Tank Of The Month - December 2008

[fishtk75]

Power backup

Power backup

I need to ask one more time that I seen ones that said it had a built-in switch but not. Now when yours works the power comes off the inverter comes on and when the the power comes back on the inverter turns off all the way in standby mode. I ask as I read ones not worded in plan english how it works.
Also I seen RS400 with outlet and without outlet as hardwaired I do not know if they have to wrong picture posted but what does your have on it?
There is no problem with pumps even thought it said made for sound and tv systems?

 

[reefkeeper2]

My RS400 has 2 outlets on it, and two poles where you connect the battery. You will need battery connectors to connect the unit to the battery. Remember the RS400 will not charge your battery. It also constantly uses a small amount of battery power to keep the UPS working, so it will drain your battery in just a few days if you don't have the battery connected to a charger. You will have to have a automatic charger on the battery all the time. Take a close look at the pic in my write up of the backup. You can see the RS400 on the top. Below it (hard to see) is the Tripp Lite AP400 that keeps the battery charged. I use the Tripp Lite for a charger because I already had it. You will just need an ordinary charger. There are different kinds of battery chargers. The charger in my Tripp Lite is not a trickle charger. It monitors the battery and goes on and off as needed.
Remember, if you are going to use a deep cycle battery , for safety the area you use it in must be well ventilated. When the battery charges it gives off hydrogen gas that is extremely flammable. No sparks or flame anywhere in the vicinity.

 

[fishtk75]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14076023#post14076023 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by reefkeeper2
My RS400 has 2 outlets on it, and two poles where you connect the battery. You will need battery connectors to connect the unit to the battery. Remember the RS400 will not charge your battery. It also constantly uses a small amount of battery power to keep the UPS working, so it will drain your battery in just a few days if you don't have the battery connected to a charger. You will have to have a automatic charger on the battery all the time. Take a close look at the pic in my write up of the backup. You can see the RS400 on the top. Below it (hard to see) is the Tripp Lite AP400 that keeps the battery charged. I use the Tripp Lite for a charger because I already had it. You will just need an ordinary charger. There are different kinds of battery chargers. The charger in my Tripp Lite is not a trickle charger. It monitors the battery and goes on and off as needed.
Remember, if you are going to use a deep cycle battery , for safety the area you use it in must be well ventilated. When the battery charges it gives off hydrogen gas that is extremely flammable. No sparks or flame anywhere in the vicinity.

Thanks for telling me that it has 2 outlets and how it works the places were I seen them and the pictures and information did not match. Yes I have a charger thanks for telling me about that also. I have a same battery type you are using and in a ventilated area I have it hooked up to a PC UPS. I will use for the new inverter.
I got a reply from Tripp-lite as you told me about the Tripp-lite brand they do not make a inverter/charger that is true sine wave.

 

[Electrobes]

Stunning tank, simply astounding reef and the tank room too!

 

[AquaAaron]

That is a beautiful tank! Congrats!

 

[reefkeeper2]

Electrobes and AquaAron, thanks! This past month has been really great. Thank you everyone.

 

[chasekwe]

Hey Paul, first off let me add my sense of awe along with the rest. Congratulations!

I have learned so much from reading your TOTM writeup along with this thread. I feel like the people who can teach me the best lessons from their success can probably also with their "bumps in the road" so to speak. I've read this entire thread now so I hope this question isn't redundant and I've just missed it someplace.

Could you please go into some detail about those lessons you've learned and what you would do differently? If there is anything of course, this is as perfect a tank as I've ever seen.


Oh, glad I caught this in time to still edit it! So sorry, one more question. Do you do anything to maintain your sand in the DT, vacuuming, replacing, etcetera?

 

[reefkeeper2]

I feel like the people who can teach me the best lessons from their success can probably also with their "bumps in the road" so to speak. I've read this entire thread now so I hope this question isn't redundant and I've just missed it someplace.

