Initial planning stages for tank and fish room

[Bilk]

Yep, I own a PAR meter as well. Did you correct those PAR values with the 20% Apogee now recommends when using LED's that are heavy in the blue spectrum? I'm really not sure how accurate that adjustment is, just wondering.

I start with just 1% blues at 6AM, ramping up 50% blue at 11AM, then peaking at 65% white and blue channels at 2PM which very slowly drops about 10% until 8PM at which time it ramps down to off over 2 hours. Photo period seems to be about right so hopefully raising the lights up higher and then adjusting so peak PAR at my SPS level is around 280 - 300 will work wonders.

No I didn't account for any adjustment. I just take straight readings and keep them within the ranges that were suggested to me. So far so good

These are my plots for the various fixtures. Nothing scientific here either. They're pretty much based on the intensity recommendation, visual appeal and photo period that works with viewing period

Ecoxotic 100w Cannon x 2

Kessil Blue Channel x 3

Kessil White Channel x 3

Build My LED x 2

 

[markalot]

^^ Thanks for posting that info.

 

[MBC2012]

Love the lighting. Might have to copy.

 

[trueblackpercula]

OK, anyone want to help me pick a new skimmer?

I really like downdraft skimmers. Used them back in the day and they were the best and I think still are. My ETSS does a great job. It's pretty easy to clean, but I hate the noise of the Iwaki. I also experienced some heat buildup that necessitated running a fan which I didn't appreciate for the noise either. The Iwaki does get warm and this skimmer needs a pressure rated pump. Tried a Jebao 12000 and it was a joke. No where near the pressure required.

So now I'm considering a new skimmer - possibly internal, but generally always used external and may stay that way. I've been researching the new RLSS Waveline skimmers, basically as a result of searching for a DC pump to replace the Iwaki. The new Waveline pumps allegedly have a pressure rated impeller, but I don't think it can do what the Iwaki MD 70 can do.

So any input on these RLSS skimmers? Any other suggestions? Also looked at Vertex/RE. Or are all these plastic tubes pretty much the same? :spin3:

 

[trueblackpercula]

OK, anyone want to help me pick a new skimmer?

I really like downdraft skimmers. Used them back in the day and they were the best and I think still are. My ETSS does a great job. It's pretty easy to clean, but I hate the noise of the Iwaki. I also experienced some heat buildup that necessitated running a fan which I didn't appreciate for the noise either. The Iwaki does get warm and this skimmer needs a pressure rated pump. Tried a Jebao 12000 and it was a joke. No where near the pressure required.

So now I'm considering a new skimmer - possibly internal, but generally always used external and may stay that way. I've been researching the new RLSS Waveline skimmers, basically as a result of searching for a DC pump to replace the Iwaki. The new Waveline pumps allegedly have a pressure rated impeller, but I don't think it can do what the Iwaki MD 70 can do.

So any input on these RLSS skimmers? Any other suggestions? Also looked at Vertex/RE. Or are all these plastic tubes pretty much the same? :spin3:

This is the way I would go

bubble king skimmers as they work very well use half of the electricity and have almost no noise.

If you want a down draft skimmer I use the MRC MR2 and it has worked amazing since 2006.

 

[Bilk]

This is the way I would go

bubble king skimmers as they work very well use half of the electricity and have almost no noise.

If you want a down draft skimmer I use the MRC MR2 and it has worked amazing since 2006.

Hey Michael. I'm not going to switch out the ETSS for another skimmer that requires a pressure pump too LOL That doesn't solve the issue I'm trying to eliminate - noise in the fishroom and heat contributed to the tank A Jebao DC 12000 didn't cut it, when I tried it on the skimmer.

I'm wondering if the newer cone skimmers such as the Bubble King can do what the ETSS does. I feed pretty heavy, both fish and corals. I pull the socks and leave the skimmer off for an hour. After it turns back on, it immediately goes back to work, stripping the water of what ever remains. Sort of like how the tide washes the reef crest with nutrients and then clears them back out. Well that's at least what I'm trying to accomplish.

