Soulpatch's 150 SC build
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soulpatch
New member
I got the awc setup and running. Watching it closely this week and will likely turn it off over the weekend while I am away just in case but at least she is running.
Have it set to change roughly 5.4 gallons a day so that it does bout 25% water change weekly.
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Have it set to change roughly 5.4 gallons a day so that it does bout 25% water change weekly.
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soulpatch
New member
Set up was super easy and I just powered it up yesterday so only time will tell as to how much I like it. The important thing for me is that it is working as expected.
I have my other Kore doser when I want to dose but for now I think I will have it covered with the AWC and kalk in ATO. Though I have been thinking of selling the doser and equipment with it to get a calcium reactor instead. I have a good amount of SPS that will only get worse in coming weeks/months so dosing might become a bit of a pain quickly.
I have my other Kore doser when I want to dose but for now I think I will have it covered with the AWC and kalk in ATO. Though I have been thinking of selling the doser and equipment with it to get a calcium reactor instead. I have a good amount of SPS that will only get worse in coming weeks/months so dosing might become a bit of a pain quickly.
Looking forward to seeing long-term results with the AWC.
I hear you on the dosing vs. reactor. I can't believe when I hear some of these guys locally who are pumping 140mL per day of each part into their tanks. I think my pumps run a lot with around 25mL per day. At 140mL you're basically just doing controlled drip 24/7.
To reduce my dosing hassle though of having to swap out gallon containers quarterly, I did move to ESV 2 part, which is almost twice as concentrated, so I only have to dose (and replace) half as much. Costs a bit more than double, but the convenience is worth it, and it's actually only slightly more expensive per unit of calcium and alkalinity because of the increased concentration.
I really miss my calcium reactor. Buy a good one (deltec, GEO, probably some newer brands as well), dial it in, futz with it every 6 months, replace CO2 annually or every 18 months. It's pretty close to set and forget.
soulpatch
New member
When I go calcium reactor I will do it right with masterflex pump, good reg, and reactor. Looking at Geo since it comes in white. HA HA. I'm vain I know. The other one on my short list is the Vertex one but I will have some time. I am hoping my AWC does the trick for a while. Swapping out over 5 gallons a day right now.
I will likely do a big cleaning Friday or Sunday of the tank, replace my filter socks as I have been running sponge while cleaning my socks, and then kick the AWC back off testing constantly.
I need to order in some more snails (darn hermits) and chateo. In terms of equipment I need a few floats, some more socks, and a few other odds and ends. Few things in the stand I need to clean up slightly with the apex and my programming.
Once healed from surgery it will be time to look into fish and such again. I need to rethink my stock list with the troubles I was having and I might order in one at a time from now on just to be safe. Sure costs a bit more but if it means more success then it is worth it.
I will likely do a big cleaning Friday or Sunday of the tank, replace my filter socks as I have been running sponge while cleaning my socks, and then kick the AWC back off testing constantly.
I need to order in some more snails (darn hermits) and chateo. In terms of equipment I need a few floats, some more socks, and a few other odds and ends. Few things in the stand I need to clean up slightly with the apex and my programming.
Once healed from surgery it will be time to look into fish and such again. I need to rethink my stock list with the troubles I was having and I might order in one at a time from now on just to be safe. Sure costs a bit more but if it means more success then it is worth it.
soulpatch
New member
Well I went down last night to my DOS and heard the clicking they apparently get from bad heads. Both heads are clicking. I shot an email to Neptune last night with a video clip of the clicking so awaiting response now. I assume it will need new heads but who knows. At least it is a good company who stands behind their gear. I still have it running though and it has been working flawlessly but with that clicking and noticeable whirling sound when running. More so then I expected.
Sorry to hear that. I'm glad they'll make good on it.
Is it that the steppers stripped the gears on the dosing mechanism, or what? I've used those steppers before, and they're pretty bullet proof. (I guess I could go searching for an answer, but you've probably done the research and can sum it up in a sentence or two).
soulpatch
New member
They had a some instances of cracked heads. Typically they just send out a replacement head to those impacted. I am not too worried about it honestly as again it is not doing anything critical. I will also be turning it off tomorrow when I am out of town as well. I dont want it running when I am at the beach. Even with a webcam that I can monitor my tank I will power it off so I dont have to check often.
I have to say getting the web cam was one of the better buys I have made for the tank recently. It is amazing to be able to look at the tank whenever I want from my phone. I also use it to talk to my dogs during the day if I want. HA HA. I enjoy seeing them be confused after hearing my voice but not knowing where I am.
I have to say getting the web cam was one of the better buys I have made for the tank recently. It is amazing to be able to look at the tank whenever I want from my phone. I also use it to talk to my dogs during the day if I want. HA HA. I enjoy seeing them be confused after hearing my voice but not knowing where I am.
mav3rick478
Premium Member
Haha Nick the owner's dog here at work comes out to greet customers when we page him to the front. Your dog is playing you, he knows where you are, lol.
