scubadan206
Member
I've been trading corals to my LFS. The plan is to buy one on store credit. That might not work if they can't get me one though.
Mike's 360G Dream House, Dream Tank, Dream Box
- Thread starter mike810
- Start date
Good luck with that. I hope you're able to get the pump you want. They're great pumps.
SchnitzelReef
Active member
Damn mike. Awesome setup!!!! I'll have to come by some day and check it out.
Might consider adding a dos to your skimmer drain. I have a peristaltic pump in my shed, and i can push a button on my apex to drain the skimmer cup. No need to have it drain to a container under your stand and stink up the place. With my auto neck cleaner and skimmer drain I only remove my skimmer cup every few months.
Might consider adding a dos to your skimmer drain. I have a peristaltic pump in my shed, and i can push a button on my apex to drain the skimmer cup. No need to have it drain to a container under your stand and stink up the place. With my auto neck cleaner and skimmer drain I only remove my skimmer cup every few months.
That is a freaking great idea Nick. I was going the container route, might have to add a DOS and run another line to the drain.
Thank you!
I got some filters for the phone and took some pics, I think they came out okay. Some pics of the fishes that are currently in the tank.
I drained the skimmer cup on Monday and installed this quick disconnect valve. There is two valves. I'll be hooking up a container to drain the skimmate into. I'll see how I like this route, If I get tired of emptying the container, I'll hook up my GHL doser to the skimmer cup and run a line out to the drain. I'll have the GHL doser drain out once a day.
Got this valve so I can get water from the RODI water container without having to purge the pvc pipes of salt water. I have the PMUP in the RODI container pump out rodi water.
Now getting fresh RODI water is a breeze. No need to purge the pipes of the saltwater.
I drained the skimmer cup on Monday and installed this quick disconnect valve. There is two valves. I'll be hooking up a container to drain the skimmate into. I'll see how I like this route, If I get tired of emptying the container, I'll hook up my GHL doser to the skimmer cup and run a line out to the drain. I'll have the GHL doser drain out once a day.
Got this valve so I can get water from the RODI water container without having to purge the pvc pipes of salt water. I have the PMUP in the RODI container pump out rodi water.
Now getting fresh RODI water is a breeze. No need to purge the pipes of the saltwater.
ReefKeeper64
Wanna be a reefkeeper
Your iphone filter works well. How is it listed in the app store?
I purchased an Aquariclip. It's not an app, its a filter that clips on the phone and over the camera lens. Upon testing it, I found it to have a major design flaw. The hole for the camera is in the center of the clip and the filter spins to give you differing shades of orange, from light to dark to best suit your needs. With the hole right in the center, it always gave me two shade of orange in one picture. One side of the picture will have the blues completely filtered and the other side will have a hint of blue. So I took the clip and drilled a hole off center to fix this problem.
When I got home this evening, I tested the DT's alkalinity and it came back at 6.2. I dosed the tank to bring it up to 7.3, I will dose the tank again tomorrow to bring it up to 8dkh. I also tested the water in the SW container and the alkalinity also came back at 6.2, I dosed it to bring it up to 8DKH. Both the tank and SW container CA was 445, MG 1440. Seems like Fritz RPM has low alk, I've gone thru about four boxes of it and each time, alk has been low.
Tonight, I setup the KHG. It took me well over 2 hours to set it up and get it going. When you first setup the KHG, you need to calibrate the PH probe with PH 7 and 4 solution. Plug in the KHG, put the probe in the PH 7 solution and hit buttons 2 and 4 to set, rinse the probe with RODI, pat dry and put it in the PH 4 solution. Hit button 1 and 4 to set.
Your home's network needs to run on DCHP in order to connect to the KHG via it's web interface. I initially had trouble with this step. When you first plug in the KHG, it will try to obtain DCHP, once that happens, it will display the IP address assigned to it and the port number. You need to write down this info and plug it into the address bar in your web browser. I had to constantly reboot the KHG to try to get the IP and port number as the info went away quickly and sometimes it wouldn't get the DCHP. After I was able to log into the KHG, I then setup the timezone, DT water volume, where I like to keep my DKH (8), how much I will allow the KHG to dose a sodium bicarbonate solution at a time after each test.
