Granite’s New England Biotope

[MainelyReefer]

5 hours ago, Tamberav said:

Really exciting! 

I reread your whole coldwater thread the other day, your tank is awesome inspiration 

[MainelyReefer]

The probe came in! Of course it was delivered right as I was cooking the fam dinner so I couldn’t just rip it open in Christmas morning level excitement.  Plus I open boxes, wash my hands then enjoy the items inside nowadays, what a world we live in.  I got the probe installed in place, and sure enough there wasn’t any viable way to situate the pump around it with my stock plumbing parts.  So I had to lop off 1/2” from the bulkhead

and cut my 90 degree 1/2” slipxbarb on each side , this left no actual barbs on the fitting haha so I had to improvise and fasten with some zip ties.  Should be sufficient for 180gph.

the best part is I achieved my ultimate goal of being able to remove and service the pump without removing the ice probe as well.  I wanted the run to be straight to reduce flow loss but I will live.  Now I need to order my 1/4” RFG for the display 

so I threw some RO water in to rinse any contamination and give an overnight temp test. It was either 17 or 19cups to fill the tank so more like 1.1g of water not two and that’s without my hard scape! One thing I have to remember is the 5 degree gradient from the outside to the inside of the tank.  
8:16pm. 69.6f

8:25pm 68.1f

8:44pm 66.9f

5:48am 54.6f

this is when I remembered I should be opening the lid to test water temp as the acrylics exterior is 5 degrees warmer than what’s inside.  Sure enough the water inside is actually 49.4f!!!!!!! I am going to keep it cooling and see if it won’t go to the 30’s haha.  Maybe we will have to do an Arctic circle biotope.  Room temp is 67 by the way so almost a 20 degree difference!  No sweating either but I do have a dehumidifier running right now in the house and summer in N.H. is HUMID.  So we will see what happens in a few months.  Acrylic bolts come today and I will get the light fastened. And I found the NH coastal/estuarine collection license application.  I have to provide pretty detailed info such as species I plan on catching, times I will go, where I will collect, I need to document the tools I will use and provide detailed measurements so I ordered some small dip nets yesterday and have my minnow traps.  Any equipment fellow beach combers find helpful necessities would be appreciated.  The bummer is I was planning on being an opportunistic forager but now need to be what feels like a well documented field researcher. 

 

[Micro-Reefs Aquariums]

On 5/9/2020 at 1:38 AM, Tamberav said:

Really exciting! 

Yeah, tell me about it..   This reefer is serious into reefing cold water....

[MainelyReefer]

Forgot to post about getting my light fastened in, here is the bracket with the acrylic bolts on it

pouring #16 Weldon all over them

drilled a hole to access the set screw 

added four more acrylic bolts/nuts to the edges to stabilize the bracket and poured more #16 Weldon all over it haha

holy brightness Batman all settings on high

dialed down

[debbeach13]

You did all that and baked cookies. Your on a roll!

[Micro-Reefs Aquariums]

20 hours ago, GraniteReefer said:

Forgot to post about getting my light fastened in, here is the bracket with the acrylic bolts on it

pouring #16 Weldon all over them

drilled a hole to access the set screw 

added four more acrylic bolts/nuts to the edges to stabilize the bracket and poured more #16 Weldon all over it haha

holy brightness Batman all settings on high

dialed down

Wow just amazing to see this guy fired up...  Been so many years 😴

 

On 5/10/2020 at 6:50 AM, GraniteReefer said:

The probe came in! Of course it was delivered right as I was cooking the fam dinner so I couldn’t just rip it open in Christmas morning level excitement.  Plus I open boxes, wash my hands then enjoy the items inside nowadays, what a world we live in.  I got the probe installed in place, and sure enough there wasn’t any viable way to situate the pump around it with my stock plumbing parts.  So I had to lop off 1/2” from the bulkhead

and cut my 90 degree 1/2” slipxbarb on each side , this left no actual barbs on the fitting haha so I had to improvise and fasten with some zip ties.  Should be sufficient for 180gph.

the best part is I achieved my ultimate goal of being able to remove and service the pump without removing the ice probe as well.  I wanted the run to be straight to reduce flow loss but I will live.  Now I need to order my 1/4” RFG for the display 

so I threw some RO water in to rinse any contamination and give an overnight temp test. It was either 17 or 19cups to fill the tank so more like 1.1g of water not two and that’s without my hard scape! One thing I have to remember is the 5 degree gradient from the outside to the inside of the tank.  
8:16pm. 69.6f

8:25pm 68.1f

8:44pm 66.9f

5:48am 54.6f

this is when I remembered I should be opening the lid to test water temp as the acrylics exterior is 5 degrees warmer than what’s inside.  Sure enough the water inside is actually 49.4f!!!!!!! I am going to keep it cooling and see if it won’t go to the 30’s haha.  Maybe we will have to do an Arctic circle biotope.  Room temp is 67 by the way so almost a 20 degree difference!  No sweating either but I do have a dehumidifier running right now in the house and summer in N.H. is HUMID.  So we will see what happens in a few months.  Acrylic bolts come today and I will get the light fastened. And I found the NH coastal/estuarine collection license application.  I have to provide pretty detailed info such as species I plan on catching, times I will go, where I will collect, I need to document the tools I will use and provide detailed measurements so I ordered some small dip nets yesterday and have my minnow traps.  Any equipment fellow beach combers find helpful necessities would be appreciated.  The bummer is I was planning on being an opportunistic forager but now need to be what feels like a well documented field researcher. 

