Canreef Aquatics Bulletin Board  

Go Back   Canreef Aquatics Bulletin Board > General > Tank Journal

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 11-27-2009, 08:04 PM
Bzar's Avatar
Bzar Bzar is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Some Place Cold
Posts: 18
Bzar is on a distinguished road
Default Ricket's Reef 90

I've been documenting my new build in video, and posted them on YouTube. Here are the links to the build progression movies so you can check them out if interested. I'll add more links as the build progresses.

I'm on a pretty tight budget when it comes to my hobbies. So I've done a lot of DIY in this build.
Things I've DIY'd are:
* Tank Stand (TY Lastlight for the tile look idea, it's beautiful)
* DIY Rock (Oyster Shell and Cement)
* DIY Coast to Coast overflow with Bean Animal Drains
* DIY Sump
* DIY Light Fixture
* DIY Return Surge/Wave System
* DIY Auto Top Off
* DIY Power/Plug Station with Switches
* more to come.
For the actual setup, without live stock, and without suppliments/test kits it has cost roughly $1300. The bulk of that cost is the light fixture/bulbs ($420) and the skimmer ($450).

Anyway I hope you enjoy the movies...any suggestions, comments, help, or feedback is always welcome and appreciated.


Build #1: Tanks, Rocks, Fish Room, & Idea's

Build #2: Aquarium Stand

Build #3: The Overflow

Build #4: The Skimmer

Build #5: The Sump and Stuff

Build #6: In House Water Test

Build #7: Octopus XP-2000 Skimmer Working

Build #8: The Sump Update

Build #8: The Display Update

Build #8: The Lights Part 1

Rickets Reef: 90 Gal Day 21


There's also a 10 gal nano build movie set on my YouTube profile.....it was my first SW tank so you can see all my silly mistakes

Last edited by Bzar; 11-27-2009 at 08:41 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 11-27-2009, 11:29 PM
JDigital's Avatar
JDigital JDigital is offline
Member
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Airdrie
Posts: 2,795
JDigital is on a distinguished road
Send a message via MSN to JDigital
Default

Awesome video run through. Watched all of them.

Skimmer looks to be working great.. Can you tell me what the height of the skimmer is?

Also like your own "live rock" you made.. looks great!
__________________
180G Office Reef. Started Sept 2012 http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=88894

62G Starfire Reef. Started Jan 2013 http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=89988
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 11-27-2009, 11:56 PM
Bzar's Avatar
Bzar Bzar is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Some Place Cold
Posts: 18
Bzar is on a distinguished road
Default

tyvm, glad you liked the vids/rock.

If I remember correctly the skimmer is 23" tall. It's said to do best in 6" of water so I have it on a little eggcrate/pvc/acrylic platform because the sumps skimmer section is quite deep.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 11-30-2009, 07:58 PM
JDigital's Avatar
JDigital JDigital is offline
Member
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Airdrie
Posts: 2,795
JDigital is on a distinguished road
Send a message via MSN to JDigital
Default

Damn, that's a inch to tall for me... I've got a MAX for 22" to work with for my skimmer on my tank build, leaves me very few options.

I am definitely going to copy your ball valve system on your return outlet though. .. except I'll toss a 3rd one to control flow to my fuge.
__________________
180G Office Reef. Started Sept 2012 http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=88894

62G Starfire Reef. Started Jan 2013 http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=89988
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 12-06-2009, 07:02 PM
Bzar's Avatar
Bzar Bzar is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Some Place Cold
Posts: 18
Bzar is on a distinguished road
Default

New Updates...
Movie: Day 38 - New Lights and Life
Movie: Day 40 - Small Update





Those aren't the bulbs I'm actually using (those came with the fixture and I sold em).
I'm using (front to back):

Giesemann Actinic +
Giesemann Actinic +
UVL Fiji Purple
Giesemann Actinic +
Giesemann Aquablue +
Giesemann Aquablue +
Giesemann Actinic +
Giesemann Actinic +

Attached Images
File Type: jpg lights off.jpg (42.6 KB, 208 views)
File Type: jpg lights on.jpg (58.6 KB, 207 views)
File Type: jpg display2.jpg (63.0 KB, 210 views)

Last edited by Bzar; 12-06-2009 at 07:11 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 12-15-2009, 12:54 PM
Bzar's Avatar
Bzar Bzar is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Some Place Cold
Posts: 18
Bzar is on a distinguished road
Default

Couple new updates:

(Day 48) Part 1: Excel & Sump

(Day 48) Part 2: The Display


Also for those asking about vodka dosing....here is the list of cause/affects/actions I've compiled to help with that system. The info's mainly from Sonny's build, and a few other sources talking about vodka dosing.

