|
11/22/2017, 08:05 AM | #276 | |
Registered Member
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Venice Island, FL
Posts: 2,532
|
Quote:
I also have the Photon v2. It has been running for 4 months but I am still messing with the settings, in fact I just raised the intensity last night. I used the Cadlights metrc bulkheads but I modified them to accept 1", 3/4" and 1/2" pipe. I use the 1"for my drain, 3/4" for my return and the 1/2" for my safety drain. Ideally the safety should at least as big as the main drain but that was not possible. I divert some water from my drain to my refugium and some water from my return line to supply my carbon reactor. I also could dump some return water into my refugium but there is no need at this point. All of the flow is regulated by gate valves.
__________________
John 100 gallon DT and 50 gallon sump with refugium. Reefbreeders Photon V2+. |
|
11/22/2017, 10:40 PM | #277 | |
Registered Member
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Delaware
Posts: 332
|
Quote:
I will probably just use the stock plumbing as my set up will be rather simple. I will run a couple of reactors and have a cryptic fuge I think. I have always wanted to experiment with that. I am planning to start out using kalkwasser in my ATO to manage calc/alk and see how that works over time. I am glad to hear things are improving with your tank. It was your tank that got me looking into the Artisian line and I decided to go big! I'll do a tank journal once I actually have the tank. I appreciate all the time you take in helping others out on this forum. Thank you. |
|
11/22/2017, 10:46 PM | #278 | |
Registered Member
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Delaware
Posts: 332
|
Quote:
|
|
11/24/2017, 03:26 PM | #279 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Jesup, Georgia (USA)
Posts: 387
|
Very nice build there Ron! I enjoyed your buildup and wife loves the aqua scape. We have been looking at upgrading from our 90 gal bow front to a larger tank, which besides the increase in footprint is also a considerable budgetary concern. I have been looking seriously at:
Red Sea Reefer 750XL at: 160 gallon/40 gallon sump (200 gallon total) 71" x 23.6" x 25.6" 34.7" tall stand Cad Lights 165G Artisan II: Rated at 165G?? 50 gallon sump ( Total ??) * 71" x 23.5" x 21.5" with a 36" tall stand * I was a little confused on the actual water volume on the Cad Lights units as it slightly smaller in dimensions. Both use good glass but Reefer uses thicker front glass I believe. Do you have any thoughts on your tank now that it has been set up for a while? Positive features? Any negatives to sump size as I was thinking of employing the Triton method. thanks in advance. Sincerely, David |
11/25/2017, 05:21 AM | #280 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Cape Coral, FL
Posts: 10,431
|
David, I'm at Sebring for the SCCA National Road Race and I'll reply on Sunday. Thanks.
__________________
The good thing about science is that it's true whether or not you believe in it. (Neil deGrasse Tyson) Visit my build thread http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2593017 |
12/22/2017, 06:35 AM | #281 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Cape Coral, FL
Posts: 10,431
|
Hey David, I don't know if you have moved forward with your decision yet or not, but here are some of my opinions. BTW, sorry for the long delay but life got in the way.
