Starting a new 90 Progress will be updated
- Thread starter Dano999
- Start date
On the AquaController Jr. be careful as I've had the temp probe fail, along with others. It happened while I was on vacation and lucky I had a network camera pointed at the tank so I was able to have somebody stop in and manually hook up the lights and heaters. When the temp probe fails it will report a temperature of 122 or so.
To safeguard yourself from this happening in what I recommend and have done is set mine to to turn the heaters on and the cooling fans off if the temp goes above 100. I have the heaters built in thermostat set to a few degrees above what the AC Jr. normally keeps the tank at. Also don't have all your lights shut off for a high temp problem. That way if the probe fails some lights will still come on.
Checkout the Neptune Systems forum for more information on the failures. Mine was only two weeks old when it failed. I've also heard of the DC8 failing as well so I don't have my return pump on the controller either.
Don't get me wrong the AC Jr is a great product. Its just that you should have failsafe in place should something happen. If you read the Digital Aquatics forum for the ReefKeeper II they have issues as well. I've read of temp failures and they have a bug where you have to set one outlet to always on or you risk outlets not turning off.
To safeguard yourself from this happening in what I recommend and have done is set mine to to turn the heaters on and the cooling fans off if the temp goes above 100. I have the heaters built in thermostat set to a few degrees above what the AC Jr. normally keeps the tank at. Also don't have all your lights shut off for a high temp problem. That way if the probe fails some lights will still come on.
Checkout the Neptune Systems forum for more information on the failures. Mine was only two weeks old when it failed. I've also heard of the DC8 failing as well so I don't have my return pump on the controller either.
Don't get me wrong the AC Jr is a great product. Its just that you should have failsafe in place should something happen. If you read the Digital Aquatics forum for the ReefKeeper II they have issues as well. I've read of temp failures and they have a bug where you have to set one outlet to always on or you risk outlets not turning off.
Dano999
Premium Member
Good info thanks.
I guess with not hooking up the return to the DC-8 it defeats the feed function. Since I travel some for my job an auto feeder will be required and the return needs to be shut off during this time.
I only have two of the six lights set up to turn off if it gets too hot. I was also going to put a backup heater in the tank and run it manually set a couple of degrees cooler than the one run from the DC-8.
The DC-8 issue has me concerned since the AC jr. is just a temp and PH probe without it.
I also have a DC-4 going to be hooked up soon.
I guess with not hooking up the return to the DC-8 it defeats the feed function. Since I travel some for my job an auto feeder will be required and the return needs to be shut off during this time.
I only have two of the six lights set up to turn off if it gets too hot. I was also going to put a backup heater in the tank and run it manually set a couple of degrees cooler than the one run from the DC-8.
The DC-8 issue has me concerned since the AC jr. is just a temp and PH probe without it.
I also have a DC-4 going to be hooked up soon.
Dano999
Premium Member
Day 23
Not much to report. I am seeing a little diatom but not much. I still have not seen an ammonia spike and Nitrites are 0 with very low Nitrates.
I calibrated the PH probe on the AC jr and it indicates my PH is a little low. I will be adding a PH buffer over the next few days.
The DC-4 is due today so I'll be able to finish all the connections and programming.
NH4 - 0.0
NO2 - 0.0
NO3 - 0.7
PH - 7.84
Ca - 580
PO4 - 0.0
dKH - 10.2
Sal - 1.024
Temp - 79.6
Not much to report. I am seeing a little diatom but not much. I still have not seen an ammonia spike and Nitrites are 0 with very low Nitrates.
I calibrated the PH probe on the AC jr and it indicates my PH is a little low. I will be adding a PH buffer over the next few days.
The DC-4 is due today so I'll be able to finish all the connections and programming.
NH4 - 0.0
NO2 - 0.0
NO3 - 0.7
PH - 7.84
Ca - 580
PO4 - 0.0
dKH - 10.2
Sal - 1.024
Temp - 79.6
Dano,
Here's a funny coincidence, I've started up a 90g as well and yesterday I found crawling on my glass almost exactly the same tiny starfish looking thing. It was white on the underside also, only difference is a few of its arms were much shorter than the others, looked kind of like it was regenerating. If its still on the glass somewhere when I get home I'll take a picture and post it here.
Here's a funny coincidence, I've started up a 90g as well and yesterday I found crawling on my glass almost exactly the same tiny starfish looking thing. It was white on the underside also, only difference is a few of its arms were much shorter than the others, looked kind of like it was regenerating. If its still on the glass somewhere when I get home I'll take a picture and post it here.
Dano999
Premium Member
From what I could find I think it's a six -rayed star (Leptasterias pusilla). Very prominent along the west coast. They feed on gasteropods which may not be a good thing. They don't get any bigger than 2 cm.
I also found what I think is another chiton. This one is only 3/8" in size.
Dano999
Premium Member
Day 24
I installed the DC-4 today and hooked everything up. I still need one more outlet but I think I can combine the light fans to one DC adapter since they run at the same time.
Added macroalgae to the fuge today.
I am also now seeing some green algae. The diatom has not grown any and may be receding some.
My temperature also went up to 81.9 today which I don't understand why. The only change I have made in the last few days is to add a PH buffer to increase the PH. The dHK also went up to 12.5 which might be caused by the use of the PH buffer. The CO2 level may also be a little high.
