Tore down my 180 last night
- Thread starter kogle
- Start date
kogle
Member
A couple pictures of the closed loop system. It's a dual pump set up running two little giant pumps that feed through clear check valves. I can check the flow of the pumps with a quick glance and if one pump gives out the god pump will close off the other check valve and sustain the sytem until I can swap the bad pump for a third little giant I keep around "just in case"
The pumps then feed water through an Ocean's Motions valve into individual shut off valves with built in unions. I wanted everything easily accessible on this tank and the tear down and rebuild has really let me improve all of those little things I said I would do differently next time. Enough talk, here's some pictures...
The pumps then feed water through an Ocean's Motions valve into individual shut off valves with built in unions. I wanted everything easily accessible on this tank and the tear down and rebuild has really let me improve all of those little things I said I would do differently next time. Enough talk, here's some pictures...
kogle
Member
Ok, a couple more pictures and then maybe some comments from all you addicts.
Here are some pictures of the lighting. 2 250 watt MH's, 1 400 watt MH, 300 watts of VHO super actinic, AAT 12 LED moonlight, and 130 watts of PC light over the fuge.
Everything on the canopy is on quick disconnects so if I have to get into the tank in a hurry I can unplug all of the lighting and just take the canopy off the tank and set it in the floor. The original plan was to put it on tracks so the canopy could just be slid out of the way but I ran into a ceiling fan being in the way.
Here are some pictures of the lighting. 2 250 watt MH's, 1 400 watt MH, 300 watts of VHO super actinic, AAT 12 LED moonlight, and 130 watts of PC light over the fuge.
Everything on the canopy is on quick disconnects so if I have to get into the tank in a hurry I can unplug all of the lighting and just take the canopy off the tank and set it in the floor. The original plan was to put it on tracks so the canopy could just be slid out of the way but I ran into a ceiling fan being in the way.
kogle
Member
Well my 180 has been up and running for a little over a month now so I decided to do my first water test. I was a little surprised at the results but here they are...
calcium is at 300
DKH is 14
Mg is 1950
So, I'm thinking about getting the calcium reactor up and running to help level these out. I'm really hoping the reason my calcium is so low is becasue my mg is so high...
I also think this is why my pH is a little on the low side and not so stable. Morning time it's at 8.0, mid day it's at 8.05 and right before the lights go out it's at 8.08 or so...
calcium is at 300
DKH is 14
Mg is 1950
So, I'm thinking about getting the calcium reactor up and running to help level these out. I'm really hoping the reason my calcium is so low is becasue my mg is so high...
I also think this is why my pH is a little on the low side and not so stable. Morning time it's at 8.0, mid day it's at 8.05 and right before the lights go out it's at 8.08 or so...
oceansidefish
Active Member
That tank is sure starting to shape back up nicely. I would love to have a 180 but it was that or buying a house. Living in So Cal with this market the house won. So the 60g will have to stick around a little longer. Glad to hear you may have found the souce of the problem. My thought was if you were on well/ground water that you could have had something in it your TDS was not really picking up (It can happen). The only way in that case to know would to take a Watercheck (National Testing Labs) to find out exactly what is in your water. I have recommended that to a few people in the hobby over the years. You would be surprised what you can find in well water even after its filtered.
kogle
Member
A good friend of mine helped tear down a 1000 gallon tank yesterday because of a leak and he brought me a bag of coraline algae to seed my tank. We turned off the closed loop and filtration and crushed up the coraline all over the rocks, left the water flow off for 2 hours and turned everything back on. I'll get some pictures this weekend. Nice to have a little color in there.
cveverly
Member
Being for the old school days I have bleached rocks/dead coral many times. So that got me thinking when I got back into the hobby this time.
My newest tank has been setup with lace rock that was bleached in our Jacuzzi tub. Just a little redneck coming out.
I filled the tank with distilled water. Added salt and mixed it for a day. Then I added the rinsed and dried bleached rocks. I bought dead dry sand for the bottom. So far nothing live but all pumps and skimmer running. I ran it like this for a couple weeks. NO LIGHTS.
