than have the Apex control it. Haven't completely decided what's better there, but if you go with the Apex Lite there's always the option of adding "modules" to complete the system as the needs arise. It's a great system in that regard, many options to upgrade as needed. 
cromedogg33
Member
Brett,
Doing some plumbing on mine. I have the dart and am using 2x 1" overflows. Did you have to turn your valve coming off the output of the dart down at all? 1" overflows gives you about 1200gph I believe.
The dart pushes considerably more. Also do you have your returns valved down at all?
Doing some plumbing on mine. I have the dart and am using 2x 1" overflows. Did you have to turn your valve coming off the output of the dart down at all? 1" overflows gives you about 1200gph I believe.
The dart pushes considerably more. Also do you have your returns valved down at all?
drummereef
Team RC
Yes, the main return valve I have just above the Dart is valved down quite a bit. If you leave it fully open I don't think your 1" drains will handle that amount of flow. I have 1.5" drain pipe and it still would risk an overflow situation when fully open. I would start with it valved down by 1/2 and see where you are at, then adjust as necessary. The other 2 return valves are fully open. I only placed them on the system as to adjust any imbalance of flow left/right, but found the system is fairly balanced wide open. Hope this helps.
Everything you need is in the box Pete. No worries. You'll need a Cat5 ethernet cable if you want to get it set up on your home network but other than that it should be all there.
Download the "Unofficial New User Guide" PDF on KenArgo's site. It's a great reference for the first time user. I used it frequently when setting up my Apex. http://reeftech.webs.com/
cromedogg33
Member
Thanks Brett,
I ended up getting the hybrid dart. I think it goes from a dart to a snapper which may be a better option for me.
Also I'm using a slightly different version of your manifold. Did you use 1" for the manifold?
I ended up getting the hybrid dart. I think it goes from a dart to a snapper which may be a better option for me.
Also I'm using a slightly different version of your manifold. Did you use 1" for the manifold?
rus
Premium Member
Hey Brett , just finish reading thru your thread and I must say top quality work on the setup , looks like you're almost ready to start stocking it up now. I recently just decided to switch out my AQ3 for Apex and was wondering if you have any pics of yours fully installed yet , trying to get some good ideas for mounting my system , I plan to have the monitor on the outside of the fish room for ease of checking in , and control everything inside the room on my net book , but still trying to find the optimal mounting setup, from what I've seen from your setup so far you seemed like a great place to start.
drummereef
Team RC
:thumbsup: Let me know how it goes!
Cool, the Snapper adapter might work better if it's just a tank and sump, no other peripherals. But, you might want to use the Dart if you have a bunch of stuff on the manifold etc... I would look at the graphs and see what will give you the best flow vs energy usage. All Reeflo pumps get more efficient when you valve them down. I would presume the Snapper adapter would be the same as valving the Dart down since the motor assembly is the same - I'm definitely not an expert on that though...
Yes, the manifold is 1". It reduces down to 1" from the main 1.5" main plumbing. Thanks rus.
Since my Apex is in my sump room I mounted it to a PVC junction box that was part of the wiring setup. Don't know if it would work for your plan but here's the tutorial anyway. Part 1 - Building the Electrical Panel (starts at post #1310)
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1599945&page=53
Part 2 - Finished Panel
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showpost.php?p=17358574&postcount=1406
jeffreylam1132
New member
I love this thread!
drummereef
Team RC
Me too!!
I have the probes mounted in the last bubble trap in the middle of the sump. I still need a better way of organizing those wires, but right now they are just loosely following the conduit run around towards the sump where they drop down to water level. I'll try and get a better pic for you, or dig an old one out that shows you better.
Thanks Ellery.
I think the ecoBAK is performing as advertised. My NO3 and PO4 are reading 000s, so I can't complain there. The rock definitely leached either PO4 or NO3 or both but whatever was left in the water column was obviously used up by the bacteria growing in the ecoBAK, at least that's my theory. Otherwise I would presume I would be seeing bigger numbers on the test kits. Most of the pellet products out there are showing decent results but from what I've seen ecoBAK has been a solid performer across the board (for the most part) with less bacteria blooms. I've seen numerous reports about bacteria blooms with other products, not that it's a terrible thing, but the ecoBAK seems like it's more "controlled" if that makes any sense.
drummereef
Team RC
HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!! :celeb1:
DIYnitemare
New member
Hey Brett, everything is still looking great, can't wait to see those first corals go in the tank.
drummereef
Team RC
Thanks DIY.
Shouldn't be long now. Just trying to find a free day when I can do some fragging. If schedules work out, maybe this coming weekend... crossed fingers.
drummereef
Team RC
Hey Rus, forgot to get back with you on this... Currently I have the base unit in a temporary spot on the wall underneath the electric panel I built for the ballasts and EB8 modules. I need to build a mounting plate and decide on a more permanent home for it. But, at the moment like I said, I have the probe wires running around the conduit and they drop down to water level over the middle of the sump. Here's an older picture so you can get an idea of what I'm describing. Not the best solution but it works for now...
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drummereef
Team RC
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