Smoke Inator
Member
i have one and used it for a while but now its sitting in a box of junk. some argue that its not worth using because of the dwell time needed to kill anything.
Joshnieder216's biocube 32 build
- Thread starter Joshnieder216
- Start date
Joshnieder216
Member
So as Smoke suggested he was going to try the AL115 airline and magnet mod to get it to fit in chamber 1, I decided I'd pull the trigger and try it myself.
Happy to say that at the moment it's in and running but still trying to get it dialed with some positive results before victory is proclaimed.
In other news after testing and everything coming back clear and dialed in decided to let my lovely wife buy me some frags for my bday.
I didn't want to jump into anything extravagant with the tank being so new so everything came out of the $10-20 tank with the exception of the one my wife absolutely had to have.
Gorgeous frogspawn Fragged from a much larger colony and the dude gave it to me for $15!
Little GDP which I have a small island in the sand bed I'm going to TRY to keep it confined to.
Some no name zoas and acans that came out of the cheap tank. Good color in my opinion but the acans are turned around so can't get a decent pic at the moment. Also another zoa that a snail relocated to the front of the tank that I can't get a pic of.
My wife's plate. This bad boy cost more than the 5 I picked out myself but she was determined. Looks awesome though!
I dipped everything which I'd never done before and I got quite a bit of life off them. Have to admit I was nervous but 24 hours later and I've got full extension out of everything so I'm happy. Done adding for awhile though as I feel I'm rushing things a bit. So now I'm just going to focus on getting this skimmer lined out adding a media reactor and getting a fuge in. I'll keep updating with the progress as I go because this is for me just as much as anyone else following along. Please if anyone has any advice or questions feel free to chime in.
"Yea, well, that's like, your opinion man" -The Dude
Happy to say that at the moment it's in and running but still trying to get it dialed with some positive results before victory is proclaimed.
In other news after testing and everything coming back clear and dialed in decided to let my lovely wife buy me some frags for my bday.
I didn't want to jump into anything extravagant with the tank being so new so everything came out of the $10-20 tank with the exception of the one my wife absolutely had to have.
Gorgeous frogspawn Fragged from a much larger colony and the dude gave it to me for $15!
Little GDP which I have a small island in the sand bed I'm going to TRY to keep it confined to.
Some no name zoas and acans that came out of the cheap tank. Good color in my opinion but the acans are turned around so can't get a decent pic at the moment. Also another zoa that a snail relocated to the front of the tank that I can't get a pic of.
My wife's plate. This bad boy cost more than the 5 I picked out myself but she was determined. Looks awesome though!
I dipped everything which I'd never done before and I got quite a bit of life off them. Have to admit I was nervous but 24 hours later and I've got full extension out of everything so I'm happy. Done adding for awhile though as I feel I'm rushing things a bit. So now I'm just going to focus on getting this skimmer lined out adding a media reactor and getting a fuge in. I'll keep updating with the progress as I go because this is for me just as much as anyone else following along. Please if anyone has any advice or questions feel free to chime in.
"Yea, well, that's like, your opinion man" -The Dude
Hey man - just wanted to say your thread is an inspiration to me !! You're doing some really cool stuff with your filtration.
I'm brand new to the world of SW, and just started my first reef tank.. A 32BC, all stock now, 30# live sand 45# live rock and a pair of heaters. Much to learn !!! Thanks for sharing all your experiences.
I'm brand new to the world of SW, and just started my first reef tank.. A 32BC, all stock now, 30# live sand 45# live rock and a pair of heaters. Much to learn !!! Thanks for sharing all your experiences.
Joshnieder216
Member
Thank you very much. It's really good to hear and inspiring to me to keep sharing if I can help at least one person. We're all in this together and trying to figure things out as we go.
I don't really have anything new to report as of now other than I got a valve put on the airline of my al115 so I have complete control over the skimmer and it's dialed in for the moment. Not pulling anything good just yet but I'm pretty sure it's still breaking in. I plan to start dosing nopox again soon if I decide I'm going to leave it as it.
I do find myself standing at a crossroad of my next mod. My choices are lights or media reactor. I've decided on the steves leds plug and play with the bluefish controller. Media reactor in chamber 2b I'm going to run brs Rox and gfo then use the bottom of my media basket as a fuge after floss and purigen. Decided I'm not putting the UV back in simply because I don't trust it. My heater and ato are occupying chamber 3 now.
"Yea, well, that's like, your opinion man" -The Dude
GatorScott
New member
How do you turn off the lights on the BC 32 without messing up the timers set?
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Joshnieder216
Member
Since setting the timers I've not had them off for more than a couple minutes at a time but they've always held the program.
"Yea, well, that's like, your opinion man" -The Dude
"Yea, well, that's like, your opinion man" -The Dude
GatorScott
New member
Oh ok. So you use the power button? I'm going to need to acclimate a fish soon and don't want to lost the timers set lol
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Smoke Inator
Member
The built in timers keep their settings even when you use the power button.
As long as things are plugged in, you can use the power button as much as you need for as long as it takes.