Quote:
MB7 (Bottle Instructions.)
+
Vodka (or carbon) Dosing - http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2008-08/nftt/index.php
=========================
Probiotic Reef Keeping.

Time to dose = during lights on seems best. MB7 into the display. Vodka into the sump.

Rules
1) Need a good skimmer

Noticed in Water testing
1) high nitrates = increase vodka as per instructions.
2) no Nitrate/Phos change in LONG time = try another carbon source like vinegar, sugar, biofule...
3) low nitrates = maintain till 0 then reduce to maintenence levels of vodka
4) Increase in Alk = stop dosing Cal / alk, test water change h20 for alk level. Decrease with large water changes and/or chemicals if it gets bad. Corals may stop taking Cal/ALK while getting used to Probiotic system & increased light.
4) new tank/build = follow instructions, stay close to the low side of dosing.
5) Phosphate being high = a round of GFO

Noticed in Algae/Bacteria Reaction
1) Bacterial Blooms (slimy white strings) = too much bacteria, decrease vodka dosing.
2) algae on glass after increase of MB7 = reduce MB7 :P
3) brown dusting or brown hair like stuff = decrease MB7 (also check http://www.rimlessreef.com/1/post/20...eament-of.html )
4) cyano = increase MB7 and/or lower/stop vodka dose. After the cyano has gone away restart the vodka from the initial or maintenence dose. If it's really bad consider a "lights out" period. If really really bad consider "Red Slime Remover."
5) peach fuzz = stop or decrease (especially vodka) dosing for a while (about a week or till the fuzz dies off) then start back up with the maintenance dose. OR This may also just go away in time.
6) glass and sand getting dirtier = dose more/feed less

Noticed in Live Stock Reaction
1) Corals losing color = more feeding, possibly Amino Acids, lower photo period an hour for a while.
2) Corals Burnt Tips = check alkalinity..get it to 7-8 dKH by stop dosing alk...maybe stop dosing EVERYTHING if it gets bad.
3) Monti caps bleaching = Cut the vodka dosage in half and stay there until the cap starts to color up and/or lower the lighting photoperiod for a bit or have a light "day off."
4) Everything dies = Blame the wife, kids, or something other than your own possible mistakes

Other
1) substrate hardening = keep it broken up and syphoned with water changes. Maintain a good high PH of 8.1 - 8.3
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 12-19-2009, 02:23 AM
Bzar's Avatar
Bzar Bzar is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Some Place Cold
Posts: 18
Bzar is on a distinguished road
Default

Rickets Reef: DIY Surge Device Part 1
Rickets Reef: DIY Surge Device Part 2 - the spout
Ricket's Reef - Frags: Making and Mounting
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 01-04-2010, 02:23 AM
Bzar's Avatar
Bzar Bzar is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Some Place Cold
Posts: 18
Bzar is on a distinguished road
Default

DIY Hang On Frag Rack
Yellow Tang Killing Seaweed
Day 65 - New Livestock
Howto Reline an Aquarium

I don't always update the thread as much as YouTube so for instant build movie updates just subscribe to me on YouTube

Thanks for watching and I hope those interested enjoy these.
Take Care,
Rick.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 01-04-2010, 02:44 AM
lastlight's Avatar
lastlight lastlight is offline
Gold Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Calgary
Posts: 6,997
lastlight has a spectacular aura aboutlastlight has a spectacular aura aboutlastlight has a spectacular aura about
Default

Really great thing you're doing with the videos. A lot of people will find those handy. The highlight of my evening so far was watching you unpack your skimmer. I should donate the extra tripod I have to your cause!
__________________
Brett
My 67 392 225 101 94 34 97 404 28 93 209 gallon reef.
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 01-04-2010, 04:33 AM
Bzar's Avatar
Bzar Bzar is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Some Place Cold
Posts: 18
Bzar is on a distinguished road
Default

Also just added a video on Carbon Dosing.

HowTo Carbon Dosing




Thanks for the props Brett. Your previous build was part of my inspiration to take the plunge into a tank bigger than a nano. My stand uses the tile technique much like yours

A tripod must certainly a handy thing with these movies....I've had many dreams and thoughts about a DIY tripod
Maybe I like PVC glue too much. hehe
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump


All times are GMT. The time now is 07:45 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.7.3
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.