Getting back in--- deep - Page 6

zachxlutz · 02/28/2017, 01:05 PM

Sorry to hear about the blenny and the job... Best of luck with your job search!

Sounds like the monti might be craving some nutrients. I read a little further up that you are running the tank at 0 nitrates. Might be time to start employing some nitrate dosing to bring up the level to around 5 ppm. I've seen my coral go from dull, bland and bleached to bright, fluorescent and colored up fantastically with the addition of KNO3 in the form of Spectracide Stump Remover.

The algae outbreak might be related to the Nitrate deficiency as well, lots of people have success with reducing nuisance algae when the start dosing nitrates as it brings the tank more in line with the redfield ratio. I'd wager your phosphates are reading higher than your nitrates.

BigDave · 03/01/2017, 09:01 AM

I figured the algae outbreak would be from the decomposing body that I can't find

LX20000 · 03/01/2017, 10:53 AM

Amazing build. You really are extremely and multi talented. Damn these companies and their layoffs. My company has done a 15% layoff over last 1.5 years.

I hope your job search is a quick one. Again, you seem to have so many different talents.

BigDave · 03/03/2017, 08:16 AM

Good news. The unemployment didn't last long. I'll be starting my new job next Friday.

zachxlutz · 03/04/2017, 11:08 AM

Good news.

saf1 · 03/04/2017, 11:19 AM

To OP - nice tank and 3D printer work. Also glad you found a job so quick.

Quote:

Originally Posted by LX20000

Amazing build. You really are extremely and multi talented. Damn these companies and their layoffs. My company has done a 15% layoff over last 1.5 years.

It is all about making a dollar. If you can't build a product or release software people want then the only recourse is to move to cheaper labor (off shore), lay off higher wage earners, and consolidate or remove legacy stuff. Later only lasts for so long and the rest falls on the middle by taking out the higher earning employees or move their position over seas or LAR. You want a perfect example of this or write masters dissertation look at HP.

Back to OP. Good job again, a good read.

BigDave · 03/04/2017, 09:29 PM

Found out that the blennie didn't die. I found him hiding in the sump. I was able to catch him and put him back in the tank.

Sent from my VS987 using Tapatalk

callsign4223 · 03/06/2017, 07:16 AM

That's awesome news. About your job and the blennie.

BigDave · 03/15/2017, 01:45 PM

It's amazing how much a new job can eat into your forum life.

On a side note. there's been no change to the tank either, so I guess it doesn't really matter that I haven't been able to login

BigDave · 03/19/2017, 07:26 PM

Finally took a picture of the Bird's Nest. Here's a quick comparison from the last month to show it's growth.

BigDave · 03/31/2017, 07:49 AM

Finally ended up pulling the Montipora Cap.

I also finally got around to gluing the birdsnest into place. I bumped up the turnover on the closed loop and it kept blowing over.

BigDave · 04/03/2017, 01:11 PM

And now on a completely unrelated note.

I've started using my 3d printer to print a CNC machine....

zachxlutz · 04/03/2017, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigDave

And now on a completely unrelated note.

I've started using my 3d printer to print a CNC machine....

... I like it!

callsign4223 · 04/03/2017, 03:12 PM

Isn't that like tool ception?

BigDave · 04/04/2017, 07:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by callsign4223

Isn't that like tool ception?

Only when I start using the CNC to cut new parts for the 3d printer.

You have to make the complete circle before you get to that point

I did some maths... the entire CNC machine is estimated to take 93 hours to print. I have most of the parts ordered except the control board and the spindle. Right now I have about 23 hours of printed done.

Here's a quick pic of some of the hardware.

And the rails after being cut and the ends cleaned. I still need to pull the stickers off and rub the pipes down with goo gone and alcohol to clean up any residue.

BigDave · 04/06/2017, 07:05 AM

I'm now 64 hours in to printing the parts for the CNC machine with another 30 hours left to go. I've had only two hiccups in all the printing.

