65 Gallon Project - Page 13

newreefbishop · 10/25/2006, 12:00 PM

newreefbishop · 10/25/2006, 08:00 PM

Ok so new pics are in order.....as I said before got some new rock....already cured from one of my favorite LFS in the area....Reef Life....they helped the wife pick out the rock and loaded it in the car for her.....

Anyway here are the pics.....

newreefbishop · 10/25/2006, 08:23 PM

Here is the rock the wife got in the box I used the cd for size reference

In the tank

Tank shot 2

Corner shot

Tang

Foxface, Tang and clown chillin

New rock close up

Sleepy Foxface sleeping on Nori (kinda blury)

Well thats it for now.....let me know what you think.

golf4lyfe · 10/25/2006, 08:43 PM

Looking good, was the stuff you purchased to speed up coraline growth fairly cheap?

BigJPDC · 10/26/2006, 06:24 AM

Wow - nice!!

newreefbishop · 10/26/2006, 06:39 AM

Golf - well the stiff is called Purple up, and I have had mixed results with it, I have since discontinued weekly use, and dose a capfull of it once a month. I dose pure Ca daily, with my top off....I went to a local LFS, mom and pop shop and the only thing they dose is Ca, and corals grow crazy there, so I decided to give it a try, and my coraline took off....its like 12 bucks a bottle...but one bottle is good for something like 500 gallons.....

I will take a pic of it and post it.....

ek9vboi · 10/26/2006, 09:31 AM

I think Purple Up is a hype, it might add more calcium into the tank but it adds other stuff as well. Overtime it will cost more then just Kalkwasser dripping and the same results can be seen. My coralline algae grows very fast now, it just takes time for the bacteria to come along. As long as you do waterchanges and drip Kalkwasser, your coralline algae will sky rocket. From what I have read Purple up is a hit and miss type of product, it can literlly crash a tank.

Not to mention you have to dose everyday and that just sucks a$$.

newreefbishop · 10/26/2006, 09:46 AM

And that is why I only dose Calcium

ek9vboi · 10/26/2006, 03:36 PM

Have you considered dosing/topping off with Kalkwasser mix? It can replemish your alk, calcium, and bring up your pH as well. Very cheap compared to constantly buying calcium suppliments. I do it and my corals look 100Xs better then before, a lot of people will say the same.

newreefbishop · 10/26/2006, 03:47 PM

What brand are you using Eric? I am always willing to try something that will have a positive effect on my tank.

ek9vboi · 10/26/2006, 06:45 PM

I am using Two Little Fishes Kalkwasser, but pickling lime will work too. Its the same stuff from what everyone is saying and its been used with great feedback. Hard to find from time to time, but it can be special ordered at Publix. I bought 1lb of the TLF Kalkwasser and am still using it. My tank evaporates about 4-5g a week, so its not much. Never the less over time it will end up being cheaper then any calcium additive.

newreefbishop · 10/26/2006, 06:55 PM

Cool Ill check it out tomorrow....

dp122098 · 10/27/2006, 09:02 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by ek9vboi
Have you considered dosing/topping off with Kalkwasser mix? It can replemish your alk, calcium, and bring up your pH as well. Very cheap compared to constantly buying calcium suppliments. I do it and my corals look 100Xs better then before, a lot of people will say the same.

Did you say Publix? What did you buy in Publix and how do you use it?

ek9vboi · 10/27/2006, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by dp122098
Did you say Publix? What did you buy in Publix and how do you use it?

I didn't buy the stuff from Publix, I bought Kalkwasser from the LFS. It is used by mixing about 1 teaspoon of Kalkwasser to RO/DI water and then dripping it over a 24 hour rate OR if your evaporation rate isn't too bad then use it as a top off. I try to drip it 24 hours but I barely evaporate that much water so I drip and then when needed top off with it or RO/DI water if the pH level is high.

Also, I test my alk and calcium weekly. Monitor my pH on my ReefKeeper 2 at anytime.

