Ecotech Powered Tank Build
 

The start of a long thread so sit back and enjoy the ride as over the summer we slowly build the Ecotech Powered Tank.

The purpose of the build is to highlight all that we distribute so we can offer in depth analysis of all products but focusing heavily on both Ecotech and Seneye. With Seneyes huge capabilities in terms of light meters the two product names marry up closely.

The Tank
As always we chose Concept Aquariums In Calgary to build the tank, I have never seen a better built tank and Dave always goes the extra mile in delivery of a tank.

The size
60"(Long) x30"(wide) x 24"(deep)

The sump
This will be in an adjoining room

Equipment
Ecotech Radion G3 Pro x 3
RMS light bar mounting kit
Ecotech Vectra M1 pump
Ecotech MP40 x 2
Reeflink
Seneye Reef + SWS server
Bubble Magus *NEW release" A9 DC skimmer
Controller - TBA, not sure here, could dig out the old trusted GHL or go with APEX or even Aquatronica as we have dealings with them. Not decided on this yet.
R.O unit
Ozone unit
Ozone reactor
TM balling

Tank style
Fancy Goldfish!!........ Just kidding, LPS reef, stock from Exotic Reef including fish.

So for now I will leave you with a few tank shots from Dave at Concepts.

https://scontent-ord1-1.xx.fbcdn.net...67216171_o.jpg

https://scontent-ord1-1.xx.fbcdn.net...32901082_o.jpg

https://scontent-ord1-1.xx.fbcdn.net...62811834_o.jpg

So a little update on the controller side of things.

I thought about all 3

GHL - Already got it sitting in the warehouse, know it well

Apex - Solid well known used by thousands. Not overly keen on the interface.

Aquatronica - Kind of on and off kid on the block here. Been around in various releases since 2006, first showing up in Europe and the UK and having a fair number of issues at the time. Soon after all things went quiet, especially in North America.

I will be honest seeing the latest release I am tempted, but I have a cloud hanging over me from the past so I am going to watch and wait, plus other controllers are rumored to be coming out next year so no point spending out again.

For now I am sticking with the GHL but as i have reviewed this old dog no new real tricks no point covering this angle. It will do for now and as this thread will roll on I will update it with a new controller when it does or does not release.

So first pictures of the tank in place! Slow build - steady wins the race.

https://scontent-yyz1-1.xx.fbcdn.net...53&oe=57CC29FE

https://scontent-yyz1-1.xx.fbcdn.net...63&oe=57CB13F5

Bubble Magus DC A9 unboxed
 

As the Office Tank build slowly starts to take shape, the first thing I am highlighting is the NEW Bubble Magus DC powered Curve A9.

ALL BM DC skimmers come with UL listed power supplies. One of the beauty of DC pumps providing they draw less than 100w and are plugged into UL certified power supplies is that they do not require full certification. This of course helps cut production costs of the pumps.

This beast is capable of driving a Reef system up to 325G at only 28watts of power.

The nice thing you will notice right away is that the DC pump comes with a 2 year warranty which is rare for any Chinese pumped product. The pump comes with the same reliability pedigree of the in house made AC powered Rock pump, both pumps are propitiatory in house made.

Some neat features are the dual water level balancing dials giving uniform outflow and of course Bubble Magus's renowned build quality. The unit also has a nice cable gland to avoid chaffing on the acrylic edges.

For the price the Bubble Magus DC range has a huge market, fitting into the majority price point.

I will talk more about set up once the system is finally plumbed and wet. Stay tuned.

For wholesale of Bubble Magus exclusively in Canada please email us sales@aqua-digital.com

https://scontent-yyz1-1.xx.fbcdn.net...22&oe=57CF2662

https://scontent-yyz1-1.xx.fbcdn.net...76&oe=580B504F

https://scontent-yyz1-1.xx.fbcdn.net...a3&oe=580C957C

https://scontent-yyz1-1.xx.fbcdn.net...d1&oe=57CA8025

https://scontent-yyz1-1.xx.fbcdn.net...=57CF3B00n.jpg

https://scontent-yyz1-1.xx.fbcdn.net...=57D461AFn.jpg

https://scontent-yyz1-1.xx.fbcdn.net...=57CB1FC1n.jpg

https://scontent-yyz1-1.xx.fbcdn.net...10&oe=580F2B6B

All that stuff looks sucky .. you should sent it to me ...

I will box it all up now for you :lol:

I completed Aqua Scaping the Home Office Reef system last night. We used 100LB of live Tonga Rock from Exotic Reef in Toronto.

Video link
https://www.facebook.com/aqua.digita...3704512080625/

The Seneye Reef Monitor is reading as expected an ammonia spike of 0.174 which I am controlling with ProdiBio Start Up, another fantastic product for starting systems, the ammo loc naturally binding the ammonia and the BIoDigest super seeding the rock.

