120 Gallon In Wall Mixed Reef Build

[Reu2]

Parameters are still holding strong. 0 Ammonia, 0 Nitrites, Nitrates are holding around 5ppm currently and the tank is safe for fish. Diatom Bloom is still crazy though.

Oh, and new toys!


Apex by Reuben Neese, on Flickr

I should probably save some money for fish and corals....

[bader]

I am looking at buikding an in wall tank too amd was wondering how wide your trim was you used and does the tank come out to the edge of the drywall or set in. Also how high is the wall above your tank do u get a shadow in the front and side from the wall beinq above the tank?

[Reu2]

The tank is to the edge of the drywall, I was able to do so by extending 3/4" plywood to the edge as well. The trim is 7" and the wall is 6" over the top of the tank, just enough to get my arm in there. The Radions sit 8" above the water so no shadow.

I used piano hinge and a spring arm to swing and hold the trim up.

[woodnaquanut]

Sweet. I'm sure you'll love the Apex.

If you don't already know, the apex forum is the place to go to get all your controller questions answered. It can be accessed via the neptunesystems website under support.

[Reu2]

Originally Posted by woodnaquanut

Sweet. I'm sure you'll love the Apex.

If you don't already know, the apex forum is the place to go to get all your controller questions answered. It can be accessed via the neptunesystems website under support.

I didn't, thanks.

[Reu2]

Parameters are still good. Diatoms and algae are really insane right now, although the snails seem to enjoy it.


IMG_0649 by Reuben Neese, on Flickr


IMG_0651 by Reuben Neese, on Flickr

Apex controller is setup, at least initially. Still have to move some things over to the EB8 and learn the programming. Should be fun!


IMG_0654 by Reuben Neese, on Flickr

Even have it setup out to the WAN already, love new toys. Although the pH probe is reading lower than the test kit, even after calibration. Likely has something to do with the temp feature. The temp is lower too, but that isn't a surprise from the cheap one I was using.


IMG_0663 by Reuben Neese, on Flickr

Going to do a 20% water change this weekend to get the pH up a bit and lightly clean some of the diatoms out. Just enough to keep it from blowing around the tank.

[nick12881]

Nice wiring job.

[Reu2]

Originally Posted by nick12881

Nice wiring job.

Thanks. I work with a lot of wiring and have some plans for cable management. One of the best things you can do is add brackets specifically for your wires. I'm using these.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[Reu2]

Spent some time setting up more of the Apex; return pump, skimmer, heaters are all setup but still haven't setup the WXM module yet. I'm learning a lot. I'm sure I'll be asking for scripts soon.

I also spent some time cleaning up the wiring. Have a few issues with short cords yet but I'll get that worked out.


image by Reuben Neese, on Flickr

PH has swung all the way from 7.9 to 8.15 in the last 24 hours according to the Apex. What is considered a safe swing? I'll take a link if that is too broad a question.

[woodnaquanut]

Well I'm glad to see you cleaned up that mess.

You wouldn't want to see my 'wire management' - Halloween horror story!! I thought the first pic was about as good as it gets then you improve it!

RE: pH. Seems a bit large of a swing. Mine swings about 0.11. Are you dosing? That might help even out the swings.

[Reu2]

Not dosing yet. The tank is fish only currently and the CUC isn't really touching the Calcium levels. I plan to add Bulk Reef supply 2-Part long term though.

I'm going to do a 20% water change and clean out some of the Algae growth in the DT and see what impact that makes. I'd like to avoid additives for at least the first few months until most levels even out. Dosing is going to be added around the 6 month mark after a few hardier LPS have been added. Of course that is the plan assuming my research is good, always open to suggestions.

I run the refugium lights at night to help lower pH swing, but I guess it's not very effective being there is no Macro Algae in there yet.

I obviously have some reading to do on pH....

[MidwesternTexan]

Originally Posted by Reu2

Not dosing yet. The tank is fish only currently and the CUC isn't really touching the Calcium levels. I plan to add Bulk Reef supply 2-Part long term though.

I'm going to do a 20% water change and clean out some of the Algae growth in the DT and see what impact that makes. I'd like to avoid additives for at least the first few months until most levels even out. Dosing is going to be added around the 6 month mark after a few hardier LPS have been added. Of course that is the plan assuming my research is good, always open to suggestions.

I run the refugium lights at night to help lower pH swing, but I guess it's not very effective being there is no Macro Algae in there yet.

I obviously have some reading to do on pH....