Divetime · 10/27/2006, 09:46 AM

You can also find this product Mrs. Wages Pickling Lime sometimes at places like Wally World or other local grocery stores if you don't want to buy Kalk at the LFS. I also understand that lime (calcium hydroxide) is used to make tortillas so you can find lime at many ethnic food stores

I recently set up a auto-top off like Melev references on his site using a aqua-lifter pump and a float switch from Aquahub.
Real easy to do and pretty cheap which is a plus in this hobby

newreefbishop - Are you stacking your LR against the back or your tank or is it off the back to get some sort of flow behind it?
The new LR looks like it has a lot of character & growth...I'm looking at purchasing some more for my 55 so I'll have to check out their site. Thanks for the link.

newreefbishop · 10/27/2006, 09:58 AM

Well, I stack it against the back of the tank.......BUT, there is a powerhead directing flow through channels I created on the back.

And no prob about the link....check em out....you will be pleased

ek9vboi · 10/27/2006, 10:31 AM

The Melev ATO system is too much of a rig IMO. Just look at it, a fire harzord waiting to happen, not to mention if the float valve gets stuck then your tank will OD on Kalkwasser mix. For one, the wires on the float switch are way too thin for what is being used for. Basically power runs from one wire of the extention cord to the switch (thin, maybe 18 gauge compared to the 8 gauge extention wire) and then from the switch to the socket where the pump plug is and then back the other way.

Don't be cheap, but the real deal ATOs, they have built in relays and so on that will prevent any fire hazords and so on. I've used JBJ's ATO and it works great but still I had an issue with the float valve getting stuck and OD, but luckly I was doing RO/DI only at the time.

newreefbishop · 10/27/2006, 10:36 AM

ERIC CLEAN YOUR PM BOX......I ONLY WANT THE TORCH, just let me know what time....

ek9vboi · 10/27/2006, 10:39 AM

lol, cleaned.

reefaholic101 · 10/27/2006, 12:27 PM

good idea

BigJPDC · 10/27/2006, 03:02 PM

I think ek9 is right here about that ATO. I have it in my head that the gravity ATO is the way to go, assuming you can get a significantly sized container of RODI above your sump and plumbed to take advantage of it. I have added about 4 gals in the week my tank has been up and know now I have to come up with something before I ever entertain the idea of going on vacation.

This hobby rocks,
jp

BigJPDC · 10/27/2006, 03:06 PM

And that rock is awesome looking, btw - did it really come covered in all that goodness? The rock at my LFS is very clean but I like your better.

Hey, does your wife know you used that CD? =)

jp

ek9vboi · 10/27/2006, 05:32 PM

The best way to drip Kalkwasser is with a Doser machine, cost is prolly around 100 for something like that. I would like to get one, but then again I don't evaporate a lot and I'm not sure if a dosing machine makes noise or not.

newreefbishop · 10/27/2006, 08:59 PM

Im getting the ATO for auto top of and a dosing pump to dose Kalk....I have been thinking about the vacation thing, and honestly it scares me...lol....so much to do before I can take one, but as long as I have auto top off I would turn of dosing system while on vacation, also I need to figure out something for a backup power supply. One that would run pumps for 5-6 hrs....and not take up a huge amount of space. Anyway I tomorrow night I have a few updates.

Lastly the dosing machine makes no noise.

newreefbishop · 10/27/2006, 09:35 PM

BIGJpdc - The rock from www.theaquarium.com comes with coraline growth already, green, red, orange....It actually grows in rather fast too. Like I said call once you place the order and just ask him for larger pieces and let him know you want as much coraline as possible. He will take care of you.

10/25/2006, 12:00 PM	#301
newreefbishop Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Fort Lauderdale Posts: 1,787	__________________ Its not just a hobby, it's a lifestyle!!!! The 65 is gone the 110 is in, click the red house for the 110. *Updated Current Tank Info: 110 gal R/R AGA with 40 gallon DIY fuge/sump, 2 AI Sol Blue LED modules, RKL system, Vortech Powerheads, Softies, LPS and SPS. Fox Face, Coral Beauty, Goby, a mated pair of Midnight Black Photon Clowns, BTA, Sebae and small critters everywhere

