120 Reef Office Build (75 upgrade) - Page 16

Bax · #**376** 07/20/2007, 06:36 AM

Finally! I got a few minutes and pulled apart the CaRX.... and of course, as soon as I had the whole thing apart, I quickly realized that the feed tube intake was clogged!

Oh well, at least it was an easy fix and the RX is back on line.

... Dude, this is the part where I can hear you , all the way from Texas, murmuring " I told him not to run that reactor, dosing works just fine!"

Dudester · #**377** 07/21/2007, 11:04 AM

Naa, dosing's for the birds. At least now I know where to go for help if I have trouble with my new Ca reactor - you've already solved most of the problems that people get.

Bax · #**378** 08/13/2007, 08:19 PM

It's been a long time ... the tank still needs a good cleaning, but I've been tinkering in the lab ...

I got a pair of Sicci pumps a while back and finally modded one. I still have some starting issues with the mesh mod but if my test is a glimps of what these pumps have to offer, I am very happy.

Here's the modded imperler and volute

The meshed impeler

the venturi

I got 22 cfm with the pump set 12" into a bucket of salt water.

Sweet

Bax · #**379** 08/13/2007, 09:21 PM

Sorry, that's 22 scfm

Bax · #**380** 08/14/2007, 06:39 AM

No ... that's 22 SCFH ... I shouldn't post when I am sleepy.

Dudester · #**381** 08/14/2007, 11:08 AM

no bother ... I don't know what cfm, scfm, or SCFH are!

Curious - why did you go with the Sicci pump? Is that an Italian pump, and aren't they predominately used in Europe (not that there's anything wrong with that, of course)?

Bax · #**382** 08/14/2007, 11:18 AM

The Sicci pumps are used on the ATI Bubble Master skimmers. ATI sort of sparked the whole thread wheel/mesh mod craze. For the watts (40w max) when meshed, they kick but air wise and draw even less watts!

I ordered mine with some other reefers who imported a case of 110v units from Italy. There are now cheaper pumps being modded but it was too late I already committed to these two pumps so Sicci pumps for this project it is! It OK as they are still way up there for watts to SCFH of air drawn into the skimmer.

I do not have a watt meter, but my Dwyer air meter tells me that, testing in a bucket, I have gotten the pump to draw a consistent 26 SCFH. Pretty impressive at under 40 watts.

It will not produce that number in practice, but it should be very efficient. I am looking to pull the becketts off my MRC 4R and use these Sicci pumps instead. Given that the Pan World 200 my MRC is supposed to run on as a becket draws over 320 watts, if it works, I should have pretty efficient skimmer.

I am not currently using the MRC as it's pretty big for my current system ... but when the 220 g goes on line ... it'll be just right!

Bax · #**383** 08/17/2007, 05:43 AM

Still working through restart issues on the Sicci pump, it's been suggested I dump the zip ties and use fishing line so I'll be trying that as soon as I can.

I also ordered my new wireless controller for my VorTech, that should be fun!

Bax · #**384** 08/22/2007, 08:02 PM

Hey!!!!

So, I am drilling just the other day (it's what I do to pay for reefing) and I am talking to my client (Scott) who happens to be a reefer... about... my reef ... and I realized .... my 120 is one year old!!!!!

This log was to be about pics, and I've been remiss about taking pics, so I rushed a bunch today, as bad as they are, here they are... enjoy

view as you walk in my office ...

view from my desk ...

an end view ...

my clams have gotten huge , and not without issue ...

... and most odd, this bivalve has begone growing in my QT that hasn't been used now in months???

Dudester · #**385** 08/23/2007, 10:48 AM

Really nice, Bax! And to think that your tank was recently infested with algae - it's sooo much better now. Your photography has improved as well. I enjoyed the pics.

Oh yeah, and happy birthday!

Bax · #**386** 08/23/2007, 11:03 AM

Thanks Dude ... much appreciated.

I am luv'n your tank build.

My clams have gotten so large that they are actually knocking corals off of the rockwork when the blow a burst a water as they are prone to do now and again. They actually toppled my rock structure to the left by flexing. That's where my anem clones are randomly hiding so I've not be able to put it back anywhere close to the way I want it ... not like it's MY tank or anything!

Dudester · #**387** 08/23/2007, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bax
I've not be able to put it back anywhere close to the way I want it ... not like it's MY tank or anything!

Bax · #**388** 08/26/2007, 10:38 AM

Here's the 120 days after transferring my livestock from my 75 last August ...

My gemifera and a pink milli then ....

And now the mili moved to the rear ...

A yellow digi then ...

and now , I just had to move this because my deresa keeps breaking it off the rockwork

...

I got this stag in December ...

now ...

Always much to do, and I am scheming a major upgrade, hope to correct the little things I rushed through last year in the move, but I am still giddy about hitting the one year mark

Bax · #**389** 08/29/2007, 04:45 PM

OK it's official, the results are in, I am insane!!!!!!!!!!!!

Picked up a 220 g from a local reefer and will be incorporating it into the "major upgrade".

I do not want to take the 120 down, I'd like to keep it as a coral dedicated reef, and the 220 as a reef with SPS and more emphasis on the fish. So I need to think about exactly how I'll do this but, it's gonna be an interesting ride

Muhahahaha Muhahahaha Muhahahaha
(that's the laughter of a maniacal crazed lunatic)

Darkstar04 · #**390** 08/29/2007, 09:16 PM

Reefers aren't insane, they just "get it".

Bax · #**391** 08/30/2007, 09:19 AM

Darkstar04

You need to explain that to my wife & kids!

Bax · #**392** 08/31/2007, 07:17 PM

Here are a few more then & now shots of corals ... wish my photography was better ... but .... it is what it is

My first tort then ...

... and now

green pocci then ...

... and now

This is a hammer than sprouted from my rock, I've never had one?

Bax · #**393** 09/01/2007, 08:19 AM

This is my Idaho grape last September ...

... and now

Here's my purple rim in February ...

... and now

Bax · #**394** 09/02/2007, 06:36 AM

Here's an end shot of a feeding frenzy ... I just filled the seaweed clip

This nana was a frag just over an inch last year ...

And this favia? was found in the bottom of a container of LR I picked up from another reefer during a tear down ... it's really starting to grow out.

Most of my coral growth kicked in after getting the Ca Reactor on line. I am still having to fiddle with Alk to keep it over 3 meg/lt, ( target is 4 or about 8 dkh) but my Ca and Mg are holding well at over 400 and 1250 respectively since getting my reactor setting right.

Bax · #**395** 09/14/2007, 06:14 AM

My CO2 regulator just crapped out!

Not a clue what happened to it?

I ordered an new one, Milwaukee, and some Gen-X media as I am chewing through the ARM and have heard some good things regarding the Gen-X.

Bax · #**396** 09/14/2007, 07:40 PM

Here's a pic from earlier this week, taken a moment after the actinics came on, all the wight spots on the glass are baby snails.

Dudester · #**397** 09/14/2007, 11:34 PM

Very cool actinic shot! Hope the new regulator works out for you. I'm also using a Milwaukee - good stuff.

Bax · #**398** 09/15/2007, 07:23 AM

Thanks! I really like the tank at that time of day, with just blue actinic and the fish are all just starting to move about. It is also the most common time of the day for me to be able to just sit and look at the tank for a few muinute uninterupted by work stuff.

Glad to hear you like you Milwaukee regulator. I was looking for a Gen-X regulator, but they were all sold out on line. The one that bit it was an Azoo, I thought it was real junk from the start, but it came with a CO2 controller set from Dr F&S.

kev apsley · #**399** 09/15/2007, 07:40 AM

Good Stuff! I Love the Tank and growth shots! keep em coming

Bax · #**400** 09/15/2007, 09:28 AM

Thanks kev apsley

The combo of the Ca Rx and 400 watt MH has really kicked in my growth since Febuary of this year, just wished my photography skillls improved half as much