Well, what do you do on a day off while deployed and you are nowhere near your tank???

PLAN! (PowerPoint doodles)

Here is the basic layout for one of my many projects when I get home. Everything is purchased and sitting in my closet, begging to be installed!

***Note: Future Blog posts will include real pictures and lessons learned from actual install)

[URL=http://s1345.photobucket.com/user/RandoReefer/media/NewPicture3_zps43140d5b.png.html][IMG]http://i1345.photobucket.com/albums/p679/RandoReefer/NewPicture3_zps43140d5b.png[/IMG][/URL]...

Always looking for a great deal....Even while deployed in Africa...
I scored this 55gal (Quarantine Tank) on Craigslist for $35!!

[URL=http://s1345.photobucket.com/user/RandoReefer/media/image_zpsedd27733.jpeg.html][IMG]http://i1345.photobucket.com/albums/p679/RandoReefer/image_zpsedd27733.jpeg[/IMG][/URL]

Now the TO/DO list for water production and QT



[B]TO DO:[/B]
[B]-RO/DI and Water Changes[/B] -Mount RO/DI unit under...

The age old problem with buying new technologies... PROS/CONS.

After researching TONS of light fixtures and reviewing hundreds of customer reviews I narrowed my options to two fixtures. (Factors to a decision... Control-ability, Upgrade-ability, Color spectrum.)

[B]LED LIGHT FIXTURES W/EQUIPMENT[/B]

[B]Ecotech Radion XR30w (Gen2):[/B]

-Needs/Costs for setup and GO!

-Ecotech Radion XR30w: (4)@$549.99 ($2199.96)
-Long...

[B]APEX LITE CONTROLLER (Wants, needs, plan)[/B]

**Note, photo credit to ReefCentral user "slief" (Scott). Great idea for Break out box simplification. ****

[URL=http://s1345.photobucket.com/user/RandoReefer/media/NewPicture_zps6dfabf1b.png.html][IMG]http://i1345.photobucket.com/albums/p679/RandoReefer/NewPicture_zps6dfabf1b.png[/IMG][/URL]

[B] TOTALS[/B]
Neptune Breakout Box: (1-2)@ $39.99
***Can build own ….
...

After deploying, and leaving the tank responsibilities, I quickly realized that I did not like being out of the control of day-to-day tasks.

Despite my wife's best efforts, there was always some task that I could not articulate well enough for her to execute. I became very frustrated, which led to my extensive "tank plan".

The first thing to settle, CONTROL. The first online purchase.... Apex Lite.

***Blog Log***
29AUG13 - Purchased...