Patience my local friend.
Until you can't keep up with whatever WC schedule you're gong with, don't even worry about dosing!
Ffeeeerrrrggggeeetttaaaabbbooouuuuttttt iiittttt
;-)

[Reu2]

Thanks MidwesternTexan, I'm not panicking but I knew having my tank close to the furnaces might cause a little CO2 problem. So I've done some pH research and only have a couple days data. So obviously I don't know I really have a problem yet.

I did anticipate the furnaces and planned on adding an outside air vent over the tank to increase oxygen, but didn't realize that pH would be affected too. One of the articles I read mentions an outside 1/2" airline (capped with a carbon filter) run directly to your skimmers silencer. Injecting outside air directly into the tank to raise chronically low pH. Which sounds like a great quick fix until an outside air vent can be added.

Would you do this?
Has anyone else tried this?
Would I run two lines as the Silencer has two inlets on my skimmer?

[MidwesternTexan]

I didn't realze that the furnace would cause any real problems, it may well though.

I have my basement sump next to my furnace, however, I did not wall off/sheet rock the inside of my 'sump room/area' and it is open to the rest of my unfinished part of my basement, which has also vented doors to the finished part, etc.

Would I do this? Yes, if it was needed and fairly easy to do
Anyone tried this? I've heard of it, yes
Maybe one line split to 2?

I also have a dehumidifier in my unfinished area/hear my sump going as well.
I never had a dampness problem- sump pump system is working well- I just thought it was a good idea. When you go into my basement area- which we do all the time, everyday, no musty odor, etc.

I don't have an Apex, and rarely check my Ph. But when I do, I drink DosXX, oh, wrong commercial- but when I do- it's always about 8.2ish.

I don't know if this a natural/acceptable Ph change- assuming the probe/system is very accurate/vs. time- but I'd bet small changes are possible and acceptable.

Maybe Ike would know over on WRS, I'm sure many here as well.

Keep up the good work, I'll try and made it when you host a WRS party!

Oh yea, and almost forgot- your wire management system- about the best I've ever seen.
Mine doesn't hold a candle to yours!

[Reu2]

I met Ike at the meeting where the Red Sea rep was there. Ike seems like he is insanely smart when it comes to reefing. Likely a good person to ask.

Thanks for the advice.

[Reu2]

Alkalinity is a little low at 2.16 (if I'm doing the test right). I went ahead and did a crude outside airline to see if it has an affect on the pH. But I also raised my temp, it's been setting around 77.1-77.5 and I'd like to see it closer to 80-82. Which will throw off the whole pH test. I also pulled about maybe a third of the algae to further taint the results.

Now many of you have been through this already, but this is new to me. I pulled a softball size chunk of Algea, ****ing gross, but kinda awesome


Bleh by Reuben Neese, on Flickr

To raise the Alk my only choice is pretty much buffer right?

[woodnaquanut]

If the furnace is adding CO2 to the area I'd be worried about all living creatures in the basement. A properly vented furnace should not raise CO2 levels.

If your house is 'tight' you might be experiencing general increase in CO2 because with the cold weather the windows aren't open as much. We had about 30 people over one hot summer day. The windows were closed up to keep it cool. No AC here. Within an hour of the crowd showing up, pH went down almost 0.2! I tried to convince them not to exhale but that didn't go over well.

I have no idea how this would make your pH swing during a 24 hr cycle. If pH dips a lot at night perhaps it's more people home and they are exhaling!!

Just found a Randy Holmes-Farley article. He states that a daily swing between pH 7.8 to 8.5 is no problem. So have another cup of whatever you are drinking in your avatar and relax!

Six months before corals! That wouldn't fly around here. It would rate a zero on the wife acceptance factor!!

[Reu2]

A lot of good points, there might be a couple softies sooner than that, but I want to get it right the first time, this time.

The swing seems fairly normal, but I'd like it to be between 8.1 and 8.5.

I'm not really stressing over it, just getting my head around all of it.

[woodnaquanut]

Originally Posted by Reu2

Alkalinity is a little low at 2.16 (if I'm doing the test right). I went ahead and did a crude outside airline to see if it has an affect on the pH. But I also raised my temp, it's been setting around 77.1-77.5 and I'd like to see it closer to 80-82. Which will throw off the whole pH test. I also pulled about maybe a third of the algae to further taint the results.

Now many of you have been through this already, but this is new to me. I pulled a softball size chunk of Algea, ****ing gross, but kinda awesome

To raise the Alk my only choice is pretty much buffer right?

You measuring meq/L or dKH? Always important to include units!!

If it's meq/L, ocean is 2.5 meq/L so you are just a bit low. Water changes should correct or you can use baking soda, aka sodium bicarbonate, aka Arm & Hammer. BRS has a calculator to get you up to speed.

