The Hermit and Wife's Ocean

jasonamyers · Sep 25, 2017

Got in a wonderful custom pump holder from Blue Tide Acrylics!

jasonamyers · Sep 29, 2017

Wanted a short less obvious ATO reservoir that held a bit more water. Gave a rough list of requirements to Blue Tide Acrylics, and he absolutely exceeded my expectations.

jasonamyers · Nov 24, 2017

So tomorrow, I'm going to finally be swapping out my Reefer sump for a custom one from Elite Aquatics. I got it about a month ago; however, I wanted to get my algae under control before switching to it. If you got tips for swapping sumps and plumbing, I'd love to hear them. My plan is to:

Leak test new sump
Shutdown the return pump, heater, and skimmer.
Move Ehiem Heater to my display
Move Apex probes to my display
Remove ReefDreams baffle, Skimmer, Fuge light, Fuge Powerhead and return pump from the sump and into vinegar
Remove existing hard plumbing seal up any old screw holes, remove dosing
Drain all the water I can from the sump
Remove the old sump
Place new sump under tank
Reinstall main and emergency drains
Measure and replace return pump piping (I'm simplifying it a ton.)
If existing return fits (it's close), put it in place while curing new plumbing. If not cure new plumbing for 2 hours. (run for 24 hours at 25%)
Reinstall Return Pump
Install new Finnex heaters in sump
Reinstall Dosing Lines
Install new Kessil H380 Fuge Light
Reinstall Fuge Pump
Install OctoAquatics Skimmer Mount in
Reinstall Skimmer
Fill sump
Move over chaeto
Reinstall Apex probes in sump
Setup New Heaters in Apex
Remove Ehiem Heater

At least 24 hours later, Up the return pump until we get 1100gph.

Here are some pics after unboxing it.

pelphrey · Nov 24, 2017

Sounds like a fun day! Haha I’ve installed and ran freshly cemented pvc in 20-30 minutes.

jasonamyers · Nov 24, 2017

pelphrey said:
Sounds like a fun day! Haha I’ve installed and ran freshly cemented pvc in 20-30 minutes.

You're welcome to come join in! I wouldn't want ya to miss out on the event! I got coffee, scotch, wine, and we can order all the foods we want! ;Woot We could get @pelphrey and notpelphrey in one Youtube video

pelphrey · Nov 24, 2017

That sounds like a fun video, after that sump is setup! Hahaha Unfortunately Kentucky plays at 11am tomorrow!

jasonamyers · Nov 24, 2017

pelphrey said:
That sounds like a fun video, after that sump is setup! Hahaha Unfortunately Kentucky plays at 11am tomorrow!

haha, no worries I was just joshing ya. Hope you're having a great Thanksgiving.

jasonamyers · Nov 25, 2017

Whelp, it's finally done. I'm pretty happy with the outcome!

Here is the before:

Here is the after:

Here is a pic before all the gear was put in:

We also took a break for taco's while making all the water:

I'm very happy with the flow in the sump now. I feel like it's a big improvement. I'll share more tomorrow.

jasonamyers · Nov 26, 2017

Updated equipment list after yesterdays update:
- RedSea Reefer 425XL
- 2 Kessil AP700 Lights
- Top Shelf Aquatics Reefer Split with Flare nozzels
- 2 Maxspect XF230s with Advanced Controller
- Apex 2016
- 2 WAV Pumps
- Fluid Monitoring Kit (1" flow sensor and Leak Detector)
- Auto Topoff Kit with Optical Sensor in ATO Reseviour
- Par Monitoring Kit
- Reef Octopus VarioS 8 Return Pump
- Nyos Quantum 160 Skimmer
- Kessil H380 Fuge Light
- Sicce Voyager Nano 1000 gph Fuge Powerhead
- OctoAquatics Variable Height Skimmer stand
- Blue Tide Acrylics ATO Reseviour and PMUP Holder
- Elite Aquatics Triton Style Sump

jasonamyers · Dec 14, 2017

Got tired of my new Finnex heaters suction cups not sticking to my sump and falling near the skimmer, and no joke OctoAquatics had a new product that launched just as I was getting annoyed with it, so I snapped up one of the dual heater holders and a dosing tube holder. I made a view to show a better view of it.

SoonerBerrios · Jan 24, 2018

Great build thread! We have the same name, tank, skimmer, but my eshopps fuge light is still working. Couple of questions for you, how are you liking the Kessil H38? I'm thinking of upgrading my fuge light. I currently have to AI Prime HD's mounted and looking at new lighting configuration. I'm interested in the AP700. I'm looking at mixed reef, do you think 1 AP700 would be enough? I know I read you switched to two since your tank is SPS dominant. Excited to continue seeing the progress!

lbacha · Jan 24, 2018

So I noticed your 1" flow sensor is right after a 90' elbow. The documentation states this could effect the flow readings due to the turbulence from the 90'. Have you seen any issues? I want to add a 1" right at my return but I don't have a long straight section to plumb it into so I would have to do it like yours

jasonamyers · Jan 24, 2018

lbacha said:
So I noticed your 1" flow sensor is right after a 90' elbow. The documentation states this could effect the flow readings due to the turbulence from the 90'. Have you seen any issues? I want to add a 1" right at my return but I don't have a long straight section to plumb it into so I would have to do it like yours

I'm sure it's not perfect, but I use it as a guide, not as gospel. However, when I did the bucket test, it did seem to reasonably match the sensor value.

jasonamyers · Jan 24, 2018

SoonerBerrios said:
Great build thread! We have the same name, tank, skimmer, but my eshopps fuge light is still working. Couple of questions for you, how are you liking the Kessil H38? I'm thinking of upgrading my fuge light. I currently have to AI Prime HD's mounted and looking at new lighting configuration. I'm interested in the AP700. I'm looking at mixed reef, do you think 1 AP700 would be enough? I know I read you switched to two since your tank is SPS dominant. Excited to continue seeing the progress!

So my fuge took off after moving from the H80 to the H380! It grows a 5 gallon bucket's worth every other week now. I love my AP 700s. Powerful, simple to use. The app isn't as fancy as the AIs, but it's easier to pick the right settings with Kessil logic. I think 1 would be okay on a mixed reef depending on your rock work. That's another reason why I got two.

nanchil · Mar 2, 2018

How do you like your skimmer ? I am planning to switch from BM Curve 7 to NYOS Quantum 160 ... Thanks

jasonamyers · Mar 2, 2018

nanchil said:
How do you like your skimmer ? I am planning to switch from BM Curve 7 to NYOS Quantum 160 ... Thanks

I like it so much that when I setup my Reefer 250 in the bedroom, I got the Nyos 120 for that tank. I find it to be skim consistently (not a lot of fiddling with the dials), easy to clean, and so far rock solid.

nanchil · Mar 2, 2018

jasonamyers said:
I like it so much that when I setup my Reefer 250 in the bedroom, I got the Nyos 120 for that tank. I find it to be skim consistently (not a lot of fiddling with the dials), easy to clean, and so far rock solid.

Thanks