pelphrey Posted October 18, 2016 Author Share Posted October 18, 2016 Nice tank! Good choice on the Reefer. I like your style of documenting the build through video too. I think the videos are generally interesting too. What are your plans for inhabitants? Thanks for the compliments! As far as stock I am not sure yet, I've never really thought much about it. Once the tank cycles the stock from my 20 gallon will be moved over (Various coral and 2 clown fish). After that I will have to do some research on stocking! Quote Link to comment
pelphrey Posted October 24, 2016 Author Share Posted October 24, 2016 I've been buying items off BRS a lot recently so I decided to use some of my points on a 8x8x1 Marine Pure block. Between 60lbs of rock a ton of pond matrix and now this block I should be good on surface area! I cut the block (this block cuts VERY easy with a hacksaw blade) and put it in the baffle between my skimmer and return section - I also took this opportunity to try out the Kessil A Series mount. I never did like the gooseneck even with the 90 adapter. I really wanted to use 8020 to mount the lights, but I always wanted a way to easily remove the mount. I am up in the air on the lighting, the reason why I went with A160's is because I have another one running on my 20 gallon. Once the reefer is cycled that light will be moved over. Later next year I need to revisit my lighting. Either add a third A160 or go with two 360's. I haven't talked to the wife about it yet, but I really would like to build a cabinet to sit on the right hand side of the tank. The white shelves at home depot are pretty cheap and I could build one for less then $30. The purpose would be for my ATO, I would like to not have it in my stand. If I can get it outside I can use a 20 gallon container. I'll be using the GFCI outlet on the right hand side of the tank once everything is finalized and that cabniet would serve to cover that outlet up as well. Quote Link to comment
SouthFlorida_Tron Posted October 26, 2016 Share Posted October 26, 2016 oh iMovie and your gentle rhythms 1 Quote Link to comment
pelphrey Posted October 26, 2016 Author Share Posted October 26, 2016 oh iMovie and your gentle rhythms haha You are 50% correct! The video was edited with iMovie, music was pulled from YouTube's creator studio! You really can't beat being able to edit on your cell phone! Quote Link to comment
pelphrey Posted October 26, 2016 Author Share Posted October 26, 2016 Cycle is moving along! The bag of pond matrix has had little effect on the tank, the pond matrix has been in my other system for many months. I dosed ammonia up to 2ppm a week later (Monday) I tested and it is still dark green. I added a bottle of Bio Spira to the tank on Monday evening, tested Ammonia and Nitrite last night and we're moving along! I'm excited to get everything moved over into the reefer, but more so I am excited to shut down my other tank. I'm not a fan of multiple tanks! Quote Link to comment
pelphrey Posted October 27, 2016 Author Share Posted October 27, 2016 I seeded the reefer with pond matrix from my current tank a few weeks back. I then dosed ammonia up to 2ppm. This past weekend I added the marine pure block, on Monday I added a bottle of Bio Spira to the tank when my ammonia still sat at or about 2ppm. I tested the water last night and my nitrites weren't off the chart but they were high. Today I tested nitrite and nitrate, as you can see in the picture my nitrites are nearly gone and my nitrates have appeared! Now to give the tank another week or so to settle in, do a water change and move my current tank over! Quote Link to comment
Travis Posted October 27, 2016 Share Posted October 27, 2016 Love these red sea tanks. Looking great so far! 1 Quote Link to comment
pelphrey Posted November 8, 2016 Author Share Posted November 8, 2016 Quick update on the tank. I seeded the tank with the pond matrix that was in my 20 gallon, after a week I dosed Dr Tims ammonia into the tank up to 2ppm. After another week and no nitrite or nitrate readings I used a bottle of Bio Spira. A few days after the bio spira nitrites were visible on the tests with a slight amount of ammonia. After a few more days ammonia tested zero, nitrites tested zero and nitrates were at about 10. I did 2 5 gallon water changes on the reefer and moved the coral and clowns from the 20 into the reefer. I tried to move my MP10wQD onto the reefer but the glass was just a little to thick. I couldn't get the wet and dry side to work, so I picked up a MP40wQD. I also picked up an Apex from a buddy who bought someone out of the hobby (I was going to get an apex at some point anyway, glad I have it!). Since this is the Apex classic it does not have WIFI built in, I updated the firmware on an older linksys router I had with DD-WRT so that wireless router now acts as a repeater bridge and the apex is fully accessible from anywhere via fusion. Aside from that I custom ordered an ATO container, I am still waiting for it to be made and shipped. A few more pieces of hardware and then all funds allocated to the tank will be spent on livestock! 2 Kessil A series mounts are on the tank. Apex setup, I need to work on cable management a little more! I do have a breakout box I need to see what I can do with it! Linksys WRT54 "Jail broken" if you will to act as a repeater. Instead of spending $30 plus on a gaming adapter! 1 Quote Link to comment
pelphrey Posted November 13, 2016 Author Share Posted November 13, 2016 My ATO container is coming together, can't wait to get the finished product. All white with a clear front viewing panel with gallon markings! Measured to fit to the right of my sump and hold 10 gallons! Quote Link to comment
pelphrey Posted November 15, 2016 Author Share Posted November 15, 2016 Not the best image and a little heavy on the blues. Birdsnest doing well in the new tank - Dispar Anthias liking the new home - I used the flipper nano on my last tank and really liked it, got the big brother for the reefer - Quote Link to comment
pelphrey Posted November 17, 2016 Author Share Posted November 17, 2016 Quick update - Two nights ago I was sitting at home and remembered I ordered some float switches to hookup to the Apex BOB. I'm planning on using 1 float to email me and shut off equipment if/when the sump level gets to low, as well as another float switch that will email me and shut off equipment if/when the sump level gets to high. I quickly remembered I am having a custom ATO container made and I forgot to get a float switch holder installed in the container. I quickly messaged Jake who owns Blue Tide Acrylics and asked if it was to late to get a float switch holder welded onto the back panel. Luckily the container wasn't welded together yet and he was able to make a holder! This float switch will also be wired up to the Apex BOB and notify me when the ATO container reaches the 2 gallon mark. I don't plan to be in the tank stand all the time, but at the same time I don't want to rely only on the Apex to tell me when to add water. I do know that there will be times I will forget and at the 2 gallon level if I am not home for a few days I know it will be okay! The float switch holder Jake made for my ATO Container - I went with a 10 gallon container for a few reasons. Number one more is better, and what I mean is for me it is better to have the extra room and although it can hold 10 gallons it doesn't mean I have to put 10 gallons into it. The second reason is I am evaporating a good amount of water. The Reefer 250 reservoir is 2.1 gallons. I am using half or close to half of the 2.1 containers in a 24 hour period. Mind you I am also depending on the float switch in the sump to fill so the container may be adding a little to much. My salinity has stayed at our around 1.025, I prefer 26! I did get some new filter socks in and I need to cut the plastic frame off. I still haven't pulled the trigger on a skimmer. I should have one the first of December! Quote Link to comment
Travis Posted November 17, 2016 Share Posted November 17, 2016 Nice! I use my apex with float switches as well. 1 to turn the pump on/off when the rear chamber evaps and the other just above the 1st so if it fails "on" then it turns off the pump and sends me a text. Isn't the apex awesome? 1 Quote Link to comment
pelphrey Posted November 17, 2016 Author Share Posted November 17, 2016 Nice! I use my apex with float switches as well. 1 to turn the pump on/off when the rear chamber evaps and the other just above the 1st so if it fails "on" then it turns off the pump and sends me a text. Isn't the apex awesome? It is an awesome piece of software/hardware! I'll try my best to not get lazy, but I won't lie I am going to depend on the Apex! What sold me in the beginning is having a complete package. Being able to control my heaters, delay my skimmer IF return pump shuts off and adding floats via the BOB for redundancy! Quote Link to comment
Travis Posted November 17, 2016 Share Posted November 17, 2016 Yeh, what sold me was the text alerts. Can't beat being able to control everything from one dashboard. Quote Link to comment
pelphrey Posted November 26, 2016 Author Share Posted November 26, 2016 ATO container is almost complete Float switch holder installed in the ATO, float will be wired to the apex. Once the level drops to 2 gallons I will be notified! Nyos 120 Skimmer arrived today! Kind of hard to see, got some stickers made for my YouTube channel Quote Link to comment
SouthFlorida_Tron Posted November 26, 2016 Share Posted November 26, 2016 U so fancy ? 1 Quote Link to comment
pelphrey Posted November 27, 2016 Author Share Posted November 27, 2016 Got one of the Kessil A Series mounts mounted to the stand tonight. Measure twice cut once - Quote Link to comment
pelphrey Posted November 28, 2016 Author Share Posted November 28, 2016 I've updated the thread a few times over the last few days. With the Holiday weekend I was able to knock out some tasks. My VarioS pump came with a float switch and holder. I decided I would use the holder for my Apex. I also ordered another one from CoralVue ( http://www.coralvue.com/float-switch-mount ) floats sold separately! Got my Gen2 Ipad mounted to the stand door as a dedicated Apex display. Simple 3M double sided tape does the trick! 48 hours in and the Nyos 120 is doing its job! I did replace the filters socks yesterday and the skimmer went nuts. Fish are doing well! The struggle of starting a new tank! BRS had this listed for $11.99 last week so I picked it up. Got a FedEx notification that my ATO container will be going out today! Should have it in my hands at the end of the week. I'll be glad to ditch the stock Red Sea ATO Container! Quote Link to comment
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