120 Gallon Progress

[NanoReef]

i got new lights for my soon to be 90 gallon.... its a dual 150 HQI halide and 2 96 PC actinics. Looks awsome on the tank. i will post pics as soon as i get this new canreef figured out!!!

[NanoReef]

ok so there has been a change of plans. it will be a 120.....48x24x24
once the site is back up, i will post pics

[studsrsx]

Pics yet?...LOL

[NanoReef]

YAY i figured it out.... here they are.
http://www.canreef.com/photopost/data/507/2034New_HQI_s.jpg
http://www.canreef.com/photopost/data/507/2034New_HQI_s_2.jpg

let me know what you think... these are with just actinics on

[DanG]

That's a nice looking fixture. What make, where'd you get it and how much?

[NanoReef]

i got it from ewen at fish gallery and it was $750 after tax. Unfortunatly it is a coralife... o well, as long as it does the job.

[Stasher]

Nice light setup, they are pricey but you do get a well finished package.

BTW...nice skate posters in the background :)

[NanoReef]

lol...im embaresed!!! that is just on my cichlid tank right now because my 120 is being built. the 120 will be in the livingroom, not my bedroom!!! lol. and yes, that is alot to spend on lights but it saves me from having to make a show quality canopy!!!

[Skimmerking]

Pretty pricey for a 2nd hand set of lights there. Could have bought a new set for that.
Other then that looks goods on a FW tank.

[NanoReef]

the guy who got them first paid 1500 for them so i think i got a good deal there mike!

[studsrsx]

Looks good....wish I had that kind of money...LOL

[Skimmerking]

Lets see some Pic's

[NanoReef]

ok so i got all the framing on he stand done, now i just have to make it look nice! i will be posting pictures of the stand next week sometime.

[Invigor]

not to be the bearer of bad news, but: http://www.jlaquatics.com/phpstore/store_pages/details/l-mh-esu.php?product_ID=mh-calp48

anyhoo, congrats. when it's time you change the hqi's you sohuld consider giesmann megachrome 13000k lamps. a friend of mine has the same fixture as you just got, with the megachrome lamps...mmmmm they're nice.

[NanoReef]

not the same but very close.... also i payed $750, no tax and i would still have to pay shipping and tax on top of that. I am deffinitly switching bulbs. are the ones you mentioned more of a blue?? the ones that are in there already are kinda yellowish?

[Invigor]

tax yes, shipping no. JL ships free for orders over 200 or 300 :D

the megachromes are -nice- they have no blue or yellow in them, very very white, with the actinics it's perfect!

[NanoReef]

hmmm, i like the sounds of those bulbs....i can run those on my CL balasts no problem right?

[NanoReef]

just getting some opinions... i went and saw asmodeaus tank and saw that it was BB. What should i go with my 120?? BB or aragonite or what??? ntw thanks for letting me see the tank mike!!

[studsrsx]

Personally I like the look of the sand but thats just me. Bare bottoms look like a fish store to me. Just my 2 cents

[Funky_Fish14]

You could also try expoxy in the bottom with sand mixed in and sprinkled on. Thats what I did. I have the sandbed look with the BB benefits.

Chris

[NanoReef]

ok so we got the stand about 3/4 done and didnt like the design so we started from scratch... we got most of the framing done tonight and i will post pics later in the week

[NanoReef]

ok so here is the framed stand.
http://www.freewebs.com/eriksnanoreef/FULL%20SHOT.jpg
here is it after we sheeted it. now all we have to do is pit the doors and crown molding on then paint... what do you think???
http://www.freewebs.com/eriksnanoreef/P1220070.jpg

[wetcoast]

Looks good!

[Skimmerking]

Ya now were talking when is the water coming in there anyways ....

:mrgreen:


good job young fella

[NanoReef]

thanks for the compliments! as for your coment Mike, i still need a skimmer and a sump befor i can fill it with water!!! the stand should be done by friday, we are taking it to the fire collage to sand, prime, and paint it....next is a skimmer and sump...what do you all suggest. This is going to be a few fish and lots of coral.

Is this an alright Skimmer???
http://cgi.ebay.ca/ASM-G-2-In-Sump-protein-skimmer-Sedra-pump-included_W0QQitemZ7721082092QQcategoryZ46313QQssPa geNameZWD1VQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[Ruth]

IMO go with as large a skimmer as will fit and that you can afford. ASM skimmers work really well and are reasonable.

[NanoReef]

so its always better to overskim? so would i be better off with this one???
http://cgi.ebay.ca/ASM-G-3-In-Sump-Protein-Skimmer_W0QQitemZ7708144078QQcategoryZ46313QQssPag eNameZWD1VQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[Ruth]

First I want to say that I really like your setup - great job on the stand. It will look fantastic when you get it finished.
If a ASM G-3 will fit into your sump that is the skimmer that I would recommend. I have used one and they work great. The thing with the size of tank they are rated for I would cut that in half for this particular skimmer. Some manufacturers really over rate their skimmers and IMO ASM is one of them. Their close cousin Euroreef OTOH seems to under rate theirs a little. IMO you can't overskim a tank. It will only take out what is there to take out. I always overskim mine and I think it is a personal choice whether you choose to have a skimmer that is not really worked to capacity - but again it's just my opinion.

[NanoReef]

first of all thanks for the compliments. second, i get what your saying with the skimmer and it WILL fit in my sump and under my stand. should i go for this one? again, thanks for all the help

[Ruth]

Well it's your tank and your decision. Research different skimmers and decide on which one will best suit you, your tank set up, and your budget. That is a good skimmer IMO and does a good job IMO. Others seem to prefer injections type skimmers but I have never tried one. If you are handy there are mods you can do to the ASM skimmers to make them skim even better - check out their website. Others have been very pleased with the Coralife Super Skimmer - another one you might want to research. At the end of the day it is your decision and your wallet!

