Worm's 180 build
- Thread starter worm5406
- Start date
Ya know there is something to say about technology. After all these years of checking and measuring by hand with a few drops here or a look through glass to see what the measurements are I am really happy about technology.
Why yes I know there are people that still do most items by hand and do not trust the automation devices we have, my tank was saved by mine today.
I usually check my tank a few times a day no matter where I am. Today was no different. I checked it and saw that the temperature was lower than I had my two, independently controlled, 800 watt heater set to.
Now you may not think that 79.2 is low. But when you have it set to 79.7-80.1 via the Apex and the controller to 82. That the reading is strange to me, especially when it has been within tolerance since I installed them.
I then checked the amp reading, from my apexfusion page and noticed that it normally sat at 7.4 - 5.6 (on-off (heater)in the day time) and it was running at 2.1 since 6am. Really strange.
I figured I would check my web camera to see if something drastic had happened that did not set off any of the alarms. Nope, still running good with good flow.
Knowing that sometimes the Apex has not turned on/off certain plugs if they are not the correct voltage, I cycled the outlets manually. Still no rise in temperature or amps.
Well being at work I could not exactly just leave and come back for something still within good ranges, I waited.
When I got home I noticed the heater controller was on. Touched the finnex and it was the same temperature as the water. I plugged it into the outlet by its self and even a separate outlet to test it. Still cold. I remembered that I had ordered three of them originally. It was right where I put it. On the cart that sits in front of my tank. Still in pristine condition.
Unplugged the dead one and replaced it. Bing... it warmed up and brought the temperature to where it was supposed to be.
I ordered them on Feb 3 2014. So just shy of three years in service. Pretty good in my book.
I thought that maybe the Apex EB-8 had a dead plug since it had been in service about the same time frame. But that was still clicking away.
So as a reminder to people, use all of the resources and tools provided to you, correctly. It is not a set and forget situation. There can be failures that you might not notice for days.
Granted my tank was in no real danger. Without checking and setting alarms things can go haywire while you are out and about.
Fish do not have cell phones. (Tanks have internet connections though.)
Why yes I know there are people that still do most items by hand and do not trust the automation devices we have, my tank was saved by mine today.
I usually check my tank a few times a day no matter where I am. Today was no different. I checked it and saw that the temperature was lower than I had my two, independently controlled, 800 watt heater set to.
Now you may not think that 79.2 is low. But when you have it set to 79.7-80.1 via the Apex and the controller to 82. That the reading is strange to me, especially when it has been within tolerance since I installed them.
I then checked the amp reading, from my apexfusion page and noticed that it normally sat at 7.4 - 5.6 (on-off (heater)in the day time) and it was running at 2.1 since 6am. Really strange.
I figured I would check my web camera to see if something drastic had happened that did not set off any of the alarms. Nope, still running good with good flow.
Knowing that sometimes the Apex has not turned on/off certain plugs if they are not the correct voltage, I cycled the outlets manually. Still no rise in temperature or amps.
Well being at work I could not exactly just leave and come back for something still within good ranges, I waited.
When I got home I noticed the heater controller was on. Touched the finnex and it was the same temperature as the water. I plugged it into the outlet by its self and even a separate outlet to test it. Still cold. I remembered that I had ordered three of them originally. It was right where I put it. On the cart that sits in front of my tank. Still in pristine condition.
Unplugged the dead one and replaced it. Bing... it warmed up and brought the temperature to where it was supposed to be.
I ordered them on Feb 3 2014. So just shy of three years in service. Pretty good in my book.
I thought that maybe the Apex EB-8 had a dead plug since it had been in service about the same time frame. But that was still clicking away.
So as a reminder to people, use all of the resources and tools provided to you, correctly. It is not a set and forget situation. There can be failures that you might not notice for days.
Granted my tank was in no real danger. Without checking and setting alarms things can go haywire while you are out and about.
Fish do not have cell phones. (Tanks have internet connections though.)
I started using a new program to keep track of my cameras and record as needed.
