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percula

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Everything posted by percula

  1. 120g 2x250w MH 10k, 2x96w pc actinic 2 x 140w VHO 10k, actinic - not yet in use My tank seems to be about done cycling. A few macro and coraline algaes are running wild, worms and pods are everywhere, and the cleaner pack seems to be happily running about. I'm not even sure where I want to go with this tank but in general, I'm more interested in corals than fish. What I'd like to have is a little guidance about which corals might be the best to start with as I begin the learning process. Also, anyone have a particularly good source of where I can get info on specific corals (that I'm hoping people name here). I am in no hurry; just want a plan. Thanks much! Matt
  2. I'd like to know how this turned out as I'm pretty close to needing to place an order myself. The price is certainly better than most other places I've checked. Thanks, Matt
  3. Given that I'm going to go with a recirc design, is there really a big difference between using the venturi valve I have in hand versus a mesh wheel mod? The enkamat mod looks awesome; got to figure that seriously outshines the venturi. What about using venturi on the feed? (can you tell I'm obsessed with getting the venturi in there somewhere) Nice thread for the recirc mod Yauger; thanks for putting that together.
  4. Awesome; thanks for the ideas! (dogfish head 60min ipa - current fav) thanks, Matt
  5. Hi all! Since there seems to be so many helpful folks around here, I thought I'd post my way through my build in hopes that I can tap in to some of the knowledge out there. I had several FO tanks many years ago (pre-family) and have finally got to the point where I can get back to it. This whole process may take a while as I'm required, as part of the deal (there should be a thread somewhere about how to manage your significant other while dumping time and money in to this hobby), to complete a total bathroom rebuild at the same time (this after gutting/rebuilding the basement in the first place-- glutton for punishment). Anyhow, here's the current state,.... Jeez; cutting it kind of close with the framing but it just does fit. I ran a dedicated 20amp circuit and have finished up two branches. My plan is to have four, each on a switch and GFCI- lighting, circulation, sump, and to-be-named-when-I-figure-out-what-I'm-forgetting. Not the greatest pic but hopefully you can get an idea of the support construction. I feel like I under-built (you should see my dyi swing-set attached to an old electrical pole; my house will blow over before that thing comes down) but an architect friend seemed to indicate it was fine. Apparently a short upright 2x4" can hold an immense amount of weight. This pic was shot to illustrate the branches of the circuit but what is really of note is the hvac ductwork. While it's sealed the entire length I wondered if anyone has had an issue with this sort of thing adding too much heat in the depths of winter (as depthy as it gets in nova)? Not much in this pic except that I wanted to pat myself on the back for running the water supply all the way there (you can see the little handle silhouette). It was a crazy affair. Unfortunately, the drain is to the right of the doorway cutout; no help for that, just need longer tubing. I suppose I'll leave the wall to the left of the column (and tank) open to help air flow throughout. I've thought of adding some big fans to draw air into the shop but I'll wait to see if that's really necessary. Some excellent LR courtesy of Tony (tgallo) sitting in the soon to be sump (my old 55g). Notice the cheato some very nice person put on the free table at the meeting-- THANKS! For the record, the 55g el-cheapo plastic bin that I used to get the 100lbs. of rock and good bit of water from Tony ended up with a leak. Maybe the dragging it out of my car, around the house, and in to the basement did it . Score one for the floor water alarm! Opened the hole; used drywall endcaps to try to minimize the hole itself and keep the focus on the tank. The tank face should nearly flush with the back of the dry-wall; with the hole itself coming in a few inches all the way around (to hide the tank frame and water returns at the top). Ok, so I uh, have now proved I can cut a hole in the wall. Context pic; how it fits the room. See the sheet half covering the unfinished doorway? That would be the aforementioned bathroom -- the bane of my existence. Anyhow, I will hopefully keep updating as I progress. Let's hope things start looking better from here on out... Any comments/suggestions/reprimands/greetings are well received. My wife just can't seem to understand my excitement at buying a big pile of rocks so others' enthusiasm here will help keep me moving forward . Cheers , Matt
  6. Hi all! I'm in the process of getting back into the hobby (120 in-wall -- some time soon I'll start that whole thread) and enjoy the DIY side quite a bit. Tony (tgallo) was kind enough to give me the old skimmer pictured above when I bought some beautiful LR off him and I'm looking for some help in bringing this guy back to life (in sump). Questions: The grey plastic is ABS? It appears to have it's own sizing - .5" pvc does not quite fit in the intake and the output fits almost snugly inside 1.5" pvc. So,... How do I transition from one to other (both in and out)? I've read the recirc. mods and looked hard at some of Dan's awesome creations but since I have a .5" venturi in hand already, I'm looking to go that route atm. Should I just break out the inlet piece and use all pvc? Did I read somewhere that pvc cement will reek havoc on the ABS (if that's what it is)? Any knowledge passed on would be appreciated. Thanks, Matt
  7. I recently purchased a coralife MH retrofit kit (2x250w) and in more than one place it included the disclaimer "NOT FOR USE OVER OPEN TANKS". This is my first MH fixture but I have never seen anyone or even a picture of a glass top under one of these. This is not HQI so I assume it's not a matter of uv. Am I missing something? Thanks, Matt
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