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bubbarockies

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Posts posted by bubbarockies

  1. fc8d9ede35afe97b7d9b7d77af6d82d1.jpg

     

    The tank is filled and I was testing all the seals on the plumbing when I noticed one of the bulkheads on the overflow box was bad. It wasn't flush to the acrylic box and sure enough it leaks. So getting water to the sump will have to wait until I get the replacement bulkhead in.

     

    The hydras decided to start working with the apex out of nowhere. They're fully controllable now though.

     

    I bought the magnetic float switches from marine depot which I had to cut the wires to expose connections for the breakout box, but I got it done and tested the program and it works great. I just need to buy a 5.5 gallon tank to use as my storage container under the stand.

     

    I'm trying out the reef mature pro kit from red sea to cycle the tank. I put in the first dose of everything yesterday. The bacteria bottle is smaller than I expected, so I may buy a bottle of bio spira and use that as well.

     

    Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

  2. I got pretty sick over the weekend so I wasn't too focused on getting things done. This is where I'm at now:

    49ea608339de440a3c541d9f777bcd4c.jpg

     

    I installed the ext mounts and rails and attached the lights. (They aren't talking to my apex though atm.) I really like the way they look.

    I hooked up my apex and got temperature control going. I am having a hard time getting my awm to communicate with my hydras. I have a thread going on the apex forums to try and figure that out.

    I dry fitted the plumbing yesterday and will glue it tonight. The last batch of water should be in by tonight so everything should be in order for flow to the sump tomorrow...

     

    Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

  3. So I got exactly as far as I wanted and no further yesterday. Rock and sand are in, first batch of water has been started. I'm going to install the lights and hopefully get it about two thirds filed today. Pictures to come tonight

     

    Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

    • Like 1
  4.  

    Still setting this up tomorrow?!

    That's the game plan. I think my plan is to set up the rodi unit, install the AI EXT mount, put in the sand and figure out the aquascape for the rocks. We'll see how far I actually get though.

     

    Oh yea. I'm also buying the tank itself. Haha. I checked all my shipments and everything looks good except I got the wrong filter sock. Pretty minor considering all I ordered. Here's the contents of my living space right now.

    b51a51a54545ff8eef6cf87008f86b02.jpg

     

    Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

    • Like 1
  5. did you cut the glass yourself?

    I did. It wasn't too difficult. The 12" 90 degree straight edge was great to have. After the scoring tool, the tank, the glass sheets, silicone, and the straight edge, it only cost 80 bucks.

     

    Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

    • Like 1
  6. The sump is finished. It looks good to me, but I'll water test it tomorrow night to check all the seals while I would still have time to redo a baffle.

    a1bc9c04779271646bd95917f4d74881.jpg

    I also got the first little batch of equipment today and picked up a brute trash can for water storage.

    9d4e6e99b3773049e815a3a82ad59b87.jpg

    Looking forward to Saturday when I get to set up the tank.

     

    Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

    • Like 1
  7. Coming along nicely!

    Why do you need 3 heaters? I have a 60 gallon tank with 40 gallon sump and I run one 300 watt and it stays perfect at 78.

     

    Sent from my SM-G928V using Tapatalk

    I use 2 in the sump to control the tank temp. One primary and one backup in case the first fails, both hooked up to the apex. The third is for saltwater mixing. It really doesn't need to be that big but then I can throw it in the tank if I want.

     

    Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

  8. 855feb5860bf5ffdc92753d0c272d280.jpg

     

    2 down 1 to go. The first baffle turned out well. This one was a bit more difficult to get and keep lined up using a book as the spacing for the bubble trap baffle. We'll see tomorrow.

     

    On a side note. I am already realizing things I forgot. I need to buy a small powerhead for the fuge, a medium powerhead for salt mixing, and 3 150 watt or so heaters. I'll post a wtb thread as well but PM me if you have any of that for sale please.

     

    Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

  9. So the plan for the sump is to do a 3 chamber sump in a 20 long.

    The first chamber is 9"long and will have the skimmer and 2 filter socks. (This is already something I forgot in my first order. I only bought 1 sock holder. Don't tell my wife [emoji15] ). This chamber will be fixed at 10", right in the suggested range for my curve 7 skimmer. I got that baffle in last night and it should be set when I get home tonight.

    bbcf2d0479738dc065aebad4cff508f7.jpg

    The second chamber is for a fuge and is slightly less than a foot long. I went with 7"of depth for this chamber. I will run chaeto and rock rubble and will also set up some pod "apartments" down the road because I'd like to put a mandarin in the tank and I'm thinking a 75 gallon display may not have enough habitat for a large enough population without some help.

    The last chamber is 7"long and comes after a 1 inch wide bubble trap. I will put the return pump and an mj1200 for a carbon reactor in there.

     

    Any thoughts/comments on this configuration would be greatly appreciated.

     

     

    Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

  10. So I was originally planning for a 180, but my wife and I are holding off on buying a home due to crippling student loan debt.  That aside, we are moving into a new apartment this weekend, and with a new place comes a new tank.

     

    I haven't had a tank for over a year now, and it has been killing me.  So for the past 5 months I have been planning out a 180 gallon tank.  Luckily, it's easier to downsize planning than upsize.

     

    I am going to pick up a 75 gallon tank and stand this Saturday. But in the meantime, I went crazy on BRS, Amazon, and Marine Depot.  Coming in the mail this week will be:

     

    Neptune Apex with AWM and Breakout Box

    BRS RO DI 4 Stage Value + Unit

    60 Lbs of sand

    50 Lbs of dry Fiji Rock (plus some Wmcbane is holding on to for me)

    Red Sea Coral Pro Salt

    BRS Two-Part Dosing Kit

    AI EXT Tank Mount and Rails

    Quiet One 2200 return pump

    Float Switches for ATO

    2 RW-8

    Overflow Kit

    Blue and Orange PVC (GO BRONCOS!!!)

    BRS Carbon Reactor

    ETC. You get the point.  My wife and I are going at this with a rip off the bandaid approach.  I've been saving for this tank for a long while and I sold out of a couple other hobbies to devote my time and funds to this build.

     

    I already had a Bubble Magus Curve 7 skimmer and 2 AI Hydra 52's on hand for the build.

     

    I started building my DIY 20 gallon sump tonight since I only want to do 1 baffle a night so I don't completely screw it up.  I couldn't find any commercial sumps that were quite what I wanted. 

     

    I will post up some pictures soon. 

     

    • Like 3
  11. I can honestly say...in my time on this forum. I have never seen such an amazing series of pictures. You do an outstanding job.

    +1

     

    I love the shot where the two mushrooms meet! Very unique photo.

     

    Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

    • Like 1
  12. That would have been a good way to go too. I never spent too much time looking in to mods because I was pretty focused on school at the time. I'm sure someone has done it though. Getting proper flow in small tanks has always been a hard task for me

     

    Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

  13. Nope, I was just able to fit the one float unfortunately.

    Got ya. I did the same on mine back in Colorado. I was always paranoid the thing would fail on so I used a 20 oz soda bottle as a reservoir. I had to fill it almost every other day, but it did the job.

     

    Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

  14. I am partial too the red sea kits for ca alk and mag. The titration method it uses is excellent imo, minimizing user error. I don't really have much preference for the rest though. API is generally cheapest and most available.

     

    I strongly agree with exodus though. Either have a second "fresh" kit to check readings or get someone else to confirm before making changes. Just my .02

     

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