Starting a new 90 Progress will be updated

[Nano Chris]

Looks good, you made some progress since i last read your thread.

 

[khoivo1]

where did you get your refugium at ? what size ?? look so clean and pro,,,,well build,, i am looking for one,,,let me know asap thanks

 

[Dano999]

It's a Aquafuge Pro (Small). It's made by CPR Aquatics. They have a larger model also. It has a built in skimmer that I have some doubt it will be sufficient although they claim it will handle up to 100 gal. The skimmer column is only 4".

It can be found at most on line stores. I bought mine locally and would have probably chosen something else if I had researched more. It is convenient but a bit noisy. Most or all of the noise is coming from the skimmer. Around 60 dBA at 1 ft.

I had to modify it (mod was on the CPR site forum) to get the skimmer to produce more bubbles and reduce some of the noise. Since I don't have much or any bio load yet I can't tell you if it works well.

With the two optional lights they run close to $500. Very expensive if I have to add an additional skimmer. It does appear to be well built. I have researched on this forum for any comments and most seem to come from people who don't own it.

I believe they also make a fuge without the skimmer.

 

[Dano999]

Day 20

I went looking for some cherry pieces of Live Rock yesterday and could not find anything local. I tried on-line last night and thought I found some only to find out they only had pieces 18" and larger available. Well I am stuck as where to look now as I am concerned about paying another couple hundred bucks without knowing if the pieces will be what I want.

If anyone has had a good experience buying on-line please let me know.

NH4 - 0.0
NO2 - 0.0
NO3 - 1.0
PH - 8.2
Ca - 580
Phosphates - 0.0
Salinity - 1.024
Temperature - 78.5

 

[Thinslis]

I've been getting mine from local reefers, so far I've got about 110lbs for $150. Check out your local reef clubs, they are a source from some really good deals.

 

[Linkblaze]

Dano, I like what you've done with the gravity fed float valve and I'd like to do a similar set up on my system. However, I notice that the manufacturer says they do not recommend this product for topping off purposes in an aquarium...in fact all commercial float valves using a purely gravity driven system say they are not for topping off aquariums. What's the deal? I'd really like to minimize the number of power cords I've got running all over the place and this type of system looks like it would work real nice to me.

 

[Dano999]

It maybe they just don't want liability. Any power driven system can also fail. It has been working fine so far. I will check it periodically to make sure it keeps working.

 

[barngeatbayman]

Dano PM sent

 

[Dano999]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10644430#post10644430 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Thinslis
I've been getting mine from local reefers, so far I've got about 110lbs for $150. Check out your local reef clubs, they are a source from some really good deals.

Ok I picked up 40 lbs from a local reefer and used maybe 30 lbs. I'll post some pics (although cloudy) to get some comments.

I also added Miracle Mud to the fuge today so this made it even more cloudy.

The skimmer sure started to kick in after adding the additional LR. I have two real nice pieces left that were just to big to make them fit. I'll be selling them soon if this aquascape works out.

 

[Thinslis]

Put your unused LR pieces in your sump / fuge =) Same effect, you just don't see it =)

 

[Dano999]

I have some small pieces in the fuge. These are 12" each. I may break them up or wait until the cloud clears and do some more rearranging to see if I can come up with a better aquascape.

 

[Dano999]

,

 

[Dano999]

Day 21

As I mentioned I bought some additional LR from a local reefer and spent some time last night aquascaping. Below are the results.

It's pretty sturdy but I'm going to use some epoxy on a few of the pieces just to make sure.

NH4 - 0.0
NO2 - 0.0
NO3 - 2.5
PH - 8.2
Ca - 500
Phosphates - 0.0
Salinity - 1.023
Temperature - 78.6

 

[Mavrk]

That looks much better. Looking really good!

 

[moo0o]

hey dano,


how many pounds of live sand do you have in your tank?

 

[Dano999]

No live sand. I have 90 lbs of Aragonite.

 

[moo0o]

cool, would you say its about an average of 1-2inches deep?

 

[Dano999]

It's close to 2" deep.

 

[PatMayo]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10520752#post10520752 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Dano999
I have 90 lbs of sand which I believe puts it at 2".

The RO/DI doesn't come with a reserve tank. I am still deciding what to use. It will depend on where I install the RO/DI. I was thinking about the laundry room and tapping into the washing machine faucet with a brass Y adapter and shut off valve. This way I could also use the drain for the waste water. I need two 15 gallon food grade containers for the reserve. I want to use one for the top off water and the other for mixing for changes. I will be searching locally for the containers as the ones I found online have shipping costs higher than the cost of the container.

If my math is right it only puts out 6.6 oz per minute. The have 150 gpd units.

If you have the space you will be much happier with 45 gallon brute containers rather than 15 gallon. It's a lot less work in the long run. Especially for the pre-made salt water.

Very nice tank. You may, depending on bio load have to upgrade to a better skimmer. There are lots of choices. Do you have enough room in the sump to house a ER or some other type?

Regards.

Pat

 

[Dano999]

I have a 65 gal brute trash can. The 17 gals are for auto top off and 10% water changes.

I agree with you on the skimmer. Some of my previous posts discuss this.

There might not be enough room in the sump for an in-sump skimmer unless the pump goes external. I have already considered I will need to upgrade and may have to go external with the skimmer.