My 180g, 4 sided viewable project thread

[Hookup]

I take it this is the CL entrance in this picture right?

image removed


Why not take 2-3 pieces of egg crate and criss cross them and fit them inside.  That way things can't make it down, but flow is not impeded.

Correct, that is one of the 2 CL inputs... the idea could work well as a short-term fix...  Creative, simple, easy, fast.

[JetJumper]

I had a similar problem with my overflow because I used the same pipework as that. Snails kept getting into the overflow pipe and causing a problem.  So a few pieces of egg crate later and now they can't get in

[Hookup]

In an effort to build habits, including getting bugged by you folks....

Last nights test results.
Time: 9:00pm. - my clock
Temp: 81.5. - ghl temp probe
SG: 50ppt - platinum ghl sg probe
pH: 7.98 - ghl probe
Ca: 525ppm - salfert
Alk: 5. - salfert
Mg: 1350ppm - salfert
Phosphates: not tested
Nitrate: not tested

50 gallon water change completed using ATI salt
Carbon changed

[JD]

That's an interesting set of numbers.

[redbelly]

Yeah its rather poorly ballance at the moment. We got all of the balling salts refilled and adjusted so the number should come back into swing shortly. And the massive water changes that Tim will be doing will certainly help.

We also spent some time cleaning, adjusting and retuning the MR4 skimmer so that its pulling like a champ again.

Installed a Tunze Osmolator for auto top off which of course involved running new electrical lines and a much longer feed line through the ceiling as the RO bin and sump are on the opposite side of the room from eachother.

[Rybren]

Was the SG really 50ppt or was that a typo?

Did you try walking across the water?  It should almost be a solid. 

[JetJumper]

Was the SG really 50ppt or was that a typo?

Did you try walking across the water?  It should almost be a solid. 

Salinity in ppt

F (C)    1.020    1.021    1.022    1.023    1.024    1.025    1.026    1.027
74.0 (23.3)   28.0   29.3   30.6   31.9   33.3   34.6   35.9   37.2
75.0 (23.9)   28.2   29.5   30.8   32.1   33.5   34.8   36.1   37.4
76.0 (24.4)   28.4   29.7   31.0   32.3   33.7   35.0   36.3   37.6
77.0 (25.0)   28.6   29.9   31.2   32.5   33.9   35.2   36.5   37.8
78.0 (25.6)   28.8   30.1   31.4   32.7   34.1   35.4   36.7   38.0
79.0 (26.1)   29.0   30.3   31.6   32.9   34.3   35.6   36.9   38.2
80.0 (26.7)   29.2   30.5   31.8   33.2   34.5   35.8   37.1   38.5
81.0 (27.2)   29.4   30.7   32.0   33.4   34.7   36.0   37.4   38.7
82.0 (27.   29.6   30.9   32.3   33.6   34.9   36.3   37.6   38.9
83.0 (28.3)   29.8   31.2   32.5   33.8   35.2   36.5   37.8   39.2
84.0 (28.9)   30.1   31.4   32.7   34.1   35.4   36.7   38.1   39.4
85.0 (29.4)   30.3   31.6   33.0   34.3   35.6   36.9   38.3   39.6
86.0 (30.0)   30.5   31.8   33.2   34.5   35.8   37.2   38.5   39.8
87.0 (30.6)   30.8   32.1   33.4   34.8   36.1   37.4   38.8   40.1

that means you are at like.. 1.035/6 for salinity.. thats pretty high :|

[xiaan]

I his controller is measuring it in mS not ppt. So I think it should read 50mS and my tank is currently at 49.3mS so that should be around a SG of 1.026

[Hookup]

a) yes, the params are not ideal.. there not even that good... part of the reason im posting my params when I test is to develop better habbits.
b) I mixed mS with SG.. i'm at 50ms or around 1.025/1.026 depending on methods... sorry for the confusion...
c) tonights tests are in...

Last nights test results.
Time: 7:30pm. - my clock
Temp: 81.5. - ghl temp probe
SG: ~50ms - platinum ghl sg probe
pH: 7.98 - ghl probe
Ca: 490ppm - salfert
Alk: 6.1 - salfert
Mg: 1300ppm - salfert
Phosphates: not tested
Nitrate: not tested

50 gal water change in progress - using ATI salt.  Tests done before this change.

