Randy's 180G Reef-Photo Journal

[rdmpe]

I felt the volute before but couldn't feel any discernable temperature difference from the dart's fan blowing hot air toward the volute.

I have a big desk fan blowing air into one end of the stand and the other door open for the air to exit. That tends to slowly cool the tank down if the ambient room temp isn't too high to start with.

 

[tgunn]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6299284#post6299284 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rdmpe
I felt the volute before but couldn't feel any discernable temperature difference from the dart's fan blowing hot air toward the volute.

I have a big desk fan blowing air into one end of the stand and the other door open for the air to exit. That tends to slowly cool the tank down if the ambient room temp isn't too high to start with.

Oh, okay, so you do have a fan moving lots of air in there. Hmmm.

I guess the pumps must be directly adding heat to the water then. Does your heater run at all that you're aware of? I know the temp scales on the dials for mine are pretty useless; I had to set it based on the digital temp readout rather than the temp dials...

Dunno though, it does seem odd that you're getting so much heat from those pumps.... I have to actually heat my water to keep it warm....

Tyler

 

[rdmpe]

LOL my heaters are not getting much of a workout these days

My heater is controlled by a ReefKeeper. It hasn't come on since the initial setup I think.

I have heard back from a couple of other Dart owners who think that the pump should not be running so hot. Check this thread out reall quick...
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=730122
So I have to call MDM back with my serial number when I get home and I think they are going to send me a new pump out and I'll send the old one back in their box... At least that's MY plan Heck, I even have the original box for that matter... I've only had the pump about 2 months and only have had it running for about 2 weeks...

 

[tgunn]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6299567#post6299567 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rdmpe
LOL my heaters are not getting much of a workout these days

My heater is controlled by a ReefKeeper. It hasn't come on since the initial setup I think.

I have heard back from a couple of other Dart owners who think that the pump should not be running so hot. Check this thread out reall quick...
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=730122
So I have to call MDM back with my serial number when I get home and I think they are going to send me a new pump out and I'll send the old one back in their box... At least that's MY plan Heck, I even have the original box for that matter... I've only had the pump about 2 months and only have had it running for about 2 weeks...

You know what, I wouldn't be surprised if they sent a new pump. My Sequence 1000 had a leaky seal and they sent a new one out without even asking what the pump serial number was or anything. Top notch. However, for a whole pump I'd definitely get an RMA, etc...

Too bad I never measured the running temps of my Dart. Might'v ebeen interesting to measure it compared to ambient. If it's running quite warm, then I would definitely guess there's something wrong. Mine I could leave my hand on for any length of time without worrying. If it's hot enough you have to let go, then there may be an issue.

Good luck!

Tyler

 

[rdmpe]

Well Tyler, you are the third Dart owner to tell me that. Mine is definitely hot enough that I don't want to keep my hand on it. As a matter of fact, the Tarpon motor housing is much cooler. So I am pretty sure there is an "issue" of some sort with the pump.

:dance: So on to some good news :celeb1:
I registered the domain name "randysreef.com" :lol:
I have used www.godaddy.com for some other hosting and have never had a problem with them, and you can't beat the price! For a two year hosting deal, it comes to about $3.16 a month or something like that. I was getting really annoyed with the roadrunner 5 MB web space. And those thieves want $5 per month extra for each 5 MB additional space!!! :eek2: :rolleye1:

So now I get something like 5 GB of space. So I'm going to celebrate by posting some pictures I'm mostly going to use it just as picture storage for now, but eventually I may do a web site or something, who knows. I used to have one when I was in college back in the early 90's. It was way less common back then so I was too cool :rolleye1: If I REALLY had a clue, I would have registered every one-word domain name I could think of and I'd be SO rich right now !!!

 

[rdmpe]

I'll start with a few more pictures of the tank. I haven't done anything to it since the last pictures, but . . . that's OK! I have 5 GB of space to bore you guys with ! I just registered the domain this evening, so I'm sure the MX record update has not made it everywhere yet. So some servers might not see the next few pictures until tomorrow...

The water is much more clear now, and I've painted the tips of the CL outlets on the bottom. I still have to add a rock to the first island where it has a wierd flat area, and I have to trim the bottom CL outlet down there so it will be much less visible.

I made the little pvc tips by finding some FPTxS 45's and I just used the PVB cutters to cut the 45 right around the center of the bend. I just wanted to get some slight upward deflection so it would stop moving the sand around and it may help keep the "poo poo" suspended so it gets to the skimmer... So in this picture the "almost finished" island is the farthest from the camera. The other rocks are really just sitting in the tank sort of randomly until I get more rock to go with it.

