First big tank/tank build 210

[worm5406]

On the vortech... Are you controlling them via the apex also?

If you turn off the power to the plug, the vortech thinks it is a power failure, which in theory it is, and it turns on the power from the battery.

If you select the vortech, the part that changes the mode/power and select off from there, it will turn off.

I have my 4 vortechs set this way. I have the units plugged into my energy bar so I can see how much power draw there is. Plus I control them through the apex instead of using their product. I like the one stop shop to control them instead of logging in into something else, when in a hurry to either turn something off or make changes in general.

Once my 265 is up and running I will then have an additional 4 set this same exact way.

 

[Toddrtrex]

Sorry for the loss but everything is looking good.

Thanks, gonna miss the little guy.

Thanks, it is finally coming together and looking like a tank.

On the vortech... Are you controlling them via the apex also?

If you turn off the power to the plug, the vortech thinks it is a power failure, which in theory it is, and it turns on the power from the battery.

If you select the vortech, the part that changes the mode/power and select off from there, it will turn off.

I have my 4 vortechs set this way. I have the units plugged into my energy bar so I can see how much power draw there is. Plus I control them through the apex instead of using their product. I like the one stop shop to control them instead of logging in into something else, when in a hurry to either turn something off or make changes in general.

Once my 265 is up and running I will then have an additional 4 set this same exact way.

Yes, they are controlled by the WMX --- though I did mess up when I first set them up, didn't fully (( and still don't )) understand the virtual outlets.

So, can I still turn them "off" within Fusion, and not have the battery take over? Last night I turned off the power to the 2 "real" outlets on the EB8, and noticed they were still on. At that point I turned "off" the 2 virtuals. Though I suppose that if I had the 2 "real" ones off, turning the virtuals off wouldn't matter.

Are you saying that if I turn off the 2 virtuals the battery won't take over?

If not, how would I go about it --- still a bit confused by some of the APEX.
Thanks.

 

[worm5406]

Yes... I actually renamed my outlets for the MP's...

P120LVtec P120RVtec and so on....

That way I knew it was the actual PLUG and not the device.

Then I called the devices 120LVtec 120RVtec and so on.

If you go onto reeftronics you can see it and my programming. Under username worm5406.

 

[Toddrtrex]

Yes... I actually renamed my outlets for the MP's...

P120LVtec P120RVtec and so on....

That way I knew it was the actual PLUG and not the device.

Then I called the devices 120LVtec 120RVtec and so on.

If you go onto reeftronics you can see it and my programming. Under username worm5406.

That did the trick --- thanks. My problem last night is that I turned off the real ones, and then the VOs. Need to switch those around on my Fusion page, had the VO ones hidden.

Also, need to figure out the "low voltage" message on one of them. It started when I hooked up the new (( working )) battery back-up. I don't think it is a real issue from what I have read, think it was the order I hook up the battery through things for loop.

 

[worm5406]

Low voltage message??

Per ecotech website :
http://forum.neptunesystems.com/sho...LT-quot-message-on-MP40-outlet&highlight=volt

It is a vortech problem.

Contact their tech support. They will have you do some simple trouble shooting with it and at most you might have to send it to them.

EDIT:

It might be stuck in battery mode too. Disconnect the battery from the head unit, then unplug the head unit from power, in the order. Give it 2-3 minutes to discharge inside the head unit. Then plug AC power back in, verify it is working, t hen plug the battery back in to the head unit.

 

[Toddrtrex]

Low voltage message??

Per ecotech website :
http://forum.neptunesystems.com/sho...LT-quot-message-on-MP40-outlet&highlight=volt

It is a vortech problem.

Contact their tech support. They will have you do some simple trouble shooting with it and at most you might have to send it to them.

EDIT:

It might be stuck in battery mode too. Disconnect the battery from the head unit, then unplug the head unit from power, in the order. Give it 2-3 minutes to discharge inside the head unit. Then plug AC power back in, verify it is working, t hen plug the battery back in to the head unit.

Saw that thread, when searching for this issue. Thanks.

I tried your steps, went from "low volt" back to "missing" and back to "low volt" again. Looks like I will be contacting EcoTech, though it SEEMS to be running normally. All seemed fine until I replaced my old (( non-working )) battery back up with a new one.

 

[Toddrtrex]

Finally set an message to EcoTech about the "low voltage" message, will see what they say.

Good news, I did a water change the other day and was able to shut the powerheads off by using the Virtual outlets, worked great. Never realized how much I disliked actually unplugging pumps until I didn't have to do it any more. Really makes me want to get an APEX for my 65.