[NanoReef]

i saw this one that was included in a acrylic sump by sealife rated for a 200G tank, do these skimmers suck?? also, i measured my stand and the G3 wont fit....but the G2 will. the G2 is rated for a 200g tank. do you think it will do?

[NanoReef]

ok, i looked up most of the other skimmers that will fit and it seems the G2 is going to be the best for what i need it for, it fits in my sump and under my stand....is a 30g sump enough for this tank?

[studsrsx]

Looking really good.....Lets get some water in now..LOL

[NanoReef]

i wish i could that quickley!!! i would like to see all of your sumps. my dad doesnt want me to wreck this 30 gallon we have sitting around by putting other glass and that stuff in it... how did you all do it???

[NanoReef]

anyone???? please!!! thanks

[Ruth]

Try the search for "sump designs" there are a few diagrams and pictures.

[NanoReef]

it said that option is disabled..? i was thinking that if i put egg crating on top of PVC pipe with bioballs and stuff on top of it,,,,would that work?

[Ruth]

http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/search.php?searchid=10254
Try this

[Delphinus]

Ruth unfortunately the link won't work since the search terms are cached and eventually expire, so clicking on the link becomes a search on "empty" terms. Sorry ...

NanoReef, the search option isn't disabled, I'm not sure why you're having problems. Are you using a popup blocker?

[NanoReef]

ok i got it to work but had no success. will my eggcrate ontop of PVC with bioballs on the "in" side of the sump idea work??

[Skimmerking]

Why would you want egg crate with BIO BALLS ...cALL ME AND EXPLAIN WHAT YOU WANT TO DO OK

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MIKE

[NanoReef]

MIKE i work 1-9 tomorow so i will call you when i get home from work...is that ok?? ANY OTHER SUMP SUGGESTIONS WELCOME!

[studsrsx]

Mike I wouldn't mind seeing your tank sometime also when I am in the city. It sounds impresive.

[Skimmerking]

Hey Thanks for the nice remarks ,but its just an FOWLR. Nothing special about it .. any time Stud call me my number is on the post here your welcome anytime...

As for you Nanoreef if ya want i can come over and build the sump for ya if ya want to just make sure you have the baffles precut and the silsone on hand with the glass too.

OH YA Ginger ale too. thats is for me to drink.


lol

[Skimmerking]

Nano reef check out this for your lights

www.petsandponds.com/securestore/c8686p16738832.2.html

[Shy_Koi]

ANY OTHER SUMP SUGGESTIONS WELCOME!
Hi Erik,
Here's a pic of my sump set-up (had to draw one, as my camera's batteries need recharged :redface:).
Only had room for a 15g in the stand - it's tiny, but it does the job. A local glass company cut 4 pieces of 1/4" glass to fit inside for the baffles. The baffles are 9" high, which gives approx 3.5" headspace in the sump, to allow for the backflow of water from the display tank, in the event of a power outage.
*Note to self: remember to drill anti-siphon holes in all return lines!

http://www.unique-cowgirl.com/sump3.jpg

Not shown, but I also use a Tunze osmolator with the top-off sensor in the return compartment. The pH probe and thermometer are also in there...
Helps to keep the display tank looking uncluttered :lol:

HTH,
~Tamara

[NanoReef]

wow that looks really good Shy_Koi. Mike.... i have tomorow off so i will call you when i wake up...(around noon!!!):redface: talk to ya then....
MORE SUMP IDEAS WELCOME

[Skimmerking]

ERik Remember I'm in the Military i work til 16:00 hrs or 4pm for you other peoples..


mike

call me tonight if ya 2 want too

[NanoReef]

got a little more done on the stand....put some crown molding and some corner trim. we are going to sand, and prime it tonght...let me know what you think.
http://www.freewebs.com/eriksnanoreef/P1250072.jpg

[christyf5]

Nice looking stand :cool: Maybe start another thread as this one is entitled "new lights" :wink:

[NanoReef]

can i rename it?

[christyf5]

you bet, just edit your very first post, then click on "go advanced" under the text box and edit it from there :biggrin:

[NanoReef]

there, name is changed!!! so i went to the fire collage were my dad works and primed the stand... i think it is going to look really good. we are doing it gloss black!!! i will post pictures of the primed stand tomorow....we are putting the first coat on tomorow night.

[NanoReef]

ok, here it is primed...
http://www.freewebs.com/eriksnanoreef/PRIMED23.jpg
and the doors
http://www.freewebs.com/eriksnanoreef/DOORS2.jpg
again...let me know what you think!!!

[muck]

Tip: Waterproof the inside on the stand. (ie. Epoxy Paint)

[Willow]

use euro hings on the stand so you dont see them, it makes it look cleaner.

[NanoReef]

Muck, we are WAY ahead of ya!!! and willow, i already picked up the hinges, im using a chrome nob so i went with chrome hinges....i think it should look ok....i can always change it though!

[NanoReef]

ok, so we got the last coat on and are bringing it home tonight! i will post pictures of it later tonight or tomorow in its new home!

[sumpfinfishe]

Looks great Nano:biggrin:

Just wondering as well if you plan on using one of those shiny new fire hydrants for the hood ornament:mrgreen:

[NanoReef]

lol, like i said...we were at the fire collage!!! those are neat though...they are cut in half so you can see how they work!!!! anyway im going to get the stand in about 45 min. so i will post pics later!

[Skimmerking]

Hurry up I need to see pic's of the tank. come on....

[NanoReef]

lol...ok ok here is the stand....this isnt were it is going so it is a crap picture but here it is...what do ya think???
http://www.freewebs.com/eriksnanoreef/DONE!.jpg

[prospero31]

That is a fine looking stand. Wow!

[Skimmerking]

OMg that is ugly!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
\\No just kidding looks really good

[Ruth]

That looks awesome! Nice job.

[NanoReef]

thanks!!! we are going to be moving EVERYTHING in the livingroom to put it were we wont it so i will take better pictures of it with the tank on top.....i went with chrome nobs and hinges,,,,do you all like them or should i switch??

