MrX's Build (Started 03/01/2020)
- Thread starter MrX
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MrX
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Shrimp is in and marinating. Also dumped in a bottle of BIO-Spira; got a second bottle waiting in the wings. May dump it in tonight.
Put the heater and thermostat/digital temp probe in the sump last night. Temp is up to about 75F now.
I calibrated the RODI with the BRS Refracto Juice; the meter was a little high so had to bring it down some. Added a little more salt, salinity appears to be at 1.025 or so. Will bump that up a little more tonight.
Put the heater and thermostat/digital temp probe in the sump last night. Temp is up to about 75F now.
I calibrated the RODI with the BRS Refracto Juice; the meter was a little high so had to bring it down some. Added a little more salt, salinity appears to be at 1.025 or so. Will bump that up a little more tonight.
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MrX
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Ink Bird thermostat was set to 79, heater was cranked up to 90. I bumped the ink bird up to 80.
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MrX
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Tank is still cycling... latest tests look promising but I'm just letting it do it's thing. Waiting for some algae to start up and then I'll order a clean up crew.
Still waiting on the Coral Box pump.
Ordered another pair of wire hangers for the canopy, along with 2 Penn Plax Silent Air B11 pumps for emergencies. Amazon shipping is delayed given the current pandemic so it'll be a while before I order the Tunze 3155 ATO and some rigid tubing to go with the air pumps.
The other day I replaced the screw eye-hooks on the canopy with bolt eye-hooks, washers, and lock nuts. I also added a second set a little further to the back. This will help with leveling the canopy (not to mention give me piece of mind).
Today I went to add the new hanger wires when they arrived. Of course (QC for the WINZ!) both of them were pulled back into the locking mechanism. One slid through no issues. The other was jammed/kinked inside it. While trying to get it through (1 strand was stuck) during my conference call I slipped and sliced myself with the tiny screw driver. Finally I just took it apart, pulled out the wire, cut the cable, and put it all back together. The 3 little ball-bearings in there are PITA to put back in place.
Wondering if I should hit someone up (looking at you @mnavick) and trade a cup of sand to add some more diversity to the tank/startup. Thoughts people?
Still waiting on the Coral Box pump.
Ordered another pair of wire hangers for the canopy, along with 2 Penn Plax Silent Air B11 pumps for emergencies. Amazon shipping is delayed given the current pandemic so it'll be a while before I order the Tunze 3155 ATO and some rigid tubing to go with the air pumps.
The other day I replaced the screw eye-hooks on the canopy with bolt eye-hooks, washers, and lock nuts. I also added a second set a little further to the back. This will help with leveling the canopy (not to mention give me piece of mind).
Today I went to add the new hanger wires when they arrived. Of course (QC for the WINZ!) both of them were pulled back into the locking mechanism. One slid through no issues. The other was jammed/kinked inside it. While trying to get it through (1 strand was stuck) during my conference call I slipped and sliced myself with the tiny screw driver. Finally I just took it apart, pulled out the wire, cut the cable, and put it all back together. The 3 little ball-bearings in there are PITA to put back in place.
Wondering if I should hit someone up (looking at you @mnavick) and trade a cup of sand to add some more diversity to the tank/startup. Thoughts people?
afboundguy
Acan's are inedible candy
Looking awesome... So wish I had the funds and ability to snag this tank when it was for sale. It's the perfect size big tank I'd want to do...
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MrX
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Given my history of only lasting 2-3 years (or less) with each tank you might get another shot at it.
You should guide my equipment choices now so you have what you want later. *grin*
afboundguy
Acan's are inedible candy
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MrX
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I see you left a spot just for the extra sand
Also ow, screwdrivers are mean.
Sure, that's exactly what I did. lol.
I haven't "dialed in" the wave makers yet. Figure I can do that after the cycle/etc.
Good thing I was on mute during the conference call. The client would not have appreciated the words that burst forth when that happened.
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MrX
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First fish are in! A pair of small Picasso Clownfish from @Jond51. Super quick and easy transaction! Thanks again.
After a quick acclimation and drip into the tank they went.
The larger of the two immediately swam into one of the caves/overhangs. The smaller one I coaxed into the same area so they'd stay with each other.
After a couple hours they came out of the cave and are now exploring that end of the tank a little bit.
Edit to add: They are named Cora and Rona. MrsX named them. SonX wanted Curtis and Schnerdus. DaughterX wanted Han and Leia. There was a random draw, MrsX won.
After a quick acclimation and drip into the tank they went.
The larger of the two immediately swam into one of the caves/overhangs. The smaller one I coaxed into the same area so they'd stay with each other.
After a couple hours they came out of the cave and are now exploring that end of the tank a little bit.
Edit to add: They are named Cora and Rona. MrsX named them. SonX wanted Curtis and Schnerdus. DaughterX wanted Han and Leia. There was a random draw, MrsX won.
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absolutecarrot
Non-member
This tank is awesome
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MrX
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Tunze Osmolator 3155 arrived today. For beginners/neophytes this is an automatic top-off pump. As water evaporates from the tank it detects the level going down and will pump in replacement water. Now instead of checking every day I just have to check the 5-gallon supply bucket every 4-5 days (depending on evap rate).
Also added another power strip in the cabinet and moved some things around.
Cora and Rona appear to be doing well. Scared me for a minute this morning when I could only find one of them. Tried feeding them but they don't appear interested in eating yet. One of the two has a white dot (no, not Ich) at the base of their tail fins, need to ask MrsX which one that is.
If I can figure it out I'll upload a video.
Also added another power strip in the cabinet and moved some things around.
