Jims 16" bubble

[fullmonti]

It's been along time. The skimmer not working drove me crazy.

The first two were bubble trap/filter box used with the Tunze skimmer. Never did get it to work. So tried some thing different, a new skimmer. The last bubble trap/filter box was for my new skimmer the new little AquaMedic, it didn't work out because the skimmer just sat in the sump & the water wasn't deep enough there so had to make a new system. (photo or video on it later when I figure out how to size & post videos).

crap hit the submit button instead of the preview button

Any way this is the bubble trap/filter box I'm using with it now. Finally skimmer/filtration is working!!! Water comes in the tower looking part on the right where bubbles can dissipate, then goes in the bottom of the middle part which is where the skimmer sets, overflows out of there into the part on the left, down through filter floss, carbon, & a media bag of bio media, out the bottom into the sump.

I'll start another post & get out of edit mode

Jim

 

[fullmonti]

The new bubble trap/filter box would not fit through the access whole in the stand/sump so had to take the whole thing apart to drop it in through the top.

I got a new iphone & took a nice video of it working, but it's 70MB right now so will have to find out how & what size it needs to be before I can post it. Sure glad I made this rig so it could be taken apart!

Along with all this I am taking my 180 reef down. I have had a horrible HA problem for months, & the wife has always wanted me to set it up as a planted fresh water tank. So that is what I'm going to do. Been selling livestock off for 2-3 weeks now.

I ended up putting some sps frags of my favorites from big tank into the bubble tank (again pix of this later). Also will be getting my nem from Wet Thumbs this week.

It wasn't cheap but very cool. Hope it looks as good in person!

laugh here is the photo of the algae scrubber you ask to see about a month ago.

It is a acrylic 12x30x6" tank from glass cages. Water comes in from the display tank on left then over a slopped piece of tile that the algae is growing on, then under that & out the bottom to sump. It has two two tube daylight fluorescent fixtures over it. As you can see it finally has a good crop of algae growing, but hasn't done a thing to slow down algae in the display. Hate that stuff!!!

Thats about it for now. More soon.

Jim

 

[ange062]

That's a sweet lookin nem!! Glad to see you got the skimmer issues worked out. Bummer to hear about taking the 180 down, but planted tanks are quite awesome too. +1 on GHA, that stuff is aweful!!

 

[ange062]

double post

 

[laugh]

I knew you would get it figured out. My hair algea problem isn't as bad since I moved. but there are still a few lingering spots.

 

[fullmonti]

The Tunze is a good skimmer, just the wrong one for this system. I was trying to not have to buy yet another skimmer.

 

[SaintMark]

your post and overall amazingness is what made me find my old logon and make a post of my own tank. This post has great ideas!!! keep it coming!

+1 tagging along

 

[fullmonti]

I'm glad to hear that. I have gotten lots of inspirations from people here, glad to be able to return the favor.

Jim

 

[ange062]

I'm glad to hear that. I have gotten lots of inspirations from people here, glad to be able to return the favor.

Jim

Please keep it coming sir, you inspire us all!

 

[Saltyjam]

I shouldn't have read this thread, it's given me too many ideas that I totally can't afford! Seriously though, wow, the engineering and workmanship in this is awesome.

 

[brandon429]

Jim have you seen any changes in the evaporation rate of your bowl based on water level? such as when the water line drops the evaporation increases due to increasing surface area? didnt know if the extra volume of water down below helps to offset that much, was wondering if your evaporation/topoff rates are affected by how high you keep the water level in the bowl.

 

[fullmonti]

The bowl/display area is a overflow area. The water level doesn't change. It is set by the level of the external overflow system, which I have not changed. The water level would/does change in the sump though. I have a small fan that blows into the sump area to keep the condensation under control, this does increase evaporation. Hope this answers your question.

Jim

Oh ya I got my nem. He was so little in the bag I thought it was a mushroom. He isn't big enough to put a full grown clown with, so I had to sell my old pair. I will let the nem grow for a while then get a small clown for him. He looked good for a couple days, then looked bad for a day. Seems to be OK now. I tried to get a good photo, but will need to bring macro lens & flash home to get a good one.

 

[fullmonti]

I just remembered I do have some new photos.

FTS front shows some of the new sps.

New nem doesn't look quite happy yet.

Side view, more of new sps.

You can see how reflections & the prism effect could complicate photographing a glass bubble full of water.

I have been breaking down my big tank. All livestock gone now. Major cleaning job next! This has pretty much consumed my life lately. Fesh water planted tank next.

Still working out best way to post videos. I have couple form new iphone I'll post when bugs get worked out.

All or now
Jim

 

[brad65ford]

Very sweet, love the ATS setup!

 

[laugh]

Coming along nicely Jim.

 

[Agu]

Jim,

You're crazy and over the top, and that's meant as a compliment.

Had a 30 gallon globe when I was into freshwater tanks. Found a terrarium at a garage sale and though "That would make a great aquarium." When the 2" mollies were at the back of the tank the magnification effect made them look like they were a foot long. Do you get that effect or does the aquascaping block it out?

 

[fullmonti]

No it's kinda the same. When the blue/green chromi goes across the back he looks much bigger than when he goes across the front. Disappears all together going around the sides. I'm working on posting videos, but breaking down my big tank & holidays have kept me busy.

Wish I could have found a bigger bubble when I started this.

Crazy fits any one that would go to this much trouble for a seven gallon tank.

Jim

 

[brandon429]

thanks for reply 218 posts is too many to search through to find the first time i asked, couldn't remember what you said after these months had gone by lol

it looks great. spherical is the best looking salt tank shape imo this tank is great.

 

[brandon429]

also i don't know if you ever saw it but naturesocean.com/fantasy bowl is bigger I think and exact same shape.

 

[fullmonti]

I had not seen them. Funny it's only 4" bigger diameter, but more than twice the volume. The big problem would be I don't like acrylic tanks much. I bookmarked it anyway though.

Jim