[Skimmerking]

I would go with Brushed silver it ooked really good on my 62 gal tank setup that i have before

Go to Home depot and get the log sleek ones there nice ones



mike

Call me If ya need help settting up

[studsrsx]

Looks good!....Hey Mike are you gonna be around weds night as I'm in the city.

[Skimmerking]

Ya sure Call me ok i will pm you my phone number ok and where i live at ...

[NanoReef]

well, it has been a while and everything got put on hold due to sump designs. we are throwing around a few so i WILL post pics soon just may take a week or so!!! Mike, i will be calling you one of these days!

[addam4208283]

nice job on the stand, i like the fixtures you used. do you plan on starting fresh, or are you going to move stuff from other tanks>
ADAM

[NanoReef]

addam, some of the stuff from my 20 is going to go in it but i think im going to keep the 20 going for smaller zoo frags. so we made lots of progress last night...i held up my end of the bargain and drained my 90 gallon. we also got the tank and stand were we want it. Here are some pictures....what do ya think?
first is my empty 90!
http://www.freewebs.com/eriksnanoreef/90%20draind.jpg
here is the tank on the finished stand....let me know!
http://www.freewebs.com/eriksnanoreef/DONE!!!!!!.jpg

[NanoReef]

oops, another thing i was going to ask was what would be the best photoperiod for this tank??? i have lots of timers i can set the actinics and HQI's on at 2 different times...what do you all think???

[Skimmerking]

depending on what time you would like to start looking at the tank.

I would go with.
Actinic on 0700-0900
actinic off at 0900
MH on at 0900- 1900
actinic on at 1800-2000
MH off at 1900
actinic off at 2000
night light on from 2000-2300
dark til o500-0700



hope this helps
mike

[NanoReef]

ya mike that helped. i have a question though? why do you turn the actinics off during the day??? wouldnt you want them on the whole time the HQI's are on???

[Skimmerking]

Well I have a FOLWR and i not home for the duration of the lights being on. With that I have no corals in the tank so I dont require actinic all the time.

ANd It saves on buying Actinic every 6months. I only have to buy them every year or something like that, I'm cheap like that.

But with HQI your bulbs are 14K already arent they. If so you can run them all day or part of the day depending on the blue effect you like. shouldnt be a problem. If you had 6500K iwasaki bulbs or 10000K bulbs then you would need actinic's on all day to take out the yellow or to balance out the white....


mike

[NanoReef]

my HQI's are 10K but i want to upgrade to a 14K of a better brand....who do you suggest? o ya! i will be filling up the tank in 2 weeks!!! we decided to run my sump through the wall into the spare room! we will see how it goes

[Skimmerking]

Go with www.prairiereefsupplies.ca talk to Quinn he has HQI bulbs pretty cheap that he can get in. PM me i will give you his number and email addy ok .

As for the sump you will love it being on the other side too. Now you can run a refugium thur the wall that is dropping into the tank instead of the return going to the sump.

2 weeks get your dad going on filling it up come on man. Don't make me come over there after my surgery to get you and your dad going on this,....

[mr_alberta]

Here's my photoperiod:

Actinics & Actinic White : 8:30AM - 7:30PM
HQI - 11:30AM - 4PM

You'll be surprised, but you really don't need your halides on for super long photoperiods.

[NanoReef]

why dont you need the halides for a long time?? the actinics do it fine for majority of the day??? also, check out my 2 new little guys. here they are! and yes i know i have an alge prob! im looking for a small skimmer for this tank... here they are!
Green coral goby
http://www.freewebs.com/eriksnanoreef/Green%20Coral%20Goby.jpg
and my yellow tang....(the size of a toonie!) checking out the hermit!
http://www.freewebs.com/eriksnanoreef/Baby%20Yellow%20Tang.jpg
sorry i couldnt get better pics but these guys never sit still!!!let me know what you think! (as usual)

[mr_alberta]

why dont you need the halides for a long time?? the actinics do it fine for majority of the day???

I remember reading a thread on RC a while back about people who ran actinics for the majority of the day and saw no difference in growth patterns or colors, so I decided to try this myself. In my experience, there IS no real noticable difference so I left it like that. Save on heat, power and extends the bulb life a little bit.

[Skimmerking]

Actually Its a Green clown Goby you have there....

looks good thou, let me know when you guy s get in Potters angels i would like to get one .... and some more Cerith snail's



Mike

[NanoReef]

oops!!! thanks for the ID mike! i will give you a call if we get any potters angels in and we SOULD get some more ceriths with our next order! keep rested!

[NanoReef]

ok, my dad being his usual self (cheap) decided that he wanted to be able to use the 30g sump that i have later on if i ever decide to upgrade sumps.... being a Hagen tank i can see were he is coming from BUT i still need to use it... is there any way to get around siliconing glass in the sump???

[fishmanty]

I would silicone the glass into the sump on the sides of the glass, not between the glass and the sides. Silicone can come off with a little work with a razor blade... Plus, its only a 30gallon, and they don't cost alll to much to buy if you do happen to ruin it or if you scratch it while trying to remove the glass pieces from inside

[NanoReef]

thats the problem MY DAD IS CHEAP! he wants to keep this tank
i dont quite understand this though

I would silicone the glass into the sump on the sides of the glass, not between the glass and the sides

[fishmanty]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v610/FishManTy/crapasspicture.jpg

ok, at point 1, instead of siliconing the side of the baffle to the aquarium, put 2 globs of silicone on either side that can easily be cut off with a blade when it comes to removal. Its more of an idea that I know would work thats in the top of my head... its hard to put into words. point 2 shows what I mean by globs of silicone of the sides of each baffle.

Wish I could explain it better...

In short: Silicone is easy to cut off with a blade, so if you decide to silicone baffles into a tank to make it a sump, silicone it in a way that would be easy to get at with the edge of a blade, just to losen the baffles, then you could clean up the bits of silicone once the glass is removed.

