Englishrebel's 260 Gallon System Build
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EnglishRebel
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WMILAS<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14122125#post14122125 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by wmilas
Thats cause there is no water yet. I still don't have any fish and I'm struggling to keep mine neat. It started out spotless
I don't want to brag
but, I have SW water in my QT tank (at a nice comfy 80ºF), have tested all my plumbing (no leaks) and will add LR to the QT today. As I said I don't want to brag. :lol: As for salt creep -- it's to scared to come anywhere near my tanks. :uzi:
Thanks Jeff I just found it. How much do you think I should order as I have nothing to judge it by (and it's very porous so I don't know how much you get for a pound)? You have used this stuff before so maybe you can help.
Thanks
EnglishRebel
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UPDATE
Not much to report really but here's a few pictures to show what's been going on.
First I modified the piping on the RO/DI and SW mix tanks as
Not much to report really but here's a few pictures to show what's been going on.
First I modified the piping on the RO/DI and SW mix tanks as
- I didn't have any way to isolate the pump from the SW tank
or - Draw off SW to fill up the QT tank (although this won't be necessary once the main tank is up and running as I can draw off tank water to fill it)
[/list=1] so I added a couple of 3/4" ball valves.
I need to add a filter to the SW line going to the sump. I added salt to my QT tank directly to bring the alkalinity up to 1.026 and didn't know that there would be "junk" in there that wasn't salt. I had little white bits floating around that I siphoned off.
Here is the humidistat to control the Fantech HRV (heat recovery ventilator).
My QT tank now has saltwater in and the heater is getting up to the setpoint of 80ºF.
I added some LR to the QT tank yesterday that I got from Drew (plyr58) at Aquamains in Greensboro (thanks for helping me pick out the good stuff Drew). It's really porous and there is some nice color. I ordered 50lbs. of Eco Rox Fiji rock from Bulk Reef Supply and that will go in there too so it can get seeded.
My next project is to get the refugium up and running. Any suggestions on sand and bed depth?
Thanks
EnglishRebel
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I like that Eco Rox as it's completely free of stuff. It's quite a good deal as it's much cheaper to ship and it'll soon get seeded with the LR you have. What sort of size range did you get wmilas? Did you ask for a particular size or just what they sent. I tried to order the Pukani but before I could place the order yesterday they ran out.
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14136243#post14136243 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by EnglishRebel
I like that Eco Rox as it's completely free of stuff. It's quite a good deal as it's much cheaper to ship and it'll soon get seeded with the LR you have. What sort of size range did you get wmilas? Did you ask for a particular size or just what they sent. I tried to order the Pukani but before I could place the order yesterday they ran out.
I got mine from a local distributor so I was able to pick the pieces I want. At the time he only had 600 lbs in stock so I picked the best 3rd.
EnglishRebel
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Tom<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14136280#post14136280 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by GlassReef
You're turning into a plumbing fool, Alan.
Thanks -- I'll take that as a complement.
I can't understand your confusion over the humidistat. You just have to turn your computer monitor sideways. :lol:
wilmas
Unfortunately there is no local distributor that I know of. Apparently that stuff flies out the door so I will have to check daily.
EnglishRebel
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Drew
I have it up and functional -- although not controlling anything (I'm still learning). I posted in your RKE thread. I haven't run the Vortechs yet. I will test one on the QT tank sometime this week (I'm picking up a 24" base and 24" wall cabinet today to finish off my equipment room).
EnglishRebel
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Drew
What's with the plastic screw on cap on the end of the PH probe that appears to be filled with a liquid?
What's with the plastic screw on cap on the end of the PH probe that appears to be filled with a liquid?
pH electrodes need to be kept damp for good response times. It doesn't hurt them to become dry but they need to soak a few hours before you can use them. Often they have an endcap, containing some pH buffer or KCl solution when shipped, to allow them to be used without waiting for them to soak.
EnglishRebel
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Thanks guys - I feel so dumb.
wmilas
Yes there is a white residue. I will wash it all off.
Tom
Should I calibrate it first?
Drew
wmilas
Yes there is a white residue. I will wash it all off.
Tom
Should I calibrate it first?
Drew
EnglishRebel
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Here's a quick update. My Reef Keeper Elite came in this week. Here's the complete package.
Here's the head unit temporarily installed in the equipment room. I've ordered a 20' bus cable so it can go next to the tank (which isn't here yet ).
I also ordered two Vortech powerheads.
Here is what you get in each box.
While I was in Lowes (my daily fix) I picked up some 3/4" fittings and made this.
Bet you can't imagine what it's for. Well the first time I mixed up a batch of salt, some of it just sat on the bottom of the tank and even though I have a circulation pump running it took too long to dissolve. After getting my arm wet up the elbow several times I made up this PVC PIPE & FITTING ASSEMBLAGE SALTWATER STIRRING FOR THE USE OF
I picked up a 24" base and 24" wall cabinet yesterday. Base cabinet is in and humidistat will have to be relocated as it will be behind the wall cabinet. That's called INSUFFICIENT PLANNING
Will post pictures later this week.
Here's the head unit temporarily installed in the equipment room. I've ordered a 20' bus cable so it can go next to the tank (which isn't here yet
).
I also ordered two Vortech powerheads.
Here is what you get in each box.
While I was in Lowes (my daily fix) I picked up some 3/4" fittings and made this.
Bet you can't imagine what it's for. Well the first time I mixed up a batch of salt, some of it just sat on the bottom of the tank and even though I have a circulation pump running it took too long to dissolve. After getting my arm wet up the elbow several times I made up this PVC PIPE & FITTING ASSEMBLAGE SALTWATER STIRRING FOR THE USE OF
I picked up a 24" base and 24" wall cabinet yesterday. Base cabinet is in and humidistat will have to be relocated as it will be behind the wall cabinet. That's called INSUFFICIENT PLANNING
Will post pictures later this week.
Niiice bench top. Full bench dog setup and everything. Screw the rest of the stuff 
Also, the stirrer really isn't necessary. To get ALL of the salt to dissolve have your reef keeper cycle the mixing pump on and off a few times a day. It takes my setup at least 3 days to dissolve EVERYTHING, including the while residue that can be left over. So give it 3-5 days to get a full mix. Expecting it to dissolve in 24 hours just isn't realistic. If you mix it by hand it suspends int eh liquid but doesn't completely dissolve and will start to settle out.
This is one of the things in reef keeping you really don't want to rush
Also, the stirrer really isn't necessary. To get ALL of the salt to dissolve have your reef keeper cycle the mixing pump on and off a few times a day. It takes my setup at least 3 days to dissolve EVERYTHING, including the while residue that can be left over. So give it 3-5 days to get a full mix. Expecting it to dissolve in 24 hours just isn't realistic. If you mix it by hand it suspends int eh liquid but doesn't completely dissolve and will start to settle out.
This is one of the things in reef keeping you really don't want to rush
EnglishRebel
Retired Rebel Reefer
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14160466#post14160466 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by wmilas
Niiice bench top. Full bench dog setup and everything. Screw the rest of the stuff
Also, the stirrer really isn't necessary. To get ALL of the salt to dissolve have your reef keeper cycle the mixing pump on and off a few times a day. It takes my setup at least 3 days to dissolve EVERYTHING, including the while residue that can be left over. So give it 3-5 days to get a full mix. Expecting it to dissolve in 24 hours just isn't realistic. If you mix it by hand it suspends int eh liquid but doesn't completely dissolve and will start to settle out.
This is one of the things in reef keeping you really don't want to rush
Ah didn't know that (I'm still learning stuff everyday).
I don't have a module near the SW tank but I do have an index finger which can be programed to flick a switch once a day. :lol: I guess I will have to wait a few days to check the final salinity then.
I made the bench and the top (first project) it sure gave my 15" planer a good workout -- that's hard maple. I really like the Oneida. I had a Delta dust collector (the one on wheels and a hanging bag) but the bag was useless. I bought the Oneida cyclone and 5 micron pleated filter, removed the Delta fan and bolted it upside down on the wall and attached the cyclone directly to the inlet, with the filter on the discharge. Works like a champ.
Now there's an idea. Or I could use a corded drill and plug it into the RKE power strip.
Lovin' that RKE. The UI is so much better than my ACIII. Oh, well - next time.
Let us know how you like the VorTechs - I wish my Tunzes were that small.
The work bench is very impressive - solid maple top!!! You must have gone through a couple sets of jointer and planer blades.
Let us know how you like the VorTechs - I wish my Tunzes were that small.
The work bench is very impressive - solid maple top!!! You must have gone through a couple sets of jointer and planer blades.
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