10/25/2006, 08:00 PM	#302
newreefbishop Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Fort Lauderdale Posts: 1,787	Ok so new pics are in order.....as I said before got some new rock....already cured from one of my favorite LFS in the area....Reef Life....they helped the wife pick out the rock and loaded it in the car for her..... Anyway here are the pics..... __________________ Its not just a hobby, it's a lifestyle!!!! The 65 is gone the 110 is in, click the red house for the 110. *Updated Current Tank Info: 110 gal R/R AGA with 40 gallon DIY fuge/sump, 2 AI Sol Blue LED modules, RKL system, Vortech Powerheads, Softies, LPS and SPS. Fox Face, Coral Beauty, Goby, a mated pair of Midnight Black Photon Clowns, BTA, Sebae and small critters everywhere

10/25/2006, 08:23 PM	#303
newreefbishop Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Fort Lauderdale Posts: 1,787	Here is the rock the wife got in the box I used the cd for size reference In the tank Tank shot 2 Corner shot Tang Foxface, Tang and clown chillin New rock close up Sleepy Foxface sleeping on Nori (kinda blury) Well thats it for now.....let me know what you think. __________________ Its not just a hobby, it's a lifestyle!!!! The 65 is gone the 110 is in, click the red house for the 110. *Updated Current Tank Info: 110 gal R/R AGA with 40 gallon DIY fuge/sump, 2 AI Sol Blue LED modules, RKL system, Vortech Powerheads, Softies, LPS and SPS. Fox Face, Coral Beauty, Goby, a mated pair of Midnight Black Photon Clowns, BTA, Sebae and small critters everywhere

10/26/2006, 06:24 AM	#305
BigJPDC Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 959	Wow - nice!! __________________ Rock in the tank is money not in my bank. Current Tank Info: 65 RR AGA

10/26/2006, 06:39 AM	#306
newreefbishop Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Fort Lauderdale Posts: 1,787	Golf - well the stiff is called Purple up, and I have had mixed results with it, I have since discontinued weekly use, and dose a capfull of it once a month. I dose pure Ca daily, with my top off....I went to a local LFS, mom and pop shop and the only thing they dose is Ca, and corals grow crazy there, so I decided to give it a try, and my coraline took off....its like 12 bucks a bottle...but one bottle is good for something like 500 gallons..... I will take a pic of it and post it..... __________________ Its not just a hobby, it's a lifestyle!!!! The 65 is gone the 110 is in, click the red house for the 110. *Updated Current Tank Info: 110 gal R/R AGA with 40 gallon DIY fuge/sump, 2 AI Sol Blue LED modules, RKL system, Vortech Powerheads, Softies, LPS and SPS. Fox Face, Coral Beauty, Goby, a mated pair of Midnight Black Photon Clowns, BTA, Sebae and small critters everywhere

10/25/2006, 08:43 PM	#304
golf4lyfe Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Chaska, MN Posts: 175	Looking good, was the stuff you purchased to speed up coraline growth fairly cheap?

10/26/2006, 09:31 AM	#307
ek9vboi Registered Member. Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: South FL Posts: 3,027	I think Purple Up is a hype, it might add more calcium into the tank but it adds other stuff as well. Overtime it will cost more then just Kalkwasser dripping and the same results can be seen. My coralline algae grows very fast now, it just takes time for the bacteria to come along. As long as you do waterchanges and drip Kalkwasser, your coralline algae will sky rocket. From what I have read Purple up is a hit and miss type of product, it can literlly crash a tank. Not to mention you have to dose everyday and that just sucks a$$.

10/26/2006, 09:46 AM	#308
newreefbishop Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Fort Lauderdale Posts: 1,787	And that is why I only dose Calcium __________________ Its not just a hobby, it's a lifestyle!!!! The 65 is gone the 110 is in, click the red house for the 110. *Updated Current Tank Info: 110 gal R/R AGA with 40 gallon DIY fuge/sump, 2 AI Sol Blue LED modules, RKL system, Vortech Powerheads, Softies, LPS and SPS. Fox Face, Coral Beauty, Goby, a mated pair of Midnight Black Photon Clowns, BTA, Sebae and small critters everywhere

10/26/2006, 03:36 PM	#309
ek9vboi Registered Member. Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: South FL Posts: 3,027	Have you considered dosing/topping off with Kalkwasser mix? It can replemish your alk, calcium, and bring up your pH as well. Very cheap compared to constantly buying calcium suppliments. I do it and my corals look 100Xs better then before, a lot of people will say the same.