[NanoReef]

ok i think i get it now.......but i now have ANOTHER problem....my skimmer takes up like 1/2 of the sump!!! now throw a mag 18 in there and i dont have much room left:sad: .....is there any way to "spacesave" and not have the baffles and still have an effective sump??

[Skimmerking]

call me ok i will explain to you little grasshopper.


mike
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[fishmanty]

You could put a mag beside the sump, and run it inline, but instead of drilling the tank, you could just put some flex tubing into the sump and run it to the intake of the pump, and just find a way to secure the tube so it doesn't fall out and suck air.

Im sure that guy with the post above me will have a good explaination, or better idea.

[NanoReef]

ok so my dad got a little excited about getting the tank running so he ran all the plumbing while i was at work. it wasnt quite what i had in mind but i think he did pretty good.if anyone can explain to me what to do with the 6 inches of sump i have left....it would be greatly appreciated! Mike, my sister is out of town so she is CONSTANTLEY on the phone with my mom here so any time im home....the phone is in use!!! if there is anyway to explain my sump situation on here i would be very happy!!!!
here is the sump. remember, this is the dry run so ANYTHING can be changed.
http://www.freewebs.com/eriksnanoreef/SUMP.jpg
also, can i use this PVC glue on the pipes????
http://www.freewebs.com/eriksnanoreef/GLUE.jpg
thanks!

[mr_alberta]

I really wouldn't put my skimmer right next to the return pump...you'll get bubbles up the yinyang. Have the skimmer and the return pump on opposite sides of the tank and a bunch of baffles inbetween. Unfortunatly, your sump is really too small to add anything else IMO with that giant skimmer and return pump in there...

[muck]

Unfortunatly, your sump is really too small to add anything else IMO with that giant skimmer and return pump in there...
I agree... but on the other hand it has a very nice background. :mrgreen:

[NanoReef]

lol, it is a 30g sump, can i put the skimmer right were the water falls in??? also, what can i put in between the skimmer and return for filteration?? HELP! (ps. im glad you like the background!!!)

[mr_alberta]

If you can shoehorn the skimmer where the water enters, that is where I would put the skimmer. Also, you will need a series of baffles between the skimmer and return pump (3 or 4 baffles). You don't really need any other filtration IMO.

[NanoReef]

ok so baffles can be how far apart??? and how high from the water surface and bottom of the tank?? (obviously never done this!!!)

[Skimmerking]

The baffles can be what ever distances apart i would go with 1 -1.5" apart and as for the baffles. the closer apart the fasater the ater will run thru them .

The first one will determine the height of your level so i would put t he 1ST baffles aro8und 8-9" high.

ok

Look up and see what ASM skimmers have to run in for a water height. and thay should help ya out...


mike

[mr_alberta]

If you have higher water velocity through your sump, space your baffles farther apart. If you have slower water velocity through your sump, use baffles that are closer together.

[vanreefer]

Remember when placing baffles you want at least an inch of space between so you don't break your baffles when you are trying to remove the Hair Algea from them...grrr
Also ASM skimmeras recomend 10" of water to run optimaly
Just my .02
Dan

[Skimmerking]

If you have higher water velocity through your sump, space your baffles farther apart. If you have slower water velocity through your sump, use baffles that are closer together.

Thanks harvey for explaining that in better trems then me ...:mrgreen:

[NanoReef]

YAY, the baffles are in place and everything is ready to go! we are going to minot the 24-26th so we dont want to fill it then leave because we DONT want 150 gallons of water in my house...(that isnt in a glass box)!
so we will be filling it on the 26th! coincidentily, my birthday!!! i will post pictures on the 26th! thanks

[Skimmerking]

Congrats dont forgetto pick up some pickling lime at the super store across from the mall its in the far bac righ of the store... god to hear oh ya. Can ya call me i need to ask you a huge favor in regards to Kick Ick in the store at Best west.

mike

[NanoReef]

i will. how much of that stuff do you use??? i will call you later tonight....im at school right now !:mrgreen:

[Skimmerking]

I dont know I thought there might ber some at the store, but i guess not so I have heard..

[NanoReef]

no... we have none. How much of this pickling lime do you use????now that the tank is done i REALLY want to put water in it!!!! but half the battle to salt is patiants!!!

[Skimmerking]

make sure you stop over at the house so you can see what type of pickling lime that i have. So you know what it looks like. its green and its called MRS WAGES pickling lime ..

lets see some pictures of the tank and sump then ..

[Skimmerking]

When you start to use it u use 1-2 tablespoons per gallon of water ,
Let it set and use the clear liquid and start a drip 1-2 drips per sec.

Lots of people are using toward there evaporation use if you evaporate 2 gallons per day then you use 2 gallons of kalk and water and drip it.

Remember it has to be dripped to the tank slowly.

And its Fresh RO water you use to mix the Kalk / Pickling Lime.

[NanoReef]

ok, so to start a drip, i can just use a plastic jar or something, drill a hole near the bottom (in the side of it) put some airline tubing in it, then a little ballvalve and thats it right??? and also, i remember what it looks like Mike, and i wont be able to come there anyway because right after school i work, then we are leaving bright and early!

[NanoReef]

o ya, i almost forgot,would 2 bottles of this stuff do me for a while?

[NanoReef]

ok, so to start a drip, i can just use a plastic jar or something, drill a hole near the bottom (in the side of it) put some airline tubing in it, then a little ballvalve and thats it right???

im in minot right now, on my sisters laptop, (gotta love wireless net) and i really need to know if this is how i can do this so i can look for supplies!!! ANY cheap drip ideas for calkwasser would be appreciated! thanks

[Skimmerking]

I told you how to make one, get a small tupperware container and drill a hole and add a small valve and some clear tubing 1/8" i think and silicone the container and there you have it.


mike

P.S is tha what you wanted to know

[NanoReef]

yes, that is just what i was looking for, thanks mike. i will look for a small container while im here.... also found a blastomussa here that im in love with! wont be coming home with it though:sad: .....stupid cities permits

[Skimmerking]

I made my drip container geto all teh stuff from walmart i tihnk it cost me around 6 dollars if that ...

