Duckhams' 75G Reef Build - Eurobraced/BeanAnimal

[Duckhams]

I had quite a specific hit-list of SPS that I wanted to keep in this setup and im pleased to have been able to get most of them. I added a couple colonies this week, which im super pleased with. I picked up an Acropora Microclados which is a pale pink with white polyps right now, im hoping it's a strawberry shortcake, but until it colours up a bit im not sure. It looks awesome as is with the white polyps, so it's win win however it turns out. Here's my current acro list:

Acropora Yongei (Bali Green Slimer)
Acropora Microclados (possibly a Strawberry Shortcake, yet to colour up)
Acropora Granulosa (Northern Lights - love this one and its huge at least 7" across)
Acropora Tenuis (Blue Ice Tenuis)
Acropora Caroliniana
Acropora Carduus (Mr. Pacman)
Acropora Hyacinthus (Red Planet)
Acropora Secale (Grape Vine)
Acropora Robusta (electric green but instantly browned out in ReVive coral cleaner)
Acropora Plana (Purple Highlighter)

[Duckhams]

Im really finding AquaticLog helpful in keeping track of my tank parameters, the app is awesome and really easy to update (I should note that I am not a sponsor of, nor am I sponsored by AquaticLog, I just really like the site and being able to explore other members tank photo's, very inspirational). I know Apex Fusion offers measurement tracking as well, but I really like the photo profile options in AquaticLog. It's a lot of fun seeing your system profile photo log! This is actually where I first noticed Albert's (notclear) tank, it's a pretty awesome system.

My profile link is in my signature below. (http://www.aquaticlog.com/aquariums/darkwingduck/4)

[Roskoreef]

nice!, aquatic log looks cool, very organised.

[Bugger]

The tank looks super clean. Nice new corals

[Duckhams]

Originally Posted by Roskoreef

nice!, aquatic log looks cool, very organised.

Yeah, it's pretty cool. It sends me updates to do water changes, check my alk etc, I like that it keeps me on track with my tank. But the photo/tank galleries are so cool to look through and see other builds, I find many of them very inspirational.

Originally Posted by Bugger

The tank looks super clean. Nice new corals

Thanks! I think it might be a little too clean, im getting some red slime on my rock work, which I find I get if i over do it with the ZeoStart3. It's new rock though, so who knows, im running my 'code red protocol' for the slime and hopefully it'll be gone soon.

[Duckhams]

So after running the Vectra for a few months now i've found a few helpful features that fit my setup better than I could have expected. The simplest and most helpful feature is the control EcoSmart LIVE via the ReefLink offers over the pumps flow output.

QUIET NIGHT TIME FLOW MODE: (reduces overflow noise and power consumption)
Through EcoSmart LIVE I can calibrate and reduce the pumps flow so that during the night time hours the return flow slows, which significantly quiets the water noise in the external overflow. And while lowering the water level in the overflow box, it doesn't go slow that my beananimal drain (full siphon) siphons more water than available and gets really noisy. This is huge for me because my tank is in my home office 2 doors from my bedroom and overflow box gurgling is the number one reason I get hit in the face with a pillow every other night. (see graph below, super easy to setup and just)

Detritus Flush/Feed Mode Cleanup: (increases return flow in sync with Vortechs to remove detritus)
I have only tested this a couple times and haven't yet set it to run daily as i've been playing around with all the other pump features. But you can also use EcoSmart LIVE to set 'points' throughout the day where the calibrated flow raises to full power (which again, doesn't overload you drains because you calibrated it to your system) to flush your system of uneaten food, flakes, detritus etc. When you sync this with your Vortech's (having 2 is really the best for this) you can create a veritable washing machine effect in your tank to clean every available crevice and cranny of detritus, and man does this work well! M1 pump goes into full power, vortech's sync and ramp up and up comes the dirt! At first I was worried about my corals getting bashed around, but they reacted well and seemed fine with the extra turbulence.

SOFT START: (keeps pump/returns quiet on start up)
The feed mode option is great, but I still get more flow than I'd like since I had to dial it in with my beananimal overflow to keep the overflow running silent all the time. So I just shut the pump off for feedings as usual, and the soft start feature (automatically) gently ramps it up again to get the overflow running, which takes about 30 seconds from start to finish and it's crazy quiet as it gets running (the pump I mean). This is nice, because it doesn't wake me up when it gets running again after a power outage in the night or disturb me when it starts after a feed mode and im on the phone (home office). I can barely hear it.

There are more things I like about the pump, but I won't go on. It's near silent operation is why I got it, but it's proven to be more of a benefit to my system/life than I had hoped. 5/5 from me.

[Myka]

Thanks for the review on the Vectra! I like the feed mode and the tank flush sounds pretty cool too. I'm not a fan of Vortechs though so I wouldn't make use of that. Maybe the new QD will win me over.

I just downloaded that app too. I've been looking for an app to record params.

[Duckhams]

Originally Posted by Myka

Thanks for the review on the Vectra! I like the feed mode and the tank flush sounds pretty cool too. I'm not a fan of Vortechs though so I wouldn't make use of that. Maybe the new QD will win me over.

I just downloaded that app too. I've been looking for an app to record params.

The app is very handy! - The QuietDrive's definitely won me over. I traded my old Vortech's a few years back for Tunze's chasing silence (and liked them a lot on the APEX), but now switched back to Vortech's because of the QuiteDrive's, increased power and I find the wide flow on the Vortech's better for my tank dimensions/rockscape.

[Myka]

I just wish you could "point" them.

I can't get in to the app...it's asking for a username and password. No option to sign up.

[Duckhams]

Originally Posted by Myka

I just wish you could "point" them.

I can't get in to the app...it's asking for a username and password. No option to sign up.

That's kind of the point, it's such wide, turbulent flow, you don't need to 'point' them. I get full coverage across my 20" wide, 20" deep tank with the MP40QD. With 2 of them, I have them at max 55% and get strong wide, random turbulence, no pointing needed. I was constantly adjusting my Tunze's as things grew in or moving them trying to reduce detritus build up in low flow spots, the laminar flow was hard to control on my setup/rockscape. I just find the Vortech's so effective without much effort on my part. Win win.

I guess you have to sign up online first to use the app.