D Z Posted September 2, 2014 Share Posted September 2, 2014 And here it is from this morning about 9 am. Probably about 15 hours after adding the sand. I probably should have turned the pumps off to let it settle but I didn't. They've been running the entire time. I'm ordering the rock today. And this little guy… the PLS-50 Elite is driving me crazy. I don't know how you're suppose to tune this thing and I can't even imagine the previous model. Turning it a single millimeter is the difference in overflowing the cup and not getting anything at all. I am experiencing the same thing with the PLS50 elite. I am thinking it may just be because of the fact that the tank is not cycled yet, or at least I am hoping. I also am getting a ton of micro bubbles from mine, did you? Link to comment
theishkid Posted September 2, 2014 Author Share Posted September 2, 2014 I am experiencing the same thing with the PLS50 elite. I am thinking it may just be because of the fact that the tank is not cycled yet, or at least I am hoping. I also am getting a ton of micro bubbles from mine, did you? I'm not seeing any micro bubbles, but my tank is so cloudy right now that I wouldn't know if they were there or not. Link to comment
BRADYBUNCH7 Posted September 2, 2014 Share Posted September 2, 2014 My first shipment arrived today with my heater, a maxi jet 900 for mixing salt, and my new Refractometer! This thing is way bigger than I was expecting. Now I know why the case (which I didn't buy but might now) is so expensive. I put it next to the 9V battery so you can get an idea. got the same one! great quality Link to comment
Dramad1 Posted September 3, 2014 Share Posted September 3, 2014 I have the orig pls50 and when I turn it back on after wc or need to make adjustments, I turn it on and turn it just so its not overflowing the cup. Then I let it do its thing for 10-15 mins and the fine tune it then double check 10-15 mins later to be sure its right where I want it. It is pretty touchy though. Link to comment
Alex B Posted September 3, 2014 Share Posted September 3, 2014 The tuning on the skimmer should get better. The pipeless skimmers from cad take a little bit to break in. I know they say the elite is better in that aspect, but it still requires a good bacterial seal. Also, without anything in the tank, and no cycle going, it will be harder to tune. I would wait till you were well into your cycle, and then turn it on. Tune the skimmer to where the foam head is at the skimmer neck. In other words, take the cup off, and set the level so that it's not overflowing from the neck. Once it starts rockin it will produce a nice skimate . Link to comment
theishkid Posted September 3, 2014 Author Share Posted September 3, 2014 The tuning on the skimmer should get better. The pipeless skimmers from cad take a little bit to break in. I know they say the elite is better in that aspect, but it still requires a good bacterial seal. Also, without anything in the tank, and no cycle going, it will be harder to tune. I would wait till you were well into your cycle, and then turn it on. Tune the skimmer to where the foam head is at the skimmer neck. In other words, take the cup off, and set the level so that it's not overflowing from the neck. Once it starts rockin it will produce a nice skimate . Alex thank you for the placement tip... I was definitely trying to figure out where to TRY setting it. Here's tonight's picture. I think this is approximately 28 hours after adding sand. Link to comment
theishkid Posted September 3, 2014 Author Share Posted September 3, 2014 Well I wasn't expecting this… came around the corner this morning and found the tank very clear! Even got some natural shimmer on the floor. Link to comment
theishkid Posted September 5, 2014 Author Share Posted September 5, 2014 BOOM! A little LED in the stand action... courtesy of IKEA! Link to comment
kimberbee Posted September 5, 2014 Share Posted September 5, 2014 Looks super nice! I think I need a bigger tank, so I can have a bigger stand with LEDs inside... Link to comment
RL206 Posted September 5, 2014 Share Posted September 5, 2014 Nice stand! I made my own stand and it's a nice way to save on $$ where you can, but it's driving me nuts not being organized. I dig the organization and the lights. We have the same jug on the bottom right! Link to comment
theishkid Posted September 5, 2014 Author Share Posted September 5, 2014 I can definitely say I didn't save any money on this guy… But It's really awesome and I can't imagine how it could have been better. Link to comment
kimberbee Posted September 5, 2014 Share Posted September 5, 2014 I can definitely say I didn't save any money on this guy… But It's really awesome and I can't imagine how it could have been better. It really is awesome. Being new to saltwater tanks, I had to start out the "cheap" way because I was worried I'd get bored or it would be too hard, or I just wouldn't like it and didn't want to be out tons of money. I'm so glad I joined this forum to see all these awesome tanks like yours that some day I hope to emulate. Link to comment
theishkid Posted September 5, 2014 Author Share Posted September 5, 2014 Being new to saltwater tanks, I had to start out the "cheap" way because I was worried I'd get bored or it would be too hard, or I just wouldn't like it and didn't want to be out tons of money. I'm so glad I joined this forum to see all these awesome tanks like yours that some day I hope to emulate. There is definitely nothing wrong with starting out slow. It's what I did years ago with my first two tanks. I just decided this time I was gonna go out and get what I wanted the first time and not re-buy items like better pumps over time. But I definitely think you're smart to make sure you love the hobby first. Link to comment
theishkid Posted September 9, 2014 Author Share Posted September 9, 2014 So couple of updates... I received my NanoBox light from Dave that has the Bluefish on it. I've got a couple small issues that Dave is being awesome and working with me on to make it perfect. The light is a cannon and the Bluefish is amazing. I also installed the Tunze 3155 ATO and so far I'm not really happy with it. When I have my skimmer going (which isn't broken in yet) it creates a lot of air bubbles and those bubbles are collecting around the sensor and it keeps over filling the tank. I don't have a whole lot of options of where to put the ATO so unless I move it to the display tank I might have to go with something else. I also ordered some rock from KP Aquatics last week but just got an email that it's still curing so it won't go out until next week. Because I am so impatient I went and got 3 pounds from the LFS just to get the ball rolling on the tank. Link to comment
theishkid Posted September 14, 2014 Author Share Posted September 14, 2014 Another small update... the skimmer seems not to be making as many micro bubbles and the ATO is working a little bit better now. I finally installed my mp10 today and I'm not really happy with it. The dry side is loud at anything over 50 percent. Putting it on any kind of wave pattern is really annoying hearing it ramp up every 3 seconds. I'm gonna play with it a little bit more before I call vortech but so far this aint cool. Hopefully the rock will be here Tuesday or Wednesday and we can actually get cooking on this thing. Link to comment
Dramad1 Posted September 14, 2014 Share Posted September 14, 2014 The 2nd mp10 I purchased was a lil loud when I first hooked it up. It took about 2 weeks before it quieted down, now I can barely hear it. Give it some break in time and hopefully it will quiet down. Same goes for the skimmer, once it gets that slime coat the bubble will subside, the piece of sponge before the return should help. Link to comment
theishkid Posted September 14, 2014 Author Share Posted September 14, 2014 Thanks for the help Drama... I'll do all of those things before freaking out. Link to comment
theishkid Posted September 16, 2014 Author Share Posted September 16, 2014 Found some life in my tank today! Live Rock will be here Wednesday! Link to comment
theishkid Posted September 17, 2014 Author Share Posted September 17, 2014 I received my rock this morning! It looks and smells great. Came from KP Aquatics in Florida. I've very happy with the look and color of this stuff. This was 20 pounds that I purchased from KP Aquatics, in addition to the 2 pounds I bought from the LFS. Now I just threw it in the tank as quick as possible and have not scaped it yet. But do you think this is enough rock or should I get another 10 pounds from them? Link to comment
D Z Posted September 17, 2014 Share Posted September 17, 2014 Wow, that rock looks great! Cannot wait to see what you end up doing for a scape. Link to comment
Mariaface Posted September 17, 2014 Share Posted September 17, 2014 I think it's plenty of rock; once the corals fill it in, you might even wish there were less :] Link to comment
D Z Posted September 17, 2014 Share Posted September 17, 2014 Oh and I 100% agree with Maria, definitely more than enough rock. Link to comment
theishkid Posted September 18, 2014 Author Share Posted September 18, 2014 Today has been a BIG day! First round of test (other than salinity). Rock came this morning. Rock scaped tonight. First tiny bit of tea like material (very light but finally something) in the skimmer. The results... Salinity - 1.025 PH - 8.0 Carbonate Hardness - 7 dKH Phosphate - .15 ppm Nitrate - 1 ppm Nitrite - 0 ppm Ammonia - .50 ppm And now the rock! Link to comment
rdck99 Posted September 18, 2014 Share Posted September 18, 2014 I enjoy the scape but how are you getting some of these pieces to stay like that (especially the top left piece)?! Did you epoxy them together at all? If not, you may want to consider putting something under at least the upper left piece to make sure it doesn't go tumbling if a crab or snail decides to nudge it. Link to comment
theishkid Posted September 18, 2014 Author Share Posted September 18, 2014 I enjoy the scape but how are you getting some of these pieces to stay like that (especially the top left piece)?! Did you epoxy them together at all? If not, you may want to consider putting something under at least the upper left piece to make sure it doesn't go tumbling if a crab or snail decides to nudge it. Yea the photos are kind of weird… it looks like it's just barely sitting there. But the rock is almost like a lego piece and it's sitting in their perfectly. I even put quite a bit of force on it and tried to move it around and it didn't budge. I'm gonna look at this for the next week or so as I get the cycle going and I'll see if I still like it. Link to comment
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