Help with a rebuild!

[rlablan]

I got the name wrong on the pump. It's a custom sea life. Apparently, they got by many names because the company was bought/sold.
AND OMG!!! THEY WEREN'T KIDDING. WE JUST FINISHED PLUMBING IT AND HOLY COW!!!! IT'S LITERALLY THE QUIESTEST THING EVER. If not for my whistling drains, I would definitely be able to hear a moth fart. This thing is AMAZING!!! YESSSSSS! I am so happy! Praise Jesus and Poseidon!!!! If you guys can get your hands on these pumps, BUY ONE! You don't know quiet until you've run one of these. And better still, it's 1200 GPH! I can't believe it!
I guess after talking to the guy, it's water cooled but he said at most, I will get a 1-2 degree increase in temp. This is not a problem for me, considering that I will end up with a 10 degree increase from my lights alone. Like I said, that is fixable. I don't mind running a chiller. We don't have power outages here but we do have A/C outages. And that can mean big trouble in AZ when it's 116-120 (July-September) outside. The houses are built like crap and reach 95+ degrees within a half hour of the A/C going down. Running a chiller allows me to not be frantic about my tank. If I have to run one, I have to run one.
I am sooo happy I don't have to buy/plumb/shlep another pump!!

 

[rlablan]

So the tank has been running very successfully.
It's quiet and that is the best part.
I am going to start playing with the aquascaping. I will take some pictures once I find something that I like.
At this point, It's just a 72'' glass box, full of water with a little bit of sand in it.

 

[rlablan]

So, It appears that the tank might have gone through a little cycle. I put 20 gallons of "used" water in if, from the 60 gallon neighbor. And the rest of the water was new RO water, here from the house.
The tank has about 80 lbs LS and ~300lbs of LR.
I used a mixture of Reef crystals and also of just plain instant ocean.
From here on out, I'll be using reef crystals.
I checked my levels last night and it look like my nitrates are at about 20.
So- I need to do a 20 gallon change on the 60, I dunno if I should put the old water in the 150 or if I should put new water in both tanks... hmmm...
Got some new T5 bulbs yesterday. Before, we had two gieseman bulbs, one purple, 1 blue. Now, we have 1 white and 1 blue. I kinda wish we had gotten two of the whites... these bulbs are not the typical white. They are like "ice" white. Oh well- now I know.

 

[rlablan]

View from my sofa. Movie and the new, almost empty,
tank.

 

[acrylic51]

Quote:
Originally Posted by rlablan http:///t/392624/help-with-a-rebuild/260#post_3512066
So, It appears that the tank might have gone through a little cycle. I put 20 gallons of "used" water in if, from the 60 gallon neighbor. And the rest of the water was new RO water, here from the house.
The tank has about 80 lbs LS and ~300lbs of LR.
I used a mixture of Reef crystals and also of just plain instant ocean.
From here on out, I'll be using reef crystals.
I checked my levels last night and it look like my nitrates are at about 20.
So- I need to do a 20 gallon change on the 60, I dunno if I should put the old water in the 150 or if I should put new water in both tanks... hmmm...
Got some new T5 bulbs yesterday. Before, we had two gieseman bulbs, one purple, 1 blue. Now, we have 1 white and 1 blue. I kinda wish we had gotten two of the whites... these bulbs are not the typical white. They are like "ice" white. Oh well- now I know.
I'd put new water in both......

 

[rlablan]

Yes, I think that is what I'm gonna do.

 

[rlablan]

I forgot to post about these powerhead that we purchased this weekend.
Normally, I just go with Koralias. In the case of this tank, We were going to go with some of the Vortec jobs, probably the 60. However, while as the discount reef store this weekend, I came across these.
They are like little conjoined Koralia twins.

They are called SUNSUN wavemakers. We purchased the SUNSUN JVP-202 and also a 201.
One quick look at the price and the packaging will tell you that they are Chinese made. The 201 was about 35 bucks, the 202 was about 50.
Upon further examination, I see that they are magnetic mounting, just like the Koralias. They have the same swivel ball/rubber socket base, also exactly like a Koralia. As you see in the picture, there are adjustable ends on each of the powerheads, for directional flow. These attachments are removable, basically turning it into a double powerhead.
I have installed the JVP-202 on the left side of the 72'' tank.
This powerhead really does move some water.
I first plugged the 202 in right next to a Koralia 4. I put one hand over the SUNSUN and one hand over the K4. The output of just 1 half of the sunsun is the same output of the K4. So- we know that they make a lot of water movement.
Size wise, they are a little big but only a 1/4 of an inch or so bigger than a comparable Koralia.
They very are quiet, no weird noises, no vibration.
They don't come with any documentation and I couldn't find anything online. I had my hand in front of it for about 10 minutes and (I could have imagined this) I feel like they have varied flow? One side will have stronger flow, then the other side. There is no 'pattern' to the flow, it seemed to be completely random. Maybe it's just because they are cheap, either way, it seems pretty cool and I am convinced that they somehow have random, changing flow. The back part of the powerhead, behind the impeller, seems to be very thick, maybe where chips/wires/etc. could be that assist in flow variation.
I am pretty glad that I took a chance on these guys. For the price and all the water movement, I don't really feel I can go wrong, unless they spaz out and electrocute my tank.

I will keep everyone updated on these... I think they could be really cool. We will have to see how corals and critters like them.

 

[meowzer]

I'm not buying Koralia's anymore.....I am sick and tired of spending money on something that wants to run backwards

 

[rlablan]

Haha it's funny that you mention this, Meowzer.
Mine have never done this until recently. I have never even heard of it until it recently happened to me and then I saw someone posting about it, I think on Nova's build thread...
It's so strange. 5 years of running koralias and I've never had this until last week.
Do yours do it a lot?

 

[novahobbies]

Rae, I've seen these powerheads on Ebay before. I would advise you keep an eye on them, only because there isn't a lot of quality control for aftermarket items, and let's face it...this IS a 120V cord running right into your tank. I'd think about testing for voltage at least once a week, and close observation for possible corrosion.
Not tryin' to scare you. Just warning you of a possibility.
Now, yes, I was complaining about my Koralias, and Lois has had the same problem. Koralia Evos are great...but the little rubber bumper in the front grille that is supposed to help keep the pump spinning "forward" is very flimsy. Two have broken out of the grille on me already, and these pumps spin backwards as often as they do forwards.
BUT....I'll say this. I contacted the complaint guy that Lois put me in touch with. I told him I needed 2 (which was a mild fabrication; two had broken but I'd already paid for one replacement) and he said they'd get mailed out. Well, I got the package in the mail today....... and he sent me FOUR. One the one hand, I could say "that was very kind of him," and it's true......but on the other hand, did he send me 4 knowing I would have this problem again? That's worrisome.
You said your poweheads just now started spinning backwards. Are they on a timer/wavemaker? Have they always been, or did you recently add a timer? And if so....is the new chinese powerhead on a timer too? Just curious.

 

[meowzer]

Rae/Nova......I have had new ones out of the box do this
I don't want anymore replacement parts.....as many power glitches as we have, it's too much trouble to have to try to fudge with them to run the right way.....as they go out.....I will purchase OTHER types

 

[acrylic51]

It should be potted where the electrical connections are, but with anything in this hobby it could go crazy.....Wouldn't be overly concerned though....No different than having a maxijet inside the DT.....Still the cord entering the system......Just my .02

 

[rlablan]