This is where the Seneye comes into its own! Having live up to the minute reports of the ammonia cycle gives me a birds eye view of how the system is stabilizing. I am impressed with the accuracy and also the minute readings it provides. I can now watch the system cycle in real time from my desk through www.seneye.me which logs all my data. Of course the Seneye Reef is far more than just ammonia monitoring, the pH temp O2 and of course the built in underwater light meter will come into play once the system goes livestock live.

The Ecotech Vectra M1 return pump is silent, makes a change for a return pump of this power, having access from my desk though Ecosmart live to fine tune the output to balance the water level to how I want it is a great feature. I have not got too involved yet in the Mp40's as I am still cycling, Once livestock arrives then we can start balancing the reef flow.

As for lighting, well with no fish or corals yet I have not added any, however stay tuned for September when I will reveal the lighting package for the tank.

I am currently running the GHL controller, I have to be honest, this unit has not advanced much in 10 years and it is showing its shortcomings. I have already been through a pH probe from new. I will be replacing the GHL as soon as something else comes out that I feel comfortable with.

So less than 24 hours the Seneye has shown me that the system has peaked and is starting now to cycle. see attached photo, you will see the start of the drop in ammonia.

https://scontent-ord1-1.xx.fbcdn.net...71550885_o.jpg

Got any new pics?

I just posted a video in the thread above ;)

Video link
https://www.facebook.com/aqua.digita...3704512080625/

Video link
https://www.facebook.com/aqua.digita...3704512080625/

Sump room equipment review Video

https://www.facebook.com/aqua.digita...4080522043024/

Stand alone video review of the Curve A9 DC skimmer from Bubble Magus

https://www.facebook.com/aqua.digita...4503708667372/

The seneye is working really well, it is giving me updates every 30 minutes as the live rock cycles. the ammonia level is measured so finely, great for early detection of tank issues for anyone., My tank is devoid of fish stock so no concerns about the spike.

Interestingly the tank is positioned above a house LED pot lights and I am getting a good level of actinic range PAR from them, right down to 400, as the graph stops at 400 I am sure it goes lower than that! Interesting from a ceiling LED pot lamp!.

https://scontent-ord1-1.xx.fbcdn.net...cb&oe=57AFCD49

Nice!

Tank stand surround nearly finished! Blends in well I think with the walls.

https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net...8c&oe=583F01FB

Nice job on the stand. It does integrate very well with the wall. Your progress is looking good. Looking forward to the stocking with livestock.

I have to ask something. Your original post you said you were going to use the Radion G3. Then you say to wait until Sept when you reveal the light package. Today is Aug 26. That is only 6 days until Sept 1. You gotta tell me: Are you going with the new G4? You can tell me. I can keep a secret. ��

Yes we are fitting 2 x G4 pros! the delay in fitting is simply due to the fact we cant keep them in stock we are distributing so many. everytime I put some aside of my own tank I end up having to sell them!

No corals in the tank and its got some light due to the overhead LED spots, so I will likely fit them in the next 10 days

First fish went in today plus a massive amount of snails! Thanks to Darren at Exotic Reef for supplying us with our livestock for the build.

I will report back asap as to how the Seneye reacts to the spike in Bio Loading, although with just two small Clowns I am not expecting dramatics.

Office tank build update! we have lights! 2 x Radion G4pros! using the RMS rail kit for clean line hanging.

https://scontent-yyz1-1.xx.fbcdn.net...1f&oe=5847406A

so I finally found out why our office tank has cloudy water! Went to do first water change this weekend, mixed up salt batch in ambient water temp and slowly adding the salt and this is the result after 24 hours of re-circulation :cry:

Serious precipitation. Now switching brands and lots of water changes.

https://scontent-yyz1-1.xx.fbcdn.net...7e&oe=5881E51C

What brand was the salt you are using? I just toss all the salt in the water mix it then heat it up. Instant ocean salt always comes out crystal clear, just gotta clean the bottom of the tub once a while.

I can not assure what has created the issue, maybe just bad one off tub, so I don't want to risk tarnishing the brands name that would not be fair, however we are switching to IO as of tomorrow.

Neither the manufacturer or I could come up with any suitable explanation other than a bad unit. The distributor offered to replace also for us which is very good service.

The switch out and not carrying on with it also coincides with us using balling salts and trace elements in it, so designer salts will not be required from here on.

Tank build update! Lots of fish and corals added today. Not the clearest of videos as on iPhone.
All stock from exotic Reef in Toronto an awesome and trustworthy supplier to the trade.

https://www.facebook.com/aqua.digita...5594617891614/

Water a little cloudy from the sudden Bio Load increase but will settle. Plus I have the trusted Seneye monitoring every 30 minutes for even the slightest Ammonia spike, so far so good! If the Ammonia even goes up by .01 I will know I have a Nitrate issue in 10 days, so its highly important to monitor so I can pre plan for that eventuality. This is where Seneye comes into its own.