I think the change in Ca and Mg are partly b/c of the water-change last night (50g over 340g = ~14% change)  14% more tonight, and once more this week, and we should be back into an acceptable zone to start dosing again.

[Rybren]

That's looking better already, esp the SG 

[dan2x38]

The Ca is quite high too. Is that an issue?

Great looking setup. The coralline is starting to cover looks good!

[Hookup]

Here are my target params. l want to get to these and hold there.  I've been at these and seen great growth. 

SG: 1.025 / 33ppt / 47ms (pick your method)
pH: 8.1
Temp: 79-81 (full swing)

Ca: 400ppm
Mg: 1280ppm
Alk: 7.2dkh

Nitrate: 1-2ppm  (this is a new "try it" thing for me, typically i've been 0ppm)
Phosphates: 0ppm

[Hookup]

Two days with out water tests...

Had a mess up on the tank with some overflowing/syphoning... IT's frigg'n stupid how many times I've done this now... honestly...

Going to the cottage tomorrow for Sat/Sun so I need to water change tonight and test.  Will post updates l8r when done.

Tim

[dan2x38]

Had a mess up on the tank with some overflowing/syphoning... IT's frigg'n stupid how many times I've done this now... honestly...

God I hear ya... I just did this about 2 weeks ago. Filling a bucket by a syphon and when I heard this splashing sound I wondered what is that... after a couple seconds it dawned on me! D'OH I've stood there doing a water change and only after my feet got wet did I release what happening. 10 x D'OH

[Hookup]

Tonight's test results.

Time: 8:00pm. - my clock
Temp: 81.5. - ghl temp probe
SG: 1.022 - refractometer
pH: 8.11 - ghl probe
Ca: 470ppm - salfert
Alk: 6.2 - salfert
Mg: 1260ppm - salfert
Phosphates: not tested
Nitrate: not tested


Ok, so I created a syphon of fresh water, found my system overflowing but the salinity had only dropped 0.002, so no harm no foul, but it explains the above drop. 

All others are moving in the right direction, Mg is low but I attribute this to the ATI salt (not tested raw, I will and post) and the fact that the coraline algae is going pretty good on the rocks... that stuff consumes about 4x the mg as most other corals, so until that process is done (guessing a few months) my Mg will be in high demand.

All-in-all i'm pleased... got my third batch of salt water mixing now, hope to do the water change late tonight or tomorrow morning.  I figure I have 2 more to go, then it'll be time to tune in the GHL dosing again...

All is well in fish-ville... I'm going to see if I can do some macro photos of some of the corals for ya'all...and for me too..

[dan2x38]

Didn't releasize that tid bit on the coraline/mag relationship.... thanks

[Hookup]

Tonight's test results.

Time: 8:00pm. - my clock
Temp: no tested
SG: 1.024 - refractometer
pH: not tested
Ca: 470ppm - salfert
Alk: 7.0 - salfert
Mg: 1110ppm - salfert
Phosphates: not tested
Nitrate: not tested

Oh, well... i got nothing to explain these results... I used all the ATI saltmix before testing... I'm assuming that ATI has a HIGH alk and a very LOW Mg... I really will have to test tonight after it finishes mixing..

I'm scratching my head tonight... maybe I'll run the Alk and Mg tests again... just doesn't make sense to drop that much in MG and raise that much in ALK... Does it?  Maybe someone with more chem xperience / knowledge can let me know...

[JD]

Keep in mind the salinity change. I'm sure it has an effect.

[Hookup]

Tonight I discovered that my CL inputs are killing small fish... Which cause snails and crabs to get in, which kills them too..

At this point I have no solution that I like...
1. Divide the CL inputs to reduce the Pull
2. Add external power heads like vortex
3. Tear down the entire aquascape and re-do
4. Order a new tank

Option 4 is the best, but damn! 

Option 3 is a good one, but not sure either my wife or I can rescape...

Option 1 and/or option 2 kind of defeats the original design of all hidden plumbing..


I'm angry and frustrated...

[Rybren]

Tim,

Is the input the opening on the left?  Can you put an extension on it to raise it a bit and then add a strainer to keep the fish/snails out?

You could cover the extension with some loosely piled rubble.  It may not be pretty, but it shouldn't be very difficult to accomplish.

Please don't tell me that you lost the new sailfin blenny.