Blue Z Reef

I'd have to agree with PowderBlue on this one. There are some larger AIOs that Nuvo makes but when your skimmer is limited (by space it can fit) it really limits your livestock in the long run. If you look at skimmers that fit into the AIOs, most cap out at about 60ish gal for capacity. As most skimmers are overrated on capacity, you are going to be pushing the limits. Having a nicely sized sump lets you get into the nicer, more efficient skimmers and let's you have a nice area for a fuge (instead of crammed into the back with a side light). Plus as we all usually say, more water capacity = more stable.

Looks nice, let us know how it skims for you.

The speed settings on them are a bit much but I have used lower settings when dosing chemi clean for red cyano. Makes getting your skimmer going without overflow fiesta much easier! Also can be left on the lowest setting during treatment to keep your o2 levels up. Otherwise mine is full boar on like yours during normal usage.

LPS is the only hard one in that group. I don't really think your lighting will be too much, but you may decrease your photo period a bit and keep the LPS near the bottom or partially shaded. Do you have actinics for viewing while the halide is off? If not you may want to do some led strips or a t5 with the shorter photo period to enjoy viewing longer.

What LPS do you have or want? Only ones I have trouble with using higher powered lighting has been wellso/brain corals. Hammers and torches don't seem to care.

Any sps problems with using dryer machine to dry the socks? Just wonder if using same dryer machine with yours/family cloth and its fragrant chemical might cause any issues???

When I would wash mine I would always just put my washer on "drain and spin" again after washing them then just hang dry them.

DC pumps are hit and miss from Jebao due to tight tolerances and quality control. I don't make parts for the fix (just impellers to convert them), but the issue I see most of them have is the tight tolerance between the ceramic bearing and shaft. If this gets something in it and locks, the pump fries itself. The "fix" I recommend is lightly sanding the inside of bearing to prevent this from happening. Also be careful with all Jebao products when unplugging the power and plugging back in at the controller. Do this at the wall plug to avoid any arching that can mess up the controller.

I've had pretty good luck with all my jebao equipment as well as my RO DC pump on my skimmer. I do love DC for how quiet they are and efficient.

Sump

Just went through this on my frag tank and dismantled it and drilled it. AIO limits skimmers, fuge, filter socks, and extra water volume. When I started adding acessories to make up for things it was lacking it just crowded up the tank. Keep it clean (and quiet) and leave all that "junk in the suuuuump!"

Those are nice needle valves, I run one on my Ca Rx

PM me, I have a large bag of Vertex bio pellets unopened I don't plan on using.

OIAB is all we have in Vancouver aside from Alley Cat in the mall (don't buy rock there LOL). If I were you I would try and get a chunk or two off someone else. The hard part is finding a good "pest free" piece. I'd offer mine but I think any in my sump has some sort of algae growing on it :-/

Could also wire one of these as an extra safety

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/water-valve-tunze.html

I wouldn't touch anything. All your parameters are within acceptable ranges. The issues you're having are likely due to the rapid changes your tank has gone through. The temp drop probably kicked things off and chasing alk around is what likely did the most damage. If you can keep alk stable at 9, then leave it. I've had my alk go up and down over time and didn't lose anything from it as long as I didn't overreact and change it too rapidly.

Having your cal up high like that isn't an issue, just back it off a bit and watch it.

Just out of curiosity, what salt are you using and what water changes have you done?

Cell phone pic

So it's back open again? I thought he pulled the plug and went to his garage or something? Good to hear, I always enjoyed his shop regardless of the old school corals or not. I'll have to stop by soon and check it out. Thanks for the heads up

Float switch just went out after 4+ years of service, lets hope it's $4 replacement holds up as well ????

Check CL for food safe barrels, they can be had for $20-30. Then save it for a water reservoir or mixing barrel later.

Keep an eye on the ATI sub forum on R2R, they sell dent/scratch units at good discounts, even older units sometimes, worth a look.

Phosphates are high and nitrates are zero, I would fix those to be somewhere around .02-.05 phosphate and somewhere in the 1-10 range for nitrate.

It's for sure, bought a 29 gal for a sump yesterday. Don't forget you have to have/use your Pals card or number or it won't ring up with the discount!

Not sure how long they'd last but what about hatching brine shrimp? Super easy and cheap to do. I was feeding them to my corals but my chromies munched on tons of them lol! These were baby brine, not raised to full size.

There's also this "auto feeder" option:

KollerCraft TOM Hatch 'N Feeder Brine Shrimp Hatchery for Aquariums https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002DVREP8/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_BrwcwbJSTFVKT

Just out of curiosity, did you talk to Eric at DA yet? He is really good about helping out with tech support and could help you narrow things down and get things fixed again. I ran my RKL head unit for 3 years before buying archon upgrade with no issues. Only problem I've had with any of my DA equipment is one plug on one PC4 sticks on occasionally. I use my Swabbie on this channel so it's not an issue.

If your done with your DA stuff....first bid $10

Never satisfied with the market offerings huh? LOL you are an epic DIYer! Look forward to seeing this develop.

You are the king of creative small tanks

 

 

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You got that right, Jack the micro tank artist! Lol!

So they seem cool with no flow at all?

That fire maul is sick! Those green guys aren't king Midas though, KMs are bright yellow like these in my tank:

FWIW. I ordered 8 bulbs from Aquacave recently and all were broke. I noticed a crease in the box and had my suspicions.mopened up and glass everywhere. So it is the currier I'm sure. Mine were pack well had hard cardboard corners and double boxed and still broke.!!!!

Yikes! Yeah I'm definitely only buying local on bulbs from now on.