Now a similar picture but from the other end... You can see that lower CL outlet sticking out of the left rockpile near the bottom. I'll be trimming that soon. LOL It sure doesn't take long to ruin tools by using them in saltwater. I had to cut the upper CL outlet in that island after some rocks were attached to it, so instead of unscrewing it, I just used the pvc cutter in the water (cleaned it up, no grease etc.) and they were rusty the next day... You can also see my temporary light legs - 2x4's - "really pretty"...

Now a picture looking into the end of the tank...

I mentioned before that I am going to replace those black risers in the corners. Those are currently 1" that comes up to a 90 elbow that reduces to a 3/4" MTP outlet. I can screw penductors on there. But I am planning to replace those with a very short adapter that will go right to 3/4" locline. If I don't end up using the penductors, I'd like to split each of those risers into two short locline sections that I can aim wherever, and have a similar setup at the other end of the tank.

I haven't tried the penductors since the tank has cleared up. I need to see how they do, but I think that where they meet, they'll clear the sand out in no time. I'd have to point them at a pretty sharp upward angle I think...




Here is the typical view of the bristle star

And another picture of the mostly finished first island

So back around to the other side. This is the side that is in back of the couch. So when you are sitting there, your head is right at the level of the tank, about mid depth. It's pretty cool. I'm really happy with this ability to sit on the couch and check out the tank close up. Hopefully I won't have problems with salt spray or bright light damaging the leather. I may need to put some protectant or somthing there to help guard against it.

And another

And finally, the high tech light support system. The fixture is a 72" Maristar by Sunlight Supply. It has 3x250w Metal Halides, and 4x39W T5 Flourescent Actinics. Right now it has all stock lamps on it. I bought two Pheonix 14K lamps and am going to get one more soon. Haven't installed them yet though. I'm also planning to get some different T5 lamps called "SuperBlue" lamps from http://www.commodityaxis.com. Supposedly these are some amazing bulbs.

I can't wait to fire the lights up tomorrow. Just a little worried about the heat. We'll see how it goes I guess. They will not be on for long though. It will be nice to have this fixture hanging. Personally I really like the look of the stainless steel wire hanging system. But first I have to put some better bracing in the attic to attach to, and I'm missing one piece of the hardware kit. I'm trying to get SLS to send the part to me...

 

[rdmpe]

Hey Rock455 - if you are still following along, how is that Scribbled Rabbitfish doing? That is definitely going on my wish list. What a beautiful fish....

 

[rock455]

Unfortunately the scribbled is no longer with us -- I don't know what happened to it -- I would suggest that you request your lfs to order one for you and keep it for a while before you take it -- be totally sure that it is eating very well before you bring it home.

 

[Som1else]

Nice setup.

 

[rdmpe]

Aw that really sucks rock-that is a great looking fish.

Som1else - thanks - I'm really happy that it is finally coming together!

So here's something really annoying! Sunlight Supply is selling this 72" Maristar for $1500 or so !!! That is a lot of money IMO. So you would think that someone there would have tried to plug one in and would consider some common sense usability aspects. Well, didn't happen.

The chords from the fixture to the MH ballasts are really long - 12' maybe? And then you have the power chord from the ballast to the outlet, another 6' (I replaced mine to make these 12'). BUT the power chord from the fixture to the outlet for the T5s???? It's about 5' long !!!

HELLO SUNLIGHT SUPPLY - THE T5 POWER CHORD DOESN'T EVEN REACH THE FLOOR, HOW DO YOU THINK IT WILL GET PLUGGED IN?

I mean, that is just idiotic. That's one more thing I'll have to replace when I tear this fixture open (in addition to the super loud 120v fans)

 

[tgunn]

Looking good Randy! I'm really liking the way the rockscaping is working out...

Heh, my bristle star seems to do the same thing; he's in the back corner sticking his tentacles out from under some rocks; he stays there most of the time.

Funny how that works with the lighting hey? My T5 retro from SLS had so little ballast wire I'd have had to mount the ballasts right over the lights. I bought extra wire to mount the ballasts on top of the canopy and the power cords barely reach to under the tank.

That's a nice looking lighting fixture though! I think it'll look great once it's suspended over the tank..

Tyler

 

[rdmpe]

Well, ran the lights over the tank for the first time today. I set it so that they will come on per the schedule below. I think I'll leave it this way for a week or so then maybe increase it a little. I can't do much until I get my Dart replaced and hopefully bring the tank temp down a bit...

09:00 am T5 Actinics ON
10:30 am Left MH ON
10:45 am Center MH ON
11:00 am Right MH ON
(now all lights are on)
11:15 am Left MH OFF
11:30 am Center MH OFF
11:45 am Right MH OFF
02:00 pm T5 Actinics OFF

The tank temp went from around 80.2 before the MH lights were on to around 80.9 when the last MH went off. I still don't have any fans blowing directly on any water surfaces. I'm waiting on a couple of 120mm quiet computer fans that will be set up on the sump/fuge area...

