Reef Escape - WestOz Cade S3 1500 (5x2x2ft)

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anks and I look forward to seeing your build! Im leaning towards an Octo Regal 200S atm and was looling at the same reefmat but it wont fit in the S3 sump.

So far I only have one of the Atlas Scientifics large pumps. This is going to be my RO reservoir (internal tank one) top up and water change pump. So i wanted it to be pretty reliable and high volume.

I'm not tied to their sensors just yet but thought they would be more accurate than the cheaper ones you can find. Which PH probe did you buy because i might give that a go?

Have decided to build my own 4-6 head doser with Kamoer KFS pumps. Works out so much cheaper and will be able to add heads when needed. They turn up this week so thatll be the next thing to build!

I bought this one:

The ORP is useless, the salinity seems to be iffy, by the pH is very fine after calibration. I am planning to get a double junction pH probe and try it with a that cheap 2-potentiometers board from aliexpress. I don't trust potentiometers, but maybe?

The fit in my sump looks like this:

It is a very tight fit, all glass in the back was removed, plumbing redone, reefmat is 13mm raised so the handle is over the skimmer's muffler. Heaters are under the reefmat. Access to everything is very good, except to the buttons on the reefmat's drive. I would need to remove skimmer's cup to access them. So far I did not need to touch them. The front of the sump is planed for refugium, either dark or light, life will decide. I need to have a 'copepod farm' for a planned pair of Mandarins.

I forgot: Nice work with the pump! What box did you use?

That sump is looking good! The box is just a junction box I've drilled and mounted the pump into. Was actually hard to find one the right size.

Had plenty of practice with selecting boxs and fitting them out the last couple of weeks.

 

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THE TANK IS ARRIVING THIS WEEK!!!!


I got a little excited and decided to setup the QT and start cycling some bio media in the meantime. Will hopefully give it a bit of a kick start but we'll see how we go.

 

[NCsalt]

For the cade owners out there. How much space did you leave behind the tank?

4 inches for my peninsula

 

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For the cade owners out there. How much space did you leave behind the tank?

4 inches for my peninsula

Ok, thats what I am planning for. With a peninsula you probably dont have to get back there much though and isnt so wide.

 

[NCsalt]

Ok, thats what I am planning for. With a peninsula you probably dont have to get back there much though and isnt so wide.

I’m glad i had that much or i wouldn’t have been able to properly tighten plumbing. Took forever to get one of the returns to not have a drip leak when pump was turned on. Aesthetically it looks just right for my placement.

 

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Ok, thats what I am planning for. With a peninsula you probably dont have to get back there much though and isnt so wide.

I’m glad i had that much or i wouldn’t have been able to properly tighten plumbing. Took forever to get one of the returns to not have a drip leak when pump was turned on. Aesthetically it looks just right for my placement.

So I should definitely check the fittings over when I first fill her up. The fittings just needed a nip up and then they stopped dripping?

 

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Tank is in! It was pretty heavy (15mm glass and 10mm euro brace) but went well with five lads around it .

All plumbed up with return pump and disco lights installed.

 

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The tank is up and cycling finally! Moved the bio media that i had cycling over from the QT and have dosed ammonia. Barely any ammonia reading and starting to get some nitrates so looking ok.

 

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While the tanks cycling ive been working on getting the controller up and running. Looks a bit messy at the moment but will clean it up once everythings coded and tested. Started doing a bit of diy acrylic for level monitoring in the top up reservoir too.

 

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Havent had much of an update in a while. The tanks been cycling and went away for a couple of weeks. The main thing. . .the tank survived! Also. . .the cycle (nitrogen) is complete! Have assembled the skimmer and started breaking it in as well as added some chaeto to the fuge. First inhabitants in a week or so I'd say.

 

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Couple of Mocha Ocellaris (clowns) will be the first to in. 1 week of QT left

Tank has started the ugly phase with some diatoms. Lets pray the phase is short and sweet.

 

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Ugly phase hasn't been too bad so far. . .diatoms have come and settled down a bit and light layer of green appearing now. I'd say the system is reaching the 'steady as she goes' phase with all the equipment installed and dosing commenced in the last week.

I ended up building a 6 channel doser for Triton 4-part plus spare capacity for trace or amino dosing. It is up and running with Triton 4-part and I just need to clean up the dosing tubes a bit.

Livestock wise, I've got a pair of Mocha Clowns in the DT and have/had a Foxface and Tomini in QT. Sadly after 11 days of QT the Foxface had 24-hours of bullying by the Tomini and by the time I got him out he passed away . Tomini will go in the DT tomorrow after completing QT and I will see what's next.

Coral wise, I've so far got some Goni's, Inverse Hammer, Orange Chalice, Red Monti Cap and a Dallas Acro in to test the waters. Will see how they all go before adding anything more for a little while. The system needs a while to stabilise. I'll post some better photo's when I have an orange filter but this is what I have for now.