(First Reef Tank Ever) **** 600gal Display **** 1300gal System
- Thread starter cbui2
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Scottkelly911
New member
Wow, looks like someone got an AMAZING Katrina Settlement...just kidding. Congratulations on this system, it looks and sounds like you're forgoing all the mistakes that most of us make the first time around. Top notch equipment. You seem like you're really excited (who could blame you), so a big sincere congrats. I look forward to watching this all get put together and your reef grow.
Mrseptember15
New member
Your name is BART! lucky...
cbui2
Premium Member
thanks scottkelly and mrseptember, yeah Katrina..had 7' water at my place of business, but lucky me I had purchase premium. Took me some time to rebuild shop but got it done, lost the townhouse with all personal property, but move into this new home about 6 months ago and already tearing it down already...the way I look at it, rebuilding is a start.
Mrseptember15
New member
Soo is that a yes on Bart or nay?
cbui2
Premium Member
oh yeah that's my nickname mrseptember, had it since high school and just been stuck with it ever since and all my friends call me by Bart. I got bored when finish painting so decided to write my name on wall before I tear it down, but here come my wife and fill in the rest below my name.
Mrseptember15
New member
Aw dam. You should have written El-Barto. Then get your dad and make him paint El-****...It'll be like the episodes!
Mrseptember15
New member
Aw man it censored it! DOWN WITH CENSORSHIP!
ricanboy57
New member
So whats all going to be automated? Thats one of the coolest things in the hobby IMO. I get a kick out of knowing the system so well, i can make it do it by itself.
jnarowe
New member
I have an old 4300 as a stand-by for my return pump. It is a Baldor but I am not sure about the new ones. I know at least some of the Sequence line went to a different motor.
What I would really like is a needle wheel for the 4300 so let me know if you come across one!
What does this mean? You will be using the same tank for water changes and QT?
You can get identical media from Drs. Foster Smith called PhosPure for half the cost.
For a heater you might need a couple 800W controlled by a Medusa/Aqua Logic 2-stage controller, but I doubt they will ever turn on where you live. Is the garage completely insulated with an insulated door?
cbui2
Premium Member
I bought mine pumps through webbs paid $288, they had the best price. The new model just change and I had to purchased another one is now sequence 1000's 4500QSEQ. Sorry had typo error on the water change sump & qt, 55gal QT is separate from other, thanks but just wanted to try some media to start off with, but I will get the ones Drs. Foster Smith, thanks..
I was thinking about couple of heaters but didn't know what brand is good, and garage is insulated in attic and the right is my living room. Garage door, left, and back is not insulated. I know the heaters might work once in a while, but it's always to be safe than sorry just in case mother nature decide to haunt us again. How's your snail grow out tank?
I was thinking about couple of heaters but didn't know what brand is good, and garage is insulated in attic and the right is my living room. Garage door, left, and back is not insulated. I know the heaters might work once in a while, but it's always to be safe than sorry just in case mother nature decide to haunt us again. How's your snail grow out tank?
jnarowe
New member
Grow-out tank is looking pretty sweet, but I have yet to get an algal growth in there...got a 8 x T5 lamp I need to hang and that should do it!
Based on my experience (and many others), I wouldn't use anything less than a high-end titanium heater element and an Aqua Logic or Medusa controller. This is a serious point of failure and I have read many stories of heater-related disasters. In a system the size of yours, these issues are a bit mitigated, but most of what is sold in hobby stores is pitifully inadequate.
Then the issue of power loss comes into play. If you have the standard amount of heater watts/per gallon and the power goes out, when you do get power restored, you will not have enough heater to get the tank back up to temp. for an extended period of time. Since your system is in the garage, this becomes a bit more important than in an installation like mine.
Based on my experience (and many others), I wouldn't use anything less than a high-end titanium heater element and an Aqua Logic or Medusa controller. This is a serious point of failure and I have read many stories of heater-related disasters. In a system the size of yours, these issues are a bit mitigated, but most of what is sold in hobby stores is pitifully inadequate.
Then the issue of power loss comes into play. If you have the standard amount of heater watts/per gallon and the power goes out, when you do get power restored, you will not have enough heater to get the tank back up to temp. for an extended period of time. Since your system is in the garage, this becomes a bit more important than in an installation like mine.
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What's your backup power plan, I see where you live and that could be an issue you might want to address. Also are you on a high point? Looking forward to the build. I have subscribed as it's the size I am eventually after.
By the way your doing an excellent job it seems at planning this out. Should look fantastic.
By the way your doing an excellent job it seems at planning this out. Should look fantastic.
cbui2
Premium Member
Thanks jnarowe, bought this a week ago and waiting for my ordered to come in, Guardian 16,000 Watt (LP) / 15,000 Watt (NG) Home Standby Generator from HD. I wanted this unit because just in case of evacuation again, hope not -cross all fingers-knock on wood that would be able to run for quit sometimes without any problems, but for some natural disasters that they cut off my natural gas, then I will be in a lot of trouble...
ruby1, yes I live in area called Avondale and it's above elevation because during Katrina which is the worst, streets did not have any flooding at all but only wind damages so moved here to get away from flooded areas.
ruby1, yes I live in area called Avondale and it's above elevation because during Katrina which is the worst, streets did not have any flooding at all but only wind damages so moved here to get away from flooded areas.
jnarowe
New member
I made an error in my previous message: What I meant to say is why don't you install an LPG/propane tank on-site so that the gas line won't be shut off during a disaster? I am going to install a huge one as we lose power several times/year.
And my motto is: "Why pay someone else to screw things up when I can do it myself for free?"
Of course I am $130 into plumbing a three well sink at my store and it still leaks!
And my motto is: "Why pay someone else to screw things up when I can do it myself for free?"
Of course I am $130 into plumbing a three well sink at my store and it still leaks!
cbui2
Premium Member
LoL, was also thinking about that too but the last hurricane they didn't shut it off in Avondale which is 20miles out of New Orleans, currently power loss in here is very little maybe 1 or if any, and my friend is licensed so he drops by when needed.
like your motto, which is true.
on your top-off what the setup includes since i will be buying the water exchange module to add on Litermeter3
like your motto, which is true.
on your top-off what the setup includes since i will be buying the water exchange module to add on Litermeter3
jnarowe
New member
the one I got is the standard controller body and one attached pump. comes with a couple hoses and a manual. All you need is 1/4" tubing and whatever fittings needed for your top off. I may buy an extra pump to keep my grow-out tank topped off too.
It's fairly easy to set up and then you guess what the water needs will be and enter it into the program. Then you adjust it to actual.
It's fairly easy to set up and then you guess what the water needs will be and enter it into the program. Then you adjust it to actual.
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