When unplugged, it will still keep the time and timer settings....it has a battery like a PC motherboard.
I removed the LED lights and the power source but kept the circuit board..If removed there is a hole in the hood where the clock display is....With no power, my clock still works from the battery.
As long as things are plugged in, you can use the power button as much as you need for as long as it takes.
When unplugged, it will still keep the time and timer settings....it has a battery like a PC motherboard.
I removed the LED lights and the power source but kept the circuit board..If removed there is a hole in the hood where the clock display is....With no power, my clock still works from the battery.
GatorScott
New member
Joshnieder216
Member
Sorry to just now see this, did things work themselves out for you? As mentioned earlier, everyones cycle is different. How far along in are you? Some of the depending factors are use of live sand/rock or dry? did you dose any type of bacteria or cycle starter?
I will say I prefer dosing pure ammonia over adding shrimp due to the fact that if you do the math its a controlled addition. Not saying its better or worse just my method of choice.
Joshnieder216
Member
Warning: BRAG POST
I was out of town most of last week at conference and left my wife in charge of the tank in which she did a stellar job. Also while I was away I won the Illinois Rural Water Association Award for "Public Water System of the Year" So ive got that going for me...:beer:
As far as the tank goes I've still been working on getting the AL115 tuned in chamber 1. Limited success but success none the less. It's pulling a light/med colored skim but the trouble is I only have minimal control over the skim height and im having to empty a full cup every night. Even with the water control valve wide open and the airline valve nearly closed the skim level is fairly high. Also tons of microbubbles but I cant notice them from my recliner and I hear they go away with time.
Started dosing 3ml nopox daily again also. Not sure it's necessary now or will be after i get the reactor in and running? I do know that a diatom bloom that only lasted a couple days was the only trace of algae ive seen. (SO FAR) Any imput on that is greatly appreciated.
Ive been keeping up with weekly 5 gal water changes and all of my levels are holding stable.
Also due to some unplanned extra hours of OT at work I managed to set back enough $$$ to order not only the IM media reactor for chamber 2...but my Steve's LED's too. Both should be in this week.
Lots of big changes coming this week. I'll try to update as I go. REALLY wanting to put in a yellow watchman/pistol shrimp but we'll see if i can find time for that business!
I was out of town most of last week at conference and left my wife in charge of the tank in which she did a stellar job. Also while I was away I won the Illinois Rural Water Association Award for "Public Water System of the Year" So ive got that going for me...:beer:
As far as the tank goes I've still been working on getting the AL115 tuned in chamber 1. Limited success but success none the less. It's pulling a light/med colored skim but the trouble is I only have minimal control over the skim height and im having to empty a full cup every night. Even with the water control valve wide open and the airline valve nearly closed the skim level is fairly high. Also tons of microbubbles but I cant notice them from my recliner and I hear they go away with time.
Started dosing 3ml nopox daily again also. Not sure it's necessary now or will be after i get the reactor in and running? I do know that a diatom bloom that only lasted a couple days was the only trace of algae ive seen. (SO FAR) Any imput on that is greatly appreciated.
Ive been keeping up with weekly 5 gal water changes and all of my levels are holding stable.
Also due to some unplanned extra hours of OT at work I managed to set back enough $$$ to order not only the IM media reactor for chamber 2...but my Steve's LED's too. Both should be in this week.
Lots of big changes coming this week. I'll try to update as I go. REALLY wanting to put in a yellow watchman/pistol shrimp but we'll see if i can find time for that business!
Keep it up!! Your tank is looking great. I interested to hear how you're liking the reactor in chamber 2, and also kudos for ordering the replacement LED's.
I've watched all your guys troubles with the AL115 so I went ahead and ordered the Tunze 9001 to install alongside my IT mediabasket, per the IT video. I have the fuge box but think having the bigger skimmer is more important, and will use 2/3 of my media basket as a fuge.
I've watched all your guys troubles with the AL115 so I went ahead and ordered the Tunze 9001 to install alongside my IT mediabasket, per the IT video. I have the fuge box but think having the bigger skimmer is more important, and will use 2/3 of my media basket as a fuge.
Joshnieder216
Member
Hey Ron I was wondering what pump you used for replacement when yours went out? Mine hasn't yet but if it does I'd like to have one on hand.
"Yea, well, that's like, your opinion man" -The Dude
GatorScott
New member
Did you get your steves leds installed? I just put mine in. I set them up according to his acclamation stage on the website. Just curious how your lighting schedule is?
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Joshnieder216
Member
I promise a proper update is coming. In the last week we've fought influenza b and food poisoning. It's been rough around here for sure!
"Yea, well, that's like, your opinion man" -The Dude
Joshnieder216
Member
So over the last week I've gotten my tank to the point of where I feel I can leave it alone for a good long while and more importantly stop throwing buckets of money at it and slow down to only handfuls.
I got my Steves leds installed in which I'm still playing with the bluefish trying to decide where I like the colors the best. Acclimating but maybe a little agressively due to all of my corals still being on the sand bed.