I got one nice rock from a very clean and stable tank and added to my tank. I let that sit for about 4 weeks. Then I turned the actinic lighting increasing the time over a couple weeks.
I slowly added more lights and longer times. During this time I started dosing the tank with very small amounts of Vodka and sugar (carbon). I am using about .25ml and just enough sugar to cove the tip of a sharp knife. If I used too much sugar I see a film on the water surface. That is why I stress very small amounts.
After about 8 or 9 weeks from the start-up I bought a few snails, cleaner shrimp and a pair of very small banded gobies. I fed the tank very sparingly. I know this sounds odd but I never got a cycle. I have yet to detect any nitrates or phosphates.
Since then I have added a lot of SPS frags and a couple large LPS corals. Everything is growing great. I am adding 2 part and magnesium to keep up with the consumption.
This tank is now about 4 months old and I have never had any algae. I did have a very light case of diatoms for a couple of days.
I do a 2 gallon water change every couple of days. Once a month I do a 6 gallon water change. This is on a 46 gallon tank with no sump. I do have an old HOB power filter I use as a mini refugium and of course a good HOB skimmer.
Right or wrong … who knows. So far it is working but the whole thing might blowup any day. I do not recommend this procedure because I don't know the outcome yet.
I am going to wait another month or so and add a pair of clowns. I hope the extra feeding and waste doe not upset the balance.
I was going to start a thread on this process after it reached 6 months but I thought I would add my process to your thread.
Good luck with your 180!
My newest tank has been setup with lace rock that was bleached in our Jacuzzi tub. Just a little redneck coming out.
I filled the tank with distilled water. Added salt and mixed it for a day. Then I added the rinsed and dried bleached rocks. I bought dead dry sand for the bottom. So far nothing live but all pumps and skimmer running. I ran it like this for a couple weeks. NO LIGHTS.
I got one nice rock from a very clean and stable tank and added to my tank. I let that sit for about 4 weeks. Then I turned the actinic lighting increasing the time over a couple weeks.
I slowly added more lights and longer times. During this time I started dosing the tank with very small amounts of Vodka and sugar (carbon). I am using about .25ml and just enough sugar to cove the tip of a sharp knife. If I used too much sugar I see a film on the water surface. That is why I stress very small amounts.
After about 8 or 9 weeks from the start-up I bought a few snails, cleaner shrimp and a pair of very small banded gobies. I fed the tank very sparingly. I know this sounds odd but I never got a cycle. I have yet to detect any nitrates or phosphates.
Since then I have added a lot of SPS frags and a couple large LPS corals. Everything is growing great. I am adding 2 part and magnesium to keep up with the consumption.
This tank is now about 4 months old and I have never had any algae. I did have a very light case of diatoms for a couple of days.
I do a 2 gallon water change every couple of days. Once a month I do a 6 gallon water change. This is on a 46 gallon tank with no sump. I do have an old HOB power filter I use as a mini refugium and of course a good HOB skimmer.
Right or wrong … who knows. So far it is working but the whole thing might blowup any day. I do not recommend this procedure because I don't know the outcome yet.
I am going to wait another month or so and add a pair of clowns. I hope the extra feeding and waste doe not upset the balance.
I was going to start a thread on this process after it reached 6 months but I thought I would add my process to your thread.
Good luck with your 180!
kogle
Member
Sounds fairly similar to the method I'm using. The keys being base sand and rock and no light for the bacterial cycle part of things. After all a tank doesn't need light to cycle and you can add anything you need to a base tank, it's very hard to get rid of certain things...
Oh yea, and LOT'S of patience. I don't think either of these methods would be good for someone who can't just sit and stare at a mostly white and bare tank...
You know what they say, Go Slow, Let It Grow...
Oh yea, and LOT'S of patience. I don't think either of these methods would be good for someone who can't just sit and stare at a mostly white and bare tank...
You know what they say, Go Slow, Let It Grow...
kogle
Member
Well I'm already having issues with this thing. I can't seem to keep my ORP levels up. It stays around 280 and it should be 350 to 420... Also, my pH has been low the past couple of days. It's staying around 8.0.
