WaboSS's 40 Breeder Build!

[Waboss]

Wow, almost 6 months since I updated this thread. I really should update it as I change things............it would get update MUCH more often!

So, a good bit has changed recently. I'm just going to list them out for a quicker read (and type! haha)

• Had a mystery die off of a few corals right after I got back from vacation, "everything" looked ok except my nitrate climbed up a bit, maybe that did it (auto feeder instead of manual while I was away)
• Decided I hate where my UV is installed after I replaced the bulb, so I see me either getting a different UV or mounting this one differently in the future
• Decided to give Hydros controllers a real chance (instead of the min-chance I gave them on my temp tank), so pulled all my Apex gear off and have now fully migrated to Hydros. So far the only thing that's really bugging me in not having automated ALK/Cal/Mag testing. I have re-discovered how much I hate manual testing! I'm not sure how long this will last. Time will tell.
• During my Apex/Hydros migration, I changed out my equipment board was set up in that I've redone it so I can easily get to cables and such, but still in a semi-organized manner. It was much cleaner before, with all the cables hidden, but such a pita when it came to time to change anything.
• I redesigned my ATS, but have been really lazy and haven't installed it yet, I'll probably do that this weekend.

And I know, I know, pics are what everyone really wants. I'll take some new ones and post them this weekend.

 

[Waboss]

Ok, so a couple of days later than originally planned, but here's some pics of the updates.

Hydros gear installed (pre-cabling clean up that has to happen soon). I actually moved the XP8 into the cabinet and moved the WiFi power strips to outside, so it's a little different already.

New ATS design/setup that removes the large external LED's and makes it easier to pull the mat when it's time for clean up. Also working on a "better for me" water channel that would replace the PVC pipe.

While I was in there working on all this stuff, I also relocated the dosers to the back of the sump area and tidied up the wires there a little too. (No pic yet, just thought about it actually, I'll add one tonight). While in there, I dropped a screw into the sump, so needless to say, the sump got a deep cleaning today too! haha (I can laugh about it now.............at the time it happened, not so much)

 

[Waboss]

Just a quick update on the tank n' stuff.

I last noted that I pulled all my Apex gear and am running Hydros now. After some thinking and looking at pros/cons for me, I went back to Apex. The bottom line for me is that I'm more familiar with Apex, and it's quirks, and I can readily test KH/Cal/Mag for what I consider to be a reasonable price. So while I still like Hydros, just like GHL, it's not for me (at least right now). I will say that I LOVE the wave engine though, so that's not going anywhere.

I'm having second thoughts on my new design for the ATS, I think it's too tight and the LED's are too close. Plus I think I'm over the "Hang on Side" type. I'm thinking about making either a free standing (in the sump) version or just building an external one.........not sure yet, but I'll update this thread when I decide.

I don't have any cool pics as I haven't really done anything "new" even though I've changed around a lot of gear. So I'll just post a pic of my TCK Master torch since I got a good pic of it the other day!

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Just a quick update on the tank n' stuff.

I last noted that I pulled all my Apex gear and am running Hydros now. After some thinking and looking at pros/cons for me, I went back to Apex. The bottom line for me is that I'm more familiar with Apex, and it's quirks, and I can readily test KH/Cal/Mag for what I consider to be a reasonable price. So while I still like Hydros, just like GHL, it's not for me (at least right now). I will say that I LOVE the wave engine though, so that's not going anywhere.

I'm having second thoughts on my new design for the ATS, I think it's too tight and the LED's are too close. Plus I think I'm over the "Hang on Side" type. I'm thinking about making either a free standing (in the sump) version or just building an external one.........not sure yet, but I'll update this thread when I decide.

I don't have any cool pics as I haven't really done anything "new" even though I've changed around a lot of gear. So I'll just post a pic of my TCK Master torch since I got a good pic of it the other day!

That's a really nice-looking torch!!

 

[smallcrpt]

any update on your ATS build? I was thinking of building one, by why recreate the wheel hehe

 

[Waboss]

any update on your ATS build? I was thinking of building one, by why recreate the wheel hehe

Sure. It's been working better than expected. I didn't really mess with it other than to shut down one of the LED's until it got "seasoned" with growth, then I turned it other one on and it's been growing better than I ever expected.

I now have like 4 different designs from me trying to figure out what I liked best...... It's a little be silly to spend all this time when I could have just bought one, but this way I get it exactly (or mostly anyway) the way I want it.

I am going to make a new one with a different feed line and way to remove the mesh for cleaning eventually. But right now, this one is working and I'm inclined to leave it alone................this week anyway! haha!

I'll take some pics later today and add to this thread.

 

[Waboss]

any update on your ATS build? I was thinking of building one, by why recreate the wheel hehe

I cleaned the screen today (should have cleaned it sooner, it grew out to where it was touching the LEDs......as you'll see in the pics! Haha!)

 

[Jekyl]

I'm thankful that we've decided as a family that turkey isn't any good. This year it's king crab and prime rib instead.

 

[Waboss]

I'm thankful that we've decided as a family that turkey isn't any good. This year it's king crab and prime rib instead.

Thanks for sharing that, I like king crab and prime rib too!

Now I have to go back through my posts and see where I mentioned turkey though!

 

[Jekyl]

Thanks for sharing that, I like king crab and prime rib too!

Now I have to go back through my posts and see where I mentioned turkey though!

I clicked the wrong topic. Sorry. Statement still stands.

 

[Waboss]

Ok, so to get us back on track , I'll provide an informative, but crappy, picture-less update.

So, key things that I've been messing around with on the tank:

• Started dosing kalk heavily to maintain PH. ALK spiked but normalized after a few days (which surprised me). The downside is the amount of kalk I had to dose, roughly 4000ml per day on a 50-60 gal system. So all my pumps had to be cleaned monthly or they'd seize up. Now, I've cut that amount in half (dosing more of the AQ 3 part now) and the pump seizing issue is gone, but my PH is not anywhere near where I want it. Even with running a pretty large CO2 scrubber, I can barley stay above 8.0
• Pulled my DIY 3D printed ATS and dropped in an Icecap Pro to see if it performed better. after a couple of months I can confidently say, it doesn't. Seems like a really good ATS, but the minimal growth I get pales in comparison to what I was getting on my DIY one. I'm not really sure why, but it's something I plan to look in to when I have chance.
• Swapped out my skimmer for one that "fit" in the area I need it to better. Nothing exciting there, just went form an awesome Aquamaxx skimmer to an equally awesome RO one. The RO one just fits the space I have better.
• I started running AF Life Media in a reactor and I think it's working too well. My phosphates have bottomed out and I'm dosing phosphate now. But my nitrates are still a bit higher than I'd like so I'm going to mess around with the Maxspect blocks. The black ones with the plastic/carbon source in the middle, and see how that goes.

I'm designing and 3D printing a LOT more stuff than I ever have. A lot of local reefers have been asking for different things and I'm expanding my printing capabilities to accommodate the requests.

Also, my sump and equipment areas around the tank are a disaster right now. That'll be my next project as my wife starts decorating for Christmas.

Anyway, more updates to come. Next time with some pics I think. This wall of text can't be fun to read! Hahaha!