The KHG will only dose a sodium bicarbonate solution of 1000ML of RODI to 65 grams of dry baking soda. The reagent uses 1500ML of RODI to dilute the reagent. I bought graduated cylinders for this process.
You also have to purge the saltwater in and saltwater out lines, this took awhile to complete. Then you have to purge the reagent in and reagent out lines, this took even longer as the doser only pulls up one drop at a time. Then you gotta purge the sodium bicarbonate in and out lines.
Coralvue recommends you run five test to break it in. See the pictures below of all five test. I also did two test with my Hanna PPM alkalinity tester and two test with salifert's alkalinity tester. Hanna came back both times at 7.28 DKH. Salifert came back twice at 7.3 DKH. The KHG thru all five test came back at 6.93, 7.04 and 7.05. I went with saliferts result and adjusted the KHG's DKH readings. The 6th picture is a test after the adjustment. There is also a picture of the KHG test log. I will post another snapshot of the log after a few days of testing. I have the KHG testing every four hours which is the max time between test. Overall, I'm happy with the KHG and it's repeat-ability.
First test
Second test
Third test
Fourth 5est
Fifth test
Final test after adjustment
Hanna test with the same results twice
Side note, this skimmer is kicking butt! It sure does earn it's name.
Tonight, I setup the KHG. It took me well over 2 hours to set it up and get it going. When you first setup the KHG, you need to calibrate the PH probe with PH 7 and 4 solution. Plug in the KHG, put the probe in the PH 7 solution and hit buttons 2 and 4 to set, rinse the probe with RODI, pat dry and put it in the PH 4 solution. Hit button 1 and 4 to set.
Your home's network needs to run on DCHP in order to connect to the KHG via it's web interface. I initially had trouble with this step. When you first plug in the KHG, it will try to obtain DCHP, once that happens, it will display the IP address assigned to it and the port number. You need to write down this info and plug it into the address bar in your web browser. I had to constantly reboot the KHG to try to get the IP and port number as the info went away quickly and sometimes it wouldn't get the DCHP. After I was able to log into the KHG, I then setup the timezone, DT water volume, where I like to keep my DKH (8), how much I will allow the KHG to dose a sodium bicarbonate solution at a time after each test.
The KHG will only dose a sodium bicarbonate solution of 1000ML of RODI to 65 grams of dry baking soda. The reagent uses 1500ML of RODI to dilute the reagent. I bought graduated cylinders for this process.
You also have to purge the saltwater in and saltwater out lines, this took awhile to complete. Then you have to purge the reagent in and reagent out lines, this took even longer as the doser only pulls up one drop at a time. Then you gotta purge the sodium bicarbonate in and out lines.
Coralvue recommends you run five test to break it in. See the pictures below of all five test. I also did two test with my Hanna PPM alkalinity tester and two test with salifert's alkalinity tester. Hanna came back both times at 7.28 DKH. Salifert came back twice at 7.3 DKH. The KHG thru all five test came back at 6.93, 7.04 and 7.05. I went with saliferts result and adjusted the KHG's DKH readings. The 6th picture is a test after the adjustment. There is also a picture of the KHG test log. I will post another snapshot of the log after a few days of testing. I have the KHG testing every four hours which is the max time between test. Overall, I'm happy with the KHG and it's repeat-ability.
First test
Second test
Third test
Fourth 5est
Fifth test
Final test after adjustment
Hanna test with the same results twice
Side note, this skimmer is kicking butt! It sure does earn it's name.
Have you guys ever seen coraline stay purple on dead rock? I don't remember seeing any coraline on the dry pukani rocks I used to start the tank. I am see spots of coraline here and there and think it's pretty early for the tank to start growing it already. I haven't introduced any corals or cleanup crew that may seed the tank with coraline.
