Soulpatch's 150 SC build
- Thread starter soulpatch
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soulpatch
New member
Well had to finally replace a DOS head. I was having alarms going off on my tank for water levels recently. Being that the only 3 pieces that would control water level in my sump is the DOS, ATO, and my return it was easy to figure out. Just took a few days to see which one was messing with me as I would reset the level and leave only the return on, then put back on the ATO, then finally the DOS over the course of a few days to ensure it was nto a slow issue.
Either way my one DOS head went bad. The rollers must have finally worn down enough on it that it was not able to pump the amount I needed it to. In the calibration the unit thought it was pumping 40 ml and it was luck to have pumped 20ml. So when in my case I am swapping nearly 7 gallons of water a day that led to an imbalance of 2.5 gallons. Enough to trigger an alarm for high sump water levels daily.
On the plus side the swapping of the pump head was a BREEZE. I gotta give it to Neptune there. The head was around $30 and just snaps into place. put the tubing back on, primed, and calibrated and I was off and running.
As for other equipment mishaps these past few days. I recieved 2 bad bulbs from BRS and they are shipping replacements thankfully. I also believe I got some bad regent in my new Hanna alk DKH checker. It was giving me a reading of 7.1 when 2 different salifert and a red sea test came back at 8.3 I am in discussions with Hanna though and I believe they are going to send me out some fresh regent to see if that is the issue.
Either way my one DOS head went bad. The rollers must have finally worn down enough on it that it was not able to pump the amount I needed it to. In the calibration the unit thought it was pumping 40 ml and it was luck to have pumped 20ml. So when in my case I am swapping nearly 7 gallons of water a day that led to an imbalance of 2.5 gallons. Enough to trigger an alarm for high sump water levels daily.
On the plus side the swapping of the pump head was a BREEZE. I gotta give it to Neptune there. The head was around $30 and just snaps into place. put the tubing back on, primed, and calibrated and I was off and running.
As for other equipment mishaps these past few days. I recieved 2 bad bulbs from BRS and they are shipping replacements thankfully. I also believe I got some bad regent in my new Hanna alk DKH checker. It was giving me a reading of 7.1 when 2 different salifert and a red sea test came back at 8.3 I am in discussions with Hanna though and I believe they are going to send me out some fresh regent to see if that is the issue.
FLSharkvic
New member
My MixingStation
My MixingStation
I decided to go with the Neptune DOS system for my automated water changes. I will have my mixing station inside of a custom build cabinet that will sit right next to my new SC-150 Rimless pre-drilled for a 20'' External Overflow box from Synergy. Currently, I just use a 5-gallon bucket filled with Fresh salt water until I get everything set up. I take out 4731.8mls per day on a 7-day schedule which comes out to be 25 gallons a month. I never have to turn any anything off during my water changes since the DOS pushes in the NSW and pulls out THE OSW at the same time. Here a few shots of my mixing station and the DOS in Apex fusion.
My MixingStation
I decided to go with the Neptune DOS system for my automated water changes. I will have my mixing station inside of a custom build cabinet that will sit right next to my new SC-150 Rimless pre-drilled for a 20'' External Overflow box from Synergy. Currently, I just use a 5-gallon bucket filled with Fresh salt water until I get everything set up. I take out 4731.8mls per day on a 7-day schedule which comes out to be 25 gallons a month. I never have to turn any anything off during my water changes since the DOS pushes in the NSW and pulls out THE OSW at the same time. Here a few shots of my mixing station and the DOS in Apex fusion.
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soulpatch
New member
Bought more fish. I have a ORA Aptasia eating file fish and a Starry blenny waiting for pickup at one of the LFS I use. I need to QT these guys as they are not from my main source but they are put into copper treated tanks for a bit. I will put them through prazi and TTM then make a decision on what to do.
I also have some Berghia coming to aid in the aptasia battle. I have been hitting what I can see but there are some in rock work I can not get to and I am sure many more I do not see. It is time to fight back biologically. So between the file fish and the berghia I should start to make a dent and then wipe them out over time.
I also have some Berghia coming to aid in the aptasia battle. I have been hitting what I can see but there are some in rock work I can not get to and I am sure many more I do not see. It is time to fight back biologically. So between the file fish and the berghia I should start to make a dent and then wipe them out over time.
FLSharkvic
New member
My Rimless SC-150!
My Rimless SC-150!
Here is a pix of my SC-150! I DECIDED TO go with a 20'' Synergy External Overflow box to give me more estate for my Aquascape.
My Rimless SC-150!
Here is a pix of my SC-150! I DECIDED TO go with a 20'' Synergy External Overflow box to give me more estate for my Aquascape.
soulpatch
New member
That tank setup is what I had sent Steve the measurements for and was going to gt but was too impatient. So you are welcome for Steve having the template to do those holes. LOL
As for my tank I picked up my ORA Aiptasia eating filefish and starry blenny Saturday. They are currently going through TTM for the next 2 weeks and we shall see. They are from a treated system but I ALWAYS at least go through TTM with Prazipro thrown in before they hit my tank from any LFS. Only one guy who I typically get my fish from now goes through a 6 week QT process with copper and such that I trust enough to go directly into my tank.
