Blue Z Reef

Line going into the membrane after the sediment/carbon filters.

Everytime I see mine do it...

one of these days I’ll have to get a split as well from you.

I had a similar issue with black box lights when I was using ReefKeeper. The issue was the particular plug I was using as suncrestreef is pointing out. I’d go down that rabbit hole first.

13 minutes ago, TheClark said:

This is awesome, lets keep it going.  Once my aptasia are gone, if I can catch some will keep the baton passing through the aptasia ranks!

Thanks again!

 

Let me know...I need some. Lasering the little buggers is getting old haha

3 hours ago, titus'reef said:

Just curious if you’re running the uv 24/7? 

Yep!

Yep, light film appears pretty quick. I added a UV sterilizer and overall feel like it buys me about 1 more day before cleaning time but not anymore (don’t believe the hype of zero algae lol).

Another one for Jebao from me. I’ve had long lifespans out of them and they work great and are quiet. The new “sine wave” models are the quietest of them I’ve used. For the money, you can afford to have one on the shelf if you ever had an issue. Can’t recommend them enough.

Tank looks good, I would say that is a great beginner size for sure. 
 

Lots of helpful people around here, what are you looking for help with?

One that I see right away that I would change would be the sump. Ideally more size makes for easier organizing of equipment and space for extra/larger equipment. That sump in particular looks more along the fresh water lines than reef. Some of the equipment looks older but some of it will work out fine to get you going and you can upgrade to things that you would then carry over to the new tank (like a newer skimmer, return pump, etc).

when you are ready for some easy beginner corals, send me a PM and I’ll get you setup with something you don’t have to worry about killing 😁

My point with the DOS was just that it’s loud enough to hear. If you are doing 2 per dosing it runs for like 2 seconds at a time so it’s not really that bothersome, just more of a surprise they didn’t make it quieter. I would 100% use the DOS so the apex can control it easily. That also allows for Trident automated dosing, which wouldn’t be possible without it.

I think you would be feeling pretty great if you had:

Apex EL

DOS

Trident

pretty much cruise control setup there. ORP isn’t really used for anything unless you run ozone. My experience was bad with salinity probe, you’d have to make the judgement if that really gives you any significant feedback or not. IMO if my salinity was significantly off, I’d know but it hardly moves on 200+ gals of water. For the variable speed ports, again, if you had something to use them with maybe it would be worth it, but remember that all these things can be added at a later date if you really wanted to, you aren’t “stuck” without the possibility.

5 hours ago, TheClark said:

Trident has been great! 

You mentioned loud Jeff @Blue Z Reef?  I need to video reefbot.  It sounds like a rock tumbler.  Incredibly loud!  Like leave the room if you are on a work call loud!

Although I have no reefbot complaints other than that, I have much greater faith in the trident.

I haven't observed the alk drift some report on the trident.  In fact, I double check Trident using the reefbot with a different test kit now and then.

Trident is like the secret to reefing for me.  Testing alk 4x a day and adjusting the calcium reactor based on those results is-the-bomb!

I fear losing mine enough where I almost bought a second just to have a spare!

 

 

Haha I suppose it’s all relative. My tank in general is pretty quiet by most standards. Also, when comparing it to other dosers like a DP4 or something that make basically no noise, it’s kind of startling how loud they are. I do accept it as it is going to be overall more accurate with the stepper motor than the little DC motors the cheaper dosers use, however, steppers are capable of running a lot quieter by varying the voltages (as you are probably familiar with).

Trident makes its weird little R2D2/Printer/Scanner noises. Not super loud but it is something you get use to. Honestly for what you get from the trident I would accept it being louder 🤣 I run 8x tests a day and love it!

I would avoid red fish like the flame hawk (or in my case flame angel). Clowns are like bulls...they attack red for some reason. I’ve observed it several times with my pair over the years, even had them go at a red tail tamarin wrasse. They never have actually killed a fish but they get super territorial and nippy when they come to their spot. 
 

I always thought some of the leopard wrasses and the orange back wrasse add some nice color/variation to the tank.