[NanoReef]

picked up a plastic container with a lid $1.50 !!! haha and i have TONS of airline tubing at home, all i need is a ball valve, we are going to go to Manards tomorow, im sure they will have one. also got to go have a look at a buddy of mines tank today and it looked great!....well i will post if i got a ballvalve tomorow.

[Skimmerking]

no you need a air valve

[mr_alberta]

Are you making a Kalk dripper? All you need is a 2L pop bottle, drill a hole in the cap, stick some airline tube in it and seal it, and use a valve with some sort of precision (or tie knots in the tubing) to control the drip rate.

[Skimmerking]

There goes Harvey mister smarty pants :mrgreen:

[NanoReef]

ok, im home now, i have a question, to do a drip of the pickling lime, how much should i mix to drip into my 20 gallon for the next couple of days????

[mr_alberta]

Start with 1/2 teaspoon first and adjust as needed. Keep an eye on you pH though and dose it at night.

[NanoReef]

does this stuff reduce PH??? and why dose at night??? so the corals dont get it full on???? also, i have a container that is 1/2 gallon.....im going to put 1/2 teaspoon in there mixed with the rest of it water...this should last how long??? how many drips should i get?? is it like 1 per second?? thanks

[mr_alberta]

Here are some good links to read through as this will give you a better understanding of water chemistry in aquariums: http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=19425

Also, I'm not sure why you are dosing Kalk if there is nothing but cycling rock in the tank...

Kalkwasser is a very basic solution that will raise pH. The solution itself has a pH of around 12 or so. You drip it at night because the pH of the water in the aquarium drops at night due to respiration of the corals and other photosynthetic organisms in the tank. So to create a more stable pH (in the 8.0-8.2 zone) you drip a high pH solution into the lowered pH solution to bring it back up.

[NanoReef]

first of all, that is a great link... second of all, i wasnt dripping into my new tank, i was dripping into my 20 gallon. BTW your explaination about what it does was great! it really helped me out with the understanding of this additive!!! Thanks

[NanoReef]

well, its a slow process but there is now about 80G in my tank!!! i will post pics tomorow when im done!

[NanoReef]

heres a question, how often should i drip the 1/2 tablespoon of pickling lime into my 20 gallon???

[NanoReef]

anyone??? please??? lol. im at school right now but the tank is full! i will post pics tonight after work!

[mr_alberta]

You normally drip depending on your evaporation rate. It varies from tank to tank. It also depends on how what your calcium levels are at and what you want them to be at and adjust accordingly to those.

[NanoReef]

ok. tonight was SUPPOSED to be a good night but when the sump was full and the tank was at the right level, we started the syphon on the drains and the return pump and it ran good for about 2 min. then we heard somthing coming from the sump, when we got there, we found this.
http://www.freewebs.com/eriksnanoreef/SUMP%20AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH.jpg
the return pump is sucking the sump dry. its like the water isnt making it around the baffles quick enough.....we had to restrict the flow on the pump to almost nill to keep it somewhat full.... what the hell did i do wrong??? here is another shot. a little closer
http://www.freewebs.com/eriksnanoreef/SUMP%20AHHHHHHH.jpg
PLEASE help me ASAP

[mr_alberta]

Can't you just add more water? Won't that work?

[Willow]

did you get a pump that will somewhat match your bulkhead rating?

[NanoReef]

Can't you just add more water? Won't that work?

no, the power of the pump is well past cut in half and i want it pretty much full power. if i add more water it will just shoot it into the main tank and overflow it.


did you get a pump that will somewhat match your bulkhead rating?


my mom actually baught the pump for me for christmas and she talked to a guy at J&L and he said that for the 2 1"(i think) overflows a mag 18 would work good. HELP

[mr_alberta]

How are you drains plumbed? I only see 1 drain pipe going back into your sump?

[Skimmerking]

Looking at the sump, I noticed couple of things.
1.Try having the overflow pipe come even with the water, ti minamize the bubbles in the sump.

2. I dont think you have enough water in the sump to go to the tank. What im saying is you tank will drain the waterthur the overflow. once gravity takes over.

If you have any of the piping blocked off open the lines to the sump wide open.

What are the overflows are they 1" pvc or 1.5 "

rule of thumb is 1" pvc will handle 750-1000gph
1.5 " can handle1250 to 1500.


But IME/IMO add more water to equal out the sump...

Now saying that on my tank i have a 3MD with 1.25 PVC and it works good and that is pumping around 500 gph.

IMO

[vanreefer]

How are you drains plumbed? I only see 1 drain pipe going back into your sump?

What he said... :question:

Did you join the 2 1" pipes coming from the drains :question:
Did you use 1" pipe after join :question:
If so the 1" pipe won't be able to handle the flow of 2 1" pipes

If the tank overflows when you open up the flow on your return pump the drains are being overwhelmed, 2 1" drains should be able to handle that volume

What are the linear dimentions of your overflow?

From Reef Central
Mag 18 at 4' head with 2 90's = Gallons per Hour = 1115

Drain and Overflow sizes are calculated as
Recommended minimum drain pipe diameter = 1.38 inches
Recommended minimum linear overflow size = 17 inches

HTH
Dan

[NanoReef]

the drains are plumbed INDEVIDUALY with 1" pipe. the overflows are 6x6x22.... i still dont understand. i NEED the flow cranked up but if i do, it drains that side of the sump in like 3 seconds...

[mr_alberta]

How are the baffles set up in your sump? How large is the pump compartment in your sump? You may have to redo your sump if that is the case.

[Skimmerking]

The sump is 20 gal right. Did you add more water to the sump like I said to try. I think that is your problem.

Or you have the baffle to high in your sump. What is the height of your main baffle


If that is the problem then tee off the pump to go into the return line. basically you are having the the return line split into two lines on going still to the tank and the other to the sump again..

