The 125 process has begun... Pictures!

[reefman77]

which blueline HD pump are you using

 

[Micki]

Blue Line HD 70

 

[Micki]

Great news! Well, I've had my male mandarin for around 8 months. He is always out in the open in the tank. Even when I am working in the tank he stays out. I have never ever seen him eat anything other than pods. I recently added a female. It took about 4-5 days, but they now sleep together every night. she still hides if I am working in the tank, but for the most part comes out about 80% of the time. I haven't seen her eat anything except pods but I'm guessing she does because last week I "thought" I saw the male eat some mysis. then tonight he was eating the flake and pellets like crazy!!! My guess is she eats the food I put in the tank, an dhe has learned to do that from her. Sound reasonable?

 

[boviac]

Great progress Micki! Good idea on the outside sight level indicator. Either way if it is your idea or someone else, thanks for using it and passing it on. I really like your sump model and concept for media placement over the outlet port. Glad to hear the mandarins are doing well together.

Keep up the great pics! I love DSL or at least the bandwidth...

 

[Micki]

boviac, Thanks! The sight level indicator was my husbands idea We changed the media placement to a chanber to guarantee the water would flow through the carbon. Ithought I posted pictures of that but I may not have.m My tank will be 1 year onl in a few weeks and I'll post more of an update wiht pictures at that time.

I'm excited about the mandarins. Hopefully someday I'll get to see that wonderful dance they do that I have only heard about.

DSL/bandwidth is our friend...

 

[Micki]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6195718#post6195718 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Micki
New addition. We have added a DIY carbon chamber to the system:

boviac, here is the picture of the carbon chamber that we changed out for the media placement over the outlet port.

 

[boviac]

Micki, Great concepts. As an engineer I enjoy seeing peoples tank room setups almost as much as I do the tanks themselves. The dynamics and potential complexity of the filtration and sump systems as well as trying to balance tank chemistry is why I love this hobby so much!!! Keep up the photos! Love it!

 

[Micki]

Thanks Boviac! I really didn't think the sump room would be "that" exciting. But after getting it set up it has really been fun!

I'll have more pictures soon as it will be 1 year old in 17 days!

 

[Micki]

Hi there, wanted to throw out a question. Since the birth of this system almost 1 year ago. I have increased the total water volume. I have now decided to upgrade my skimmer. I currently have an ASM G-3. I have been more than happy with it! I am looking at the ASM G-4X. Wondered if anyone has any opinions on this skimmer?

Thanks!

 

[JmLee]

yeah looks good, BEST OF LUCK!

 

[Micki]

JmLee, Thanks!

 

[RGibson]

Micki take a look at a Geo skimmer it is much better built and has good service.

 

[Micki]

RGibson, thanks. but I am looking for the specific information on the ASM skimmer.

 

[gkarshens]

I don't know anything about that one in particular but I have heard alot of good things about ASM. In fact, I might be interested in buying your old one if you do upgrade.

 

[Micki]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6729485#post6729485 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by gkarshens
I don't know anything about that one in particular but I have heard alot of good things about ASM. In fact, I might be interested in buying your old one if you do upgrade.

I ahve been very happy with my ASM G-3. I'm hopign to like the G-4 as much if not better!

Actually as soon as I posted on my reef club site (western ohio reef club) about a possible upgrade I had 2 people wanting to buy it. I offered it to the first interested person and he jumped on it. Sorry... But thanks for the interest!

 

[tblue]

Water Flow in the Sump

Water Flow in the Sump

Micki,

I've enjoyed reading through this thread. I'm interested in putting together a sump similar to yours. I'm a little confused though as to how the two drains are being used, are you currently using both drains as returns? Also, What did you use for bulkheads for the drains and where did you get them?

Thanks in advance,

Tim

 

[Micki]

tblue, Thanks! I appreciate you reading the thread! The two drains are being used just as that. they drain the sump during water changes. We can then hose out the dry sump before filling it again. My husband tapped the tank and used 1 inch PVC fittings. He got them at Lowes. Hope this answers your questions, if not feel fre to ask away and I'll get him in here to answer them better.

 

[Micki]

UPGRADE!!! Well, I'm excited to share that as of tonight our skimmer is now upgraded! We went from an ASM G-3 to an ASM G-4X. I did a lot of research. I had heard there were negative reviews about the G-4. In doing my research, I found the G-4 did not get that great of reviews, but, the G4X got great reviews!

Since adding 80 gallons to the system it occured to me that I may want to think about a skimmer upgrade. The G-3 is rated for 250 gallons and the ASM site rates it at 180. The G-4X is rated for 450 gallons with their rating at 300 gallons.

Here aer some pictures of both the G-3 and G-4X sitting by each other:

G-4X in the sump:

A few action shots:

 

[melev]

Congrats!

 

[Micki]

Thanks Marc!