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SuncrestReef

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Neptune just released AOS 5.05_6B19 which contains some enhancements for the Trident tile on your dashboard. It now shows more descriptive messages about what it's doing:

Screen Shot 2019-06-10 at 1.49.57 PM.png Screen Shot 2019-06-10 at 3.08.18 PM.png Screen Shot 2019-06-10 at 6.09.16 PM.png

For full details, see the AOS release notes: https://forum.neptunesystems.com/showthread.php?27028-AOS-5-05_6B19-is-now-available!
 
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Since installing my Trident, I’ve discovered how quickly the magnesium levels drop in my tank. In the past I usually only tested mag every month or so, and dumped in a lot to bring the levels back up. Now I see Trident’s readings each day, and when it drops down to under 1330ppm I’ve been manually dosing 100ml every two days to keep it at 1350ppm.

Since I love the automation and fine control provided by Trident Controlled Dosing, I decided to add another DOS to control magnesium for me:

BCB68FA3-CCFB-41C7-9FB2-8E8C1C2FEDC5.jpeg

73D6EAA4-67BD-45B8-BE73-1722158BAC89.jpeg

It’s a little cramped, but it will work.

I’m not sure yet what I’ll do with the other DOS head. Perhaps I’ll dose trace elements or something.
 
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After 30 years in the IT industry, I'm a strong proponent for redundant systems and disaster recovery planning. So far in my aquarium build, I have taken several steps to ensure I'm prepared for problems:
  1. Spare parts for critical components: COR-20 return pump, WAV and Gyre powerheads, heater, PMUP, power adapters
  2. UPS Battery backup and Apex programming for power outages
  3. Whole-house generator with auto transfer switch for prolonged power outages
  4. Backup copies of Apex configuration, along with printed copies of the configuration
  5. At least 40 gallons of RO/DI and saltwater on hand at all times, up to 75 gallons each for storage capacity, and spare buckets of salt
  6. Equipment to set up a quarantine tank if needed, including MarinePure blocks in my sump to seed bacteria in the QT
  7. Written documentation/instructions for a tank sitter or LFS staff to help if I'm not available
The only thing I've been missing up until now is a spare Apex and EB832. Well, now I can check that off my list as well! I ordered the Apex 2016 head unit and an EB832 to keep on my spare parts shelf. I also walked through the process of restoring my saved Apex config to the new Apex to confirm it reads the file properly and all the programming comes across. So far it looks like it will work fine. The only thing I'll need to do if my primary Apex fails is to be sure to plug the add-on modules into the new Apex in the proper sequence so they maintain their previously assigned AquaBus addresses.

Call me paranoid, but I like to be prepared!
 
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My overflow pipe has been gurgling at lot recently, and I'm guessing the valve might need cleaning after more than a year of use. Just to confirm there was no snail or other obstruction in the pipe, I used my endoscope to record a video from inside the overflow pipe. I stopped just short of the overflow valve because I didn't want the scope to get stuck inside. I'm surprised it looked a lot cleaner than I imagined it might be. Just a bit of detritus and a few sponges.

 
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Janci

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I get a lot of questions about my mixing station, so I'll provide some detail here and a parts list:

A. (qty 2) Norwesco 75 gallon storage tanks with 1.25" threaded bulkheads
B. (qty 1) Mixing pump with 1" male threaded input and output
C. (qty 2) 1.25" threaded male to 1" slip adapters
(Edit 4/17/20: Part C is actually 2 separate fittings: 1.25" threaded male to 1" threaded female reducing bushing, and 1" threaded male to 1" slip adapter)
D. (qty 2) 1" threaded female to 1" slip adapters
E. (qty 5) 1" slip unions
F. (qty 3) 3-way Y fittings
G. (qty 3) 1" T fittings
H. (qty 7) 1" ball valves
I. (qty 4) 1" 90 degree elbow fittings
J. (qty 3) 1" slip bulkheads
K. (qty 2) 1" male slip to 3/4" female threaded adapter
L. (qty 1) 3/4" male threaded to 3/4" camlock female coupler
M. (qty 1) 3/4" camlock male to 3/4" barbed hose adapter
N. (qty 1) 3/4" braided hose
O. (qty 2) Hose clamps
P. (qty 1) 3/4” male threaded to 3/4” barbed hose adapter

