Folta

I have to agree with Howard on this, I think its a bad idea to be cutting anything that is structural. On a 55 gallon tank, why not use a pair of lights? I have 2 250w MH's over my 55 and I have no shadow at all.

Wow.. I'm really sorry to hear about the trouble you guys had with the power outtage... I am in MoCo but didn't lose power (just internet for the weekend).

I have firefox 1.0 at home, and 1.5 at work.. I'm able to navigate it fine on both. Overall, a very nice improvement to the site. Any word yet on if he'll be coming to the winter meeting?

I don't have one, but I decided to look up what it looked like. Here's a pic for reference off of live aquaria:

I actually have gfci's doubled up in a couple places. It was one of those forgetting I had one on that circuit, installed another, realized I had one already but was like "eh, two can't hurt" deals. Eriks - pssh! Using the 'test' button isn't the 'manly' way to do it! Besides, the test button might be broken, or worse yet the test button ok but the actual tripping of the gfci faulty! Just had to make sure lol... Howard, I wouldn't think there would be much of a fish sale if it killed me.. as the gfci wouldn't have been reset, and all the fish would be dead by now too :/ I don't understand why anyone wouldn't have one.. I mean you can even buy the plug in ones (no install necessary) for like 12 bucks from hellolights! "GFCI for sale! Only 12 dollars! No complicated installation! Will save your life! GFCI for sale!" "hhmmmm.... saving my life is good.. but 12 dollars? I think I'll take my chances.. I have good reflexes!"

Well, it was bound to happen. Electricity + Water + Time = Disaster. I'm transferring things from my 55 to the 180, and catch my clownfish. Bag him up, and start floating him in the 180. Sit back down at my computer for a bit.. then look over.. the bag floated from the left side of the tank to the far right side (I pushed the left half's tek fixture back, but the right one was still all the way forward). "Crap", I thought. I don't want that! I better move him back to the left. So I lift the far right side of the far right fixture to grab the bag. I forgot that the left side of the fixture isn't actually on the cross beam, but the beam is a little further in. In other words: <========> (Fixture) .......|............| (Crossbeams) So, it acts kinda like a seesaw... right side goes up, left side goes DOWN.... into the water, while I have my hand in the water. PHESSSSHHHHWWWWW!!! :idea2: :wall: :wall: :wall: Now, its pitch dark, I have my hand in the water and the fixture in the other hand and I'm standing on a chair. I find my way to the plug and unplug the power strip from the wall. I make my way to the circuit breakers. None flipped. I flip off and back on the one that is for the room with the tank in it, just for good measure. I go back.. nothing works! It takes a few minutes of panic to realize that the circuit breaker is no longer the only thing that can trip for this room, see that the gfci did in fact trip. Anyway, everything is now back on and running. And now I know for a fact my GFCI works

What size are the input and output on that check valve? 1/4" ?

Where did you get the inline john guest ones? Are they 1/4" ?

Not sure about if an order is going on. What is the link/price for one? How is their shipping price on small things? I know the group order for the kalk party was less than $5 shipping for everything, so it might not be worth it compared to gas prices for a group order (unless we pass them out at a meeting?) Anyone have a link to the kangaroo pumps, btw?

Hmm.... interesting numbers. The last salt change I did with the seachem reef salt. Using a brand new salifert calcium test kit, it didn't even register as 300. I'm sticking with IO as well.

So has a check valve that is totally plastic been found yet? If not, how would this work out: ro/di tank that feeds a kangaroo type pump, that feeds the kalkreactor that pushes water into the sump. Would that still need a check valve?

So has a check valve that is totally plastic been found yet? If not, how would this work out: ro/di tank that feeds a kangaroo type pump, that feeds the kalkreactor that pushes water into the sump. Would that still need a check valve?

Beautiful!

Yes, its looking real nice there Alex! Keep up the good work!

Have you had any problems with this switch sticking? I think I'm going to order one from this site as well, as it sounds like its all set and ready to just plug a pump into. I defintely like your idea of restricting the top off to a timer for the reason you stated plus you can regulate the amount it can pump (if it gets stuck on).