I did tank measurements and water volume calculations, but it was a long time ago and not really that important to me. If I remember correctly Red Sea doesn't take the water volume in the overflow into consideration and Cadlight (like everybody else) just uses the overall dimensions of the tank. If you use the Red Sea tank measurements and calculate the water volume it comes out at 185g not 160g. Sure the Cadlight uses a thinner glass, but it's euro braced and not rimless which makes a huge difference to the strength of the front and back. I really wanted the rimless tank and didn't care for the euro brace design. But the cost difference was way too much for me to ignore, so I got the Cadlight. Now, just over a year later, I love the euro brace. I have 3 DIY tanks that are rimless and water getting over the edge on running down the glass is cut by 95% with the euro brace (BTW, I play in my tanks a lot!). Also, I like having the euro brace to use as a shelf when I'm working in the tank. I can pull stuff out of the tank, like a dead snail or a crab carapace, and just set it on the rim until I'm done in the tank. I also move frags from 2 tanks in a back room to the 2 tanks out front and I often use a small container so I don't drip water everywhere. The container sits very securely on the euro brace. It was also easy to make a DIY screen top to sit on the euro brace. As for sumps, the Cadlight sump is bigger than the Red Sea. And the Red Sea is a tight fit in the stand as they section off about 25% to 33% for a dry compartment. The Cadlight stand is all open, but they don't utilize all the space. Personally, I don't like the Cadlight sump internal design. What is the small middle section for? Who uses sponge filter material anymore? So I am currently building a new sump that will fill the stand and have a bigger area for a bigger skimmer (I already own) and a refugium which I think is a very worthwhile feature on a marine aquarium system. The Cadlight skimmer is good, although it's touchy when it comes to water depth, so an auto top off is well advised. The main return pump is a lot like the current Jebao 12,000lph return pump and runs very quietly and puts out VERY little heat. I was very happy with the build quality of the stand, sump and tank. IMHO it's as good as Red Sea. I learned to like the euro brace. I love the open 'floor plan' stand so I can expand my sump. And both the Red Sea and Cadlight use metric fittings (a PITA if you ask me). The skimmer and pump are good, but you can delete them from your system and get a very fair reduction in cost. Long story short, I like the Cadlight a little bit more than the Red Sea and it cost me about 30% less delivered.
__________________
The good thing about science is that it's true whether or not you believe in it. (Neil deGrasse Tyson) Visit my build thread http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2593017 |
12/24/2017, 06:25 AM | #282 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Cape Coral, FL
Posts: 10,431
|
MERRY CHRISTMAS to all and to all a good night!
I got this ceramic ornament at Bonner's Christmas Store in Frankenmuth, Michigan.
__________________
The good thing about science is that it's true whether or not you believe in it. (Neil deGrasse Tyson) Visit my build thread http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2593017 |
12/24/2017, 06:43 AM | #283 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 527
|
As I read the first post all I could think of was for you to save the glass and build a whopping plywood tank. Would love to do this in my basement. Maybe something 14 ft long with two windows.
|
12/24/2017, 09:11 AM | #284 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Cape Coral, FL
Posts: 10,431
|
Actually I sold the 180g tank to a club member who was going to cut it apart, clean the glass and rebuild it. I'm kind of rare breed in this hobby. I've been around long enough to have gone up size from a 30g, to a 75g, to a 180g, to an additional 75g, to an additional 65g shallow tank and then start the trip back down with the 180g and 75g going away and replaced by a 125g and 50g. And soon the 65g shallow reef/frag tank will go away.
__________________
The good thing about science is that it's true whether or not you believe in it. (Neil deGrasse Tyson) Visit my build thread http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2593017 |
01/15/2018, 07:34 PM | #285 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Cape Coral, FL
Posts: 10,431
|
Yesterday my wife and I went out to the Lighthouse Beach on Sanibel and did some collecting. She collects shells and takes photos, I tear apart sponges looking for small critters. It was a fun day as we both have just started doing volunteer work for the Bailey Mathews National Shell Museum as Shell Ambassadors. We help the snowbirds and vacationers idea shells and explain the beach eco systems. I draw a lot of attention because I'm the only one tearing sponges apart.
Yesterday's collections: 4 yellow snapping shrimp (aka pistol shrimp) 3 green snapping shrimp 10-12 porcelain crabs in various sizes and colors 2 amenones Finally a sea squirt tunicate that is a bit bigger than a golf ball The tunicate in in my 65g shallow reef and has burried itself in the sand with just the tip of it's... it's... mouth(?) sticking out of the sand.
__________________
The good thing about science is that it's true whether or not you believe in it. (Neil deGrasse Tyson) Visit my build thread http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2593017 |
01/19/2018, 06:43 AM | #286 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Cape Coral, FL
Posts: 10,431
|
We did another beach walk Thursday. Low tide was 8:30am and the temperature outside was 37 degrees! Yikes!