Cora and Rona appear to be doing well. Scared me for a minute this morning when I could only find one of them. Tried feeding them but they don't appear interested in eating yet. One of the two has a white dot (no, not Ich) at the base of their tail fins, need to ask MrsX which one that is.
If I can figure it out I'll upload a video.
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MrX
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Picked up an anemone and some corals from Pablo at @MofoCorals today. Everything is doing well so far.
Here's the first set of corals in the tank:
Pics taken with a GoPro, inside the tank. Snapped an extra pic of Cora and Rona while I was there.
Thanks Pablo! Will be back again soon!
Here's the first set of corals in the tank:
- Captain America's
- Sunny D's
- Rasta
- Bob Marley's
- Gods of War
- Purple Monsters
- Long Lash Eagle Eyes
- Orange Ricordia
Pics taken with a GoPro, inside the tank. Snapped an extra pic of Cora and Rona while I was there.
Thanks Pablo! Will be back again soon!
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MrX
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Some additional pictures of the corals/nem.
Had a scare this morning and thought the nem decided to have a clown-snack overnight. It was all closed up with a big bump in the middle; about the size of the clown I couldn't find!! After looking around and not seeing it I thought "awww, damn". Then DaughterX found it swimming around -- it was in the back, behind the rocks, in one corner of the backwall and center overflow.
Clowns are still doing well though. They are starting to chow down when I feed them.
Today I also finished up the emergency air bubblers.
The nem was pulled in even tighter than this when I thought it was clown-munching. I should have realized it was just cause the lights hadn't come on for the day. This is after I turned on the lights looking for the clown when the nem started to come back out.
Had a scare this morning and thought the nem decided to have a clown-snack overnight. It was all closed up with a big bump in the middle; about the size of the clown I couldn't find!! After looking around and not seeing it I thought "awww, damn". Then DaughterX found it swimming around -- it was in the back, behind the rocks, in one corner of the backwall and center overflow.
Clowns are still doing well though. They are starting to chow down when I feed them.
Today I also finished up the emergency air bubblers.
The nem was pulled in even tighter than this when I thought it was clown-munching. I should have realized it was just cause the lights hadn't come on for the day. This is after I turned on the lights looking for the clown when the nem started to come back out.
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MrX
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Ordered two new heaters, Eheim Jager Aquarium Thermostat Heater 300W, that arrived yesterday. Damn those things are LOOONNNNGGGG!
So long, they won't fix anywhere in the sump and be completely submersed.
They've been returned and I've got a couple 200W versions coming on Sunday I think.
Today my first clean up crew from Reef Cleaners arrived. Snails only until some more algae starts to develop. Post Office was a day late getting them here, but they seem to be okay.
Nice to see more movement in the tank.
So long, they won't fix anywhere in the sump and be completely submersed.
They've been returned and I've got a couple 200W versions coming on Sunday I think.
Today my first clean up crew from Reef Cleaners arrived. Snails only until some more algae starts to develop. Post Office was a day late getting them here, but they seem to be okay.
Nice to see more movement in the tank.
FREAKINRICAN69
Well-Known Member
Very nice work chief following along.
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MrX
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Got the replacement Eheim Jager Aquarium Thermostat Heaters in a day or two ago. These are 200W instead of 300W, and about 2" shorter. I can now fit them in the sump and fully submerge them.
The new heaters are in place, but not plugged in. Need to read the InkBird thermostat controller manual and make sure I have it setup right for both outlets. Then I'll straighten out some of the wiring and pull out the old heater.
One other thing I (re-)remembered... heaters have to be "in the flow". I couldn't figure out why the tank temp kept fluctuating, then I remembered this. I moved the original heater into the return chamber and the temp stays pretty steady now. With the two new heaters positioned where they are now I think my heat issues will be completely resolved (fluctuation and overworking the single 200W).
I also ordered a couple 14" 200-micron filter socks and a new filter sock holder. The filter cup that came with the setup doesn't really fit in the holder, nor is it deep enough to allow me to put anything in it.
Not sure if I mentioned it before, but I tossed all the "Life Rock" pieces I won at FFM into the sump. Figured it was better there than just sitting in the basement doing nothing. Additional bacteria foundation, eventual pod hiding places, and will eventually use to mount frags for DT placement or sale.
The only other change is the addition of two Banggai Cardinals. Not sure if they are male/female but I've got my fingers crossed. When they went into the tank they get separated. A day or two later they found each other again and have pretty much been inseparable.
The new heaters are in place, but not plugged in. Need to read the InkBird thermostat controller manual and make sure I have it setup right for both outlets. Then I'll straighten out some of the wiring and pull out the old heater.
One other thing I (re-)remembered... heaters have to be "in the flow". I couldn't figure out why the tank temp kept fluctuating, then I remembered this. I moved the original heater into the return chamber and the temp stays pretty steady now. With the two new heaters positioned where they are now I think my heat issues will be completely resolved (fluctuation and overworking the single 200W).
I also ordered a couple 14" 200-micron filter socks and a new filter sock holder. The filter cup that came with the setup doesn't really fit in the holder, nor is it deep enough to allow me to put anything in it.
Not sure if I mentioned it before, but I tossed all the "Life Rock" pieces I won at FFM into the sump. Figured it was better there than just sitting in the basement doing nothing. Additional bacteria foundation, eventual pod hiding places, and will eventually use to mount frags for DT placement or sale.
The only other change is the addition of two Banggai Cardinals. Not sure if they are male/female but I've got my fingers crossed. When they went into the tank they get separated. A day or two later they found each other again and have pretty much been inseparable.
