Returning to what I love - My new 180 Rimless

[eaglesrx]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15268803#post15268803 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jbanks
Thanks eaglesrx!

I couldn't really tell you how much evaporation I'm getting because of the auto top-off. I can tell you that without halides heating up the water, evaporation is much slower. T5s don't really radiate any heat..... into the water or the room. They're great... This summer, I don't really expect my chiller to turn on.. I remember how hot my basement would get from the lights on my last tank... My chiller ran "all the time" in the late spring, summer and early fall months... I can now truly enjoy my basement year-round.

Thanks for the info.! This is what I've been hearing too. In today's economy, T5's just seem like a smarter lighting option given less electricity (lights/chiller) and less humidity in the room since there's really not as much evaporation.

Any plans on a mesh top to keep jumpers in the tank? Any thoughts on potential impact of a mesh top decreasing PAR for high quality T5 fixtures, like ATI? I've heard that the mesh top isn't an issue with MH in terms of decreasing PAR. I would expect the same with T5's.

Thanks and keep up the good work!

 

[jbanks]

You're welcome. Every little bit makes a difference. The answer is absolutely! I will be looking for the parts I need today between HD and Lowes. The same type of material used to make summer screens for storm doors. However, I will be looking for 1/4 inch bird netting... as suggested. I don't know what effect it will have yet in terms of Par, but I guess I'll find out when I get it set up and start putting corals in... I'm sure they'll tell me If so, I will have to find another option..

 

[jbanks]

Sorry for the slow updates everyone.. The tank had been hit by a pretty ugly diatom bloom after the cycle in addition to ich.. Things are now returning to normal.. I put my first frags in the tank about two weeks ago thanks to "tattoofr" and "oneway". There is nothing better than having friends in this hobby that don't mind sharing! Thanks guys :thumbsup: I will be posting some updated pictures either tonight or tomorrow.. I'm reading undetectible on N03 and PO4 at this point.. I've been dosing 3ml of vodka daily and 25 drops of MB7. I'm also dosing 6 drops of Lugols iodine daily.. So far all the frags have keept their colors and polpy extention is really good.. I have one green table frag that started with STN right after placing it in the tank, but it stoped after a day or two and is now doing well..

Things I've added:

Green Digitata
Orange Digitata
Hot pink Birdsnest (thick branch)
Pink Birdsnest (thin branch)
Neon Green Birdsnest (Thick Branch)
Neon Green Birdsnest (thin Branch)
Steve Tyree Birdsnest
Tri-color Acro
Red Planet (millepora)
Blue millepora
Trumpet coral
Green Bali
Blue Stag (genus uncertain)

Pics to follow....

 

[jbanks]

As promised: All iPhone pics.. Better pics to follow, where I will be able to zoom in.

Equipment pics

 

[jbanks]

Here are a few more.... Just because

My Yellow Tang is a ham! :lol:

 

[SunnyX]

Looking good my man! :thumbsup:

I bet you cant wait until those twigs grow out!

 

[snaza]

Looking GREAT. I finally bought a new house, which means new tank. Just ordeded all my equipment. I got the same light. my tank will be 60x36x20. anyway I have few questions;

what sand are you using?

What is that flex hose your using for your return? Does it plumb ok with PVC and ball valves?

Do you find 2 vortech are enough and do they mess up your sandbed?

thanks

Aaron

 

[jbanks]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15413456#post15413456 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by SunnyX
Looking good my man! :thumbsup:

I bet you cant wait until those twigs grow out!

Thanks Sonny! Don't you know it :lol: Can't wait!

 

[jbanks]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15413586#post15413586 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by snaza
Looking GREAT. I finally bought a new house, which means new tank. Just ordeded all my equipment. I got the same light. my tank will be 60x36x20. anyway I have few questions;

what sand are you using?

What is that flex hose your using for your return? Does it plumb ok with PVC and ball valves?

Do you find 2 vortech are enough and do they mess up your sandbed?

thanks

Aaron

Hey Aron! Thanks for the kind comment & CONGRATULATIONS on your new home :thumbsup:

I used a combination of Arag-Live Special Grade Reef Sand and Carib Sea Dry Special Grade.

