It`s All Their Fault!

[melev]

You can't call it a closed loop if it is coming up from the sump as a water source, and if there were any problems it could siphon out quite a bit of water.

A closed loop is independent, and water never makes contact with air. You can use the SCWD that you own with a Mag 12, and get pretty good results. Head pressure is pretty much non-existant in a closed loop, so the pump can be on the floor or just behind the tank.

 

[Knyght]

So to be a closed loop the water must come from the tank itself. I see this now. Not sure why I didn`t before. Sometimes the simple things are the ones we don`t see Thx for clearing that up for me. I could just do the up and over design for the input then.
(However the wife wants me to move the tank, for redecoration reasons.) I`m not a big fan of doing that and so far haven`t But if I ever do break down and move it I will drill a hole or two in the back.

When you going to hire me to come down and do your woodwork. LOL.
(*Disclaimer* This is not a solicitation.)

:beachbum:

 

[melev]

Some day, I'll do it.

 

[WaterKeeper]

Waterkeeper, where is your thread on Water Movement? *boy that`s a loaded title if I ever saw one!! *

Marc is the pump guy. As Arnold S, a well know California Political figure stated after visiting Marc's site, "When it comes to pumping things up Marc is your Man."

 

[melev]

:lol: <i>"I'm gonna pohmp yoo up!"</i>

 

[Knyght]

Marc is the pump guy. As Arnold S, a well know California Political figure stated after visiting Marc's site, "When it comes to pumping things up Marc is your Man."

And pump he does :smokin:
Great advice given while the visit I was.

On a side note, about the frags I was hoping to pick up before leaving this week, talked it over with him and we decided he will hold them till I get back.
:beachbum:

 

[Knyght]

Having a great time here in San Antonio. Spent the day yesterday at Sea World. The shark/coral reef building is just awesome. An entire school of heniocus the size of dinner plates! I don`t know the amount of gallons the main tank was but let`s just say it was 2 stories tall. If anyone is interested I will post a few pictures when I get home.
Going to drive down to Corpus Christi sometime this week and visit the Texas State Aquarium there. May even check out a few lfs`s while here.

:beachbum:

 

[melev]

I'd love to see some pictures. Sea World is just great.

 

[Knyght]

I'd love to see some pictures. Sea World is just great.

Yes it is Marc, we really had a great time and spent almost all day there. Here`s some pic`s from the trip.

We started off by going through the Clydesdale housing. Just a really nice place. And to top it off we were lucky and got to take a few pic`s with one of them! His name is Bud, a 5 year old. We definitely got there at the right time as they quit letting people take pic`s with him right after us. Just ignore the guy in the shorts, I am 6' 2" to give you a sense of how big these horses are

Being just a few yards away we strolled over to the dolphin tank. Super place and if you are lucky you may even get to touch them.

Swimming by.

Gathering up speed.

And Splash!!! I tried to get a pic of them jumping out but never could time it right.

:beachbum:

 

[Knyght]

We decided to have a taste or two of the many fine products that are made by budwieser Was nice to get out of the sun for a few minutes and wet the whistle

Spent quite awhile seeing a few of their shows and riding a few rides. I didn`t take any pic of Shamu, as we sat on the 3rd row. Anyone who has seen that show knows that you get a real soaking at the end. Needless to say I didn`t want to subject my camera to that!! However Mom was up top with her video camera so she has a movie of the wife and I getting drenched That water has to be 50 degrees!!!!! Sure enjoyed the cooling off however

Before leaving and saving the best for last, we toured the shark/coral reef building. I know I had to have spent at least a couple hours in there alone lol.

When you enter you are greeted by a tall cylinder tank housing a school of yellow tangs.
Sorry for the glare but there is just no way I know of to get around it.

Notice the huge sea fan in this pic.

The soft coral display tank.

How big is this clam would you say?

