Reeferhead's 150DD Build
- Thread starter Reeferhead
- Start date
Yeah, I've them turned down to just 30% pulse mode at night, and I can't hear them at all over the Water Blaster pumps. Thats the other nice thing about the WXM for the Apex I can setup all sorts of profiles for the Vortechs of different power levels.
Without the WXM, night mode on a vortech is just 50% power of whatever you currently have it set at and you can't adjust time length it stays in night mode, its locked at 10 hrs. But the biggest problem I had with the stock vortech night mode was that if you cut power to the pump it wouldn't remember what time to start up night mode again and the only way to program night mode is to wait until the exact time you want it to start.
You can check it all out tonight.
Without the WXM, night mode on a vortech is just 50% power of whatever you currently have it set at and you can't adjust time length it stays in night mode, its locked at 10 hrs. But the biggest problem I had with the stock vortech night mode was that if you cut power to the pump it wouldn't remember what time to start up night mode again and the only way to program night mode is to wait until the exact time you want it to start.
You can check it all out tonight.
$125 and an Apex lite will run another $370 but the pimpness factor is priceless :lol:
Cool, Ill take any lps or softies. Any hardy sps too. I have not had much luck with finicky sps. Plus I do not have a calcium reactor, and my little reef is under t5 lighting, it is 8 bulbs, but I am still hesitant on some sps. However, I have a orange cap that is actually growing in there.
I finally figured out this Dual Head Reef Filler for my semi-continuous automatic water change system. I was surprised by how many issues I had considering that it should be fairly plug and play. Rather than get into all the details (which will just aggravate me again) lets just say there were some defective parts and horrible directions. After many hours of frustration and two calls the Champion Lighting I was able to get it running and dialed in.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21479988@N04/5373564323/" title="reefiller by nickgrant79, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5129/5373564323_1bd2f373de.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="reefiller" /></a>
One head pumps from one of the two Brute trash cans full of new saltwater underneath the crawlspace about 60' to the tank. Then the second head pulls old water from the tank at nearly exactly the same rate to the top of my quarantine system, pictured below. The Reef Filler pumps about a gallon per hour. I plan on changing out roughly 4 gallons per day broken up throughout the day so its nearly continuous. I also have a conductivity probe running on the Apex to shut down the Reef Filler if the salinity creeps up or down more than 1 PPT.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21479988@N04/5374170488/" title="quarantine by nickgrant79, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5005/5374170488_bf9a8fff97.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="quarantine" /></a>
The quarantine system is fairly simple. The 10 gallon is for corals the 20 gallon is for fish. The old water from the display enters into the 10 gallon and any overflow drops to the 20 gallon. Any overflow from the 20 gallon travels thru a pipe out the house to a tile that takes it to my driveway and ultimately the ditch. I plan on using that leftover PAR38 LED bulb for lighting the 10 gallon
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21479988@N04/5373564323/" title="reefiller by nickgrant79, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5129/5373564323_1bd2f373de.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="reefiller" /></a>
One head pumps from one of the two Brute trash cans full of new saltwater underneath the crawlspace about 60' to the tank. Then the second head pulls old water from the tank at nearly exactly the same rate to the top of my quarantine system, pictured below. The Reef Filler pumps about a gallon per hour. I plan on changing out roughly 4 gallons per day broken up throughout the day so its nearly continuous. I also have a conductivity probe running on the Apex to shut down the Reef Filler if the salinity creeps up or down more than 1 PPT.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21479988@N04/5374170488/" title="quarantine by nickgrant79, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5005/5374170488_bf9a8fff97.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="quarantine" /></a>
The quarantine system is fairly simple. The 10 gallon is for corals the 20 gallon is for fish. The old water from the display enters into the 10 gallon and any overflow drops to the 20 gallon. Any overflow from the 20 gallon travels thru a pipe out the house to a tile that takes it to my driveway and ultimately the ditch. I plan on using that leftover PAR38 LED bulb for lighting the 10 gallon
and now just some pics that Beth took:
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21479988@N04/5373570133/" title="IMG_5329 by nickgrant79, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5002/5373570133_61c039a583.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_5329" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21479988@N04/5373569609/" title="IMG_5322 by nickgrant79, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5004/5373569609_d1b7f59f61.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_5322" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21479988@N04/5374168338/" title="IMG_5323 by nickgrant79, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5124/5374168338_58128a6036.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_5323" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21479988@N04/5374158534/" title="IMG_5320 by nickgrant79, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5284/5374158534_c83ac5efa1.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_5320" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21479988@N04/5374158528/" title="IMG_5318 by nickgrant79, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5126/5374158528_7a73e62b98.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_5318" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21479988@N04/5374158514/" title="IMG_5301 by nickgrant79, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5161/5374158514_e88d1cf555.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_5301" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21479988@N04/5374158512/" title="IMG_5298 by nickgrant79, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5090/5374158512_44e53d3e54.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_5298" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21479988@N04/5374158518/" title="IMG_5316 by nickgrant79, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5242/5374158518_aeea593e94.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_5316" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21479988@N04/5373570133/" title="IMG_5329 by nickgrant79, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5002/5373570133_61c039a583.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_5329" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21479988@N04/5373569609/" title="IMG_5322 by nickgrant79, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5004/5373569609_d1b7f59f61.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_5322" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21479988@N04/5374168338/" title="IMG_5323 by nickgrant79, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5124/5374168338_58128a6036.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_5323" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21479988@N04/5374158534/" title="IMG_5320 by nickgrant79, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5284/5374158534_c83ac5efa1.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_5320" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21479988@N04/5374158528/" title="IMG_5318 by nickgrant79, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5126/5374158528_7a73e62b98.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_5318" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21479988@N04/5374158514/" title="IMG_5301 by nickgrant79, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5161/5374158514_e88d1cf555.