I was just looking at the same thing... what size is the coupler? 40mm OD to 1 1/4 OD? I cant find it on their web site but there are others online. Need to be sure of the size though...
Viewpoints – A Photographic Journal of my Reef Tank
- Thread starter urbaneks
- Start date
I was just looking at the same thing... what size is the coupler? 40mm OD to 1 1/4 OD? I cant find it on their web site but there are others online. Need to be sure of the size though...
dancewithethan
Ethan M
...Not sure what but I'm not crazy about the film on top of the water that never seems to get surface skimmed.[/QUOTE]
I love your setup and the amazing photo works. Concerning your water surface, have you try to lower the hight of your overflow standpipe? for me when I raise the pipe too hight the water surface doesn't get skimmed. you may want to play around with it.
Best
I love your setup and the amazing photo works. Concerning your water surface, have you try to lower the hight of your overflow standpipe? for me when I raise the pipe too hight the water surface doesn't get skimmed. you may want to play around with it.
Best
mightymizz
New member
Looking for updates!! Hope all is going well.
urbaneks
New member
Viewpoints - 7/10/11 Responses to Feedback
Viewpoints - 7/10/11 Responses to Feedback
Viewpoints - 7/10/11 Responses to Feedback
Orcrone, mightymizz and iwishtofish - Okay, the camera is coming out tonight. I'm long overdue for some photo updates. The tank itself is doing great, I just have a hard time shooting pictures of small frags.
Logiq - Thanks for the kind words.
Michael B - Many thanks for the compliments. Pictures are coming.
hamiltonguy - Thank you. I love the clean look too. It's a must for me as the tank is in a very high visible area of the house. Can't get away with a dirty tank or setup.
clowndude - Thanks for the compliment. As for the skimmer piece, it was provided with my skimmer so I can really tell you where you could buy one. I would try the manufactures web address which is here.
MHG - It is 40mm and then goes to 3/4 inch PVC. Here is a link to the one the manufactures sells.
dancewithethan - Thanks for the comments on the photos and the tank. I was able to get the water surface issue fixed by installing some lock line to my return line and directing the water differently.
skh - I highly recommend the equipment panel. It's a must in keeping the organization below the stand. With such little room to work with and no basement or fishroom, I really have to maximize the area under the stand. As for the dosing equipment, as this time, I don't have plans to add any dosing equipment. I dose a simple two part which has always worked for me. I find that my dosing regiment ensures I give my tank some daily attention.
rkaires - Thanks so much for the kind words. I'm glad you call it attention to detail, some call it anal. I guess it's a combination of the two.
mightymizz - All is well, I'll get an update put together and published. I have several fish and lots of frags that are starting to take off. Just have not had the camera out.
Orcrone - Update is coming. As for the vortech controllers, they were mounted using velcro strips. So far so good as the tape has held.
Viewpoints - 7/10/11 Responses to Feedback
Viewpoints - 7/10/11 Responses to Feedback
^ I'm in line!
Orcrone, mightymizz and iwishtofish - Okay, the camera is coming out tonight. I'm long overdue for some photo updates. The tank itself is doing great, I just have a hard time shooting pictures of small frags.
Logiq - Thanks for the kind words.
Michael B - Many thanks for the compliments. Pictures are coming.
hamiltonguy - Thank you. I love the clean look too. It's a must for me as the tank is in a very high visible area of the house. Can't get away with a dirty tank or setup.
clowndude - Thanks for the compliment. As for the skimmer piece, it was provided with my skimmer so I can really tell you where you could buy one. I would try the manufactures web address which is here.
MHG - It is 40mm and then goes to 3/4 inch PVC. Here is a link to the one the manufactures sells.
dancewithethan - Thanks for the comments on the photos and the tank. I was able to get the water surface issue fixed by installing some lock line to my return line and directing the water differently.
skh - I highly recommend the equipment panel. It's a must in keeping the organization below the stand. With such little room to work with and no basement or fishroom, I really have to maximize the area under the stand. As for the dosing equipment, as this time, I don't have plans to add any dosing equipment. I dose a simple two part which has always worked for me. I find that my dosing regiment ensures I give my tank some daily attention.
rkaires - Thanks so much for the kind words. I'm glad you call it attention to detail, some call it anal. I guess it's a combination of the two.
mightymizz - All is well, I'll get an update put together and published. I have several fish and lots of frags that are starting to take off. Just have not had the camera out.