I do likely have a copperband coming eventually as well... I am just really hoping that my current stock will take these fish ok. The filefish is just so tiny...
As for my tank I picked up my ORA Aiptasia eating filefish and starry blenny Saturday. They are currently going through TTM for the next 2 weeks and we shall see. They are from a treated system but I ALWAYS at least go through TTM with Prazipro thrown in before they hit my tank from any LFS. Only one guy who I typically get my fish from now goes through a 6 week QT process with copper and such that I trust enough to go directly into my tank.
I do likely have a copperband coming eventually as well... I am just really hoping that my current stock will take these fish ok. The filefish is just so tiny...
soulpatch
New member
Finally happened last night where my net got caught on a fish. I was transferring my file fish for TTM and the "blade" on top got caught in my net. I even used a fine mesh net to try to avoid this given how small he is. I cut the net as close as I could at the time to free him but he has a few strands left looped around the blade. So tonight will be surgery night where I take a scapel and am hopefully able to get it off him. I will do it only for a very short period of time and work on it throughout the next few days as needed so as to not overly stress him.
Now I need to break out my specimen container and fight with that to catch him in the tank moving forward. it is a PITA but rather that then further risk stressing him.
Now I need to break out my specimen container and fight with that to catch him in the tank moving forward. it is a PITA but rather that then further risk stressing him.
homer1475
New member
I use of all things, a pampered chef 2 cup measure that doubles as a colander.
Works surprisingly well as its clear lexan and the fish swim right into it.
https://www.pamperedchef.com/shop/Cook%27s+Tools/Colanders+%26+Strainers/Easy-Read+Measuring+Colander/2324
Specimen containers are large and cumbersome. I bought one a while back and have never used it.
Works surprisingly well as its clear lexan and the fish swim right into it.
https://www.pamperedchef.com/shop/Cook%27s+Tools/Colanders+%26+Strainers/Easy-Read+Measuring+Colander/2324
Specimen containers are large and cumbersome. I bought one a while back and have never used it.
soulpatch
New member
hmm maybe I will just drill a bunch of holes in a spare measuring cup I have now and use that. Though then again as small as he is (literally length of a thumb knuckle) a specimen container gives me a ton of lee way...
I have 4 more moves (I move every 2 days so I dont have to worry about being late to the 72 hours). I will try the specimen container tonight to see if I can get him to try to get those last few strands off...
I have 4 more moves (I move every 2 days so I dont have to worry about being late to the 72 hours). I will try the specimen container tonight to see if I can get him to try to get those last few strands off...
soulpatch
New member
Well sad to say my file fish made it till yesterday and perished. He never ate while in my care. I had even put aiptasia from my main tank into the TTM tanks (able to pull them from sand bed so full units for him to munch on).
My starry blenny is doing great. He is done TTM the end of this week and then might go into the DT. I have a replacement file fish coming home Friday so I will need my QT setup. The blenny has shown no sins of ich or velvet which are the scariest for me. He eats like a champ so likely going in after TTM. I do dose prazipro during TTM so that makes me feel a bit better.
As for the tank I have some great news. I have teamed up with a local small LFS to sell some of my frags. I have a shipment going to him Thursday night for him to take to a show down in Virgina this weekend. I have no doubt that they will sell nicely and he will make a decent profit off of it (I keep roughly 60-70% of sale price for most pieces and a bit more on some named pieces). For this go round I get store credit for things like salt, coral, fish, and whatnot (at his prices not retail) and in the future we will do more cash swaps. Pretty exciting as it should start to give me leeway to bring in more goods and especially more corals to put into my tank.
Hopeful this aids me in getting my name out and getting me going a bit more so within the next year I can setup a grow out frag tank. The end goal is by this time next year I am able to start selling and perhaps shipping corals...
My starry blenny is doing great. He is done TTM the end of this week and then might go into the DT. I have a replacement file fish coming home Friday so I will need my QT setup. The blenny has shown no sins of ich or velvet which are the scariest for me. He eats like a champ so likely going in after TTM. I do dose prazipro during TTM so that makes me feel a bit better.
As for the tank I have some great news. I have teamed up with a local small LFS to sell some of my frags. I have a shipment going to him Thursday night for him to take to a show down in Virgina this weekend. I have no doubt that they will sell nicely and he will make a decent profit off of it (I keep roughly 60-70% of sale price for most pieces and a bit more on some named pieces). For this go round I get store credit for things like salt, coral, fish, and whatnot (at his prices not retail) and in the future we will do more cash swaps. Pretty exciting as it should start to give me leeway to bring in more goods and especially more corals to put into my tank.
Hopeful this aids me in getting my name out and getting me going a bit more so within the next year I can setup a grow out frag tank. The end goal is by this time next year I am able to start selling and perhaps shipping corals...
Very good progress on the frag sales. Too bad about the filefish, but at least you're getting a replacement (though I know shipping costs more than the fish).