Another issue I'm having is something in the tank is using up my ALK. A couple weeks ago, the tank was at 6.2 DKH and I dosed the tank up to 8 DKH. Yesterday, the tank was at 6.2 DKH again and had to does to bring it up. What can use up ALK with no corals in the tank? I'll test for CA and MG and see if those are being used up also.
Another issue I'm having is something in the tank is using up my ALK. A couple weeks ago, the tank was at 6.2 DKH and I dosed the tank up to 8 DKH. Yesterday, the tank was at 6.2 DKH again and had to does to bring it up. What can use up ALK with no corals in the tank? I'll test for CA and MG and see if those are being used up also.
FullBoreReefer
New member
Sounds like a pain to set that thing up, for the price it should fly itself there and do an auto setup for you, haha
I wish it were a breeze but it wasn't. An issue with the initial setup also was that the web interface was really slow. Every time the KHG would reboot, it would make me log back in. However, I didn't know this and would try to command the KHG to do something via the web interface and it would just stall out. Now I've learned to refresh back to the login page when the KHG reboots. It's a pretty simple interface once you're used to everything. Setting up the Apex took some time also with all the codes you have to write.
That was my initial plan, to get the large Davy Jones locker. However, my wife put her foot down and said I'm spending wayyyy too much on stuff that isn't really necessary, hence the DIY locker route. I may just ditch the skimmate container altogether and use my GHL doser to drain the skimmer cup everyday into the drain outside.
This afternoon, I checked on the KHG to find that it had an error readying. SW>ERR, basically telling me the KHG is not getting enough SW into the reaction chamber fast enough to before the test can begin. I did everything stated in the manual to try and correct the problem, no dice. I looked in the reaction chamber and found that the float switch in the reaction chamber was not able to move freely. I could manually remove it but when water filled the chamber, it did not float up by itself. I found there is a magnetic agitator below the float switch, it looks like a little white pill. I took this out and moved it lower down the reaction chamber. This fixed the problem and the KHG finally processed a test without any errors. Each test performed while I was home was double checked with the hanna alkalinity checker and salifert alk test. All test came out very close in results. I'm currently using the KHG to dial in my alk doses. I'm currently dosing 36ml a day of ESV alk even with zero corals in the tank, weird. The KHG is also dosing sodium bicarbonate to try to keep the levels at 8 DKH. Here is a log from today.
08/05 00:44:42 W.131 %0 AK. 0.00 KH :8.00
08/05 04:38:48 W.132 %0 AK.68.00 KH :7.89
08/05 08:56:23 W.176 KS=55D L%0 S%0 SW>_ERR KH :7.88
08/05 12:13:58 RESET !
08/05 12:14:51 W.176 KS=0D L%0 S%0 SW>_ERR KH :0.00
08/05 12:15:53 W.176 KS=0D L%0 S%0 SW>_ERR KH :0.00
08/05 12:16:23 RESET !
08/05 12:16:52 W.176 KS=0D L%0 S%0 SW>_ERR KH :0.00
08/05 12:22:30 RESET !
08/05 12:32:43 W.176 KS=56D L%0 S%0 SW>_ERR KH :7.93
08/05 12:34:23 Test KH doser
08/05 12:38:57 RESET !
08/05 12:40:15 W.176 KS=0D L%0 S%0 SW>_ERR KH :0.00
08/05 12:41:45 W.176 KS=0D L%0 S%0 SW>_ERR KH :0.00
08/05 12:52:56 W.176 KS=0D L%0 S%0 SW>_ERR KH :0.00
08/05 16:22:37 RESET !
08/05 16:25:53 W.176 KS=0D L%0 S%0 SW>_ERR KH :0.00
08/05 16:30:01 W.176 KS=0D L%0 S%0 SW>_ERR KH :0.00
08/05 16:34:42 W.176 KS=0D L%0 S%0 SW>_ERR KH :0.00
08/05 16:40:24 RESET !
