Hawg Pharm
Member
My daughter thought the project needed a mascot. :rollface:
The Great (or not so great) Hillbilly Reef Experiment
- Thread starter Hawg Pharm
- Start date
My daughter thought the project needed a mascot. :rollface:
Hawg Pharm
Member
Eventually you hit a point where you just don't care what other people think. Luckily for my family, the public nature of my profession keeps this tempered.....for now. But that being said, if I wanted to go see that movie by myself, I'd go. I still have an eleven year old daughter. My excuse is still socially valid.
Hawg Pharm
Member
When I started this project I couldn't find the regular Apex to save my life, so I panicked and got the Lite. Thank goodness they let you expand these things. As you can see, I'm not quite ready to go yet, but the desire is there. I've got the lab grade pH probe coming as well as another module. I can't wait to get this puppy up and running on the computer and my phone.
Plus, I haven't done much in the way of cord management. All in good time.
<a href="http://s115.photobucket.com/user/kncald/media/photobucket-15592-1373167922273_zps946e2a92.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n307/kncald/photobucket-15592-1373167922273_zps946e2a92.jpg" border="0" alt="2013-07-06_22-29-01_866 photo photobucket-15592-1373167922273_zps946e2a92.jpg"/></a>
Plus, I haven't done much in the way of cord management. All in good time.
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Hawg Pharm
Member
If I get to count history papers as an undergrad and pharmacology research as a grad student, then yes, I've written a time or two. Unfortunately, they more often than not came back covered in something akin to blood, pointing out the various shortcomings in my methods. The smartest thing I ever learned to do was to find out where my professors were well versed and stay as far away as possible from those subjects as I could. That way, they had a much harder time judging my work based on content as opposed to presentation.
But then again, I see where you have nine more pages to read and therefore am not sure if I should continue feeling flattered or, if you were referring to someone else, revert back to the picture on the first page of "the look", which I experienced in a lesser form today. Getting caught in the fish room with the lap top, a credit card and Neptune products on the screen was the impetus of that particular encounter. But, if you were referring to me, I do appreciate the kind words.
Hawg Pharm
Member
OK, so the Apex Lite wasn't the only "pull the trigger now" moment I've had during this experience. As I was racking up a fair little bill with the Apex, Kessils, Vortechs, custom tank and all the lovely accessories, I couldn't decide how I was going to dose calcium, magnesium and hardness. I know at some point I'll probably want a calcium reactor, but the expense of the system I wanted told me that perhaps I'd be better served by getting my feet wet with something a little less complicated.
Well, that was the plan. By the time reality hit, I had decided on dosing kalkwasser and then eventually added two part to the experiment. Of course, then I wanted a dosing pump. But, that went against the idea of trying to tame my spending.
Enter the dosing pump shipped special from China. I was impressed. It only took them three weeks. It was also a third of the price of pumps I'd seen for sale locally. Typically, I'm a "you get what you pay for" kind of guy. This time I decided to roll the dice. Perhaps it was just to keep the local hospital folks from thinking I had lifted one of their units.
<a href="http://s115.photobucket.com/user/kncald/media/photobucket-17327-1373167978343_zps4460ea60.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n307/kncald/photobucket-17327-1373167978343_zps4460ea60.jpg" border="0" alt="2013-07-06_22-29-45_491 photo photobucket-17327-1373167978343_zps4460ea60.jpg"/></a>
Well, that was the plan. By the time reality hit, I had decided on dosing kalkwasser and then eventually added two part to the experiment. Of course, then I wanted a dosing pump. But, that went against the idea of trying to tame my spending.
Enter the dosing pump shipped special from China. I was impressed. It only took them three weeks. It was also a third of the price of pumps I'd seen for sale locally. Typically, I'm a "you get what you pay for" kind of guy. This time I decided to roll the dice. Perhaps it was just to keep the local hospital folks from thinking I had lifted one of their units.
<a href="http://s115.photobucket.com/user/kncald/media/photobucket-17327-1373167978343_zps4460ea60.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n307/kncald/photobucket-17327-1373167978343_zps4460ea60.jpg" border="0" alt="2013-07-06_22-29-45_491 photo photobucket-17327-1373167978343_zps4460ea60.jpg"/></a>
Hawg Pharm
Member
Then again, if the quality of their pump equals the quality of the graduated cylinder that came with it, I'm in trouble.
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Hawg Pharm
Member
I must admit, I'm a little more than envious of those here whose wives wholeheartedly support their projects. That is slowly becoming priority number one at my house. My new goal is conversion. I'd love to hit a point where she has expensive taste in corals (too lofty of expectations there, probably).
The conversation this morning as we look at the tank. Keep in mind, the Vortechs have moved a lot of sand around, exposing some of the base rock that had taken on an orange to brown coloration during time spent with the live rock. Plus, I've only had the tank filled for a few days now. Nothing alive in there but whatever lives in the Fiji rock.
Her: Why is there a spot in there that looks like the cat yacked on the bottom?
Me: That's just the top of reef rock. The sand moved off of it last night.
Her: It's ugly.
God help me.
The conversation this morning as we look at the tank. Keep in mind, the Vortechs have moved a lot of sand around, exposing some of the base rock that had taken on an orange to brown coloration during time spent with the live rock. Plus, I've only had the tank filled for a few days now. Nothing alive in there but whatever lives in the Fiji rock.
Her: Why is there a spot in there that looks like the cat yacked on the bottom?
Me: That's just the top of reef rock. The sand moved off of it last night.
Her: It's ugly.
God help me.
Hawg Pharm
Member
Redneck Plumbing, Inc. Part 2
May I submit for your amusement my project from this afternoon. I simply have to laugh at how things sometimes turn out. And, whatever plumbers charge, I've decided it's justified.
For starters, I ran out of parts. Scratch that. My parts store ran out of supplies. But, that should be rectified in a few days. It really wasn't a problem since I have yet to semi-permanently attach the RO/DI line to the storage tank on the right. It is now doing the job of filling up the left tank to 55 gallons.
Now, to the strange plumbing job. Right after I had converted the spa flex to PVC above the pump, I decided to nix my original plan, which was to hard plumb the darn thing both to the storage tank (for initial salt mixing) and to the sump. Maybe it was the cement fumes, but in a moment of lucidity, I decided to use the spa flex tubing to do both. Instead of cutting away my previous work, I decided to leave it for the few extra inches of length it provides. This route keeps a little PVC out of my way and it won't be any trouble to move the spa flex whenever needed.
Speaking of the fumes, the other half was pleased enough with the stench to open up the windows and keep the air on. But, the ether fog is starting to subside and I can count to ten again.
<a href="http://s115.photobucket.com/user/kncald/media/photobucket-9082-1373240912945_zps7dc9a429.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n307/kncald/photobucket-9082-1373240912945_zps7dc9a429.jpg" border="0" alt="2013-07-07_18-46-38_699 photo photobucket-9082-1373240912945_zps7dc9a429.jpg"/></a>
May I submit for your amusement my project from this afternoon. I simply have to laugh at how things sometimes turn out. And, whatever plumbers charge, I've decided it's justified.
For starters, I ran out of parts. Scratch that. My parts store ran out of supplies. But, that should be rectified in a few days. It really wasn't a problem since I have yet to semi-permanently attach the RO/DI line to the storage tank on the right. It is now doing the job of filling up the left tank to 55 gallons.
Now, to the strange plumbing job. Right after I had converted the spa flex to PVC above the pump, I decided to nix my original plan, which was to hard plumb the darn thing both to the storage tank (for initial salt mixing) and to the sump. Maybe it was the cement fumes, but in a moment of lucidity, I decided to use the spa flex tubing to do both. Instead of cutting away my previous work, I decided to leave it for the few extra inches of length it provides. This route keeps a little PVC out of my way and it won't be any trouble to move the spa flex whenever needed.
Speaking of the fumes, the other half was pleased enough with the stench to open up the windows and keep the air on. But, the ether fog is starting to subside and I can count to ten again.
<a href="http://s115.photobucket.com/user/kncald/media/photobucket-9082-1373240912945_zps7dc9a429.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n307/kncald/photobucket-9082-1373240912945_zps7dc9a429.jpg" border="0" alt="2013-07-07_18-46-38_699 photo photobucket-9082-1373240912945_zps7dc9a429.jpg"/></a>
88rxna
New member
:lmao:
but she IS looking at it! things will change once life starts forming inside the tank..