The flexible white hose on the return pump is called spaflex. You can usually get it from any pool supply shop at reasonable per foot prices.. I think Lowes in the States carries it as well. It is considered Flex PVC and glues perfectly with PVC fitting using PVC solvent and glue.. My suggestion is before you use the solvent, clean it first with alcohol.

For now the two Vortechs are doing a good job.. At some point I may have to add a third when the tank starts to really grow out. I would think in a 60" tank you would definitely have to mount yours on opposing sides to get the proper flow you want. My next one will probably be mounted on the back right side of the tank blowing toward the front panel... They don't reaaly mess with my sand at all, but the do create a nice undertow, which keeps the sand bed free of a lot of debris. I imagine if you place them two low, they may cause a sand disturbance because their flow pattern is so wide.

Good luck with the new Tank I am sure it will be as sensational the one you have now!!

 

[tatoofr]

Hi my friend,
My corals look good, the colors look good. No browning from the change.
When things grow in its going to look super. I'll give you more when I get back, that is if Anthony doesnt steal them all.
Talk to you soon, enjoy the summer.
Frank

 

[jbanks]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15415197#post15415197 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tatoofr
Hi my friend,
My corals look good, the colors look good. No browning from the change.
When things grow in its going to look super. I'll give you more when I get back, that is if Anthony doesnt steal them all.
Talk to you soon, enjoy the summer.
Frank

Hey Frank,

They really do and I've already seen growth in just over two weeks.. Have a safe strip my friend... I hope everything goes well I'll have to keep an eye on Ant. LOL!!! What a better friend to take care of your tank while you're away.. You'll be in good hands!

 

[snaza]

Thanks for answering my questions. I just ordered an ATB skimmer direct from Austria today.

 

[Magga Pie]

Your tank looks amazing! Goodluck with everything and I'm looking foward to seeing it progress more

 

[jbanks]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15417233#post15417233 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by snaza
Thanks for answering my questions. I just ordered an ATB skimmer direct from Austria today.

You're welcome Bro! I have my eyes on those as well. I hear that's a sweet skimmer.. I've had my Deltec 851 for a while now and it still does a great job for me after being in retirement for 3 years. If she can keep up with my current system, I will stick with her for a while.. Your also going to LOVE the ATI Powermodule. It's a really awesome fixture. Can you guys get the version where you can dim the light in AUS? I hear they have them available in Europe now.

 

[jbanks]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15417350#post15417350 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Magga Pie
Your tank looks amazing! Goodluck with everything and I'm looking foward to seeing it progress more

Thanks Magga Pie! Welcome aboard..

 

[jbanks]

Ok Guys/Gals,

Next up is some more automation... That is the one requirement I had when deciding to get back into the hobby.. I did not want the tank t drive me crazy with daily chores with the tight schedule I keep.. When I had the time, I didn't mind tweaking this and tweaking that on a daily basis... Since I've been there and done that, now it's time to have some fun with some cool gadgets

Sometime next week, I hope to be receiving one of the New Neptune Apex Controllers. In addition, I will be going with a Profilux stand-alone 4 pump doser. I plan on using the Doser for the Vodka, Bacteria and any other supplements that I may add. After that I hope to be done with equipment for a while.. The Bank will be closed!! I'll update everyone when I get the new toys in.

 

[snaza]

Hi again,

Yep we get the dimmable PM's. everything here is so damn expensive though. My 10 bulb PM was over 2 grand.

 

[jbanks]

OOUCH!!! - But you have to admit, that thing is going to be sweet with the right controller I wish I could have gotten one of those less the huge price tag of course. Knowing me, I would have ended up wit it anyway! Can't wait to see pics when you are all up and running!

 

[rireuter]

been planning a 48x48x17 build for a while. i think its 170gallons, anyways was wondering if the 2 vortecs made enough flow for your 180 or are you going to have to add more?

 

[jbanks]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15418300#post15418300 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rireuter
been planning a 48x48x17 build for a while. i think its 170gallons, anyways was wondering if the 2 vortecs made enough flow for your 180 or are you going to have to add more?

In all honesty, I don't think two is going to cut it with a 4ft square. In my honest opinion, you will need at least 4 of them for the proper amount of flow... Once my tank grows in, I already know that I will have to supplement the flow of the two Vortechs with another one.

I know that I answered the question as it relates to your future tank.. I just assumed that you were forward thinking for planning purposes