When the lights were on, everything really extended and opened up. It was very cool. I also fed two silversides to the cleanup crew. I target fed a small piece of silverside to each of the serpent stars. It was the first time I have seen the small white/brown striped one since I bought the LR. I was afraid it got crushed or something. But I saw it's arms sticking out from under a rock when the silversides were in the tank, so I cut a piece off on and used some tongs to get it to the star.

I took some pictures with the lights on but no time to post until later. Have some other places to be ...

 

[rock455]

Regarding the Maristar --

I would assume that they make the plugs short so that you have the ability to run power to the ceiling where you are planning on hanging the fixture and use the plugs as quick disconnects in the event that you want to take down the fixture.

 

[rdmpe]

But that's only the T5 plug. The MH ballasts are remote, sitting on the floor. Also, they sell legs for people who don't want to hand the light. I really think they just didn't give it enough thought. But nothing I can't handle I already rewired the ballasts. The fixture is next :thumbsup: warranty be damned...

 

[rdmpe]

Here are some pictures with the lights on for the first time. The water looks somewhat cloudy still. There is a lot of particles still suspended in the water column.

The MH are the stock Maristar 10K, not sure of the maker. I think I'll like the 14K better.

Also, everything is temporary except the tall rock island...

 

[Cprowler]

Look'n good.

I subscribed to your Dart thread too as I'll be running one on my CL.

 

[rdmpe]

Thanks CProwler, I sure hope swapping the dart out helps my heat situation.

An interesting note - I have a 44G brute with about 30 gallons in it right now, been sitting for about a week, with lid on and with no heat or circulation. So I decided to heat it up to use for a top off and I checked the temperature. It is right at 69 deg. So I guess if my tank sat unheated for a week or so, it would theoretically be somewhere around that temperature - 69 or 70 degrees. Instead, it is over 80 just from the pumps. Is that a fair comparison? I know the tank has more water mass but I think if it sat as long as the brute can of water it should be a similar temperature. Especially since the brute can is covered so evap is not a big cooling factor.

 

[tgunn]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6308580#post6308580 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rdmpe
Thanks CProwler, I sure hope swapping the dart out helps my heat situation.

An interesting note - I have a 44G brute with about 30 gallons in it right now, been sitting for about a week, with lid on and with no heat or circulation. So I decided to heat it up to use for a top off and I checked the temperature. It is right at 69 deg. So I guess if my tank sat unheated for a week or so, it would theoretically be somewhere around that temperature - 69 or 70 degrees. Instead, it is over 80 just from the pumps. Is that a fair comparison? I know the tank has more water mass but I think if it sat as long as the brute can of water it should be a similar temperature. Especially since the brute can is covered so evap is not a big cooling factor.

You're right, 44G should heat to the same temp as your tank. After a week I think the temp would've stabilized on it's own. I bet it's the pumps adding heat then. Glad to know you're getting the new dart. I'll be interested to see if that helps.

BTW, the halides look great! I didn't realize how much live stuff you got1

Tyler

 

[rdmpe]

Thanks Tyler, I can't wait to get the pheonix 14K's on there. I only have two of them right now though, need a third lamp... I'm going to replace the two outer MH lamps with the two 14ks that I have. I'm just waiting on my fans to arrive so that I can also replace the fans and the short T5 cord etc. at the same time.

 

[rdmpe]

An update...
Thursday night some of my xenia was looking a little bit unhappy, but most of it is doing well. But it still had me a little concerned. I added 5 (or 6?) golf ball or slightly larger size Mex Turbo Snails to the tank on Wednesday evening to help with some of the algae that I'm beginning to see on the rock. So I tested what I could:

12/21/05, 11:00 pm
temp 80.1
ph 8.1
ammonia ~`looks like 0 to me
nitrite ~` 0.25 (up from 0.10 last week)
nitrate ~` kit is backordered...
alkalinity ~ 7.7dKH / 2.7 meq/L
calcium ~ 450 ppm
magnesium ~` 1320 ppm
phosphate ~ kit is backordered...

Clownfish and serpent/bristle stars look ok. I've been feeding them very lightly, hopefully I'm not underfeeding them. Only feeding every second or third day right now. I did pick up some coral vibrance, some frozen invert mix, some mysis shrimp? can't remember for sure... Have not fed any of this yet though. Probably will do so this evening...

I've found some more things on the rock that I need to ID, but they are so tiny and only really show up at night so I don't know how I'll manage to get a picture of them. I need to find some time to work with macro modes on my camera to get some decent pictures...

The ca/alk/ph seems to be doing OK and since I've been running the lights for a little while every day, the coraline has started looking better - so that's a plus...

Still waiting on the replacement dart to show up and hopefully help bring my temperatures down a bit. It also may give me the opportunity to test using the dart as a sump return pump. I want to try to run the skimmer, feed the fuge, and return to display all with the second dart, just to see if it is a viable option.