Mikeeal's 20

Lennyd, that is what I was thinking but didn't know for sure. I had to do that on my 135G and it worked real good, but with this being alot shorter distance, I thought maybe it could of been something else. Tomorrow I shall run to Lowe's and get the goods. Thank you.

surfnvb, I want to use NO bulbs because it's alot easier and cheaper to find them in 18" lengths. If I decide to go with 24" bulbs, my canopy will not be as compact/snug against the top of the tank which I definitely want. I don't like seeing tanks with MASSO canopies on top. It just doesn't look right to me. If you know of a place where I can get 18" VHO's, I'd love to check it out.

One of the main reasons I wanted two ballast's is so I can have a dawn/dusk effect for the corals. With that said, two of the bulbs will have to be actinic's......I think. Unless I end up getting a third ballast, which I might end up doing. That way I can run one bulb actinic, and the rest can be lower spectrum, (10K's or similar)

Jordan, I don't have any problem with the T-5's, it's just that these particular one's I'm using are chinsy disposable Helio's that came with another tank I bought. The whole setup only last's until the bulbs burn out. I've seen some of the fixture's out there with T-5's which I like, but VHO's just rub me the right way.
 
Problem #2:

The MJ1200 is making alot of noise now. Too much. Before I got it all setup, and was testing it with freshwater, it wasn't making a peep. When the air valve is all the way closed, not letting any air in, it's quiet. As soon as I open the valve, it starts screaming. I don't know if anyone can help, because I don't know how many people have set up a Sea-Clone like this, but I thought I'd throw it out there for some suggestions. I'm hoping the new, more precise valve I'm going to get will help, but I don't know yet. Here's a pic of how it's setup.

100_0198.jpg


It seems as though it's not sucking in air like it should. I can see the air in the line, bouncing around, going down the line, then stopping, then spurting closer, stopping, then finally making it to the pump. What's going on???????

Does anyone know if I can use a brass valve as long as it doesn't get wet?
 
is this a seaclone 100 or 150? in either case though, since you're attaching it PH directly to the skimmer instead of using that attachment thingy, i think the MJ1200 is too strong of a pump. maybe that's why it's screaming. if you have a 600 or 900 sitting around, try those out.
 
Good idea. I have a 900, I will try it. Something is telling me it's either that, or the pump being upsidedown. It's just having a difficult time sucking the bubbles in. The airline is pretty long, and goes through two bends, so I don't know.

It's a SC 100. Thanks Peter.
 
Are you planning on putting some type of support under that fuge section? It's not sitting directly on anything and the added weight, especially after you add sand to that...dunno.
 
Sugar, I'm not too sure. I don't know if a support would help, or make it worse. ( If the supports are not the perfect height, it will start to sag anyways, if it's going to.) It is something I have thought about, but do not know how I could remedy it. Any idea's? BTW, I can pull the tank forward, so the fuge is completely over the stand if that would help.....but then what to use for support's? Maybe shim some wood under there??? I used half a gun of silicone, so it's real strong, but I agree with you, I'd rather be safe than sorry/flooded.

MORE PICS ON THE WAY!!!!!!!!!
 
Sugar, some people like to call it luck, I like to call it, well, LUCK. I don't know how, or why, but a 2X4 fit under there perfectly. Just snug enough to support it without raising it up any. I don't think I could have planned it any better. Even though I didn't plan it. Check it out.

100_0302.jpg


100_0303.jpg


For anyone planning on doing this, I'd recommend planning for a support to either fit underneath, or attach something that will do the same. Thanks Sugar.
 
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I went to Lowe's today and picked up a few supplies. I got this RO valve to connect to the top of the tee fitting on my overflow. It took some adjusting, but it's now working real good. No more burbs.

100_0299.jpg


Thanks lennyd.

Next I got a "needle valve"??? for the airline to the skimmer. I also flipped the MJ1200 so the input is facing up. I don't know if it was a combination of both, or what, but this skimmer is a skimmin now! Here is the valve I got.

100_0301.jpg


Here is what it was doing two minutes after I got it going.

100_0296.jpg


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Dang.

Here it is after 30 minutes.

100_0304.jpg


Nice.

Next up will be pics of the canopy I am building and the background I'm working on.

Stay tuned!
 
This tank is so sweet. I do not know why, but I am so intertested in that dang fuge on the back.

All my previous tanks have never had a fuge or sump and this one just sparks my intertest.

I think on my next Sh tank which will be around a 40 gallon or so will have a small 5-10 gallon fuge (depending on the actaull the tank size itself)

Thank you for posting:) You have made me happy!


Ps- MORE PICTURES:D :rollface:
 
thats pretty neat what you did with the RO valve on the T connector. got a closer pic of how you did it? how much did the valve cost?
 
Jordan, thanks a bunch for the compliment. I really like that people are enjoying my project. I think a ten gallon refugium would work real good for a 40G. Good luck! I'm glad I made you happy! :D

surfnvb, thanks. The valve cost me about seven dollars. Helluva lot for a small plastic valve IMO, but worth it. Here's a closer pic for you.

100_0306.jpg


I have the tee fitting, then a plug fitting. Then I drilled a hole in the top of it, and tapped it for threads. Simple as that. It takes some patience to get it working right, but then you'll get it.

More pics to come. I had some minor problems with the canopy I am building.
 
what size drill bit did you use? and what size brass fitting (i'm assuming thats what you used to make the threads).

i really like that idea, hadn't seen it before, being able to adjust the air brings alot more comfort to my mind.
 
Surfnvb, funny you should ask. I get REAL impatient sometimes and do whatever necessary to get the job done right away, instead of waiting to get the proper tools. I actually have a set of taps, so I used one of those to make the threads, not the brass fitting. I don't recall what size I used, I just know that the tap matched the plastic fitting. The drill bit I used was way too small, but it was the biggest one any of my drills would take. So I just kept boring out the hole until I was close. PVC is pretty forgiving when you're jamming a tap into it, so I just forced it until it started to thread. And if I ruined it, I'm out like 12 cents.
 
I got the background made today.

I cut the eggcrate to size, with the hole for the overflow.

100_0307.jpg


I used Great Stuff expanding foam.

100_0309.jpg


Then I coated the whole thing with crushed coral.

100_0312.jpg


I'm not sure if I'm happy with the way it turned out. Definitely not how I expected. Once it dries, and I can cut some of the excess foam away, I'll decide if I want to use it or not. The plan is to get a wall of zoo's and shrooms covering it.

The canopy is almost done, I have to get back over to Lowe's one more time, and then it will be done. I'm just glad it fit on the tank!
 
Thanks kamla. I appreciate the kind words.

Well, the background is complete and in the tank. Here it is after it was dry. It expanded a whole lot more after about an hour. I like how it turned out.

100_0323.jpg


Here it is in the tank and I guess this is my first FTS. I hope y'all like it.

100_0325.jpg


One thing I would like to mention, is that this Great Stuff foam, is VERY bouyant. It really didn't want to go under water. I pretty much had to force it. I don't think I am happy with the rockscape yet. I hate the peice in the middle, it's too round. I will probably change it around again.

I would also like some help with an identification. Whatever this is, it's getting bigger by the day. Here it is, any idea's?

100_0320.jpg


Thanks for looking everyone.
 
yeah, i agree on the rockscape. i hate the large boulder'ish looks like you see in most nano's. those size rocks are meant to go in larger tanks.

i would get a hammer, and a chissel, and split at least 3/4 of those rocks in half. that will free up much more room, and look much more natural. you'll also be able to stack them a variety of ways.

are you leaving the bottom bare glass? or getting starboard?
 
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