I need to try and be more diligent about posting updates, time seems to slip by so fast. I added a Carbon Doser to my reactor as the old regulator was starting to have issues and I did not get the time to strip it down. I had some issues with the Carbon Doser as well,they supply a check valve,but don't tell you where in the line to install it.I had it up by the reactor and I could not get it to release a bubble into the system.After talking to the manufacturer he suggested putting it closer to the regulator and bingo it works great now.
I was at Reefapalooza last weekend which was a great show,anyone who has never attended you need to make the effort. Next year the show is moving to the Hilton hotel in Anaheim,right next to Disneyland so bring the family and make it into a vacation.I went on a bit of a spending spree,picked up some really nice pieces and once they start growing out should look amazing.I will try and get some half decent pics in the next day or so.
Now its just keeping up with the regular maintenance and watch the corals grow.
It's been a while since I last updated this post. I have since added a water change and storage system I am using two 100 gallon containers which are in one of my garages which is about 80 feet away from my sump system. I also installed my RO/DI unit close by. Water change is done with an Apex DOS, and all of this is controlled by my Apex. So far the system is working really well and I am very pleased with it.
Tank is also doing really well. I plan on posting a few pics as soon as I can get some sort of covering so that I don't get background reflection of the kitchen.
Here are a few pics. Still need to clean up the spaghetti wiring, as soon as I can get a permanent electrical plug in place.
Really neat how you have everything (sump and such) setup outside. Weather doesnt affect anything? I know you have it in a closed cabinet and you on the other side of the country than myself but just curious.
Being in Southern California winter here is like your late spring, so no tank is not adversely affected by the cold, I still run heaters just to keep the temp from fluctuating too much,and I have that white insulation around the sump. The summer on the other hand when it really starts to get hot can be a problem.In the past I have used a chiller,which was damaged. I have not yet replaced it as the tank has only been back up for just over 10 months, I am going to try a fan first and see if I can get enough out of it to keep the temp from climbing,otherwise I will put in a chiller,although I don't really want to as space is becoming an issue. A 17ft cabinet and I am running out of space go figure.
It's been a while since I last posted an update. I have been fighting Dinoflagelites for a while now, and have been following a thread here on R2R. I tried several things with not too much success, possibly detrimental to some of the coral that either bleached or are hanging on by a thread.Last Sunday I wrapped the tank in black plastic and started a regimen proposed by Dr Tim, using his products of course,they worked before for me on the other tank so I figured I would try it again. I am about half way through and so far it looks like I may be winning, I guess time will tell. If any of you are interested in the procedure I will gladly post it.
So far I seem to be winning wrapped the tank for 4 days and added Dr Tims Refresh. Removed plastic and for past 3 days been treating with Waste Away. Today wrapped the tank again lights off and added Refresh I will do that for 4 days then treat again with Waste Away hopefully it won't return.
It is almost 2 weeks now and sand is still pretty clear. Corals seem to be coming back to normal,coloring up and good polyp extension. Hopefully I won the battle,I guess time will tell.
Glad to hear thing are moving along. One of these days when we have an opportunity to get together, I have some corals for you to help fill up that beast!!
Small world btw. My father in law is Mark Mihm. Went to his house for lunch this afternoon and we were talking about tanks, I had one split recently, he started telling me he knew someone that had a huge tank rupture in their house also. Just thought I'd share. Crazy how small the world can seem. Happy reefing.