Soulpatch's 150 SC build
- Thread starter soulpatch
- Start date
I'm with Homer on this one. Fantastic looking coral, but I can't spend that much money on a single frag. More power to you though, and it is an investment because other people will pay 2/3 for the first generation grow-outs, the second generation will pay 1/2 for the grow outs, and eventually they'll also be $35 frags.
That's when I'll get mine
That's when I'll get mine
soulpatch
New member
Yes I sell coral from my tank and at awesome prices so I'll make that back in a couple months most likely.I'm with Homer on this one. Fantastic looking coral, but I can't spend that much money on a single frag. More power to you though, and it is an investment because other people will pay 2/3 for the first generation grow-outs, the second generation will pay 1/2 for the grow outs, and eventually they'll also be $35 frags.
That's when I'll get mine
Figure only 2 frags and I am even...
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soulpatch
New member
Threw the 2 random flow generators from Vivid on the tank Saturday. While I love the flow pattern I must note that they fairly heavily restrict flow compared to the flat nozzles I had on there before. I likely went from 900 GPH down to around 700 as for the first time ever I had to play with the gate valve on my drain which I am not overly thrilled about. I prefer to run without limitation on the drain but so be it. I will ride with this for a while to see how I like it. The tips are easily removed if needed.
Second thing I need to get around with these nozzles is that they need to be deeper in the water. They suck in surrounding water to add to the water sent by return to create the vortex. The issue with this is that if you keep your nozzles close to the water line like I had they start to suck in loads of air. So I had to lower water line in my sump and will need to drill a few holes in my locline to help break suction when water line drops.
Again not a huge deal but it is something I need to prep for and address before I feel totally comfortable with leaving the tank long term and I have a few trips coming up I need to prep for. London for a week end of April and Disney for 8 days in May.
Come April my t5 bulbs will need replacing. Thankfully I have 2 of the 6 bulbs already as I got extras when on sale but still need another 4. Thinking about running only actinic and blue plus (with one purple plus). The coral plus is basically a white bulb but the blue plus throw out a wide spectrum so we shall see....
Second thing I need to get around with these nozzles is that they need to be deeper in the water. They suck in surrounding water to add to the water sent by return to create the vortex. The issue with this is that if you keep your nozzles close to the water line like I had they start to suck in loads of air. So I had to lower water line in my sump and will need to drill a few holes in my locline to help break suction when water line drops.
Again not a huge deal but it is something I need to prep for and address before I feel totally comfortable with leaving the tank long term and I have a few trips coming up I need to prep for. London for a week end of April and Disney for 8 days in May.
Come April my t5 bulbs will need replacing. Thankfully I have 2 of the 6 bulbs already as I got extras when on sale but still need another 4. Thinking about running only actinic and blue plus (with one purple plus). The coral plus is basically a white bulb but the blue plus throw out a wide spectrum so we shall see....
mav3rick478
Premium Member
Damn, wished I knew you were going to buy these because I got the raw files from the original creator (Cleven) before I decided to buy from Vivid. Vivid decided to sell them as his own and not give any royalties out credit to Cleven. He willing gave the files to people to print for themselves and if you sold them just asked for some kick back and some credit for the design.
I'm gonna have a friend alter the file to seal the top 2 vents to prevent air from being sucked in and hopefully be able to place them closer to the water surface. If you want a copy of the files let me know.
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soulpatch
New member
I worry that closing off the top vents would greatly impact the vortex. I think what would be better would be a form of shield over that vent to help guard against sucking in air.
And yes that is poor business from Vivid then. They have note of patent pending on packaging. Cleven should protect himself and file against it as having existing design.
Let me know when you get some made as I might ask for a set too.
I would like the center to be a bit larger and not restrict flow so much. I am ok with the nozzle itself being a bit bulkier in relation to this version as I would rather have a bit more flow through them.
And yes that is poor business from Vivid then. They have note of patent pending on packaging. Cleven should protect himself and file against it as having existing design.
Let me know when you get some made as I might ask for a set too.
I would like the center to be a bit larger and not restrict flow so much. I am ok with the nozzle itself being a bit bulkier in relation to this version as I would rather have a bit more flow through them.
homer1475
New member
Are you using the 1/2 or 3/4 ones? While I haven't measured actual flow through them, I had to turn my pump down a bit to compensate, instead of playing with the gate valve.
As far as having them lower in the tank and the drain back, I have mine on longer locline above the water level with the RFG pointed up. I get no more drain back then before with regular flat nozzles.
I can see wanting to close off the top portions, but I would agree with soul that it would probably not be as effective as an educator. Although I would be curious to see how it works out once you get them printed.