One was some of the parts came out a tad small. I think the tolerances are a bit tight. I bumped up the prints by 1% and they printed better the second time.

The second hiccup was I had a nut come loose on the build platform. The plate went un-level. I caught it at about 4 hours in to the 6 hour print. I replaced the nuts with some NyLock ones and took the opportunity to add some thumb wheels to the nuts so I don't have to use a wrench to adjust the level anymore.

I actually have an inductance meter to use for auto-level, just haven't bothered to design a mount for it yet. I don't like most of the mounts on thingiverse... or I should say, I really like the fan blower I have and none of the mounts will work with that.

I'll try to get some more pictures of more of the parts this evening. I've decided to shrink the initial build platform. My CNC will have a 24"x24" cut size.

zachxlutz · 04/06/2017, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigDave

I'm now 64 hours in to printing the parts for the CNC machine with another 30 hours left to go. I've had only two hiccups in all the printing.

One was some of the parts came out a tad small. I think the tolerances are a bit tight. I bumped up the prints by 1% and they printed better the second time.

The second hiccup was I had a nut come loose on the build platform. The plate went un-level. I caught it at about 4 hours in to the 6 hour print. I replaced the nuts with some NyLock ones and took the opportunity to add some thumb wheels to the nuts so I don't have to use a wrench to adjust the level anymore.

I actually have an inductance meter to use for auto-level, just haven't bothered to design a mount for it yet. I don't like most of the mounts on thingiverse... or I should say, I really like the fan blower I have and none of the mounts will work with that.

I'll try to get some more pictures of more of the parts this evening. I've decided to shrink the initial build platform. My CNC will have a 24"x24" cut size.

I just picked up some 3D printed things (testing vial drying rack and dosing tube holder) from Printed Reefing Solutions and now I want my own 3D printer. Such an awesome device.

BigDave · 04/06/2017, 02:58 PM

They truly are. When you can design something and start a print and be ready to test when you get home from work... it's pretty amazing.

BigDave · 04/07/2017, 08:53 AM

Last night while cleaning the glass, which I have to do every other night because some dumb@ss decided to put the tank next to a window... I noticed that coralline is starting to show up on a bunch of my rock. It's a nice pretty dark purple.

This makes me happy. The rock needs some more color.

I also cleaned out the skimmer cup and thinned the macro algae. My wife got a good sniff of the cup when I walked by her and I heard her gag a little. I guess next time I should warn her.

zachxlutz · 04/07/2017, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigDave

Last night while cleaning the glass, which I have to do every other night because some dumb@ss decided to put the tank next to a window... I noticed that coralline is starting to show up on a bunch of my rock. It's a nice pretty dark purple.

This makes me happy. The rock needs some more color.

I also cleaned out the skimmer cup and thinned the macro algae. My wife got a good sniff of the cup when I walked by her and I heard her gag a little. I guess next time I should warn her.

Think that's bad? When I wash the filter socks the whole house smells like a gross tidepool!

BigDave · 04/08/2017, 05:53 PM

Another incremental update... I swear I'll do something more interesting soon.

I got the chiller installed. I'm not sure if it will ever actually run. We keep our house at 82, which is when the chiller is supposed to kick on. Watching the temps on the tank, I haven't actually seen it hit the chiller-on temp this year yet.

I plugged it into an always-on outlet and verified that it still works. I have it sitting outside the stand tucked away in the corner where no one will see it.

BigDave · 04/11/2017, 07:31 AM

Ok. I've been concerned lately that my Blastomussa hasn't been opening up as much as it first did. I thought it was due to water or light so I moved it... I was right, only I made the wrong assumption. It looks like it wants less water and less light.

I guess I'll be moving it again tonight.

BigDave · 04/17/2017, 02:19 PM

The Blastomussa is doing a little better back where it started. Still not opening up fully, so I'll wait a little bit and try moving it again.

