MarineGirl411
New member
=( That's a bummer. You are lucky they didn't get really mad. I've had my share of things happen in my apartment too.
Let's Plan a 120g Upgrade
- Thread starter msn711
- Start date
Darkstar04
New member
I have had good luck so far with my tank in my 2nd floor apartment.... good enough to make me complacent. One of these days, something bad is bound to happen.
Sorry to hear about your mess!
Sorry to hear about your mess!
I definitely count myself very lucky that management hasn't called. But I'm still anxious to get back and see how bad it really is.
Anyone have any ideas for that ATO? It's the JBJ unit. I use an extra MJ 1200 to pump the water. Usually, the vinyl tubing is going into the sump where it would have a few inches before it could get submerged in any water. But I'm going to need to make sure that never happens again, assuming that's what went wrong.
Anyone have any ideas for that ATO? It's the JBJ unit. I use an extra MJ 1200 to pump the water. Usually, the vinyl tubing is going into the sump where it would have a few inches before it could get submerged in any water. But I'm going to need to make sure that never happens again, assuming that's what went wrong.
Darkstar04
New member
I use the same unit. Just make sure you don't have any snails in your sump that could get inside the floats. Zip-tie the tube to the right elevation so that it can't get close to the water level - having an air gap is critical. This prevents a siphon from the sump to the resevoir. The end of my tube is above the top rim of my sump.
Also, make sure the max water level in your resevoir is lower than the end of the tube which feeds the sump, or it will siphon back the other way.
And of course... don't rely on the suction cups they provide. Use the clips or figure out another way to secure the floats.
Also, make sure the max water level in your resevoir is lower than the end of the tube which feeds the sump, or it will siphon back the other way.
And of course... don't rely on the suction cups they provide. Use the clips or figure out another way to secure the floats.
Darkstar04
New member
If you don't have something close, you can also put the end in a piece of PVC, and set that in the sump. That gets it higher, and it can't siphon back through the PVC (since it is bigger than the tube and there it isn't a tight seal).
You could drill two holes 1/2" apart on the PVC, maybe 1/2" from the top, big enough to put a zip tie through. Then loop the tie through them and tighten it all down. Not the prettiest contraption, but you could get creative.
You could drill two holes 1/2" apart on the PVC, maybe 1/2" from the top, big enough to put a zip tie through. Then loop the tie through them and tighten it all down. Not the prettiest contraption, but you could get creative.
wewerehere
Member
i didnt know that snowflake morays were reef safe? or do they just like to "redecorate" as some say. you have to also keep fish bigger than themselves in there right? and really no invertabrates. am i correct or not because i am very interested in putting a snowflake eel into my 120 when i get it running.
wewerehere
Member
alright well thanks
Like I said before, it all depends on how you define "reef safe." SFE's are naturally crustacean eaters. So shrimp should be out. I have kept them before with coral banded shrimp and hermit crabs no problem. I did have some fish disappear with my first one, so I would suggest keeping them well fed. However, I think the fish eating risk is small, especially once you get them accepting seafood like shrimp or something from a skewer. Personally, I think it's worth the risk, if you would even call it risky.
Well, I'm headed home this weekend so I can finally get some work done on the tank. Not sure how much I can get done by Monday, but I should be able to finish the plumbing and start filling it up with water.
I just realized, I won't be able to transfer things over because I don't have lights for the 120 yet. With the overflows in the back, there's no where to put my coralife clip on lights even if I wanted to use them, plus I doubt they'll reach the bottom. So the transfer will be on hold until I order lights.
Depending on how much gets done this weekend, I should be able to order rock and the vortech next week.
I keep going back and forth on the lighting. I'm a little hesitant on the t5 right now because I've never used them before...what if I don't like them? I don't want to spend the money and regret it later. The t5s are cheaper, but I do start my new job soon. I really need to take my time and do this right. I've got some time to think on it, but I'm also considering the outer orbit w/t5 and moonlights or the maristar with better reflectors. I've searched RC and plenty of people seem to be using the outer orbit w/o problems, cheap reflectors or not. And since this will be a mixed reef, I'm wondering how much it will even matter.
As for the ATO, I really have no idea where I'm going to put the reservoir...or a qt tank for that matter. But since this tank will havy a heavy fish load, I think it's time I start using one.
