Shaun's 2000 Litre (530 USG) Living Reef & Red Sea Max S 650 LED Design & Build

[Mortie31]

I read somewhere that it should stay calibrated for 30 days and it comes with 3 packets of 35 standard. This to me would just be an easier way to check alkalinity especially when mixing new water.

I hadn’t thought about an electric one I use DD salinity refractometer and calibrate it with 35ppt solution everytime I use it, never had any issues, but I love gadgets... do they need to be kept damp at all times like the Hanna Ph tester does... as I’ve killed 2 of those letting the probes dry out....

 

[Crabby48]

Ordered mine today

Very nice quick and easy

Will these not need calibrating as often as anything else?

Only time I calibrate mine is when I hit cal button by mistake. It’s next to on/off. Every couple months I will stick it in cal solution to see if it reads right.
when done testing I rise with tap water probably not the best but it seems to not effect it
I do notice it reads lower then my Milwaukee so can’t wait to see your findings.

 

[Crabby48]

I hadn’t thought about an electric one I use DD salinity refractometer and calibrate it with 35ppt solution everytime I use it, never had any issues, but I love gadgets... do they need to be kept damp at all times like the Hanna Ph tester does... as I’ve killed 2 of those letting the probes dry out....

No store dry

 

[Mortie31]

No store dry

Thankyou, might have to get one

 

[SPR1968]

The Hanna refractometer is just so simple to use. So if you haven’t got one, just get one you won’t regret it. All you do is switch it on and dip it in the water. That’s it.

ive actually found I’m probably running at a slightly high salinity, of around 36-37 because of the refractometers, according to the Hanna and Apex, but of course they all have margins of error so as long as it’s stable that’s fine. I’ll drop it when I start the auto water changes

ive also got the Red Sea and DD refractometers but there just such a pain to calibrate every time. Infact I can’t see the numbers on the DD but that’s my eyes! Lol

i purchased the DD originally to check the Red Sea which needs calibrating before each use otherwise it’s way off, I think mainly caused by temperatures fluctuations

My main reason for getting it was that I don’t want to be messing around calibrating when I’m outside in the ‘fish room’ checking the salinity in the new saltwater tank.

@Mortie31 mines from Charterhouse Aquatics and it was £79 I think

 

[SPR1968]

Just an update on the Neptune Apex ATK, Neptune confirmed after running some tests with me the pump had failed and they are sending me a replacement

I appreciate these things happen and to be fair they sorted the issue in less than 24 hours so I can say the customer service is faultless, certainly in my case.

 

[Janci]

I was going to mention Milwaukee. But man the price tag is serious ..

Agreed on the price tag.
On the other hand, that tag is worth about 4-ish corals and will probably last longer than those corals. LOL.

 

[SPR1968]

Most of the electrical equipment is in place and here’s a picture of the back of the tank and also were Ive tidied up the battery backups.

You will need to tilt your head on one side as the site’s changed the layout !Lol

 

[Blutspitze]

Good plan for the new ATO and pump; sounds like you'll be in good shape when all is said and done. Definitely good to always be thinking about the potential siphon issues, as well.

 

[GoVols]

lol, Shaun

Can you post an FTS on your custom build, I'm lost.... ????

 

[SPR1968]

lol, Shaun

Can you post an FTS on your custom build, I'm lost.... ????

Patience Freddie, patience! Lol

You have to marvel at my magnificent pipe work and plumbing first! Lol

 

[SPR1968]

So all of the plumbing Is finished and I’m just awaiting the new Tunze Osmolator ATO and Tunze socket which means I can run a longer hose on it and a more powerful pump. I’ve chosen the Eheim compactON 2100 for this. I’ve got one already to pump RODI water to the reservoir on the S650 and it’s a nice powerful little pump.

The new eco Teco 2000e chiller is installed but probably won’t be turned on until spring/summer next year. It’s got a WiFi module but I don’t think I’ll need to bother with that so it’s plugged in but just sat on top at the moment.

The saltwater for auto water changes is in the water tank, currently heating up as it’s cold outside, and when ready I’ll start a sequence of water changes on the S650.

Here’s a few pictures of the final plumbing. The pipe right a the back of the sump is from the UVC, the one in front is from the chiller, and the Apex DOS new saltwater tube is fastened to these with zip ties.

The manifold pipes with red ball valves from left to right are a spare for any future requirements, the chiller and the UVC, the latter of which is located outside in the fish room (thats what we shall call it from now rather then the shed’! Lol)

i can’t tell you how useful zip ties of different sizes are with a build like this

 

[Fudsey]

It's it wet yet???

 

[SPR1968]

It's it wet yet???

Patience!! Lol

Enjoy the picture of the chiller and marvel at my plumbing prowess

No!

 

[Mortie31]

Why are we waiting.... why are we waiting.... Fill it... lol

 

[Crabby48]

It’s cold out. Water will take sometime to warm up.
reefing takes patients

 

[Janci]

I like to admire your plumbing work, but the pipes are grey.
I was expecting something fancy as red or blue.

Aesthetically it is very pleasing so far.

 

[mta_morrow]

I think you should have a poll and let us followers decide if it should get wet now! After all you are a like a rock star and without us followers what do you have?
LET YOUR FANS DECIDE!

 

[SPR1968]

I like to admire your plumbing work, but the pipes are grey.
I was expecting something fancy as red or blue.

Aesthetically it is very pleasing so far.

I would have had blue green or red, but you can’t get them easily in the UK. Trust me I looked! Lol

 

[SPR1968]

I think you should have a poll and let us followers decide if it should get wet now! After all you are a like a rock star and without us followers what do you have?

Peace ? lol

Dont you worry, it’s about to get interesting........