Mr and Mrs Reef - 290g in wall build - Page 9

MrsReefK · 05/17/2016, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dave.m

Your continual weekly water testing should tell you when you need to add your filters. Yes, I would start your refugium on a reverse photo-period from the start.

Dave.M

Thanks Dave! What am I looking for in the continual water testing that triggers the need for GFO and carbon? I should've worded that differently originally.

dave.m · 05/17/2016, 08:15 PM

Granulated Activated Carbon (GAC) pulls out dissolved bio matter, including stuff that makes the water yellow. Some people take a white plastic card and colour in half of it with yellow permanent marker. If you can dip the card into the tank about halfway in and halfway down and can't see the difference between yellow and white it is time to change out your GAC (old Albert Thiel trick). You can begin using GAC now that you have started the living processes in your tank.

Granulated Ferric Oxide (GFO) is used to control phosphates (although it can also affect some other mineral balances in the water). Start testing for phosphates now.

Dave.M

MrsReefK · 05/18/2016, 06:30 AM

Dave, THANK YOU for the explanation!!

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damienpbuckley · 05/18/2016, 07:12 AM

This is epic. Subscribed & tuning in from Brisbane (Australia). G'day!

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EagleI · 05/18/2016, 08:52 AM

Just wanted to say thank you for sharing and what an awesome build. I'm in the very early stages of a 240g and you guys have already helped me learn a lot. Will follow this one for sure.

MrsReefK · 05/18/2016, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EagleI

Just wanted to say thank you for sharing and what an awesome build. I'm in the very early stages of a 240g and you guys have already helped me learn a lot. Will follow this one for sure.

Thanks! Good luck on your build, looking forward to hearing about it. I kick myself because we didn't share everything along the way that we should have. I'll be better now and share!

It's an adventure though. I thought I'd have fish in about two months ago, and I'm happy we didn't, so much has changed in two months of how things have went.

Take it slow, do it right - from the beginning!

EagleI · 05/18/2016, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrsReefK

Thanks! Good luck on your build, looking forward to hearing about it. I kick myself because we didn't share everything along the way that we should have. I'll be better now and share!

It's an adventure though. I thought I'd have fish in about two months ago, and I'm happy we didn't, so much has changed in two months of how things have went.

Take it slow, do it right - from the beginning!

I agree %100. A reef is a long term investment, build it to last. I can't stress enough how strongly I believe in buying the top of the line equipment because after a couple years, it will always pay off.

And yes, I'll have a thread up in just a few weeks. Great way to take a personal log of your progress whilst sharing and learning from the community.

MrsReefK · 05/18/2016, 08:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EagleI

I agree %100. A reef is a long term investment, build it to last. I can't stress enough how strongly I believe in buying the top of the line equipment because after a couple years, it will always pay off.

And yes, I'll have a thread up in just a few weeks. Great way to take a personal log of your progress whilst sharing and learning from the community.

Absolutely, we are extremely happy with all of the purchases we've made so far. Can't wait to get everything up and running.

Can't wait to follow your thread, let us know when it's up and going, we will tag along!

MrsReefK · 05/23/2016, 11:24 AM

Well, fish didn't go in over the weekend as we planned, they ARE going in Thursday night.

Reason #1 - Jeremy has to finish buffing the outside of the tank and we ran out of Novus. I don't want to put the fish in, then scare the crap out of them running a buffer for awhile. So, need to get that done first.

Reason #2 - we are emptying most of the tank into brutes tonight, all but about 2-3 inches of water. We need to get more sand out, and cleans off the rocks, they're covered too. Yes yes yes, this could all be done with water in, but with no tank mates.... Why not prevent a major dust storm?

I'll take pics tonight, should be interesting. While the tanks empty I'm taking the opp to glue some rocks together that I missed the first time around. (Also could be done with water in, but easier to deal without it). We are using the Tunze coral gum I believe it's called. I'll let you know what we think of it.

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MrsReefK · 05/23/2016, 08:46 PM

Not so impressed with the tunze coral gum. Apparently I need to look up how to use it for rock work, it made a "base" for the rock to sit in, but was hoping for more structural glue type.