Nova- I'm not conerned about them. Honestly, I examined them 3 or 4 times before I bought them. The equipment is very nice. It doesn't seem flimsy at all. I am not concerned with them. But if I start to have an issue, my first thought will probably be these.
As for the K's, they are just plugged directly into the power strip. No timer, I usually don't shut them off but lately the one on the 60 has just started to randomly stop spinning. It takes me a day or so to see it and when I do, I get them going again. I usually have to spin the impeller and then it's fine. Once this happened, I started watching it and I noticed one day it was spinning but there was no movement of the dendros that are right in front of it. I stuck my hand in and was like "it's sucking... no blowing..." That is the first and only issue I've had like that, after about 4 years of using these.
Fast forward to about a week ago, I dug out a few of my Koralias that are new-ish. I keep them around for emergency, they are barely used. I plugged one in on the new 150 and it started up backwards... 2 of them did this. I got em spinning right and now they seem fine. It's just weird. When this happened to me, I then saw about a day later the posts the you and Lois put about yours. I have just never even heard of this until recently.
Acrylic- I agree. I have seen people use some pretty shotty, makeshift equipment that looks scary to me and they, honestly, have some of the nicest reefs. The equipment is crazy but the corals and fish are awesome looking.
I will keep a look out for issues with these, atleast until I trust them. I will keep y'all updated on them, thanks for the concern guys.

 

[kiefers]

I'm not buying Koralia's anymore.....I am sick and tired of spending money on something that wants to run backwards  
Hi .... I received an e mail regarding this issue from Hydor and they informed me they have updated their covers for the powerheads. I do not know if we have to buy new pumps or just the covers.
They recently sent me 7 replacements for mine. Something to look into though.
Yes......it is frustrating when the pumps want to run backwards. I seem to remember talking to you about this very issue last year. Lol.

 

[rlablan]

WHAT WHAT WHAT?!?! HELP!!!
So I have been testing the 150 and I thought it cycled. I swear it did. I saw it! Almost a week ago!
I tested it today (precautionary), it looked good and we departed to the fish store to get the first new fish for the 150.
We just now get home with the new fish (which we are excited about) and I spy the test kit on the counter... The ammonia tube was really green. It looks like it's at .025 or more...

What?
I have a prepared batch of 20 gallons of saltwater ready and waiting in the wings... what do I do? Is it cycling? Do I leave it alone and hope that these guys can go into the 60 for a little bit? One of these guys it a little big... I don't want to risk killing them... I am retesting the water now.
Could the ammonia tube just be weird because the water/chemicals has been sitting there for 2+ hours? There is no nitrites, no nitrates and the PH looks good... I dunno what is going on?!?!

 

[kiefers]

Quote:
Originally Posted by rl
Could the ammonia tube just be weird because the water/chemicals has been sitting there for 2+ hours? There is no nitrites, no nitrates and the PH looks good... I dunno what is going on?!?!
yes it will get arker the longer you leave it. Freaked me out once or twice too. Had to retest to calm myself down.

 

[novahobbies]

Agreed, this happens when it sits for a while. That's why you compare at the 5 minute mark. Retest it (just to be safe) but I'm sure you're fine.

 

[rlablan]

I retested it Kief... I am still concerned, cause it still looks greenish. I am acclimating the two new guy to the 60. There is room and I know it is safe. Its not ideal but I am really paranoid about the 150.
So 2 questions- should I do a water change on the 150 or leave it alone?
Also- do you, Kiefers, keep a picasso trigger in your reef? How is that going... I am thinking about getting one but everyone is saying no... A video you sent me a while back is saying otherwise...

 

[kiefers]

a 10% water change wouldn't be a bad idea.
Yes I do have a picasso in my reef and so far he is fine. He enjoyes relocating some of my loose coral. It's funny really because he will go to the front of the tank and take a look and start moving tings around, so far not hutying anything. He does however enjoys a bite of the monti from time to time but honestly..... it looks pretty cool after it heals up.
i got him when he was real little. I will try and find a pic.
Meet Titan! He was in the QT. I had to tie an eggcrate in to keep him away from the suction of the hang on the back filter. 1.5 inches.

 

[rlablan]

There is a 1 inch guy at a LFS that we saw today... I am wondering if we could make a humu work. Everyone seems to be outraged at the thought of us even asking.
Is this the first time you've ever kept one in a reef?
Do you think it's pushing the envelope too much...
?
I really don't know If it's a slight risk, like keeping an angel in a reef? Or is it like... keeping a... something terrible in a reef tank...