Orcrone - Update is coming. As for the vortech controllers, they were mounted using velcro strips. So far so good as the tape has held.
urbaneks
New member
Viewpoints - First Live Stock Update
Viewpoints - First Live Stock Update
Viewpoints - First Live Stock Update
I've been reluctant to post any photographs to my journal over the last couple months due to a nightly bacterial bloom that was causing my tank to get a bit cloudy every night. After several months of troubleshooting the issue, I've come to the conclusion that the clouding was due to an imbalance between my bacteria and carbon dosing. I've found that adding MB7 every 3 to 4 days with small (.4ml) daily carbon doses works the best for me.
I've got a pretty good start on my stocking plan. To date, I have a Blue Tang, Tail Spot Blenny, McCosker's Wrasse, Cleaner Shrimp and a pair of Clown Fish which were moved over from my Nano Cube.
For corals, I moved over a few of the larger corals from my Nano Cube which has helped to fill in the tank a bit quicker. I've been filling in with a few frags that I've bought from a couple online sources and my LFS (Reef Culture).
Current shot of my center trench. I have plans to add a nice tabling acro on the left side of the trench.
Since my last update, I did change my MH bulbs from the stock Geisemann Bulbs to EVC 20K's. I was never fond of how white my tank was when the MH's were on. ReefsAhoy here on RC recommended the bulbs and I'm very pleased with the EVC's. The bulbs almost act as an actinic bulb but does not give the water that windex look that some 20K bulbs do.
Here is a shot of an ORA Purple Rim Cap under the EVC 20K bulbs.
Viewpoints - First Live Stock Update
Viewpoints - First Live Stock Update
I've been reluctant to post any photographs to my journal over the last couple months due to a nightly bacterial bloom that was causing my tank to get a bit cloudy every night. After several months of troubleshooting the issue, I've come to the conclusion that the clouding was due to an imbalance between my bacteria and carbon dosing. I've found that adding MB7 every 3 to 4 days with small (.4ml) daily carbon doses works the best for me.
FTS at 2.5 Months
I've got a pretty good start on my stocking plan. To date, I have a Blue Tang, Tail Spot Blenny, McCosker's Wrasse, Cleaner Shrimp and a pair of Clown Fish which were moved over from my Nano Cube.
For corals, I moved over a few of the larger corals from my Nano Cube which has helped to fill in the tank a bit quicker. I've been filling in with a few frags that I've bought from a couple online sources and my LFS (Reef Culture).
Current shot of my center trench. I have plans to add a nice tabling acro on the left side of the trench.
Since my last update, I did change my MH bulbs from the stock Geisemann Bulbs to EVC 20K's. I was never fond of how white my tank was when the MH's were on. ReefsAhoy here on RC recommended the bulbs and I'm very pleased with the EVC's. The bulbs almost act as an actinic bulb but does not give the water that windex look that some 20K bulbs do.
Here is a shot of an ORA Purple Rim Cap under the EVC 20K bulbs.
iwishtofish
Active member
Wow - so glad to see the pictures. Looks fantastic, as expected! No trouble with the sand staying put? That was a problem I could not solve.
Interesting you had the issue with nightly clouding, as my tank clouds every morning as ambient light first comes into the room. I stopped my weekly MB7 doses in the hope it would all iron out, but it is not. Maybe I should dose small amounts of carbon (vodka)?
I think a tabling acro is a great idea. Your tank looks very clean and elegant, but I think this was your goal.
Interesting you had the issue with nightly clouding, as my tank clouds every morning as ambient light first comes into the room. I stopped my weekly MB7 doses in the hope it would all iron out, but it is not. Maybe I should dose small amounts of carbon (vodka)?