The ETSS doesn't skip a beat in terms of skimming. It immediately starts to build a head after it returns to service. The heavy feeding doesn't influence it.

Say when are you coming by to help me mount all these corals? :lol:

 

[trueblackpercula]

Hey Michael. I'm not going to switch out the ETSS for another skimmer that requires a pressure pump too LOL That doesn't solve the issue I'm trying to eliminate - noise in the fishroom and heat contributed to the tank A Jebao DC 12000 didn't cut it, when I tried it on the skimmer.

I'm wondering if the newer cone skimmers such as the Bubble King can do what the ETSS does. I feed pretty heavy, both fish and corals. I pull the socks and leave the skimmer off for an hour. After it turns back on, it immediately goes back to work, stripping the water of what ever remains. Sort of like how the tide washes the reef crest with nutrients and then clears them back out. Well that's at least what I'm trying to accomplish.

The ETSS doesn't skip a beat in terms of skimming. It immediately starts to build a head after it returns to service. The heavy feeding doesn't influence it.

Say when are you coming by to help me mount all these corals? :lol:

Lol lets do it on a Sunday as we can do that and watch the game at the same time. By the way I am still waiting to mount mine as well. All but one is not doing that well. I think I want to order 5 or 6 more. I have also been feeding them pappo and and this seems to be doing the trick in keepi g them healthy not to mention I have lowered the intensity of the light to 65%

As for the bubble King skimmer there is a reLly big thread on Reefcentral on these and are top notch. Only dra back is they are big money, but you get the return on the saving of electricity In less than a year. I think this is the next thing on my upgrade list in the new year.
Michael

 

[rmgaspar]

Hey Michael. I'm not going to switch out the ETSS for another skimmer that requires a pressure pump too LOL That doesn't solve the issue I'm trying to eliminate - noise in the fishroom and heat contributed to the tank A Jebao DC 12000 didn't cut it, when I tried it on the skimmer.

I'm wondering if the newer cone skimmers such as the Bubble King can do what the ETSS does. I feed pretty heavy, both fish and corals. I pull the socks and leave the skimmer off for an hour. After it turns back on, it immediately goes back to work, stripping the water of what ever remains. Sort of like how the tide washes the reef crest with nutrients and then clears them back out. Well that's at least what I'm trying to accomplish.

The ETSS doesn't skip a beat in terms of skimming. It immediately starts to build a head after it returns to service. The heavy feeding doesn't influence it.

Say when are you coming by to help me mount all these corals? :lol:

Well ... Vertex Alpha are very good and expensive skimmers but if you want death silence that's the way to go.

On the other-side I own a ATI PowerCone 250iS and I can tell you it's a monster skimming. It's rated at 3000l. And you can adjust everything on the skimmer.

Few people complain about the pumps but actually if the pump fails you can quickly replace it with a DC5000 pump. It's very cheap and easy to grab. I cannot say the same for Vertex or Bubble King as the pumps are very expensive.

All the best,
Rui

 

[Bilk]

Hi Rui and thanks for the input. I looked at the Alpha Vertex, but didn't look at the ATI. The ATI specs look pretty good and so do the reviews.

I'm really trying to figure out how I can work another external skimmer into the plan. I prefer them for ease of maintenance. Pulling a large skimmer out of the sump isn't what I want to do. However I'm not sure, with the way my sump is plumbed and the room available for an external skimmer, I'll be able to accommodate one.

The ETSS is right in the front of the sump platform, so pulling the collection cup and cleaning the neck is really easy. When I do my monthly skimmer cleanaing, removing it is just as easy.

The whole skimmer thing began when I started to look for alternatives for the Iwaki pump - trying to reduce the heat, noise and energy consumption. Not sure I'll find something suitable that fits all the requirements.

Hey your build looks like it's going to be very nice

 

[Carlosroach]

Amazing build. You put a lot of attention to detail in it.

 

[Bilk]

Amazing build. You put a lot of attention to detail in it.

Thanks Carlos, though I'm not sure I put enough into skimmer options LOL

 

[rmgaspar]

Bilk,

Another question.

