SkiCat's Dream Build: [Saving The] Planet 180 - The Making Of An Epic Aquacultured Mixed Reef

SkiCatTX · Jul 6, 2020

Slow progress on the rocks. I'm working on more of a tree shape approach. I almost didn't post these, as it's still difficult to see the direction I'm going, but I figure it would show progress.

On the left here you see the shapes reaching up. In both the near and far rock segments, the denser-looking rocks on the right are just counterweights there to keep things together. The pipe fittings do work pretty well if you can find the right-sized piece.

From the other side, you can see the reach a bit better. I plan several of these "arm" shapes, it's not quite as tall as it looks, that's just perspective. I'm basically using Reef Rock Arches upside down for these, they work well for that as it turns out. Again, the bigs rocks on the left here in both cases are just counterweights. We'll be able to see the shapes much better in a day or two.

You can still see the mortar pretty clearly between rocks, I'm hoping to cover that up with rubble at some point. Even so, it probably won't be visible after a couple of months of algae growth anyway.

GoVols · Jul 6, 2020

Looks good, SkiCat

You could most likely make your own, with your 3D printer.

But, you can get the Trident Reagent Guides on this thread

Trident Reagent Guide

I designed and printed this needle guide for trident reagent. it'll keep your needle straight up and down and you won't have that high calcium problem anymore. It has been tested by myself and a friend. $25 for 3 shipped

www.reef2reef.com

They help to keep the needles straight, and they make your calcium and magnesium readings more accurate from test to test.

SkiCatTX · Jul 7, 2020

GoVols said:
Looks good, SkiCat

You could most likely make your own, with your 3D printer.

But, you can get the Trident Reagent Guides on this thread

Trident Reagent Guide

I designed and printed this needle guide for trident reagent. it'll keep your needle straight up and down and you won't have that high calcium problem anymore. It has been tested by myself and a friend. $25 for 3 shipped

www.reef2reef.com

They help to keep the needles straight, and they make your calcium and magnesium readings more accurate from test to test.

Interesting. Good to know, thanks! I'll have to keep that in mind when I set it up.

Should be simple enough to print something like those.

SkiCatTX · Jul 7, 2020

Soldering and heat shrink worked so well with some of the other wires, I decided to make a few custom power cables as well. These are individually, then group, heat shrink wrapped, but I also wrapped with a bit of electrical tape, as I was worried about the durability of the wraps. The 3-in-1 allows 3 Vortecs to be powered on one outlet (They're controlled individually through the WaveEngine).

Power bricks attached using the 3D printed mounts.

Support for 3 Vectra return pumps (2 for main display, 1 for frag tank).

They hide just above the dosing pumps, with a bit of space for heat dissipation.

SkiCatTX · Jul 12, 2020

Rockscape update. Making progress, I had to order a second round of E-Marco, as the first 2 buckets weren't quite enough.

Yesterday I had this, still needing a few rocks attached.

Then I played with rotating them around and swapped the middle and right stacks.

Not sure about the little ones, might be too busy? Also, needs a bit more on the upper left side I think.

JoshH · Jul 12, 2020

Definitely keep the little ones IMO

SkiCatTX · Jul 12, 2020

Found a leak on the new saltwater line entering the sump. Not sure of the fixture just failed, or probably I tightened the 3 threaded connections just a little too tight...I really hate threaded connections for this reason...

I replaced the fixture and hooked everything back up. Hopefully, that completes all the work needed before moving the tank in. I'm just cleaning up the floor and connections behind the stand...quite a mess of umbilicals connected to the house back there...

Also, put the stand feet on the pads ready for leveling. 2" Stainless Steel washers with sticky furniture felt pads on each side. Without the tank at least I can push the stand around on these. I can also turn the leveling feet without damaging the floor.

With the bottom kickboard on.

SkiCatTX · Jul 12, 2020

JoshH said:
Definitely keep the little ones IMO

That's easy enough

.

JoshH · Jul 12, 2020

SkiCatTX said:
Found a leak on the new saltwater line entering the sump. Not sure of the fixture just failed, or probably I tightened the 3 threaded connections just a little too tight...I really hate threaded connections for this reason...

Definitely overtightening unfortunately, Male threaded fittings shouldn't be tightened all the way to the base of the threads which looks like what may have happened on the 1/4" threaded adapter.

Threaded PVC fittings do require some special consideration and care when installing but I'll never not use them on a setup

alimac122 · Jul 13, 2020

SkiCatTX said:
OK, the first pass of moving everyone from the JBJ 28 to the QT tank is complete and everyone seems pretty happy so far. The Acros up front have browned a bit after being ignored for a while, and then getting dipped and moved. The Stylo and the various Euphoria seem completely unaffected though.

I don't think this particular anemone has ever been happier:

This is what's left to go the LFS. Sorry, the tank is still quite cloudy from having all the rock removed and cut up.

These are some of the other rainbow anemones I need to find homes for:

And a few more in the 10g tank, which I'll move in a week or two once I sterilize the 28g and set it back up.

That tail in the lower right corner is my Lawnmower Blenny, who has wrapped himself around the rock. His color pattern now exactly matches the rock, pretty impressive.

There is also a Conch and Rock Flower Anemone, next to the rock covered in green mushrooms.

I’ll take a rainbow

alimac122 · Jul 13, 2020

SkiCatTX said:
The E-Marco arrived so I started messing with the rocks.

Here is me just throwing a few stacks together, probably won't stay like this, but I wanted at least something to look at. This was all I could do without any actual mortar anyway. I kind of like the arches, but the big mass on the right has got to go...

I have marked off where the overflow box is, and where the MP40s can be based on where the drain pipes and UV tubes are located behind the tank. They can be anywhere along those vertical rectangles on the back.

Here is the angle most people will see the tank, not too bad from this side.

Here is the end view. I want to be able to see down the middle, and have flow as much as possible.

LOVE the side view arch!!!

SkiCatTX · Jul 14, 2020

JoshH said:
Definitely overtightening unfortunately, Male threaded fittings shouldn't be tightened all the way to the base of the threads which looks like what may have happened on the 1/4" threaded adapter.

Threaded PVC fittings do require some special consideration and care when installing but I'll never not use them on a setup

Very likely true, though they can be hard to avoid with barbs, various adapters, and flow meters.

SkiCatTX · Jul 14, 2020

alimac122 said:
I’ll take a rainbow

hehe, I have plenty...next time you pass through Houston...

SkiCatTX · Jul 15, 2020

The stand is basically ready. I'm sure I'll be tweaking things for a while, and I still need to clean up a few wires and set up the dosers, but otherwise, we're ready to go.

I have some guys coming on Friday to help me get the tank moved in, then we'll finally be getting things going!

SkiCatTX · Jul 16, 2020

The Aeraqua skimmer has two air hoses that connect to the silencer, but I need them to connect to the outside air supply. I decided I could print a modified version of the little box. On the left is the original silencer, the right one has a single connection on the other end so I can connect another tube.

Not quite as shiny as the original, but I think it will do.

revhtree · Jul 16, 2020

SkiCatTX said:
The stand is basically ready. I'm sure I'll be tweaking things for a while, and I still need to clean up a few wires and set up the dosers, but otherwise, we're ready to go.

I have some guys coming on Friday to help me get the tank moved in, then we'll finally be getting things going!

Dang that is looking sharp!