My tank is falling apart

[klongo]

So, I've been struggling to figure out why my tank is taking a downhill turn the past few months ...

All parameters had been fine, then I decided to measure magnesium, which I don't do very often. It had gone all the way down to 960! I managed to get that back up to where it belongs and now everything else is falling apart!

One of my T5 end caps had caught on fire a few months ago, so I've been running with 7 bulbs, not a problem as I don't have a lot of light hungry corals. I came home yesterday to discover that I'm now running on three bulbs! Another end cap is black and charred and two other bulbs are not working. I now desperately need to get my lighting group buy in my canopy......

And, my skimmer cone is broken. I went to remove the cup to clean it and the entire cone came up. Seems that there's a chip in the cone and it doesn't seal properly anymore. I'm hoping I can perhaps glue the cone to the chamber?!

I'm very disheartened today as my sand looks yucky, my corals are all closed up, the magnesium experience has killed my frogspawn and my rics.

I need some great reefers to come cheer me up on Sunday!

 

[blange3]

Sounds like a working meeting!

 

[concept3]

I'll bring the camera too! I'll be there, maybe with a frag or two.

 

[kkris]

Kathy, what kind of ballasts are you running? I can help you with the lighting.

 

[klongo]

I've got two Icecap 660s. Biggest problem is figuring out how to mount the lights! I'vd got an AGA canopy that doesn't really have a way to mount them, which is why I've procrastinated - I'm not really a DIY type of person.

I'll welcome any help and ideas I can get.

 

[Phyl]

I'm sure we can figure something out while we're there. After the maxi mod and the GB distribution and the eating and the drinking and the *raffles*... Oh boy is this going to be a busy day!!

 

[klongo]

you know how when things are bad they just get worse?

My son called to tell me that I had let my water change water going all morning and it's overflowed into my furnace room, down the walls, in the ceiling, etc. etc. I guesstimate about 100 gallons of water..........I'm home now, shop vaccing, running fans, mopping, etc.

I think I have a solution for the mounting of the reflectors. Hopefully, my friend is going to be able to secure me a piece of plywood cut to the proper length and I can just worry about mounting it in the canopy and get my corals some light!

 

[blange3]

Kathy,

I just mounted mine directly to the canopy. I have AGA pine canopies and I used short wood screws to attach the mounting brackets to the canopy.

 

[klongo]

Where did you put the ballasts? I'm thinking of a plywood platform attached to the canopy support beams. The reflectors can be mounted to that and then the ballasts on top of it. I seldom close the "top" of the canopy so I'm thinking of just leaving that off. I wanted to take the switches off of my current light fixture (which is CR****P) and use them on my current lights. -- Sounds good in theory, which I'm pretty good at. It's the implementation that is lacking.

 

[Reefdrumz]

Ugh.. Sounds like you are having a fun day! At least it's not saltwater!!

I wouldn't mount the ballasts in the canopy, that would be a lot of heat. If there was a way to wire them remotely that would be your best bet. Away from the water and away from the heat of the bulbs.

 

[blange3]

For my IceCaps I made a 6foot harness and I hid them in the drop ceiling above the tank. One of the advantages of having the tank in the basement.

My ARO220's on my 55 I screwed onto the back edge of the canopy.

 

[steve68]

when u bring Magnesium up from 960 u have to do it slow.
im sure u will feel better sunday.
i'll bring something nice for ur tank.

 

[klongo]

Steve-

Thanks. You're sweet!

I took a week to get the mag up to speed - 75-100 ppm per day - as recommended on the Reef Chemistry Forum.

Thanks!

Kathy

 

[momof6kids]

Kathy,
Sorry to hear about your problems.

We will all be there to cheer you up on Sunday. HHmmm Bill.... a working meeting, I could use one of those at my house.

 

[blange3]

I like playing with other peoples tanks Erna! Just let me know when!

 

[BobCReef]

Kathy
When its bad its bad. But sometimes its Good

I think the ballast could go about anywhere but remote is way better than in the canopy. As i recall the 660 icecap runs pretty cool compared to a standard ballast. Mine is mounted in the stand.
With all those experts at your meeting i'm sure they will get you fixed up.