I did another water change this weekend and again was amazed at how easy it is with my new setup. Hardest part was carrying the two buckets to go empty them.

Darthv247 · 04/17/2017, 04:44 PM

nice. Blastos are one of my favorites.

BigDave · 04/22/2017, 02:35 PM

It's been a busy day.

I got the CNC machine working this morning and this afternoon we added some pajama cardinals, a cleaner wrasse, and a rock with purple mushrooms on it to the tank.

No pictures of the fish yet. The wrasse swims too fast so I'll have to grab the DSLR

https://youtu.be/62dHoQV_iK0

https://youtu.be/gtO9cNwwYbI

On the automated aquarium front... I've started playing with grafana and elasticsearch. I'm trying to get my stats uploaded to the elasticsearch so I can make some cool monitoring dashboards using grafana.

The Automated Aquarium 2.0 has taken a backseat to some of the other hobbies. While I'm not 100% satisfied with the current setup, it does at least work. Not sure when I'll get back to working on the other design. Probably when it starts to get cold again next year.

02/28/2017, 01:05 PM	#126
zachxlutz Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Lawrenceville, Georgia Posts: 94	Sorry to hear about the blenny and the job... Best of luck with your job search! Sounds like the monti might be craving some nutrients. I read a little further up that you are running the tank at 0 nitrates. Might be time to start employing some nitrate dosing to bring up the level to around 5 ppm. I've seen my coral go from dull, bland and bleached to bright, fluorescent and colored up fantastically with the addition of KNO3 in the form of Spectracide Stump Remover. The algae outbreak might be related to the Nitrate deficiency as well, lots of people have success with reducing nuisance algae when the start dosing nitrates as it brings the tank more in line with the redfield ratio. I'd wager your phosphates are reading higher than your nitrates. __________________ Zach's 120 Gallon Reef Resurgence: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2590557 Current Tank Info: 120 Gallon Display + 55 Gallon Sump/Fuge

03/04/2017, 11:08 AM	#130
zachxlutz Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Lawrenceville, Georgia Posts: 94	Good news. __________________ Zach's 120 Gallon Reef Resurgence: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2590557 Current Tank Info: 120 Gallon Display + 55 Gallon Sump/Fuge

03/01/2017, 09:01 AM	#127
BigDave Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Wylie, TX Posts: 473	I figured the algae outbreak would be from the decomposing body that I can't find

03/01/2017, 10:53 AM	#128
LX20000 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2017 Location: Allentown, Pa. Posts: 210	Amazing build. You really are extremely and multi talented. Damn these companies and their layoffs. My company has done a 15% layoff over last 1.5 years. I hope your job search is a quick one. Again, you seem to have so many different talents.

03/03/2017, 08:16 AM	#129
BigDave Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Wylie, TX Posts: 473	Good news. The unemployment didn't last long. I'll be starting my new job next Friday.

03/04/2017, 09:29 PM	#132
BigDave Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Wylie, TX Posts: 473	Found out that the blennie didn't die. I found him hiding in the sump. I was able to catch him and put him back in the tank. Sent from my VS987 using Tapatalk

03/06/2017, 07:16 AM	#133
callsign4223 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 348	That's awesome news. About your job and the blennie.

03/15/2017, 01:45 PM	#134
BigDave Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Wylie, TX Posts: 473	It's amazing how much a new job can eat into your forum life. On a side note. there's been no change to the tank either, so I guess it doesn't really matter that I haven't been able to login

03/19/2017, 07:26 PM	#135
BigDave Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Wylie, TX Posts: 473	Finally took a picture of the Bird's Nest. Here's a quick comparison from the last month to show it's growth.

03/31/2017, 07:49 AM	#136
BigDave Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Wylie, TX Posts: 473	Finally ended up pulling the Montipora Cap. I also finally got around to gluing the birdsnest into place. I bumped up the turnover on the closed loop and it kept blowing over.

04/03/2017, 01:11 PM	#137
BigDave Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Wylie, TX Posts: 473	And now on a completely unrelated note. I've started using my 3d printer to print a CNC machine....

