125 - Took Forever But Here It is!

tbrown · Jun 7, 2022

Pics of the first 125...

tbrown · Jun 7, 2022

Equipment photo dump just so I have pictures...

Kenneth Wingerter · Jun 8, 2022

Stang67 said:
I may have to look into this a bit more. Finally got my phos below .1 but nitrates are at 25-30.

Of most interest to you (given your high N/P ratio) is that these bacteria are denitrifiers. They can remove a substantial amount of NO3 in this way, even after other bacteria eventually stop assimilating NO3 due to a lack of PO4.

tbrown · Jun 8, 2022

Kenneth Wingerter said:
Of most interest to you (given your high N/P ratio) is that these bacteria are denitrifiers. They can remove a substantial amount of NO3 in this way, even after other bacteria eventually stop assimilating NO3 due to a lack of PO4.

And that's exactly why I'm still on the fence. I have decent NO3 and fairly low PO4. I'm afraid if I use it and the NO3 tanks I'll get mad nasty algae since I still have PO4. With that said though, NO3 is cheap to dose which is why I like the idea.

tbrown · Jun 8, 2022

Ok. I actually took some pictures tonight!

Goaway · Jun 8, 2022

tbrown3589 said:
Ok. I actually took some pictures tonight!

Hob filters? Did they ever give you any issues?

Goaway · Jun 8, 2022

Not filter. But hob overflow..

tbrown · Jun 8, 2022

Mibu said:
Hob filters? Did they ever give you any issues?

Overflow box.

tbrown · Jun 8, 2022

Mibu said:
Not filter. But hob overflow..

I've had some issues with algae clogging the baffles on occasion. I just check and clean them semi frequently.

Stang67 · Jun 9, 2022

Is there a reason you chose not to drill the tank? This is cool looking for sure.

Goaway · Jun 9, 2022

Stang67 said:
Is there a reason you chose not to drill the tank? This is cool looking for sure.

My guess is, because it is scary.

One day, my husband will let me.

Waiting on seeing the 125 stocked.

tbrown · Jun 9, 2022

Stang67 said:
Is there a reason you chose not to drill the tank? This is cool looking for sure.

It's a glass tank. I already broke one of the 125s... Drilling glass is something my wife and I have messed around with a couple of times for other projects. We have never been successful - it cracked each time. I've used overflow boxes on all of my reef tanks on the past and haven't had any problems so it's basically the monsters I know vs, as @Mibu said, the scary one.

Stang67 · Jun 9, 2022

Makes perfect sense.

Goaway · Jun 9, 2022

tbrown3589 said:
It's a glass tank. I already broke one of the 125s... Drilling glass is something my wife and I have messed around with a couple of times for other projects. We have never been successful - it cracked each time. I've used overflow boxes on all of my reef tanks on the past and haven't had any problems so it's basically the monsters I know vs, as @Mibu said, the scary one.

I had an over flow box on my last aquarium. It was a crappy setup. Only issue is as you stated earlier, keeping the grate clean. Other wise, never failed me when things turned off or back on. Many power outages in White Sands. I love the look of the setup.

tbrown · Jun 9, 2022

So the overflow box is a not wonderful design... I can deal with it but I have to prop it up 3" above the fish tank frame. It's an interesting design - the "baffles" are actually slots about 3" from the top and they're about 5" tall with an adjustable "cover" for the bottom portion of the slots. Turned on the pump and everything was great! Turned it off and the sump overflowed... The sliding cover or door does not seal so the water in my 6'*18" tank dropped 5"... Fairly quickly too. I put a 2*3 on the rim and raised the overflow so it works and only drops the tank about 1.5" now.
Unfortunately the impeller I got is too skinny and won't work for the Rio so I either have to buy a new pump or find an impeller that will work... In the meantime I glued it together with gel super glue - something coral Fraggers seem to have a plentiful supply of!
Also, I got something in the mail today!

Thanks @Aquarocks !

tbrown · Jun 10, 2022

Well, the impeller is going to be hard to find so I decided to order a bigger pump! The super glue "fix" is working for now, but the new pump will be in on Tuesday.

Also, I started soaking the rock. Hopefully we'll get the "die-off" finished before I put it in the tank and avoid some of the ugly stage.

tbrown · Jun 13, 2022

Alright, I siliconed the overflow. Time to let it cure and then test it out.

My new pump also came in yesterday so now I have everything I need to get the pump set up. Going to buy some PVC glue for the return lines and then (2) 1" slip to 1 1/4" tubing fittings for the drain lines. Time to tear down the freshwater tanks and move the tank inside and set it up. I guess that means finding a new spot for Pineapple as well.