My guess would be around 16-18"
:beachbum:

 

[Knyght]

The next room houses one of their big tanks. Here is a shot to sort of give you an idea of the size. There are 3 glass windows this size to view from. This is the one with the large school of heniocus, among others.
The person in the pic is 5' tall.

Tried to get a nice shot of the ray that was in there also but this is the best one I managed.

Just around the corner is another display approx. the same size that has the sharks in it. The coral is all manmade but adds color to it I must say Look closely and you can see one resting inbetween the knolls.

Nurse shark resting on the bottom

:beachbum:

 

[Knyght]

Next room features another cylinder with various man made corals and different types of critters in it.
I found the colors they chose to be a bit on the glaring side, but did add tons of color LOL
Couple of moray`s peeking out.

A super nice tabletop, too bad it`s not real

A smaller display toward the end with seahorses and a nice sized sea apple.

And of course the obligatory Nemo tank at the end You can`t see them in this shot but they are in there hehe, and we all know what they look like anyway

:beachbum:

 

[Knyght]

We also toured the Texas state aquarium located in Corpus Christi before coming back. A very interesting place indeed and lots of learning to be had there. They focus primarily on the local wildlife of the Gulf.
I didn`t take a whole lot of pic`s while there but just had to share this one of a spiny crab.

I didn`t feel I could finish up this post without one from the San Antonio Riverwalk. I have been there before and will go again I`m sure. It is just truly beautiful what they have done there.

Hope ya`ll have enjoyed my trip as much as I did. I would recommend that everyone go themselves should you get the opportunity.

Now back to the meat of this thread. I am trying to finish up the trim work on the canopy. Shouldn`t be much longer before it is ready to stain, and I can add the woodwork to the stand.

Thanks for tuning in.
:beachbum:

 

[melev]

Very nice pictures. You obviously had a great time, and now you have me wanting to head down south again.

 

[Knyght]

now you have me wanting to head down south again.

It`s worth the trip, Just go!

:beachbum:

 

[Knyght]

Small update:

Upon returning home from San Antonio I noticed some bleaching in a few spots on the acropora, and the neon green candy cane wasn`t opening up. Everything else looked ok. I unplugged the skimmer while we were gone, so my tank-sitter wouldn`t have to empty it.

Ran water tests and came out with these numbers.

Temp----------80
s.g------------1.0209 (Pinpoint salinity monitor)
Ph-------------8.0 (Salifert)
Alk------------in the normal range using red sea (I need a better kit)
Ammonia------0
Nitrite---------0
Calcium--------400 (Salifert)

I topped the tank off as soon as I could mix up fresh salt water. I made up to read 1.028. At the time I could only add about 3 gls so I `m sure it didn`t help much. I have continued to use the rest to top off each day trying to raise the salinity back up to 1.026.

Today I got a reading of 1.022 so I did what amounts to a 5 gl water change with salt mix at the same 1.028. Tank now reads almost 1.023 so it is looking better. I`ll top off tomorrow and more than likely do another 5-10gl water change Sunday. Hope that will do it.

The acropora is not going to make it. It continues to bleach and the candy-cane appears to be melting away. Slightly bummed about them as it was my 1st acro and the candy-cane was really bright and florescent.

I got in touch with the guy I`m getting frags from and he is going to continue to hold them for me until I get the salinity back in line.
So that`s good news.

On a side note, I set up a seperate 55gl again since my lfs is now holding a 2 inch juv. queen angel for me Of course it will outgrow that in no time, I am planning to have at least a 240 by Christmas. I`ll try to snap a shot of it tomorrow.

:beachbum:

 

[melev]

Why was the salinity so low?

 

[Knyght]

Good question, unfortunetly I can`t answer it.

:beachbum:

 

[Knyght]

Salinity checked at 1.0237 this evening so almost back to normal. I may just go ahead and continue to top off with 1.028 premix. I usually have to add between 2-3 gls per day.

Brought this home this evening.
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=653797

:beachbum:

 

[melev]

Geeze, pick a thread. :lol: