Squidd I'm Almost Ready To Move To The Basement!!

[squidd]

Originally Posted by Lubeck
About your picture of the manifold diagram... The issue I may have is I do NOT have any space between the 1" drain and the 3/4" drain they are right next to each other... will this be a problem?
Why you gotta make everything so difficult..??

I suggest 1 1/2".. to gather and collect the rushing "vertical drop" water and allow it to collect and fill the chamber...Then we drain it from the bottom getting a more "condensed" water flow (less bubbles)
The 45*s also help in breaking the vertical drop and allow trapped air to work it's way back "up" the drain lines rather than disburse through your sump...
So basicly we just want to angle and slow the water down and then catch it in the manifold...
Trying to "break up" the long vertical drop...
Also, what size are the pipes coming from each end of the maifold?
The two outlets can be whatever size you have handy ...both 1" or, one 1" and the other 3/4"..

 

[squidd]

Originally Posted by Lubeck
I noticed before leaving for vacation that the the holes I drilled for the durso's are clogging with salt debris causing more suction. Is this normal? I need to fix that problem as well. I think I'd rather just by the durso they are only 20 bucks on line.
On another note... percepitation and salt "eventually" building up on equipment is two different things right. I just notice downstairs when the water droplets sometimes hit the edge of the tank it eventually creates salt chucks as well as upstairs. this is normal right? Percepitation happens inside the water... right?
As mentioned eariler...one thing at a time...we'll get to Durso's later..
But...yes some salt build up is normal..your's are not working at a normal rate (at this time) so I wouldn't get too excited about at the present...
If you wan to buy your durso's fine, but we/you need to get drain manifold up and running before adding or adjusting standpipes will have any lasting effect...
Anywhere salt water "splashs" drain, return, bubbles,whatever salt creep will build up...This is normal...reducing splashing will help..
I still think your standpipes are set too low, ( if they are the same as the pics above) and excess splash is part of the problem there..

 

[lubeck]

I will start on the manifold in the next two weeks... after this weekend...
I have a new thing happening now... first though... my corals have started to open quite nicely. Not 100% but a good start. Anyway, there are large air bubbles coming out of the return pipes and I don't know why... do you?
I am also wondering if there are snails crawling down the return PVC pipe seeing that the current is not very strong... at least compared to where the return pump is located 10' down. Could that cause the bubbles?
Also, I posted a thread earlier about my lighting problem. I don't know if you read it but my new bulbs come tomorrow and hope that they don't get burnt. If you have any insight on the housing for the bulbs that would help me out.
Mostly, I have 40 people coming over on Sunday (mothers day) and have some serious cleaning/riging/fine tuning/ quieting down to do on the tank. Figure on doing a water change Friday and razer blading off all the algae on the DT. I did a 30 or so gal water change on Monday and plan on doing another 30 gal tomorrow. I hope this will help reduce the trites trates. my alk/cal/mag/ph/sg are all good for now.
I was happy to see the tank looking "good" for once until my lighting system had to take a crap on me.
I know one step or thing at a time but I need some ideas for the vibrating of the pvc pipes. I hope I don't have to the C/L over again.
If you know anything about my light problem in the other post PLEASE let me know what's up.
Thanks

 

[squidd]

Lighting...
To top things off... I was doing yard work today and my wife comes out and says your right side of the tank is not lite. So now I have no lighting on the right side... will my carpet anemone be Ok? I need to take the bulb out just to make sure salt did not cause it to flicker out.
>>>Did you try this...? or unplug re plug ballast and check connections to bulb/base...still out...?<<<
I don't what to do. I know it will take about a week to get a new bulb if I need one. Will my corals be Ok. I still have the middle 150DE 20k and on the left. a 250DE 10k. Plus, I have the 2-65w blue acntic.
>>> With the 250 and 150 plus the actinics...and given your coral discription (depends on what is on that side) you will probably be OK fo a short time...Anenome will move if he's not happy and there is light available "down the road" (otherside of tank)<<<
What to do... what to do... I need a part time job to pay for this habbit.
Yep...that's it...quit your full time job and get a part time one...then you will have more time to work these bugs out of the system...

CL...
I know one step or thing at a time but I need some ideas for the vibrating of the pvc pipes. I hope I don't have to the C/L over again.
This is new...or did I miss it eariler...? The pump is under the stand...? can you place it on foam pad...? are the pipes vibrating/rattling "against "the tank some where...? Can you wedge or move them to quiet down...?
Should be no bubbles coming from C/L system...it's a cloosed loop and there should be no place for air to get in...
Large bubbles from sump return... Doubt it's snails crawling "upstream" ... Now were back to water level over return pump and stopping microbubbles from flowing to pump chamber which backs us up to the drain lines and installing the mainfold...and adjusting the Dursos...
Now we're up to 5-6 things in one post again and your gonna drive us both nuts...again... and I'm gonna need a vacation...

Water should be 1/2" below top of baffle "D"....Is it...?

 

[lubeck]

Originally Posted by Squidd
Lighting...
CL...
This is new...or did I miss it eariler...? The pump is under the stand...? can you place it on foam pad...? are the pipes vibrating/rattling "against "the tank some where...? Can you wedge or move them to quiet down...?
Yes it is the pump is under the stand. I need to find a better piece of foam because the white cheap stuff just adds to the noise. I think I made the CL too close to the tank the return line does sit on the tank and the drain U's over the top of the return pipe, which also touches. When I assembled and sized it I had to be sure not to go to high off the back of the tank because of my canopy brace that runs along the back of the tank, which is about 3-4inches from the top of the tank. So I guess I need to try to prop up the pump so the entire setup raises... I just dont know how it will stay up with out rattling or falling down. I guess a picture would help huh?
Should be no bubbles coming from C/L system...it's a cloosed loop and there should be no place for air to get in...
No bubbles are coming out of the CL other than the micro bubbles from the DT
Large bubbles from sump return... Doubt it's snails crawling "upstream" ... Now were back to water level over return pump and stopping microbubbles from flowing to pump chamber which backs us up to the drain lines and installing the mainfold...and adjusting the Dursos...
Now we're up to 5-6 things in one post again and your gonna drive us both nuts...again... and I'm gonna need a vacation...

You can say that again (vacation)
Water should be 1/2" below top of baffle "D"....Is it...?
Without looking back at the post... If level D is the baffle that is NOT raised off the base of the aquarium than YES. Actually, I try to keep it even. Does that defeat the purpose? I do know that it won't over flow the tank if the power goes out at that level.

 

[lubeck]

Back to the CL... it seems all the noise comes from or through the back of the tank which makes an echo echo echo. I am wondering if there was a way I could close off the sides and the back of the tank to help minimize noise of course after I try to eliminate it through movement of the pipes and foam.
Any recommendations on the foam or how to close off the back??

 

[squidd]

Closed cell foam...Highly dense... Good absorptive properties...

 

[lubeck]

I can get it at the Depot?

 

[squidd]

Probably...It's the stuff they make the rectangular "Knee Pads" out of ...(in the cleaning or gardening section) or "Butt" warmers (in the hunting/sports section) or Thinner layers for high quality commercial carpeting in the carpet section...
There are probably a dozen different places/uses to get some from once you identify it...

 

[lubeck]

Squidd,
Sorry but have been busy lately. The tank is really looking better in the last few days. Although, the bubbles are still present. I really need to take a picture for you to see. I have noticed in the return chamber, in sump, the surface of the water has bubbles and dirt and debris has collected along the baffle walls. I realize I need to install a manifold (which I still don't know how to do since the pipes are almost touching each other) but it seems that these are "foam" bubbles or dirty bubbles. Have you ever seen a pond or lake/stream that had a foam of bubbles hovering in a stagnent area, I think this is what is happening to me in the sump.
Also, I really need some advice on my ls, both in my DT and my Fuge. The ls has long brown algae more so in the fuge but the DT also has it and need some ideas of what live stock will take care of it. I already have quite a few nassaurius snails and feel they don't do a very good job.
Thanks

 

[lubeck]

I forgot to mention, I don't think I have enough flow in the tank. I am not sure but my Atlantic carpet anemone and candy cane/ and acropora coral are not getting as much flow and the candy cane is developing algae around the base of its head, the acropora has begun to receed as well. Should I sell the mag 24 and get a sequence dart pump?
Thanks

 

[squidd]

Originally Posted by Lubeck
Squidd,
Sorry but have been busy lately. The tank is really looking better in the last few days.
>>> This is a good thing and as nothing good ever happens "fast" in thei hooby, time will help<<<
Although, the bubbles are still present. I really need to take a picture for you to see. I have noticed in the return chamber, in sump, the surface of the water has bubbles and dirt and debris has collected along the baffle walls.... but it seems that these are "foam" bubbles or dirty bubbles. Have you ever seen a pond or lake/stream that had a foam of bubbles hovering in a stagnent area, I think this is what is happening to me in the sump.
>>> Most likely the DOCs collected when the first bubble issue was foaming the tank (prior to new skimmer) skimmer should be holding it's own now so it you wash these out return should be minimal<<<
...I realize I need to install a manifold (which I still don't know how to do since the pipes are almost touching each other)...
>> see pic<<<
Also, I really need some advice on my ls, both in my DT and my Fuge. The ls has long brown algae more so in the fuge but the DT also has it and need some ideas of what live stock will take care of it. I already have quite a few nassaurius snails and feel they don't do a very good job.
>> What do you have in your "fuge" are you running it as an algal scrubber...? What type of Macro are you using , lighting, flow...?? Need to have Macro established to "outcompete" nuiscience algae...time...?? If set as algal scrubber...then fullcomplement of clean up crew is in order crabs, snails, worms, etc... If set as protected enviroment "refugium" then some care needs to be taken in selection...<<<
Thanks
.

 

[squidd]

Originally Posted by Lubeck
I forgot to mention, I don't think I have enough flow in the tank. I am not sure but my Atlantic carpet anemone and candy cane/ and acropora coral are not getting as much flow and the candy cane is developing algae around the base of its head, the acropora has begun to receed as well. Should I sell the mag 24 and get a sequence dart pump?
Thanks
Removeing the restrictions of the Loc Lines would help and allow pump to work to capacity..
Getting a bigger pump would also help..

 

[lubeck]

Most likely the DOCs collected when the first bubble issue was foaming the tank (prior to new skimmer) skimmer should be holding it's own now so it you wash these out return should be minimal<<<
What do you mean by this?
What do you have in your "fuge" are you running it as an algal scrubber...? What type of Macro are you using , lighting, flow...?? Need to have Macro established to "outcompete" nuiscience algae...time...?? If set as algal scrubber...then fullcomplement of clean up crew is in order crabs, snails, worms, etc... If set as protected enviroment "refugium" then some care needs to be taken in selection...<<<
Currently, my fuge has 2 pieces of small lr which are sworming with different types of pods. I tried using shaving brush but they did make it. I have a 4in DSB, about 6 hermits, 1 nassarius snail, 5 asetra turbo snails. I have 2-65w pc's 1/2daylight acintic combo, the flow is supposed to be 300gph is what we discussed but don't know if thats the case. I really just want something that will clean up the very top layer of the sand bed without disturbing too much. Really, I am looking for your experiences on which type of "fuge" I should have. I do have a madrin goby in my DT and know that he is getting plenty of food now. I cannot believe all the pods on the walls/ls/lr in my fuge, thousands of them. I have not done my homework and feel stupid but don't even know what "macro" is? I think its just cheato calurapa which is just some form of algae which can help export nitrates when trimmed. I really just want whats most functional for optimal water quality.
Thanks
Oh, I will get some pics to you, I took them this morning and need to download them. I did switch bulb brands to. I went to Ushio 10k and just replaced the right side of the tank for now and plan on changing the left side at the end of June and the middle bulb at the end of July

 

[lubeck]

Oh, I must say... the party I had on Sunday was a big hit and everyone was complimenting the tank. Even though its not right where I want, but I am not sure if I will ever be satisfied... hee hee. ugrades upgrades upgrades.

 

[squidd]

Oh, I must say... the party I had on Sunday was a big hit and everyone was complimenting the tank
See..and a week ago you were ready to throw in the towel...

 

[squidd]

What is the "purpose" of your fuge...?
What is the "Goal" results you are seeking for you efforts...?
Why did you build it...?

 

[lubeck]

Purpose was to increase water capacity, and...
Goal is to create optimal water quality also
decreasing nitrates as well as a food source for my mandrin goby
I really just want it to function as a place to clean the water and export the bad stuff. So... what do I need?

 

[squidd]

"I" run my fuge as an Algal Scrubber...basicly a part of the "filtration system"..
The "Goal" is malnutrients export thru the forced growth and harvesting of Macros (macroalgae)...
It's sole purpose is to grow macros under optimal conditions so they suck up nitrates and DOCs and heavy metals and basically "clean" the water to the best of their ability (again it's only a "part" of a system)... and then remove them from the water column by harvesting and physically removing the excess growth...
To do that I use 24/7 good lighting and appropriate flow rates for the type of Macro I grow...
If there are pods in there fine...if someone thinks it looks neat ..fine..but it's main function is to be a growth chamber for export..
Snails, crabs, worms and a shallow sand bed all work together to break down organics for plant absorption, if they interfere with growth they are removed... small amount of rocks are only in there to keep the inhabitants sheltered, provide shade and security if needed...
I Grow Caulurpa Proliferia...a macro many warn against...Gracilaria is good and so is Chaeto...I don't have much experience with those types, so you would need to research their particular requirements to maximize their inherent potential..

 

[lubeck]

I don't know if my lighting is suffiecient. I only have the 2-65w pc. It seems kinda dark but not sure. I would like to use the fuge as a algae scrubber. I am not sure if I can start though until I get the manifold done and make sure I get proper flow or consistent flow for that matter. I don't know what what type of flow I would need? I read somewhere it should be 10x the volume of the fuge or that the plants should sway or tumble.