I'm stumped. I even fired up the calcium reactor to help raise the calcium levels and eat up some of the mg.
I'm stumped. I even fired up the calcium reactor to help raise the calcium levels and eat up some of the mg.
mjweber
Member
I completely feel your pain. As of now my tank is slowly being taken over by this invasive macro algae which people on this board have so kindly identified as a kind of Kelp. I've tried everything too, including reduced photo-periods, overstocking a cleanup crew, Removing all the rock and keeping it in the dark for a month, buying 3 Sea Hares. Nothing seems to work, this algae just keeps coming back.
I totally understand why you went so extreme to rid yourself of your algae problem. I think I'll try what you did, but I have a much smaller tank (30 gal) so hopefully it won't be as hard emptying it out. Your tank is coming along nicely, I hope my attempt will be as successful as yours.
I totally understand why you went so extreme to rid yourself of your algae problem. I think I'll try what you did, but I have a much smaller tank (30 gal) so hopefully it won't be as hard emptying it out. Your tank is coming along nicely, I hope my attempt will be as successful as yours.
acrylic51
Active Member
Don't mean to jump in here....but I didn't see anything wrong with your bleach idea......1 thing I did notice in 1 of your pics is your filter sock!!!!! How often do you change it? They are nice to use, but honestly they should be changed out almost every other day IMO.......Looks good though......Give the filter socks a good bleaching and dry till you can't smell the bleach on them, and good as new.....
kogle
Member
Originally Posted by mjweber
http:///forum/post/2728804
I completely feel your pain. As of now my tank is slowly being taken over by this invasive macro algae which people on this board have so kindly identified as a kind of Kelp. I've tried everything too, including reduced photo-periods, overstocking a cleanup crew, Removing all the rock and keeping it in the dark for a month, buying 3 Sea Hares. Nothing seems to work, this algae just keeps coming back.
I totally understand why you went so extreme to rid yourself of your algae problem. I think I'll try what you did, but I have a much smaller tank (30 gal) so hopefully it won't be as hard emptying it out. Your tank is coming along nicely, I hope my attempt will be as successful as yours.
Yes, the 30 gallon will be much easier. I'm actually getting ready to bleach a friends 30 gallon they lost in the floods here back in June.
Originally Posted by acrylic51
http:///forum/post/2729480
Don't mean to jump in here....but I didn't see anything wrong with your bleach idea......1 thing I did notice in 1 of your pics is your filter sock!!!!! How often do you change it? They are nice to use, but honestly they should be changed out almost every other day IMO.......Looks good though......Give the filter socks a good bleaching and dry till you can't smell the bleach on them, and good as new.....
No problem acrylic51, I wash the filter sock out about once per week which like you said is insufficient especially with the skimmer not running yet. I'm actually thinking about just leaving it off most of the time and maybe just adding it for 5-7 days out of the month to "polish" the water.
http:///forum/post/2728804
I completely feel your pain. As of now my tank is slowly being taken over by this invasive macro algae which people on this board have so kindly identified as a kind of Kelp. I've tried everything too, including reduced photo-periods, overstocking a cleanup crew, Removing all the rock and keeping it in the dark for a month, buying 3 Sea Hares. Nothing seems to work, this algae just keeps coming back.
I totally understand why you went so extreme to rid yourself of your algae problem. I think I'll try what you did, but I have a much smaller tank (30 gal) so hopefully it won't be as hard emptying it out. Your tank is coming along nicely, I hope my attempt will be as successful as yours.
Yes, the 30 gallon will be much easier. I'm actually getting ready to bleach a friends 30 gallon they lost in the floods here back in June.
Originally Posted by acrylic51
http:///forum/post/2729480
Don't mean to jump in here....but I didn't see anything wrong with your bleach idea......1 thing I did notice in 1 of your pics is your filter sock!!!!! How often do you change it? They are nice to use, but honestly they should be changed out almost every other day IMO.......Looks good though......Give the filter socks a good bleaching and dry till you can't smell the bleach on them, and good as new.....