Tank was emptied, sand fixed, and refilled. Holy POD's galore!! Tank is full of them. Great to see it.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

MrsReefK · 05/23/2016, 08:49 PM

Tried putting on our MP40's (new) on our back 3/4". Guess what? The magnets don't even catch each other barely. When they do... The wet and dry side both slide to the bottom of the tank. I am on my way next to email eco tech, will keep you updated.

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McPuff · 05/24/2016, 06:31 AM

I recommend D & D Aquascape putty. I used to always use Water Weld putty but the DD stuff is better. It is already a coraline algae color, it's tackier in water, and it sticks without the aid of super glue gel. I don't think I'll go back to Water Weld.

MrsReefK · 05/24/2016, 07:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by McPuff

I recommend D & D Aquascape putty. I used to always use Water Weld putty but the DD stuff is better. It is already a coraline algae color, it's tackier in water, and it sticks without the aid of super glue gel. I don't think I'll go back to Water Weld.

Thanks! I'll be ordering some this week. For the price of the coral gum, I guess I'll keep it around for frags.

Disclaimer: it could be user error. But it didn't hold the rocks together at all, only made a nice footing for the rock to settle into. Positive - it's coraline color.

MrsReefK · 05/24/2016, 10:49 AM

Big news!!!! We're getting something done AHEAD of schedule! Fish are going in.... TONIGHT! I cannot wait.

MP40's are a no go on our 3/4" panel on the back. Really really bummed about this. Bummed broke the seal on the packaging so def can't return them. Not sure what to go to for a replacement. We will have to start researching options. MP40's do fine on the side panels, 5/8". Not as strong as i had hoped, but they work. If they start to fall off like stories I've heard of, we may switch all 4 out to something different. We shall see!

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dave.m · 05/24/2016, 12:00 PM

Does the outside part open up? Can you put a stronger magnet inside? (would definitely nuke any warranty). You could also sell them as used pumps and get some of your money back.

Dave.M

MrsReefK · 05/24/2016, 12:20 PM

I have a call into Ecotech before we look at other options. Not sure what they'll suggest being its not 1 that's not working or faulty. It's all 4 that won't stay. I'll keep y'all updated with what they say. They requested pictures of measuring the thickness of the pain and of our setup, sent those over to them this morning.

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MrsReefK · 05/24/2016, 08:13 PM

WE HAVE FISH!!

Powder brown tang
Starry Blenny
Two clowns (1 orange/1 black)

Bristle star to the fuge
To the DT:
Blue tuxedo
Few hermits
Two cleaner shrimp

We have official life in the tank guys!

Chaeto is in the mail and hitting the fuge Friday.

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reefchile · 05/24/2016, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrsReefK

Big news!!!! We're getting something done AHEAD of schedule! Fish are going in.... TONIGHT! I cannot wait.

MP40's are a no go on our 3/4" panel on the back. Really really bummed about this. Bummed broke the seal on the packaging so def can't return them. Not sure what to go to for a replacement. We will have to start researching options. MP40's do fine on the side panels, 5/8". Not as strong as i had hoped, but they work. If they start to fall off like stories I've heard of, we may switch all 4 out to something different. We shall see!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Did you asked to ecotech marine? They say MP40 works for 0,75 inches!!

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reefchile · 05/24/2016, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by reefchile

Did you asked to ecotech marine? They say MP40 works for 0,75 inches!!

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I already see your least email.
I hope they support you on this.

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MrsReefK · 05/24/2016, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by reefchile

Did you asked to ecotech marine? They say MP40 works for 0,75 inches!!

Enviado desde mi iPhone utilizando Tapatalk

Yes, they requested pictures of the thickness of panel with a ruler and pictures of the setup. They are supposed to be getting back with me.

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MrsReefK · 05/25/2016, 06:11 PM

Verdict is in. Ecotech confirmed the MP40s aren't going to work on our 3/4" tank. They said we "must be slightly over 3/4". Picture def shows it being at or even slightly under.

Bummed. We opened all 4 packages to see if they'd work. Now we can't return them. Looks like two will be going up for sale.

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MrReefK · 05/30/2016, 05:18 AM

I used I micrometer to check the thickness today. .735 thick I would think they would under rate them a little bit not over rate there product. We both thought a lot of ecotech before this "look at all we have bought from them" and all they can say is yep there not going to work! The least they could do is offer our money back because we open them to try them we can't take them back. I guess mo60 will hold but I don't really want that big of a head showing nor do I want to shell out the cash that kind of cash to ecotech again.