I added a hitchhiker anemone, some macro algae and a 2nd sea squirt tunicate to the shallow reef. All the new additions earlier in the week seem to be doing fine.
__________________
The good thing about science is that it's true whether or not you believe in it. (Neil deGrasse Tyson) Visit my build thread http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2593017 |
03/15/2018, 08:54 PM | #287 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: SWFL
Posts: 1,219
|
crazy to think i have to look all around the internet to find someone that lives a town over for questions/answers lol. I have a redsea 525xl like you mentioned has similar size as your system. I to have had a battle with ideal LED coverage. had two ophek's and that didn't cove it then added kessil then switch and added multiple coral moon box led's. Very frustrating since i like a blanket of light covering everything similar to t5 but done with led's. Wanted to purchase 2 50 Photon V2's since i don't want any shadowing but i have concerns with the side since the fixture is 47.5 while the tank is 59. Please I'm not sure how the 100 degree angles look like. Love corals growing on the back glass and stuff, not sure if two of these will give me what i'm after. I'm up possibly purchasing 5 more moon box led's to match my other 5 cmb's which will give the coverage I'm looking for since they have 120 degree angle lens. Crazy what we do to have the type of light we want. BTW nice setup, you have some skill with building tanks. Impressive glass work! Hope to see you at the swfm club, only went to a few frag swaps, need to go to the next one. Best regards, Brad
__________________
525xl BB |
03/15/2018, 09:01 PM | #288 | |
Registered Member
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Sterling
Posts: 271
|
Quote:
Sent from my E6810 using Tapatalk |
|
03/18/2018, 05:43 AM | #289 | ||
Registered Member
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Cape Coral, FL
Posts: 10,431
|
Quote:
Quote:
The Rapid led idea is a good one if you have the time and desire to make your own fixture. Personally, I don't have the time or desire even thought I enjoy building things. You are welcome to to come over and see my tank I'll send you a PM with my email and phone #). The 50" Photon V2 does a pretty good job of covering the 60" tank at the ends. I wanted more fron to rear light and added the 2 led strips at the front and back and I'm very happy with the look. I can grow sps corals on the back glass and on the end glass.However, I'm currently moving away from so much sps and lps and more toward zoas and anemones (rock flowers and RBTA). I don't have any experience with the coral box leds. But I'd like to see your set up some time. Ron
__________________
The good thing about science is that it's true whether or not you believe in it. (Neil deGrasse Tyson) Visit my build thread http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2593017 |
||
03/21/2018, 03:52 PM | #290 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Posts: 132
|
great read from start to finish! I don't recall seeing this and I apologize if I missed it but, are you still running the crossflows? How are they holding up?
Looking forward for more updates on the tank! |
03/22/2018, 03:42 AM | #291 | |
Registered Member
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Cape Coral, FL
Posts: 10,431
|
Quote:
I have replaced 2 Crossflow motors in the unit I had in my 165g shallow reef which I recently tore down and sold. I would NOT buy a Crossflow or a Gyre again until they start using stronger motors. But that's just my opinion.
__________________
The good thing about science is that it's true whether or not you believe in it. (Neil deGrasse Tyson) Visit my build thread http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2593017 |
|
04/23/2018, 05:14 PM | #292 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Apr 2018
Posts: 0
|
Hi Ron,
could you please tell me how you plumbed the CAD125, I also have one but the metric plumbing is driving me crazy. I would love to change it all out but I dont know where to start. |
04/23/2018, 06:03 PM | #293 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Cape Coral, FL
Posts: 10,431
|
A half inch bulkhead works in the small hole (snug) and a 3/4" fit loosely in the big hole. Personally I was sorry I didn't drill a hole to create an emergency over flow outside the overflow box.