I'm running my lights on natural sun at 45% from 11am to 11pm. At this point nothing is reaching but nothing is bleaching out either so I think it's a good settling point for the time being, I'll start increasing in a couple weeks prob. As far as separation between the % of blues and whites that's where I'm still experimenting to determine what I really like personally but ultimately the corals will have the final say.
In other news I got my IM desktop reactor put into chamber 3 and chaeto in the bottom of the media rack.
So here goes my filter setup:
Chamber 1: bag of Seachem Matrix tied up to upper part of chamber
Chamber 2: intank media rack with floss, purigen and chaeto followed by AL115 skimmer
Chamber 3: IM media reactor with brs 3/4 brs rox-1/4 brs gfo,cobalt neotherm 100w heater and tunze ATO
"Yea, well, that's like, your opinion man" -The Dude
I got my Steves leds installed in which I'm still playing with the bluefish trying to decide where I like the colors the best. Acclimating but maybe a little agressively due to all of my corals still being on the sand bed.
I'm running my lights on natural sun at 45% from 11am to 11pm. At this point nothing is reaching but nothing is bleaching out either so I think it's a good settling point for the time being, I'll start increasing in a couple weeks prob. As far as separation between the % of blues and whites that's where I'm still experimenting to determine what I really like personally but ultimately the corals will have the final say.
In other news I got my IM desktop reactor put into chamber 3 and chaeto in the bottom of the media rack.
So here goes my filter setup:
Chamber 1: bag of Seachem Matrix tied up to upper part of chamber
Chamber 2: intank media rack with floss, purigen and chaeto followed by AL115 skimmer
Chamber 3: IM media reactor with brs 3/4 brs rox-1/4 brs gfo,cobalt neotherm 100w heater and tunze ATO
"Yea, well, that's like, your opinion man" -The Dude
Great update... What's your logic with the Matrix in chamber 1? More room for bio? I've read really conflicting stuff about using media with LR and concern about nitrate buildup. I say this because I have a bunch of Matrix that I use in my FW tank.
Is the AL115 as sensitive to water level as the Tunze 9001? I'm now running almost an identical setup to you in Chamber 2, just with the Tunze 9001 instead of the AL115. I have the same ATO as you, but not sure what to do during feeding -- if I turn the return pump off the way I have the Tunze position, the skimmer floods. So I'm feeding with the return pump on w/ spinstream and the powerhead off for the time being, but that's creating more waste than ideal in the back.
I think I'm going to pull the trigger on Steve's LED's...
Is the AL115 as sensitive to water level as the Tunze 9001? I'm now running almost an identical setup to you in Chamber 2, just with the Tunze 9001 instead of the AL115. I have the same ATO as you, but not sure what to do during feeding -- if I turn the return pump off the way I have the Tunze position, the skimmer floods. So I'm feeding with the return pump on w/ spinstream and the powerhead off for the time being, but that's creating more waste than ideal in the back.
I think I'm going to pull the trigger on Steve's LED's...
Joshnieder216
Member
Yea the matrix is strictly for surface area. With it hanging I can shake the bag periodically to prevent detritus buildup.
I'm content with my heater in #3 so I had #1 completely empty and felt like it was wasted real estate. So far it's worked ok but if I start to have nitrate issues it will be the first thing to go.
I had the same problem shutting the return pump off during feeding so I just leave it on about half the time. If I think about it I remove the cup and shut off the pump and skimmer during feeding but that's usually only the couple nights a week I'm changing the filter.
I've been trying to symphony from the back when I do my water changes which I'm sure helps too.
"Yea, well, that's like, your opinion man" -The Dude
I'm content with my heater in #3 so I had #1 completely empty and felt like it was wasted real estate. So far it's worked ok but if I start to have nitrate issues it will be the first thing to go.
I had the same problem shutting the return pump off during feeding so I just leave it on about half the time. If I think about it I remove the cup and shut off the pump and skimmer during feeding but that's usually only the couple nights a week I'm changing the filter.
I've been trying to symphony from the back when I do my water changes which I'm sure helps too.
"Yea, well, that's like, your opinion man" -The Dude
Thanks man that makes sense with the Matrix! Right now I still have the CL skimmer running in Chamber 1, so I'm not staring at an empty space. I might add some matrix like you and have an extra bag laying around.
How hot does the AL115 run? I ended up unplugging my heater this week -- during the day with both skimmers in place and my heater at 76, I was spiking up to 80.5 in Chamber 2. I didn't take great temp readings before adding the Tunze skimmer, but it looks like it's raised the temp of the overall system 1-2 degrees.
Appreciate you sharing everything with your build. It's helped inform a lot of my decisions.
How hot does the AL115 run? I ended up unplugging my heater this week -- during the day with both skimmers in place and my heater at 76, I was spiking up to 80.5 in Chamber 2. I didn't take great temp readings before adding the Tunze skimmer, but it looks like it's raised the temp of the overall system 1-2 degrees.
Appreciate you sharing everything with your build. It's helped inform a lot of my decisions.