1 hour ago, SuncrestReef said:

The most common cause of salinity probe problems is air bubbles trapped inside the tube.  I've had great success with my salinity probe by mounting it upside down so air bubbles just float up and out of the tube without being trapped.  I also calibrate the probe upside down by placing the calibration solution and probe tip inside a probe storage bottle, then inverting it:

https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/brs-ph-orp-probe-tip-soaker-bottle.html

When using the John Guest fittings, did you cut off the tip of the DOS fitting conical section?  If not, it obstructs the push-connect fitting from sealing properly.  I just use a razor knife to slice off the gray conical tip, then thread the John Guest fitting firmly into place.  I've had zero problems with a tight seal.

Trust me on the salinity probe, I tried EVERYTHING! I did as you showed and bought the little probe storage container even. Went through like 6 packets of cal fluid trying to get it to work. When I would finally get things “calibrated” instead of reading 35ppt in solution it would read like 60 or something and along the same lines in the tank. I just can’t comprehend how these probes can be this touchy and problematic. As I said, my super old pinpoint meter with no recalibration ever has been spot on. When they come up with a better probe I will add it back but IMO wasn’t really doing anything significant for me In general and $125 Is pretty steep.

Thanks for the DOS tip though, I did not do that and explains why they never would seal. The seller I got them from and a bunch of tubing didn’t indicate any modification was needed.

I’ve had my apex for about a year now. My two main complaints are:

1. Salinity Probe - these are a joke and mine only lasted a year before being unable to calibrate. At $125 per probe...I am no longer using that functionality. I have an ancient pinpoint salinity meter/probe that still works perfect and is right on the money in the calibration fluid. I attempted to buy a used salinity probe from another member and had the same issue. Seems that very few manage to get them and keep them running long term. I’m hopeful they come out with a more reliable probe in the future but honestly wouldn’t push having one.

2. DOS is loud. Works great overall but is a noisy thing for sure. If you want auto water change, you probably don’t want it in the same room as your tank (mine is mounted in the garage). For 2 part dosing, it runs such short times it’s not really a big deal. Otherwise the setup/calibration is easy and I haven’t had any other issues. I did purchase those fittings Sumcrestreef mentioned but could never get them to seal up properly so I’m just using the standard fittings.

Overall, would 100% buy again. Trident makes the whole thing super amazing. It’s a big cost overall but I haven’t had my prior tanks in such a “cruise control” stage for this long with such little effort.

Same as theclark said...I’d be down if you want to ship them to pay for the cost. PM me 

Anyone else getting this error a lot today?

@TheClark

No, I’ve had those things in the past, not vermetid snails. Vermetid will send out a mucus net thing to catch food from the water column. Also don’t tend to be white like that.

Also have some easy beginner stuff if you want like neon green GSP and Xenia (if you dare!)

Haha most things with a mouth and tentacles will put basically anything it catches in its mouth. Good thing it just spits it out. Nice looking plate, probably worth the “not reef safe” risk 🤣

Any reason you only want single polyps? Just for price reason? I have the following you can just have if you want:

Mohawks

pink and golds (Pandoras) - at least that’s what I think they are

mind blowing palys

they aren’t gonna be single polyps...but that’s usually a good thing haha

There is a combination of issues if you don’t flush before running. Your membrane needs to be flushed, the water lines flush out in the house, etc. If you are using a float valve that is letting small runs daily, you will always have the initial TDS spike that ends up going through your resin. Ideally like Suncrestreef said and I do, you make a big batch in a separate container and pump that in. Membranes run more efficiently over longer periods of time and thus less DI usage.

Other option is to let your reservoir get down to the bottom and fill it up instead of using the float. Again, longer runs, more efficient, less DI use. 

🤣 that spongodes, those dang things grow so fast!

Just for kicks, you have any full tank shots? When I saw your tank a few years back it was pretty packed but looks like it’s even more stuffed lol

I’ll take it, can I PayPal to hold? I can pickup next week sometime. PM me.