Tank of the Month - Mar 2002

Mark, for the past three months, I have using Dolphin 4700's to power my skimmers...one 4700 for two PM bullet 3's. The amp3000's powered the skimmers adequately; but, the 4700's really power the skimmers to the point that I have to dial back the air intake quite a bit. The skimmate volume has also increased. Bottom line....amp3000's..OK....4700's...perfect.
 
Steve, are the 4700s as silent as the 3000s? Sorry to keep bothering you but I really like the dolphin pumps and would love to use one over the noisy iwakis. thanks again!
 
Mark, The key to a quiet Dolphin pump is the RPM's. Their 1725 RPM pumps are quiet ...the higher RPM pumps are not. The 4700 pump draws about 2.2 amps @ 1725 RPM's, while the amp3000's draw 1 amp. The 4700 was the highest output pump that they had ...that was still a low RPM pump (and had 1 1/2 in/out so as to easily replace the amp3000's). Check out their website at dolphinpumps.com for each pump's specification sheet.
 
black connectors into your PVC?

black connectors into your PVC?

Hi Steve, I hope all is well with you. No matter how many times I browse the Net for ideas and inspiration for my next reef incarnation, I always come back to your tank. Congratulations and continued success, now onto the questions. I'm hoping you can share with me what those 3 black connections are above your sump? I can't get a really good look but it appears you might be running you calcium reactors into them. It would be awesome if you figured out how to plumb these directly into your system and still be able to measure the effluent PH. Is this what you're doing or am I just living in fantasy land? I currently just use a dish with a PH meter and some drips holes but it's ugly and not very functional. If this is/or not what you're doing, could you share how you're handling this situation please? Sorry for all the questions, many thanks for your wisdom in advance. :rollface:
 
Wizard...Those three black connections are the three in-line probes for the main tank that monitor temp,pH,and redox. I do not have one of them monitoring the pH of the reactor effluent...but, I could do that if I were so inclined. I never measure my reactor effluent's pH...instead, I occasionally measure the effluent's calcium and alkalinity levels when I test the main tanks levels. As long as the effluent's calcium is around 650 and the alkalinity is around 40, I don't care what the pH is...it's the calcium and alkalinity values that are of most concern to me ...not the pH (which could be low and still not provide enough calcium or alkalinity to maintain desired tank levels). Since that photo though, I now run the effluent through the refugium so the excess CO2 can be utilized by the macro algae.
 
Very cool, what kind of PVC connectors did you utilize to make that happen? Did you drill a hole and just glue the probes to the PVC? It looks very professionaly done and I'd love to replicate it. I just have my probes hanging inside the sump but your method is exponentially better.

P.S.
Thanks for the lightning fast reply.
 
Wizard, My probes are made by Aquadyne...and they have the probe compression connectors that screw into standard pvc fittings. Check with the manufacture of your probes to see if they offer a similar product. Having the probes in pvc is preferable to floating in the sump...especially when trying to keep the probes clean and algae free.
 
Excellent.... I didn't realize the Octopus had that ability. I purchased the Neptune Aquacontroller, I hope they offer that same feature.

Thanks.

Since I have your attention, I hope you don't mind a couple more questions.

What are you using as media in you calcium reactors, Koralith, CaribSea ARM, etc...?

I also own the PM Bullet series but I have the unit just below yours. If you had to do it again, would you purchase a different model protein skimmer? Mine seems to work OK but I just feel like it could do a little better.

Oh yeah, I also wanted to ask what the angled pipe that's sticked up from your refugium is doing? (It doesn't seem to connect anywhere.)

I currently own a 120g reef but getting ready to move in the next 6 months. I'm plotting my new strategy as well as probably going to a 180+. I'd like to draw up the whole design ahead of time, learning from my past victories and defeats and applying them to the new system.

Sorry for all the questions.... My philosophy is to gather all the wisdom you can from the people who excel at what they do, it's the only way to become better yourself.

Thanks again.
 
I'm posting this message all over the place...sorry for the confusion.

Steve,

Wow! I've been drooling over your tank photos (especially the pump cabinet) for weeks and I just noticed the ââ"šÂ¬Ã‹Å“discussion forumââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢. I could easily overwhelm you with too many questions; so Iââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢ve narrowed it down to two subjects...okay three questions.

I'm currently building the stand and canopy for my new aquarium and I'm trying to decide on a Neptune System or Aquadyne Octopus controller for this system. I believe you're using both controller/monitors. Which model do you recommend? I would like to control lights, wave maker, fans, chiller, heater and monitor temperature and ph. Thoughts?

In regards to your closed loop system ââ"šÂ¬Ã¢â‚¬Å“ youââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢re most likely familiar with SeaHorse Aquarium Supply in Portland; they sell a pump by Filtronics (variable speed control, magnetic drive). Would you recommend this pump for use with a closed loop system using three or four of these pumps? Itââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢s an odd question but this closed loop system is a new idea for me; one of your threads touched on ââ"šÂ¬Ã‹Å“noiseââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢ and my four MaxiJet 1200s are driving me nuts in my current tank.

Iââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢m an Upscales customer too and theyââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢ve sold me the entire PM line of equipment. What is your opinion of the PM Bullet Skimmers? I have a Bullet 1 with the newer injector and Iââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢m considering purchasing a Bullet 2 for this new system.

Iââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢d really like to see additional photos of your tank and pump cabinet if possible. Youââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢ve created the ââ"šÂ¬Ã‹Å“Street of Dreamsââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢ equivalent of reef aquariums and that garage photo is making me rethink my planning in our new home. It is a masterpiece of technology and nature.

Thank you in advance, Rob
 
Hi..I am new in reef keeping, but i know about excellence when i see it. Please, give more details for us, to help us to reach that level of excellence too. Start by detailing your tank: besides measures, where holes are located and diameter and stuff. Great great job. Thanks for let us know about something like that is possible in our living room. (excuse my english..it is not my fisrt language)
 
Do a search on TOTM and go to the backissue of Reefkeeping Magazine Online where Steve's tank appeared and you'll get more details. This is an old thread. Steve has moved on to something larger (and looks to be even better)!

Acuatica said:
Hi..I am new in reef keeping, but i know about excellence when i see it. Please, give more details for us, to help us to reach that level of excellence too. Start by detailing your tank: besides measures, where holes are located and diameter and stuff. Great great job. Thanks for let us know about something like that is possible in our living room. (excuse my english..it is not my fisrt language)
Click to expand...
 
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