THis will slow the flow down for you.

[NanoReef]

my sump is 30x13x15 which makes it a 25g. the main baffle is 10" high so that makes the pump compartment 10.5x13......ask about anything else if this isnt the problem.

[Skimmerking]

SO did ya add more water to you sump yet.....Honesty looking at the picture i can't see nothing else wron. Unless its me.. Sorry i cant come over to help ya out .... i can start sitting next week so i will hopfully be able to come over and take a look for ya ok....

Ok i have to edit here i just saw something..:lol:

Ok you have 2 or 1 overflows in the tank. If you have 2 overflow why do you have it only going to one drain if that is the case. And its been mentioned before. You should have a bigger pipe drain from the 2 split lines to help with the flow.

Now if you have 1 line then i think the proble is that you have to maybe lower the 2nd baffle..other then that i'm Stumped :question:

[vanreefer]

ok.... how bout the space between baffles...

there is something wrong with the drains if your tank overflows
can you take pics of the overflow then follow the plumbing down to the sump... more pics are needed to see what your system looks like
Dan

[Skimmerking]

How highare your stacks in your overflow, DUH i didnt even think of that they should be atleast 2-3" below the overflow line try that....

[NanoReef]

o my god i feel like such an idiot!!! they are almost at the top!! Mike, there are 2 overflows and each are plumbed sepretley. there is only one that you can see in that picture.....would that be my problem?? the stacks are too high??

[mr_alberta]

What are "stacks" in your overflow? Are you talking about the standpipe? If so, that isn't your problem. Mine is level with the top of my overflow.

[Skimmerking]

What are "stacks" in your overflow? Are you talking about the standpipe? If so, that isn't your problem. Mine is level with the top of my overflow.
yes Harvey if his stand pipes or stacks are at the top of his tank well "Yes" it will be a big problem its going to keep filling up from the sump until the water starts going thur the pipes. ANd if that means sucking all the water out of his sump to fill the tank. Well that would be the problem.
Harvey how big is your Sump compared to Nanoreefs...


Now Nanoreef is the pipes close to the top of the glass or are they close to the overflow.

how down are the pipes from the top of the tank?

[mr_alberta]

Heya Mike,

IIRC, my sump is 30x24 and has about ~10" of water in it (so 30-ish gallons).

If that is the case, he should be able to add more water to the sump and that should solve his problem. I think he said that wasn't the problem though which leads me to believe that either

a) his drain plumbing has too many restriction in it slowing down the flow
b) his drains aren't 1"
c) I'm totally out in left field and don't know what's going on :lol:

[Joe Reefer]

c) I'm totally out in left field and don't know what's going on :lol:
This would be my guess.:razz: :biggrin:

[Skimmerking]

I don't know i have exhausted all my avenue's on what can be done. With out seeing it in person..

:question:

[mr_alberta]

Are your two overflows draining individually into your sump or are they connected together into a single 1" pipe that dumps into your sump? I don't recall whether or not you've answered that question before. Sorry if you have, I must have missed it...

[Skimmerking]

yes harvey that is the question I'm waiting for. If you have 2 liens going into one tee and they have the same diameter well you will have a build up you might say. it will slow down instead of speeding up..

[vanreefer]

the drains are plumbed INDEVIDUALY with 1" pipe. the overflows are 6x6x22.... i still dont understand. i NEED the flow cranked up but if i do, it drains that side of the sump in like 3 seconds...
I think this means there are two pipes all the way to the sump... I think only pics can help now

The height of the standpipe shouldn't matter unless its higher than the tank
I remember you said the tank overflows when you turn on the pump if this is the case then you have a problem with the overflow/ bulkheads... when you turn the pump off after an overflow, does the water level in the tank drop? quickly? slowly? not at all?
this is puzzling!

[NanoReef]

as i said before...

the drains are plumbed INDEVIDUALY with 1" pipe.

and

there are 2 overflows and each are plumbed sepretley


which means there is 2 1" pipes draining into my overflow.... and Mike, there is about 2" from the egg crating to were the water goes IN for the drain..... please let me know if you need me to be more thorough.

[NanoReef]

also, there is a lot of 90 deg. angles in the drain that my dad swaped out for 45s last night which gave it more of a slope

[Skimmerking]

well how does the water travel now.. any headway

[NanoReef]

i dunno, we didnt fill it since we did that. that was yesterday....now i think we are going to fill it tomorow and see what happens..... any other suggestions\?

[Skimmerking]

Why are you waiting til tomorrow, looking for any butterfly's or a koran

[NanoReef]

nope sorry Mike! i have a question. if i take 2" off the main baffle (which makes it 8") would that help to get more water to the pump side??

[Skimmerking]

why not add more water to the sump. the easy way to do it is
turn on the pump until it sucks almost dry.
then turn off the pump let it go until the siphon breaks.
then see how much water you have left in the sump.
then add so more water to the sum to make it higher or keep it at asafe level.

[vanreefer]

Now that you have made changes to the drains... try filling up the sump to the height of the baffles and let her fly hopefuly the drain problem is fixed.... but the problem is definately in the drains and nowhere else!

[NanoReef]

ok, so it WAS the drains... i took the upsidedown J out of the overflows and just left it as a straight stick like this.
http://www.freewebs.com/eriksnanoreef/DRAIN.jpg
and YAY! it keeps up with the pump!!! the pump is wide open and it works great BUT it is VERY noisy.... how can i stop this without effecting flow?

[Skimmerking]

told ya it was the homemade overflow.... congrats:mrgreen:

i have a scopas and a yellow for sale

[mr_alberta]

ok, so it WAS the drains... i took the upsidedown J out of the overflows and just left it as a straight stick like this.
http://www.freewebs.com/eriksnanoreef/DRAIN.jpg
and YAY! it keeps up with the pump!!! the pump is wide open and it works great BUT it is VERY noisy.... how can i stop this without effecting flow?

