My Tank Thread (Take3) ★Total AUTOMATION★ DIY Doser, Sump, AlgaeScrubber, WaterChnges - Page 8

reefmutt · 07/13/2017, 10:00 AM

Why not just put a valve on the output of the pump.. you don't need significant flow through that area..

reefmutt · 07/13/2017, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wally.B

I think of some things after staring or sleeping on it.

BUT Always keep your thoughts coming, on anything. It Helps.

I am getting a bit worried about the QT (with the Brown Tang).
I don't have Nitrite or Ammonia test kits.

I did use water from Water Change (with a bit of fresh water) for the Total 15 Gallons.

How badly with things cycle? Dangerous to TANG?

I am adding Zeo Bak, but I don't have any Live Rock or Bio-Balls.

Id get a couple pieces of well cured live rock in here..or matrix or such media.. and some flow..

Wally.B · 07/13/2017, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by reefmutt

Id get a couple pieces of well cured live rock in here..or matrix or such media.. and some flow..

I don't have any Spare Live Rock from SPS tank.

Don't want to bring in any Rock from LPS tank (Have nice piece in sump, but could have Some Colonial Hydroids, so don't want to contaminate anything).

-> I do have a bunch of Active/aged (Marine Pure Ceramic Bio-Balls) in SPS tank Sump.
-> I could siphon off some Live Sand from SPS tank.
-> I also have the crushed Dead SPS Coral pieces I threw into SPS Tank WC Refuge

->How about take out an OLD BAG of Chemipure that is sitting in SPS Tank Sump. I have 3 in there that I change every 6 months.
-> Filter Floss in SPS tank Sump also needs to be changed.

They all have Active Bio in them.

What is best? (A bit of each?)

Wally.B · 07/13/2017, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by reefmutt

Why not just put a valve on the output of the pump.. you don't need significant flow through that area..

I agree, and there is a Ball Valve on Return pump.

I don't like to back pressure on Return Pumps since they can get noisy, so I could put a U-Pipe with The Ball Valve that diverts some water back into Sump right away, and not into Frag Tank.

However if I limit the return pump flow it reduces my overall Frag Tank Overflow Box surface skim. (Maybe doesn't matter).

[[ I am thinking down the road, should I ever decide to add Fish to Frag Tank]]

BUT I DON'T Really Want to "DO HOLES" in the "Baffle Box", it does look nice, and that may ruin the look.

Wish I could try the return pump, but it used for QT.

Could borrow it, and run in bucket.

reefmutt · 07/13/2017, 11:05 AM

I'd say the marine pure balls would be ideal for the qt.
As for surface skim, I wouldn't worry too much about that..

Wally.B · 07/13/2017, 11:12 AM

How is this for a Quick (Short Term Fix) for QT Bio?

This Filter Sponge is in my SPS Tank Sump. Just an Airline bubbling thru it.
I used it for extra Airation, and a place for Copepods to live in.

I put it into QT SUMP. Running on same Airline for forced flow. Should have some Bacteria in it from DT.

I'll still add the Marine Pure Bio Balls, but that's a bit more work.

BTW. That's the Red Ball Valve on Return Pump that I can control Baffle box flow.

reefmutt · 07/13/2017, 11:17 AM

Sponge should be good.. maybe give it a squeeze or two in tank water to get out excess detritus..

Wally.B · 07/13/2017, 11:23 AM

EVEN BETTER (BIO Material)

I lifted up the Filter Floss, and I forgot about the Filter Tray section in the SPS tank SUMP.

Just before the Bio Wall Cage on Bottom of photo, there is a tray with Small Live rocks, old Dead SPS colonies, and a few MarinePure Balls. All very active.

A few pieces into QT will be perfect.

reefmutt · 07/13/2017, 11:36 AM

Nice!

Wally.B · 07/13/2017, 11:40 AM

Another IDEA (Black Cover Box will just be a 2nd Shell around Baffle box)

Matt, thanks for your input.

