New Tank

[huskerreef]

Does Spazz recommend a break in time? are these more adjustable to avoid spill overs? on mine I added a basin with a drain to protect from flooding in the event of a foam over and it has saved my bacon at least twice when I added new corals and used epoxy wich in turn made the skimmer foam crazily. Just me .02 on handling an overflowing event. mine drains back into the tank.

 

[tom obrecht]

You know this was on my mind! I'm not for sure what the break in time is but I'm sure it will be a few weeks. I am going to start slowly by keeping the water level low then gradually raise it up. I'll touch base with Spazz to see what he recommends. I never did like the ER for a few reasons...one of course my overflow issues but also the number of pumps needed to run the skimmer plus a feed pump. Think in my case that was 5 pumps. Here I have one. I also like the gravity feed feature so not only am I eliminating a feed pump but I'm also processing 100% of the overflow water. The ER only caught what the feed pump could grab. The power comsumption is less as well for the Dart (if memory serves is right around 100-120 watts...less than the 5 pumps I was running before.

This is a learning experince for me so I will find out shortly how it works out. I also need to do some acrylic work on my sumps so it will be a couple day project for sure.

 

[huskerreef]

On my ER I have no supply pumps, only gravity fed from the upstairs display. I ran mine wide open for a couple day before I added air and then still left it wide open when air was added. Over time I slowly shut the valve and raised the bubble level to about mid way up the neck as my bubble level flucuates up to 6 inches especially after feeding. You may want to run the Volcano with little restriction for a while and see how your bubble levels changes throughout the day and watch out when you epoxy corals in, mine goes bubble crazy when I do that. I am excited to see this bad boy in action.

 

[tom obrecht]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12631939#post12631939 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by huskerreef
On my ER I have no supply pumps, only gravity fed from the upstairs display. I ran mine wide open for a couple day before I added air and then still left it wide open when air was added. Over time I slowly shut the valve and raised the bubble level to about mid way up the neck as my bubble level flucuates up to 6 inches especially after feeding. You may want to run the Volcano with little restriction for a while and see how your bubble levels changes throughout the day and watch out when you epoxy corals in, mine goes bubble crazy when I do that. I am excited to see this bad boy in action.

Thanks for the heads up! I am anxious to see it up and running too!!

 

[ipiniowa]

Skimmer is impressive, as one of the fellow reefers in DM has one. What I am really impressed with is how clean your garage is. I think you could eat off that floor.

 

[tom obrecht]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12634075#post12634075 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ipiniowa
Skimmer is impressive, as one of the fellow reefers in DM has one. What I am really impressed with is how clean your garage is. I think you could eat off that floor.

:lol: :lol: :lol:

 

[tom obrecht]

After a few days in the basement finishing and redoing the plumbing on the tank again I have finished getting the volcano set along with the bubble box. Here are some updated pictures.

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Here's the new plumbing from the tank into the bubble box which eminates larger bubbles entering the skimmer body thus hindering the skimmate production.

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Still breaking it in.

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Skimmer, sump and fuge.

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[huskerreef]

looking good. can you put up a close up of the bubble plate in the bottom, I am curious how it works as it looks like its injecting air in through there from the pic above. any foam overs yet?

 

[tom obrecht]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12698082#post12698082 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by huskerreef
looking good. can you put up a close up of the bubble plate in the bottom, I am curious how it works as it looks like its injecting air in through there from the pic above. any foam overs yet?

I'll try to get a pic of the plate for you. No foam overs yet!

 

[lvpd186]

For some reason I thought that the volcano skimmers required an air pump.. Either way it looks good. Btw is all of your overflow going through the skimmer now?

 

[Lunchbucket]

OMG Tom you got a Volcano skimmer!! I would LOVE to get and try one

Lunchbucket

 

[tom obrecht]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12702154#post12702154 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by lvpd186
For some reason I thought that the volcano skimmers required an air pump.. Either way it looks good. Btw is all of your overflow going through the skimmer now?

I think the larger (taller) models require air pumps. Even though the body isn't as white with bubbles as my Deltec it is producing a good amount of foam even with less than a week of being new. I will check with Spazz for more details and check back.

Yes, 100% of the over flow is going through the skimmer. One reason I went with this skimmer. Should help keep nutrient levels in check without a bunch of other means to control high levels.

 

[RigorMortis]

Tom,

Is that the Volcano 1850?

 

[tom obrecht]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12704267#post12704267 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by RigorMortis
Tom,

Is that the Volcano 1850?

Not to sound stupid...but I'm not sure what model I have. When I talked to Scott he just said this is what I should go with. It's 18" diameter, is 50" tall and holds about 40 gallons. Does that help?

 

[zenn]

tom,

just curious, but how difficult was it to install the casters/rollers on the light rack? Where did you get them?

 

[tom obrecht]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12736987#post12736987 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by zenn
tom,

just curious, but how difficult was it to install the casters/rollers on the light rack? Where did you get them?

They were not to bad. You'll love it once installed. I got mine at a local Farm and Fleet (farm supply) store. They are actually barn door rails. If you have further questions let me know.

 

[tom obrecht]

After talking to Spazz at Aquatic Acrylics it seems to be an issue with the airflow. I am going to install a few new parts the Spazz sent to try and rectify the problem. He too felt from the pictures that the air flow was being limited somehow. I will keep all up to date on the issue. I will also try and post some new pics of the tank soon as well.

 

[hahnmeister]

You could convert the needlewheel to a meshwheel, that would help a bit. Beyond that, any real improvement would involve removing the venturi and hooking up a 'T' to the inlet of the pump and force feed the air via a GAST or ALITA linear air pump. You have to be careful because this pushes the power use of the pump to its limits, but removing the venturi helps counter that. Honestly, if you get the chance to look at Bill's ever, perhaps on your way to SeaSchor, you can see his looks about the same (same model). His coral shop is well worth the visit:
http://www.midwestsaltwater.com/ Those Wilsoni colonies he got in ($800 and $1200 colonies) were killer, and he keeps getting in Aussie corals all the time. He doesnt list his SPS as much, but he has alot.

How's the lighting 'debate' going anyways? Are you removing one 400? Going to 250's? Swapping out for lower intensity bulbs?

 

[tom obrecht]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12849090#post12849090 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by hahnmeister
You could convert the needlewheel to a meshwheel, that would help a bit. Beyond that, any real improvement would involve removing the venturi and hooking up a 'T' to the inlet of the pump and force feed the air via a GAST or ALITA linear air pump. You have to be careful because this pushes the power use of the pump to its limits, but removing the venturi helps counter that. Honestly, if you get the chance to look at Bill's ever, perhaps on your way to SeaSchor, you can see his looks about the same (same model). His coral shop is well worth the visit:
http://www.midwestsaltwater.com/ Those Wilsoni colonies he got in ($800 and $1200 colonies) were killer, and he keeps getting in Aussie corals all the time. He doesnt list his SPS as much, but he has alot.

How's the lighting 'debate' going anyways? Are you removing one 400? Going to 250's? Swapping out for lower intensity bulbs?

As always Hahn, thanks for the input. Spazz sent me another venturi for he felt perhaps there is either something wrong with the first or he installed the wrong one. Haven't had time to redo it but soon. I have also thought of the airpump. Perhaps if it doesn't turn around with the new venturi it is worth a try.

I have not dropped the idea on the lights. I am seriously considering 250's. Even with acclimating new corals I still am burning a fair amount of pieces. I might try some 250's just to see what happens. It would be nice to same some $ on the electical each month if I can get by with it. I'll keep you posted.

 

[hahnmeister]

Well, here is the ATB XL (19" diameter, 32" tall, 3500lph) breaking in. If you cant get that sort of bubble density from your Volcano, maybe...