Mattgsa 315 gallon build

[mattgsa]

Im pretty much in the same spot.. it's expensive to make water here!

I'll keep you posted on the effectiveness of the silica buster.

 

[mattgsa]

Alright, I'll be honest, I let testing go for too long. Let me putit this way, when I went to test all my reagents were expired and I had to order more. When I finally got phosphate reagents in and tested, they were over 2, which explains the GHA.
So last night, I got a 5 gallon bucket of RODI water, and added 2ml's of Lanthium Cloride. I using my Versa pump to dos .33 mls a minute to the filter sock. This morning my PO4 was at 1.6 something. I think the next thing to order is some alage and a fug light. Once I get the perameters stable I was going start redoing the rock work. I can't wait to get all that marco rock from Reefopoluza in the tank. I just don't want to put it in there just to be covered in GHA.

 

[ryanrick]

Alright, I'll be honest, I let testing go for too long. Let me putit this way, when I went to test all my reagents were expired and I had to order more. When I finally got phosphate reagents in and tested, they were over 2, which explains the GHA.
So last night, I got a 5 gallon bucket of RODI water, and added 2ml's of Lanthium Cloride. I using my Versa pump to dos .33 mls a minute to the filter sock. This morning my PO4 was at 1.6 something. I think the next thing to order is some alage and a fug light. Once I get the perameters stable I was going start redoing the rock work. I can't wait to get all that marco rock from Reefopoluza in the tank. I just don't want to put it in there just to be covered in GHA.

Are you feeding too much?

 

[mattgsa]

Are you feeding too much?

YES, and I'm doing it on purpose. I have the copper band for close to a year now, and it's doing well. I want to make sure it has enough to eat. I'm going to up my export game to compensate.

 

[mattgsa]

Dear Future Me (Who Somehow Thought This Was a Good Idea),


Congratulations on officially achieving Reefer Status, also known as Financially Induced Emotional Instability with a Splash of Saltwater. I just wanted to leave you this heartfelt reminder of all the decisions that brought you here, each one a shimmering pearl of regret dangling from the broken fishing line of your hopes.


Remember when you bought that “entry-level” light fixture? Ah yes, the one that had the lumens of a soggy birthday candle. You swore you wouldn’t upgrade, but now there is a small star forming over your tank powered by enough Radions to signal passing satellites. Your electric meter spins so fast it is legally classified as a small wind turbine.


Then came the skimmer. “Budget-friendly,” you said. That little caffeine-addled blender couldn’t skim a latte, let alone tank water. Now you have a protein skimmer the size of a jet engine, and it is harvesting biological nightmares you didn’t even know existed. Cleaning it is a full-contact sport, and every time you smell that foul bubbling horror brew, you question why you weren’t smart enough to take up stamp collecting.


And who could forget the aquascaping masterpiece? Fifteen hours of balancing rocks like you were some kind of aquatic Zen monk. Perfect lines, breathtaking arches, demolished in 45 seconds by a clownfish with a bad attitude and a personal vendetta against structural engineering. You now have what scientists refer to as “a pile.”


Let’s not gloss over the livestock decisions either. You started with peaceful fish because you have “a kind heart.” Then you added that one “semi-aggressive” showpiece because you deserved a treat. Now the tank is a suburban war zone. You haven’t seen your $150 fairy wrasse since the Eisenhower administration, and the pistol shrimp is running a criminal enterprise under the rocks.


And, oh, the water changes. Who knew owning a reef tank would turn you into an unpaid plumber with trust issues? Every weekend is a moisture-themed nightmare involving buckets, back pain, and that one hose fitting that laughs at you in dripping defiance.


Finally, let’s discuss the budget. There was one, right? Some distant, laughable concept written on a bar napkin before you remortgaged your soul for a calcium reactor and three controllers you don’t fully understand. You tell yourself it is all worth it when the corals are “thriving,” but deep down, you know the only thing really thriving is your Amazon Prime account.


So, future me, next time you hear yourself say “It’s just one more frag” or “I really think I need more flow in that corner” read this letter, drink some water, and remember you already own a tiny illuminated money pit. Try not to make it deeper.


With love and rapidly declining financial stability,
Your Past Self, Soaked, Salty, and Full of Regret

 

[mattgsa]

Well, fellow reefers, gather ‘round for another thrilling episode of “What’s Leaking in the Garage This Week.”

The tank looks better than ever, which naturally means something is wrong.

Let’s start with the clam: I was ready to declare it legally dead. Wouldn’t close, wouldn’t react, just sat there like it was waiting for the sweet embrace of Kalk paste. But the second I went to remove it? Snap!—closed right up. So I left it alone. Pretty sure it’s trolling me now.