 

Got 55 F degrees? 

[MainelyReefer]

1 hour ago, Micro-Reefs Aquariums said:

Got 55 F degrees?

Nighttime no problem, daytime we are creeping towards 60 when in my kitchen so I am currently building out a little nook for it in my master bath.  I have to paint then install a cabinet and countertop for it and switch a light switch into a switch/outlet combo so I have power. So a little work before the tank gets salty.  I ordered the Tec-All proportional controller too so next Friday I will have 100% of my equipment.  The temp probe on the controller appears to be stainless I was considering heat shrinking it, I think people with inkbird controllers do that or slather it in silicone.  Advice welcome

[Ratvan]

1 minute ago, GraniteReefer said:

Nighttime no problem, daytime we are creeping towards 60 when in my kitchen so I am currently building out a little nook for it in my master bath.  I have to paint then install a cabinet and countertop for it and switch a light switch into a switch/outlet combo so I have power. So a little work before the tank gets salty.  I ordered the Tec-All proportional controller too so next Friday I will have 100% of my equipment.  The temp probe on the controller appears to be stainless I was considering heat shrinking it, I think people with inkbird controllers do that or slather it in silicone.  Advice welcome

I had to do that on my Inkbird. I wasn't aware there was an aquarium suitible model already. Its pretty easy to do, I coated the probe, heat wrapped and then sealed with silicone

[MainelyReefer]

9 minutes ago, Ratvan said:

I had to do that on my Inkbird. I wasn't aware there was an aquarium suitible model already. Its pretty easy to do, I coated the probe, heat wrapped and then sealed with silicone

coated means the heat wrap and silicone right there’s not an unknown third step? Haha.  Heat wrap and silicone too huh? Redundancy recommended or did you just go all out?

[Ratvan]

7 minutes ago, GraniteReefer said:

coated means the heat wrap and silicone right there’s not an unknown third step? Haha.  Heat wrap and silicone too huh? Redundancy recommended or did you just go all out?

I was nervous of adding to the tank so took the extra step of trying a silicone seal around when the heat shrink adheres to the probe. 3rd step is make sure the calibration isn't screwed up 

[MainelyReefer]

Apparently if I want to collect livestock for personal aquarium use in NH there is no legal route to do so.  If I wanted to consume my catch it is 100% legal.  I hate humans.  I need to associate this build with an educational institution to have access to livestock basically or just buy it from gulf of me.com which is frustrating as his prices are jacked up and it’s free on the beach.  Time to Email someone higher up in the government and petition this shit.  Or perhaps I will eat everything in the tank when I shut it down in a few years, maybe that would comply. 

[debbeach13]

Absolutely, just collecting stuff for sushi officer. Strange how different states have such different regulations. Maybe NH is so restricted because there isn’t that much coast line. Good luck getting some sort of waiver.

[MainelyReefer]

On a more positive note I just received an email from one of the researchers for Astrangia Poculata and they said I could have access to some colonies from Rhode Island so the New England biotope is still a go! What a relief.  I was even invited to tour the facility where they keep the Astrangia!  Only caveat is I have to wait until corona virus subsided so their lab resumes normal operation.  Should give the tank plenty of time to cycle

[MainelyReefer]

Interesting to note the researchers keep their Astrangia tanks at 66degrees Fahrenheit year round.

[debbeach13]

That is awesome.

[Micro-Reefs Aquariums]

Cold Water Marine Aquatics, still has stuff from his private collection.  Has anyone tried contacting Stu Wobbe to see if he would send some stuff out from what he has?  He also has two cites from the internet that collect and sell to the public, I plan on using them if someone wants I can send you out the links.

