http://www.reefaddicts.com/blog.php/914-Turbosek en Sun, 19 May 2013 12:06:42 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.reefaddicts.com/images/misc/rss.jpg http://www.reefaddicts.com/blog.php/914-Turbosek http://www.reefaddicts.com/entry.php/1079-PAR-Meter Mon, 29 Nov 2010 00:56:33 GMT I know Marc did a very extensive write-up on using a PAR meter to analyze light bulbs; however, can a PAR meter be effectively used to determine WHEN... I know Marc did a very extensive write-up on using a PAR meter to analyze light bulbs; however, can a PAR meter be effectively used to determine WHEN to change metal halide bulbs?

I know that we must pay attention to not only intensity of the light in the tank, but also to the color (or color shift) as the bulb ages.

My thought is to buy a PAR meter to see if I really need to change the bulbs at 6-12 months like the manufacturers suggest. I run 3 400W MHs on a sunrise/sunset schedule like Marc describes on his site. Each bulb runs for about 6 hours per day....at different times.

One last thing...when they suggest 6-12 months per bulb...how many hours per day is that suggestion based on? ]]> Turbosek http://www.reefaddicts.com/entry.php/1079-PAR-Meter http://www.reefaddicts.com/entry.php/1078-What-is-this-lifeform Mon, 29 Nov 2010 00:50:16 GMT I am pretty sure this a macro algae. Is it good for a tank, or can it get out of control? Attachment 3282... I am pretty sure this a macro algae. Is it good for a tank, or can it get out of control?

]]> Turbosek http://www.reefaddicts.com/entry.php/1078-What-is-this-lifeform http://www.reefaddicts.com/entry.php/435-Water-line-question Sat, 08 May 2010 22:05:18 GMT Ok, I have everything plumbed and set up on my new 162 gallon in wall tank. I am about to add the substrate. I am concerned about the water line. I... Ok, I have everything plumbed and set up on my new 162 gallon in wall tank. I am about to add the substrate. I am concerned about the water line. I have a sumo, so the water line only move up or down if I open or restrict the drain coming from the overflow. I attached the wall wood trim around the tank, filled nail holes, paint, etc, and whe I have the overflow drain fully open, the water line is about 1 inch below the trim. I have to back the drain off about 30% to get the return pump to raise the water line so it's hidden. I do not like having to do that.

Will adding the 4-6 of sand in the display tank raise the water line at all. My thought is no....but just hought I would ask. I know it will displace water, but I am thinkg the water line will stay no matter what. I also know that the return section in the sump goes up and down with evaporation. I really do not want to have to pull the trim, recut and repaint everything and adjust them. ]]> Turbosek http://www.reefaddicts.com/entry.php/435-Water-line-question http://www.reefaddicts.com/entry.php/426-Seattle-Fish-Store Thu, 06 May 2010 16:32:59 GMT The family and I took a drive down to Seattle yesterday...she went shopping for the kids, and I took Serene, my 8 year old daughter, to Salt Water... The family and I took a drive down to Seattle yesterday...she went shopping for the kids, and I took Serene, my 8 year old daughter, to Salt Water City. I ahd read some good reviews on the web. When I got there, I was impressed with their coral selection. They only do saltwater, which is noce as well.

One cool thing, was they have a section where you can buy from $10, $20, $30, $40, and $50 frags tanks. This is a good way for beginners to try differnet corals w/o breaking the bank.

They also had some of the most expensive corals I have ever seen. One was like 4" diameter and it was $1500!

Another interesting thisng about this store, was the complete lack of san or substrate. Yes, they preach bare bottom. when I asked him about this, he of course said there are always opossing opnnions. In his 15 years of business, he feels that unless you know how to take care of s DSB, you should not have one. He said there are too many other ways to lower nitrates. He agreed that you loose the ability to keep natural reef sand sifters and such, but he also feels more people are interested in seeing corals and fish...he has coral display tanks rather than reef tanks:-)

I also noticed he was using all 20,000K bulbs. He said "blue sells and we are here to sell product". He was also very helpful and spent 2 hours giving me advice. The best advice he gave me was to send my return line outside up the back and down into the tank, and use my 2nd hole in the overflow for a back up drain in case the main drain gets clogged. He said to just make a standard stand pipe that is just below the top of the tank, so it will drain if the water gets that high for some reason.

So, I am planing on using a DSB of 6". I will put 3" of dry sand down, throw in a shrimps until the amonia cycles, then add my base and live rock and another 3" of live sand, and lights on 6 hours/day, for the rest of the cycle, doing plenty of water changes to keep the nitrite levels low until they are gone. I know I will have a horrid algae bloom, but that is part of establishing a tank right? From my experieince, the algae will eventually go away and it will be crystal clear:-)

What are the top 3 things I should do with a DSB to make sure it stays healthy? ]]> Turbosek http://www.reefaddicts.com/entry.php/426-Seattle-Fish-Store http://www.reefaddicts.com/entry.php/416-Loc-Line-returns Tue, 04 May 2010 08:21:34 GMT Ok, I am no fluid dynamics engineer, so I am totally confused about what to do for returns from the 1" PVC coming out of my overflow.

I have a 1-1/2" drain line with just a couple 90s....manufacturer says its rated for 1600 gph max. I have 1" return PVC with a Pan World Pump rated for 2000 gph. I have about 4 90s and 2 45s, a couple true union valves, and about 6' of static height. I also have a T off the return, feeding a small amount of water to the refugium...valve is only open about 10%.

So my question is what should I do on the end of the 1" return PVC at the overflow? I also have 2 Vortec MP40 pumps at one end of my 52" long tank....running both as masters in reef crest mode. I cannot put one of them at the opposite end because of clearance issues.

Should I use loc-line? If so, would you T off and go to each side of the tank, and how big of Loc-Line, and how many nozzles? I do not want to restric overall flow, but I have done some reading and it sounds like reducing flow can increase water velocity, which would be ok?

Thanks for your help! ]]> Turbosek http://www.reefaddicts.com/entry.php/416-Loc-Line-returns http://www.reefaddicts.com/entry.php/411-mechanical-filter Mon, 03 May 2010 19:58:41 GMT Do any of you use mechanical filters like inline Ocean Clear systems with 25-100 microm cartridge filters, running them for a few hours once a week,... Do any of you use mechanical filters like inline Ocean Clear systems with 25-100 microm cartridge filters, running them for a few hours once a week, to do any type of cleaning? I am still setting up my first sump system, and I want to try and get everything plumbed in that I might use in the future. I will already be running carbon in a reactor.

Also, should I be running any type of filter sock somewhere in my sump? or screens to cover the return inlet?

I also assume that if one has an adequate clean up crew, that the need for a mechanical filter could be none. It seems like those that do have a mechanical filter, only run it for short periods of time, every week or month.

Thanks for all your help. ]]> Turbosek http://www.reefaddicts.com/entry.php/411-mechanical-filter http://www.reefaddicts.com/entry.php/397-Substrate Fri, 30 Apr 2010 18:45:46 GMT I just bought some dry base rock from Reef Cleaners. Awsome looking stuff. I plan to add about 40# of live rock to the 200# of dry base rock...and... I just bought some dry base rock from Reef Cleaners. Awsome looking stuff. I plan to add about 40# of live rock to the 200# of dry base rock...and take the time to seed/grow my own.

I asked them for suggestions on where to get substrate. They said to get Southdown from Home Depot, or visit local landscape companies to buy a yard of sand. I am sure people do this, but what are everyones' thoughts? I would obviously seed my sand with live sand from my existing tank.

Melev, I was going to order dry Tropical Eden, but everywhere seems to be out of it, and they want $200 just for shipping.

I plan on have about 1 to 1-1/2" depth of med-2mm SSB in my display tank, and then 5-6" of fine .5mm DSB in my 33x17x14 sump refugium. I know everyone says to do DSB in display, but I would rather have it in my sump.

I really want to ge tthis step right, as there is no going back when I add the sand and rock. ]]> Turbosek http://www.reefaddicts.com/entry.php/397-Substrate http://www.reefaddicts.com/entry.php/387-Sea-Salt-Poll Thu, 29 Apr 2010 06:20:58 GMT I am getting close to adding the salt to my new tank. I have always used Kent Salt in my FOWLR tank. What does everyone recommend? And why? I am... I am getting close to adding the salt to my new tank. I have always used Kent Salt in my FOWLR tank. What does everyone recommend? And why? I am curious also how price factors in to quality and contents. ]]> Turbosek http://www.reefaddicts.com/entry.php/387-Sea-Salt-Poll http://www.reefaddicts.com/entry.php/376-Work-Continued-On-My-162-Gallon-In-Wall-Tank Wed, 28 Apr 2010 04:46:26 GMT Ok, I have been busy for the last month working on my 162 gallong in-wall tank. Wow, this was a lot more work than I thought it would be. I have a... Ok, I have been busy for the last month working on my 162 gallong in-wall tank. Wow, this was a lot more work than I thought it would be. I have a much better appreciation for everyone out there in this hobby. I am sure part of my issues have been the area I am working in. While it is the perfect location for the system, it is a tight fit.

I still have a bit more equipment to buy and install. I have been doing some reading around the web on the best way to start a new reef tank once it is full of water. Thes best place so far is the following site:
http://www.chucksaddiction.com/cleanupcrew.html
If some of you have some other places, please let me know.






]]> Turbosek http://www.reefaddicts.com/entry.php/376-Work-Continued-On-My-162-Gallon-In-Wall-Tank http://www.reefaddicts.com/entry.php/261-162-Gallon-In-Wall-Aquarium-Build Sun, 28 Mar 2010 04:27:54 GMT Attachment 1069 (http://www.reefaddicts.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=1069)Attachment 1070...

The last thing on my mind a month ago was setting up a 162 gallon reef tank. I was actually packing for 11 days in Cancun with my wife. My low maintenance 37 gallon FOWLR tank has been running for 9 years, and I was not too concerned about leaving it for the trip.

On day three of the trip, we had our first snorkeling excursion. My wife, not being the best swimmer, had to be peeled from the boat and thrown into the water by Julio! What we saw in that reef is 100% responsible for the project I am now immersed in. Cancun, being home to the second largest barrier reef in the world, opened our eyes to how beautiful a wild coral reef is. So, with my wife’s blessing, I am under way creating one in our home.

Below are the first few pics of preparing the location. We have a large room that consists of our dining area, kitchen, and bar. The tank will be located in the wall. The back side of the wall is a large storage room that I plan to slowly take over as a fish room:-) The room sits about 12 inches lower than the kitchen/dining/bar area and has a concrete floor. This is ideal because I have plenty of height for the sump and equipment, and the floor can get wet and hold the weight of everything.




I am planning on using the following equipment:
Purchased already
162 gallon Aqua Vim glass tank (front panel is near StarPhire quality) - 52x25x30
SWC Skimmer Mini S
Pan World 250PS return pump
1x250W 10K, 2x400W 14K MH, 2x54 T5 actinics, 10 LED moonlights
APEX controller - purchased 2 ph probes (1 for the calcium reactor)

Still need help deciding on...
Sump style and setup
Calcium reactor
CO2 tank and regulator
Top-off system for evaporation
Water change system - I want to drain water from sump, through a ball valve into a drain.
VorTech pumps (how many?) Plan on using new control module coming out with APEX in 1 few weeks.
Heater
Phosphate reactor
Carbon reactor
What else?.... ]]> Turbosek http://www.reefaddicts.com/entry.php/261-162-Gallon-In-Wall-Aquarium-Build http://www.reefaddicts.com/entry.php/255-Skimmer-question Thu, 25 Mar 2010 02:03:48 GMT I am planning to use an Aqua-C EV-240 skimmer on my new 162 gal reef tank. I see that you can buy them with either a submersible pump or an external... I am planning to use an Aqua-C EV-240 skimmer on my new 162 gal reef tank. I see that you can buy them with either a submersible pump or an external pump. If run with an external pump, does the skimmer then sit outside the sump?

Also, I would then need to runa separate external pump for the flow through the sump and fuge...correct. Do I factor in both pumps for total flow rate in tank?

I also hear of a lot of people running 2 return pumps, in case one goes bad, you have another running to protect the tank.

Thanks for the input. I find lots on info on the internet, but none seem to answer my specific questions.

It would be great to see a diagram of the system described above. ]]> Turbosek http://www.reefaddicts.com/entry.php/255-Skimmer-question http://www.reefaddicts.com/entry.php/253-I-am-a-new-addition! Tue, 23 Mar 2010 01:00:27 GMT Just wanted to say Hi to everyone. I just signed up to Reef Addicts. I have had a 37 gallon FOWLR tank for 8 years. I just decided to step it up to a... Just wanted to say Hi to everyone. I just signed up to Reef Addicts. I have had a 37 gallon FOWLR tank for 8 years. I just decided to step it up to a 162 gal in-wall reef tank. I just ordered it, and am preparing the wall and room behind. I will be making lots of posts and pics along the way. Since I am new to reef tanks, and advice will be helpful!

First question...what skimmer should I buy, and why? I will have a sump section for the skimmer. Have not built the sump yet. ]]> Turbosek http://www.reefaddicts.com/entry.php/253-I-am-a-new-addition!