headaches continues... Closed Loop System

R

Reefugee

New member
I can't seem to get anything right with this dang tank! Newest saga:

I have a Sequence Dart and an Oceansmotions 4 way on my closed loop system. I bought a Sequence Dart because it's quiet and has a lot of flow for very low power. When I first got the thing - it was DEAD quiet. But lately, it's been getting louder and louder. It's gotten to the point where I have to turn off my closed loop system in order to watch TV. I thought there was something stuck in the impeller, so late last week I took the thing apart. Impeller and everything looked great. Turns out that the ball bearings on the motor went bad. I am suppose to get a new motor soon. I went ahead and put the closed loop system back together so I get at least some flow.

Yesterday - my Oceansmotions started making noises. Called Oceansmotions today, and they gave me some recommendation. But that required that I remove the drum. No big deal - the drum is easy to get to. WRONG!!! I could not remove the drum. I had to take the closed loop system COMPLETELY apart (which was NOT fun!). I had to cut some pipe just to get it apart. Once the OM was no longer attached to the pipe, I was still unable to remove the drum. I had to break the drum to remove it. Turns out that there was calcium deposit on the top and that's why I could not remove the drum. *sigh* Luckily I have another drum.

So now I have to now I have two choices. 1. Replumb closed loop system. 2) Junk the closed loop system and just use some power heads (Tunze?). If I wasn't so damn stubborn, I would have quit by now - although the thought has entered my mind several times.

BTW - tech support from both Oceansmotions and MDM Inc (Sequence Dart maker) have been awesome!

Minh
 
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I have days like this...my arms get really tired from being in the tank so long, the tank is a mess and far from where you stated when you only had good intentions, its really late and your tired, and you have water buckets and messes everywhere and you just want to quit. This has happened to me a few times. In the end when everythings back to normal you'll know that it was all worth it
 
Parting out?
I got dibs on your stand. I hear it's rock solid.

Sorry to hear about your woes. Let me know if I can assuage you pain through frosty beverage.
BTW, tile is down!
 
Minh-

That's why my tool box has a drawer with Tylenol in it. It's right beside the drawer holding a pint of tequila.
 
Sometimes, new projects have teething times that have to work out.

I have built a lot of cars from the ground up......I remember a 65 Mustang once that was on jackstands every weekend for months. I had the transmission out so many times, it should have had a zipper.

My observation is that you have had a lot of issues in the past few months, correct?

I would assume that with your coral losses, water issues and this newest batch, you may be frustrated.....I know I would.

I suggest, gettin what absoultly needs to be functioning now going. Perhaps block off the closed loop and just getting the rest in order now. Save yourself a little project later....

Personaly, when I am frustrated and things aren't going right, I tend to rush and thats when Murphy really kicks in.

I feel your pain, I hope it all works out for you......

By the way, I was really into your closed loop in the pics, got me thinking about adding one too......when you get this one figured out.....come on over and do mine too.......:rollface:
 
Re: headaches continues... Closed Loop System

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7381486#post7381486 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mn95616
BTW - tech support from both Oceansmotions and MDM Inc (Sequence Dart maker) have been awesome!

Minh
Click to expand...

That just landed you the post of the year in my book. Sorry to hear about your problems, but I'm stoked that you didn't slam either company for them :D
 
Feel your pain man. I been floating on a wing and a prayer for too long on some things and I get reminded of it every now and again. You have a sweet tank though Mihn, and I know once you get that bad boy dialed in its gonna be beautifull.


-Justin
 
Minh,

Definitely stick it out.

I'm curious why there was calcium deposits (or sand?) in or around your OM drum. What's your calcium/alk and pH these days?

Separately, there was a well-known problem with some runs of OM drums that were just machined too close and didn't leave enough tolerance so even a tiny grain of sand (or calcium build up) could lock up the drum. At one point in time OM was replacing them for free.

Any updated pics of your tank you can share?

Scott
 
I see where you're coming from, Minh. There are times where I just think about certain things going wrong that just make me want to quit:lol:

Persevere, and you'll enjoy the fruits of your labor;)
 
Hang in there Minh. I've cut my plumbing out at least 3 times and re-done it, replaced a sump, uh cut the bottom of my stand out with a jigsaw to wet-vac the floor (that was a fun one).... and this is all on a tank I've had for just over 2 years. It is a crazy hobby, some of the above is also why I try to keep my setup really simple.
 
Thanks Everyone for your word of encouragement. Honestly - if it wasn't for this group, I probably would have just called it quits. You guys and gal are the greatest!

Replumbing the tank for the closed loop would have been a pain because there is very little space. Last night, I was looking at the possibility of cutting out some drywall to give me a little more work space - but unfortunately, there's a wall stud where I would need to cut. I decided to go ahead and order two Tunze 6000 + controller + magnet holder for my tank. Unfortunately, the Tunze will take at least two weeks to arrive. Right now the circulation in my tank is probably around 400 gph. I need to get more circulation in there ASAP. I had two Sieo 620, but loaned them out and can't remember who has them. Does anyone have any Sieo pumps I can borrow until my Tunze comes in?

I think it's time to go and ask my boss for a raise to support my salt addiction. :D

Thanks
Minh
 
Minh.. You may not want to hear this, but STOP DOSING for calcium.. the additives are causing your buildups, and may account for both problems.. i had tons of problems when i use to dose, especially with pumps.. basically calcium is attracted to heat and builds up over time..

i took apart my closed loop about a month ago to perform my yearly cleaning and my OM 4way and Dart had zero calcium build.. i don't dose anything anymore; use to dose Eepsom salt, Dowflake, and baking soda occassionally to balance things out, buy i gave that up over 6 months ago.. now i just rely on the calcium reactor and weekly 5g water change to manage everything..

my advice, stop dosing and fine tune your calcium reactor.. you'd be surprise what stable (not exact) water chemistry can do.
 
Huy -

Thanks for the advice. I think you might be right there. I think the problems that I have been running into started right when I started dosing my tank. For example, everything was looking great before the calicum, magnesium, and baking soda. My mixing container used to be really clean - but lately, I have been getting a white haze (calcium ppt?) on the garbage can. I been talking to more people who have awesome looking tank, and it appears that they don't dose that often either.

Minh
 
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