Tswifty's Custom 40g Rimless Build Thread - Page 15

IridescentLily · 07/20/2009, 11:53 PM

Oh wow...i just made it in time.

Happy Birthday!

maroun.c · 07/21/2009, 02:16 AM

Happy Birthday TJ.
I remember those articles you had about those feeding methods when I was in Cleveland?
is it the same method you will be following?

Tswifty · 07/21/2009, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by melev
So someone out there agrees with me about feeding heavily?

I would venture more than just a few people do.

Quote:

Originally posted by IridescentLily
Oh wow...i just made it in time.

Happy Birthday!

Thanks.

Quote:

Originally posted by maroun.c
Happy Birthday TJ.
I remember those articles you had about those feeding methods when I was in Cleveland?
is it the same method you will be following?

Thank Maroun. Yeah that is the method I plan on following. I just need to dig the articles out of my file cabinet, so I can refresh myself on the system.

Taqpol · 07/21/2009, 01:43 PM

A little bit off subject, but do I remember you saying that you actually use a pinch valve on your calcium reactors effluent line instead of the feed line off the manifold? In fact, weren't your feed fluctuations due to have a pinch valve on the feed line?

Tswifty · 07/21/2009, 01:55 PM

Yep, I was getting fluctuations in my effluent drip rate when the needle valve was on the feed line. I scrapped the needle valve, and switched to a cheap pinch valve on the effluent line. Now my effluent drip rate stays constant.

Taqpol · 07/21/2009, 01:59 PM

And you don't worry about a pressure buildup, I'm assuming, because your manifold has a recirc/bleed line back into the sump? Is the valve the feeds the reactor wide open or a little bit closed?

I have my reactor set up and water running through it, but I want to make sure that my effluent will be stable before I start adding CO2.

Tswifty · 07/21/2009, 04:12 PM

Nope, initially I set it up with the control on the feed line because everyone said you can pressurize the reactor or whatever... and that's a bad idea. After I ran into problems, and asked around, it seems most people felt that the buildup (if any) was not enough to worry about.

Yes, I have an extra line off my manifold that dumps into the sump, and the valve that feeds my reactor off the manifold is pretty restricted.

To set the flow initially, I removed the pinch valve from the effluent line so it was running unrestricted. Then I used the ball valve to try and dial in the effluent rate close to the rate I was targeting. Then once I was in relatively close, I placed the pinch valve back onto the effluent line to dial it in the rest of the way.

Tswifty · 07/21/2009, 05:15 PM

Ok... too much lighting is definitely not the issue. I did a quick spot check with the PAR meter, and I'm hitting around 400 PAR throughout the tank, and around 250 in the bottom corners (Acans & Palys), and the clams are sitting in about 350 on the sandbed in the center.

I'm going to try and get a detailed breakout with a FTS later tonight if I have the energy.

Tswifty · 07/21/2009, 11:22 PM

Took a bunch of pics tonight... here's my favorite though... you can see the change in their coloration from my avatar to this pic. They're much smaller as well due to the increased lighting. I figure I'm basically baking them since they're sitting in PAR of 250.

Tswifty · 07/21/2009, 11:25 PM

My nuissance algae... I mean... acan corner...

Tswifty · 07/21/2009, 11:26 PM

The FTS that I think will be sufficient for recording PAR readings on. A little blurry for my taste, and I think over exposed is the term for the brightness as you get lower in the tank... but I think it will do.

mpoletti · 07/21/2009, 11:32 PM

Nice FTS TJ

melev · 07/21/2009, 11:41 PM

That pink turf algae is frustrating, I bet. Have you tried just a couple of the larger Mexican Turbo snails to see if they have any interest in it?

I wish I could keep my RBTA that nice and small in my tank. How are you doing that?

I love your gorgeous maxima.

Tswifty · 07/21/2009, 11:54 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mpoletti
Nice FTS TJ

Thanks Mark, and thanks for the info on the angelfish. I had no idea that they weren't bi-colors.

I swear, I'm going to eventually need like 6 tanks to house all the fish and coral I want, since no one system is appropriate for housing everything I like.

Quote:

Originally posted by melev
That pink turf algae is frustrating, I bet. Have you tried just a couple of the larger Mexican Turbo snails to see if they have any interest in it?

I wish I could keep my RBTA that nice and small in my tank. How are you doing that? I love your gorgeous maxima.

Yeah, it's a mess... however, it seems to have slowed down lately. The funny thing is that the corals don't mind it, and actually encrust right over it and kill it off.

I haven't been able to locate any Mexican Turbos locally lately, but I've heard they might take a whack at it. I spotted my Emerald Mithrax Crab today... I think he was taking a nap on a patch of bubble algae... must be like pillowtop matrress for him or something.

Haha... the RBTA trick is to turn the lights on at 1am... then snap the picture right away before it has a chance to fully expand.

Thanks, I tried to move them away from the front pane this morning, but they're like a chain gang. The small one is attached to the bottom of the tank, and the Blue one is attached to the small one's shell.

OwNeD162 · 07/22/2009, 01:33 AM

Nice FTS TJ

!
Looking good!
I need to get some more acans

maroun.c · 07/22/2009, 05:48 AM

TJ by 400 throughout the tank do you mean at middle and higher level of the tank? as I find it weird to get 350 at bottom level where the clam is and only 400 higher?on the other hand if just being below the light give so much intensity at sand level then that would be great news as I won't have to put my clams higher where the flow is too strong for them.

Tswifty · 07/22/2009, 07:50 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by OwNeD162
Nice FTS TJ !
Looking good!
I need to get some more acans

Thanks. Yeah, I'm going to be moving some around a bit later today. My rainbows got pretty bleached in the high light, so I'm going to hide them under my milli in the shade for now. Eventually I hope to have enough acros tabling out that it will shade the lower region of the tank for the LPS and polyps.

Quote:

Originally posted by maroun.c
TJ by 400 throughout the tank do you mean at middle and higher level of the tank? as I find it weird to get 350 at bottom level where the clam is and only 400 higher?on the other hand if just being below the light give so much intensity at sand level then that would be great news as I won't have to put my clams higher where the flow is too strong for them.

Nope... I got pretty consistent numbers throughout the tank. I would imagine it's because the tank is so shallow, probably less than 14" from the water's surface to the sandbed. Kind of the reason I wasn't thrilled about using MH's on this particular setup... I figured it's going to be a little difficult to keep any corals which require less intense lighting.

Since I'm kind of stuck with halides for now, I actually want to switch to 1 Lumen Bright Pendant, and an SE bulb. Just need to get some PAR info from some of my friends that run with 250's and 400's to see the difference.

jefft321 · 07/22/2009, 08:08 AM

Happy B-Day TJ!
We share the same Birthday! It's the perfect time of year.
Did you get your pinch valve at a local hardware store? I seem to be having some problems with my calcium reactor drip rate as well.
Tony and I are going to set up the plumbing on my Elos 120xl this Saturday, any suggestions on anything you learned in setting up the manifold system?
Thanks, Jeff

jefft321 · 07/22/2009, 08:08 AM

oops double post

Tswifty · 07/22/2009, 06:00 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by jefft321
Happy B-Day TJ!
We share the same Birthday! It's the perfect time of year.
Did you get your pinch valve at a local hardware store? I seem to be having some problems with my calcium reactor drip rate as well.
Tony and I are going to set up the plumbing on my Elos 120xl this Saturday, any suggestions on anything you learned in setting up the manifold system?
Thanks, Jeff

Thanks, and right back at ya.

I picked up the pinch valve from US plastics online site. They were pretty inexpensive. RC Member BigJay picked up one that was much nicer than the cheap clip one I'm currently using. If I remember correctly, the one he picked up could twist for more precise adjustments.

As far as the mainfold goes... not much I would do differently on the return plumbing side of my tank. I haven't had any problems I can complain about. I left 1 empty branch on the manifold, so I can add something at a future date easily if I decide to.

Good luck with the plumbing. You should be fine, Tony knows what he's doing.

Tswifty · 07/22/2009, 06:04 PM

So my fish additions are all lined up for now. Here are the deals I've made so far:

- 1 Christmas Wrasse (picked up today)
- 1 Sixline Wrasse
- 6 Small Green Chromis

I'll be picking up the Chromis and Sixline Wrasse this weekend or early next week sometime.

OwNeD162 · 07/22/2009, 06:39 PM

Sounds great, can't wait to see photos

!

Taqpol · 07/22/2009, 07:00 PM

Are christmas wrasses one of the types that eat crustaceans? For some reason I remember them being advertised as "not reef-safe".

Tswifty · 07/22/2009, 07:13 PM

Beats me. A lot of wrasses hit that gray area because they can take out shrimp. One of those... reef safe... not invert safe kind of deals. I know a few guys with Christmas Wrasses in their reef tanks, and none reported any issues. They can get a little large though... I think they max out around 5". The primary reason I picked it up... Halichoeres genus... aka... potential eater of flatworms!

They also had a very nice Radiant Wrasse in stock, but it was WAY too big for my tank.

2frosty4u · 07/22/2009, 09:55 PM

Christmas wrasses are excellent jumpers....I had one once for 2 days, He made a pinpoint leap of faith through a quarter size hole in the eggcrate next to the hob filter on my qt. I found him laying on my workbench in the morning next to the qt....I was pi$$ed.
I hope you have better luck than I did.

07/20/2009, 11:53 PM	#351
IridescentLily Editor-Reefkeeping mag Join Date: May 2008 Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico Posts: 3,858 Blog Entries: 5	Oh wow...i just made it in time. Happy Birthday! __________________ ~April Editor-Reefkeeping Magazine

07/21/2009, 02:16 AM	#352
maroun.c Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Lebanon Posts: 6,111	Happy Birthday TJ. I remember those articles you had about those feeding methods when I was in Cleveland? is it the same method you will be following? __________________ 390 G mixed reef build Current Tank Info: 390G mixed reef

07/21/2009, 01:43 PM	#354
Taqpol Registered Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Durham, NC Posts: 2,205	A little bit off subject, but do I remember you saying that you actually use a pinch valve on your calcium reactors effluent line instead of the feed line off the manifold? In fact, weren't your feed fluctuations due to have a pinch valve on the feed line? __________________ ^ Click on my username and 'Visit Taqpol's Home Page!" to view my 220 gallon custom Miracles tank! -Alex

07/21/2009, 01:55 PM	#355
Tswifty Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: PA Posts: 14,022	Yep, I was getting fluctuations in my effluent drip rate when the needle valve was on the feed line. I scrapped the needle valve, and switched to a cheap pinch valve on the effluent line. Now my effluent drip rate stays constant. __________________ "Enough light? Heck I could go barebottom and grow SPS in the stand!" - DiscoReefRover

07/21/2009, 01:59 PM	#356
Taqpol Registered Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Durham, NC Posts: 2,205	And you don't worry about a pressure buildup, I'm assuming, because your manifold has a recirc/bleed line back into the sump? Is the valve the feeds the reactor wide open or a little bit closed? I have my reactor set up and water running through it, but I want to make sure that my effluent will be stable before I start adding CO2. __________________ ^ Click on my username and 'Visit Taqpol's Home Page!" to view my 220 gallon custom Miracles tank! -Alex

07/21/2009, 04:12 PM	#357
Tswifty Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: PA Posts: 14,022	Nope, initially I set it up with the control on the feed line because everyone said you can pressurize the reactor or whatever... and that's a bad idea. After I ran into problems, and asked around, it seems most people felt that the buildup (if any) was not enough to worry about. Yes, I have an extra line off my manifold that dumps into the sump, and the valve that feeds my reactor off the manifold is pretty restricted. To set the flow initially, I removed the pinch valve from the effluent line so it was running unrestricted. Then I used the ball valve to try and dial in the effluent rate close to the rate I was targeting. Then once I was in relatively close, I placed the pinch valve back onto the effluent line to dial it in the rest of the way. __________________ "Enough light? Heck I could go barebottom and grow SPS in the stand!" - DiscoReefRover

07/21/2009, 05:15 PM	#358
Tswifty Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: PA Posts: 14,022	Ok... too much lighting is definitely not the issue. I did a quick spot check with the PAR meter, and I'm hitting around 400 PAR throughout the tank, and around 250 in the bottom corners (Acans & Palys), and the clams are sitting in about 350 on the sandbed in the center. I'm going to try and get a detailed breakout with a FTS later tonight if I have the energy. __________________ "Enough light? Heck I could go barebottom and grow SPS in the stand!" - DiscoReefRover

07/21/2009, 11:22 PM	#359
Tswifty Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: PA Posts: 14,022	Took a bunch of pics tonight... here's my favorite though... you can see the change in their coloration from my avatar to this pic. They're much smaller as well due to the increased lighting. I figure I'm basically baking them since they're sitting in PAR of 250. __________________ "Enough light? Heck I could go barebottom and grow SPS in the stand!" - DiscoReefRover Last edited by Tswifty; 07/21/2009 at 11:28 PM.