No problem acrylic51, I wash the filter sock out about once per week which like you said is insufficient especially with the skimmer not running yet. I'm actually thinking about just leaving it off most of the time and maybe just adding it for 5-7 days out of the month to "polish" the water.
cveverly
Member
Do you think running you skimmer would help raise your ORP levels? Anything to help with oxygenation may raise your ORP and PH. I have been running full flow and the skimmer as soon as the rock was introduced. My PH has been right on 8.2. I do not test for OPR level.
Are you using cO2 with your reactor? I understand that can cause low PH. See link http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-09/rhf/index.php
I am a little concerned about the magnesium levels. I also have high magnesium (but not that high). What salt are you using?
Are you using cO2 with your reactor? I understand that can cause low PH. See link http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-09/rhf/index.php
I am a little concerned about the magnesium levels. I also have high magnesium (but not that high). What salt are you using?
kogle
Member
Originally Posted by cveverly
http:///forum/post/2730212
Do you think running you skimmer would help raise your ORP levels? Anything to help with oxygenation may raise your ORP and PH. I have been running full flow and the skimmer as soon as the rock was introduced. My PH has been right on 8.2. I do not test for OPR level.
Are you using cO2 with your reactor? I understand that can cause low PH. See link http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-09/rhf/index.php
I am a little concerned about the magnesium levels. I also have high magnesium (but not that high). What salt are you using?
I think running the skimmer might help but I want to wait until the tank has been running for 6 months before firing up the skimmer. Just want to give the tank time to settle in. I am using Co2 with my reactor but it's run by a Lighthouse controller that uses a pH probe to turn the solenoid on and off based on output pH readings.
I'm using Instant Ocean salt and I'm pretty sure that's the culprit. I had a friend buy a bucket the same day I did and his mg is at exactly the same level. Wish I could find some calcium chloride locally to raise the calcium and bring down the mg some...
Yes Bigarn this does seem like it's taking forever. I think even the fish in QT are getting impatient!!!
Wish I knew how to change the thread title to something like 180 back up and running!!!
http:///forum/post/2730212
Do you think running you skimmer would help raise your ORP levels? Anything to help with oxygenation may raise your ORP and PH. I have been running full flow and the skimmer as soon as the rock was introduced. My PH has been right on 8.2. I do not test for OPR level.
Are you using cO2 with your reactor? I understand that can cause low PH. See link http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-09/rhf/index.php
I am a little concerned about the magnesium levels. I also have high magnesium (but not that high). What salt are you using?
I think running the skimmer might help but I want to wait until the tank has been running for 6 months before firing up the skimmer. Just want to give the tank time to settle in. I am using Co2 with my reactor but it's run by a Lighthouse controller that uses a pH probe to turn the solenoid on and off based on output pH readings.
I'm using Instant Ocean salt and I'm pretty sure that's the culprit. I had a friend buy a bucket the same day I did and his mg is at exactly the same level. Wish I could find some calcium chloride locally to raise the calcium and bring down the mg some...
Yes Bigarn this does seem like it's taking forever. I think even the fish in QT are getting impatient!!!
Wish I knew how to change the thread title to something like 180 back up and running!!!
kogle
Member
Well here's an update from this past weekend. Tested my water again and here's what came out,
Calcium is at 440 - 460
Mag is at 1150
Dkh is at 14.1
Still have trouble with keeping my pH steady so I went ahead and fired up the fuge lights last night for the first night. It was a little higher this morning than it has been. I'm going to dose some mag tonight and see how much that changes the chemistry. Also looking into adding the clean up crew sometime this week. Just need to figure out what I want...
I'll be firing up the MH's in 3 weeks and adding my first corals and another fish from the QT tank. It's getting close...
Calcium is at 440 - 460
Mag is at 1150
Dkh is at 14.1
Still have trouble with keeping my pH steady so I went ahead and fired up the fuge lights last night for the first night. It was a little higher this morning than it has been. I'm going to dose some mag tonight and see how much that changes the chemistry. Also looking into adding the clean up crew sometime this week. Just need to figure out what I want...
I'll be firing up the MH's in 3 weeks and adding my first corals and another fish from the QT tank. It's getting close...