Nemos at it again...

mantisman51

mantisman51

Active Member
You have used the foam insulation before? I am surprised that it doesn't leach bad stuff in to the water and that the SW doesn't break it down. I am in the process of turning my 29g into a mini-reef. I like the idea of using Portland cement, but was warned that the lime used in it can alter the PH drastically and kill coral. Thanks for the update. I'll keep watching.
 
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nemo_66

Guest
i havent used the foam in the past, but i've done my homework. most people use bekett pond foam nowadays, but i used great stuff. i havent heard of any horror stories from the foam yet. the foam doesnt leach anything, but great stuff can break down because of the UV light coming from our lights, so therefore it must be covered/coated with something, and in this case, im going to be using sand, which most people do.
portland cement does alter the pH, and thats why it must be cured for around 5-8 weeks, more or less. im going to be curing this batch in the tank once the wall is done, but normally i would do it outside in a rubbermaid so i could easily do water changes. once the pH stabalizes, your rock is cured.
and hopefully the wall and the lights and the leak are all fixed by tomorrow night. hopefully...
i also might add a quick disconnect from the MH bulb to the ballast...
 
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nemo_66

Guest
haha, thanks. im a bit worried about the corals growing upwards though. im sure they'll be fine though.
anyways, i got back from hobbytown with some epoxy, so i'll get that done once my little brother falls asleep. i also got materials for my secret pendant.:p but i wont make a diy cuz it'll take to long, and theres not a lot of intrests for the ones i make. lol
and i finished the quick disconnect on my ballast too. i have to say it looks good...
 
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nemo_66

Guest
yay, this is awesome! i was about to coat my foam with epoxy and sand, when i found out i hadnt disolved the rock salt that i had put on it. i honestly cant see a difference with or without the rock salt, but whatever. so while all the salt is disolving, im trying to fix up the pendant. so far i have everything except...the pendant itself! lol i'm gonna get it my tonight though.
 
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nemo_66

Guest
stop posting so much! haha, yea, right. anyways, the light is done. i'll post some pics up on monday or tuesday. the wall has been siliconed in place today, so im waiting for that to cure, and its almost ready! its pretty exciting.
BUT, i need to get a round piece of glass for my pendant, since the one that came with the brinks is to small. so im on the hunt for a 8.5 inch in diamater glass. i may be getting it soon.
 
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nemo_66

Guest
OMG, well, everything is almost done, which is something i nerver thought i would say. the light has uv glass on it now, the tank has sand and saltwater, and a dead shrimp.
im on the lookout for a fuge light. i need it to look clean, so no diys. i was going to do a desk lamp, but i was wondering if i could use a halogen one, or does it have to be flourescent?
BTW, im going to rig up one or two fans, maybe, for the metal halide, and have them on the back of the tank. the temperature goes to around 82-83* with the light on for 11 hours.... i know, a lot right? i dont have a timer yet, so its long. the real light schedule will more that likely be around 8-9 hours...
here are some long awaited pictures...



the only reason this rock is here is because it holds down the shrimp, otherwise it would float. im going to removie it once its done cycling...

and heres a close up of my diy pendant. its a stainless steel mixing bowl from walmart. i have a reflector inside though.

it looks way better in real life. nobody even knows is a mixing bowl .lol
 
rlablan

rlablan

Active Member
haha I love it! It looks so good! I am excited to see it with coraline and other things covered the back wall.
 
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nemo_66

Guest
thanks. ok, so i tested the water, and here are the results...
Ammonia: 1-2ppm
Nitrate: 0-5ppm
Nitrite: 0ppm
pH: 7.8
ok, so i realize the pH is way low. not sure why at the moment. but my question is, should i take out the shrimp now, or should i leave it? and also, should i do a water change in hopes that'll rase my pH, or should i get some buffer?
thanks in advance. the quicker responses, the better!
 
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nemo_66

Guest
thanks.
a little update. im looking for an auto top off for my little tank, since its evaporation rate is about two cups every day, and i would love an auto top off. i only have to specifications, and they are, it has to be under 50 bucks, and cant be gravity fed. so im off to google. lol. wish me luck on my quest....
 
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nemo_66

Guest
yea, ive seen that video, more than once too. lol
but i read somewhere that if you just splice in the extension cord, it can be dangerous, since the extension cord is 120v, and the float valve is 12v. and it can leak voltage into your tank, causing HLLE. there is this kit for sale for 50 bucks that includes everything to do it safely, but im trying to find a diy thats safe, and cheaper, but i think i may end up buying it.
 
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nemo_66

Guest
dude, im as confused as you are. but i think it has something to do with the actual valve in the tank... but since it is still summer vacation for another week, ive got plenty of time to research. lol
 
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nemo_66

Guest
yes, i would like to see some pics, or it DIDNT HAPPEN! lol
i tried to look in your diary, but i had no luck.
 
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