A Durso or Stockman standpipe will help you in this situation.

http://www.dursostandpipes.com/

OR

http://www.rl180reef.com/pages/standpipe/standpipe-ken_stockman.htm

[vanreefer]

I agree... I found the stockman worked better for me,

Glad you got it running
Dan

[NanoReef]

thanks!!! i did the Durso standpipes today and they are perfect!!! except the noise....they ARE making a little noise. the size of the hole in the cap is .154? i dont know if thats mm or what but thats what it said under the bit itself. Its a #23 bit if that helps....anyways, is it possible to make them quieter???

[Skimmerking]

you have too much flow going thru your durso pipes, that is why you are getting the sound, noise. THe only way to fix this, is to back down your pump with your gate valve or ball valve or get a bigger overflow pipe. Basically you would have to go with a bigger hole diameter.

[Jason McK]

Is the water level going up and down in the overflow? and makeing a lot of noise? I would add a johnguess fitting at the top of the Derso that way you can adjust the air intake. It helps a lot with noise but yes asmodeus is right if you have too much flow no amount of air will quite it down.

J

[Skimmerking]

good call on the john guess fittings too. I just drill a 3/8" hole and air line tubeing witha small air valve ...

[NanoReef]

no, the water isnt going up and down. everything is running perfectly BUT the noise. Nothing will quiet this down???

[Skimmerking]

you have too much flow going thru your durso pipes, that is why you are getting the sound, noise. THe only way to fix this, is to back down your pump with your gate valve or ball valve or get a bigger overflow pipe. Basically you would have to go with a bigger hole diameter.

if you would read then you will understand

[vanreefer]

try the JG valve its all about mixing the right amount of air and water flowing down the pipe... The mag 18 is probably only doing about 1000-1100GPH which shouldn't be exceeding 1 1/2" pipe

[NanoReef]

well, i have 5 days of successful running but still cant fix the noise....i turned the return pump pretty much all the way down and it still made the noise??? i dunno what to do, but lets look on the bright side...NO LEAKS IN SIGHT!!!!

[Skimmerking]

Is the noise coming from the Drains. Is you can pin point the sound , I' trying to remember. Oh by the way i will see if i can come over som time this week ok.. I'm allowed to sit

[NanoReef]

ok, so i got a couple weeks of great running but im noticing lots of microbubbles in the water, can i fix this by putting nylon of some sort of the return pump intake??? o ya i have LR coming on Tuesday!!! yay

[mr_alberta]

A filter sock on your drain pipe where it enters the sump will help with microbubbles.

[TheReefGeek]

What size is your sump? What is your return pump?

If the microbubbles are not from a skimmer, and they are making it from your sump to your display, then your sump design is not allowing enough time for the bubbles to rise to the surface and pop, before hitting the return pump.

This means your sump is of poor design, or your return pump is too powerfull for the size of sump.

By poor design I mean not enough baffles to act as a bubble trap. How many do you have? What is the spacing between them?

Sometimes the turnover rate through the sump is just too high to be dealt with by baffles. In this case I would throttle back your return pump. Don't try to accomplish too much water flow through your sump return.

You can also play with the angle the return line empties into the sump, try putting a 45 degree elbow on the end and have it enter just below the water line.

A filter sock is a patch, it doesn't address the problem. It may solve it, but they are notoriously undermaintained and end up causing more harm than good.

[Skimmerking]

Most likely its from your skimmer running and the water is coming out and in the sump probably a little fast , Like stated use a sock you filter floss will work.

[Skimmerking]

DUDE Where are the pictures of the display tank... OMG

lets get some out there...

[OCDP]

No doubt. We need some pictures.

[TheReefGeek]

You definately have to find out where the microbubbles are being produced first.

It could be an air leak in the plumbing, from the water draining into the sump, or from the skimmer.

You need to narrow that down first. Testing is pretty easy. First a visual inspection. Is the drain line from the display into the sump making bubbles? If yes, follow them, are they throughout your sump, and going into your return pump? If not, shut off the skimmer for a while and see if the microbubbles quit. If they do, then it is from your skimmer. If neither of these seem to be the problem then likely you have an air leak in your plumbing somewhere.

I wouldn't put a filter sock on anywhere until you narrow down the problem first.

[Skimmerking]

Rory the reason i am knocking out the pump its a flow pump so you not going to get the bubbles like a pressure pump.

the second it the sump is a 25 gal i think and the return is a mag18 so in Mine experience i would say it's the water is going thur the sump too fast.

[TheReefGeek]

A mag 18 on a 25g sump is asking for micro bubble problems.

It could be the skimmer, or it could just be the water falling into the sump from the drain line is creating microbubbles. That is what happened to me when I ran too big of a pump on too small of a sump.

I would cut back the return pump, and install baffles.

Better yet, use the mag18 on a closed loop and use a smaller pump for the sump return. Or use a much bigger sump.

[Skimmerking]

A mag 18 on a 25g sump is asking for micro bubble problems.

It could be the skimmer, or it could just be the water falling into the sump from the drain line is creating microbubbles. That is what happened to me when I ran too big of a pump on too small of a sump.

I would cut back the return pump, and install baffles.

Better yet, use the mag18 on a closed loop and use a smaller pump for the sump return. Or use a much bigger sump.

exactly that is my point about the mag 18:mrgreen: What i would do is install a big power head like a hagen 800 400 gph and have the mag 18 on the CL like you have stated
and then you have all that reactoion time for the skimmer to clean the water even more. I can't remember where i have read about a lower return pump is better any ways. and a lower return pumpliek a Powerhead will save you in the long run.. less electricity

[NanoReef]

ok. got my LR yesterday and here is a picture.
http://www.freewebs.com/eriksnanoreef/Tank%20DONE.jpg
what do you all think??? i made a few changes since this pic but nothing big. this picture was about 20 min. after i was done so the water is a little cloudy but it is cristal clear now! what do you think???

[Jason McK]

ya know you have to change your name now that you have a 120 :)

Looks really good. Were did you get the rock

J

[OCDP]

Cool aquascape. That will make for some neat coral placement.