I used to be a big fan of 80 degrees. In the last year or so I've switched to 77.5 to 78.5. Cost less to heat, more dissolved O2 in the water. Not as comfortable putting my entire arm in the tank, though.

[Reu2]

meq/L with a Salifert kit. First time using the kit, it does KH which was 6.1 in dKH and Alk in meq/L at 2.16.

Doing a water change tomorrow so it'll be interesting to see how it changes.

[woodnaquanut]

Oh I forgot to mention...

Algae is cool. Nutrient export! Your whole tank it a algae turf scrubber.

Gotta stay positive. New tanks always (at least mine) look like crap. My planted FW tank looked like an algae farm. 10 years later there is no algae. I haven't needed to clean anything off the front glass in at least 6 months.

[woodnaquanut]

Originally Posted by Reu2

meq/L with a Salifert kit. First time using the kit, it does KH which was 6.1 in dKH and Alk in meq/L at 2.16.

Doing a water change tomorrow so it'll be interesting to see how it changes.

Test your new water. It might be coming in low. I use the same kit. Seems easy to use. I love titrations, really dislike colorimetric tests.

[Reu2]

Today we retire the 29 Gallon Reef Tank. How I did so many things wrong, and how I neglected it in so many ways. Gone are the days of it's rapidly changing chemistry, and poor setup. 29 Gallon reef tank, thank you for your tour of duty, you will not be forgotten. 21 Gun solute, Taps, and good night.


End of an Era by Reuben Neese, on Flickr


End of an Era by Reuben Neese, on Flickr

Hello Fish Room! Now for the weekend update;

Things are really coming together. Not everything in the 29 was bad so I spent the day ignoring my family and cleaning the rock I wanted to keep, breaking apart a large rock of Green Hairy Mushrooms (Have two more rocks left if you're interested), and getting things in order.

Fish room by Reuben Neese, on Flickr

This is the new Observation Tank (20G long), it's running the old canister filter and lighting. Once I get the frags out, it'll be where new livestock goes for observation before going in the DT. I know, more wires to organize, I have to order more brackets. Those asking about QT or Hospital, the plan is a smaller tank, but I haven't gotten it yet. With the space left it's going to have to be a 10 Gallon with a sponge filter. Once the bulk of the live stock has been added, this tank will eventually be plumbed to the main system as a propagation tank. Need to add new bulbs, if you could only have 4 t5 bulbs, which would you get for best coral color and growth?

Observation Tank by Reuben Neese, on Flickr

Here is the Fuge with it's new ball of Cheato. Not sure if I want to rearrange the rock in here yet. The phallic appearance is kind of funny.... Of course as the dry rock becomes live it won't be so obvious.

Sump by Reuben Neese, on Flickr

The sump has been doing great, only the occasional micro bubble gets through. I'm also getting the hang of having an ATO, helps to shut that thing off when working on the tank. You can see the crude outside airlines attached to the silencer. Interesting enough, after removing so much algae, raising the temperature slightly, and adding outside air, the pH has been near steady. Steadily low at 8.03, but steady. Still have to do a water change tonight, so we'll see.

Sump by Reuben Neese, on Flickr

[sn4265]

Boosting up your Alk may very well eliminate your low pH issue too. You could try running limewater in the ATO for a while. That would boost your Alk, and Ca too if needed, and might help to bring up your pH. What's your Ca reading now?

The other plus side is that since you are planning this as a reef tank... You are going to need to be supplementing Alk & Ca anyway. Until your coral growth really gets growing you should be able to keep up with nothing more than limewater.

[Reu2]

Originally Posted by sn4265

Boosting up your Alk may very well eliminate your low pH issue too. You could try running limewater in the ATO for a while. That would boost your Alk, and Ca too if needed, and might help to bring up your pH. What's your Ca reading now?

The other plus side is that since you are planning this as a reef tank... You are going to need to be supplementing Alk & Ca anyway. Until your coral growth really gets growing you should be able to keep up with nothing more than limewater.

Great advise. I think I will get what is needed to dose Limewater, but I'm not going to start unless levels get dangerous. This early in the chemistry and with no corals I'm hoping to avoid dosing anything until the tank has had some time to stabilize. If I'm lucky I'll be able to go straight to Two-Part when it's needed and skip the limewater all together.

I haven't tested Calcium levels yet.... I know; what reefer doesn't check his calcium levels? But I knew I wasn't placing corals in anytime soon so I haven't taken the time to learn to use my new Hanna Meter yet. I'm sure that'll happen this week. But with only snails using it, I can't imagine it's depleting at any noticeable rate.

Now I have to research limewater as it's not something I've used.