Where did you got the chromatic leds you use in the frame?

I got some but are not true RGB Leds they use a patern of blue red and green and it gives a strange patern.

All the best,
Rui

 

[Bilk]

Bilk,

Another question.

Where did you got the chromatic leds you use in the frame?

I got some but are not true RGB Leds they use a patern of blue red and green and it gives a strange patern.

All the best,
Rui

Hi Rui. Where else? Link
I have Amazon Prime on speed dial LOL

 

[Bilk]

Just a minor update. Want to thank sleif for sharing the neat mounts he used to hang his Kessils over his tank. They are just what I was looking for. They provide easy adjustability to get the light exactly where I want it. I'll post some pics of the mod that was required for the ball attachment to the fixture. I did it a little differently than sleif.

Tried to capture a pic of how the tank looks coming down the stairs. This is the best I can do. First is with flash and second without. Neither looks as it does normally LOL

And last, the tank has been having difficulty maintaing PH. Used to run rock steady at 8.1 - 8.35. Now it seems to have lost buffer. Alk is the same as it's always been at 8.1dkh and Ca is also steady at 410. I had boosted Mg to 1550 to deal with valonia using Tech M. Could that have had an influence on buffering ability? Nightly PH swing is now down to 7.75. I hope to soon get an ATS (are you reading this Bud ) , and that will run alternating cycles to the lighting. That should diminish the nightly swings.


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[markalot]

That's most likely high co2 in the room, I had the same issue and ended up running the skimmer intake outside to fix it. Can you open up a window to see if it improves?

If you don't have a window there is co2 scrubbing media than can be put in a reactor (dry). You run the skimmer intake through the reactor to remove the co2.

 

[Bilk]

That's most likely high co2 in the room, I had the same issue and ended up running the skimmer intake outside to fix it. Can you open up a window to see if it improves?

If you don't have a window there is co2 scrubbing media than can be put in a reactor (dry). You run the skimmer intake through the reactor to remove the co2.

Yeah no window in that room. However, over the past year the tank has been running, there was never an issue with the PH. Only thing I can think of is the fact that much of the valonia is gone, due to manual removal and die-off from the Tech M and there are more corals in the system. Maybe that has changed how much CO2 was being consumed due to alga uptake during lighting periods and more is being release during dark periods by the additional corals?

 

[markalot]

Yeah no window in that room. However, over the past year the tank has been running, there was never an issue with the PH. Only thing I can think of is the fact that much of the valonia is gone, due to manual removal and die-off from the Tech M and there are more corals in the system. Maybe that has changed how much CO2 was being consumed due to alga uptake during lighting periods and more is being release during dark periods by the additional corals?

Could be. You could try aerating at night to equalize the co2 with the room.

 

[Bilk]

Could be. You could try aerating at night to equalize the co2 with the room.

I'll have to see what more I can do to achieve that. I usually have a few windows open in the house at night. It would be difficult for me to run a hose to the exterior to get fresh air to the skimmer. Researching options now I think the ATS will help once I get it running and seeded with alga.

Here's a FTS. Right side needs work - or I should say I need to mount some of the corals sitting on the sand bed there My least favorite part of the hobby LOL

 

[markalot]

Looks fantastic.

By aerate I mean stick a cheap air pump and an air stone in the sump and run it at night. I've been doing this along with the skimmer line outside and the two combined work well. If your home co2 is not elevated then IMO just nighttime aeration to drive off some of the co2 might work.

 

[Bilk]

OK so I picked up a really biggazz skimmer :bigeyes: Going to give it a whirl and see if it can keep up with the ETSS :rolleye1:

It's rated for 300g - 600g. The ETSS is rated for 400g and it still gets a workout on my +200g system. I just have to figure out how to plumb it and not have it be in my way in my compact fish room. There's no way it's going under the tank.

Who knows? It may find it's way on to the sales corner if it's either too much skimmer or can't do what the ETSS is doing. Or I'll keep it for my planned 8' upgrade LOL


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