[Skimmerking]

AH now we have some color happening looking good man. BB good choice.

[NanoReef]

Were did you get the rock
J&L. Its the premium Vanuatu. Im very happy with it. I got 1 kind of monti cap that is brown/orange that i think is still alive. lots of other incrusting stuff too!


Cool aquascape. That will make for some neat coral placement.

Thanks! im hopeing to do SPS up the sides, LPS and softies in the middle, clams on the bottom, somthing like that!!!

Thanks for the kind words. Constructive criticism always welcome!

[NanoReef]

what is ideal calcium levels for a reef tank???? im wondering if i tested wrong but i got 640 ppm.....? i thought it was supposed to be 450 ppm or something??

[OCDP]

Ideal calcium levels are about 400-450ish

You could have such high calcium readings because you have no corals consuming it. Wait til you add corals.

Then again, if you're unsure of the ideal calcium levels for a reef tank, I think you've got a bit of reading to do before adding anything! :mrgreen:

[Skimmerking]

well 640 is a bit high the Cal should be around 425-450 and the alk at 8-11DKH or 3.5-4.5 Meg /per l

So just let the corals consume the cal until down to 450 or you can always per a water change to bring it down , But its should hurt it. If you run the Calcuim lever high on the tank your pumps will start to get affected by the high CAL.

hth

[hawaiiguy]

I'd give constructive criticism if there was anything to critisize:biggrin: looks great so far! I'm a big fan of your aquascaping! Can't wait to see it with life on it.

[Skimmerking]

Hey Scott we posted pretty much the same thing and at the same time. but what 's a 3 minute window anyways

[NanoReef]

Then again, if you're unsure of the ideal calcium levels for a reef tank, I think you've got a bit of reading to do before adding anything! :mrgreen:
I did know what ideal cal. levels are but i didnt know why my test was that high. i said...

i thought it was supposed to be 450 ppm or something??


I'd give constructive criticism if there was anything to critisize:biggrin: looks great so far! I'm a big fan of your aquascaping! Can't wait to see it with life on it.

Thanks! i will try to get a bit better picture of the rock work later but for now im focused on getting coral in there!!!
again, thanks for the compliment

[TheReefGeek]

That level seems REALLY high, I would try with a different test kit if you can, or bring it to a LFS to test for you.

[vanreefer]

you really need to know ALK and MG as all of these form a balance... I would definately correct all these values before adding anything to the tank... see bev's chemistry links for more details
http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=19425

[OCDP]

what is ideal calcium levels for a reef tank???? i thought it was supposed to be 450 ppm or something??

Sorry, maybe I am not clear.. but it appears that you ARE asking what the ideal calcium levels are for a reef tank are, and your unsure of the proper level ? :confused:

Either way, good luck with the new setup. :)

[Skimmerking]

Personally I think you have a good setup, However you really need to start reading up more to fully understand the background of Salt water. Its challenging alone just with Fish only. But when addign Corals to the tank you taking on a different ball game. I'm not saying that you don't know what you are talking about. But may be its me it seems that you are doing things as you go. I'm not saying it's wrong ,but you need to read more.
IMO doing a Reef tank its not about buying new equiptment and getting all top gear. Its about understanding Reef chemistry, knowing when to check when to add how long should i run This for. Etc etc.

You can run a setup with the bare bones GOd know, I have done it and most likely alot of us here who have more time in the hobby then me have done it too..
Maybe enhance your reading in the hobby more. read up on things that you wanna try. Every tank is different in its own little way. Now you can listen to me and the rest of the experince people who has alot more level then me or you can just ignore what I have to say and do what you want to do.:question:
good luck on your decision.

and remember I'm a 2 min drive away and a phone call

[OCDP]

I agree with Mike 100%.

When I first started out with LR and two Clowns... I was confused enough (and I'm not saying you're new to the hobby). Then I started seeing pictures of corals, and instantly.. I wanted them all! haha. Then I realized you need proper lighting, then proper reef chemistry, then this, that and the other thing. What it all comes down to, is reading, and research. Ask questions , no matter what they are... someone will be here to help.

It's not worth losing a bunch of corals, and money... in the end, you'll just end up coming back to do the reading and research. I jumped in way too quickly myself... bought a big zoo rock (which thrived.. becuase, they're zoos!) and a hammer. Because I didn't know anything about calcium , or alk, pH, etc.... the hammer just died on me right away.

Anyways, by no means should this come across as an attack towards you, it's actually the complete opposite. We're trying to save you hassle, and money... and after all, what's a half hour of reading anyhow?

Good luck to you! Cheers.

[StirCrazy]

exactly that is my point about the mag 18:mrgreen: What i would do is install a big power head like a hagen 800 400 gph and have the mag 18 on the CL like you have stated
and then you have all that reactoion time for the skimmer to clean the water even more.

if the sump is designed right it won't be a problem, I have 4000gph flowing through a 33 gal sump and no micro bubbles. I would be more inclined to look at the baffle design or a leak in the return pump plumbing.

Steve

[StirCrazy]

what is ideal calcium levels for a reef tank???? im wondering if i tested wrong but i got 640 ppm.....? i thought it was supposed to be 450 ppm or something??

hard to say, depending on your Alk even 400 may be to high. 380 to 400 is an ideal range to shoot for with a alk about 10dkh. anything over 400 and you are waisting Ca and increasing the deposits on your pumps for no reason.

Steve

[Skimmerking]

Steve what is with answering the older posts.

[NanoReef]

well, i had a molly in there, and it was doing very well for abot 1 week. So i tryed a couple zoo frags. they are also doing very well, so today i put a green coral goby in and once again, he is doing great!!! im very excited, now the coral filling process begins!!! i will post pics soon!

[Skimmerking]

just curious why in the world would you put a molly in a salt water tank to cycle it .:question:

mike

[NanoReef]

it wasnt really to help the cycle but more of a live water tester:razz: