mav3rick478
Premium Member
Hahaha sucker, actually in my daughter's room is a desktop tank with 2 brackish puffers that guess who gets to feed every night 
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Soulpatch's 150 SC build
- Thread starter soulpatch
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soulpatch
New member
Yeah I have been taking care of the guppy tank thus far. Is what it is I guess. But my trip to the pet store for 80 worth of salt turned into $200 and a tank I hate to look at. I actually wish they had gotten the hamster instead as at least then I could watch it roll around on the floor messing with my dogs.
Nonetheless whatever makes the women happy...
So while I am moving horribly slow the newest project is coming along.
Nonetheless whatever makes the women happy...
So while I am moving horribly slow the newest project is coming along.
soulpatch
New member
Well threw a thin layer of paint on the box last night to highlight the wood imperfections. Wood filler was used tonight to fill most of them and then I will sand tomorrow and reshoot some paint on her. Well maybe not tomorrow since we are supposed to get 6-10 inches of snow but hopefully before the weekend. I would like to use Sunday to actually move the wiring over to this...
soulpatch
New member
Good ole PA. THis past week we had record highs followed by a snow storm and now a mix of rain and cold. So no painting of the box for me this weekend to prep it for the final construction. It has been completely sanded though I might have to sand some more once i shoot some paint. Paint has a way of highlighting some imperfections and it will bother me.
So this weekend I decided the tank needed cleaned. I picked at all the ulva algae in the tank and got rid of visible bubble algae best as I could. This was done with a 40 gal water change. When turning the pump back on for the return I had to turn it WAY down to not drain the sump. While cleaning the algae the ulva and such giot to my strainer and blocked it up. So I was full emergency which was why tuning didnt work. SO broke down the overflow and used the time to get the snails, sand, and other stuff out of there.
Cleaned the glass finally and once the tank settles down a bit I will get some new FTS shots then tomorrow get some coral closeups with the DSLR...
So this weekend I decided the tank needed cleaned. I picked at all the ulva algae in the tank and got rid of visible bubble algae best as I could. This was done with a 40 gal water change. When turning the pump back on for the return I had to turn it WAY down to not drain the sump. While cleaning the algae the ulva and such giot to my strainer and blocked it up. So I was full emergency which was why tuning didnt work. SO broke down the overflow and used the time to get the snails, sand, and other stuff out of there.
Cleaned the glass finally and once the tank settles down a bit I will get some new FTS shots then tomorrow get some coral closeups with the DSLR...
soulpatch
New member
Broke out the DSLR and did some processing of the pics today. Here is some eye candy. PLease don't mind the algae issues I am having. The ulva is down considerably and should be more when my magnificent foxface is in there, the bubble algae is going away with upkeep, and the cyano is new though limited...
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soulpatch
New member
SO they say measure three times for a reason. I finished the shell of the cabinet, got it on the wall, went to flip open the one compartment and realized I did not have the room. The wall space next to the tank is 31" long. The cabinet is 25 inches long but I neglected to account for the swing open portion and the small gap which takes it to 32 1/8 inches wide which is too much. Given that the hinges are on the tank side that wont work to even open it enough for me to get into things as it will rub.
so for now scrapping the idea till Summer when I can come back with full allotment of tools and more time. I will move the ATO container out of the stand this weekend and finally set up the calcium reactor (well start to) tonight or tomorrow. I need to get that going and stabilized as I have some show pieces of SPS I want to pick up. Walt Disney Acro being one....
so for now scrapping the idea till Summer when I can come back with full allotment of tools and more time. I will move the ATO container out of the stand this weekend and finally set up the calcium reactor (well start to) tonight or tomorrow. I need to get that going and stabilized as I have some show pieces of SPS I want to pick up. Walt Disney Acro being one....
soulpatch
New member
OK so the idea might not be scrapped but edited.
I think I will mount the cabinet to the wall directly without the sliders so I dont have to worry about anything behind the tank. Doing so impacts the closet door slightly but I can open it enough and it is a 32" door so rather large.
So at this point I have 2 options as I see it.
Option 1: I put the controllers on the 1/4" MDF I have and the hinges and all the electronics hidden behind the "door" This would probably look the cleanest but it would miss the look of seeing the power bricks and electronics that is kinda cool in its own right.
Option 2: I put some corner brackets in the inner portion and have a false wall sit on them with velcro. I could then recess the "wall" slightly so I could have the EB8s and other apex modules with the controllers and such on the wall with all the wires and power bricks hidden behind it in the back compartment.
Regardless of option I will likely merge a few units onto single plugs with a few power strips so as to free up some plugs in the system now. IE my jabeo PP8 and Skimmer are all on the same settings so no need to have seperate plugs for them all. I am going to have to rewrie some anyway with the calcium reactor needing a few plugs
Thoughts?
I think I will mount the cabinet to the wall directly without the sliders so I dont have to worry about anything behind the tank. Doing so impacts the closet door slightly but I can open it enough and it is a 32" door so rather large.
So at this point I have 2 options as I see it.
Option 1: I put the controllers on the 1/4" MDF I have and the hinges and all the electronics hidden behind the "door" This would probably look the cleanest but it would miss the look of seeing the power bricks and electronics that is kinda cool in its own right.
Option 2: I put some corner brackets in the inner portion and have a false wall sit on them with velcro. I could then recess the "wall" slightly so I could have the EB8s and other apex modules with the controllers and such on the wall with all the wires and power bricks hidden behind it in the back compartment.
Regardless of option I will likely merge a few units onto single plugs with a few power strips so as to free up some plugs in the system now. IE my jabeo PP8 and Skimmer are all on the same settings so no need to have seperate plugs for them all. I am going to have to rewrie some anyway with the calcium reactor needing a few plugs
Thoughts?
Farmreefer
New member
My thought is this. Do it the way you will enjoy a year from now, even if that means postponing the project. What I admire about your work is the precision and not settling for what will get by.
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soulpatch
New member
So while online last night i saw bao is now making biards for controller setups. So i am going to slap the piece if mdf in there recessed and mount to that with electronics showing and see how i like it. If i stick with it then ill order a board from bao and redo the enclosure to match or have him make it for me.
If i dont like it then ill get a cabinet from ikea or such and redo with the closed doors or soemthing. I think this is one i need to build and see to know if i will like it
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If i dont like it then ill get a cabinet from ikea or such and redo with the closed doors or soemthing. I think this is one i need to build and see to know if i will like it
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texdoc77
New member
Skimmer
Skimmer
Been away for a while, but had a quick question. What skimmer are you currently using. I thought you started with a LifeReef, but I thought I saw where you said you were using an Aquamaxx recently. I may be making this stuff up. Looking to upgrade myself...
Thanks, also BTW tanked is now crystal clear, but still having alk issues, you?
SC
Skimmer
Been away for a while, but had a quick question. What skimmer are you currently using. I thought you started with a LifeReef, but I thought I saw where you said you were using an Aquamaxx recently. I may be making this stuff up. Looking to upgrade myself...
Thanks, also BTW tanked is now crystal clear, but still having alk issues, you?
SC
soulpatch
New member
I upgraded to the lifereef when I went from my aquamaxx on the nano. That said if I were to go needle wheel on this tank I would likely get another aquamaxx. For the cost though you are basically in lifereef territory and since they use any pump long term you are better off with lifereef IMO.
Yes still having ALK crap out on me. I think I should haev the calcium reactor up this week so I am hopeful that those issues will be resolved shortly. Other option is to continue to suppliment with alk dosing but I think once the calc reactor is up I should be good. Obviously will take some time to get it dialed in and such though.
I just have to slap this cabinet together (though I will admit once I figured out my botched measurement plans I did not sand enough or put as much polish as I normally would so when I get the BAO panel later I will rebuild or have Ben make me an enclosure up to my standards...) to move my electronics and wire everything up for the calcium reactor...
Yes still having ALK crap out on me. I think I should haev the calcium reactor up this week so I am hopeful that those issues will be resolved shortly. Other option is to continue to suppliment with alk dosing but I think once the calc reactor is up I should be good. Obviously will take some time to get it dialed in and such though.
I just have to slap this cabinet together (though I will admit once I figured out my botched measurement plans I did not sand enough or put as much polish as I normally would so when I get the BAO panel later I will rebuild or have Ben make me an enclosure up to my standards...) to move my electronics and wire everything up for the calcium reactor...
I don't have time to provide feedback in any helpful way right now, but I'm at least glad I took the time to re-thumb-through your thread, as the pics were beautiful and nice and relaxing.
Man do I have growth, but colors.... that's the hard part....
I'm sure on my T5/LED hybrid 300g tank the colors will be easy enough....
(that's a silent compliment on your colors, btw. I'm just awful at expressing myself in stream of consciousness)
Man do I have growth, but colors.... that's the hard part....
I'm sure on my T5/LED hybrid 300g tank the colors will be easy enough....
(that's a silent compliment on your colors, btw. I'm just awful at expressing myself in stream of consciousness)
soulpatch
New member
Thanks. I struggle to look backwards in the thread as I had some awesome acans that I have lost over time. Just this week I lost my melenarus wrasse as it went overflow diving after I removed the screen from my one drain temporarily to allow algae and such to get to my mesh socks.
On the plus side I just spent a couple hundred and have the following coming:
CUC refresh
Tail spot blenny
Bartlett anthias trio
Australian harlequin tusk juvi
Get them in on Friday. I took off to set up the electrical box so will be a good time to mess with some fish as well!!!
On the plus side I just spent a couple hundred and have the following coming:
CUC refresh
Tail spot blenny
Bartlett anthias trio
Australian harlequin tusk juvi
Get them in on Friday. I took off to set up the electrical box so will be a good time to mess with some fish as well!!!
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