I just realized, I won't be able to transfer things over because I don't have lights for the 120 yet. With the overflows in the back, there's no where to put my coralife clip on lights even if I wanted to use them, plus I doubt they'll reach the bottom. So the transfer will be on hold until I order lights.
Depending on how much gets done this weekend, I should be able to order rock and the vortech next week.
I keep going back and forth on the lighting. I'm a little hesitant on the t5 right now because I've never used them before...what if I don't like them? I don't want to spend the money and regret it later. The t5s are cheaper, but I do start my new job soon. I really need to take my time and do this right. I've got some time to think on it, but I'm also considering the outer orbit w/t5 and moonlights or the maristar with better reflectors. I've searched RC and plenty of people seem to be using the outer orbit w/o problems, cheap reflectors or not. And since this will be a mixed reef, I'm wondering how much it will even matter.
As for the ATO, I really have no idea where I'm going to put the reservoir...or a qt tank for that matter. But since this tank will havy a heavy fish load, I think it's time I start using one.
Darkstar04
New member
That is part of the fun! I am afraid that once I get my new system set up, I will miss the fun of mixing/matching and planning equipment. I will need to get myself back into coral/fish mode.
Quick update: The SG in the holding tank was down to 1.020 when I got back. All of the fish are fine, most of hte corals are browned out, but I did lose my alien eye chalice and birdsnest. Most of my micromussa frag is gone, but a couple "baby" polyps may make it. Surprise, surprise, my RBTA is still alive. Working on filling the 120 now.
Well, things are actually looking up. I go the sg back up to normal in the 20L holding tank. Still not sure which corals are going to make it though. I'm almost done filling the tank. Should have some pics up later tonight. I put up a strip light just so I could see the tank. I also put blue posterboard on the back.
Once I finish the fill and get the return pump running, I'm going to order live rock. I already have about 50-60 lbs, some of which is in the 120 now (the rest is in the 20L holding tank). I'm thinking about ordering 50lbs of Fiji and 40lbs of Tonga deep water, or just doing all Fiji. I'm aiming for about 150lbs total. I'm also going to order the Vortech and battery backup.
Then I plan to let the tank cycle. After that's done, I'm going order lights. I think I'm going to go ahead and get the Outer Orbit. T5 and MH will give me the best of both worlds. I've got 2 fans ready to go to deal with the heat issues. Plus, the outer orbit has 4xt5s instead of only 2 like most of the fixtures out now. And it has lunar lights. And it's only $800 at marine and reef.
At that point, I'll be able to transfer things from the 20L holding tank, and turn the 20L into a QT tank. I may QT the fish I already have because I've seen the pylei wrasse scratching. It wouldn't make any sense to put them in the 120 and have them giving ich to future fish. Speaking of which, I'm thinking about chancing an angel fish. I figure if it does any major damage, I'll have an excuse to set up a nano.
Eventually, I want to add an AC Jr. and probably a Tunze 9010 skimmer since I have so little room to get a skimmer into the sump and anything has to be better than the super skimmer.
Any body think I'm screwing up something before I start spending money?
Once I finish the fill and get the return pump running, I'm going to order live rock. I already have about 50-60 lbs, some of which is in the 120 now (the rest is in the 20L holding tank). I'm thinking about ordering 50lbs of Fiji and 40lbs of Tonga deep water, or just doing all Fiji. I'm aiming for about 150lbs total. I'm also going to order the Vortech and battery backup.
Then I plan to let the tank cycle. After that's done, I'm going order lights. I think I'm going to go ahead and get the Outer Orbit. T5 and MH will give me the best of both worlds. I've got 2 fans ready to go to deal with the heat issues. Plus, the outer orbit has 4xt5s instead of only 2 like most of the fixtures out now. And it has lunar lights. And it's only $800 at marine and reef.
At that point, I'll be able to transfer things from the 20L holding tank, and turn the 20L into a QT tank. I may QT the fish I already have because I've seen the pylei wrasse scratching. It wouldn't make any sense to put them in the 120 and have them giving ich to future fish. Speaking of which, I'm thinking about chancing an angel fish. I figure if it does any major damage, I'll have an excuse to set up a nano.
Eventually, I want to add an AC Jr. and probably a Tunze 9010 skimmer since I have so little room to get a skimmer into the sump and anything has to be better than the super skimmer.
Any body think I'm screwing up something before I start spending money?