04/03/2017, 03:12 PM	#139
callsign4223 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 348	Isn't that like tool ception?

04/06/2017, 07:05 AM	#141
BigDave Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Wylie, TX Posts: 473	I'm now 64 hours in to printing the parts for the CNC machine with another 30 hours left to go. I've had only two hiccups in all the printing. One was some of the parts came out a tad small. I think the tolerances are a bit tight. I bumped up the prints by 1% and they printed better the second time. The second hiccup was I had a nut come loose on the build platform. The plate went un-level. I caught it at about 4 hours in to the 6 hour print. I replaced the nuts with some NyLock ones and took the opportunity to add some thumb wheels to the nuts so I don't have to use a wrench to adjust the level anymore. I actually have an inductance meter to use for auto-level, just haven't bothered to design a mount for it yet. I don't like most of the mounts on thingiverse... or I should say, I really like the fan blower I have and none of the mounts will work with that. I'll try to get some more pictures of more of the parts this evening. I've decided to shrink the initial build platform. My CNC will have a 24"x24" cut size.

04/06/2017, 02:58 PM	#143
BigDave Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Wylie, TX Posts: 473	They truly are. When you can design something and start a print and be ready to test when you get home from work... it's pretty amazing.

04/07/2017, 08:53 AM	#144
BigDave Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Wylie, TX Posts: 473	Last night while cleaning the glass, which I have to do every other night because some dumb@ss decided to put the tank next to a window... I noticed that coralline is starting to show up on a bunch of my rock. It's a nice pretty dark purple. This makes me happy. The rock needs some more color. I also cleaned out the skimmer cup and thinned the macro algae. My wife got a good sniff of the cup when I walked by her and I heard her gag a little. I guess next time I should warn her.

04/08/2017, 05:53 PM	#146
BigDave Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Wylie, TX Posts: 473	Another incremental update... I swear I'll do something more interesting soon. I got the chiller installed. I'm not sure if it will ever actually run. We keep our house at 82, which is when the chiller is supposed to kick on. Watching the temps on the tank, I haven't actually seen it hit the chiller-on temp this year yet. I plugged it into an always-on outlet and verified that it still works. I have it sitting outside the stand tucked away in the corner where no one will see it.

04/11/2017, 07:31 AM	#147
BigDave Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Wylie, TX Posts: 473	Ok. I've been concerned lately that my Blastomussa hasn't been opening up as much as it first did. I thought it was due to water or light so I moved it... I was right, only I made the wrong assumption. It looks like it wants less water and less light. I guess I'll be moving it again tonight.

04/17/2017, 02:19 PM	#148
BigDave Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Wylie, TX Posts: 473	The Blastomussa is doing a little better back where it started. Still not opening up fully, so I'll wait a little bit and try moving it again. I did another water change this weekend and again was amazed at how easy it is with my new setup. Hardest part was carrying the two buckets to go empty them.

04/17/2017, 04:44 PM	#149
Darthv247 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: South Florida Posts: 115	nice. Blastos are one of my favorites.

04/22/2017, 02:35 PM	#150
BigDave Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Wylie, TX Posts: 473	It's been a busy day. I got the CNC machine working this morning and this afternoon we added some pajama cardinals, a cleaner wrasse, and a rock with purple mushrooms on it to the tank. No pictures of the fish yet. The wrasse swims too fast so I'll have to grab the DSLR https://youtu.be/62dHoQV_iK0 https://youtu.be/gtO9cNwwYbI On the automated aquarium front... I've started playing with grafana and elasticsearch. I'm trying to get my stats uploaded to the elasticsearch so I can make some cool monitoring dashboards using grafana. The Automated Aquarium 2.0 has taken a backseat to some of the other hobbies. While I'm not 100% satisfied with the current setup, it does at least work. Not sure when I'll get back to working on the other design. Probably when it starts to get cold again next year.