In testing I recorded a timelapse. The quality was set to 50%. I did not know, so sorry for the poor quality.
This still shows a pretty good view of the tank over a few hour time frame.
<iframe width="853" height="480" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/gRYn2PFrudI?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
In testing I recorded a timelapse. The quality was set to 50%. I did not know, so sorry for the poor quality.
This still shows a pretty good view of the tank over a few hour time frame.
<iframe width="853" height="480" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/gRYn2PFrudI?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
IvanTheTerrible
Fish Nerd
They really dance if you set the playback speed to 2X. :dance:
- Ivan
- Ivan
A few updates during sun rise on the tank.
Sorry the atinic messed it up with a glare off his head. He really does not have brush up damage on him.
These are medium quality for posting. The larger 6000x3000 images are in the link below.
https://worm5406.smugmug.com/Aquariums/2017JAN
Sorry the atinic messed it up with a glare off his head. He really does not have brush up damage on him.
These are medium quality for posting. The larger 6000x3000 images are in the link below.
https://worm5406.smugmug.com/Aquariums/2017JAN
Well on Tue Jan 3 my DC-12000 died, it was actually the controller. I had another controller for one and replaced it and it worked fine. This is the second dc12000 that has died. The other one I had not replaced.
Basically I have two DC-12000 in my sump for the 120/180. I had them both dialed down to about 1/2. This gave me the option to crank one up if one died. Well the first died a few months ago. I had just not replaced it, yet. With the other one dieing I was forced to look for two replacement DC-12000's. Well I guess I had not been uptodate on the issues that some have had and could not find ANY that were in stock. I was actually looking for the apex ready ones.
I had some discussions with a few people and I decided to go with Ecotech L1 series. I bought three. Two to replace the primary pumps and one spare. The other reason I got these is when I do the 265 upgrade I will be redoing the entire setup/plumbing and will place these differently, in the new build.
On Dec 24 I had to replace my skimmer feed pump, yes I have an external skimmer if you forgot. It was a DC-10000 and the pump had died on it this time. I replaced it with a DC-6000 that I had.
Now keep in mind these three pumps have been running nonstop (minus power failure and maintenance) since Feb 2014. So almost three years.
While I was at the LFS I picked up something. Nothing big at all. When I looked in the tank it was about 6-8". It is at least 8-12" now. It had been there for two weeks eating well and no signs of any issues. The LFS I got it from has a good reputation, in my book, for all my purchases and needs.
Here are a few pictures: (The last picture shows the best IRL coloration.)
As always here is the WebCam to see the tanks and the new addition. Lights up start about 1pm(Eastern) and go down about 11pm.
Basically I have two DC-12000 in my sump for the 120/180. I had them both dialed down to about 1/2. This gave me the option to crank one up if one died. Well the first died a few months ago. I had just not replaced it, yet. With the other one dieing I was forced to look for two replacement DC-12000's. Well I guess I had not been uptodate on the issues that some have had and could not find ANY that were in stock. I was actually looking for the apex ready ones.
I had some discussions with a few people and I decided to go with Ecotech L1 series. I bought three. Two to replace the primary pumps and one spare. The other reason I got these is when I do the 265 upgrade I will be redoing the entire setup/plumbing and will place these differently, in the new build.
On Dec 24 I had to replace my skimmer feed pump, yes I have an external skimmer if you forgot. It was a DC-10000 and the pump had died on it this time. I replaced it with a DC-6000 that I had.
Now keep in mind these three pumps have been running nonstop (minus power failure and maintenance) since Feb 2014. So almost three years.
While I was at the LFS I picked up something. Nothing big at all. When I looked in the tank it was about 6-8". It is at least 8-12" now. It had been there for two weeks eating well and no signs of any issues. The LFS I got it from has a good reputation, in my book, for all my purchases and needs.
Here are a few pictures: (The last picture shows the best IRL coloration.)
As always here is the WebCam to see the tanks and the new addition. Lights up start about 1pm(Eastern) and go down about 11pm.
Last edited:
OK a few updates with the other camera, since it snowed and I have not done much outside today.