I think a tabling acro is a great idea. Your tank looks very clean and elegant, but I think this was your goal.
nolanrob123
Member
The tank looks great! Where did you get the bulbs?
deezmarine
New member
sweet looking tank, love the rimless looking very clean.
urbaneks
New member
Viewpoints - Live Stock Update II
Viewpoints - Live Stock Update II
Viewpoints - Live Stock Update II
I'm currently using Bio Cal made by Tropic Marin for my calcium and alkalinity dosing. If you have not used Bio Cal before, it's a one part dosing agent that raises alkalinity and calcium together. Sounds great but my tank is using a lot more alkalinity than calcium which has made the use of Bio Cal difficult. As a result I recently started using Kent Marine Buffer to raise the alkalinity and only use Bio Cal when the tank needs a calcium dose.
I recently had some issues with my Apex Controller. The main unit would shut it's self down and become unresponsive to any commands. After 2 firmware updates and 3 tech support calls to Neptune, they had me send it back to them for repair. I was not able to get out of them what was done for the repair, but it's worked perfectly since getting it back. I've since added the WMX which is a wireless controller for the Vortechs. For anyone that has Vortechs and the Apex this is an awesome $100 upgrade. My Vortechs switch between modes every 2 hours which helps to provide varying current to the tank.
When debating over MH vs. LED lighting one of my biggest concerns was how to deal with the heat from the MHs. I've been pleasantly surprised by how little my tank heats up while the MHs are running. The open top really helps as well as the light being installed 12" off the top of the water. The real trick though has been a ceiling fan in the room. I installed a digital timer on the light switch that kicks the fan on 30 minutes before the MHs turn on and does not turn the fan off until 45 minutes after the MHs turn off. With the Apex I control the temperature between 78 and 78.5. With the MHs on, the hottest my tank has climbed to is 79.3. As I mentioned this has been a very nice surprise as I was anticipating buying a chiller. I live in AZ where our highs have been 110+ degrees. This is about as bad as it gets and the ceiling fan is doing the job.
This is a coral that I just recently picked up at my LFS. The base is becoming more and more yellow which is making the polyps really stand out. I'm really digging this coral.
Viewpoints - Live Stock Update II
Viewpoints - Live Stock Update II
I'm currently using Bio Cal made by Tropic Marin for my calcium and alkalinity dosing. If you have not used Bio Cal before, it's a one part dosing agent that raises alkalinity and calcium together. Sounds great but my tank is using a lot more alkalinity than calcium which has made the use of Bio Cal difficult. As a result I recently started using Kent Marine Buffer to raise the alkalinity and only use Bio Cal when the tank needs a calcium dose.
One of my favorite Acros, I have no idea what kind it is but it's starting to put some good growth on and always has great PE
I recently had some issues with my Apex Controller. The main unit would shut it's self down and become unresponsive to any commands. After 2 firmware updates and 3 tech support calls to Neptune, they had me send it back to them for repair. I was not able to get out of them what was done for the repair, but it's worked perfectly since getting it back. I've since added the WMX which is a wireless controller for the Vortechs. For anyone that has Vortechs and the Apex this is an awesome $100 upgrade. My Vortechs switch between modes every 2 hours which helps to provide varying current to the tank.
This ORA Blue Chalice is one of the few corals that I moved over from my Nano Cube. It seems to be very happy in the new tank has put on noticeable growth. I've always loved the color and texture of this coral.
When debating over MH vs. LED lighting one of my biggest concerns was how to deal with the heat from the MHs. I've been pleasantly surprised by how little my tank heats up while the MHs are running. The open top really helps as well as the light being installed 12" off the top of the water. The real trick though has been a ceiling fan in the room. I installed a digital timer on the light switch that kicks the fan on 30 minutes before the MHs turn on and does not turn the fan off until 45 minutes after the MHs turn off. With the Apex I control the temperature between 78 and 78.5. With the MHs on, the hottest my tank has climbed to is 79.3. As I mentioned this has been a very nice surprise as I was anticipating buying a chiller. I live in AZ where our highs have been 110+ degrees. This is about as bad as it gets and the ceiling fan is doing the job.
