300 gal reef re-do - Page 11

Outerbank · #**251** 10/05/2007, 11:27 PM

Awesome work!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

pcostanzo · #**252** 10/06/2007, 03:20 PM

Thanks Outerbank

Now the kalk film is wiped off, and added the floss to the top of the carbon and phosban. I am still dialing in the Co2 to get the ph low enough in the Ca reactor. Everything else is working good. When the kalk stirrer comes on it only whips it up about half way leaving the top nice and clear so even if it did dose while it was stirring, no fines will exit.

Before and after fish room

jnarowe · #**253** 10/06/2007, 03:33 PM

very nice improvement and in a very short time. Are you planning on putting in a lid (ceiling)?

pcostanzo · #**254** 10/06/2007, 05:34 PM

Not sure. I'd like to because the water evaporation reeks havoc with all the cast iron I have on my machines down there.

I looked back on what I hoped to accomplish and I think I solved all my equipment, plumbing type problems. Now I'm left to re-stock the tank. I'm going to give the tank another month with the new live rock and increased calcium with just the actinics on because the coraline just started growing. Once it gets going I will slowly bring on the MH to the full duration then start stocking.

jnarowe · #**255** 10/06/2007, 06:22 PM

Yeah, I think I would look into sealing the ceiling. Maybe insulation and FRP or green board and epoxy, just to keep the water vapor out of the lumber.

erics3000 · #**256** 10/08/2007, 11:09 PM

Wow Paul everything looks awsome. I just got back from mixing little fun in with work at PR. I got the hose and really appreciate it. Thanks.. Love the reactor..

pcostanzo · #**257** 10/09/2007, 06:16 AM

Thanks Eric, good luck with plumbing. Can't wait to see it.

pcostanzo · #**258** 10/23/2007, 01:55 PM

I thought I'd post this since I was making food today. Not sure how many make their own food but my fish go crazy for home made. I use some shrimp, clams or mussels if I have them too, various Nori and kelp, crushed garlic and vitamin C.

Blend it into a paste and smush it flat in a ziplock and freeze.

Whats funny is may wife and I don't eat seafood so its a pretty gross day for me when I do this.

jnarowe · #**259** 10/23/2007, 02:25 PM

Looking good Paul...got the Kizami too!

chris wright · #**260** 10/25/2007, 05:48 AM

I prefer to make my own food as well. I think my fish enjoy it more

and my corals get their share as well

I reckon its the way to go

Cheers

Chris

pcostanzo · #**261** 10/31/2007, 08:53 AM

Remind me again why I like this hobby. Now that its time to re-stock I ordered 10 cromis, a pair of maroon clowns, and a blue jaw trigger. I don't know why I would try ordering from a place I have no experience with but it was a sponsor here and they had huge cromis and mated pair of maroons where the female was about 4", also the blue throat that I wanted. They came with very little water in the bags, and 1 cromis dead. good thing I am anal about QT because 3 days later half the cromis and both clowns have brooklynella. I move the trigger to a new QT tank by himself and start the rest on Formalin baths and Maricyn2 for any secondary infections. As of today 5 cromis dead and the clowns not looking so good.

Elliott · #**262** 10/31/2007, 09:02 AM

pcostanzo: sounds like you should contact the retailer to replace the fish you lost. you have done everything right on your end. excellent qt practice.

pcostanzo · #**263** 10/31/2007, 09:25 AM

Thanks for joining in Elliott. The retailer offers 5 day guarantee in store credit. They can keep their $30 credit, I will not be ordering there again.

On the other hand Dr F&S divers den shipped some great acro.

Elliott · #**264** 10/31/2007, 09:30 AM

that's good to know, I've been looking at their acros, I like dealing with them

erics3000 · #**265** 10/31/2007, 10:10 AM

That sucks..You can at least use the store credit for food or some dry goods. I was thinking about the same thing a little ago. I have been trying to get started and realized when I get my new system up I need to get a lot of fish. Dr foster seams like a ggod place with there waranty and all. Any FTS? How is your calcium reactor working oour for you or should I say multi reactor?

pcostanzo · #**266** 10/31/2007, 11:04 AM

I'll try to get some shots of the tank tonight. Dr F&S are great. I use them for salt too. I just ordered 4 buckets of Reef crystals for $31 and $10 for the whole thing to ship. If you read about their facility in WI its pretty cool. Its where the divers den stuff is kept and the aquaculured corals. Sound like they have a good process.

The reactor is doing good. The only problem is in the Ca section I have to make sure I don't hold back the effluent drip too much or the gasket will leak under pressure. I have to turn down the water comming in from the manifold into the reactor to balance it out.

Hows the plumbing coming?

erics3000 · #**267** 10/31/2007, 10:33 PM

Havent started on it yet. I have been slacking working on the floors and other stuff, I am going to take a few days off to devote to the tank. Just been busy with all the baby stuff. I look forward to seeing your new pics...

pcostanzo · #**268** 11/01/2007, 05:05 PM

Well both clowns and all cromis are dead

The trigger is fine, eating and no signs of anything. He's pretty shy. I think he's upset cause every time he's seen me these last 3 days I was scooping out a dead fish in the next tank.