07/21/2009, 11:25 PM	#360
Tswifty Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: PA Posts: 14,022	My nuissance algae... I mean... acan corner... __________________ "Enough light? Heck I could go barebottom and grow SPS in the stand!" - DiscoReefRover

07/21/2009, 11:26 PM	#361
Tswifty Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: PA Posts: 14,022	The FTS that I think will be sufficient for recording PAR readings on. A little blurry for my taste, and I think over exposed is the term for the brightness as you get lower in the tank... but I think it will do. __________________ "Enough light? Heck I could go barebottom and grow SPS in the stand!" - DiscoReefRover

07/21/2009, 11:32 PM	#362
mpoletti You'll never walk alone Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Sacramento, Ca Posts: 18,245	Nice FTS TJ __________________ -Mark a.) I believe... The curse is a reality b.) Fish poop is your friend c.) Why chase numbers? #CoralsLiketoDisco #ReefSerenity

07/21/2009, 11:41 PM	#363
melev Moved On Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Ft Worth, Tx Posts: 43,217	That pink turf algae is frustrating, I bet. Have you tried just a couple of the larger Mexican Turbo snails to see if they have any interest in it? I wish I could keep my RBTA that nice and small in my tank. How are you doing that? I love your gorgeous maxima.

07/22/2009, 01:33 AM	#365
OwNeD162 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Brisbane, QLD, Australia Posts: 873	Nice FTS TJ ! Looking good! I need to get some more acans __________________ [URL=https://matchnow.info]Womans in your town[/URL] Current Tank Info: 2 x 1 x 1ft + EcoSystem Pro 40 HOB + 1 x 150W DE MH, 2 x 24W Actinic, Hailea HC- 150A 1/10 HP Chiller, Vortech MP20

07/22/2009, 05:48 AM	#366
maroun.c Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Lebanon Posts: 6,111	TJ by 400 throughout the tank do you mean at middle and higher level of the tank? as I find it weird to get 350 at bottom level where the clam is and only 400 higher?on the other hand if just being below the light give so much intensity at sand level then that would be great news as I won't have to put my clams higher where the flow is too strong for them. __________________ 390 G mixed reef build Current Tank Info: 390G mixed reef

07/22/2009, 08:08 AM	#368
jefft321 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Rocky River Posts: 650	Happy B-Day TJ! We share the same Birthday! It's the perfect time of year. Did you get your pinch valve at a local hardware store? I seem to be having some problems with my calcium reactor drip rate as well. Tony and I are going to set up the plumbing on my Elos 120xl this Saturday, any suggestions on anything you learned in setting up the manifold system? Thanks, Jeff

07/22/2009, 08:08 AM	#369
jefft321 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Rocky River Posts: 650	oops double post

07/22/2009, 06:04 PM	#371
Tswifty Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: PA Posts: 14,022	So my fish additions are all lined up for now. Here are the deals I've made so far: - 1 Christmas Wrasse (picked up today) - 1 Sixline Wrasse - 6 Small Green Chromis I'll be picking up the Chromis and Sixline Wrasse this weekend or early next week sometime. __________________ "Enough light? Heck I could go barebottom and grow SPS in the stand!" - DiscoReefRover

07/22/2009, 06:39 PM	#372
OwNeD162 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Brisbane, QLD, Australia Posts: 873	Sounds great, can't wait to see photos ! __________________ [URL=https://matchnow.info]Womans in your town[/URL] Current Tank Info: 2 x 1 x 1ft + EcoSystem Pro 40 HOB + 1 x 150W DE MH, 2 x 24W Actinic, Hailea HC- 150A 1/10 HP Chiller, Vortech MP20

07/22/2009, 07:00 PM	#373
Taqpol Registered Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Durham, NC Posts: 2,205	Are christmas wrasses one of the types that eat crustaceans? For some reason I remember them being advertised as "not reef-safe". __________________ ^ Click on my username and 'Visit Taqpol's Home Page!" to view my 220 gallon custom Miracles tank! -Alex

07/22/2009, 07:13 PM	#374
Tswifty Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: PA Posts: 14,022	Beats me. A lot of wrasses hit that gray area because they can take out shrimp. One of those... reef safe... not invert safe kind of deals. I know a few guys with Christmas Wrasses in their reef tanks, and none reported any issues. They can get a little large though... I think they max out around 5". The primary reason I picked it up... Halichoeres genus... aka... potential eater of flatworms! They also had a very nice Radiant Wrasse in stock, but it was WAY too big for my tank. __________________ "Enough light? Heck I could go barebottom and grow SPS in the stand!" - DiscoReefRover

07/22/2009, 09:55 PM	#375
2frosty4u Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Hamilton, Ontario, Canada Posts: 745	Christmas wrasses are excellent jumpers....I had one once for 2 days, He made a pinpoint leap of faith through a quarter size hole in the eggcrate next to the hob filter on my qt. I found him laying on my workbench in the morning next to the qt....I was pi$$ed. I hope you have better luck than I did. __________________ A small fish in a big aquarium