150 Build - Kansas City

klipprand · Nov 25, 2020

Mixing station complete. Prepping wall nearby for the BRS 6-stage RO/DI unit which will connect directly to the tank on the right. Super happy I was able to get my hands on an RK2 silicone uniseal. My wife was giving me a hard time I was so excited! I have outlets on each side to connect top off and continuous/on demand water changes should I decide to implement.

R.Weller · Nov 25, 2020

Great to see another large build in progress in KC! Well done.

klipprand · Nov 30, 2020

We are wet! BRS 6-stage 100 gpd installled and making water. Did a partial fill ~45 gallons for leak check (found one small pinhole and fixed) and weight check. Pumped water from fresh to salt-side for second leak and weight check. Will pump out tonight and start with fresh just to rinse system.

klipprand · Dec 21, 2020

So, found out that the POP Pallet is not going to work. It will hold the weight, but deforms, so if the holding tanks are not filled evenly it twists the pipes and caused another small pinhole leak. So, going to build a wooden one, and maybe add some expanded PVC foam trim where it meets the floor with stainless steel screws. Kind of a bummer, but glad I leak tested it a little at a time. Hated to pump out 160 gallons of 0 TDS water. Oh well.

klipprand · Jan 17, 2021

klipprand · Jan 17, 2021

New platform in place above. All treated wood 2x8's & 2 layers of 5/16" plywood. Screwed together with stainless steel screws and a couple of coats of epoxy paint too.

klipprand · Mar 12, 2021

Electrical finally in. 3x 20 Amp circuits. Running behind schedule, but it's slowly coming together.

klipprand · Apr 6, 2021

Slow going. We had layoffs in February and no raise this year. Thankful to still have a job. The Tropic Marin Pro was back in stock at BRS, so ordered 3 containers. Also, ordered a new Milwaukee digital refractometer. Hope to order the stand next month. Also, I have decided to change the size a bit to a 48" long tank that is 24" deep and 30" wide. This fits the space better, but still give me a good volume at about 150 gallons..

klipprand · Jan 5, 2022

Update long overdue! After repricing a custom tank & stand and seeing the rather high prices - over $8k for a custom 150, I decided on a Waterbox LX 190.4. It has the aluminum stand I want, not crazy about the sump layout but it will work. Only about $500 more than my original budget for tank, stand & sump. Got the Apex Neptune Controller & Pump. Changed my heater to an Innovative Marine Helio PTC - 700 W w/ 2 350W elements. Ordered an Aquamaxx media reactor for carbon. Picked up 70 lbs of Marco rock when I got the Neptune from an LFS. Still need some base rock, or make my own if I can't find it locally. Going to leak test as soon as it gets delivered, then build my rock scape.

I'm changing my thoughts about how to best cycle and prep. Going to go the Polyplab Genesis Rock Booster route. Heard mixed reviews on other bricks leaching contaminants into the water. Then add phytoplankton and pods from AlgaeBarn next. Multi-week process that I will document.

klipprand · Jan 23, 2022

Plumbing complete, fresh water leak test okay so far. COR 15 return pump not coming on, opened a support ticket with Neptune.

klipprand · Jan 26, 2022

klipprand · Jan 26, 2022

klipprand · Jan 26, 2022

Making progress. Just fresh RODI water at the moment, will add salt next and siphon out rock dust from the bottom. Starting cycle with Polyplab Genesis Rock Booster. Will add OceanMagik & Pods from AlgaeBarn after 6 weeks and turn lights on to ramp up.

Sean Clark · Jan 26, 2022

Looking good. Did you get you COR squared away? Following along.

klipprand · Jan 26, 2022

Yes, Neptune Support called me today and had to do a firmware update. Working great now!

galantra · Jan 26, 2022

Can’t wait to see more

klipprand · Jan 31, 2022

Got my Neptune ATK added. Found one at the LFS here in KC. Had an issue at first, because the place I plugged it into my EB was not enabled. Once I enabled it, started working great. Salt added - running at 1.026/35 PPT. Started cycle with Polyplab Genesis rock booster. Now waiting for 4 weeks...

klipprand · Mar 15, 2022

Got the hanging kit for the second Kessil AP9X and installed last night. Cycle has been running 6 weeks, so time to start with low light. Starting by adding phytoplankton, then zooplankton (pods), then coral, then fish.

klipprand · Mar 21, 2022

Got in my phytoplankton and coralline algae starters. Also, got my MP40's, still figuring out where to mount things for the battery backups. Probably could have gotten away with one. Copepods coming on Wednesday. Had a problem with the left MP40 noisy this morning, adjusted speed up and went away, but then got much worse about an hour later. Called support, said I need to ramp up slowly over two weeks. Took wet side out and disassembled to make sure shaft was intact okay. Dry side was quiet without wet side attached. It was very hot though. Seems better now. Need to get dosing going and start adding some corals next.