First tank! Crystal Dynamic Peninsula 83

[anonomous09]

Carbon! I dont use it anymore as I installed an ATS (which is another thing you could explore) but I liked running carbon as it keeps the water clear. I also used a little GFO now and then.

I would assume the refugium will perform similar to the algae turf scrubber? I assume that’s what ATS stands for?

 

[count krunk]

That is what it stands for. And it may.

Refugiums are not created equal

 

[anonomous09]

Well a small update before leaving town for the weekend. Needed some extra outlets but my electronics panel was getting a little full. It turns out the Neptune EB8 is the same dimension as the tank stand corner posts so good that mounted to run the heaters, skimmer, skimmer wiper, and Phillips Hue lights for the sump area. Unfortunately, I paid a stupidity tax upon assembly. Some of the EB8 outlets defaulted to on, turning on one of the heaters with no water. I unplugged it almost immediately after smelling it, but it was too late. The plastic outer sleeve completely melted. When I come back on Sunday I’ll tidy up the wiring, finish the water station, and begin the fill!

 

[anonomous09]

Alright, replacement heater has arrived and a few last fittings. One 55 gallon container has fresh RODI and another is filling. I still need to finish the water station plumbing as for now I’ll just be carrying a 1” braided hose up the stairs to fill. I plan to automate the ATO and W/C through the floor, however I am waiting on a city inspection before I do anything. What is everyone’s thoughts on plumbing a single manifold on the return line? I bought a gate valve and a T however not sure I’ll need it? If I did install one, it’ll probably go to a UV sterilizer. Here’s another photo update. While it doesn’t look like much has changed, but it has!

 

[anonomous09]

Still playing with the scape but hoping to fill the tank tomorrow! Planning to use Dr Tim’s one and only with ammonium. I seem to have read both ways, but what’s the overall opinion on leaving the roller filter in place? Or should I move the fleece up for the week?

 

[anonomous09]

Well there’s finally water in place! Definitely one of my worst ideas was not checking the bulkhead fittings one last time. After a quick clean up we are back in action! Going to let it run for 24-48 hours before starting the Dr Tim’s

 

[anonomous09]

Alright, about two weeks in to the cycle now! Ammonia is finally going down, but nitrites are still over 1ppm. Hoping they drop soon!

 

[anonomous09]

Almost finished with the light stand. I chose 1”x1” aluminum for this. In hindsight I should have gone a little larger to tuck the cords inside. Two sets of power cables plus the usb cable. I think one of the cables will have to be run outside using some anchored zip ties. I then got some stand offs from McMaster to space the lights down. This should result in some flexibility in light height. For anyone interested my A360x lights are threaded M5 in the center. I thought I’d like the raw aluminum look but I will be sending it to powder coat once I finish opening the holes for the cables on the “back side.”

On the water chemistry side, it seemed like it took forever for nitrites to drop below 1 even after ammonia did. I finally got there and dosed 2 ppm ammonia and it’s taking about 48 hours for nitrites to drop to 1. I should dose ammonia one more time to make sure nitrite does not appear correct?

 

[bsn_rn_cen]

That looks amazing there. Following along.

 

[anonomous09]

Still getting nitrites unfortunately after dosing ammonia. On the Apex ORP seems to be slowly climbing. It has made it to 251. I assume this is a sign of bacteria growth?

 

[Spiderguardnano]

Great tank and great build! Who made the stand?

 

[anonomous09]

Tank and stand were built by Crystal Dynamic.

 

[chefjpaul]

Great build and details.

 

[anonomous09]

Alright, it’s been a while but the tank has cycled and a dottyback is set to arrive tomorrow from Live Aquaria! Finally got the light stand built and powder coated. Tonight I got the Kessik wiring snaked through as well. Besides the livestock I think the final piece to the puzzle will be a UV sterilizer and I’ll be set!

 

[wangspeed]

The spread on those Kessil is super wide. You’ll want to lower them, otherwise much of the light will be spilling into the room.

 

[anonomous09]

The spread on those Kessil is super wide. You’ll want to lower them, otherwise much of the light will be spilling into the room.

I tried to base my measurements off the BRS video for these lights. Luckily I can change the spacer holding the light on. Or they have the new narrow reflector as well.

 

[anonomous09]

Dottyback survives the ride to my work. Took an extended lunch and got him situated. He found a hole at the back of the rock formation and hasn’t left yet. I did throw in some frozen food and he nabbed a few bites. I plan to test every day and hopefully add a pair of clowns next week.

 

[anonomous09]

Dottyback seems to be doing fine. Eating and swimming through the rock work. All levels seem to be OK as well! Will be getting a pair of clowns from Live Aquaria and some snails next week. Then I’ll start to confirm my nutrient levels and get some coral added!

 

[anonomous09]

Well another week down! I got some Trochus snails from Algae Barn and a bonded pair of Gladiator Clowns from LA. I think I am going to put some smaller pieces of rock here and there as islands for frags. Looking to order some frags soon. Also have refugium supplies showing up to hopefully lower nitrates a little.

 

[anonomous09]

UV sterilizer is running! Not the final iteration for the plumbing, but should be a good start. I wanted to get it running with adding livestock. I shoe horned a Sicce 1.5 pump under the front built reactor on the sump. Hopefully adding some coral and more clean up crew this week!