08/05 16:40:59 W.176 KS=0D L%0 S%0 SW>_ERR KH :0.00
08/05 16:48:02 W.176 KS=0D L%0 S%0 SW>_ERR KH :0.00
08/05 17:01:16 RESET !
08/05 17:15:10 W.130 KS=38D L%0 S%0 AC_ERR KH :5.52
08/05 17:19:27 RESET !
08/05 17:30:26 W.128 %0 AK.64.00 KH :7.89
08/05 17:53:07 Save New System Environment.
08/05 17:54:01 Save New System Environment.
08/05 17:55:16 Save New System Environment.
08/05 17:55:55 Save New System Environment.
08/05 18:07:15 W.128 %0 AK.95.00 KH :7.74
08/05 18:08:27 Save New System Environment.
08/05 20:41:29 W.129 %0 AK. 0.00 KH :7.99
08/05 00:44:42 W.131 %0 AK. 0.00 KH :8.00
08/05 04:38:48 W.132 %0 AK.68.00 KH :7.89
08/05 08:56:23 W.176 KS=55D L%0 S%0 SW>_ERR KH :7.88
08/05 12:13:58 RESET !
08/05 12:14:51 W.176 KS=0D L%0 S%0 SW>_ERR KH :0.00
08/05 12:15:53 W.176 KS=0D L%0 S%0 SW>_ERR KH :0.00
08/05 12:16:23 RESET !
08/05 12:16:52 W.176 KS=0D L%0 S%0 SW>_ERR KH :0.00
08/05 12:22:30 RESET !
08/05 12:32:43 W.176 KS=56D L%0 S%0 SW>_ERR KH :7.93
08/05 12:34:23 Test KH doser
08/05 12:38:57 RESET !
08/05 12:40:15 W.176 KS=0D L%0 S%0 SW>_ERR KH :0.00
08/05 12:41:45 W.176 KS=0D L%0 S%0 SW>_ERR KH :0.00
08/05 12:52:56 W.176 KS=0D L%0 S%0 SW>_ERR KH :0.00
08/05 16:22:37 RESET !
08/05 16:25:53 W.176 KS=0D L%0 S%0 SW>_ERR KH :0.00
08/05 16:30:01 W.176 KS=0D L%0 S%0 SW>_ERR KH :0.00
08/05 16:34:42 W.176 KS=0D L%0 S%0 SW>_ERR KH :0.00
08/05 16:40:24 RESET !
08/05 16:40:59 W.176 KS=0D L%0 S%0 SW>_ERR KH :0.00
08/05 16:48:02 W.176 KS=0D L%0 S%0 SW>_ERR KH :0.00
08/05 17:01:16 RESET !
08/05 17:15:10 W.130 KS=38D L%0 S%0 AC_ERR KH :5.52
08/05 17:19:27 RESET !
08/05 17:30:26 W.128 %0 AK.64.00 KH :7.89
08/05 17:53:07 Save New System Environment.
08/05 17:54:01 Save New System Environment.
08/05 17:55:16 Save New System Environment.
08/05 17:55:55 Save New System Environment.
08/05 18:07:15 W.128 %0 AK.95.00 KH :7.74
08/05 18:08:27 Save New System Environment.
08/05 20:41:29 W.129 %0 AK. 0.00 KH :7.99
Here is the KHG log for today. It's been very accurate and consistent in the result. I cross check the result. I will perform a test while the KHG is doing it's test and the values are always similar. This device makes dialing in a doser a lot easier. However, I'm up to 96 ml of alk and ca. I literally only have one SPS frag in there to see if it will survive and color up before I purchase more SPS. My rocks are turning green, does that algae uptake ca and alk like purple coraline does? I'm stumped on what is using up all my ca and alk. ca and alk are dosed one hour apart from each other 12 times a day. I don't see any precipitate on any of the pumps. At this rate, I'm going to have to move to a calcium reactor soon once I start adding corals.