Ok, I have a question about the float switches.. when they turn on, do they stay on for a period of time? Otherwise you will have it constantly turning on-off-on-off-on-off ?

Jebo is one of those.... 'use at your own risk' types. You will quickly learn in this hobby that if you're going to do something, do it right from the start. Do I like my jebo? (I too have it on a 55 gallon tank) - well it runs decent. It skims well, even when you think the tank is clean if finds stuff to pull out. My corals are doing better with it then when I was skimmerless. I do not know how much of a difference a 'better' skimmer would make though. As I mentioned, there are a few design 'flaws' that I see... in the way its constructed. I've had it overflow on me, and drop about 4 gallons of water onto the floor :wall: when some hair algae got sucked through it and jammed up the return to the tank (causing the cup to flow over; I was gone for the day). For my 180 I'm definitely getting a 'quality' skimmer. I figure, if I'm spending this much on making a nice tank, best to be sure to get everything that has been proven to work well. If you look at Jebo's track record, it seems to be hit or miss. On the light fixtures they sell, some people have had good ones while others have had disasters (fires and melting!)

I still need to buy a skimmer for my 180. Can the Mr2 be used in-sump? (My Reef Creations Skimmers) Will a mag18 be enough power for it? Is the quick release worth $40? I need to make a decision soon :o

For what its worth, I have a jebo hang-on skimmer (the 180 something or other), and it works pretty well. There are definitely some design changes that I would make, but I bought it off ebay, brand new, for 18 bucks. That's including a pump.

Hey Jacob, For the tubes I ordered them from 'simply acrylics'. The guy sells them in 72" sections. He cut them to length needed for the party (24") for about a buck per cut. The total came to just under $20 per 2' tube. Note that these are extruded and not cast tubing - more prone to stress cracks, harder to work with, etc. The guy has an ebay store: http://stores.ebay.com/SIMPLY-ACRYLICS He replies pretty fast to questions, too, which I found to be really nice. Tim

Glad I could help. I thought it was a lot of fun! The end price was very nice, and I think the units came out looking really good. I also learned alot of things for future builds. Chip, thank you for your hospitality. We couldn't have done it without you. It's a shame about the router though - one thought I had on my way home was that maybe acrylic pieces got inside the motor part? It would be great if the club could spring for a new one, as your router burned up in a club activity. If not, my offer still stands to help chip in for a new one since I was there using the router at the party Jeff, thanks for bringing the sheet acrylic pieces, glue, and expertise. It was great meeting the new faces and seeing the old ones again! I only hope the club can continue doing projects like this - both for getting cheap equipment as well as promoting just getting together! B)

Are you doing the recirc mod as well?

Haha, see this is the confusion that I'm trying to avoid... I've got enough on my hands just getting all the materials! :D Chip... crud. What do we need for that rigid supply line? Is it something that HD sells? Send me a pm or call. ~ Tim

Yeah, I was just running up the total for the reactors, and I think it will be cheaper than the $80 estimate (thats with each person getting their own powerhead). I still need to get a price on the sheet acrylic though to give an actual amount. Ok, so let me see if I can get this straight.... Jacob is in if Erik has a reactor, but if Erik does not have a reactor then Erik can be in, pending that Howard does not want to take the spot (as he is first in the queue list). Chip, can you send me a Pm and let me know who hasn't gotten directions from you yet? I sent everyone a reminder PM, and have heard back from the majority of them. I'm stopping by a different hardware store on my way home tonight to see if I can locate a 3/8" cpvc tube, as nobody has sent me a message and let me know they've been able to find it. I know you have 5' of it Chip, but I don't think thats' going to be enough to cover all the reactors - so this may be a part a few of us need to locate after the party...

Ok, could you send Howard and Jake a pm (or call them maybe, if you ahve their numbers) to find out if they wanted to take Gadgets place? We're looking in the ballpark of about $80 depending on a couple costs I"m not sure of yet. I'll make a post of final price as soon as I can.