There have definately been some bumps in the road. The aquarium setup itself has worked as designed and there have been no major mechanical problems. However, the usual bugaboos you run into when keeping a reef tank have made their appearance from time to time. I have had more than my share of nasty cyano outbreaks, and it’s taken me quite a while to learn how to get rid of it and keep it gone. That would be a regimen of low nutrient levels and a pH above 8.0 at all times. I've had a few episodes of STN. I think I was using too much GFO and the sps seem very sensitive to it. The sps have been a real challenge for me in this tank and one of my goals is to improve on their number, health and diversity. I tried to keep some non photosynthetic coral species and the heavy feedings subsequently led to a nutrient overload. Just when I thought “wow this is easy’ nitrate and phosphate levels started to steadily climb. After many weeks of success with the heavy feedings, I had to stop. I was monitoring water parameters closely so it was discovered before real harm was done. It was a setback nonetheless. Just a few weeks ago I found my beautiful watanabei angelfish dead on the floor. I loved that fish. So I found a way to stretch bird netting over the tank so you can't see it using suction cups. There are always lessons to be learned and ways things can be done better. If anyone asks me what you need to be successful in this hobby, I would have to say perseverance. The rewards are great, but you don’t get them without some scars.

Oh, glad I caught this in time to still edit it! So sorry, one more question. Do you do anything to maintain your sand in the DT, vacuuming, replacing, etcetera?

I've never replaced any sand or do anything special to keep it clean. There is a huge cucumber in there that hoovers things pretty well and a sleeper gobie that helps. Occasionally I will stir the sand surface up a bit. The gorgonian seem to like it and it does help keep the sand white.

 

[bredler]

This may have been asked, but I REALLY didn't want to read through nine pages to see.

How did you stock this tank? LFS, wholesaler, scuba, etc? i.e. how much is harvested.

 

[melev]

bredler,

[welcome]

 

[NexDog]

Outstanding. I need to get back into reefing.

 

[reefkeeper2]

How did you stock this tank? LFS, wholesaler, scuba, etc? i.e. how much is harvested.

A good portion of the livestock and liverock came from my previous tanks. Some may have been with me for a long time, stretching back many tanks and many years. Almost all of it originated from LFS in Massachussetts and Rhode Island and what I could find on line. I remember the gigantea anemone was an on line purchase as I could not find one in the area at that time. Some specimens I got from other members of the Boston Reefers Society.

 

[bredler]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14096870#post14096870 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by melev
bredler,

<img src="/images/welcome.gif" width="500" height="62"><br><b><i><big><big>To Reef Central</b></i></big></big>

Thanks! I've been in the hobby for a while, I never realized that I didn't post on this forum, just read it.

 

[bjg]

Very very very nice tank.!!!!

 

[carhockeyguy]

AMAZING TANK you have inspired me to dig into this hobby and i am just starting my first 60 gallon reef tank. I cant wait to get it going .

But beautiful tank.

 

[reefkeeper2]

Bjb and carhockeyguy, thanks! My first marine tank was a 30gal. It was fish only as there were no reef tanks then. It had an undergravel filter with crushed coral. It didn't do to well. What I didn't know was a lot ,and there was no internet or anyplace to get information. It was quite a few years later when I saw my first reef tank in a LFS. I immediatley put up a 55gal reef tank with a wet dry filter. It had lots of softies and a green bubble tip anemone. I thought it was awesome. After that there was no looking back. Next came a 90, and then a 120 and then a 180. Now here I am with 427. It's been a wonderful journey and I still feel I have so much to learn.

 

[paulthomas]

Paul,

Do you by chance have a pic of the netting set-up on top of your tank?

Thanks,
Paul

 

[reefkeeper2]

Here it is. It's not a great pic, but if you look you can see the suction cup stuck underneath the lip of the acrylic. This netting is black. I know they make clear and I was going to order some but this is not blocking any light at all. If I see the clear at any of the area HD or Lowes I'll pick some up.

 

[paulthomas]

So you've got it attached with suction cups under the eurobrace. That's really cool. I'd really like see your tank again sometime.

 

[reefkeeper2]

I got the suction cups at Walgreens. It's really easy to remove the netting when you need to get your hands in there. There is a group of BRS members coming over monday eve at 7pm. Your welcome to join us.