Sonicboom's 180 build in Tampa

[Sonicboom]

if anyone local has some sps frags for sale please PM me, I feel these lights are going to waste on 3 frags, two of which i fragged even further.....lol

 

[Newbie Aquarist]

It was an honor meeting you today and glad you liked the frags. Now you don't have to frag frags anymore.

 

[Sonicboom]

Haha, no sir the honor was all mine, your humble generosity is not often seen in most. The frags are fantastic and after a dose of coral frenzy all have opened up. In removing the torch from its rock I ended up with 3 different torches, and now the rock is in my refugium. I even redid the right side aquascaping. I'll post some pics once they're all acclimated.

 

[Newbie Aquarist]

Haha, no sir the honor was all mine, your humble generosity is not often seen in most. The frags are fantastic and after a dose of coral frenzy all have opened up. In removing the torch from its rock I ended up with 3 different torches, and now the rock is in my refugium. I even redid the right side aquascaping. I'll post some pics once they're all acclimated.

You are welcome. I was brought up to the belief that its always better to give than receive. I can't wait to see the new scape. Now you know why you're on the list. Bring the fam and I'll cook and reef.

 

[Stylo328]

I miss living on the west coast of Florida! Such a great group of people in that area. The least few posts are a perfect example.

 

[Sonicboom]

You are welcome. I was brought up to the belief that its always better to give than receive. I can't wait to see the new scape. Now you know why you're on the list. Bring the fam and I'll cook and reef.

LOL, thanks!, I felt silly after my comment about how i did my aqua scaping on my dining room table and then set them in the tank...Then you showed me your Pond liner filled with rocks and some measured 4ft and probably 60 lbs...lol. That would still be hella fun!

I miss living on the west coast of Florida! Such a great group of people in that area. The least few posts are a perfect example.

I'll drink to that!:beer:

 

[Sonicboom]

So i am sure this has already been tried, but i'll ask again as a refresher. I was pondering/brainstorming how to cool a nice sized tank without the high cost of a chiller. I remembered a small fridge I gave my wife's grandfather that cost me less than 250.00, and i know there are a ton on Craiglist for 50.00. Basically i was wondering if anyone coiled 10,15 even 20 ft of 1/4" ATO tubing inside the fridge? The more tubing inside, the colder the top off water would get. eventually one could adjust the amount of tubing until the desired temp was reached. Two tiny holes would need to be drilled for the tubing, kind of like a Keg fridge. But i would be able to keep frozen foods, medicines, vitamins, flake food and pretty much any perishables.

Now i am only thinking of ATO water, but a small power head can also circulate water through the fridge and sump via the same method?

Thoughts? crazy nonsense that will never work?

 

[Stylo328]

I think there are several treads about DIY chillers in the equipment forum. If I'm not mistaken, the dorm-fridge method has several threads dedicated to it.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1356482

 

[Sonicboom]

wow thanks Stylo328, they went all kinds of crazy on that thread...lol

 

[Stylo328]

For what it's worth, I have spoken to a few reefers that have had highly efficient chillers. They have split the chiller and used an inside/outside setup, similar to the central AC for your home. As I understand it is relatively simple to do and an AC installer can run the necessary lines.

Good luck.

 

[Sonicboom]

Thanks, I think for now i will continue to freeze a block or RO/DI water and plop it in the tank

 

[Stylo328]

Sounds like a good way to make up for evaporation.

 

[Sonicboom]

Just a little update, not sure when it wil happen but wifey just agreed to move the tank from the dining room to the library, wall it in and build a fish room behind it!

I'll post some pics later of the plan but there is probably a 10x20 area outside the library, which would have access from the office.

 

[dave.m]

What an excellent opportunity to upgrade to a larger tank.

Dave.M

 

[Sonicboom]

HAHA, i think the only tank that will have it's size upgraded will be the QT.

 

[Stylo328]

Congratulations on the new project (move). For me, it's the best part of the hobby.

 

[Sonicboom]

Thanks Stylo, at least it's in another part of the house and i can seal off the entire area. Plus i already have the tank setup so i can take my time.

 

[Newbie Aquarist]

Sounds like good news. Can't wait to see the new space.

 

[Sonicboom]

GC coming over Saturday, ill now if it's a go or no go after that. On another note, I have been experimenting with ways of cooling my tank. A 5 cup square Tupperware of frozen RO/DI dropped the temp in my 180 by 1 full degree. Basically it's a 7x7x2 block of ice.

 

[Sonicboom]

never underestimate the power of evaporation!, was getting ready to move my Naso Tang which was in quarantine and was making sure temps where equal between DT and QT, to my surprise there was a 6 degree difference using my Bluepoint laser temp gauge. The water in the DT was 74 degrees! This was with my house at 78 at mid afternoon and a ceiling fan on med 5 ft from the tank. The air coming from the duct was at 56, that plus the ceiling fan cooled the tank to chilling levels. I can't believe i had to plug in a heater for the rest of the day...lol