It's great to have a partnership with an LFS. Down in FL they gave closer to 5-10% of retail sale value back to me, and only as credit towards buying at retail price, so I wasn't really motivated to sell much to them. Much easier to have someone come to my house for a few $15-20 frags here or there.
I bet those acans sell really well! That'll help grow the tank fund and frag tank nicely.
Would you plumb the tanks together?
It's great to have a partnership with an LFS. Down in FL they gave closer to 5-10% of retail sale value back to me, and only as credit towards buying at retail price, so I wasn't really motivated to sell much to them. Much easier to have someone come to my house for a few $15-20 frags here or there.
I bet those acans sell really well! That'll help grow the tank fund and frag tank nicely.
Would you plumb the tanks together?
soulpatch
New member
local LFS so just need to drive to his shop. Though in my jeep it is about an hour's drive so probably still 20 in gas. LOL
Acans are not currently on the docket. I need to color up a few more. I had a nutrient swing and lost some color in a few of them and they are slowly coming back. I have now sold a few frags locally for an average of $30 a pop with some going for more. This round will net me 150 in store credit for roughly 225 in coral value. The benefit is that I can sell to one person at one shot. Since he orders me in a bunch of stuff for a decent price it makes sense to use him for credit.
For the frag tank when I get one it will be plumbed into my main tank. It will not be a QT tank so I would like it to share the equipment and calrx of the main display. I will likely simply put a mj1200 or something in my sump to push it water and gravity feed back into the fuge portion of the sump. I will actually need to ping a few people here shortly to see what all is available.
This past weekend I just picked up an event horizon and a Joe knows reefs rainbow acro. My named collection is beginning to grow slightly and I have another local guy as into named pieces as I am so we have been trading (hence those additions). I got those 2 for a swap of my superman digii and my JF strawberry shortcake (really UC but JF grows it and sells em)
I have way more named pieces that I really want to get and some are not that expensive to purchase. I will be talking to the guy I am giving my coral to this week to see if he wants to do a Big R coral purchase or perhaps a JF run. Eventually I vie for the day where I can sell enough to buy things I really want like a home wrecker.
For the frag tank a lot of my items in my tank could be cut or relocated to be grown out (especially my acans). My hesitation is that I need a spot to run it AND the initial start up cost. I would need a 24" ATI fixture or might go with a radion since they will stay small frags so shadowing woudl not be as much of a concern.
I need to prove myself to myself first though before I even venture to go down that road. I have only been selling coral for a couple months now and have yet to really make a profit. This month is the first time I will begin netting a return.
mav3rick478
Premium Member
I would plumb the tanks separate just in case something strange happens and so only one tank is affected.
If you ever want to do a test run of shipping to CA let me know, I can be your guinea pig. We could try something like an Acan head or a tiny SPS frag or a hermit crab.
Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk
If you ever want to do a test run of shipping to CA let me know, I can be your guinea pig. We could try something like an Acan head or a tiny SPS frag or a hermit crab.
Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk
soulpatch
New member
I would have shutoffs plumbed so should something happen to one tank I could isolate it. I have enough 10 gallon tanks sitting around to use as emergency sump for frag tank if needed.
I actually have shipping bags coming this week so we might need to look into that here shortly. I will need to figure out what I am selling and post in the for sale section eventually so I dont get yelled at by admins here. LOL
I actually have shipping bags coming this week so we might need to look into that here shortly. I will need to figure out what I am selling and post in the for sale section eventually so I dont get yelled at by admins here. LOL
mav3rick478
Premium Member
soulpatch
New member
Mav - You have seen pics of a lot of things in my tank in this thread so PM me if you are looking for something in particular.
Today is the end of TTM and Prazi for my starry blenny. He will be going into the tank tonight. I need the QT tanks ready as I have a file fish coming Friday night to start TTM all over again. While a pain it is semi nice for my large tank as I drain from that to fill the QT tanks and pour in fresh NSW back into large tank. Considering I swap every 2 days I do roughly 60 gallons of water in my 150 across 12 days. The large tank enjoys it I believe.
Also grabbed another 2 boxes of IO salt. I had been trying the kent but not been a fan. The levels are a bit more over the place. I like the recloseable 50 gallon bags and that those do actually mix 50 gallons of water to 1.026 vs IO which really only does around 42 gallons or so to 1.026.
I need to order in a potassium test and start testing that as well as many I have spoken to think that is some of my color issues.
Today is the end of TTM and Prazi for my starry blenny. He will be going into the tank tonight. I need the QT tanks ready as I have a file fish coming Friday night to start TTM all over again. While a pain it is semi nice for my large tank as I drain from that to fill the QT tanks and pour in fresh NSW back into large tank. Considering I swap every 2 days I do roughly 60 gallons of water in my 150 across 12 days. The large tank enjoys it I believe.
Also grabbed another 2 boxes of IO salt. I had been trying the kent but not been a fan. The levels are a bit more over the place. I like the recloseable 50 gallon bags and that those do actually mix 50 gallons of water to 1.026 vs IO which really only does around 42 gallons or so to 1.026.
I need to order in a potassium test and start testing that as well as many I have spoken to think that is some of my color issues.
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