Dcropley's 34g waterfall build - Page 4

SFish · 01/17/2017, 07:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dcropley

Can't run a drinking kit because I have a auto flush system, it would fill the tank with tap water. I got a 3 way valve ant have it before the DI and works great for filling up pitchers and bottles.

What kind of auto flush system do you have? I was thinking of getting one myself.

Dcropley · 01/18/2017, 08:24 AM

I have the factory auto flush that SpectraPure installed.

SFish · 01/18/2017, 04:31 PM

Oh ok

Thanks

Dcropley · 01/22/2017, 05:56 PM

5 month update, Fish are great they have grown so much in 5 months. The dry rock is doing great, coloring up and gaining life. The tank is good equipment is doing its job. I haven't lost one of the 12 and there are no nipped fins or aggression at this point. I plan on adding some RBTA's soon maybe in a month or so. I have lost a few shrimp though. As for as the starboard goes it is good it cleans pretty easy but some times its hard to get off in tight spots. Over all no issues or complaints.
harem1.jpg

harem2.jpg

harem3.jpg

harem4.jpg

harem5.jpg

Dcropley · 01/22/2017, 06:00 PM

choss · 03/06/2017, 09:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dcropley

So small update, I ordered 2 spears gate valves for the drains so I could fine tune them, and what a difference is sound. Having one over flow submerged and only a trickle down the other makes this almost 100% quite. Was kind of a pain to redo the plumbing but I had to do it and glad I did. Have to say the valves were $50 each! Also my Ecotech Radion xr15w Pro came in last night, I need to get the hanging kit but I had to un-box it and turn it on. Crappy pictures but figured Id share. I have to say this is one of the brightest led's I have seen. Need to get the reef link to play with the spectrum and set the schedule.

Attachment 349194

Attachment 349195

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Attachment 349197

I was just looking back at this thread and I wanted to ask you where you purchase the acrylic piece you are running your PVC pipes through. I'm looking for something similar.

Dcropley · 03/08/2017, 08:49 AM

I bought it from a guy on ebay called modularmarine. He has a website but it looks like its down. Look on his ebay page and send him a email about the dual sock holder. I see singles listed at the moment. http://www.ebay.com/itm/4-FILTER-SOC...-/201546350158

choss · 03/13/2017, 07:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dcropley

I bought it from a guy on ebay called modularmarine. He has a website but it looks like its down. Look on his ebay page and send him a email about the dual sock holder. I see singles listed at the moment. http://www.ebay.com/itm/4-FILTER-SOC...-/201546350158

Actually a single holder might work just fine for what I need. Thanks for the link. Two other questions - the BRS rock - which of their rock was this and did you treat it in any way before using it? Any phosphate leaching? Second, I love the Kessil fuge light. I run a Kessil as my main light on my current 40 gallon build. Its kind of pricey for a fuge light but do you think it is worth it? Considering one at the moment.

Dcropley · 03/16/2017, 08:20 AM

I used the reef saver rock I love it and it will color up with life after a few months. I was able to go on ebay for the kessil was $80 used. I love it it grows the mangroves, cheato, and other algae very well. I wanted a light that would make algae want to grow in the fuge and not the display. As for phosphate I do not know as I have not tested.

Quote:

Originally Posted by choss

Actually a single holder might work just fine for what I need. Thanks for the link. Two other questions - the BRS rock - which of their rock was this and did you treat it in any way before using it? Any phosphate leaching? Second, I love the Kessil fuge light. I run a Kessil as my main light on my current 40 gallon build. Its kind of pricey for a fuge light but do you think it is worth it? Considering one at the moment.

Kinetic · 08/17/2017, 02:52 PM

What a cool build! Following along!

Dcropley · 08/18/2017, 06:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kinetic

What a cool build! Following along!

