JR Aquatics 180 Gallon Nano Reef

Nice plumbing! I have to ask, when you first fired it up, did you have any leaks? If yes, how did you fix them (remove the section and replace, or something else?)? If no, how did you achieve this? No matter if I glue 24 feet or just 4 feet of PVC I end up with at least one leak.
 
mapn4reef said:
Nice plumbing! I have to ask, when you first fired it up, did you have any leaks? If yes, how did you fix them (remove the section and replace, or something else?)? If no, how did you achieve this? No matter if I glue 24 feet or just 4 feet of PVC I end up with at least one leak.
Click to expand...

Thanks, no I did not have any leaks. I would have to say I am very fortunate to really never have leaks with PVC. I make sure all fittings are clean with PVC cleaner, use a good amount of PVC glue (usually the thicker stuff made for flexible PVC) and make sure I hold the fitting in place until it dries so it doesn't push out. I guess if I did have a leak I would replace the section instead of using a temp fix like silicone or reapplying the pvc glue hoping it would hold. If you were dead set on not replacing the section you can use a two part epoxy (not the putty) which should permanently fix the leak if you prep the area correctly and allow for antiquate time to dry.
 
I just received 1L of the new Warner Marine EcoBAK pellets to experiment on my personal 180gal display. I have been intrigued about the solid vodka dosing for some time know and with the a company like Warner Marine entering this market I just had to give it a shot. With work and summer activities my tank has taken serious neglect so effects of this product will be easily noticed and I plan to keep everything controlled for 4-5 months to evaluate this very promising product. If it works like I imagine it will this will be added to the list of common reef necessities like GFO and activated carbon.

A little about my tank, equipment, livestock and maintenance.
I have a standard AGA 180 gal with a 75 gal sump. The sump contains a DSB of about 8" but I no longer have any macro algae. I have a Reef Octopus XP3000ext on the system and only use activated carbon on occasion. The systems circulation is provided by 3 MP40 Vortechs. I will place the new Warner Marine EcoBAK Pellets in my ATB media reactor and will feed it off of my manifold that is fed off my Reeflo Dart return pump. I plan to test the water parameters tonight and place the media on line.

Here is the most recent shot of the 180gal with the LEDs on. I will get a more up-to-date shot tonight to document the results.

DSCN4377.jpg
 
How many VHO's did you replace with how many AquaVue LEDs ?? Were you using only the actinic blue's or or whites aswell !?!
 
ojafri said:
Thanks, I suppose it gives you a full length coverage. How do you see the difference from the VHO's
Click to expand...

The LEDS are more intense and seem to produce a crisper blue light. Some of the colors are different under the lights but overall I prefer LEDs over florescent supplemental lighting. They're definitely more efficient and I am sure if I could hang them more optimally over my tank I would get even better overall coverage.
 
JRaquatics said:
I just received 1L of the new Warner Marine EcoBAK pellets to experiment on my personal 180gal display. I have been intrigued about the solid vodka dosing for some time know and with the a company like Warner Marine entering this market I just had to give it a shot. With work and summer activities my tank has taken serious neglect so effects of this product will be easily noticed and I plan to keep everything controlled for 4-5 months to evaluate this very promising product. If it works like I imagine it will this will be added to the list of common reef necessities like GFO and activated carbon.

A little about my tank, equipment, livestock and maintenance.
I have a standard AGA 180 gal with a 75 gal sump. The sump contains a DSB of about 8" but I no longer have any macro algae. I have a Reef Octopus XP3000ext on the system and only use activated carbon on occasion. The systems circulation is provided by 3 MP40 Vortechs. I will place the new Warner Marine EcoBAK Pellets in my ATB media reactor and will feed it off of my manifold that is fed off my Reeflo Dart return pump. I plan to test the water parameters tonight and place the media on line.

Here is the most recent shot of the 180gal with the LEDs on. I will get a more up-to-date shot tonight to document the results.

DSCN4377.jpg
Click to expand...

Looks good, Would love to see more pics of the equipment as well.
 
Out of all the skimmers I have owned, I like the ATB 840 the best. Its such a quiet, well constructed, great performing, set and forget skimmer that I absolutely had 0 issues with. I will try take some shots of the ATB media reactor and calcium reactor. So far the only thing I notice with the initial use of the WM Ecobak pellets is that they tend to clump together inside the reactor. Not like the way GFO can turn to rock but more like a soft bond that is easily shifted out of place. I've read this is only temporary as I have only been running them for a few days now.
 
JR

Any updates on the Ecobak? Any idea how how often it will need replacing?

I have been dosing Vodka each night, so I'm curious how well the solid product works.
 
So far so good. It seems more error proof than vodka dosing but from what I am observing is that they may not be as effectively potent. I need to do some tests and see where my levels are at and see if there is something that is going on with the water chemistry that I may not see visually. Pros so far is increase in darker skimmate and slightly clearer water. I have to also take out the reactor and stir the pellets up since the top half seems to be blocked together. I haven't seen any break down of the pellets yet, but it is also way too soon. Like most, I am just getting into it and I am sure there is much to be figured out.
 
hey jr, what is your current calcium reactor that your using? because i'm starting up my 180 sps tank, and i would like to know which size i should pick up for my tank.
 
Last edited:
The ATB CR. A really great unit that was really hard to let go. Highly recomend if you want the best. GEO was a great reactor for the money but not nearly as efficient with co2 as the atb.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

griss
WTB: USED 120 Gallon Reef Ready Tank and Stand
2
Replies
35
Views
2K
griss
griss
M
Return to Reefing
2 3
Replies
40
Views
2K
kelly_12
K
rpscuba
JBJ RL Nano 20 gal
Replies
7
Views
512
Patrick Seastar
Patrick Seastar
S
WTB: 100 gallon tank
Replies
0
Views
167
Solais
S
S
75 Gallon FOWLR Trigger Species tank?
Replies
3
Views
279
snakeybird
S
Back
Top