Starting 90g Reef Tank Build... Finally!!!

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<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13031261#post13031261 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by 2frosty4u
I had a reefing incident last night that I wanted to share. I had a late night and went to bed at around 1:30am. I have trouble sleeping so when I woke up at 3am it was no surprise. I took this time to make a trip to the the facilities where I have to pass my reef tank. I noticed that my moonlights were off so I started to find out why. I soon realized I had an electrical problem and the whole system had shut down. I went into the basement to start troubleshooting and found I tripped a circuit breaker in the panel, a powerbar and GFI.
Now I had to figure out what caused it all to trip. I went through very thing I could think of and still couldn't figure out what happened. Everything seemed normal. I figured I would reset the breakers slowly and see if that would give me a clue as to what happened. Well that showed me where the trouble was when I heard the sizzle, saw the smoke, and heard a pop. My main pump draws alot of power and is run by an aqua controller that is on the first floor. I use an air conditioner extension cord to power the pump in the basement. I figure that some moisture had worked its way between the pump plug and the end of the extension cord. It didn't get wiped down during routine maintenance because I never unplug them when performing this task since its wrapped in electrical tape. That little bit of moisture shorted out the prongs on the plug and popped all the breakers. When I reset the one breaker It shorted again exposing the problem when it blew a big hole into the female end of the extension cord. I plugged the pump into a regular outlet and reset the controller that also controlls other equipment and everything sprang back to life. Now all I have to do is replace the cord from the first floor. It surprised me to see that the moisture could build up between the tight connection of the two cords that were wrapped with electrical tape to keep it from accidently becoming unplugged and to protect it against accidental splashing. Live and learn, Water can get into the most unlikely places.
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Glad everything is okay--next time you have a problem like that call me in the night and I'll come down and help you out.
This may be an omen for my system too---let me know when you have some time to help me get rid of all my extensions and power cords---I am going to go with pvc outlets and piping I think after the problem you just had.

Harold if you have the time check Rae's thread
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13031261#post13031261 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by 2frosty4u
I had a reefing incident last night that I wanted to share. I had a late night and went to bed at around 1:30am. I have trouble sleeping so when I woke up at 3am it was no surprise. I took this time to make a trip to the the facilities where I have to pass my reef tank. I noticed that my moonlights were off so I started to find out why. I soon realized I had an electrical problem and the whole system had shut down. I went into the basement to start troubleshooting and found I tripped a circuit breaker in the panel, a powerbar and GFI.
Now I had to figure out what caused it all to trip. I went through very thing I could think of and still couldn't figure out what happened. Everything seemed normal. I figured I would reset the breakers slowly and see if that would give me a clue as to what happened. Well that showed me where the trouble was when I heard the sizzle, saw the smoke, and heard a pop. My main pump draws alot of power and is run by an aqua controller that is on the first floor. I use an air conditioner extension cord to power the pump in the basement. I figure that some moisture had worked its way between the pump plug and the end of the extension cord. It didn't get wiped down during routine maintenance because I never unplug them when performing this task since its wrapped in electrical tape. That little bit of moisture shorted out the prongs on the plug and popped all the breakers. When I reset the one breaker It shorted again exposing the problem when it blew a big hole into the female end of the extension cord. I plugged the pump into a regular outlet and reset the controller that also controlls other equipment and everything sprang back to life. Now all I have to do is replace the cord from the first floor. It surprised me to see that the moisture could build up between the tight connection of the two cords that were wrapped with electrical tape to keep it from accidently becoming unplugged and to protect it against accidental splashing. Live and learn, Water can get into the most unlikely places.
Click to expand...

Lucky you woke up, there are plenty of lessons we learn in this hobby. Shame that some of them aren't always fun.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13031383#post13031383 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by kar93
Lucky you woke up, there are plenty of lessons we learn in this hobby. Shame that some of them aren't always fun.
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I am Lucky, I've had a few minor glitches since I got into this hobby and each time I was home or woke up.
When I was a lot younger and working on my apprenticeship for Sheetmetal Mechanic, I was asked by a site supervisor If now that I had just finished writing my Government exam and recieved my licence that I knew everything. I told him I'm still learning new stuff everyday and will for many years to come. He responded by saying with that attitude you'll become one of the great tradesman in your field. I always remembered what he said and I figure the same applies to Reefology 101. You never finish learning in this Hobby and other people can sometimes teach you a better way of doing things.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13031606#post13031606 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by 2frosty4u

. You never finish learning in this Hobby and other people can sometimes teach you a better way of doing things.
Click to expand...

This statement should be added to the RC mission statement :thumbsup:
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13030891#post13030891 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by capn_hylinur
something I don't understand---if you get zero tds for the filter with the three canisters why do you need the other two?
Are they not just overkill?
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I don't get zero TDS after the RO unit.

The DI unit cleans up what is left to get to zero TDS.

