New Elos 120 build

[someguy]

Originally Posted by hillegom

Things look good. Nice and slow, as you are doing.
I would use that "spare" tank as a quarantine.

Thanks for the comments. The whole QT issue was a tough one for me. My instinct was to QT properly, but after talking with Wendel and having him essentially QT my fish, I figured it at least minimizes any potential issues. If the worst happens, I have an extra 55 gal tank hanging around empty that can quickly become a hospital tank, and I can make lots of SW very quickly.

I have a few other issues I'm currently working through as well:

1) lights - I really like the AI system. It is completely controllable with it's own controller, so I don't have to purchase a third party controller just for the lights. The problem right now is that there is a spotlighting effect, although in real life it is not as obvious as the photos make it out to be. Adding a third module will help, and eventually I'll get a better mounting system that will also allow me to raise them further off the water. I also have the option of buying differentl optics to help with the light spread. Everything I've read indicates that I should be able to grow anything with these lights, but I may get a PAR meter one of these days just to see what I'm getting.

2)Salt - the salt I'm using right now (I won't mention brands) is not giving me the parameters (Ca, Mg and Alk) that it is promising. I will likely go to a cheaper salt since I will be supplementing in either case. This likely explains why I'm getting no coraline algea growth at all.

3) Noise - The Elos system is supposed to be very quiet, but in reality, my system at least is relatively noisy. Mainly a low grade humming from the sump. To solve this, I will be moving the sump into my little fish room, which is a utility room just behind the tank. I had planned to do this eventually, mainly to make maintenance easier, but this noise issue has just accelerated the process.

Otherwise, I'm happy with the way things are progressing.