The official West Boca High School Tank Renovation Project!
- Thread starter novahobbies
- Start date
treetopflyn
New member
Let me dig through my stuff, I should have some things I can donate. Pretty sure I also have an extra korilla 4 and maybe some test kits.
SaltyReefs
New member
Is this tank 48" wide? If it is, I has a 4bulb PC unit that no one seems to want to buy. I will donate it for the tank but must be picked up at my house or I can take to the meeting. let me know. Also have a sea life skimmer in the shed somewhere but I have dig it up, which you can have as well. And a hydrometer if needed. I have bunch of stuff i need to look through the bin of fish stuff that I could donate.
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Ocean Mang
New member
It looks like they need GFCI protection as well. Any electricians that could help out?
novahobbies
New member
I've had a couple days "away from the computer," and I've had a little time to think about this project.
First, I'm no longer 100% sure we should try to upgrade this with an overflow and a sump. Here's why: As a school student tank, this is going to be subject to some periods when it won't be easily maintained. Summertime is a big LOOOG period where the tank maintenance will be spotty at best -- realistically it won't be visited more than once a week at that point. HOB overflows are great if you're watching and maintaining them diligently, but they're REALLY notorious for failing at the most inopportune moments. Also, the evap potential from a sump (and from the opened top that we're planning) will cause roughly 1/2 to 1g per day of evaporation. Not a good idea if we're relying on a sump for the filter.
Instead, what do you think of keeping the current canister filter and using a HOB fuge for Chaeto and Pod growth?? We don't need a name brand one; there is an "off market" model that can be found easily for less than $100....what do you think?
First, I'm no longer 100% sure we should try to upgrade this with an overflow and a sump. Here's why: As a school student tank, this is going to be subject to some periods when it won't be easily maintained. Summertime is a big LOOOG period where the tank maintenance will be spotty at best -- realistically it won't be visited more than once a week at that point. HOB overflows are great if you're watching and maintaining them diligently, but they're REALLY notorious for failing at the most inopportune moments. Also, the evap potential from a sump (and from the opened top that we're planning) will cause roughly 1/2 to 1g per day of evaporation. Not a good idea if we're relying on a sump for the filter.
Instead, what do you think of keeping the current canister filter and using a HOB fuge for Chaeto and Pod growth?? We don't need a name brand one; there is an "off market" model that can be found easily for less than $100....what do you think?
Siptang
New member
I agree with Bill.
yes, like we discussed earlier Rick, I agree with your logic 100%. I'm just scared that canister filter will get clogged like it did with you guys during the summer. What do you think?
DonCorsean
New member
I've got a skimmer from my last upgrade you can have
novahobbies
New member
Well, when a canister gets clogged......nothing happens. Seriously. The flow drops, but nothing overflows, nothing floods, and you can clean the canister later. If someone is coming by at least once a week to check on it, it should be OK. Filtration quality might drop a bit, however with 2 good powerheads in the tank and a HOB fuge running with some macroalgae, it wouldn't be the end of the world if the canister flow rate drops.
My canister concern is the salt creep. Since I don't know much about this kind of filter, can anyone tell me what could be done to prevent SC from getting so out of hand? Is it just as simple as making sure the spray bar stays submerged?
novahobbies
New member
DonCorsean, that would be excellent....PM me when you get a moment and let me know what kind. Right now we're leaning towards looking for a HOB style skimmer. Doubtful that a sump is going to be employed after all.
DonCorsean
New member
It's a Sea Storm. Nothing special really, but it worked well for me for years. Not HOB unfortunately.
lipskimike
New member
I have a canister filter, heater and a brand new skimmer that's never been used but is missing the pump. Its all there!
nivram
New member
Just my .02
I'd have a conversation with the teacher and lay out the two options. Sump vs no sump with canister and possible fuge. And the pros and cons. Either way the teacher and or students will need to be hands. If you stay with the canister. Maybe remove the mechanical filter element from it to prevent clogging. I know this sounds weird.
How are they topping off the tank?
If the canister is getting salt creep bad, it's not sealing up good. Maybe the o-ring is bad?
I'd have a conversation with the teacher and lay out the two options. Sump vs no sump with canister and possible fuge. And the pros and cons. Either way the teacher and or students will need to be hands. If you stay with the canister. Maybe remove the mechanical filter element from it to prevent clogging. I know this sounds weird.
How are they topping off the tank?
If the canister is getting salt creep bad, it's not sealing up good. Maybe the o-ring is bad?
WhoDey64
Active member
I would agree with going sumpless, that cuts out a lot of what can be donated but its a safer alternative. I personally would be willing to donate 10 bucks to a HOB skimmer fund for this tank and I am willing to bet others would be inclined to do so as well if the process was made easy enough.
Since you mention the spray bar in relation to the salt creep, yes, keep it submerged. Splashing and the resulting breaking air bubbles is what causes all that salt creep around the top of a tank. So the more splashing you can eliminate, the less creep.
nivram
New member
I think I misunderstood the salt creep issue. Why not remove the spray bar all together and just have it return with out it?
mrx66699
New member
Another thing you are going to have to think about is the power .....I can tell you first hand from working for the schools Tec dept that we shut down the power at most schools on the weekend's for multiple zones with in the schools and usually only leave power on for the office zones ....need to check with ets and find out if they plan on any power shut downs for this room...that's the Main reason I didn't put one in my office...
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i dont think they do as the class had a pair of tanks one fresh and one salt and both seemed to be doing better then if there was no power for the majority of the summer break, but i can be mistaken so that is a good point to bring up.
Another thing we may want to look into suggesting, a auto feeder? if she doesn't access the tank on weekends breaks ect i would think this would be a nice addition.
On another note. Marine Net said they will donate some chromies the next time they get a shipment from africa so that should help with the lack of fish.
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