Reid's 120g Oceanic Tech Build

[reidcrandall]

That's the plan... well, not the thumb part. I guess I need to get into it and see how comfortable I am with the different techniques.

Marc, I seem to remember that you are using an ORP probe. Are you using it with your AC3? If so, what probe are you using?

 

[melev]

Yes, I do use that probe, which came with the AC3.

 

[Padrino]

yes im sick of this snow its finally melting i can almost see my lawn again.. maybe in a couple more days of this weather

 

[albertan22]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14648046#post14648046 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Padrino
yes im sick of this snow its finally melting i can almost see my lawn again.. maybe in a couple more days of this weather

Still a good 2 feet deep in the middle here, and the windrow along the walk is taller than my wife. It'll be June before its gone at this rate. :mad2:

Nice build so far, I'm currently building a 120 as well, but won't be putting water in it until after my New Zealand trip this fall.

 

[pb4ugoout]

along for the ride

 

[reidcrandall]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14648342#post14648342 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by albertan22
Still a good 2 feet deep in the middle here, and the windrow along the walk is taller than my wife. It'll be June before its gone at this rate. :mad2:

Nice build so far, I'm currently building a 120 as well, but won't be putting water in it until after my New Zealand trip this fall.

Ouch! Still 2 feet. I can't even imagine. Link me if you get a build thread together. Also, can't wait to see pics from the New Zealand trip. Maybe one day I will make my way there!

 

[reidcrandall]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14649961#post14649961 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by pb4ugoout
along for the ride

Welcome. Glad to have you!

 

[reidcrandall]

A Probing Question

A Probing Question

Do I need an ORP probe if I'm not using ozone or anything that can affect the ORP levels. It seems kind of pointless to me now that I think about it.

 

[Padrino]

Reid,
ORP is basically the measure of how easily you can pass current through the water. Some people think that the lower the number the dirtier the water and you need to do a water change. personally the tank will need neutrients for the corals to grow and thrive. not all corals like a CLEAN tank. I am using my orp slot as a second PH and have installed a pinpoint ph probe in that slot

 

[luther1200]

I just read big article or thread on this some where. Basically what I got out of it is this- It is a tool that will help you know when something goes wrong, Like you have a steady reading everyday for 3 months then all the sudden it drops you know something is happening. Or if it steady falls, or rises that means something different is happening in your tank. That is a very brief explaination though. But you could see where it would be valueable.

 

[reidcrandall]

Definately. I am thinking I will get the ORP probe, and then get the breakout box later to add another pH probe when I get a calcium reactor.

I went ot Premium Aquatics today, set to make a purchase, but they were out of the AC3! Jeremy has one on order for me, and it should be in next wekend (Thanks man! Show yourself if you're lurking on here). I got the AC3, the DC8 and the Pinpoint pH probe. I'll probably pick up the ORP when I go pick everything else next weekend.

I also got the final two pieces of live rock I plan on using.They are really nice, big, flat base pieces that should allow me to buld off of. I am pretty excited about them. It's some really nice rock that they have from Bali. I threw them in the stock tank to cure with the rest of the rock. I am up to about 102 lbs. I don't wantmuch more than that, because I wantto have plenty of room for fish and coral growth.

 

[AJP]

I wish I lived near Premium Aquatics, that would be so nice. Instead I live next to a store that charges $55 for a clownfish that looks near death. Or $85 for a rock with 4-5 purple mushrooms on it

 

[reidcrandall]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14661231#post14661231 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by AJP
I wish I lived near Premium Aquatics, that would be so nice. Instead I live next to a store that charges $55 for a clownfish that looks near death. Or $85 for a rock with 4-5 purple mushrooms on it

Ouch. You should try to get a local group buy together to split some of the shipping costs from Premium Aquatics. They have great stuff and their prices are always good. All of us here in the Indianapolis area are lucky to have them nearby.

 

[pb4ugoout]

AJP I feel your pain. My LFS is garbage as well. $49 for a small mandarin. $70 for a small fire shrimp. $90 for extra small coral frags. I have to drive 3 hours to get good prices.

 

[reidcrandall]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14662956#post14662956 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by pb4ugoout
AJP I feel your pain. My LFS is garbage as well. $49 for a small mandarin. $70 for a small fire shrimp. $90 for extra small coral frags. I have to drive 3 hours to get good prices.

WOW! That is extremely up there. How do they stay in business with those kind of prices? Do they have good quality at least?

 

[luther1200]

Thats what its like by me the only place with real quality pieces is a little on the high side. But its close and there stuff is very nice.

 

[luther1200]

Thats what its like by me the only place with real quality pieces is a little on the high side. But its close and there stuff is very nice.

 

[reidcrandall]

Valves

Valves

I have been looking for a good place to order valves, and found that several people on here have ordered from savko.com. What have been the experiences?

I have beel looking at these for where a union is needed:

And these where a union is not needed:

Would these work better than the ones that I am taking back to Lowes?

 

[melev]

Savko is great. I got to visit their place in Columbus last year.

 

[reidcrandall]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14672464#post14672464 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by melev
Savko is great. I got to visit their place in Columbus last year.

I am in Columbus all the time for work. Do they do walk-in business, or is it online only? I guess once you figure in tax, it's about the same as shipping anyway.

Have you used their valves, by chance? I am hoping that whatever I get will hold up over time.