Electrobes' K.I.S.S. 40Br Thread

[MeuserReef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12282238#post12282238 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Electrobes
Actually there may be two: How often do you clean out the Kalk Reactor... the chances of the metals entering your tank increase with more metal staying in the Reactor... and unless it is physically cleaned out I would guess the metals stay in the Reactor until then?

I clean the reactor out every time I refill it with Kalk, which lately has been about every 2-3 weeks.

I used an old RO filter housing and a magnetic stir plate to make my reactor. NANZ's thread was my inspiration. All I have to do to clean it is disconnect the IN and OUT water lines and then take the filter housing to the sink. (The stir bar is in action in the first pic)

 

[Electrobes]

Neverending power wiring

Neverending power wiring

So I did some work today and it was both a bit of awesome to absolute crap. Let's start with the awesome as it came first.

I went to Lowes as I realized I had nothing better to do with the tank except to shop for timers, power surges, and a container for Kalk Mixing (More on this later).

The awesome part came with the timers. At first I was disappointed with the selection. All the timers accepted two-prongs only and since I was going to do everything the right way, I wanted everything grounded. The only Three-prong accepting timer was a digital one at 20 bucks... but I didn't need something that fancy, and most certainly didn't want to deal with needing a battery. Sure their cool when the power goes out, but whatever... I'm not worried about that.

After one last look around something caught my eye. Could it be? An outdoor Intermatic three prong accepting timer... in black and at half the price of the digital one!?!? Yes sir.. Christian got two and was a happy boy. I almost got a 2 in 1 timer, same structure but could not independantly control the two outlets. Shame really.

So I got my timers, black power surges, and a nice roughneck container and off I went.

I got home and realized I still needed to soder the power cables of the ballasts and worse yet... tape them together.

Yay that finally got completed. As you noticed I cut the supplied cord by a lot as I did not need all that cord in my stand.

This worked out well.. but I must admit that sodering inside the stand was idiotic of me and my lazy butt should have done it before I installed the ballasts in the stand.

Next: Clean up and power set-up!

 

[Electrobes]

Tank and Stand Clean up and Power Center set up!

Tank and Stand Clean up and Power Center set up!

Alrighty.. after working on the tank for a while I couldn't take the tank being nasty. When I picked up this tank from PetCo it had just come in on shipment yet here are a couple wipes at the tank.. you tell me how long it had been sitting around waiting to get bought?

The stand I used briefly this year but before that it was in storage. I think it may have been slightly cleaner than the tank!

The tank is now clean! And the stand too!

Now for the Power Center.. this is the point in which my day absolutely SUCKED! Ruh roh.. next post don't want to over load with pics and split the post apart...

 

[Electrobes]

The Power Center was such a nightmare. More specifically was placing the screws in the right place to hang the power surges and the timers. The timers were easy.. but the power surges? Absolute horror. I should have velcroed the dang things on as another fellow reefer (SDguy) did but noooooo I wanted to make life harder on myself. Anyways the pics:

I did straighten out the ceiling power surge. I also affixed some of the wires to more stationary places in stead of letting them dangle. I wanted it all organized and as flat against the wall as possible. I think it worked out nice!

 

[Electrobes]

Sexy shots!

Sexy shots!

And who couldn't resist sexy like this?

Of course the LifeGard Big Time and Temp needs camera love!

And last but not least the "normal look"

Enjoy!

 

[Electrobes]

In the next posts I am going to explain as to why I am going to go with Kalk dosing via a mixed container instead of a Kalk Reactor for now. The short version is that after reading a lot of Chemistry articles and speaking with the reef chemists I came to this decision.

I should also point out that these same articles have led me to decide to buy a skimmer. I will also talk about this in the next post.. and the relationship between the kalk and skimmer. Since I am going to get a skimmer I'll detail the one I have in mind so far: Octopus BH-100F. If you have your opinions and suggestions please post, I love hearing from y'all!

 

[Electrobes]

Let's talk about Kalkwasser (Limewater)

Let's talk about Kalkwasser (Limewater)

Alrighty so we're back and I is here to 'splain why kalk dosed from a mixed container is going to be my method for now... instead of using a Kalk Reactor.