10/26/2006, 03:47 PM	#310
newreefbishop Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Fort Lauderdale Posts: 1,787	What brand are you using Eric? I am always willing to try something that will have a positive effect on my tank. __________________ Its not just a hobby, it's a lifestyle!!!! The 65 is gone the 110 is in, click the red house for the 110. *Updated Current Tank Info: 110 gal R/R AGA with 40 gallon DIY fuge/sump, 2 AI Sol Blue LED modules, RKL system, Vortech Powerheads, Softies, LPS and SPS. Fox Face, Coral Beauty, Goby, a mated pair of Midnight Black Photon Clowns, BTA, Sebae and small critters everywhere

10/26/2006, 06:45 PM	#311
ek9vboi Registered Member. Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: South FL Posts: 3,027	I am using Two Little Fishes Kalkwasser, but pickling lime will work too. Its the same stuff from what everyone is saying and its been used with great feedback. Hard to find from time to time, but it can be special ordered at Publix. I bought 1lb of the TLF Kalkwasser and am still using it. My tank evaporates about 4-5g a week, so its not much. Never the less over time it will end up being cheaper then any calcium additive.

10/26/2006, 06:55 PM	#312
newreefbishop Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Fort Lauderdale Posts: 1,787	Cool Ill check it out tomorrow.... __________________ Its not just a hobby, it's a lifestyle!!!! The 65 is gone the 110 is in, click the red house for the 110. *Updated Current Tank Info: 110 gal R/R AGA with 40 gallon DIY fuge/sump, 2 AI Sol Blue LED modules, RKL system, Vortech Powerheads, Softies, LPS and SPS. Fox Face, Coral Beauty, Goby, a mated pair of Midnight Black Photon Clowns, BTA, Sebae and small critters everywhere

10/27/2006, 09:46 AM	#315
Divetime Registered Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Florida Gulf Coast Posts: 179	You can also find this product Mrs. Wages Pickling Lime sometimes at places like Wally World or other local grocery stores if you don't want to buy Kalk at the LFS. I also understand that lime (calcium hydroxide) is used to make tortillas so you can find lime at many ethnic food stores I recently set up a auto-top off like Melev references on his site using a aqua-lifter pump and a float switch from Aquahub. Real easy to do and pretty cheap which is a plus in this hobby newreefbishop - Are you stacking your LR against the back or your tank or is it off the back to get some sort of flow behind it? The new LR looks like it has a lot of character & growth...I'm looking at purchasing some more for my 55 so I'll have to check out their site. Thanks for the link.

10/27/2006, 09:58 AM	#316
newreefbishop Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Fort Lauderdale Posts: 1,787	Well, I stack it against the back of the tank.......BUT, there is a powerhead directing flow through channels I created on the back. And no prob about the link....check em out....you will be pleased __________________ Its not just a hobby, it's a lifestyle!!!! The 65 is gone the 110 is in, click the red house for the 110. *Updated Current Tank Info: 110 gal R/R AGA with 40 gallon DIY fuge/sump, 2 AI Sol Blue LED modules, RKL system, Vortech Powerheads, Softies, LPS and SPS. Fox Face, Coral Beauty, Goby, a mated pair of Midnight Black Photon Clowns, BTA, Sebae and small critters everywhere

10/27/2006, 10:31 AM	#317
ek9vboi Registered Member. Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: South FL Posts: 3,027	The Melev ATO system is too much of a rig IMO. Just look at it, a fire harzord waiting to happen, not to mention if the float valve gets stuck then your tank will OD on Kalkwasser mix. For one, the wires on the float switch are way too thin for what is being used for. Basically power runs from one wire of the extention cord to the switch (thin, maybe 18 gauge compared to the 8 gauge extention wire) and then from the switch to the socket where the pump plug is and then back the other way. Don't be cheap, but the real deal ATOs, they have built in relays and so on that will prevent any fire hazords and so on. I've used JBJ's ATO and it works great but still I had an issue with the float valve getting stuck and OD, but luckly I was doing RO/DI only at the time.

