OK! Enough chat...Starting a 1000g+ Reef
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jnarowe
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ScubaCarl restaurants don't usually get product in in these types of barrels. At least none of the ones I have worked in. The reason why I went to the brew house is that at least I know they have not had toxic stuff in them. many Hardware stores sell them used as well, but I can't be sure what has been held in them.
Marc I hear ya. I just wonder that if i am seeing them now, that means 1. there are a lot more; and 2. there may be some bad ones as well!
Marc I hear ya. I just wonder that if i am seeing them now, that means 1. there are a lot more; and 2. there may be some bad ones as well!
jnarowe
New member
Quick update:
Ick still present but moslty mitigated using the Melev Method ie. fatten up those hogs!
The PBT is showing some signs of retardation as it has fallen in love with itself, or at least an image of itself. It continuously greets itself in the glass in the same location...short bus time.
After having this 'reef" running for some time now I am just starting to notice things popping up like the already mentioned flat worms. But I am also seeing baby bristleworms now too. Unfortunately, some of them have that distinct separate head which may signal that some of them are the unwanted kind. I am also seeing some ribbon worms. It just seems strange that for so long they were not visible and now they are popping up.
I also have discovered a new community of some Aiptasia varient in the fuge. They seem to be multiplying and thriving off the huge number of pods available there. Although I cannot get a picture of one I tested one with flake food and it consumed it with lightening speed which as I understand it is a primary way to ID them...will shotgun pellets damage the good reef creatures???
Ick still present but moslty mitigated using the Melev Method ie. fatten up those hogs!
The PBT is showing some signs of retardation as it has fallen in love with itself, or at least an image of itself. It continuously greets itself in the glass in the same location...short bus time.
After having this 'reef" running for some time now I am just starting to notice things popping up like the already mentioned flat worms. But I am also seeing baby bristleworms now too. Unfortunately, some of them have that distinct separate head which may signal that some of them are the unwanted kind. I am also seeing some ribbon worms. It just seems strange that for so long they were not visible and now they are popping up.
I also have discovered a new community of some Aiptasia varient in the fuge. They seem to be multiplying and thriving off the huge number of pods available there. Although I cannot get a picture of one I tested one with flake food and it consumed it with lightening speed which as I understand it is a primary way to ID them...will shotgun pellets damage the good reef creatures???
BrianPlankis
Premium Member
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7553689#post7553689 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jnarowe
Quick update:
...will shotgun pellets damage the good reef creatures???
Jonathan,
I think the shotgun pellets might be harmful (lead leaching), but the pellets might not be good for the structural integrity of the sump
Plus you would just frag the anemones and they would continue growing. I would go with a flamethrower. Nothing like the smell of napalm in the morning!
B.
jnarowe
New member
Yes, I enjoy the napalm too. As I was removing them from the fuge, I disturbed one and actually saw it eject a piece of itself into the current! A few swear words later and another one detached and then processed itself through the powerhead. Next time I wll turn off the friggin PH!
I did discover that my chaeto, while riddled with these tiny glass anemones, is way more dense than I thought. I thought I wasn't getting any growth but it turns out I have about a baskektball sized nearly solid mass of it. I can barely lift it out of the sump. BTW, the rise in aiptasia seems to directly correlate with the population explosion of pods. I am guessing they eat pods and a couple of them had attached where the brine shrimp exit their hatcher. So that may be why I don't see any shrimp swimming around!
This morning, before sun rise, I saw many more flat worms and they seem partial to the glass. I think they may be cleaning it. I also noticed a sterange item floating in the display that looked like a crazy shrimp in the form of a donut with a bunch of spikes. It's hard to explain but it is about the size of a brine shrimp and looked something like maybe a spore of some kind. It is fairly clear fleshed and it had a hole through the center. No idea what it is...but I am willing to bet it may be aiptasia looking for a roost.
As I was removing them from the fuge, I disturbed one and actually saw it eject a piece of itself into the current! A few swear words later and another one detached and then processed itself through the powerhead. Next time I wll turn off the friggin PH!I did discover that my chaeto, while riddled with these tiny glass anemones, is way more dense than I thought. I thought I wasn't getting any growth but it turns out I have about a baskektball sized nearly solid mass of it. I can barely lift it out of the sump. BTW, the rise in aiptasia seems to directly correlate with the population explosion of pods. I am guessing they eat pods and a couple of them had attached where the brine shrimp exit their hatcher. So that may be why I don't see any shrimp swimming around!
This morning, before sun rise, I saw many more flat worms and they seem partial to the glass. I think they may be cleaning it. I also noticed a sterange item floating in the display that looked like a crazy shrimp in the form of a donut with a bunch of spikes. It's hard to explain but it is about the size of a brine shrimp and looked something like maybe a spore of some kind. It is fairly clear fleshed and it had a hole through the center. No idea what it is...but I am willing to bet it may be aiptasia looking for a roost.
jnarowe
New member
Skimmer collection mod...
Skimmer collection mod...
Well I finally got the screws and finished my mod of the collection cup system. I'll call it Ode to Weatherson II.
This first pic is the bucket assembly.
Here is the underside of the lid. This is a 6 gal. bucket and the long pipe is on the supply side and will create back pressure and shut down the skimmer when the bucket is full. This should substantially decrease my floods!
Here is a shot of the carbon container. I use this to reduce odors in the tank room. It works great and I know that this is totally overkill but I used this project to warm up for the reactor I will be making soon.
This is the carbon container lid. REAL DIY! That's what happens when you use hand tools but it doesn't really matter. The slightly square side helps me line the cover up with the screw holes as well as keeps the unit from rolling off a table.
I switched to stainless screws since I was quickly fed up with the zinc ones I have been using. They bite. These screws are unfortunately only 18-8, which is commonly available in the marine industry but not nearly as good as 316. I have tried to source 316 screws but I haven't found them at a reasonable price. I can get these 1/4" x 20 screws for $15 per 100 so that made the decision. We'll see how they perform.
I also was not happy with the flat rubber seals I have been using because they don't compress enough to make a good seal. I tried sourcing gasket material but that proved difficult so here is what I came up with at Lowes. These are actually the same material used for schedule 80 bulkheads, only a bit fluffier.
They compress nicely and have already proven much better than the rubber. Now I will have to see how long they last.
Here is a pic of the collection cup valve. I use the double ender so that I can pull off the entire collection cup without spilling skimmate, wash it out and do maintenance on it. I like having the valve removable so the whole unit will fit in the sink, as well as being able to easily replace it if needed.
Going back to the first picture of the bucket, I want to point out that part of this system is a second drain hose that attaches to the first one, thereby making it long enough to reach the sink. This enables me to disconnect the bucket and run the line to the sink so that I can wash down the collection cup while it is still attached to the skimmer. I use a water hose from the sink, spray down the collection cup, and that allows larger quantities of water to flow through the drain line into the sink.
I also want to point out that the one major disadvantage to this collection cup is the large number of screws. This requires some time to remove any part of it and that is why round cups with twist-on flanges are a better idea. BUT, I don't have a CNC machine to make one so I go square!
Skimmer collection mod...
Well I finally got the screws and finished my mod of the collection cup system. I'll call it Ode to Weatherson II.
This first pic is the bucket assembly.
Here is the underside of the lid. This is a 6 gal. bucket and the long pipe is on the supply side and will create back pressure and shut down the skimmer when the bucket is full. This should substantially decrease my floods!
Here is a shot of the carbon container. I use this to reduce odors in the tank room. It works great and I know that this is totally overkill but I used this project to warm up for the reactor I will be making soon.
This is the carbon container lid. REAL DIY! That's what happens when you use hand tools but it doesn't really matter. The slightly square side helps me line the cover up with the screw holes as well as keeps the unit from rolling off a table.
I switched to stainless screws since I was quickly fed up with the zinc ones I have been using. They bite. These screws are unfortunately only 18-8, which is commonly available in the marine industry but not nearly as good as 316. I have tried to source 316 screws but I haven't found them at a reasonable price. I can get these 1/4" x 20 screws for $15 per 100 so that made the decision. We'll see how they perform.
I also was not happy with the flat rubber seals I have been using because they don't compress enough to make a good seal. I tried sourcing gasket material but that proved difficult so here is what I came up with at Lowes. These are actually the same material used for schedule 80 bulkheads, only a bit fluffier.
They compress nicely and have already proven much better than the rubber. Now I will have to see how long they last.
Here is a pic of the collection cup valve. I use the double ender so that I can pull off the entire collection cup without spilling skimmate, wash it out and do maintenance on it. I like having the valve removable so the whole unit will fit in the sink, as well as being able to easily replace it if needed.
Going back to the first picture of the bucket, I want to point out that part of this system is a second drain hose that attaches to the first one, thereby making it long enough to reach the sink. This enables me to disconnect the bucket and run the line to the sink so that I can wash down the collection cup while it is still attached to the skimmer. I use a water hose from the sink, spray down the collection cup, and that allows larger quantities of water to flow through the drain line into the sink.
I also want to point out that the one major disadvantage to this collection cup is the large number of screws. This requires some time to remove any part of it and that is why round cups with twist-on flanges are a better idea. BUT, I don't have a CNC machine to make one so I go square!
jnarowe
New member
Back pressure...I hope. According to Weatherson's site, this is exactly how he built his. The only issue I may have is that I am pumping 100 liters/minute of air through mine...hence the 1" tubing...we'll see soon enough. I have it placed inside a much larger tub in case it doesn't work. I do know that when I restricted the exit hole before for testing, the foam head dropped way down, so I believe it will work as designed.
According to Weatherson's site, this is exactly how he built his. The only issue I may have is that I am pumping 100 liters/minute of air through mine...hence the 1" tubing...we'll see soon enough. I have it placed inside a much larger tub in case it doesn't work. I do know that when I restricted the exit hole before for testing, the foam head dropped way down, so I believe it will work as designed. 
melev
Well-known member
I have an alternate suggestion if it doesn't work.
Using a float switch and relay system, you could install it so that when the float switch rises (container full), the relay kills power to the airpump and stops the bubbles in the skimmer. That should stop it from bubbling over, right?
Using a float switch and relay system, you could install it so that when the float switch rises (container full), the relay kills power to the airpump and stops the bubbles in the skimmer. That should stop it from bubbling over, right?
Re: Skimmer collection mod...
Re: Skimmer collection mod...
Do you mean to say that the long pipe is connected to your carbon filter which would allow you to create backpressure in your bucket?
Found that ring yet?
Chris
Re: Skimmer collection mod...
Here is the underside of the lid. This is a 6 gal. bucket and the long pipe is on the supply side and will create back pressure and shut down the skimmer when the bucket is full. This should substantially decrease my floods!
Do you mean to say that the long pipe is connected to your carbon filter which would allow you to create backpressure in your bucket?
Found that ring yet?
Chris
jnarowe
New member
OK, OK...had dinner guests.
Marc, Float switch would work except that then I would be relying on a float switch. This way there is no mechanical device invloved. I think it is a better failsafe this way. And I don't get the "moon" comment...
Chris, The long pipe is actually connected to the drain line coming from the collection cup. The picture I posted has it set up wrong. It creates back pressure which then collapses the foam and essentially stops the skimmer. And I have about 2' of riser so that really has an impact.
Have not even looked for the ring...I was going to try a metal detector until I realized that my stand is full of screws...???
got2lb Unfortunately Marc is correct. I actually bought that beer cooler/bucket for this purpose because I really like the lid. Nice and flat!
Marc, Float switch would work except that then I would be relying on a float switch. This way there is no mechanical device invloved. I think it is a better failsafe this way. And I don't get the "moon" comment...
Chris, The long pipe is actually connected to the drain line coming from the collection cup. The picture I posted has it set up wrong.
It creates back pressure which then collapses the foam and essentially stops the skimmer. And I have about 2' of riser so that really has an impact.Have not even looked for the ring...I was going to try a metal detector until I realized that my stand is full of screws...???
got2lb Unfortunately Marc is correct. I actually bought that beer cooler/bucket for this purpose because I really like the lid. Nice and flat!
tinygiants
New member
Easy test of skimmer shut off --- Submerse the outlet pipe in a glass of water. If the foam head dies in the skimmer, then sucess. If it does not die, then you have a air leak in the skimmer collection cup or the tube is not long enough. The volume of air is irrelevent. It is not the volume that will collapse the foam, it is the pressure.
Dale
Dale
jnarowe
New member
Pic of me winning a Euro-Reef skimmer at the PSAS BBQ yesterday.
I won another skimmer with UV and a couple of coral gift certificates. We had a good time and MY LFS really made it worthwhile. He sold out of Mystery Wrasses at $99 each and I think he had ten of them. The deals on corals were awesome too.
Edit: And yes, I got a lot of ribbing for wearing an RC hat at a RF function, but they don't HAVE hats and they should feel lucky I didn't show them my underwear right?!?!?
I won another skimmer with UV and a couple of coral gift certificates. We had a good time and MY LFS really made it worthwhile. He sold out of Mystery Wrasses at $99 each and I think he had ten of them. The deals on corals were awesome too.
Edit: And yes, I got a lot of ribbing for wearing an RC hat at a RF function, but they don't HAVE hats and they should feel lucky I didn't show them my underwear right?!?!?
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