Thanks, I took some time off on doing anything with the tank, was waiting for the tank to mature and stabilize before adding any more live stock. I will be ordering the BTA's any day now.

choss · 08/21/2017, 06:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dcropley

Thanks, I took some time off on doing anything with the tank, was waiting for the tank to mature and stabilize before adding any more live stock. I will be ordering the BTA's any day now.

how about a new FTS?

Dcropley · 09/07/2017, 07:07 AM

Okay so the 7 BTA's are in and doing great, they are eating every 3 days with some raw shrimp chunks, getting 9 hours or light and good flow. I have finally tested my parameters and they are as follows:
Mag:1160
Ca:350
P04:0.06
Nitrate: undetectable with Red Sea kit.

I know I need to increase the Ca and Mag but don't have any of the supplies to do so yet. I am thinking of doing the Triton method but want to dead about it a bit more. I took some pictures but have not had to time to upload them off the camera. I have to say ever since I have lowered my nitrates and phosphates I have seen an explosion of coraline on everything!. I also have seen a decrease in aggression between the clowns now that the BTA's are in the tank. They were beaten pretty badly on 2 of the clowns and it was getting to the point where I had to remove them and let them rest in the sump to recover. But as of lately the aggression has dropped which is a good sign. I did lose one other clown looks like he was chased up on overflow and dried out, so I have 10 clowns at this point. It is interesting to see the progression of this tank. It has been just over a year with all the clowns and for the first year they were never aggressive and one day it turned into a daily battle. I think as the BTA's split and fill more of the tank there will be even lese aggression.

ReefWreak · 09/07/2017, 07:23 AM

Thanks for the update, though it lacks pics of the new BTAs!

If you want to increase Ca (and likely Alk), I'd highly recommend keeping it simple and adding kalkwasser powder to your top-off water. It'll keep your pH, calcium, and alkalinity more than supplemented (maybe start at 1/2 a teaspoon per gallon, which is about 50% of the maximum concentration you can get with kalkwasser I believe).

It's cheap, it's easy, and it's really helpful (though you will have to be careful to top off slowly if you're not using an Automatic Top Off already, as dumping a lot at once will spike your pH).

choss · 09/11/2017, 10:34 AM

yes we need a FTS of the clowns and the nems

lieberca · 09/11/2017, 12:51 PM

Just noticed this build and really dig the scape and the mass o' clowns. Looks fantastic!

Dcropley · 02/01/2018, 08:20 AM

So another update, I am going to post some tank shots and I have to say I couldn't have been any happier with the Nems and the way they look but What it a tank journal without sharing your failures. I am not exactly sure what happend but the short story is I basically killed all the nems... I had a few really good months and everything was going well. There are a few things that I can think did them in. First I turned up the Radion too high too fast, Second I messed with the salinity too much. Third my Ph was too low. These are the only factors that I know changed. But I will move one and keep learning and try again at some point. I need to figure out how to get my ph and other levels stable and at the values need to support and grow life coral/nems I have failed at both. Needless to say the fish are great they have grown and get along better now than at the one year mark. I have 9 out of 12 and as I stated before I lost one due to jumping and the other two to bullying. The tank floor is almost 100% covered in coraline and there is not much starborat left to see, the photos posted were taken several months and don't show the growth though. The rock looks fantastic and you can't tell that it was ever reef saver rock. My fuge is doing great I have to take out the chaeto every sunday the Kessil is doings its job growing it. I did have my Tunze ATO pump did and I called Tunze and that had one out to me the next day no questions asked! Great customer service! I was able to get a free Vortech Mp10wqd for free from a buddy shutting down his biocube that he also gave me. I like the Vortech but I feel that my glass is just a little bit too thick for the 10 and I could be on there stronger but the flow and programs are great and it to does a great job. The bubble magus skimmer has not had one issue and I never have to fiddle with it. I think that is it for now.

Harem by devon cropley, on Flickr

Reefpuck · 02/01/2018, 09:58 PM

Cool looking tank! Nice to see some variety on a setup.

hbrochs · 05/07/2018, 11:07 AM

Hey, just popped by for an update, and the tank looks great!

Nems don't like salinity change and also like very low NO3, as close to zero as you can get it. Do you know what the Nitrates are running? With 10 or so clownfish its pretty easy to get the Nitrate up too high for the anemone's liking.

choss · 05/14/2018, 07:38 AM

tanks looks great. I have been using the Tunze Kalk dispenser attached to the Tunze Osmolator and since I've done that my PH stays around 8.2 and my ALK has been around 7.5. I found hooking this up to my 40 cube coincided with good growth from all my corals and general stability. I also run chaeto although I took it offline a while back.

To your point about salinity, my nem was doing great until it split one day. At the time I had no idea why it split. Moths later I realized my salinity was way off due to a faulty hydrometer. Since I have gotten it in line the news are both happy and growing. SO now I have two. Good luck

boccaccio · 05/16/2018, 03:31 AM

this tank looks very awesome sir.

09/11/2017, 10:34 AM	#90
choss Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Scarsdale NY Posts: 526	yes we need a FTS of the clowns and the nems __________________ ________ Reef Savvy 96 Gallon Rimless Tank - http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2643140 Current Tank Info: Reef Savvy 96

02/01/2018, 08:20 AM	#92
Dcropley Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Posts: 22	So another update, I am going to post some tank shots and I have to say I couldn't have been any happier with the Nems and the way they look but What it a tank journal without sharing your failures. I am not exactly sure what happend but the short story is I basically killed all the nems... I had a few really good months and everything was going well. There are a few things that I can think did them in. First I turned up the Radion too high too fast, Second I messed with the salinity too much. Third my Ph was too low. These are the only factors that I know changed. But I will move one and keep learning and try again at some point. I need to figure out how to get my ph and other levels stable and at the values need to support and grow life coral/nems I have failed at both. Needless to say the fish are great they have grown and get along better now than at the one year mark. I have 9 out of 12 and as I stated before I lost one due to jumping and the other two to bullying. The tank floor is almost 100% covered in coraline and there is not much starborat left to see, the photos posted were taken several months and don't show the growth though. The rock looks fantastic and you can't tell that it was ever reef saver rock. My fuge is doing great I have to take out the chaeto every sunday the Kessil is doings its job growing it. I did have my Tunze ATO pump did and I called Tunze and that had one out to me the next day no questions asked! Great customer service! I was able to get a free Vortech Mp10wqd for free from a buddy shutting down his biocube that he also gave me. I like the Vortech but I feel that my glass is just a little bit too thick for the 10 and I could be on there stronger but the flow and programs are great and it to does a great job. The bubble magus skimmer has not had one issue and I never have to fiddle with it. I think that is it for now. Harem by devon cropley, on Flickr Harem by devon cropley, on Flickr Harem by devon cropley, on Flickr Harem by devon cropley, on Flickr

02/01/2018, 09:58 PM	#93
Reefpuck Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Georgetown, TX Posts: 1,122	Cool looking tank! Nice to see some variety on a setup. __________________ Josh Current Tank Info: 90g mixed reef w/ 55g sump/fuge.

05/07/2018, 11:07 AM	#94
hbrochs Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Westchester, NY Posts: 439	Nems Hey, just popped by for an update, and the tank looks great! Nems don't like salinity change and also like very low NO3, as close to zero as you can get it. Do you know what the Nitrates are running? With 10 or so clownfish its pretty easy to get the Nitrate up too high for the anemone's liking. __________________ 80 Gallon Innovative Marine long shallow reef 30 Gallon tank for raising baby clownfish Current Tank Info: Innovative Marine SR-80

05/14/2018, 07:38 AM	#95
choss Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Scarsdale NY Posts: 526	tanks looks great. I have been using the Tunze Kalk dispenser attached to the Tunze Osmolator and since I've done that my PH stays around 8.2 and my ALK has been around 7.5. I found hooking this up to my 40 cube coincided with good growth from all my corals and general stability. I also run chaeto although I took it offline a while back. To your point about salinity, my nem was doing great until it split one day. At the time I had no idea why it split. Moths later I realized my salinity was way off due to a faulty hydrometer. Since I have gotten it in line the news are both happy and growing. SO now I have two. Good luck __________________ ________ Reef Savvy 96 Gallon Rimless Tank - http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2643140 Current Tank Info: Reef Savvy 96

01/18/2017, 08:24 AM	#77
Dcropley Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Posts: 22	I have the factory auto flush that SpectraPure installed.

