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arking_mark

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Posts posted by arking_mark

    Future Tank Build - looking for comments

    in General Discussion

    So another thing missed was battery backup.  Any thoughts on the Icecap V2 battery backup?  It should be compatible with the eFlux pump. Probably need to calculate the how long an outage it can cover.  I currently use a UPS for short term outages.  I have a deep-cycle battery that I can hook up if there is a longer outage.

    Future Tank Build - looking for comments

    in General Discussion

    · Edited by arking_mark

    @DFR I'm planning on a 3-4 inch DSB which is a little higher that what I have today. I'm glad to see you're using a Kessil h360...I was questioning whether I needed something so expensive for lighting a fuge.  BSR had a great fuge series and I have read several articles that suggested you need to outcompete the display or you'll get more algae in your display than fuge.

    Future Tank Build - looking for comments

    in General Discussion

    @epleeds The sump that comes with the Reefer is big enough for both. I'll probably use my small Tunze Skimmer at the beginning.  However, I'm really leaning towards skimmerless. My research indicates that a DSB with a Refugium that can out compete the tank should make the skimmer obsolete.

    Future Tank Build - looking for comments

    in General Discussion

    So upon further review, I think a deep sand bed with refugium should make a skimmer not needed.  So I'm  going skimmerless...and uping the refugium lighting to outcompete the display.

     

    - Reefer Skimmer 300

    Kessil h160 Grow Light --> Kessil A360x Refugium 

     

    Also, article from Advanced Aquarist show limited benefits of a Skimmer.

    https://reefs.com/magazine/further-studies-on-protein-skimmer-performance/

     

    My own experience with Skimmers seems to indicate that they help initially, but with an established DSB and mature tank, their usefulness is very limited and much less skimmate is produced.

     

    Thoughts on going skimmerless?

    Future Tank Build - looking for comments

    in General Discussion

    · Edited by arking_mark

    So after 20+ years in the hobby, I'm looking to build my dream aquarium for my 50th birthday (which is several months away).  To that end, I've started my research and am putting together a build list.

     

    My long term goal for this tank is a low maintenance system that can house anything I throw at over the next 15 years. My short term goal for the tank is to house 3 Orange Spotted Filefish, a Gold Nugget Clown with anemones,  and maybe some choice soft and hard corals.

     

    Coming from my old tank (RSM 130D)  will be the anemones and Gold Nugget, some sand, and some of my rock. Along with these I'll bring over my favorite mushrooms (Jawbreakers, Godsspawns, Sunkist Bounce, and Grande Palys)...everything else will  be sold or given away (blow-torching my now unwanted mushrooms and other softies as a last resort).

     

    As for tank size, I'm looking for something bigger than what I have...but still manageable.

     

    There are some limitations on the location of the tank and aesthetically, I want all equipment contained within a tank cabinet. From a maintenance perspective, top off H2O and making sea water happens in the basement and cannot be automated :(

     

    I've decided on using the Triton Core 7 method for dosing and reducing the need for water changes. As this method relies on KH measurements, I'll just need a KH Controller for dosing. (For my current tank, I do not dose, but instead do frequent water changes)  I'll also add a refugium for nutrient export.

     

    I'm a believer in running a deep sand bed.

     

    I'm really looking for any feedback or suggestions on the equipment or approach for lower maintenance and/or getting the cost of the system down.

     

    Without further ado with estimated equipment cost,

     

    Tank & Stand [$2560]: 

    • Red Sea Reefer 300xl Deluxe 36x24x24 (Includes Tank, Stand, Sump, plumbing, ATO reservoir, and lights) ~$2500 
    • Recommend return flow is 660gpm 
    • Red Sea DIY net cover plus 2 zags ~$60 

     

    Return Pump [$300]: 

    • CURRENT USA EFLUX DC FLOW PUMP 1,900 GPH ~$170 
    • GHL Flow Sensor 5000 l/h ~$130 
    • Plumbing adapters? 

     

    Circulation Pump [$540]: 

    • 2x Reefwav 25 ~$540 

     

    LIghts [$0]: 

    • 2 x Reefled 90 (included with deluxe) 
    • 2 x Reefled 90 Mounts (included with deluxe) 

     

    Filtration [$600]: 

    • Reefer Skimmer 300 ~$300 
    • 2x Filter Media Cups ~$30 
    • 2x Micron Filter Bags ~$20 
    • 2x Mefia Bags ~$10 
    • Refugium - Kessil h160 Grow Light ~$240 

     

    Heater/Chiller [$0]: 

    • Haeger 802 200watt Titanium Heater (already own) 
    • Deep Blue Kryos Chiller (already own) 

     

    ATO/AWC [$484]: 

    • Tunze Osmolator ATO (already own) 
    • Level Sensor Holder Base Unit ~$20 
    • 2x GHL Level Sensor Fastener ~$12 
    • 2x GHL Float Level Switch ~$72 
    • GHL Doser Maxi Standalone, White ~$380 

     

    Dosing [$1250]: 

    • Will be using Trident Core 7 (4 part dosing based solely on DKH) 
    • GHL KH Director w/ GHL Doser SA and GHL Slave ~1250 

     

    Controller/Monitoring [$900]: 

    • GHL Profilux 4 Mega-set 6e (Temp, Ph, Salinity, ORP, and power) ~900
    • Is one 6 plug GHL Powerbar enough? 

     

    Sand and Rock [$180]: 

    • Use existing sand ~40lbs 
    • Add 40lb of Aragalive sand ~$60 
    • Existing base rock  ~20lbs 
    • Add 30lb? of rock ~$120 

     

    LIvestock [TBD]: 

    • 3x Orange Spotted Filefish 
    • Gold Nugget Clown  w/ Anemones
    • Bullet Nose Goby 

    ... 

     

    Coral [TBD]: 

    ... 

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Zoanthid Grow Contest Competition Thread

    in General Discussion

    So I am not sure which Zoa I got but here are my tank specs:

     

    Tank:

    34Gal RSM 130D

     

    Lighting:

    Custom built Led lighting

     

    Filtration:

    Sponge pre-filter

    Chemi-pure Blue

    Tunze 9001 Skimmer

    Marine Pure Ceramic Biomedia

    Deep sand bed and lots of live rock

     

    Supplements:

    Triton Core7 (other methods)

     

    Water management:

    Tunze ATO

    Weekly 12% water change

     

    Due to my choice of fish, tank is probably over fed and runs dirty. Which I think is an advantage for Zoas. :)

     

     

    Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

    Samsung phone settings for best tank pictures?

    in General Discussion

    So I struggled with getting good accurate tank pictures. The trick is getting the white balance correct. Best way to do this with a smart phone is to put a white piece of plastic in the tank where you are taking the picture. You just need a small piece of it in the actual photo. You can crop after. Make sure you take a RAW photo if you can, then edit with a photo editor like snapseed which let's you select the white object in the picture for adjusting white balance.

     

    For my pictures with Galaxy S8+:

    1. Put white plastic in tank near area to photo

    2. Set camera to pro mode and RAW

    3. Set white balance to 10k (makes the initial picture closer to what the eye sees)

    4. Snap the photo with the white ref plastic somewhere in the pict

    5. Open Snapseed app and edit the RAW picture

    6. Use the white balance tool eye dropper to select white plastic

     

    Picture using white sand as the item to white balance the picture. Very true to what the eye sees. fef8635e1568acc548117a51da1d5639.jpg

     

    Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

    Zoa ID Please

    in General Discussion

    That links a dead end.

     

    I think what gives the Cats Eyes away is the skirt, do you have the green stripes on them? Also, have you tried your hand on R2R, they have a zoanthid ID forum section?

    Link works for me...

     

    Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

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