As far as having them lower in the tank and the drain back, I have mine on longer locline above the water level with the RFG pointed up. I get no more drain back then before with regular flat nozzles.
I can see wanting to close off the top portions, but I would agree with soul that it would probably not be as effective as an educator. Although I would be curious to see how it works out once you get them printed.
soulpatch
New member
I am on 3/4 fittings and it pretty significantly cut back my flow. I thought my return pump was damaged at first for some reason. I think had I had the small flat nozzles the flow might have been the same but I had the XL nozzles which are rated for significant flow so these have pretty decently hampered me. Not a horrible thing but an item I did not expect.
Not sure I follow your comment on how you have them set up. Shoot me a pic. If you mean the tips of the RFG are pointing up then doesnt that negate the point of having variable flow onto your rockwork and corals?
Not sure I follow your comment on how you have them set up. Shoot me a pic. If you mean the tips of the RFG are pointing up then doesnt that negate the point of having variable flow onto your rockwork and corals?
homer1475
New member
Let me take a pic... After I clean the glass lol.
I always had my returns pointed up and toward the front glass. With my flat nozzles after it hit the glass it blew anything by the glass everywhere from the bounce off. With the RFG I have them positioned similar, but as random flow its just short bursts in one direction. Stuff doesn't get blown sideways from the bounce off the glass.
I have 9 lengths of locline after the overflow in an upward arc, kind of a U shape.
Let me grab a pic.....
I always had my returns pointed up and toward the front glass. With my flat nozzles after it hit the glass it blew anything by the glass everywhere from the bounce off. With the RFG I have them positioned similar, but as random flow its just short bursts in one direction. Stuff doesn't get blown sideways from the bounce off the glass.
I have 9 lengths of locline after the overflow in an upward arc, kind of a U shape.
Let me grab a pic.....
homer1475
New member
If you watch them, the flow really isn't random. it travels around the educator. So for my purpose at one point they break the surface, the rest of the time they are blowing around the tank.
In all honesty, these are more suited for a closed loop system since most of us use the returns as a way to break the surface tension.
In all honesty, these are more suited for a closed loop system since most of us use the returns as a way to break the surface tension.
soulpatch
New member
I dont use returns to break surface nor do you need to on a tank with a sump and a running skimmer. That is your O2 exchange right there. It was different when in the BC as we needed some more surface agitation but now with a sump and large skimmer that is not really neccessary.
I use all nozzles and PH as in tank flow.
I use all nozzles and PH as in tank flow.
homer1475
New member
And see I run it differently. My powerheads are low in the tank creating intank flow. My returns are just there to break the surface. If I point them down I get 0 surface agitation. Your also about 40G bigger then my tank, might make a difference in length Vs. cube style with regards to the surface scum.
Many different ways to do it as we all know. I still stand by the comment that these were designed more for a closed loop then on a return. Either way I'm happy with them.
Many different ways to do it as we all know. I still stand by the comment that these were designed more for a closed loop then on a return. Either way I'm happy with them.
soulpatch
New member
The longer I have them the more I agree with this statement. I dont mind them but they could use some fine tuning if used in a return setup.
I hate the sound of it catching air once in a blue moon as the waves hits just the right way in the tank. But at the same time it is sort of like a micro bubble action at times in the tank and I actually think I am a bit cleaner in the water column so perhaps this is a good thing.
I lowered the level in my sump to handle a bit more water and i need to drill another small hole or two in the locline to allow for breaking the siphon faster once water line drops.
As for the rest of my tank things are going well at the moment. I have actually seen a berghia or 2 in my tank every night the past few so I know there are in there and if they are there then I also have eggs as they lay nearly daily. So I am refraining from hitting the aiptasia at the moment with kalk paste so that I dont accidentally hit a spot they are going to and hurt the nudis. I am praying that by the end of summer my ordeal is over.
To aid against this in the future since I do not have a coral QT tank set up I ill change my intake procedure slightly. Before I would drag a blade along plug of new coral to free it and glue to new plug, dip in bayer, rinse, dip in peroxide, rinse and into tank. While I will retain the dips I will change plug procedure. I will not cut the frag above the plug to that no previous glue or such comes over. This should negate most of the chances of reintroducing anything that might be living in the dried glue or in some portion of the adhesive.
homer1475
New member
Either I'm stupid, or you typed that wrong. :uhoh3:
How did you do it before if you didn't cut above the plug? Cut some of the plug off and glue it to a new plug?
I now have gone to replacing plugs also, but I dip the bare coral before remounting.
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