Meanwhile, I added enough macroalgae to choke a manatee. Red Ogo, Chaeto, you name it. Planted it over my Tampa Bay live sand like it was the Great Barrier Reef 2.0. The tank now smells like a kelp smoothie, and yet, phosphate hasn’t moved. Why? Because science hates me. Or maybe because I was drip-feeding LaCl like it was a homeopathic remedy instead of a chemical solution.

Speaking of which, I followed some very calm and totally rational advice (also mine) and dosed 1 mL of LaCl into a five-gallon bucket. For DAYS. Nothing happened. Then I upped it to 5 mL. Still nothing. Eventually realized I was basically baptizing phosphate and calling it nutrient export.

But hey, the algae's gone. Like, vanished. Probably packed its bags and left when I stopped feeding pellets and started scrubbing socks like a full-time laundromat. Now I’m staring at pristine rockwork and asking, “Where did all the phosphate go?” (Spoiler: still here. Just mocking me from the water column.)

On the gear front: Skimmer is producing skimmate so dark it could qualify as cold brew. I foamed it out so hard it pushed the lid off the cup and started pouring down the side. No dosing soap, just the ghost of bad decisions past. Tried using a foam breaker rod and may or may not have invented the world’s first reef-safe spaghetti fork in the process.
Also working on hanging the lights. Currently balancing $6,000 worth of LEDs on 2x6s like a reefing version of Jenga. It’s a OSHA violation with a PAR reading.

 

[mattgsa]

Any guess as to what piece of equipment is going to be replaced? This will be my first PLC Project.

 

[SPSReeferMI]

Any guess as to what piece of equipment is going to be replaced? This will be my first PLC Project.

Custom controller? Seems like a lot of work. What are your objectives?

 

[mattgsa]

Yeah, my Apex gear has just been dying on me without any real cause, and it really got me thinking about long-term reliability. Instead of replacing modules piece by piece, I decided to try a PLC for control. It’s industrial hardware, so my hope is it will be more reliable and transparent than a black-box controller. This will be my first PLC project, so I’m keeping it simple to start, but the idea is to build something solid that I can expand over time.

 

[That Crusso Kid]

Yeah, my Apex gear has just been dying on me without any real cause, and it really got me thinking about long-term reliability. Instead of replacing modules piece by piece, I decided to try a PLC for control. It’s industrial hardware, so my hope is it will be more reliable and transparent than a black-box controller. This will be my first PLC project, so I’m keeping it simple to start, but the idea is to build something solid that I can expand over time.

This is so very cool!

(And, I do not know if you recall me but I used to be here about 3 years ago. I went MIA, obviously.)

I might be mistaken but I think @Lasse runs a PLC.

 

[Lasse]

I might be mistaken but I think @Lasse runs a PLC.

No - I use GHL profilux fully out

Sincerely Lasse

 

[That Crusso Kid]

No - I use GHL profilux fully out

Sincerely Lasse

Thanks for the reply, @Lasse. Hhmmm... now I am going to have to rack my brain to remember who it is, that I know, that uses PLC.

 

[mattgsa]

Well, I still have a long way to go. I was going to put in PVC, but that's a lot of work. I just don't have time, and if we ever move, it's all going to be torn out anyway. Plus, I would never lead you to believe I'm that meticulous.

I have also started a new trash bin. I try not to think how much money I'm throwing away.

 

[mattgsa]

I have also gotten started on the new rock work that I bought months ago. This is just a quick start; I'm sure it will change at least a few times before I start cementing it together.

 

[mattgsa]

No - I use GHL profilux fully out

Sincerely Lasse

You have an amazing tank. I hope one day mine looks half as good as yours

 

[That Crusso Kid]

Well, I still have a long way to go. I was going to put in PVC, but that's a lot of work. I just don't have time, and if we ever move, it's all going to be torn out anyway. Plus, I would never lead you to believe I'm that meticulous.

I have also started a new trash bin. I try not to think how much money I'm throwing away.

I want to love this post because of the top pic and then cry about it because of the bottom pic.

Let me know if you are going to sell the Apex stuff or hold onto it for now.

 

[mattgsa]

I want to love this post because of the top pic and then cry about it because of the bottom pic.

Let me know if you are going to sell the Apex stuff or hold onto it for now.

Oh, it's not done yet. I have three more power bars to add, a trident, and a brain. Plus, at least two more DOSs and miscellaneous modules. I'm willing to consider an offer.

 

[That Crusso Kid]

Oh, it's not done yet. I have three more power bars to add, a trident, and a brain. Plus, at least two more DOSs and miscellaneous modules. I'm willing to consider an offer.

Appreciate the consideration. Let's talk, if you still have things you are willing to sell, when I get my build going.

 

[mattgsa]

Already on version 2

 

[mattgsa]

Almost ready to start running some wire. I'm hoping to have some run by the end of the weekend.

But I was able to finish the front of the tank today. It's not as perfect as I would like, but considering this was my first woodworking project, I'm fairly happy with it.