West Mi reefer :)
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WestMI-Reefer
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Update: the system is running!
I had a setback of accidentally burning up my eb832 (24v dc port-> bare wire-> motorized 3way ball valve) I think I had a bad connection and something started arcing, by the time I cut power I could smell the burn. Neptune was great, I sent mine back and they replaced it.
finally turned the return pump on and now the system has been cycling for a few days. I added beneficial bacteria. the rock had been curing in the tanks with the power heads on for a couple weeks.
I ran some tests on it to see how its going
No3- 2.3 ppm
Po4- 0.05
Alk- 9.6
Ph- 7.9-8
Temp- 77.5-78.5
Ammonia & magnesium test coming this weekend
Do these numbers look ok? Anything else I should be dosing right now to help coralline growth?
I haven’t started dosing, but I plan on using kalk.
PROBLEMS:
- the skimmer is overflowing no matter how much I adjust it. It’s also spilling so many micro bubbles into the sump that they are in the display. even after running it in a diluted vinegar/water bucket overnight. I’ve heard the bubble magus takes a while to break in, but is this normal?
- Optical sensor on my apex will not turn on, its all the way plugged in and configured manually to the correct port and “optical” but it doesn’t light up or respond to being under/over water. I sent a ticket to neptune about it.
-I haven’t connected the CO2 scrubbers 3 way ball valve to the apex yet because im pretty sure thats where it failed last time and Im scared to burn up another EB832.
here’s some pictures, Im going to post a video so I can show what I mean about the skimmer and show the sump.
Ps- I only turned the lights on for pictures. Dark start ftw.
I had a setback of accidentally burning up my eb832 (24v dc port-> bare wire-> motorized 3way ball valve) I think I had a bad connection and something started arcing, by the time I cut power I could smell the burn. Neptune was great, I sent mine back and they replaced it.
finally turned the return pump on and now the system has been cycling for a few days. I added beneficial bacteria. the rock had been curing in the tanks with the power heads on for a couple weeks.
I ran some tests on it to see how its going
No3- 2.3 ppm
Po4- 0.05
Alk- 9.6
Ph- 7.9-8
Temp- 77.5-78.5
Ammonia & magnesium test coming this weekend
Do these numbers look ok? Anything else I should be dosing right now to help coralline growth?
I haven’t started dosing, but I plan on using kalk.
PROBLEMS:
- the skimmer is overflowing no matter how much I adjust it. It’s also spilling so many micro bubbles into the sump that they are in the display. even after running it in a diluted vinegar/water bucket overnight. I’ve heard the bubble magus takes a while to break in, but is this normal?
- Optical sensor on my apex will not turn on, its all the way plugged in and configured manually to the correct port and “optical” but it doesn’t light up or respond to being under/over water. I sent a ticket to neptune about it.
-I haven’t connected the CO2 scrubbers 3 way ball valve to the apex yet because im pretty sure thats where it failed last time and Im scared to burn up another EB832.
here’s some pictures, Im going to post a video so I can show what I mean about the skimmer and show the sump.
Ps- I only turned the lights on for pictures. Dark start ftw.
OP
OP
WestMI-Reefer
Active Member
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Today my test showed Nitrite! Its cycling!
Sean Clark
7500 Club Member
Youtube says the video is private.Here’s a short tour of the system. The full video is taking forever to upload.- YouTube
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Today my test showed Nitrite! Its cycling!
OP
OP
WestMI-Reefer
Active Member
Oops, fixed it. Thanks for the heads up
OP
OP
WestMI-Reefer
Active Member
Update: woke up to the sound of my apex alarm (terrifying btw) as the leak detection was wet. Found this leaking bulkhead after several weeks of it running without issue. I was just about done cycling, now I have the return and heaters off and I don’t know how to fix the leak.
The one that 45s right away is leaking from the bulkhead. When I was drilling this bulkhead, it cracked to the edge of the aquarium. I repaired the entire bottom of the overflow with marine grade 2 part epoxy so the bulkhead is sealed in and no longer removable. You can see the small layer at the bottom of the overflow.
I could try to get a tool on the nut to tighten/loosen but Im quite afraid to over tighten it especially with the epoxy all set.
I just can’t think of any solutions now that the bulkhead is set in epoxy, short of getting flex seal paste or spray and make an absolute mess of the area from the underside and all around the bulkhead. Or primer and glue the inside of the drain? I don’t care how it looks, It will never be disassembled at this point, so Im thinking the flex seal might be one of my only options at this point.
As Im writing I did just realize I can keep the system running on one tank only and turn off the manifold to the leaking tank. Just to keep my cycle alive. Going to do that now.
please help!
The one that 45s right away is leaking from the bulkhead. When I was drilling this bulkhead, it cracked to the edge of the aquarium. I repaired the entire bottom of the overflow with marine grade 2 part epoxy so the bulkhead is sealed in and no longer removable. You can see the small layer at the bottom of the overflow.
I just can’t think of any solutions now that the bulkhead is set in epoxy, short of getting flex seal paste or spray and make an absolute mess of the area from the underside and all around the bulkhead. Or primer and glue the inside of the drain? I don’t care how it looks, It will never be disassembled at this point, so Im thinking the flex seal might be one of my only options at this point.
As Im writing I did just realize I can keep the system running on one tank only and turn off the manifold to the leaking tank. Just to keep my cycle alive. Going to do that now.
please help!
OP
OP
WestMI-Reefer
Active Member
Got some Corals growing!
still adding slowing, its maturing nicely
thinking about a purple firefish for the shallow tank. Thoughts?
OP
OP
WestMI-Reefer
Active Member
Picked up more Coral, trying some gonipora because everything has been looking good so far
Then today, I found the gold torch fell onto the goni garden that was just beginning to open up. I haven’t glued them down yet because I’m still debating in placement. Are they as good as gone now?
Then today, I found the gold torch fell onto the goni garden that was just beginning to open up. I haven’t glued them down yet because I’m still debating in placement. Are they as good as gone now?
OP
OP
WestMI-Reefer
Active Member
UPDATE: another attempt to resurrect my build thread and get some conversations going!
I’ve been culturing pods and phyto, mounting frags, doing maintenance and testing! Its been good!
what should i stock in the shallow tank? Purple firefish?
Happy Reefing!!
I’ve been culturing pods and phyto, mounting frags, doing maintenance and testing! Its been good!
what should i stock in the shallow tank? Purple firefish?
Happy Reefing!!
Gumbies R Us
Another Fish in the Sea
New frags look great! Got a personal favorite?UPDATE: another attempt to resurrect my build thread and get some conversations going!
I’ve been culturing pods and phyto, mounting frags, doing maintenance and testing! Its been good!
what should i stock in the shallow tank? Purple firefish?
Happy Reefing!!
OP
OP
WestMI-Reefer
Active Member
Thanks! The Yuma mushroom has been catching my eye.
I’m getting the itch to add more coral this weekend. A fish would help too, I feed heavy and still have to dose nutrients.
Gumbies R Us
Another Fish in the Sea
If you feel like you can add more than add more!
OP
OP
WestMI-Reefer
Active Member
The tall nano was struck and broke the top glass. Working on a DIY solution (glass cutter on order) but had to move everything to the shallow tank, where the clowns have been loving too hard on my gonis resulting in black specs on the clowns and a retracted coral. Always a challenge but watching nature take its course makes me want to keep going!
With the tall nano semi-shutdown right now, I might break down the scape and make a dream scape; the floating aquascape…
OP
OP
WestMI-Reefer
Active Member
The fluval edge lost it’s top and got a new look, what do you all think? Is it an upgrade?
Floating reef style (thanks for inspiration R2R users)
Used 1/4” Glass pieces to make the bracket. 1 triangular piece to support the weight. And doubled the thickness where the pieces connect.
Also made sure to drill several different sized holes for good flow.
Heres how it looked when starting to add the first layer of rocks.
Everything was glued and epoxied. (My skimmers still going crazy)
Heres how it looks now. Time to add some life
Ps: Dont forget to rinse!
Floating reef style (thanks for inspiration R2R users)
Used 1/4” Glass pieces to make the bracket. 1 triangular piece to support the weight. And doubled the thickness where the pieces connect.
Also made sure to drill several different sized holes for good flow.
Heres how it looked when starting to add the first layer of rocks.
Everything was glued and epoxied. (My skimmers still going crazy)
Heres how it looks now. Time to add some life
Ps: Dont forget to rinse!
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