This is a coral that I just recently picked up at my LFS. The base is becoming more and more yellow which is making the polyps really stand out. I'm really digging this coral.
Orcrone
New member
The tank is looking really good. I do appreciate that clean look.
I just purchased and installed two Vortech MP40wES along with the battery backup and WXM this weekend. I'm also definitely impressed. Still trying to figure out what modes to use. Right now I'm running Reef Crest most of the time, Nutrient Transport mode for a couple of hours in the evening, followed by Lagoon until the lights go out. I then keep them at a constant 30% at night. What kind of schedule did you set up for your Vortechs?
I just purchased and installed two Vortech MP40wES along with the battery backup and WXM this weekend. I'm also definitely impressed. Still trying to figure out what modes to use. Right now I'm running Reef Crest most of the time, Nutrient Transport mode for a couple of hours in the evening, followed by Lagoon until the lights go out. I then keep them at a constant 30% at night. What kind of schedule did you set up for your Vortechs?
110galreef
New member
How old was the apex? I just recently had the same issues. The base unit would like freeze at a given time, and not respond to anything. The EB8's would stay light but flash. It was very random too. At first it would just go out & then figure itself out after a few hrs.....then would be fine for a few weeks. Then do it again. Within a few weeks it became almost a few times a day. It had to go back for repair. I was told the base unit's power supply was shot. I have had it back for about a month now w/o issues.
My apex was only about 7 mos old.
urbaneks
New member
Viewpoints - 7/12/11 Responses to Feedback
Viewpoints - 7/12/11 Responses to Feedback
Viewpoints - 7/12/11 Responses to Feedback
Russter - Thanks for the view and comment. I too am looking forward to more growth. Patience is key. If you have any questions on the equipment panel don't hesitate to PM me.
iwishtofish - I know, I know, the pictures were long overdue. I don't have any issues with my sand bed moving. The vortechs do help shape the contour of my sand bed which I really like. I used the Special Grade Reef Sand by Carrib Sea which is a bit larger than a lot of other substrates.
On the carbon dosing, I would recommend some small dosing. When I was going through the daily issues, there were times when just a touch of carbon would clear the tank up.
Thanks again for the compliments.
nolanrob - I purchased the EVC bulbs from Tampa Bay Aquatics. They were back ordered when I bought. It took them about 2 weeks to get them in for shipment. Worth the wait!
deezmarine - Thanks! I have really fallen in love with the rimless tanks. They are a bit of work to keep looking great. I've found that it's best to give the water line a quick clean every other day.
tqpolo - There is no question that the EVCs help to color and brighten the corals and they do it without making the water look ultra blue. I don't have any direct experience with the Phx Bulbs so I can't comment if they are the ones that make the water look like windex. I also don't have any other experince with MH bulbs other than the very white Geisemann's that came with my light. I will say that I'm very happy with the new bulbs.
Orcrone - I experimented with all the modes on the Vortechs. In the end, I've really taken to the Nutrient Transport Mode and Tidal Swell. These two modes, have the most research put into them and maximizes the variability in the tank. If you decide to run these modes, a full cycle of NTM lasts 1 hour and 15 minutes. A full cycle of Tidal Swell lasts for 2.5 hours. Keep these in mind as you set your program. Here is a screen shot of my full schedule starting at 6am.
I bought the Apex back in January but it did not get installed until April 19th. The issue you described is identical to the issues that I had with mine. The problem started as you described and escalated just like yours.
Viewpoints - 7/12/11 Responses to Feedback
Viewpoints - 7/12/11 Responses to Feedback
Russter - Thanks for the view and comment. I too am looking forward to more growth. Patience is key. If you have any questions on the equipment panel don't hesitate to PM me.
iwishtofish - I know, I know, the pictures were long overdue. I don't have any issues with my sand bed moving. The vortechs do help shape the contour of my sand bed which I really like. I used the Special Grade Reef Sand by Carrib Sea which is a bit larger than a lot of other substrates.
On the carbon dosing, I would recommend some small dosing. When I was going through the daily issues, there were times when just a touch of carbon would clear the tank up.