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soulpatch
New member
My dog is the dumbest smart dog I have ever met. He can defeat any lock or garbage can but gets lost in my backyard or confused how to walk backwards when he walks in the "cave/tunnel" of my daughters toys.
My other dog is smart as a whip so when she hears my voice runs to the door waiting for me. She has looked at the camera but it is higher then she can get to...
mav3rick478
Premium Member
Nice, the Muscle and The Brain. That's what your 2 dogs are.
soulpatch
New member
Well Homer has stepped up to buy my dosing setup that I never used. LOL. I will be taking those proceeds and putting it towards a nice calcium reactor setup.
Current setup thoughts:
regulator - either build my own from the dual stage thread or buy the carbon doser. Seems carbon doser would be easier but woudl be about 100 more then building my own. I will have to look into it some more.
PH Probe - I dont currently monitor the PH in my tank even though I have the probe. I guess I will get a PH controller for the calc reactor and run the apex probe in the tank so I can monitor ups and downs. I do plan on using kalk still in the ATO which should help. Though I can probably get away with $100 in savings if I just use my current probe on the calcium reactor and go with that.
pump - I have a manifold to feed the reactor with so I am not worried there. I can also allow the effluent to drip into the tank though I am HIGHLY considering a masterflex pump and am looking now for one. This will allow me to perfectly manage the effluent. Though this might need to be added later if I am unable to find something in the short term for a decent amount of money.
reactor - I know GEO is most people's go to but I kind of want the second chamber for recycling of gas and to better manage the PH going back into the tank. So right now I am still torn between the Geo 612 or the Vertex. The Vertex is 130 more then the GEO but with BRS points is really only 80 more if I buy on group buy to get 10x points.
Cosmetics - I have to say this is still important so I would likely flip most of the Vertex lines to be blue LOL. Both units themselves are white though which will match perfectly.
Current setup thoughts:
regulator - either build my own from the dual stage thread or buy the carbon doser. Seems carbon doser would be easier but woudl be about 100 more then building my own. I will have to look into it some more.
PH Probe - I dont currently monitor the PH in my tank even though I have the probe. I guess I will get a PH controller for the calc reactor and run the apex probe in the tank so I can monitor ups and downs. I do plan on using kalk still in the ATO which should help. Though I can probably get away with $100 in savings if I just use my current probe on the calcium reactor and go with that.
pump - I have a manifold to feed the reactor with so I am not worried there. I can also allow the effluent to drip into the tank though I am HIGHLY considering a masterflex pump and am looking now for one. This will allow me to perfectly manage the effluent. Though this might need to be added later if I am unable to find something in the short term for a decent amount of money.
reactor - I know GEO is most people's go to but I kind of want the second chamber for recycling of gas and to better manage the PH going back into the tank. So right now I am still torn between the Geo 612 or the Vertex. The Vertex is 130 more then the GEO but with BRS points is really only 80 more if I buy on group buy to get 10x points.
Cosmetics - I have to say this is still important so I would likely flip most of the Vertex lines to be blue LOL. Both units themselves are white though which will match perfectly.
If you're looking for a dual-chamber CaRx I'd maybe also look at the MRC reactors, since they were/are built like tanks, and have always had dual chamber even when most/many manufacturers are going with single chamber. I'm glad you did your research, I've never seen that vertex before, but those things are ridiculous. Love the flow meter feature. So nice (if it doesn't clog)! I also see that Geo just introduced a 612x2 dual-chamber, so that's an option if you wanted it. I'm wondering if it is worth moving up to the 618 though instead of the 612. Not sure whether it's worth over-buying or right-size-buying these days.
Sounds like you should just get the carbondoser. I'l pick one up if/when the opportunity arises too.
Sounds like you should just get the carbondoser. I'l pick one up if/when the opportunity arises too.
soulpatch
New member
only issue I see is for 300 I can get an awesome dual stage regulator I think. I dont know though. I need to do some more research. I like that the carbon doser is not a needle valve so the pressure in the tank doesnt matter as much but still. If I am going to do it I am going to do it right.
My wallet says BRS sells the carbondoser now though so I might as well spend the 300 there and get roughly 30 back in points.
The geo 612x2 is nice but then I am well above the price of the vertex and others. Sure built like a tank but I am also trying to restock fish this fall and paying for my shoulder to be bionic so money is a concern.
MRC While awesome is also in the 600 range so eats another 100 on top of vertex though inline witht he 612x2
I just want to buffer the effluent before it hits the tank...
My wallet says BRS sells the carbondoser now though so I might as well spend the 300 there and get roughly 30 back in points.
The geo 612x2 is nice but then I am well above the price of the vertex and others. Sure built like a tank but I am also trying to restock fish this fall and paying for my shoulder to be bionic so money is a concern.
MRC While awesome is also in the 600 range so eats another 100 on top of vertex though inline witht he 612x2
I just want to buffer the effluent before it hits the tank...
soulpatch
New member
Well just today's simple look around ebay and whatnot shows I would be darn close to that 300 to build my own regulator so I will likely just buy the carbon doser to get going and I can always swap out later should I wish. While not as sexy looking it will get the job done for me and ensure I dont overthink something.
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