I moved the S. haddoni to the 210 the other day, seems to be settling in fairly well -- put a window screen b/t the lights and the tank to help acclimate it to the increased lights.

Sold the 2 E. quadricolors that were in the 75, now just need to sell the LTA that is remaining in there -- after that I will take down the 75.

Took a poor video last night. Was sitting at the dinning room table doing some work and decided to use my phone to take a video. Only 2 of the 8 T5s were on, so the white balance is all screwed up, but you will get the idea.

<iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/P9n0Drcm_3Q" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[Toddrtrex]

So, I finally (( and it was me being busy that made it take so long, EcoTech was very quick in their communications )) got the "Low Voltage" issue that was showing up on one of my MP40s fixed.

Used to have this,

And now I have this,

In the end, powering down the pumps and the Apex is what did the trick. I just went to the breaker panel and shut off both 20 amp breakers for the tank, waiting a minute or two, and flipped them back on. It is easier to flip the breakers as opposed to unplugging the Apex from the wall.


Also, traded my LTA for a couple of LPSs with a local reefer, both seem to be adjusting well to my tank, going to try to get a couple of pictures tonight of them.

 

[Toddrtrex]

Been a long time since an update...

Things are going smoothly, though I haven't done much with the tank. Did get the doser up and running -- though I diluted Alk, Cal and Mag with RO/DI water since I don't have a huge call for them at the moment. That will I will leave the program alone and stop diluting if I need to. Am getting some spots of coralline on the overflows.

Main reason for the lack of updates, we were in Europe for 11 days -- mainly Austria with a couple days in The Czech Republic.

The tanks did great while we were gone. Had my tank sitter (( friend from the dog park, who works across the street and knows NOTHING about tanks )) stop by every other day -- she just fed the fish and made sure the ATO reservoirs were full, and that was it. Excluding some algae on the glass, really couldn't tell I had been gone for so long. It was nice to be able to check in on the big tank with the APEX and get an idea how things were going.

One minor thing, the right drain's filter sock gets dirty sooner, and was overflowing, but into the sump, so no issues there. Was just some splashing. Think if I can going to be gone that long again I will use a mesh one, just to trap the big stuff. Though, thinking as I type, the rocks are sloughing off some algae type stuff that clogs the socks, once that stops it the should last longer.

While I don't have any pictures of the tank, some of the trip,

Vienna

Salzburg

"Lock bridge"

On an Bavarian Alps tour

Our hotel,

Prague, Czech Republic

The hotel's drinking lounge,

Lastly, trying out the "bed" before take off,

 

[Toddrtrex]

Been darn near 2 months since I have touched this thread...

All is going well with the tank, but I haven't done anything with it -- besides water changes and maintenance.

We are seriously thinking about moving/building a house. Which is good for us, but not good for a 210 gallon tank. The new place will have a basement, but won't be finished off right away, and the basement will be the final resting place for the tank.
Really don't want the tank up and running before the basement is finished, since it wouldn't be a trivial matter to move it during the construction of the finished place. In addition, will be selling the current place first, and spending time at either my folk's place, or her mom's place. Don't want to move the 210 multiple times, let alone have it set up at one of their places.

So, I will have to end up taking it down at some point in the next 6-9 months, so I am just letting it run with no new additions. Overall I am happy with the way things are set up, and wouldn't change much --- though I plan/hope on having a room behind the tank (( not going to do an inwall, like having 3 sides visible )) so some things will move to that room -- mainly the ATO reservoir, APEX and the GFO/GAC reactors.


***I plan on keeping all the existing equipment. However, I am thinking of selling the tank itself, and getting a new 210 when the time is right. Figure moving/storing one will be a PITA, plus chances for damage are greater --- THOUGHTS?***



I still have my 65, and plan on keeping it. Though, in the near future I am going to take it down and sell off all the live rock and some of its inhabitants. Plan on getting a new sump for it, and setting up an Herbie. This tank will be moved to the temp housing (( haven't decided if my folks place or her mom's -- both are relativity close together, so space will be the main deciding factor )) and hold the few things I plan one keeping. For sure the C. venustus, C. multicolor and my blue S. haddoni. Will have to make some tough choices for the others. Would be hard to sell my green S. haddoni that I have had for nearly 10 years now.


TL/DR --- answer the *** ... *** question. Thanks.

 

[dave.m]

With a new house to play with, a dedicated fish room, and the chance to start from scratch with a whole basement to finish, why on Earth would you settle for just a 210? I understand that you don't want to do an in-wall so why not a peninsula? You have so many options available and so much time to plan ahead that I think you ought to rethink the whole thing from the beginning and do it up(grade) in style.

Dave.M