__________________
The good thing about science is that it's true whether or not you believe in it. (Neil deGrasse Tyson) Visit my build thread http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2593017 |
04/24/2018, 08:09 AM | #294 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Venice Island, FL
Posts: 2,532
|
I have a Cadlights 100 and was able to modify the metric fittings so I could have a 1"drain pipe, a 3/4" return and a 1/2" safety drain. The options are limited. Like Ron, I considered drilling the tank but decided against it because it voids the warranty and Cadlights CS sucks anyway and would use any excuse possible to get out of warranty issue.
__________________
John 100 gallon DT and 50 gallon sump with refugium. Reefbreeders Photon V2+. |
05/03/2018, 04:46 AM | #295 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Cape Coral, FL
Posts: 10,431
|
Well, after nearly 15 years of getting bigger and bigger tanks as well as more tanks, it's time to really downsize. I have already sold off my 65g shallow reef and my 20g frag tank along with the 120g sump and stand.
Now I'm working on re-setting my 50g cube with the anemones and a few corals I want from the 125g DT. Once I get that done, and get the last of my current algae issue resolved (it's almost gone after 3 months of work and changes) I'll be selling off the extra corals and the 125g tank, sump and stand. For starters, I have to ID some of my big zoa colonies. Anybody able to help ID this zoa? And yes, those 2 neon green things are 2 of my baby rock flower anemones. Two of my big ones had about 12 babies... that I've found so far! I think I know what it is, but I'm looking for confirmation. Thanks. BTW, if you are in SW Florida and interested my corals, send me a PM and we can talk.
__________________
The good thing about science is that it's true whether or not you believe in it. (Neil deGrasse Tyson) Visit my build thread http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2593017 |
05/04/2018, 08:22 AM | #296 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Venice Island, FL
Posts: 2,532
|
Wammin Watermelons?
__________________
John 100 gallon DT and 50 gallon sump with refugium. Reefbreeders Photon V2+. |
05/17/2018, 07:30 AM | #297 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Cape Coral, FL
Posts: 10,431
|
OK, I'm selling off corals from my 125g tank. And I'm looking at replacing my 50g cube (24"x24"x20") with a tank that fills the small stand. So the new tank would be 36"x24"x20". I'll be building a new sump as well. This is the cube I want to replace.
I'm going to build the tank and sump with 3/8th glass. I've made 5 other aquariums with black RTV silicone. But I'm considering doing these with 3M Co 5200 adhesive. Any thoughts would be appreciated. My stand is gloss white and the tank will be 36"x24"x20" and rimless with a white back glass. I think the white 5200 adhesive will look good with the stand. I'm 95% sure that 3M 5200 will hold the tank together at least as well as RTV silicone. Anybody have any thoughts on that point?
__________________
The good thing about science is that it's true whether or not you believe in it. (Neil deGrasse Tyson) Visit my build thread http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2593017 |
05/17/2018, 07:41 AM | #298 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Venice Island, FL
Posts: 2,532
|
Personally, I would stick with the RTV it is tried and proven. I think the black on white would look just fine. I also think you are making a good choice by going a little bigger. It is a nice compromise from your 125.
__________________
John 100 gallon DT and 50 gallon sump with refugium. Reefbreeders Photon V2+. |
05/19/2018, 05:37 AM | #299 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Cape Coral, FL
Posts: 10,431
|
I just heard from 3M Co (I used to work for 3M) and they said 5200 should work better than RTV silicone and can be bought in white or black versions (I intend to use white). They recommended that the areas I want kept clean should be taped off. The 5200 that squeezes out of the joints can be wiped off with a damp rag for longer than RTV silicone can as 5200 has a slow cure time (24-48 hours to tack free). They also said trying to scrape it off the glass after it cures may well prove VERY difficult.
__________________
The good thing about science is that it's true whether or not you believe in it. (Neil deGrasse Tyson) Visit my build thread http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2593017 |
|
|