As my signature now implies I highly recommend y'all read the chemistry articles provided by Randy. There is a whole world of info out there provided by these hard working hobbyists, info that reefers should really be hungry for. Heck reading these articles would eliminate thousands of questions you may have be it methodology, products, and things going wrong. Even more important? It'll still make you question, but in an intelligent way. That's my plug and I'm sicking to it!

So what in the world convinced me to go the way of a mixed container. Since I like doing nothing easy or making it easy for everyone here are the articles:

- http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/feb2003/chem.htm - Typical info about Kalk and it's delivery methods

- http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-01/rhf/index.php - Much more information... the life, advantages, disadvantages, etc. One of the best reads on Limewater.

- http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/may2003/chem.htm - A big convincing reason why I am going the route of a mixed container for now.

Okay so I am not that cruel.. here is a shorten list of why:

- Heavy metals like Copper precipitate out of solution when limewater is stagnant. This means that when you dose it, these metals do not go to your tank.

- Better to overdose with a set container than with an infinite supply

- Kalk helps with skimming, with a mixed container not only do metals precipitate out of solution in the container but skimming does the same, of which kalk helps with.

That is the short of it and again if you want to know read those articles.. education doesn't have to suck!

What I now realize is the canning is out of deason and I only have two 1lb Wages Pickling lime... may have to try at a bulk order with other hobbyists in my area.

 

[Electrobes]

Cooling

Cooling

So about two years ago (or so) I was looking to cool off my reef tank. I hate computer fans, they are way too loud and never did it for me air flow wise. Then I took a trip to walk-mart and saw this fan that made me want to shed tears. Sure.. the wife thought I was nuts at the time.. if only she knew the absolute joy that was sitting on that shelf that day... of course I got two (One for back up).

Today I went to Lowes to get a wall hook to hold this fan up:

Here's it up on the wall:

And view it from the bottom of the tank:

And this pic led me to this conclusion: I completely forgot to paint the background... whoopsies

I need to go to Lowes anyways because of another dumb thing I did.. I completely forgot I need two plugs for the actinics timer.. one for the actinics and one for the fan

Lowes must love me by now.. :lol:

 

[Electrobes]

A couple of new updates today. I went ahead and painted the back of the tank, I'll be posting pictures as soon as it dried and is back on the stand so I can take a final pic of it to post here.

I just purchased the Octopus BH-100F and am really excited about it. I've read many reviews and the guys running the HOB Octopus thread were very helpful (Thanks happyface888 and naprestsleep!). I am looking to do the Sedra 2500 mod to it a little bit down the road, but for now I'll see how it does as purchased.

 

[Electrobes]

Painting the back

Painting the back

First.. lets have fun with tape!

Next... let's paint it!

Let's make more exclamation marks!

Have to let the tank dry:

And dryng still:

Yay! It dried and is back on the stand:

That was exciting Man I am almost done with the build!

 

[MeuserReef]

Looking very sweet + simple so far Christian!

 

[Electrobes]

Thanks man you're my number one fan... and my only fan!

 

[Headache]

<3 the 40br, im doing a build with one this summer and am building a stand to go with it, what are your exact dimensions?

 

[Electrobes]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12294797#post12294797 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Headache
<3 the 40br, im doing a build with one this summer and am building a stand to go with it, what are your exact dimensions?

It's a standard 40Br.. 36 long X 18 High X 16 Depth. Definitely my favorite tank!

 

[MeuserReef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12294240#post12294240 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Electrobes
Thanks man you're my number one fan... and my only fan!

Nahhhh.. rest assured.. there are lurkers galore!

Im really interested in the softie only type of build that you are doing. These days its SPS-this and SPS-that (BTW... Im guilty too as my new 120 will be 80% SPS... but i regress...). Its nice to see a VHO softie tank in this new world of seemingly endless stony corals.

Im along for the ride so long as you continue to post!


In other news.. looking back, I wish I would have gone with the 40 Breeder instead of my current 30L tank. The 12" clearence between front and back glass is KILLING me! Everytime I clean my tank I end up fragging something accidentally.

 

[skey44]

Love the do it yourself and the setup so far, looks really good.

If you are joining PMAC I'm sure i'll be meeting you, I think the club is going in the right direction, and there is a big event coming up(pig roast) that is really fun and a great place to meet reefers from all over (it is an unofficial meeting as the host is a member but invites people from all over the country).

