BackbayReef’s 450gal

[backbayreef]

What external overflow box do you have for that tank.
I do not think my CD. 225 gallon tank came with one, but it was drilled for it.

Mine is a Modular Marine 3600gph.

 

[backbayreef]

So... there's a 3-day weekend coming up so I'm contemplating to merge the 90gal frag tank with the 450gal. The primary Abyzz 200 can make it across to the frag tank. Alternatively, I have an extra Red Dragon 130w pump that I can make this work...need to calculate if I can pump ~20 feet across. I can get rid of all the junk underneath the frag tank: sump, skimmer, carx, ato, heater, etc...

What do you guys think?

 

[lubeck]

So... there's a 3-day weekend coming up so I'm contemplating to merge the 90gal frag tank with the 450gal. The primary Abyzz 200 can make it across to the frag tank. Alternatively, I have an extra Red Dragon 130w pump that I can make this work...need to calculate if I can pump ~20 feet across. I can get rid of all the junk underneath the frag tank: sump, skimmer, carx, ato, heater, etc...

What do you guys think?

The 450 has stabilized with nutrients, no? Any concerns with the other levels between the tanks?

Otherwise no brainer if you have the pumps.

The only downside I see is if there was something wrong with either tank you have a backup to isolate issues

 

[backbayreef]

The 450 has stabilized with nutrients, no? Any concerns with the other levels between the tanks?

Otherwise no brainer if you have the pumps.

The only downside I see is if there was something wrong with either tank you have a backup isolate issues

Yeah - very stable and dialed in. The 90gal’s current alk is 12.2 dKH (I turned on kalk and didn’t adjust CaRx - dooh). So yes, I know what you mean. I can do a 50% WC on the 90gal before joining.

Yes in terms of disease control. I use the 90gal as a “holding tank” before adding any fish to the 450. Well, haven’t added any new fish for 6+ months — too scared now! lol

Hmmm… decisions, decisions. I just hate dosing, testing, and associated expenses running all these extra equipment.

Thanks for your input.

 

[backbayreef]

Just got the Avast K2 for the big tank. Starting slow at 6tsp of kalk and will dose at 5mls/min (2gal/day) to see how things go. I’ve turned off the CaRx for now.

 

[backbayreef]

So far so good - pH peaked at 8.55, which we’ll need to calibrate. Regardless, it’s definitely higher than before.

 

[lubeck]

Nice. Is that all from the kalk?

 

[dansyr]

Is the merge happening?

 

[backbayreef]

Nice. Is that all from the kalk?

Yes, Avast K2 with full saturation. ;)

 

[backbayreef]

Is the merge happening?

Unlikely - was helping a friend install his new tank so zero time. Also, bought tickets to RAP but not even sure I can go given birthday & anniversary parties (not ours).

 

[dansyr]

Unlikely - was helping a friend install his new tank so zero time. Also, bought tickets to RAP but not even sure I can go given birthday & anniversary parties (not ours).

Completely fair - had friends staying over this weekend too, time goes away fast. You still thinking it's worth it to merge the plumbing?

 

[backbayreef]

Completely fair - had friends staying over this weekend too, time goes away fast. You still thinking it's worth it to merge the plumbing?

Given that I have everything running — it’s just a minor inconvenience in terms of effort, automated CaRx, ATO, etc. I just don’t test as often as I should — back to lack of time.

Anyway, will defer this decision to another 3d weekend since I’ve already lost 2 days.

 

[backbayreef]

The frag tank got an ATO upgrade last night - waiting for the Avast K1 to arrive so I can do kalk.

I should separate this tank to its own thread since there’s more action here now that the 450gal is stable. ;)

 

[backbayreef]

Avast K1 is running - immediate pH observed so let’s see how things go.

 

[backbayreef]

Update - there is no update! I just came back from a 2wks vacation and the tanks are on autopilot. I had to replenish fluids & ATO and cleaned to glass. Other than that, no big deal. My PO4 got to zero since I couldn’t shut off the PhosphatE remotely so will need to dose to bring it back up.

 

[backbayreef]

Well -- my phosphate didn't get to zero. The stupid Trident NP was completely out of whack! It was reporting 2 nitrate and 0 phosphate; but in fact, it was 14 and 0.2, respectively (per Hanna). During this time, I thought my nutrients bottom'ed out and kept dosing Ammonium Chloride, NeoPhos, and heavy feeding! A few SPS sticks browned out and one actually RTN'ed due to sudden increase in ammonia & phosphate! :(

Oh well - lessons learned for me to never trust the NP again...Doing PhosphatE to bring it down slowly.

 

[backbayreef]

I’ve recalibrated the Trident NP and it appeared to closely match Hanna again. Perhaps I’ll need to recalibrate every couple of weeks to make sure going fwd? Anyway, PO4 is slowly coming down from 0.23 to 0.17. I should be under 0.10 in a week with continued PhosphatE dosing.

 

[backbayreef]

Saturday morning tank update.

 

[backbayreef]

Went to Harry's Marine yesterday to look for more fish. Man -- I'll like to swap out my Big Bully Blue Angelfish for a Queen one of these days! I miss the colorful Queen Angel so bad... I'll likely get a small Queen and get it through QT, knowing one day I'll swap out the Blue for the Queen.

Let me know your thoughts...

 

[lubeck]

T

Saturday morning tank update.

The tank looks great, you got a filter!