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Well tonight I finally replaced the two DC-12000 return pumps in the sump.
I have had issues with them and was finally on my last controller. One had not been running for a few months, I just made the remaining pump run faster to keep up with the water.
Not many problems, except to make sure you have all the tools you need. Nothing like trying to get a flexi pipe off a barb, or a true union open when you are looking at it upside down. HAHAHA
I set up the pumps up with the water level at the previous set point. Turned everything off (simulated total power failure), including the skimmer. Waited for a bit until the skimmer had emptied and the external skimmers return line actually emptied, into the sump. I found then that I had room to add 10+ gallons and still keep a level with a bit of 'just incase' space.
Then I went to calibrate the pumps. Since I had two I did both calibrations at the exact same time.
Incase you have never seen the calibrate, which is easy, let me describe it real quick.
Once in calibrate mode, and you start it, you let the pumps slowly (real slowly too) ramp up, on their own, until you are just getting a minimal flow, I set it to just above a trickle. Set it and then move on to the max flow rate. I set it to where the sump water level was at the minimum that I wanted in there. Once that is set the pump goes into a mode where it is basically reprogramming the knob to allow you a defined range you can ramp up to.
Now when you turn the knob from 0-100 percent it is only of the calibrated minimal and maximum flows. This way you don't have to worry about anything/anyone turning it up more than what you safely want it set for.
When you go into feed mode it will keep the pump at the minimum, you set, so you do not get any bubbles forcing down the line into the tank when it goes back to correct flow.
I will say that this is one of the easiest in place replacements I have done in a while, plumbing related. I did replace the sump 3+ years ago while it was up and running, with new skimmer and everything. From 50 to 75.
I know, I need to do some wiring management. Pain to keep everything either over or under to keep free of the probes, top off sensor, and ato/alk feed lines. So when you look, or look at the camera, keep in mind I will fix it. (Sometime... LOL)
<iframe width="853" height="480" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/YMDY3V2_enQ?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Tell me what you think. Comments, laughter, gasps, and pats on the back appreciated.
I have had issues with them and was finally on my last controller. One had not been running for a few months, I just made the remaining pump run faster to keep up with the water.
Not many problems, except to make sure you have all the tools you need. Nothing like trying to get a flexi pipe off a barb, or a true union open when you are looking at it upside down. HAHAHA
I set up the pumps up with the water level at the previous set point. Turned everything off (simulated total power failure), including the skimmer. Waited for a bit until the skimmer had emptied and the external skimmers return line actually emptied, into the sump. I found then that I had room to add 10+ gallons and still keep a level with a bit of 'just incase' space.
Then I went to calibrate the pumps. Since I had two I did both calibrations at the exact same time.
Incase you have never seen the calibrate, which is easy, let me describe it real quick.
Once in calibrate mode, and you start it, you let the pumps slowly (real slowly too) ramp up, on their own, until you are just getting a minimal flow, I set it to just above a trickle. Set it and then move on to the max flow rate. I set it to where the sump water level was at the minimum that I wanted in there. Once that is set the pump goes into a mode where it is basically reprogramming the knob to allow you a defined range you can ramp up to.
Now when you turn the knob from 0-100 percent it is only of the calibrated minimal and maximum flows. This way you don't have to worry about anything/anyone turning it up more than what you safely want it set for.
When you go into feed mode it will keep the pump at the minimum, you set, so you do not get any bubbles forcing down the line into the tank when it goes back to correct flow.
I will say that this is one of the easiest in place replacements I have done in a while, plumbing related. I did replace the sump 3+ years ago while it was up and running, with new skimmer and everything. From 50 to 75.
I know, I need to do some wiring management. Pain to keep everything either over or under to keep free of the probes, top off sensor, and ato/alk feed lines. So when you look, or look at the camera, keep in mind I will fix it. (Sometime... LOL)
<iframe width="853" height="480" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/YMDY3V2_enQ?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Tell me what you think. Comments, laughter, gasps, and pats on the back appreciated.
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