Streetjudge's 170 gallon build thread..sneak peek

[streetjudge79]

I'm probably sticking with the bio balls, I've never had an issue with them over the years with other tanks. I keep on top of the filter floss cleaning, every few days. So I won't let it build up gunk.
Rubble does exactly the same thing as bioballs so exchanging them is not making any difference. Rock Rubble also catches detritis and such.

 

[streetjudge79]

Hey does anyone here have experience with the vortech battery backups? I can't find the instructions and there is two ports, one for 12 volt and one for 24 volt... Anyone know about that?

 

[chernandez88]

Nice pics. Did you get to see me 375G that was next to yours . Thats my big boy to bad it doesn't fit in my house and I have to sell it. Oh well. Rick did my rockwell and it came out great. Guys is pretty cool and confident on what he does. I had my tank for 6 months full of corals and not one rock moves from where he placed them.

 

[illal]

looks very good... loving the rock work but i have to agree with what was already mention on the skimmer being undersized and the bio balls being a bad idea

 

[streetjudge79]

Well, we'll just see how the skimmer handles it. I can always change it out later if need be.

 

[Surferlopez]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13741963#post13741963 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rocknreef
streetjudge79


I hope you are not just relying on that check valve to keep your sump from overflowing in a power outage.

Did you add some siphon break holes in your main return?

I had a check valve on my old system without any siphon break holes and it failed only to have water overflow my sump.


Just a heads up

Scott


Oh BTW your tank looks great

Looking forward to more pics once it is stocked

I hope this isn't one of the Lowe's or Home Depot Check Valves, those tend to use a metal spring instead of a rubber flapper...the metal spring can eventually corrode and not only leach out metal into the aquarium water but also makes the check valve fail a lot faster....
just a heads up...

Danny

 

[PaulieWalnuts]

great looking again but i noticed you do not have a union on you pumps...a ballvalve but what will you do if you need to clean them or something....again it looks nice and clean though.

 

[streetjudge79]

Rick suggested not to use a Union, they just take up uneccessary space and it's just another thing to worry about leaking.He's doing all the monthly maintenance on it for me so if there is a problem , he will take care of it. I brought up all these points and he assured me there will be no problems.

 

[AquamanE]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13742333#post13742333 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by streetjudge79
Hey does anyone here have experience with the vortech battery backups? I can't find the instructions and there is two ports, one for 12 volt and one for 24 volt... Anyone know about that?

The battery backup should have three ports. if you look on the front of the battery pack it is labelled. 2 say power out, 1 says power in. The power in goes to the AC adapter, the power out goes to your propeller pump driver. The battery pack can supply 2 pumps hence the 2 power outs.

 

[streetjudge79]

Ok thanks, I got it running but now it only flashes green and works at the minimum speed. I can't get it to go into the different modes. UGHHH! Nothing can ever be easy, can it?
As far as the check valve, it definitely is NOT the one with the metal spring, this one is the right one.

 

[AquamanE]

It will only be in green, and 1/2 speed when its on battery power. Eco has a very inmormative forum here on reef centrasl in the vendor section. They provide QA thru that forum and are very quick to respond, but they also have all manuals and instructions right there.

As far as check valves, i boufght the clear one WITH the union valves and it still is not a complete seal, it only slows it down when the pump is off so dont swaet it.

 

[AquamanE]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13739564#post13739564 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by streetjudge79
The plumbing,vortech backup battery,Heater controller,vortech controller,etc. Nice and neat!

What is that black thing tee'd from your pump, heat comtroller? what is that for??

 

[WHITETIP]

Very nice rock setup

 

[streetjudge79]

That's the UV sterilizer.

 

[streetjudge79]

Updates 11/18

Updates 11/18

Well it's up and running, starting the cycle.. using Green Chromis and a pair of tank raised Perculas.. I also found a use for some of my excess Xenia from my smaller tank, going to do an experiment and see if this stuff survives a cycle. I also took down the Vortech, sending it back to ecotech for repairs, I learned a valuable lesson, always buy NEW! Don't go cheap like me and buy used equipment from someone you don't know.

 

[streetjudge79]

 

[streetjudge79]

And my Refugium.. already has some copapods. Any suggestions on what else can go in there? This is my first time ever doing a fuge.

 

[PaulieWalnuts]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13755441#post13755441 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by streetjudge79
Rick suggested not to use a Union, they just take up uneccessary space and it's just another thing to worry about leaking.He's doing all the monthly maintenance on it for me so if there is a problem , he will take care of it. I brought up all these points and he assured me there will be no problems.

of cool well good deal then i have to do it lol so i use them thats all can't wait to see more!

 

[gasman059]

Well good job. As far as the float valve just change it every 6 months or so and u should be ok. I've used that system many times w/o issues but yes there's that possibility of the above mentioned problem 4 SURE.

As far as the union valves for me they are a must but then again I do all of my maintenance so its important for me to exchange pumps and so forth w/o major issues.

.

 

[Elan L.]

may i ask where you bought the chromis? I want to get some this weekend