drgibby Posted January 18, 2016 Author Share Posted January 18, 2016 Alright i finally got the time yesterday to do some work around the house and get things organized. I was able to move all my frog tanks so i could get the reef tanks ready. I am very happy with the way things turned out. Here are what everyone has been waiting for... 2016-01-17 16.40.09 by drgibby, on Flickr and since it was so cloudy yesterday heres what it looked like this morning 2016-01-18 08.20.33 by drgibby, on Flickr 2016-01-18 08.20.40 by drgibby, on Flickr I was also wondering if Dave pops in here if he could tell me why the tanks seem to have different colors though when all the settings are the same? Is it the glass or distance from water? Just wondering. Heres a pic so show what i mean the 10 g has a purple hue and the 4g has a blueish tint. 2016-01-18 08.28.52 by drgibby, on Flickr and an overall pic since it will never look this clean again 2016-01-18 08.20.14 by drgibby, on Flickr Link to comment
Droy008 Posted January 18, 2016 Share Posted January 18, 2016 Alright i finally got the time yesterday to do some work around the house and get things organized. I was able to move all my frog tanks so i could get the reef tanks ready. I am very happy with the way things turned out. Here are what everyone has been waiting for... 2016-01-17 16.40.09 by drgibby, on Flickr and since it was so cloudy yesterday heres what it looked like this morning 2016-01-18 08.20.33 by drgibby, on Flickr 2016-01-18 08.20.40 by drgibby, on Flickr I was also wondering if Dave pops in here if he could tell me why the tanks seem to have different colors though when all the settings are the same? Is it the glass or distance from water? Just wondering. Heres a pic so show what i mean the 10 g has a purple hue and the 4g has a blueish tint. 2016-01-18 08.28.52 by drgibby, on Flickr and an overall pic since it will never look this clean again 2016-01-18 08.20.14 by drgibby, on Flickr Wow, great start and nice pictures! You got a building collection there. Any pictures of your other tanks? Link to comment
drgibby Posted January 18, 2016 Author Share Posted January 18, 2016 Wow, great start and nice pictures! You got a building collection there. Any pictures of your other tanks? Ill get some for you later Most of those are just my dart frog hobby... i enjoy building the tanks for those its that biology major in me Link to comment
drgibby Posted January 19, 2016 Author Share Posted January 19, 2016 All right nano reef... how often do you find yourself putting water back into the tank? I was awoken this morning by a gurgling crunching noise. turns out the Spin stream had stopped spinning and the water in the return chamber was really low (about a cup) I didn't think it would be this picky. I turned off the pump turned it back on at first just thinking it was jammed then thats when i noticed the water level. Mind you it was really early in the morning and i wasn't thinking straight yet. I turned off the pump again added some water and turned it on and everything works. Ill have to keep a closer eye on that water level in there. Link to comment
teenyreef Posted January 19, 2016 Share Posted January 19, 2016 You don't have an ATO, right? Without an ATO you'll probably have to add water every day or two, but it will vary depending on the humidity in your room. Even if the level isn't super low, your salinity may be swinging around. Link to comment
drgibby Posted January 21, 2016 Author Share Posted January 21, 2016 Tanks still cycling I haven't cared yet to check parameters I still think it's very early. I have been refilling the rear chamber to keep water level topped off. About a cup every day and a half. The temperature in the tank stays at 80 it was set at 76 so I have bumped it down to 74 in hopes it won't heat up as much. I'm not sure how to cool it more if that's the case. I'm also wondering if the heater/ thermometer being close to the pump is increasing the reading. Question of the day. Should I be doing water changes during the cycle? Or should I just let it be to build up a good bacterial base? Link to comment
no694terry Posted January 21, 2016 Share Posted January 21, 2016 The denitrifying bacteria need the ammonia for food, so I'd say no to the water changes, also the higher temps help batcerial grow faster bu then they'll need re adjusted to a lower temp. That being said i cycle mine at normal temp about 78, and do no water changes until I'm ready to add fish Link to comment
drgibby Posted January 25, 2016 Author Share Posted January 25, 2016 I have just installed the micro smart ATO which was really easy to do and it works very well. I like it a lot. Ill post pictures later. Todays project is to find some test strips so i can start to measure ammonia and nitrates/nitrites. Any good recommendation on brands and cost effective ones? Link to comment
no694terry Posted January 25, 2016 Share Posted January 25, 2016 i hear the strips are junk, i bought one of these, same kit i have at home but comes in a nice plastic case now http://www.ebay.com/itm/API-Aquarium-Reef-Master-MarineTest-Kits-Will-help-To-grow-healthy-Corals-/262225845664?hash=item3d0de0dda0:g:01gAAOxyzi9ShQIU Link to comment
Kijho Posted January 25, 2016 Share Posted January 25, 2016 Incredible looking setup you have there with all the tanks! Wow! Link to comment
drgibby Posted January 25, 2016 Author Share Posted January 25, 2016 Wow, great start and nice pictures! You got a building collection there. Any pictures of your other tanks? I said i would get you some pictures. 2016-01-18 12.20.50 by drgibby, on Flickr 2016-01-18 12.20.45 by drgibby, on Flickr 2016-01-18 12.20.13 by drgibby, on Flickr heres some of the inhabitants that were nice enough to be out and about today 2016-01-18 12.20.23 by drgibby, on Flickr 2015-12-08 07.29.16 by drgibby, on Flickr Link to comment
no694terry Posted January 25, 2016 Share Posted January 25, 2016 nice, i built a frog/lizard habitat once. https://picasaweb.google.com/116638870540616010470/Vivarium# Link to comment
Droy008 Posted January 25, 2016 Share Posted January 25, 2016 I said i would get you some pictures. 2016-01-18 12.20.50 by drgibby, on Flickr 2016-01-18 12.20.45 by drgibby, on Flickr 2016-01-18 12.20.13 by drgibby, on Flickr heres some of the inhabitants that were nice enough to be out and about today 2016-01-18 12.20.23 by drgibby, on Flickr 2015-12-08 07.29.16 by drgibby, on Flickr Ohh, I love those frogs. I couldn't trust myself with them though. I'd have my entire house converted into one huge terrarium! Link to comment
drgibby Posted January 25, 2016 Author Share Posted January 25, 2016 Ohh, I love those frogs. I couldn't trust myself with them though. I'd have my entire house converted into one huge terrarium! I love my frogs ive cut back a little and am keeping it to these shelves. Im really excited though to dive into the reef hobby. Ive been looking into RO/DI systems and they scare me a little bit. Its a bit overwhelming all those wires and im can't figure out if it goes directly into the lines or how to hook it up. I think they would save me money in the long run vs me buying distilled water ever month Link to comment
Droy008 Posted January 25, 2016 Share Posted January 25, 2016 They definitely will. I haven't installed one yet because my in-laws have one for their home. And I just top off a 4 gallon jug once ever 2 weeks. Link to comment
drgibby Posted January 25, 2016 Author Share Posted January 25, 2016 Order placed at Intank... wonder what i got Link to comment
drgibby Posted January 26, 2016 Author Share Posted January 26, 2016 Just set up my ghost skimmer... This thing is loud... Is it suppose to be? Not sure I like it ...maybe it will quiet down as it breaks in Link to comment
teenyreef Posted January 26, 2016 Share Posted January 26, 2016 It's loud when opened up all the way. But when broken in you set the bubbles much lower and it's reasonably quiet then. Link to comment
drgibby Posted January 26, 2016 Author Share Posted January 26, 2016 I sure hope so it sounds like a coffee grinder leaking air! Seriously considering switching to a different skimmer. Its quiet when the air is off Link to comment
DaveFason Posted January 26, 2016 Share Posted January 26, 2016 I sure hope so it sounds like a coffee grinder leaking air! Seriously considering switching to a different skimmer. Its quiet when the air is off You may like the MAME skimmer better. Most small skimmers will have much more noise. Link to comment
drgibby Posted January 26, 2016 Author Share Posted January 26, 2016 You may like the MAME skimmer better. Most small skimmers will have much more noise. I have looked at this skimmer a lot and am going to get it for the 4g for sure. I just hate the price tag and how fragile it looks. Same subject matter: Does anyone recommend a good air pump that is quiet! I see a lot of reviews on the tetra whisper but wonder what everyone else thinks. Link to comment
vlangel Posted January 26, 2016 Share Posted January 26, 2016 Wow, aquariums, frog habitats, lots of life in that room! Very nice. Link to comment
teenyreef Posted January 26, 2016 Share Posted January 26, 2016 I have looked at this skimmer a lot and am going to get it for the 4g for sure. I just hate the price tag and how fragile it looks. Same subject matter: Does anyone recommend a good air pump that is quiet! I see a lot of reviews on the tetra whisper but wonder what everyone else thinks. Mame has some specific recommendations including the Cobalt Aquatics Oxy-Pro. I bought one used and it was very quiet but wasn't strong enough for my skimmer, but I don't have a Mame. I just sold and shipped it to kylhcky, you might PM him and ask how it works for him. It should be at his place tomorrow. Link to comment
drgibby Posted January 26, 2016 Author Share Posted January 26, 2016 So I've taken apart the skimmer and it seems to be quieter now but I'm getting a ton of microbubbles. I'll let it break it see what happens. Mame has some specific recommendations including the Cobalt Aquatics Oxy-Pro. I bought one used and it was very quiet but wasn't strong enough for my skimmer, but I don't have a Mame. I just sold and shipped it to kylhcky, you might PM him and ask how it works for him. It should be at his place tomorrow. I've read the cobalt aquatics was a really loud pump and all the reviews seemed to be negative. I'll send kylhcky a pm and get his opinion on how it worked out for it. Link to comment
drgibby Posted January 27, 2016 Author Share Posted January 27, 2016 So I have installed the micro smart ato and let me tell you that i love it. It works great and is very quiet. The blue light doesn't even show out of the back chamber 2016-01-27 08.51.42 by drgibby, on Flickr Reservoir is installed of course i had to hide the water cords because the cats like to chew on them. im glad they leave the electric cords alone. 2016-01-27 08.51.49 by drgibby, on Flickr Im still waiting on Dave to get the Tide back but mother nature has not been nice. The skimmer is breaking in still, less microbubbles then last night. Im really considering getting a MAME for both the 10 and 4 g but am trying to be patient. Theres also a package at home on my doorstep according to tracking that im very excited to open Im also foreseeing a problem when fish arrive.... His brother was right there next to him(hes a twin) but ran before the picture. i hope they dont like fish 2016-01-27 08.51.14 by drgibby, on Flickr Link to comment
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