Starting a new 90 Progress will be updated
- Thread starter Dano999
- Start date
Dano999
Premium Member
Day 88
Well today I removed a couple pieces of bubble algae using the syphon while doing a water change. I was only able to reach two bubbles and ended giving up on the others hoping the Foxface or Emerald crabs would eventually get them. There were three 1/4" bubbles and about 5 to 8 real small bubbles in three different areas.
This evening I was checking out the tank and noticed one of the larger bubbles was gone. So I looked for the others and they were all gone. I don't think the Emerald crabs got them because the bubbles were spread out and the crabs have been staying in the same general area. The only explanation was the Foxface. I was hoping either would eat the bubble algae and really got lucky.
This Foxface is an excellent fish. Not very shy and is eating the algae the crew won't touch.
Temp - 80.03
SG - 1.024
NH4 - 0.0
NO2 - 0.0
NO3 - 0.0
PH - 8.1
Ca - 440
PO4 - 0.0
dKH - 11.0
Mg - 1230
Well today I removed a couple pieces of bubble algae using the syphon while doing a water change. I was only able to reach two bubbles and ended giving up on the others hoping the Foxface or Emerald crabs would eventually get them. There were three 1/4" bubbles and about 5 to 8 real small bubbles in three different areas.
This evening I was checking out the tank and noticed one of the larger bubbles was gone. So I looked for the others and they were all gone. I don't think the Emerald crabs got them because the bubbles were spread out and the crabs have been staying in the same general area. The only explanation was the Foxface. I was hoping either would eat the bubble algae and really got lucky.
This Foxface is an excellent fish. Not very shy and is eating the algae the crew won't touch.
Temp - 80.03
SG - 1.024
NH4 - 0.0
NO2 - 0.0
NO3 - 0.0
PH - 8.1
Ca - 440
PO4 - 0.0
dKH - 11.0
Mg - 1230
kevin vara
New member
foxface !:bum:barngeatbayman
Premium Member
let's see the new sump and skimmer!!!
Dano999
Premium Member
I still need to build a platform so for now it's just sitting on some PVC pipe. It will be around an inch higher. The sock filter holder made it a little cramped.
I am not going to install it until after November 7th. See my post from Day 82. I am traveling tomorrow for a couple of days and I don't want to do any plumbing changes right before I leave.
I am taking some time off next week and don't have any planned travel for a couple weeks. I will be making the changes then.
While I was writing this I noticed the overflow bulkheads will interfere with the removal of the skimmer cup. So the skimmer is going to have to be moved towards the center of the sump skimmer area. This may make it difficult to remove the sock filter.
Another choice may be to turn the sump around so the skimmer and drain are on the right side of the sump instead of the left. I guess I'll find out when I start the install next week.
I am not going to install it until after November 7th. See my post from Day 82. I am traveling tomorrow for a couple of days and I don't want to do any plumbing changes right before I leave.
I am taking some time off next week and don't have any planned travel for a couple weeks. I will be making the changes then.
While I was writing this I noticed the overflow bulkheads will interfere with the removal of the skimmer cup. So the skimmer is going to have to be moved towards the center of the sump skimmer area. This may make it difficult to remove the sock filter.
Another choice may be to turn the sump around so the skimmer and drain are on the right side of the sump instead of the left. I guess I'll find out when I start the install next week.
Dano999
Premium Member
I thought I would post a pic of the Foxface when it get's stressed. They will change colors to blend into the background. They also do this when they sleep. He changed like this when I used my Mag-Float. I have used it before without him freaking out. He seems more nervous today than usual.
Within 30 seconds he was back to bright yellow.
Within 30 seconds he was back to bright yellow.
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MR PALM BEACH
New member
My foxface did the same till It got used to the mag float also. After awhile It knew there was no harm coming Its way.
MR PALM BEACH
New member
By the way I have the same stand and canopy Its the natural color, nice job on your build.
Dano999
Premium Member
When I first put mine in the tank it nipped at a polyp but decided it didn't like it. If you keep it well fed it shouldn't be a problem.
Mine is a pig and eats flake food, dried seaweed, or just about any other herbivore or omnivore food I add to the tank.