So I'm looking for other ideas for power heads now. I like the idea of 2 gyre 150 on each end of the tank tank. Anyone out there with a 300 gallon tank running 2 of these?? Do you think 2 is enough flow?

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conan75 · 05/30/2016, 09:30 AM

I am putting a 300 gallon 10'x24"x26" in my dining room and I am using 2 gyre 150s in it...I bought one for my 135 gallon to see how good it is and I am extremely impressed...I had 3 of the high end Sicce powerheads in my 135 and the gyre replaced them all and the water flow is noticeably better with just its self running...I will have one on each end hooked to a wave maker..simple and very effective...

sfsuphysics · 05/30/2016, 10:57 AM

Yeah I wouldnt trust Ecotech on their spec limitations. Some time back people with glass Leemar tanks reported something similar as you got closer to that .75 inch threshhold. Heck on my smallerLeeamar I adjusted the spacers exactly as required via instructions, yet the magnet was a bit too strong, and actually pulled too hard on the wet side pulling the entire impeller assembly through the plastic housing... and yeah they tried to blame me on that too

MrsReefK · 05/31/2016, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by conan75

I am putting a 300 gallon 10'x24"x26" in my dining room and I am using 2 gyre 150s in it...I bought one for my 135 gallon to see how good it is and I am extremely impressed...I had 3 of the high end Sicce powerheads in my 135 and the gyre replaced them all and the water flow is noticeably better with just its self running...I will have one on each end hooked to a wave maker..simple and very effective...

Awesome! We are really leaning towards these. Glad to hear you've had good experience.

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05/17/2016, 08:15 PM	#202
dave.m Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Canadia Posts: 4,276	Granulated Activated Carbon (GAC) pulls out dissolved bio matter, including stuff that makes the water yellow. Some people take a white plastic card and colour in half of it with yellow permanent marker. If you can dip the card into the tank about halfway in and halfway down and can't see the difference between yellow and white it is time to change out your GAC (old Albert Thiel trick). You can begin using GAC now that you have started the living processes in your tank. Granulated Ferric Oxide (GFO) is used to control phosphates (although it can also affect some other mineral balances in the water). Start testing for phosphates now. Dave.M __________________ My Gawd! It's full of corals! Current Tank Info: None. Nil. Zip. Nada.

05/24/2016, 12:00 PM	#215
dave.m Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Canadia Posts: 4,276	Does the outside part open up? Can you put a stronger magnet inside? (would definitely nuke any warranty). You could also sell them as used pumps and get some of your money back. Dave.M __________________ My Gawd! It's full of corals! Current Tank Info: None. Nil. Zip. Nada.

05/24/2016, 08:13 PM	#217
MrsReefK Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2015 Posts: 981	Mr and Mrs Reef - 290g in wall build WE HAVE FISH!! Powder brown tang Starry Blenny Two clowns (1 orange/1 black) Bristle star to the fuge To the DT: Blue tuxedo Few hermits Two cleaner shrimp We have official life in the tank guys! Chaeto is in the mail and hitting the fuge Friday. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

05/30/2016, 10:57 AM	#224
sfsuphysics Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: San Francisco Posts: 9,103	Yeah I wouldnt trust Ecotech on their spec limitations. Some time back people with glass Leemar tanks reported something similar as you got closer to that .75 inch threshhold. Heck on my smallerLeeamar I adjusted the spacers exactly as required via instructions, yet the magnet was a bit too strong, and actually pulled too hard on the wet side pulling the entire impeller assembly through the plastic housing... and yeah they tried to blame me on that too __________________ Mike

05/18/2016, 06:30 AM	#203
MrsReefK Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2015 Posts: 981	Dave, THANK YOU for the explanation!! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

05/18/2016, 07:12 AM	#204
damienpbuckley Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2015 Posts: 41	This is epic. Subscribed & tuning in from Brisbane (Australia). G'day! Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

05/18/2016, 08:52 AM	#205
EagleI Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: So-Cal Posts: 54	Just wanted to say thank you for sharing and what an awesome build. I'm in the very early stages of a 240g and you guys have already helped me learn a lot. Will follow this one for sure.

