KrazyKuch's & Michika's 180Gal Tank Build

[michika]

They came from Red Coral, and thats about all I know. They are pretty awesome though. The moment I put in nori they pop out of the sand and make a beeline for the food. They move really fast!

I definitely won't be heading outside today. Our road is all ice with a nice heavy layer of snow on top. We also have the perk of being in a semi cul-de-sac, so once and awhile someone takes the corner too fast and drives up on our lawn.







Some updated photos of the tank, which needs cleaning:

[michika]

Originally Posted by fishytime

How is the tank doing after the gang got back from their vacation?

The tank doesn't quite seem as clear as it used to. I think its because we no longer run the ozonizer. I think I want to replace the one we lost in the flood. I never realized how much of a difference it made. I never saw much of a clarity difference from before to putting it online, but obviously it must have been doing something!

The algae growth is diminishing slowly. The tangs are taking care of a lot of the extra stuff on the rocks. I'm really happy they are back because I put all my tank livestock to work.

I love having SPS again, although I am seeing pretty much zero polyp extension, and that bothers me significantly. It doesn't seem to be related to water quality, or at least the tests I'm doing.

[michika]

My lighting shift will be complete today. I've been adjusting my lighting from this:

T5s: On for 12 hours, 8am to 10pm
MHs: On for 9 hours total; 10am to 7pm
refugium: 24/7

T5s: On for 12 hours, 8am to 10pm
MHs: On for 5.5 hours; 2pm to 7:30pm
refugium: On and off whenever I remember. I need to find a timer.

I want to reduce the T5 photo period to maybe noon to 10pm. I need new refugium lighting as well, and I'm thinking of a two bulb T5 set-up. Its also almost time to swap the MH bulbs, one bulb has been running since Jan. 30th, 2008, and the other since June 21, 2008. Knowing me though it will probably have to wait until the beginning of January though for replacements.

[JDigital]

By my calculations, your T5's are running 14hours.. not 12..

Tank is starting to come around though eh.. What do you have back in there for fish?

[michika]

Yeah...so...um....math is not my strong suit...

Fish:
scopas tang
purple tang
sailfin tang
doctorfish aka doctor tang
bristletooth tang
yellow damsel
various clean up crew members

I'm trying to get them all back on the nori stick diet as I've been using a piece of PVC in the tank up until now. Kevin stole and butchered my old stick to replumb the tank.

[michika]

Kevin has been busy over the last couple of weeks building his own aquarium controller. I suggested that he take photos of programming the development board, but he never got around to it. So I snapped a shot yesterday of it. He finished assembling it early this week and is now onto the programming stage of things:



He is programming to be a controller for the big tank.

[untamed]

Originally Posted by michika

Some updated photos of the tank, which needs cleaning:

Is that a powerhead held in place by suction cups on the far right side? That's a problem waiting to happen.

[michika]

Its not actually on. Its been off since the sea hare went in the tank. It just hasn't been removed. Kevin wants to keep it in the tank for water movement behind the rocks. I hate powerheads in the tank, and would prefer it comes out permanently.

[fencer]

Okay Kevin's controller is pretty cool. Where did he buy the parts and is ethernet capable. In other words I want to build one too. PM me I would like to talk to him on the phone

[michika]

The kit came from ECROS, www.ecrostech.com, and it can be ethernet capable if you want it to be. Apparently everything is modular about it. Per Kevin, "its just a development tool, you can add anything you want, you just have to make it. E.g. for pH, or ORP you just need to make high impedence amplifiers.

I'll send you a PM as well.