 

MG

[Micro-Reefs Aquariums]

On 5/10/2020 at 6:50 AM, GraniteReefer said:

The probe came in! Of course it was delivered right as I was cooking the fam dinner so I couldn’t just rip it open in Christmas morning level excitement.  Plus I open boxes, wash my hands then enjoy the items inside nowadays, what a world we live in.  I got the probe installed in place, and sure enough there wasn’t any viable way to situate the pump around it with my stock plumbing parts.  So I had to lop off 1/2” from the bulkhead

and cut my 90 degree 1/2” slipxbarb on each side , this left no actual barbs on the fitting haha so I had to improvise and fasten with some zip ties.  Should be sufficient for 180gph.

the best part is I achieved my ultimate goal of being able to remove and service the pump without removing the ice probe as well.  I wanted the run to be straight to reduce flow loss but I will live.  Now I need to order my 1/4” RFG for the display 

so I threw some RO water in to rinse any contamination and give an overnight temp test. It was either 17 or 19cups to fill the tank so more like 1.1g of water not two and that’s without my hard scape! One thing I have to remember is the 5 degree gradient from the outside to the inside of the tank.  
8:16pm. 69.6f

8:25pm 68.1f

8:44pm 66.9f

5:48am 54.6f

this is when I remembered I should be opening the lid to test water temp as the acrylics exterior is 5 degrees warmer than what’s inside.  Sure enough the water inside is actually 49.4f!!!!!!! I am going to keep it cooling and see if it won’t go to the 30’s haha.  Maybe we will have to do an Arctic circle biotope.  Room temp is 67 by the way so almost a 20 degree difference!  No sweating either but I do have a dehumidifier running right now in the house and summer in N.H. is HUMID.  So we will see what happens in a few months.  Acrylic bolts come today and I will get the light fastened. And I found the NH coastal/estuarine collection license application.  I have to provide pretty detailed info such as species I plan on catching, times I will go, where I will collect, I need to document the tools I will use and provide detailed measurements so I ordered some small dip nets yesterday and have my minnow traps.  Any equipment fellow beach combers find helpful necessities would be appreciated.  The bummer is I was planning on being an opportunistic forager but now need to be what feels like a well documented field researcher. 

 

Nice work on the working out the tiny space for the elbow fitting. 

[DISQUALIFIED-QQ]

biotopes. biotopes. biotopes.

[MainelyReefer]

Should I add my Mame skimmer or is that overkill.  Research suggests mechanical filtration to be beneficial due to low biological filtration and the added oxygen helps support sensitive life.  Research also isn’t based on a 1.1g tank.  Stick with the reefbowl 100%wc husbandry or modify to include the skimmer and still pull 100% wc’s

[SeaFurn]

So you're concerned that your O2 levels won't be high enough?  If so, then run it...otherwise it seems a little overkill - especially with the reefbowl husbandry.  Could you just use an airstone (wood) considering that rear chamber looks pretty tight?

[Micro-Reefs Aquariums]

I never used a skimmer in any of my cold water tanks...  The nutrients in there seemed to make everything in the aquarium thrive very well with just mechanical filtration from the AIO....

 

In fact, my cold water anomone spawned and I got it on video.  I will share that video....

[MainelyReefer]

So I am passing on adding in the skimmer, the antiquated literature I am finding on temperate aquaria seems to predate the Pico movement within the hobby as a whole.  I did just order a bright well aquatics Xport bioplate.  I went with the plate so I can cut and fit easier than a brick.  Perhaps I will bury the plate beneath the substrate and also cut some to slide against the walls standing up in the sump section.  NH granite on the beach comes with low/zero porosity.  Also the TEC-ALL controller came in and the temp probe wasn’t stainless steel it is actually a white plastic so I don’t have to concern myself with shrink wraps and silicone.  The damn cable is only 18” though so the controller will have to be close to the tank

I have also read that cycling at a warmer temp then lowering a degree a day until the desired temp is reached may result in faster cycling.  Perhaps I will try depending on the temp of the water at the beach on the day I collect my hard scape(sand, rocks, and hopefully some hitchhikers on macros).  Getting close to getting wet

[Punk_Rock_Blenny]

Just wow. I'd love to do a British Coastline biotope. Shame that it costs so much more. Following along with interest

[MainelyReefer]

1 hour ago, Punk_Rock_Blenny said:

Just wow. I'd love to do a British Coastline biotope. Shame that it costs so much more. Following along with interest

From my searching it seems you have some fire British coldwater corals off the coast.  All in My cost is 420$ for the tank, chiller and controller, used ai prime, hydor Pico evo mag 180 pump, 1/2” bulkhead, and the RFG nozzle/adapters.  It feels even cheaper to me as I already had the prime/plumbing and scored the chiller 100$ off so my out of pocket is more around $200.  You should irresponsibly start one during a pandemic with me haha

[MainelyReefer]

Also the RFG came in today, with the 1/2 mpt x locline adapter and the 1/2”x1/4” locline reducer and the 1/4” RFG in line it is a honking mess in the display!  Basically it will be blowing water at a wall haha, time to get creative again(or lazy and leave it)  

maybe a hydor rotating deflector would have been better? About to bust into my pile of aquarium junk as I think I have a gaudy orange 1/4”mpt x 1/4” locline.  Using that will be a bummer as I just bought the other adapters in black when I already own orange because the orange is so ugly.  Now I might end up using an orange one and a mpt adapter to step it up.  I’ll start rummaging