10/27/2006, 10:36 AM	#318
newreefbishop Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Fort Lauderdale Posts: 1,787	ERIC CLEAN YOUR PM BOX......I ONLY WANT THE TORCH, just let me know what time.... __________________ Its not just a hobby, it's a lifestyle!!!! The 65 is gone the 110 is in, click the red house for the 110. *Updated Current Tank Info: 110 gal R/R AGA with 40 gallon DIY fuge/sump, 2 AI Sol Blue LED modules, RKL system, Vortech Powerheads, Softies, LPS and SPS. Fox Face, Coral Beauty, Goby, a mated pair of Midnight Black Photon Clowns, BTA, Sebae and small critters everywhere

10/27/2006, 10:39 AM	#319
ek9vboi Registered Member. Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: South FL Posts: 3,027	lol, cleaned.

10/27/2006, 12:27 PM	#320
reefaholic101 Moved On Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: rosemead,california Posts: 42	good idea

10/27/2006, 03:02 PM	#321
BigJPDC Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 959	I think ek9 is right here about that ATO. I have it in my head that the gravity ATO is the way to go, assuming you can get a significantly sized container of RODI above your sump and plumbed to take advantage of it. I have added about 4 gals in the week my tank has been up and know now I have to come up with something before I ever entertain the idea of going on vacation. This hobby rocks, jp __________________ Rock in the tank is money not in my bank. Current Tank Info: 65 RR AGA

10/27/2006, 03:06 PM	#322
BigJPDC Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 959	And that rock is awesome looking, btw - did it really come covered in all that goodness? The rock at my LFS is very clean but I like your better. Hey, does your wife know you used that CD? =) jp __________________ Rock in the tank is money not in my bank. Current Tank Info: 65 RR AGA

10/27/2006, 05:32 PM	#323
ek9vboi Registered Member. Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: South FL Posts: 3,027	The best way to drip Kalkwasser is with a Doser machine, cost is prolly around 100 for something like that. I would like to get one, but then again I don't evaporate a lot and I'm not sure if a dosing machine makes noise or not.

10/27/2006, 08:59 PM	#324
newreefbishop Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Fort Lauderdale Posts: 1,787	Im getting the ATO for auto top of and a dosing pump to dose Kalk....I have been thinking about the vacation thing, and honestly it scares me...lol....so much to do before I can take one, but as long as I have auto top off I would turn of dosing system while on vacation, also I need to figure out something for a backup power supply. One that would run pumps for 5-6 hrs....and not take up a huge amount of space. Anyway I tomorrow night I have a few updates. Lastly the dosing machine makes no noise. __________________ Its not just a hobby, it's a lifestyle!!!! The 65 is gone the 110 is in, click the red house for the 110. *Updated Current Tank Info: 110 gal R/R AGA with 40 gallon DIY fuge/sump, 2 AI Sol Blue LED modules, RKL system, Vortech Powerheads, Softies, LPS and SPS. Fox Face, Coral Beauty, Goby, a mated pair of Midnight Black Photon Clowns, BTA, Sebae and small critters everywhere

10/27/2006, 09:35 PM	#325
newreefbishop Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Fort Lauderdale Posts: 1,787	BIGJpdc - The rock from www.theaquarium.com comes with coraline growth already, green, red, orange....It actually grows in rather fast too. Like I said call once you place the order and just ask him for larger pieces and let him know you want as much coraline as possible. He will take care of you. __________________ Its not just a hobby, it's a lifestyle!!!! The 65 is gone the 110 is in, click the red house for the 110. *Updated Current Tank Info: 110 gal R/R AGA with 40 gallon DIY fuge/sump, 2 AI Sol Blue LED modules, RKL system, Vortech Powerheads, Softies, LPS and SPS. Fox Face, Coral Beauty, Goby, a mated pair of Midnight Black Photon Clowns, BTA, Sebae and small critters everywhere