Also, I believe my water supply has a high CO2 content which I found out was causing my DI resin to exhaust prematurely. Therefore, I use the anion cartridge before the DI cartridge to take the "hit" so my DI resin lasts longer.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1401689
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13031797#post13031797 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Tswifty8
I don't get zero TDS after the RO unit.

The DI unit cleans up what is left to get to zero TDS.

Also, I believe my water supply has a high CO2 content which I found out was causing my DI resin to exhaust prematurely. Therefore, I use the anion cartridge before the DI cartridge to take the "hit" so my DI resin lasts longer.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1401689
Click to expand...

so if you are getting zero tds like I am then are the extra two steps or canisters not necessary?
 
I would go to A.J. (AZDesertRat) with that question. He seems to be the resident expert. I believe it is a combination of the zero TDS, and also how long you get zero TDS (life of the fliters).

For now, as long as you are pulling zero TDS I wouldn't worry.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13031836#post13031836 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Tswifty8
I would go to A.J. (AZDesertRat) with that question. He seems to be the resident expert. I believe it is a combination of the zero TDS, and also how long you get zero TDS (life of the fliters).

For now, as long as you are pulling zero TDS I wouldn't worry.
Click to expand...

good point AZ has helped me alot--I wonder if we can get him to visit the clubhouse
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13031261#post13031261 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by 2frosty4u
I had a reefing incident last night that I wanted to share. I had a late night and went to bed at around 1:30am. I have trouble sleeping so when I woke up at 3am it was no surprise. I took this time to make a trip to the the facilities where I have to pass my reef tank. I noticed that my moonlights were off so I started to find out why. I soon realized I had an electrical problem and the whole system had shut down. I went into the basement to start troubleshooting and found I tripped a circuit breaker in the panel, a powerbar and GFI.
Now I had to figure out what caused it all to trip. I went through very thing I could think of and still couldn't figure out what happened. Everything seemed normal. I figured I would reset the breakers slowly and see if that would give me a clue as to what happened. Well that showed me where the trouble was when I heard the sizzle, saw the smoke, and heard a pop. My main pump draws alot of power and is run by an aqua controller that is on the first floor. I use an air conditioner extension cord to power the pump in the basement. I figure that some moisture had worked its way between the pump plug and the end of the extension cord. It didn't get wiped down during routine maintenance because I never unplug them when performing this task since its wrapped in electrical tape. That little bit of moisture shorted out the prongs on the plug and popped all the breakers. When I reset the one breaker It shorted again exposing the problem when it blew a big hole into the female end of the extension cord. I plugged the pump into a regular outlet and reset the controller that also controlls other equipment and everything sprang back to life. Now all I have to do is replace the cord from the first floor. It surprised me to see that the moisture could build up between the tight connection of the two cords that were wrapped with electrical tape to keep it from accidently becoming unplugged and to protect it against accidental splashing. Live and learn, Water can get into the most unlikely places.
Click to expand...
Glad you were able to get that fixed without a major incident.

I never realized just how destructive water was until I started reefing.
 
Decided to get ambitious with cleaning today before the water change. So I went through the sump with a razor blade, and scraped off all the algae, vermetid snails, coraline, sponges, etc...

Also, I decided to pull the MSX-160 out for a thorough cleaning... I don't think the sump has looked this clean since the first time I filled it up with water.

Skimmer removed, and post water change/scraping:

Cleaning01.jpg


Skimmer before cleaning:

Cleaning02.jpg


Parts after cleaning, and skimmer put back together:

Cleaning03.jpg
Cleaning04.jpg


All finished and back up and running... so purdy :D

Cleaning05.jpg
 
Finally added the carbon to the other reactor. I just followed the directions and rinsed it in cold tap water for 1 minute, then added it to the reactor. After that I hooked it up to the pump and pumped about 2 gallons of water through it into a bucket. Then hooked it up to the ther reactor and let 'er rip.

I added 1-1/2 cups of ESV Carbon.

CARBON.jpg
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13032979#post13032979 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by kar93
Looks just like new, Good job. :thumbsup:
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<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13033170#post13033170 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by melev
That looks great. You should be doing that every week. :D
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Thanks :)

I don't know about every week, but that is for sure the last time I will let it go that long between cleanings :lol:

That was the first full scale cleaning for the sump since it had been in service. :eek2:
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13033375#post13033375 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Tswifty8
Thanks :)

I don't know about every week, but that is for sure the last time I will let it go that long between cleanings :lol:

That was the first full scale cleaning for the sump since it had been in service. :eek2:
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what did you use to clean that skimmer so clean--vinegar??

We are going to have to call you tspiffy instead of tswifty:lol:
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13033818#post13033818 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Tswifty8
Haha...

Just warm tap water, an acrylic scrubber sponge, and a toothbrush.
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I look forward to having to do this too
Would you believe I still am running on only one pump---last Monday an impelller "was going to be sent immediately in the fastest way possible"

Boy or boy if I didn't value my membership on here I would print some unbelievable stuff about that company's customer service to Cdn's:eek2:

But to be positive I am getting some skimmate out with the one functional pump and its alot more then I got out with the Berlin:D
 
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