Lightsluvr's 340G Upgrade

[Lightsluvr]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15454275#post15454275 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Stealth91RT
Looking good! Nice pics of the skimmer. You plan on adding anything special as far as livestock in this tank.

I added the Coral Beauty last week... she is a knockout.

Also added a Copperband Butterfly which turned out to have lymphocystis... I am weighing whether to take her out and put in a hospital tank... this condition will not affect other fish, as she is the only Butterflyfish I have in the tank... I think as long as she is eating well, I'll leave her in there.

The only other additions I am considering is 5-6 more anthias to try to get some "schooling" going in the upper part of the tank.

I have a friend who is going to loan me a Tang in a few months when he moves...

There is so much activity in the tank right now, I am very content.

I am sure I'll stumble across some specimen that is irresistable, but I will continue to be cautious to avoid upsetting the present peaceful coexistence...

LL

 

[kingsland]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15452422#post15452422 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tomtoothdoc
we just hooked up my friend's orca skimmer i think it's a 250 just like yours but i think with the extended neck. we found a leak by the impeller shaft....probably from swapping in the pin wheel....what a bummer. we pvc'd everything....now we gotta drain and take out the pump. how do you totally drain the black box under the skimmer body?

The easiest way to drain is to diassemble the feed line. Insert a piece of airline tubing and use a syringe to start a siphon.

 

[Lightsluvr]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15454340#post15454340 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by kingsland
The easiest way to drain is to diassemble the feed line. Insert a piece of airline tubing and use a syringe to start a siphon.

Agree. That's what I suggested above. The syringe is a good idea...

I haven't heard back from Tom, so hopefully he was able to get it fixed...

LL

 

[Lightsluvr]

Apex Controller Install

Apex Controller Install

I chronicled "Christmas morning" in a previous post, opening the box containing the Apex basic kit:
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1638966&perpage=25&pagenumber=34

This morning, I started to place components where I want them in the fish room. There are a number of places where I could have installed the Base Module, but I settled on the wall between the tank and the doorway. This places the module slightly above the tank water level as instructed by Neptune. It also allows me to connect all components to the Base module without ordering extensions...

The Display Module is just under the Base Module - where I can observe the tank and the components while making any changes:

I included a "legacy" DC4HD Energy Bar just to control my light system. It installed on the ceiling, next to the light rail, so the cords will reach the Module regardless of where the lights are on the rail:

The EnergyBar 8 is installed on the opposite side of the tank, near the GFIC circuits that are dedicated to the aquarium. There will be a second EnergyBar 8 when they become available.

I also had to move my wireless router closer to the ceiling so a 25' Ethernet cable would reach between it and the Base module. It's a"rigged" shelf, but will do for today.

Everything is in its appointed place, so it's time to start wiring and firing... :eek1:

LL

 

[Lytehouse]

Excellent.

Really looks like fun. Lot of work, but fun.

 

[Brad Rogers]

Very cool and sophisticated looking!!

 

[Lightsluvr]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15455613#post15455613 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Brad Rogers
Very cool and sophisticated looking!!

If you're talking about my (temporary) router shelf, I know you're pulling my chain! :lol:

As the saying goes, the shelf is "ghetto" ...

LL

 

[aquainas]

Great to see the controller finally mounted in place...I assume it'll be wired up an programmed soon!

 

[Brad Rogers]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15455820#post15455820 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Lightsluvr
If you're talking about my (temporary) router shelf, I know you're pulling my chain! :lol:

As the saying goes, the shelf is "ghetto" ...

LL

What, I thought that shelf was original equipment from the manufacturer...:lol: :lol: :lol:

Seriously...I was tallking about the controller!!!

 

[Lightsluvr]

The secret's in the sauce

The secret's in the sauce

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15456221#post15456221 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by aquainas
Great to see the controller finally mounted in place...I assume it'll be wired up an programmed soon!

Let's put it this way...I am in my office configuring the Apex via intranet.

And a picture is worth a thousand words...

The tank temperature and PH are correct. The ORP is not hooked up... :eek2:

More later, as the real programming begins.

LL

 

[aquainas]

Looking good George!!! Definitely looking forward to your report.

 

[shelby28]

this thread is awsome i found it late last night(or early in the morning) and i couldnt stop reading but had to when rc went down around 1:30 am so i tuned back in today to read the rest of the thread im amazed how fast and thorough you were i found the cats to be one of the best parts has i have 2 myself that love to "help" and watch my tanks. they may enjoy them more then i do has i find them watching them all the time. thanx for sharing!

 

[Brad Rogers]

Just curious if you have fired up your calcium reactor yet?

 

[Lightsluvr]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15457058#post15457058 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Brad Rogers
Just curious if you have fired up your calcium reactor yet?

The Calcium Reactor is down the list a ways yet...

I want to have the Apex Controller completely functional before I put the CA Reactor in the mix.

Probably next weekend...

LL

 

[Brad Rogers]

How is your calcium/alk holding up? Are you dosing or is the RC salt maintaining the levels for you with the bigger tank. I'm just curious, because I'm still considering switching to RC, even with the buildup problem.

 

[melev]

Hey, congrats on getting your new toy installed and fired up. It looks good, and is brand new like your fish room and tank!

 

[Lightsluvr]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15457228#post15457228 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Brad Rogers
How is your calcium/alk holding up? Are you dosing or is the RC salt maintaining the levels for you with the bigger tank. I'm just curious, because I'm still considering switching to RC, even with the buildup problem.

System reading - 8/1/2009
CA- 420
ALK - 8.0 dKH
MG - 1300

RC new mix saltwater for water change
CA- 400
ALK - 7.5 dKH
MG- 1300

I'm going to buffer to bump up ALK just a bit before water change today. I also might add a little MG to get it to 1350 MOL.

The only dosing I do now is Strontium and Iodine. Probably not necessary, but just a habit. I test both every two months to make sure I am not overdosing these elements... I have a dosing philososphy - if I can't test for it, it doesn't go in the tank... that keeps me away from some of the "miracle" additives on the market... maybe that's good, maybe not...

JME

LL

 

[Lightsluvr]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15457913#post15457913 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by melev
Hey, congrats on getting your new toy installed and fired up. It looks good, and is brand new like your fish room and tank!

Thanks Marc.

It doesn't have the new car smell, but it's no clunker either...

LL

 

[skiformance]

i for one was very impressed, seems like only yesterday we lugged that thing to your house. kudos to you!!!

 

[edandsandy]

Looks like you have everything under "control" now George!