I do know my bubble algae is now gone.
On another subject.
I am trying to get the new sump finished this weekend but I came down with a bug that has me feeling like crap.
Mine is a pig and eats flake food, dried seaweed, or just about any other herbivore or omnivore food I add to the tank.
I do know my bubble algae is now gone.
On another subject.
I am trying to get the new sump finished this weekend but I came down with a bug that has me feeling like crap.
barngeatbayman
Premium Member
feel better Dano and get that sump finished. I've got Ick in my QT tank. Royal Gramma has a mild case of Ick. I am starting HYPO today. Looks like its going to be another month before I have another addition to the tank.
MaineReefer207
New member
very nice tank... i would love to set up my 100g again someday
MaineReefer207
New member
very nice tank... i would love to set up my 100g again someday
Dano999
Premium Member
Day 95
Thanks for all the support.
Today I changed out the refugium which actually took a few days to prepare.
In order to get the correct water height for the skimmer I needed to build a platform. Reading the Tunze forums and getting advise from others who reply on this thread, I built a platform that would put the water level at 10".
Tunze states the skimmer is designed to work in low level and higher level water areas. The external tube maintains the proper level of 11" within the skimmer when water levels are somewhat lower. Using the tube allows for 100% efficiency. You can also remove the tube but you need to get the water level close to but not higher than the 11" mark on the skimmer. Removing the tube causes the skimmer to recirculate 20% of the water but Tunze claims the reduced efficiency is minimal.
With that said I decided to build the platform to put the water level at 10". This gives me the option of removing the tube if it gets to crowded in the skimmer area in the future.
I used a piece of the second refugium and some PVC pipe with super glue gel. Finally found some use for that second fuge.
One of the other projects was to replace the gravity fed auto topoff with the Tunze Osmolator which uses a sensor to detect the water level. It also combines a float switch to shut off the pump just in case the sensor fails. When the water level drops it turns on the pump in the reservoir which pumps for a limited time (another safety feature). I may also hook this up to the AC Jr. for even more protection.
The sensor can be hooked on either a horizontal or vertical plain. It also comes with two brackets but I decided to use one.
I used the other support to hook up the return hose to the tank. To keep from siphoning out water from the reservoir the outlet has to be higher than the highest water level in the reservior. Also you need to make sure the hose does not get in the tank or a siphon can occur the other way. An inline check valve can resolve this.
The reservoir only needed minor modifications to allow the hose and pump power line to exit the container. The bottom bulkhead has been blocked off but I am not quite happy with it. I had a minor flood when filling the reservoir to test the auto topoff. The tube came out of the shutoff valve. This happened a while back when the shutoff valve was being used on the fuge. Since this was the same shutoff valve I put a new one on.
One note: The Tunze provided hose is not standard size tubing. I was lucky they provided a hose long enough to reach from the reservoir to the tank. I estimate it's about 8'.
Thanks for all the support.
Today I changed out the refugium which actually took a few days to prepare.
In order to get the correct water height for the skimmer I needed to build a platform. Reading the Tunze forums and getting advise from others who reply on this thread, I built a platform that would put the water level at 10".
Tunze states the skimmer is designed to work in low level and higher level water areas. The external tube maintains the proper level of 11" within the skimmer when water levels are somewhat lower. Using the tube allows for 100% efficiency. You can also remove the tube but you need to get the water level close to but not higher than the 11" mark on the skimmer. Removing the tube causes the skimmer to recirculate 20% of the water but Tunze claims the reduced efficiency is minimal.
With that said I decided to build the platform to put the water level at 10". This gives me the option of removing the tube if it gets to crowded in the skimmer area in the future.
I used a piece of the second refugium and some PVC pipe with super glue gel. Finally found some use for that second fuge.
One of the other projects was to replace the gravity fed auto topoff with the Tunze Osmolator which uses a sensor to detect the water level. It also combines a float switch to shut off the pump just in case the sensor fails. When the water level drops it turns on the pump in the reservoir which pumps for a limited time (another safety feature). I may also hook this up to the AC Jr. for even more protection.