Hawg Pharm
Member
All the sixth grade children at our school have to make a homemade roller coaster which means my youngest is due. Hmm, maybe we could do a fish themed coaster this time around. The marble has to do turns, one nice drop and at least one loop. Some kids (i.e., parents) come up with some pretty unique coasters. When my son had to do one, we used the iron stand for the dual 20 gallon aquariums (which happened to be down for a new build) as the superstructure for his coaster.
Hawg Pharm
Member
Yes she is and at least that's a start. I really do want her to enjoy it. The fact that I confiscated her exercise room for my fish room didn't start things off too well. It has made me try that much harder to do this right. My new motto is: I'm going to have fun......and make the wife like the tank.....one way or another.....I hope.
Hawg Pharm
Member
I'm working under the same set of assumptions as your signature, that she will never care enough to read this thread. Otherwise, I'd be in for it (if you're reading this, I love you dear.....hope you like the tank now).
Here's the problem......she takes care of the bills.......and has the checkbook. I'm sure you see the dilemma. Fortunately for me, I had some discretionary spending money put back. Perhaps I should never tell the kids that the tank was the reason we didn't go to Disney for the first time in years. I did, however, promise my daughter a trip for next year. As it is, my step-father loves credit card points and I love not having things show up on my card. You know where this is going, right? I'm not sure "laundering" is the appropriate term, especially when it comes out of my paycheck, but that's the closest, most accurate, term that comes to mind. (Special note to the IRS since we know Big Brother sees all......it comes out of my paycheck, I promise).
It's been expensive, no doubt about that. But, I can see down the road where it won't be quite as bad. I'm actually looking forward to saving for really nice corals......and Disney.
Hawg Pharm
Member
Redneck Ceiling Fuge 2000.......for when you're that one idiot who has to do it differently than everyone else.
Think the molasses between the sand layers will mess with my water chemistry?
I know there are various schools of thought concerning mud, but I got amazing growth with freshwater plants when I used soil. I know that this is completely different, but I have to figure it will help the macro algae and I hope the little critters love it as well. I'll either be a believer or the poster child for "just say no to mud" in a few years.
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Think the molasses between the sand layers will mess with my water chemistry?
I know there are various schools of thought concerning mud, but I got amazing growth with freshwater plants when I used soil. I know that this is completely different, but I have to figure it will help the macro algae and I hope the little critters love it as well. I'll either be a believer or the poster child for "just say no to mud" in a few years.
<a href="http://s115.photobucket.com/user/kncald/media/photobucket-20524-1373262373522_zps31f35508.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n307/kncald/photobucket-20524-1373262373522_zps31f35508.jpg" border="0" alt="2013-07-08_00-44-08_55 photo photobucket-20524-1373262373522_zps31f35508.jpg"/></a>
Hawg Pharm
Member
Bring on the critters. If everything looks good I'll try for some pods and chaeto by the end of the week.
Still a little cloudy. One advantage of the HPRCS (Hawg Pharm Redneck Ceiling System) is that I get to double my fuge space. Typically, the skimmer would be in the right compartment. Instead, I get a six inch sand bed and whatever animals that can scratch out a living in that space. I must admit, it makes me happy seeing that much room for the pods. If this works you can bet I'll get a mandarin some day.
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Still a little cloudy. One advantage of the HPRCS (Hawg Pharm Redneck Ceiling System) is that I get to double my fuge space. Typically, the skimmer would be in the right compartment. Instead, I get a six inch sand bed and whatever animals that can scratch out a living in that space. I must admit, it makes me happy seeing that much room for the pods. If this works you can bet I'll get a mandarin some day.
<a href="http://s115.photobucket.com/user/kncald/media/photobucket-16286-1373262427296_zps30bd3379.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n307/kncald/photobucket-16286-1373262427296_zps30bd3379.jpg" border="0" alt="2013-07-08_00-44-33_377 photo photobucket-16286-1373262427296_zps30bd3379.jpg"/></a>
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Hawg Pharm
Member
I don't know about that, but thanks. I'll settle for partially successful and most importantly, the wife liking it. I'm really motivated just to see that happen. So far I'm having a blast working on it.
Thanks again for the kind words.
