Spidey's Red Sea 3XL 900 build

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Spiderwoman

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That’s what I keep telling myself. Tank looks bad! Hopefully it will be sooner than later.
How was TurboStart? See any changes?
I think adding more TurboStart at the 2nd stage of the cycle helped the nitrite to come down faster. One thing that I did notice I didn't do when I added it first. I didn't shake the bottle :D May have not had nearly enough of live bacteria to start with and that's why the nitrite cycle was so strong and "longer" than expected.
 

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I think adding more TurboStart at the 2nd stage of the cycle helped the nitrite to come down faster. One thing that I did notice I didn't do when I added it first. I didn't shake the bottle :D May have not had nearly enough of live bacteria to start with and that's why the nitrite cycle was so strong and "longer" than expected.
It’s the little things that kill us in the end!
Good tip though!
 

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I also added some microalgae in the refugium and turned the refugium light on auto. Ordering pods and a small clean up crew today.

Later this week the UV sterilizer should arrive and get installed. Also the extra cabinet and Neptune Trident will be installed at the same time.

How is the UV being plumbed? Thinking of a UV in my 900 build... I know the way to go would be to recirculate directly from/to tank but I dont want to drill. I'm going to set up an independent (from return pump) manifold from second chamber,then pump water into UV and exit water to the return pumps. Havent set up yet so dont know exact configuration or dimension/spacing to know if this will actually work.
 
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How is the UV being plumbed? Thinking of a UV in my 900 build... I know the way to go would be to recirculate directly from/to tank but I dont want to drill. I'm going to set up an independent (from return pump) manifold from second chamber,then pump water into UV and exit water to the return pumps. Havent set up yet so dont know exact configuration or dimension/spacing to know if this will actually work.
I'll be able to give you details and pictures once we have it in place. I've got a Sicce Syncra 3.0 pump for it.
 

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20% water change done and a pair of Clarkii clowns went in with a small cleanup crew. Let the fun begin!
I just bought 200 snails a few days ago, if my clean up crew fail me, I promise I’ll fire them!
 
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Install for Aqua UV 57W UV Sterilizer will happen tomorrow, YAY! I've been having an algae bloom in the water column and can't wait to see the rock work clearly.
60375785322__8A290375-B773-4DF3-A370-C5EFD494CC96.JPG


Sicce Syncra will be used as the pump for the UV.
60375788100__9156DCB8-3C02-49F8-80E4-3619F9F17168.JPG


Let's see what else is going to happen tomorrow. Oh yes, the equipment will be labeled, Neptune Trident installed and programmed with DOS dosing pumps, a custom cabinet for miscellaneous stuff is brought in, and hopefully, we'll figure out what to do with the additional refugium/frag tank part. It doesn't really work as a frag tank without any additional flow in it, and I really want to use it as a refugium and a breeding ground for pods.
I'd love to hear what other 3XL 900 owners have done with that additional tank.
 
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I have to say that Kevin is a magician too. What he's cooking up in my tank is awesome! He's coming up a way to utilize the refugium/frag tank part. The Aqua UV 57W is in that part of the tank, giving the tank the additional flow that was missing in that part... more later including pictures. This is exciting!
 
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Last Thursday the Trident went in
IMG_1856.JPEG

Installed in the drawer with the 2 DOS dosers and their reservoirs.

UV sterilizer found its place in the additional refugium/frag tank part. That tank was a bit odd, and without additional flow pretty much useless. Kevin found a great way to utilize that part, add additional flow, add a media reactor at the same time, and cover the bulkheads from letting out bigger micro algae.

IMG_1860.JPEG


IMG_1866.JPEG


With the 2 gate valve I can control the flow of water to the UV Sterilizer and to the media reactor.
IMG_1867.JPEG


And finally to prevent the sump gathering detritus to the bottom, a small powerhead was installed in the lower right hand corner to keep the water flowing towards the filters.

IMG_1868.JPEG
IMG_1857.JPEG
 
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Beautiful Build!! Following along, will be setting up my 3XL 900 in a few months once the space I'm setting up is cleared and ready. Any issues with bowing? I'm hoping not with 3/4" glass. Have you looked into setting up a screened top?
 
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Beautiful Build!! Following along, will be setting up my 3XL 900 in a few months once the space I'm setting up is cleared and ready. Any issues with bowing? I'm hoping not with 3/4" glass. Have you looked into setting up a screened top?
Thank you!
No issues with flexing in any way. I've been keeping an eye on the seams and lines against the stand and am not seeing any.

I'm wanting to go with Artfully Acrylics and The Pisces EXO lid, but the wait time currently is 70-77 days +10 days for a custom 2 or 3 piece lid which I'd be ordering. I'm probably going with either of the 2 that they have, their build times are half of the Pisces lid.
 
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Not much has happened in nearly 2 months other than fish arriving little by little and adding frags.
Plans for switching the filter 2 cups and 2 filter socks for a CLARISEA SK-5000.
 
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Rollermat got installed today and Aqua UV replumbed with the media reactor. What’s neat with this rollermat install is how the one row of media cups/socks wax left in place instead of removing them completely. This is 3XL 900.

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Much cleaner install this time around.
 

Mastering the art of locking and unlocking water pathways: What type of valves do you have on your aquarium plumbing?

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