Keep up the good work and welcome to the "true" south lol! There are a lot more reefers than you would think around here.

Scott

 

[Electrobes]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12295006#post12295006 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by MeuserReef
Nahhhh.. rest assured.. there are lurkers galore!

Im really interested in the softie only type of build that you are doing. These days its SPS-this and SPS-that (BTW... Im guilty too as my new 120 will be 80% SPS... but i regress...). Its nice to see a VHO softie tank in this new world of seemingly endless stony corals.

Im along for the ride so long as you continue to post!


In other news.. looking back, I wish I would have gone with the 40 Breeder instead of my current 30L tank. The 12" clearence between front and back glass is KILLING me! Everytime I clean my tank I end up fragging something accidentally.

Thanks again I did the whole stony thing (Sorta... it was mainly to help friends out) but just love the softies.. it's my true love.

Ever since I got the 40Br 2 years ago (It kinda fell into my lap) I haven't looked back or even forward since... great size overall. When I decided to come back to reefing, the 40Br was the first thing that came to mind and off I went to get it! :lol:


skey44 - I look forward to meeting you and the other fellow reefers. The comment about thinking I was the only reefer here was for Greenwood (The town I live in). It's tiny but I was shocked to read from a fellow reefer that he too lived here

I REALLY want to go to that pig roast, but there is a possibility that I may not be able to go as the wife has that weekend off (It's rare as she is a Resident physician... horrid schedule for the first year). But we'll see.. maybe she'll want to go.

 

[Electrobes]

Box O' Crap

Box O' Crap

So I ordered a Box O Crap from Champion Lighting today and Jeebus what a tease... but does have somewhat of a happy ending.

I first opened the box and saw "TUNZE". I giggled but soon realized it was a 2005/2006 catalogue! SO MESSED UP Champion Lighting! Anyway my actual loot wasn't too shabby.. but I am sad about one thing. Here's my pic and list:

- 3 X Ezeclean by Rowa: Basically does what Vinegar does. Least I can use it.

- 4 X Chemi-Pure carbons: Nice since I will be using carbon.

- 1 X Red Sea Hydrometer: P.O.S. but hey I wasn't expecting gold.

- 1 X Portable Refractometer: I already have one! $&!%... oh well lesson learned.

- 1 X Pacific Coast Flow Accelerator (Penductor) Model FA-400. This will be useful in my ridiculously turbulent SOFTIE tank :lol:

- 1 X Blueline 400W 6.5K bulb: Seems to be a common product in these boxes.

- 1 X ???? - I think it's a holder for a halide bulb socket? I have no idea. Prob another thing going to el garbagio.

- 1 X Bottle of Freshwater additive. In the trash it goes.

WHAT!?!? No Maxim magazine... now I am going to cry. I was so looking forward to it

That's it folks!

 

[Electrobes]

So I started on my RO/DI, installing it under my kitchen sink instead of my laundry room. I figured since I was going with the mixed-container method, and when we sell our house in 2 years it would be a better selling point, I was better off having it there.

Of course it was a disaster. I broke the saddle needle valve, the needle also went through both ends of this plastic pipe on the cold water end. Now I have to buy a new needle valve and piping all because I should have left the cold water on so I could hear when I got through. Argh.

I should have the RO/DI done by tomorrow, and hopefully the tank water tested tomorrow as well. I am hoping to get my rocks and sand soon (maybe this week coming up).

I am going to Greenville on Saturday to check out the LFS there. I don't plan on buying anything as of now, but if there are good deals on rock and/or sand I may take it... but it would have to be fantastic base rock and sand at great prices. I doubt that will happen but we'll see.

After I get that stuff done I am going to post what I plan on doing for aquascaping and where I will put my Koralia. I am still deciding on a couple of things (Like if I should make a PVS structure to get flow inside the rocks).

 

[Rustylugnuts]

Nahhhh.. rest assured.. there are lurkers galore!

Hell yea there are. I'ts been fun following along!.
If I wasn't a broke student bout to graduate I'd try to make an offer on that refractometer but anyway I doubt youll have any problems getting rid of the box o crap content you won't use.