01/18/2017, 04:31 PM	#78
SFish Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 2,062	Oh ok Thanks

01/22/2017, 05:56 PM	#79
Dcropley Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Posts: 22	5 month update, Fish are great they have grown so much in 5 months. The dry rock is doing great, coloring up and gaining life. The tank is good equipment is doing its job. I haven't lost one of the 12 and there are no nipped fins or aggression at this point. I plan on adding some RBTA's soon maybe in a month or so. I have lost a few shrimp though. As for as the starboard goes it is good it cleans pretty easy but some times its hard to get off in tight spots. Over all no issues or complaints. harem1.jpg harem2.jpg harem3.jpg harem4.jpg harem5.jpg

01/22/2017, 06:00 PM	#80
Dcropley Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Posts: 22

03/08/2017, 08:49 AM	#82
Dcropley Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Posts: 22	I bought it from a guy on ebay called modularmarine. He has a website but it looks like its down. Look on his ebay page and send him a email about the dual sock holder. I see singles listed at the moment. http://www.ebay.com/itm/4-FILTER-SOC...-/201546350158

08/17/2017, 02:52 PM	#85
Kinetic Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 7,230	What a cool build! Following along!

09/07/2017, 07:07 AM	#88
Dcropley Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Posts: 22	Okay so the 7 BTA's are in and doing great, they are eating every 3 days with some raw shrimp chunks, getting 9 hours or light and good flow. I have finally tested my parameters and they are as follows: Mag:1160 Ca:350 P04:0.06 Nitrate: undetectable with Red Sea kit. I know I need to increase the Ca and Mag but don't have any of the supplies to do so yet. I am thinking of doing the Triton method but want to dead about it a bit more. I took some pictures but have not had to time to upload them off the camera. I have to say ever since I have lowered my nitrates and phosphates I have seen an explosion of coraline on everything!. I also have seen a decrease in aggression between the clowns now that the BTA's are in the tank. They were beaten pretty badly on 2 of the clowns and it was getting to the point where I had to remove them and let them rest in the sump to recover. But as of lately the aggression has dropped which is a good sign. I did lose one other clown looks like he was chased up on overflow and dried out, so I have 10 clowns at this point. It is interesting to see the progression of this tank. It has been just over a year with all the clowns and for the first year they were never aggressive and one day it turned into a daily battle. I think as the BTA's split and fill more of the tank there will be even lese aggression.

09/07/2017, 07:23 AM	#89
ReefWreak Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Astoria, NYC Posts: 10,159	Thanks for the update, though it lacks pics of the new BTAs! If you want to increase Ca (and likely Alk), I'd highly recommend keeping it simple and adding kalkwasser powder to your top-off water. It'll keep your pH, calcium, and alkalinity more than supplemented (maybe start at 1/2 a teaspoon per gallon, which is about 50% of the maximum concentration you can get with kalkwasser I believe). It's cheap, it's easy, and it's really helpful (though you will have to be careful to top off slowly if you're not using an Automatic Top Off already, as dumping a lot at once will spike your pH).

09/11/2017, 12:51 PM	#91
lieberca Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: St. Louis, MO Posts: 82	Just noticed this build and really dig the scape and the mass o' clowns. Looks fantastic!

05/16/2018, 03:31 AM	#96
boccaccio Registered Member Join Date: May 2018 Posts: 0	this tank looks very awesome sir.