Thanks again for the compliments.
nolanrob - I purchased the EVC bulbs from Tampa Bay Aquatics. They were back ordered when I bought. It took them about 2 weeks to get them in for shipment. Worth the wait!
deezmarine - Thanks! I have really fallen in love with the rimless tanks. They are a bit of work to keep looking great. I've found that it's best to give the water line a quick clean every other day.
tqpolo - There is no question that the EVCs help to color and brighten the corals and they do it without making the water look ultra blue. I don't have any direct experience with the Phx Bulbs so I can't comment if they are the ones that make the water look like windex. I also don't have any other experince with MH bulbs other than the very white Geisemann's that came with my light. I will say that I'm very happy with the new bulbs.
Orcrone - I experimented with all the modes on the Vortechs. In the end, I've really taken to the Nutrient Transport Mode and Tidal Swell. These two modes, have the most research put into them and maximizes the variability in the tank. If you decide to run these modes, a full cycle of NTM lasts 1 hour and 15 minutes. A full cycle of Tidal Swell lasts for 2.5 hours. Keep these in mind as you set your program. Here is a screen shot of my full schedule starting at 6am.
My Current Vortech Schedule - Controlled by my WMX Module and Apex
I bought the Apex back in January but it did not get installed until April 19th. The issue you described is identical to the issues that I had with mine. The problem started as you described and escalated just like yours.
reefsahoy
I can see thru you!
Very nice setup! We have almost identical system but your is alot neater! Lol. I'm glad you like the EVC's 20k's. I 've seen the Phoenix 20k's and IMHO they are not as nice as the EVC. What combo t5's are you using? Congrats on your tank.
Viewpoints - First Live Stock Update
I've been reluctant to post any photographs to my journal over the last couple months due to a nightly bacterial bloom that was causing my tank to get a bit cloudy every night. After several months of troubleshooting the issue, I've come to the conclusion that the clouding was due to an imbalance between my bacteria and carbon dosing. I've found that adding MB7 every 3 to 4 days with small (.4ml) daily carbon doses works the best for me.
FTS at 2.5 Months
I've got a pretty good start on my stocking plan. To date, I have a Blue Tang, Tail Spot Blenny, McCosker's Wrasse, Cleaner Shrimp and a pair of Clown Fish which were moved over from my Nano Cube.
For corals, I moved over a few of the larger corals from my Nano Cube which has helped to fill in the tank a bit quicker. I've been filling in with a few frags that I've bought from a couple online sources and my LFS (Reef Culture).
Current shot of my center trench. I have plans to add a nice tabling acro on the left side of the trench.
Since my last update, I did change my MH bulbs from the stock Geisemann Bulbs to EVC 20K's. I was never fond of how white my tank was when the MH's were on. ReefsAhoy here on RC recommended the bulbs and I'm very pleased with the EVC's. The bulbs almost act as an actinic bulb but does not give the water that windex look that some 20K bulbs do.
Here is a shot of an ORA Purple Rim Cap under the EVC 20K bulbs.
Last edited:
Orcrone
New member
Urbanek - Thanks for allowing us to join you on this build. I looked over your Vortech programming. That's quite extensive. I'm still experimenting with modes. One comment. I believe NTM is 2.5 hours. If you look at the diagram on page 20 of the Vortech Owner's manual you'll notice that each cycle is broken into two phases; the wave phase & the nutrient transport phase. The diagram show what appears to be two full cycles. You'll notice that in the wave phase of the first cycle that the period between pulses increases. However the interpulse period of the second wave phase remains constant. So I believe each cycle consists of two separate cycles of waves followed by nutrient export mode. Also, what period are you using in pulse mode?
On a totally different note, when you get a chance could we see some more under tank shots now that all is operational?
Thanks,
Marc
On a totally different note, when you get a chance could we see some more under tank shots now that all is operational?
Thanks,
Marc
needmore-reef
New member
Wow - what a beautiful aquarium! Do you worry about jumping fish. I recently lost some fish (midas bleny, solaris wrasse and fire fish) and have decided never again and ordered material to make a screen top.
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