08/06 03:16:16 W.129 %0 AK. 0.00 KH :7.94
08/06 03:24:23 Save New System Environment.
08/06 07:35:18 W.131 %0 AK. 0.00 KH :7.98
08/06 11:46:27 W.135 %0 AK. 0.00 KH :7.98
08/06 15:57:48 W.131 %0 AK. 0.00 KH :7.98
08/06 20:16:19 W.134 %0 AK.34.00 KH :7.89
08/06 23:38:10 W.132 %0 AK.95.00 KH :7.79
08/06 03:16:16 W.129 %0 AK. 0.00 KH :7.94
08/06 03:24:23 Save New System Environment.
08/06 07:35:18 W.131 %0 AK. 0.00 KH :7.98
08/06 11:46:27 W.135 %0 AK. 0.00 KH :7.98
08/06 15:57:48 W.131 %0 AK. 0.00 KH :7.98
08/06 20:16:19 W.134 %0 AK.34.00 KH :7.89
08/06 23:38:10 W.132 %0 AK.95.00 KH :7.79
Keep a close eye on the alk. I've found, when setting up w/ dry rock, that the alk seems to take a few months to stabilize. I've always had to dose alk at the beginning to keep stable. Once stable, the level will spike if you are not on top of it. Happened to me while testing weekly. Seems to be around month 2-4 that this happens. Then consumption will equal true demand. My theory is that the rock is absorbing some and some is being used by the microflora/fauna while they go through boom/bust cycles establishing the ecosystem.
Also, keep an eye on mag. This would also swing for me. Nice set up, despite the hiccups.
Also, keep an eye on mag. This would also swing for me. Nice set up, despite the hiccups.
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I took a trip to Unique Corals on Saturday. It was a three hour round trip, traffic the entire way. It was totally worth it though, Tim gave me a tour of the facility and it was awesome! The Dastaco they have setup there is ridiculously huge. Sunday I went to work setting up the reactor which took some time as this is my first calcium reactor. After everything was setup, I had a heck of a time trying to get the co2 reaction chamber to purge the water out so the float switch could do it's thing. I was never able to get it to work and found out that the outlet on the controller that controls the co2 solenoid is faulty. It was not providing any power to the solenoid to let co2 in. This took me quite some time to figure out. This morning, I call Joe at Unique Corals and he is having a new controller sent out to me. So for now, it's filled and ready to go but stuck in limbo. Hopefully I'll get it up and running tomorrow evening if the controller gets here tomorrow. Here are some pics of the calcium reactor, it's pretty big. Luckily, I left enough space at the end of the tank for this very reason. I did get to play with the controller a bit and I like that I only have to adjust a dial to increase alk/ca dosage. No fiddling with bubble counters, PH or effluent rate. You do have to setup the controller upon first start up to keep the CO2 solenoid open for a minimum of 2 minutes and a maximum of 3 minutes so it can purge the co2 reaction chamber of water. There is also an option to vent the reactor X amount of times a day to get rid of any air that builds up inside the reaction chamber. This is also adjusted with a dial.
Initially I planned to pick up a Avast Marine Davy Jones Skimmate locker but I didn't really have a good spot for it to make maintenance easy so I put this ghetto skimmate locker together using a cereal storage container. It does it's job but it stinks up the entire living room every time I drain it. I may just ditch it and run a line from my GHL doser to the cup and drain it outside to a drain. This will also cut down on maintenance which I'm all about. I'm a lazy reefer.
Initially I planned to pick up a Avast Marine Davy Jones Skimmate locker but I didn't really have a good spot for it to make maintenance easy so I put this ghetto skimmate locker together using a cereal storage container. It does it's job but it stinks up the entire living room every time I drain it. I may just ditch it and run a line from my GHL doser to the cup and drain it outside to a drain. This will also cut down on maintenance which I'm all about. I'm a lazy reefer.
russ49merc
New member
amazing build
:thumbsup:
