Elos 160 - First Build

[Zaffor]

I installed the ecotech diffusers to my G4 pros. The disco effect never bothered my but I read several favorable posts praising the even spread so I gave it a go.

 

[Zaffor]

The KLIR FILTER we preordered came in last weekend. I didnt see many youtube videos on it so I had my wife film a quick unboxing and I filmed one loading the fleece.

 

[Zaffor]

As I posted in a separate thread regarding the Klir
Just a note of caution
When I loaded the fleece I weakened the paper when I pulled the taped end away from the roll. The tension within the rollers was too great and it tore right at the weakened area. I cut it off and reloaded the fleece.

ALSO
make sure when you set it inside the sock hole that the folding mechanism of the KLIR does not pinch the fleece paper within its seam. I caught it as I was re-loading mine.

Last issue is with my neptune ATK
The optical water level sensors being a bit too close to each other combined with the small change in water level when the fleece advances (when the water before the Klir raises to the eye it slowly advances fleece until the level drops under the eye) this causes the return chamber to rise slightly activating the High level sensor and an alarm in apex. With a large enough return chamber this may not be an issue. I thought about making some thick covers for the un-used socks to help displace some of the water thus making the change that much smaller. This would be the easiest solution.

 

[Mattres]

The tank is looking stunning mate
The Klir filter looks like a winner to. Fingers crossed it makes it down here to Aus at some point.

 

[Zaffor]

 

[Zaffor]

Okay so after watching some other folks update their threads, I feel compelled to update mine as well.

The KLIR auto filter roll is working well, but I only get about 3 weeks out of one roll. I am eager to try a 75 or 100 micron fleece to see if I can get a whole month out of it which would be fine for me. I definitely do NOT miss cleaning socks.

To solve the problem with the water in my return chamber from fluctuating so much when the KLIR advanced new fleece, i swapped the flat covers for my 2nd and 3rd filter sock hole with marble squares that I cut to help displace some of the water that would otherwise cause the return chamber level to rise just enough to touch the high ATO sensor.

It works well now with no high water alarms whenever the fleece advances.
(KLIR works by advancing fleece after water level behind the filter rises as fleece gets dirty. The KLIR advances a small segment of fleece every time the water rises and reaches the optical sensor causing the backed up water to flow more easily thus rising the return chamber a tad)

...

 

[Zaffor]

Took some photos with the TruVu filter on my iphone. It definitely makes for some interesting photos.

WD Under all blue lights

and under AB+ schedule lights

 

[Zaffor]

FINALLY installed my ARID with some soft silicone tubing with quick disconnects that you can order as an upgrade to the ARID. Makes removal for maintenance very easy. I had to plumb it through the center wall in my sump but I already had some penetrations drilled from before.

and added some algae to get it started

Getting around 150gph through the ARID and the display stays around 300gph.

I am dosing the iron supplement at nights to help the algae grow.

 

[Zaffor]

I am condensing the last several weeks into these few posts so I apologize that they come one after the other.

Because of the KLIR filter installation, I had top remove one of the large reactors I had on the side of the sump. I usually only run a small amount of carbon (or carbon mixed with a small amount of GFO) so it was not being used much.

To simplify maintenance I decided to swap out the large reactor for the small ones. I had the space so I opted for a pair of small "mini reactors" from BRS.

I removed the inlet of one and the outlet of the other and joined them with a 1/2" NPT threaded nipple.

I had a piece of heavy aluminum angle and cut a segment to mount the 2 reactors to so I could mount them high up in the stand.

I then painted the bracket and mounted the reactors back where the old ones were.

this is the amount of carbon I use, so this makes it much easier to maintain. I dont have to deal with sponges or spacers. I just fill to cartridge to the top and install the lid.

EASY!

 

[Zaffor]

I started dosing Flatworm Stop by KZ also.

I used this in the past and it seemed to help growth and encrust speed. (who knows)

I added it to one of the empty DOS heads.

Here is a shot of how the sump space looks now.

 

[SneakyTortuga]

Took some photos with the TruVu filter on my iphone. It definitely makes for some interesting photos.

WD Under all blue lights

and under AB+ schedule lights

Psshhhhhh.... that wd colony is amazing. I wish mine would color up like that.

Nice job on the tank! The dimensions on the elos 160 are perfect.

Following along

 

[Zaffor]

Psshhhhhh.... that wd colony is amazing. I wish mine would color up like that.

Nice job on the tank! The dimensions on the elos 160 are perfect.

Following along

The TruVu lens makes it really pop. I didnt see colors on it until i started getting nutrients a little higher. I still strive to get it looking as good as some others who look like a box of crayons!!

Thanks!

 

[Rjramos]

Wow! Looking very nice [emoji1303]!

 

[Zaffor]

Found these to make feeding corals easier. Beats individually measuring (red sea reef energy)

 

[Zaffor]

After much harassment from my friend Chris, I broke down and bought a Hybrid T5 Fixture. I installed the 60" version of the Aquatic Life Hybrid to go alongside my 3 G4 Pro Radions. Added the deco end caps to clean up the installation as well.

I turned down the Radions to 40% to try and match the PAR I was getting with the LEDs alone. I will likely come up slowly to 50-60%. It has been a couple of months since I installed the light and it definitely has shown some positive change with colors. I run my T5s for 7 hours, and I have seen a slight increase in tank temp on the days I am not home and the AC defaults to 77 degrees. I will look into adding 2 180mm fans blowing down in between the radions to see if I can get that degree back through some evaporative cooling.

 

[Zaffor]

Side Shot with evening Blue LEDs

 

[Zaffor]

A shot of the ZEN REEF frag racks filled with several frags ( some of which I am baby sitting for my friend while he waits for a bit more tank stabilization )

 

[Zaffor]

Tank continues to move along nicely. I can say that the T5 hybrid fixture definitely seems to have helped.
Temperatures have risen a tad (more so when I am not home and AC defaults to 77). I plan to install 2 fans blowing down from lights on to the waters surface to see if I can bring it down 1 degree. Apex shuts off T5 at 81 which it will reach almost at the end of the T5 light cycle of 7 hours.

Here is a good shot showing the light fixture.

I installed the decora end caps to help clean up the wiring

And a photo with the iphone filter

 

[Zaffor]

I am still using Red Sea Reef Energy A & B 2 out of every 3 nights (mostly due to work shift schedule)

10ml each per night.
Got these on Amazon to make feeding easier.

 

[Zaffor]

Tried to snap a photo of my salt mixing procedure.
2 bags of INSTANT OCEAN and a few minutes later i have 90 gallons of fresh salt water
(105 gals total - I fill and mix when down to 15 gals)