Optional parts for Apex automation:
Q. (qty 3) Neptune optical water sensors
R. (qty 2) Magnet mount for optical sensors
S. (qty 1) FMM
T. (qty 1) PM2
U. (qty 1) EB4
V. (qty 1) Heater
W. (qty 1) Temperature probe
X. (qty 1) Salinity probe
Y. (qty 1) DOS
Z. (qty 1) Long AquaBus cable to Apex (if in a different room)

I got the parts from a variety of sources because I couldn't find everything I needed from a single supplier at the time:

Pipe: https://www.aquariumspecialty.com/b...e-grade-colored-5-pvc-pipe-1-schedule-40.html
Elbows: https://www.aquariumspecialty.com/biotek-marine-furniture-grade-colored-1-pvc-elbows.html
3-way elbow: https://formufit.com/collections/3-way-pvc-corner-elbow/available-colors_orange+size_1-in
Ball valves: https://www.pvcfittingsonline.com/1-flui-pro-pvc-compact-ball-valve-gray-socket-fp-gs-010.html
Adapters: https://www.pvcfittingsonline.com/pvc-fittings.html

Here are the parts annotated in photos:

Screen Shot 2019-06-15 at 6.29.56 PM.png

Screen Shot 2019-06-15 at 10.16.53 PM.png

Screen Shot 2019-06-15 at 5.59.48 PM.png

Screen Shot 2019-06-17 at 11.16.21 AM.png

Screen Shot 2019-06-15 at 4.23.25 PM.png

Screen Shot 2019-06-15 at 4.21.20 PM.png

Screen Shot 2019-06-15 at 4.18.23 PM.png

Screen Shot 2019-06-15 at 4.07.42 PM.png

IMG_2716.jpg
 
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I've started finding Ulva lactuca algae showing up on several rocks in my tank. It comes off easily, but still leaves a small part stuck to the rock and grows back quickly. Nothing in my tank seems interested in eating it. (Kole tang, emerald crabs, snails, etc.)

Screen Shot 2019-06-18 at 10.27.44 AM.png

I manually removed as much as I could, and took a toothbrush to the spots on the rock where it was growing. I'll see how long it takes to grow back.

I also found a lot growing on the magnet bracket of my gyre, so I swapped it out with my spare gyre for cleaning.
 
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I'm trying to piece together what you have in there for fish now, I see a pair of chromis, 2 gobies, 2 clowns, a kole tang, and a wrasse? Is that all you've added?

Yes, I keep a pretty limited number of fish:

2 clowns
2 chromis
1 kole tang
1 tailspot blenny
1 diamond goby
1 yellow watchman goby
1 dragonface pipefish
 

DoctaReef

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Tail
Yes, I keep a pretty limited number of fish:

2 clowns
2 chromis
1 kole tang
1 tailspot blenny
1 diamond goby
1 yellow watchman goby
1 dragonface pipefish

Thanks-
Just curious to have your list as I fill up my RSR 425. Nice to know whats working for you.
 

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I think this is my new favorite photo I've taken of my corals:

Screen Shot 2019-03-23 at 2.39.15 PM.png
man, I just love this pic. U should blow it up and put it on ur wall. Lol

Took me a while but definitely worth the read. Following the thread.

Thank u for documenting everything in such a detail. Simply amazing.
 
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I'm still seeing pretty good growth on my SPS frags for the past few months. Here are a few macro shots.

I got this Myagi Tort on April 2nd:


And here it is today:


My green slimer is going crazy:


This colony still has red bugs, but seems to be growing fine:




These two are growing, but more slowly:


 
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As I'm sitting here listening to the sweet sounds of my Trident doing a scheduled test, I suddenly heard my ATK turn on, and then I realized why sometimes I have randomly low test results from my Trident. My ATK tubing is right next to my Trident sample line in the return chamber of my sump, so the sample has been artificially diluted with RO/DI water if the ATK happens to run right before or during a test. To get around this, I added several If Time Then OFF statements to my ATK programming to block it from running within a 15 minute window of my Trident schedule.
 

A worm with high fashion and practical utility: Have you ever kept feather dusters in your reef aquarium?

  • I currently have feather dusters in my tank.

    Votes: 64 36.8%
  • Not currently, but I have had feather dusters in my tank in the past.

    Votes: 59 33.9%
  • I have not had feather dusters, but I hope to in the future.

    Votes: 25 14.4%
  • I have no plans to have feather dusters in my tank.

    Votes: 26 14.9%
  • Other.

    Votes: 0 0.0%
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