I think it's time for a 20% water change and as soon as my relatives leave on Sunday I'll go ahead and do this.
I never did get an ammonia spike and both the ammonia and nitrites have remained at zero.
NH4 - 0.0
NO2 - 0.0
NO3 - 0.2
PH - 8.01
Ca - 580
PO4 - 0.0
dKH - 12.5
Sal - 1.024
Temp - 81.9
I installed the DC-4 today and hooked everything up. I still need one more outlet but I think I can combine the light fans to one DC adapter since they run at the same time.
Added macroalgae to the fuge today.
I am also now seeing some green algae. The diatom has not grown any and may be receding some.
My temperature also went up to 81.9 today which I don't understand why. The only change I have made in the last few days is to add a PH buffer to increase the PH. The dHK also went up to 12.5 which might be caused by the use of the PH buffer. The CO2 level may also be a little high.
I think it's time for a 20% water change and as soon as my relatives leave on Sunday I'll go ahead and do this.
I never did get an ammonia spike and both the ammonia and nitrites have remained at zero.
NH4 - 0.0
NO2 - 0.0
NO3 - 0.2
PH - 8.01
Ca - 580
PO4 - 0.0
dKH - 12.5
Sal - 1.024
Temp - 81.9
normanfine
New member
looks real nice like the pics
Dano999
Premium Member
Day 28
The diatom has stopped growing but the green algae is still there although it's not spreading just growing longer on the areas it covered. No new growth on the glass or other rocks.
NH4 - 0.0
NO2 - 0.0
NO3 - 0.0
PH - 7.93
Ca - 560
PO4 - 0.0
dKH - 11.6
Sal - 1.024
Temp - 79.7
The diatom has stopped growing but the green algae is still there although it's not spreading just growing longer on the areas it covered. No new growth on the glass or other rocks.
NH4 - 0.0
NO2 - 0.0
NO3 - 0.0
PH - 7.93
Ca - 560
PO4 - 0.0
dKH - 11.6
Sal - 1.024
Temp - 79.7
Dano999
Premium Member
Yep. I really never had a cycle. The NH4 and NO2 never went above 0. NO4 went up a little and then came down to zero.
I used 120 lbs of cured LR and then added another 30 lbs five days later. I expected some die off to cause a cycle but it looks as if the bacteria was high enough to keep from seeing anything. I'm skimming protein so there is enough in there if it was going to spike. I will take it slow with the bio load just to be safe.
It will be two weeks on Thursday since I added the LR so I was just giving it a little more time. I may order a few today.
There is one snail that hitch hiked and he has been eating a little but he hasn't moved from his spot (not that I can tell) for two days.
I used 120 lbs of cured LR and then added another 30 lbs five days later. I expected some die off to cause a cycle but it looks as if the bacteria was high enough to keep from seeing anything. I'm skimming protein so there is enough in there if it was going to spike. I will take it slow with the bio load just to be safe.
It will be two weeks on Thursday since I added the LR so I was just giving it a little more time. I may order a few today.
There is one snail that hitch hiked and he has been eating a little but he hasn't moved from his spot (not that I can tell) for two days.
Last edited:
zibba
New member
I noticed the same "cycle" you had as well. I added about 120 lbs of cured live rock and never noticed an ammonia spike. I skimmed pretty dry during that time and kept the lights off (except for some temperature testing). However, since I wasn't sure I ever actually had the cycle, I waited a month. But it never came. I would say you are ready to add some livestock (let the FUN begin!)....
I know that you have certainly thought about your stocking plans as of now. Keep up the great work on your build thread...it has been fun to watch.
I know that you have certainly thought about your stocking plans as of now. Keep up the great work on your build thread...it has been fun to watch.
Dano999
Premium Member
I have kept the lights on 12/12 which would explain the algae. I also have a light over the fuge 12/12. The skimmer did nothing for a week but has been pulling a lot over the last few days.
I have some ideas for fish and coral stocking but first the clean up crew.
I just ordered the following.
Scarlet Hermit Crab - Qty 6
Nassarius Snail - Qty 6
Cerith Snail - Qty 6
Astreas Snail Qty-6
Peppermint Shrimp Qty -2
Bumblebee Snail Qty -6
I have some ideas for fish and coral stocking but first the clean up crew.
I just ordered the following.
Scarlet Hermit Crab - Qty 6
Nassarius Snail - Qty 6
Cerith Snail - Qty 6
Astreas Snail Qty-6
Peppermint Shrimp Qty -2
Bumblebee Snail Qty -6
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10551880#post10551880 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by brucesly
Sorry if someone has replied this or you know already. I STRONGLY recommend that you mount your sixplug outlet on the cabinet wall. Don't just let it sit there on the ground because if you should ever have a leak... Saltwater and electricity is not a good combination. Potential fire hazzard! You have such a nice house, I wouldn't want to see it up in smoke for something as simple as that. And why not get yourself a GFCI while your at it.
Just my penny and a half. BTW sweet setup though.
(DUH! I tried to delete this post, didnt see the second page and thats why I'm a noob... thank you very much)
I agree even if your just testing the timer fuction on the power strip, mine was digital timer power strip and left on the floor, went to work and 10 minutes later got a call from home, skimmer overflowed (superskimmer 125) guess sparkes and fire where coming out of the powerstrip like crazy, which was agaisnt the wall at the time. I was very lucky someone was home that morning.