05/23/2016, 11:24 AM	#209
MrsReefK Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2015 Posts: 981	Well, fish didn't go in over the weekend as we planned, they ARE going in Thursday night. Reason #1 - Jeremy has to finish buffing the outside of the tank and we ran out of Novus. I don't want to put the fish in, then scare the crap out of them running a buffer for awhile. So, need to get that done first. Reason #2 - we are emptying most of the tank into brutes tonight, all but about 2-3 inches of water. We need to get more sand out, and cleans off the rocks, they're covered too. Yes yes yes, this could all be done with water in, but with no tank mates.... Why not prevent a major dust storm? I'll take pics tonight, should be interesting. While the tanks empty I'm taking the opp to glue some rocks together that I missed the first time around. (Also could be done with water in, but easier to deal without it). We are using the Tunze coral gum I believe it's called. I'll let you know what we think of it. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

05/23/2016, 08:46 PM	#210
MrsReefK Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2015 Posts: 981	Not so impressed with the tunze coral gum. Apparently I need to look up how to use it for rock work, it made a "base" for the rock to sit in, but was hoping for more structural glue type. Tank was emptied, sand fixed, and refilled. Holy POD's galore!! Tank is full of them. Great to see it. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

05/23/2016, 08:49 PM	#211
MrsReefK Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2015 Posts: 981	Tried putting on our MP40's (new) on our back 3/4". Guess what? The magnets don't even catch each other barely. When they do... The wet and dry side both slide to the bottom of the tank. I am on my way next to email eco tech, will keep you updated. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

05/24/2016, 06:31 AM	#212
McPuff Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Michigan Posts: 1,735	I recommend D & D Aquascape putty. I used to always use Water Weld putty but the DD stuff is better. It is already a coraline algae color, it's tackier in water, and it sticks without the aid of super glue gel. I don't think I'll go back to Water Weld.

05/24/2016, 10:49 AM	#214
MrsReefK Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2015 Posts: 981	Big news!!!! We're getting something done AHEAD of schedule! Fish are going in.... TONIGHT! I cannot wait. MP40's are a no go on our 3/4" panel on the back. Really really bummed about this. Bummed broke the seal on the packaging so def can't return them. Not sure what to go to for a replacement. We will have to start researching options. MP40's do fine on the side panels, 5/8". Not as strong as i had hoped, but they work. If they start to fall off like stories I've heard of, we may switch all 4 out to something different. We shall see! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

05/24/2016, 12:20 PM	#216
MrsReefK Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2015 Posts: 981	I have a call into Ecotech before we look at other options. Not sure what they'll suggest being its not 1 that's not working or faulty. It's all 4 that won't stay. I'll keep y'all updated with what they say. They requested pictures of measuring the thickness of the pain and of our setup, sent those over to them this morning. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

05/25/2016, 06:11 PM	#221
MrsReefK Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2015 Posts: 981	Verdict is in. Ecotech confirmed the MP40s aren't going to work on our 3/4" tank. They said we "must be slightly over 3/4". Picture def shows it being at or even slightly under. Bummed. We opened all 4 packages to see if they'd work. Now we can't return them. Looks like two will be going up for sale. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

05/30/2016, 05:18 AM	#222
MrReefK Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2015 Posts: 36	I used I micrometer to check the thickness today. .735 thick I would think they would under rate them a little bit not over rate there product. We both thought a lot of ecotech before this "look at all we have bought from them" and all they can say is yep there not going to work! The least they could do is offer our money back because we open them to try them we can't take them back. I guess mo60 will hold but I don't really want that big of a head showing nor do I want to shell out the cash that kind of cash to ecotech again. So I'm looking for other ideas for power heads now. I like the idea of 2 gyre 150 on each end of the tank tank. Anyone out there with a 300 gallon tank running 2 of these?? Do you think 2 is enough flow? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

05/30/2016, 09:30 AM	#223
conan75 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Posts: 12	I am putting a 300 gallon 10'x24"x26" in my dining room and I am using 2 gyre 150s in it...I bought one for my 135 gallon to see how good it is and I am extremely impressed...I had 3 of the high end Sicce powerheads in my 135 and the gyre replaced them all and the water flow is noticeably better with just its self running...I will have one on each end hooked to a wave maker..simple and very effective...