Help me with Equipment selection....

[joe_dejesus]

Looking into getting a GHL Profilux II Beginner Pack.

I need your suggestions.. I am starting a new project, A display tank for the shop/office..
Unlike the house large tank, This tank will be small in footprint but big in performance..

I am green to small tanks, all my experience is with large tanks with sumps...


This new setup will be the new High-Power LED Jbj Nano Cube 28gal with AquaEuroUSA skimmer.

I hear these LED's perform well, if SPS are kept high up they should thrive.

My tanks have always been Berlin with great success... I was thinking of also running the nano
in Berlin... as tank ages I do plan to keep SPS so stable water parameters are important.

I will not have a sump so I want to try the balling-method controller by the Profilux and dosing pumps.
I am new to this electronic age hardware... Need Suggestions on GHL equipment...

I was thinking of the following:

-GHL Profilux II Beginner Pack
-Profilux Dosing Pump 4 Balling Kit
-pH, ,temperature probes (included with kit)
-ORP sensor and the water level sensor... (still debating witch style water level sensor I can use with this tank)

If I read correctly I need a special salt to use with Balling method? Still reading/learning these new methods..

Anything to change or add/remove???

 

[AQD_ottawa]

Hiya

You have it pretty well spot on, however to reduce cost you can get away with a 3 pump doser.

In regards to ORP, how important is this to you? as you have two options here.

1. add the PLM-Redox card and probe to the kit
Or
2. Go for the Beginner EX pack that comes with the redox cntrol and salinity control already built in.

For balling yes you need Fauna Marin balling salts, there are many cheaper laternatives but you simply will not get the stability as they do not have the unique polymers blended in that fauna took years to develop. I would suggest for colouration to add the trace elements also.

two good places to get the packs from and in stock would be

www.progressivereef.com
www.reefconcept.com

 

[joe_dejesus]

Thanks for getting back to me.


I was thinking of utilizing the 4th pump doser for topping off... Unless I figure another way...

Also seems better value getting the Beginner EX pack. I see it has redox and
salinity built in, does it include sensors?

I also assume the Profilux with all sensor values on tap works the dose pumps as needed without me having to do manually?


thanks!
Joe

 

[AQD_ottawa]

Hi

Yep the EX is better value for sure, you would ahve to add the probes.

For dosing you have the option of auto or manual, both in ML or timed.

If you have a system larger than 60Gal I would recommend not using the doser for top off as you may over run the peri pump, but it all comes down to how much evaporation you get in a day.

I am just starting a tank build here with 60Gal under Ai LED lighting and will be using a port for top off but this is to evaluate the effectiveness of such a method.

Expect to see the build start in Feb

 

[joe_dejesus]

Re: Balling method

How about NaCl free reef salts for tank water, is there one that works best with Fauna Marin?

this is a very small tank (28G) so I am sure the extra pump should not be overworked... just not sure
how much evap I will get with LEDs...

 

[AQD_ottawa]

Hi,

Unless you are going down the classic balling method route you do not need NACL but yes they do make it The modern way developed by Claude Schuhmacher is Balling light

Fauna make all the salts you need, there are 3 specialised salts, here is the link to the manual

http://shop.faunamarin.de/media/content/Balling 22.06JK-comm_ENG.doc

 

[joe_dejesus]

question:

I am thinking a Standalone Profilux Dosing Pump might also work for me.

Unless I am missing something, the Profilux II wont adjust dosing with connected dosing pump right? its still a set required drip rate and adjust as needed. still trying to see the need for the Profilux II.

 

[AQD_ottawa]

Hi

You can not connect a stand alone doser to the profiLux controllers, they are independant units, so if going for a ProfiLux Plus II or P3 it is advised to go for the slave dosers so you have full intergrated control. Basically the same dosing system but the controller is inside the ProfiLux aquatic computer.

 

[joe_dejesus]

Ok that answers that, no standalone... With Balling light is co2 addition still utilized?

 

[AQD_ottawa]

Hi

You do not need any Co2 with Balling mineralization. This is the beauty of the system as it releases so much equipment, no Co2 bottle, no reactor, no kalk stirrer, regulators, all you need is the dosing pump and 3 water containers.

 

[joe_dejesus]

OK please bare with me.. I am old school...

Since It releases so much equipment.. I guess water parameters are adjusted by dosing each port separately? I guess where I am confused is the injection of each of the 3 dosing pumps, does the profiLux assist in any of this or one has to program or pump
a pump to raise/lower a parameter?

I am uses to separate equipment and manual... trying to grasp the electronic method.

 

[AQD_ottawa]

Hi

it will not raise or lower paremeters by controlled monitoring of those parameters other than pH or water level and salinity. The dosers dose your pre defined (programmed) rates either in ML or timed. The controller can be set to auto where it will dose your required daily amount over a 24 hour period with no two pumps on at the same time or you can set it up manually.

All pumps are independantly controllable from each other, like having for instance 4 dosing units in one box

 

[joe_dejesus]

I guess I am committed now... :spin3:

just purchased:
ProfiLux Plus II Ex beginer set
profilux 3 pump unit
and the 4 Fauna Marin balling salts

All pumps are independantly controllable from each other, like having for instance 4 dosing units in one box

I guess I need to learn how manipulate each one to get desired results.. never played with this system so its new to me.. :eek1:

 

[AQD_ottawa]

Fine choice sir

while you anxiously wait for the Brown truck, I suggest creating an account here www.aquariumcomputer.com/forum so you have access to all the support you need

Welcome to the finest aquarium club in the world- Members only but always recruiting

 

[joe_dejesus]

You know what I really hate!

If all this works, I might have to upgrade the large tank to!! :crazy1:

 

[joe_dejesus]

Hi,

Unless you are going down the classic balling method route you do not need NACL but yes they do make it The modern way developed by Claude Schuhmacher is Balling light

Fauna make all the salts you need, there are 3 specialised salts, here is the link to the manual

http://shop.faunamarin.de/media/content/Balling 22.06JK-comm_ENG.doc

>>The new method does not require magnesium sulphate as it precipitates extremely quickly and thus does not make sense.


So many different salts.. I accidentally order one magnesium sulphate and
the document says its not needed.. not sure whether to keep it or not use
magnesium sulphate?

 

[AQD_ottawa]

dont worry you can use it when you run out of mag Hex, then go back to using the hex after this has been used up. Or you can just mix the two together. Sulphate just gets used up quicker that is all.

 

[joe_dejesus]

do you have any suggestions for accurate Tests kit brand?


thanks
Joe

 

[joe_dejesus]

TIP:

We recommend you verify your water tests with the reference solution from Fauna Marin.
We can also provide you with an exceptionally accurate KH test for marine aquariums

Sorry I cannot edit above post... Can you give details on that accurate KH test mentioned in document?

You wont happen to have a more detailed link on effects when raising/lowring of each of 3 balling doses?

 

[AQD_ottawa]

Here is the KH manual
http://shop.faunamarin.de/media/content/Instruction Manual Alkalinity Test.pdf

In what regards do you mean effects?