Instead of making a tightly fitting black cover box, I'll make it a loose shell, with a 1/4" spacer around it (and a gap underneath)

Let the Baffle box overflow a bit, it will just dump into the Frag area within the Shell. It won't be an eyesore. (Shell will still do it's job, but not allowing light in for Algae Growth)
The baffle box will still flow water thru all sections.

Who knows, maybe the whole baffle box flowing like a waterfall down the side, will look cool.
I still have the Ball Valve for small adjustments.

GLAD I NEVER CUT THE "Black Acrlyic Sheet" yet. It's the only large piece I have left.
And REALLY GLAD, I didn't destroy the Baffle box with Holes.

These fish tank projects have taught me a lot about being patient and not Hasty. I'm starting to apply that to my life, in projects and in general.

Again....Thanks for your thoughts.

Wally.B · 07/13/2017, 11:58 AM

What's better than 1 Waterfall? (Two Water Falls)

I put in the Garden Hose and Cranked it up (Flow is way more than it will ever be).

That Started a 2nd Waterfall, but a Gap in between.

Looks cool, and just more random circulation in Frag Area.

I can build the Black Cover (Tight Fitting as planned)

reefmutt · 07/13/2017, 12:11 PM

Wally, it's time to stop for lunch. Ya gotta eat!

Wally.B · 07/13/2017, 09:08 PM

WOW!! Live Rock and Ceramic Bio-Spheres work (QT has gone Almost "Instantly" Crystal Clear from Cloudy Yellow)

For last couple of days the QT didn't look very clear at all.

I thought it was the glass.

I didn't turn on the Canopy Light since it made it worse.

After Adding the Live Rock and Marine Pure Media, it went Crystal clear in a few hours.

Is is possible, that Live Rock did the job?

If true then the QT was heading toward trouble (with Power Brown Waste Toxins), especially leaving it alone while away for a Week!!

Wally.B · 07/13/2017, 10:35 PM

Made/Installed (QT [TopUp & Overflow Vac] )

Matt, I had to Crack open the Electo-Sealed Additive VAULT.

But have no worries, I'm keep my "NO Additives" Promise till Sept.

Everything is re-sealed in another Container.

I needed the Acrylic Case to make a Controller to do Top UP's on the QT, since I'm away next week.

I re-used some past code for the TOPUP and Added a 2nd Pump that does a Vacuum on the Overflow, since bubbles get slowly trapped.

Too many bubbles, fill the overflow and break the Sihphon.

So the QT is safe while I'm away.

The only Danger is the Neighbour, who may overfeed the Fish like he did last year.

reefmutt · 07/14/2017, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wally.B

WOW!! Live Rock and Ceramic Bio-Spheres work (QT has gone Almost "Instantly" Crystal Clear from Cloudy Yellow)

For last couple of days the QT didn't look very clear at all.

I thought it was the glass.

I didn't turn on the Canopy Light since it made it worse.

After Adding the Live Rock and Marine Pure Media, it went Crystal clear in a few hours.

Is is possible, that Live Rock did the job?

If true then the QT was heading toward trouble (with Power Brown Waste Toxins), especially leaving it alone while away for a Week!!

The beauty of bacteria! Good think you added that!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wally.B

Made/Installed (QT [TopUp & Overflow Vac] )

Matt, I had to Crack open the Electo-Sealed Additive VAULT.

But have no worries, I'm keep my "NO Additives" Promise till Sept.

Everything is re-sealed in another Container.

I needed the Acrylic Case to make a Controller to do Top UP's on the QT, since I'm away next week.

I re-used some past code for the TOPUP and Added a 2nd Pump that does a Vacuum on the Overflow, since bubbles get slowly trapped.

Too many bubbles, fill the overflow and break the Sihphon.

So the QT is safe while I'm away.

The only Danger is the Neighbour, who may overfeed the Fish like he did last year.

I won't penalize your actions... this time. Was for a good cause.

Tell your neighbor that the fish would survive a week of getting no food, no problem but will die within a couple days of getting overfed
People who don't know anything ALWAYS over feed the fish out of fear of starving them.. if they know that isn't possible, they tend to calm down a bit.

Wally.B · 07/14/2017, 02:35 PM

FRAG TANK (TAP Water) PAR TESTS (Apogee Meter)

Meter is rented, so time is running out.

For now did Tap water. Wonder what difference Salt Water is (higher? lower?, probably lower since more particles)

...........................................LED ON LEFT...................................................150W MH (Magnetic Bal) on RIGHT

Looks like 12" fixture Height is reasonable. Similar to Display Tank.

Fixture Bit Lower will get me just over 200 PAR.

Rack will be 6" below Water which are BLACK readings.

Some rack sections can be made to be higher.

I DON'T TRUST THE LED READING. I think is more power than 140PAR.
I know I burned my Frags overnight at 10" depth in a past setup.

Wally.B · 07/14/2017, 08:39 PM

FRAG TANK (Real Frag Test) Working Great (Not a Single Browning Coral)

Need to test rack height, with some real sized Frags.

Not one is browning, or dying/bleaching even in TAP WATER!! (Dead Frags of Past work great for testing

)

Glad I did. 6" off bottom is too high.

Tank isn't 12" of water when running with Overflow, so rack needs to be 1-2" inches lower.

trembz · 07/14/2017, 09:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wally.B

FRAG TANK (Real Frag Test) Working Great (Not a Single Browning Coral)

Need to test rack height, with some real sized Frags.

Not one is browning, or dying/bleaching even in TAP WATER!! (Dead Frags of Past work great for testing

)

Glad I did. 6" off bottom is too high.

Tank isn't 12" of water when running with Overflow, so rack needs to be 1-2" inches lower.

I have 2 tanks run on TAP only and never an issue with my corals or algae

Sent from my SM-G935W8 using Tapatalk

Wally.B · 07/14/2017, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trembz

I have 2 tanks run on TAP only and never an issue with my corals or algae

Sent from my SM-G935W8 using Tapatalk

Yeah, but this is JUST TAP water. No Salt. (I'm still testing)

trembz · 07/14/2017, 10:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wally.B

Yeah, but this is JUST TAP water. No Salt. (I'm still testing)

Oh...
That's actually pretty cool then!

Sent from my SM-G935W8 using Tapatalk

Wally.B · 07/15/2017, 03:18 PM

FRAG TANK (Final Rack Setup) All Siliconed and Drying ( Next is Salt Water Fill ).

Time is running out for Going Away on Monday.

May have time to Transfer Power Brown Tang over to Frag Tank.
It's cozy in 10 Gallon, but he could use more room.

(Have Extra Water Change water on Standby to Fillup)

I used some Spare PVC (for Posts, two widths since all I had)
-> Each Post is Siliconed to bottom since they float.
-> Each Post has a hole at the Top/Side to (Tie Wrap Egg Crate).

For now I have 3 Rack Levels in the two Lighting Areas (LED/MH), and plenty of spare around each rack (For Circulation AND for fish to swim around)

The Baffle box has a cover that is removable (To minimize Algae Growth).

Things can be changed, since it's just silicone for Posts, and tie Wraps for Egg Crate.

Good enough for a Real Test Try.

JonezNReef · 07/15/2017, 05:03 PM

Looking good.

Wally.B · 07/15/2017, 05:19 PM

Thanks.

DARN!! I just realized A MISTAKE while watching it dry.

I didn't drill a HOLE at the Bottom of the PVC tubes (which are siliconed at bottom), so then they fill, they will never drain (which mean dead spot within).

It would have been easy to make a hole at bottom when loose pieces.
I can't drill a LARGE hole since not sturdy, but maybe use a dremil to poke thru in some small holes. Then work up into Larger Hole Sizes with progressive bits.
(Won't be easy to clean out the shavings).

Darn.

Wally.B · 07/16/2017, 10:08 AM

2nd Setset Acro (Not Doing Well)

I have no idea what is wrong. All other Corals fine.

This is 2nd Sunset, but what's weird is it's bleaching from the side. Never seen that before. Looks like it would be circulation, but all is fine and neighbour Corals doing well.

I haven't been touching the Tank except for Twice a week Water changes.

Wally.B · 07/16/2017, 11:11 AM

FRAG TANK (Final Fresh Water Rinse/Test) With PAR READINGS

One more Fresh Water Rinse, to clean it.

Placed a (Weighted) Plastic Frag to see Circulation.
Pretty Strong, I had to pin it down or else it got knocked over and blown away.

PAR READING AT THAT (Middle SPOT) Look Good. (I used a container of Salt Water, before filling with Tap Water, FOR PAR READING)

Inch Readings are Fixture Height above Surface Water Level.

I'll throw in Salt Water, and Put that Sunset Frag in there for a week.
It's gong to die in DT, so this will prove if Frag Tank is good.

07/13/2017, 10:00 AM	#176
reefmutt Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Mtl. Canada Posts: 7,824	Why not just put a valve on the output of the pump.. you don't need significant flow through that area.. __________________ Matt. Current Tank Info: 53x32.5x26 190g dt 60g of sumps 3 tank-100 gal frag system 6xAI prime 8xt5. 4x maxspect gyre. Skimz Dual internal sicce pump skimmer Deltec PF601s ca rx+Kalk stirrer

07/13/2017, 11:05 AM	#180
reefmutt Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Mtl. Canada Posts: 7,824	I'd say the marine pure balls would be ideal for the qt. As for surface skim, I wouldn't worry too much about that.. __________________ Matt. Current Tank Info: 53x32.5x26 190g dt 60g of sumps 3 tank-100 gal frag system 6xAI prime 8xt5. 4x maxspect gyre. Skimz Dual internal sicce pump skimmer Deltec PF601s ca rx+Kalk stirrer

07/13/2017, 11:17 AM	#182
reefmutt Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Mtl. Canada Posts: 7,824	Sponge should be good.. maybe give it a squeeze or two in tank water to get out excess detritus.. __________________ Matt. Current Tank Info: 53x32.5x26 190g dt 60g of sumps 3 tank-100 gal frag system 6xAI prime 8xt5. 4x maxspect gyre. Skimz Dual internal sicce pump skimmer Deltec PF601s ca rx+Kalk stirrer

07/13/2017, 11:36 AM	#184
reefmutt Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Mtl. Canada Posts: 7,824	Nice! __________________ Matt. Current Tank Info: 53x32.5x26 190g dt 60g of sumps 3 tank-100 gal frag system 6xAI prime 8xt5. 4x maxspect gyre. Skimz Dual internal sicce pump skimmer Deltec PF601s ca rx+Kalk stirrer

07/13/2017, 11:40 AM	#185
Wally.B Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Toronto GTA,Canada Posts: 1,763	Another IDEA (Black Cover Box will just be a 2nd Shell around Baffle box) Matt, thanks for your input. Instead of making a tightly fitting black cover box, I'll make it a loose shell, with a 1/4" spacer around it (and a gap underneath) Let the Baffle box overflow a bit, it will just dump into the Frag area within the Shell. It won't be an eyesore. (Shell will still do it's job, but not allowing light in for Algae Growth) The baffle box will still flow water thru all sections. Who knows, maybe the whole baffle box flowing like a waterfall down the side, will look cool. I still have the Ball Valve for small adjustments. GLAD I NEVER CUT THE "Black Acrlyic Sheet" yet. It's the only large piece I have left. And REALLY GLAD, I didn't destroy the Baffle box with Holes. These fish tank projects have taught me a lot about being patient and not Hasty. I'm starting to apply that to my life, in projects and in general. Again....Thanks for your thoughts. Last edited by Wally.B; 07/13/2017 at 11:48 AM.

07/13/2017, 11:12 AM	#181
Wally.B Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Toronto GTA,Canada Posts: 1,763	How is this for a Quick (Short Term Fix) for QT Bio? This Filter Sponge is in my SPS Tank Sump. Just an Airline bubbling thru it. I used it for extra Airation, and a place for Copepods to live in. I put it into QT SUMP. Running on same Airline for forced flow. Should have some Bacteria in it from DT. I'll still add the Marine Pure Bio Balls, but that's a bit more work. BTW. That's the Red Ball Valve on Return Pump that I can control Baffle box flow.

07/13/2017, 11:23 AM	#183
Wally.B Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Toronto GTA,Canada Posts: 1,763	EVEN BETTER (BIO Material) I lifted up the Filter Floss, and I forgot about the Filter Tray section in the SPS tank SUMP. Just before the Bio Wall Cage on Bottom of photo, there is a tray with Small Live rocks, old Dead SPS colonies, and a few MarinePure Balls. All very active. A few pieces into QT will be perfect.

07/13/2017, 11:58 AM	#186
Wally.B Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Toronto GTA,Canada Posts: 1,763	What's better than 1 Waterfall? (Two Water Falls) I put in the Garden Hose and Cranked it up (Flow is way more than it will ever be). That Started a 2nd Waterfall, but a Gap in between. Looks cool, and just more random circulation in Frag Area. I can build the Black Cover (Tight Fitting as planned)

07/13/2017, 12:11 PM	#187
reefmutt Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Mtl. Canada Posts: 7,824	Wally, it's time to stop for lunch. Ya gotta eat! __________________ Matt. Current Tank Info: 53x32.5x26 190g dt 60g of sumps 3 tank-100 gal frag system 6xAI prime 8xt5. 4x maxspect gyre. Skimz Dual internal sicce pump skimmer Deltec PF601s ca rx+Kalk stirrer

07/13/2017, 09:08 PM	#188
Wally.B Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Toronto GTA,Canada Posts: 1,763	WOW!! Live Rock and Ceramic Bio-Spheres work (QT has gone Almost "Instantly" Crystal Clear from Cloudy Yellow) For last couple of days the QT didn't look very clear at all. I thought it was the glass. I didn't turn on the Canopy Light since it made it worse. After Adding the Live Rock and Marine Pure Media, it went Crystal clear in a few hours. Is is possible, that Live Rock did the job? If true then the QT was heading toward trouble (with Power Brown Waste Toxins), especially leaving it alone while away for a Week!! Last edited by Wally.B; 07/13/2017 at 09:16 PM.

07/13/2017, 10:35 PM	#189
Wally.B Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Toronto GTA,Canada Posts: 1,763	Made/Installed (QT [TopUp & Overflow Vac] ) Matt, I had to Crack open the Electo-Sealed Additive VAULT. But have no worries, I'm keep my "NO Additives" Promise till Sept. Everything is re-sealed in another Container. I needed the Acrylic Case to make a Controller to do Top UP's on the QT, since I'm away next week. I re-used some past code for the TOPUP and Added a 2nd Pump that does a Vacuum on the Overflow, since bubbles get slowly trapped. Too many bubbles, fill the overflow and break the Sihphon. So the QT is safe while I'm away. The only Danger is the Neighbour, who may overfeed the Fish like he did last year.

07/14/2017, 02:35 PM	#191
Wally.B Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Toronto GTA,Canada Posts: 1,763	FRAG TANK (TAP Water) PAR TESTS (Apogee Meter) Meter is rented, so time is running out. For now did Tap water. Wonder what difference Salt Water is (higher? lower?, probably lower since more particles) ...........................................LED ON LEFT...................................................150W MH (Magnetic Bal) on RIGHT Looks like 12" fixture Height is reasonable. Similar to Display Tank. Fixture Bit Lower will get me just over 200 PAR. Rack will be 6" below Water which are BLACK readings. Some rack sections can be made to be higher. I DON'T TRUST THE LED READING. I think is more power than 140PAR. I know I burned my Frags overnight at 10" depth in a past setup.

07/14/2017, 08:39 PM	#192
Wally.B Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Toronto GTA,Canada Posts: 1,763	FRAG TANK (Real Frag Test) Working Great (Not a Single Browning Coral) Need to test rack height, with some real sized Frags. Not one is browning, or dying/bleaching even in TAP WATER!! (Dead Frags of Past work great for testing ) Glad I did. 6" off bottom is too high. Tank isn't 12" of water when running with Overflow, so rack needs to be 1-2" inches lower.

07/15/2017, 03:18 PM	#196
Wally.B Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Toronto GTA,Canada Posts: 1,763	FRAG TANK (Final Rack Setup) All Siliconed and Drying ( Next is Salt Water Fill ). Time is running out for Going Away on Monday. May have time to Transfer Power Brown Tang over to Frag Tank. It's cozy in 10 Gallon, but he could use more room. (Have Extra Water Change water on Standby to Fillup) I used some Spare PVC (for Posts, two widths since all I had) -> Each Post is Siliconed to bottom since they float. -> Each Post has a hole at the Top/Side to (Tie Wrap Egg Crate). For now I have 3 Rack Levels in the two Lighting Areas (LED/MH), and plenty of spare around each rack (For Circulation AND for fish to swim around) The Baffle box has a cover that is removable (To minimize Algae Growth). Things can be changed, since it's just silicone for Posts, and tie Wraps for Egg Crate. Good enough for a Real Test Try.

07/15/2017, 05:03 PM	#197
JonezNReef Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Florida Posts: 782	Looking good. __________________ "I chop up animals and glue them to rocks" Current Tank Info: System 1 Mixed Reef: 180g DT,180g Fuge, 120g Sump http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2611735

07/15/2017, 05:19 PM	#198
Wally.B Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Toronto GTA,Canada Posts: 1,763	Thanks. DARN!! I just realized A MISTAKE while watching it dry. I didn't drill a HOLE at the Bottom of the PVC tubes (which are siliconed at bottom), so then they fill, they will never drain (which mean dead spot within). It would have been easy to make a hole at bottom when loose pieces. I can't drill a LARGE hole since not sturdy, but maybe use a dremil to poke thru in some small holes. Then work up into Larger Hole Sizes with progressive bits. (Won't be easy to clean out the shavings). Darn.

07/16/2017, 10:08 AM	#199
Wally.B Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Toronto GTA,Canada Posts: 1,763	2nd Setset Acro (Not Doing Well) I have no idea what is wrong. All other Corals fine. This is 2nd Sunset, but what's weird is it's bleaching from the side. Never seen that before. Looks like it would be circulation, but all is fine and neighbour Corals doing well. I haven't been touching the Tank except for Twice a week Water changes.

07/16/2017, 11:11 AM	#200
Wally.B Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Toronto GTA,Canada Posts: 1,763	FRAG TANK (Final Fresh Water Rinse/Test) With PAR READINGS One more Fresh Water Rinse, to clean it. Placed a (Weighted) Plastic Frag to see Circulation. Pretty Strong, I had to pin it down or else it got knocked over and blown away. PAR READING AT THAT (Middle SPOT) Look Good. (I used a container of Salt Water, before filling with Tap Water, FOR PAR READING) Inch Readings are Fixture Height above Surface Water Level. I'll throw in Salt Water, and Put that Sunset Frag in there for a week. It's gong to die in DT, so this will prove if Frag Tank is good.