The sensor can be hooked on either a horizontal or vertical plain. It also comes with two brackets but I decided to use one.
I used the other support to hook up the return hose to the tank. To keep from siphoning out water from the reservoir the outlet has to be higher than the highest water level in the reservior. Also you need to make sure the hose does not get in the tank or a siphon can occur the other way. An inline check valve can resolve this.
The reservoir only needed minor modifications to allow the hose and pump power line to exit the container. The bottom bulkhead has been blocked off but I am not quite happy with it. I had a minor flood when filling the reservoir to test the auto topoff. The tube came out of the shutoff valve. This happened a while back when the shutoff valve was being used on the fuge. Since this was the same shutoff valve I put a new one on.
One note: The Tunze provided hose is not standard size tubing. I was lucky they provided a hose long enough to reach from the reservoir to the tank. I estimate it's about 8'.
Dano999
Premium Member
Day 95 Continued
I also installed some bubble makers that go off when the electricity goes out. This provides oxygen to the tank for up to 72 hours on a set of D batteries. They recommend one for every two feet of tank. I still have some work to do on this one as I want the tubing behind the rocks and nearly invisible. Right now they are just in their while I have the pumps turned off.
Here's some before and after photos.
While I had the old sump removed I placed a piece of plastic to cover the bottom of the cabinet.
I also used the same miracle mud from the old fuge. After draining as much water out as possible I used a spatula and removed it from the old fuge and laid it in the new one. It was kind of like scooping out lasagna (best description I could think of).
Waiting for the fuge to settle before I continue filling.
Finished and operational.
That’s all for now. I’ll finish cleaning up tomorrow.
I also installed some bubble makers that go off when the electricity goes out. This provides oxygen to the tank for up to 72 hours on a set of D batteries. They recommend one for every two feet of tank. I still have some work to do on this one as I want the tubing behind the rocks and nearly invisible. Right now they are just in their while I have the pumps turned off.
Here's some before and after photos.
While I had the old sump removed I placed a piece of plastic to cover the bottom of the cabinet.
I also used the same miracle mud from the old fuge. After draining as much water out as possible I used a spatula and removed it from the old fuge and laid it in the new one. It was kind of like scooping out lasagna (best description I could think of).
Waiting for the fuge to settle before I continue filling.
Finished and operational.
That’s all for now. I’ll finish cleaning up tomorrow.
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Dano999
Premium Member
Day 96
I woke up this morning and was pleased not find any puddles on the floor.
When I inspected the skimmer I noticed there were no bubbles what so ever. I didn't bother to check last night as it was too late. The bubbles you see on the outside are from the drain line.
I took the skimmer apart and reconnected everything. I don't know what was not connected right but when I turned it back on I was now getting some foam.
I did some research and noticed that others have said the air hose to the hydrofoamer did not seem to fit very snug. I noticed the same thing. Roger from Tunze stated in a post I read that you have to line up the holes just right and the hose should fit snug. So I took the skimmer apart again and played with it until the hose felt snug. At least it was snugger (is snugger a word?)than before.
Now the foam was half way up the tube and in about two hours I had the first skimmate. Not much and clear but not bad for only running for a couple of hours.
I woke up this morning and was pleased not find any puddles on the floor.
When I inspected the skimmer I noticed there were no bubbles what so ever. I didn't bother to check last night as it was too late. The bubbles you see on the outside are from the drain line.
I took the skimmer apart and reconnected everything. I don't know what was not connected right but when I turned it back on I was now getting some foam.
I did some research and noticed that others have said the air hose to the hydrofoamer did not seem to fit very snug. I noticed the same thing. Roger from Tunze stated in a post I read that you have to line up the holes just right and the hose should fit snug. So I took the skimmer apart again and played with it until the hose felt snug. At least it was snugger (is snugger a word?)than before.
Now the foam was half way up the tube and in about two hours I had the first skimmate. Not much and clear but not bad for only running for a couple of hours.
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barngeatbayman
Premium Member
yeah your Venturi nozzle wasnt hooked up properly but now it looks like you are good to go. In a few days you'll see some real nasty stuff!!!!