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_5301" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21479988@N04/5374158512/" title="IMG_5298 by nickgrant79, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5090/5374158512_44e53d3e54.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_5298" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21479988@N04/5374158518/" title="IMG_5316 by nickgrant79, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5242/5374158518_aeea593e94.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_5316" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21479988@N04/5374165108/" title="left by nickgrant79, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5084/5374165108_45071a5708.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="left" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21479988@N04/5374167688/" title="leftcorner by nickgrant79, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5163/5374167688_a6cdd1ebb2.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="leftcorner" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21479988@N04/5374158498/" title="front by nickgrant79, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5241/5374158498_1f1a4829b1.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="front" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21479988@N04/5374166768/" title="rightcorner by nickgrant79, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5121/5374166768_5ed6f1d1fb.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="rightcorner" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21479988@N04/5373566169/" title="right by nickgrant79, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5247/5373566169_9aca46c4e4.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="right" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21479988@N04/5374167688/" title="leftcorner by nickgrant79, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5163/5374167688_a6cdd1ebb2.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="leftcorner" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21479988@N04/5374158498/" title="front by nickgrant79, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5241/5374158498_1f1a4829b1.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="front" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21479988@N04/5374166768/" title="rightcorner by nickgrant79, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5121/5374166768_5ed6f1d1fb.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="rightcorner" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21479988@N04/5373566169/" title="right by nickgrant79, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5247/5373566169_9aca46c4e4.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="right" /></a>
Sistom
New member
Really digging the Reef Filler and QT setup...I'm surprised you had so many issues with that pump though! Seems like it should be plug and play? You still think it was worth the investment? I've been debating getting one myself...Also, hows that salinity probe working on your Apex? I've read mixed reviews about them...
Nice tank shots as well! Lookin good!!
Nice tank shots as well! Lookin good!!
smoothdog
Active member
Sweet QT setup!
Great shots Beth! But what's that big ugly fish right in the top middle in this shot?
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21479988@N04/5373566169/" title="right by nickgrant79, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5247/5373566169_9aca46c4e4.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="right" /></a>
Great shots Beth! But what's that big ugly fish right in the top middle in this shot?
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21479988@N04/5373566169/" title="right by nickgrant79, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5247/5373566169_9aca46c4e4.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="right" /></a>
My best guess is that it is NOT reef safe:lol:
jjwill_sdsu
New member
Outstanding tank shots! And as for the disturbing background in that last picture, I can't imagine that isn't stressful for the fish...
tall_jason79
Active member
Is that a large mouth beer fish?lol
Now that it's working, I'm pretty happy with the Reef Filler. Although, after taking it apart every which way from Sunday I can officially say that it's a pretty simple pump for the amount of money they charge. I'll hold all my comments on it for a few weeks until I see if the flow rate from each head drifts over time.
The conductivity probe seems to work fine. One important thing to do that the directions don't mention is that you must have a Temp probe on the same PM2 as the conductivity probe and when you calibrate it you must put the temp probe in the solution along with the Cond probe. The Conductivity probe uses a temp correction factor and the end result can be way off if you don't.
Also, at first I was getting an unusually high but stable number of around 38.7
PPT. At first I thought that the calibration wasn't quite correct but then I moved the probe to another spot in my sump (away from my other probes and heaters) and it read 35.3 which is right about where it should be. As far as I can figure there was some sort of electrical interference going on. It's been pretty stable now, swinging kinda randomly from about 35.2-35.7 which is still pretty good but I need to do a bit more research to see if it should be better.
Outstanding tank shots! And as for the disturbing background in that last picture, I can't imagine that isn't stressful for the fish...
:lol:
I finally removed the last of the old 60 gallon tank's inhabitants and removed the tank, sump, and frag tank. I still need to clean it up, remove some odds and ends and start rebuilding with a clean slate. I think I may start a new build thread for this one.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21479988@N04/5401156165/" title="Untitled by nickgrant79, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5255/5401156165_af323c5804.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="" /></a>
I also finished up the QT system with topoff float valves, lighting, and pumps. Right now, the coral tank is holding some porites recently treated for MENs. The fish tank is holding all my extra LR until the 60 is back up.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21479988@N04/5401159435/" title="Untitled by nickgrant79, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5017/5401159435_a8e8ba8031.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="" /></a>
and here is most of the stuff I broke off the LR this weekend which is currently held in the 150 frag tank until the 60 is back up.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21479988@N04/5401175217/" title="Untitled by nickgrant79, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5292/5401175217_550a6e76e8.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21479988@N04/5401769740/" title="Untitled by nickgrant79, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5297/5401769740_bc4db6268b.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21479988@N04/5401156165/" title="Untitled by nickgrant79, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5255/5401156165_af323c5804.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="" /></a>
I also finished up the QT system with topoff float valves, lighting, and pumps. Right now, the coral tank is holding some porites recently treated for MENs. The fish tank is holding all my extra LR until the 60 is back up.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21479988@N04/5401159435/" title="Untitled by nickgrant79, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5017/5401159435_a8e8ba8031.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="" /></a>
and here is most of the stuff I broke off the LR this weekend which is currently held in the 150 frag tank until the 60 is back up.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21479988@N04/5401175217/" title="Untitled by nickgrant79, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5292/5401175217_550a6e76e8.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21479988@N04/5401769740/" title="Untitled by nickgrant79, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5297/5401769740_bc4db6268b.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="" /></a>
Koddie Doo
Czar of All ThingsAwesome
I will take some of that off your hands if you need help weeding things out
I'm sure we could work out some CDP action on the stuff I have doubles for.
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