180 Build Thread

palvyre · Dec 2, 2012

Same thing happened here. GHA showed up after I removed my GFO. So I added a small amount back and have been watching it slowly thin out.

palvyre · Dec 4, 2012

So I was using a 10k light fixture that had two mini T5 bulbs recommended by AC on my fuge. My chaeto never really grew. I replaced it a week ago with a 6500k CFL and it's growing now and I see algae all over the sides of my fuge. Guess the 10k was not the best choice.

mixer911 · Dec 4, 2012

palvyre said:
So I was using a 10k light fixture that had two mini T5 bulbs recommended by AC on my fuge. My chaeto never really grew. I replaced it a week ago with a 6500k CFL and it's growing now and I see algae all over the sides of my fuge. Guess the 10k was not the best choice.

Nope, Algaes' like lower kelvin light better. So just cheap old bulbs work best.

Dowtish · Dec 4, 2012

I'm actually using a par 30 bulb that have 3 LED's in it, but they are very yellow and I think around 6000k, and it is working quite well, and wont have to be replaced. Found it at lowes for about $12. FYI

gmoney243 · Dec 4, 2012

Yea I've always got best results growing algae with cheap 3200k cfl bulbs. Chaeto grows mad if you have nutrients for it. Haven't tried any leds for algae tho might havr to check that bulb out for my scrubber chris

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fireman23 · Dec 4, 2012

Im.using what sounds to be like the same bulb Chris is using. My macro algae definetly likes it.

palvyre · Dec 9, 2012

So my 180 has been insanely loud ever since I set it up. The dual returns empty into filter socks and the water flow falls about 6" before it hits the water. Also, my skimmer drain sits about 1" above the water and makes a lot of splashing noise. So I made two mods tonight. I cut 2 pieces of 1" pipe about 6" long and I put them into the filter socks and pushed them up into the bulkheads on my filter sock holders. Much, much quieter! So the skimmer drain posed a more involved problem, I can't introduce back pressure or the skimmer will overflow. So I cut a 2" piece of 2" drain pipe and then took a drill and drilled 4 holes around the edge to diffuse the water as it flowed through it. I then inserted it in the end of my skimmer drain. Much better!

Only thing left is a gurgle sound from the 2" drain pipe itself from the skimmer and the hum of my pumps. The volume difference is huge.

schooleyosis · Dec 10, 2012

Good progress on the noise issues. Tackle them one at a time and you'll be a happy camper before you know it. Mind posting a few pictures of the skimmer drain mod you did?

palvyre · Dec 10, 2012

I'll get a picture this evening. Also solved the gurgling noise by placing a towel over the drain pipe vent on the skimmer.

palvyre · Dec 10, 2012

schooleyosis · Dec 10, 2012

Nice mod... I think I see what you did there. LOL

palvyre · Dec 15, 2012

This thing has gotten huge. Has a green mouth. Had it originally in my 92. Think it's a Yuma? It's now about 6-7" across.

Dowtish · Dec 15, 2012

Pretty sure that is one huge Yuma! looks awesome

angrycubano · Dec 16, 2012

It's yuma-ongous

gmoney243 · Dec 16, 2012

angrycubano said:
It's yuma-ongous

Don't quit ur day job

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palvyre · Dec 16, 2012

Heh. It's popped off another small one, but it's mostly covered during the day by the larger one.

gmoney243 · Dec 16, 2012

oh yea been meaning to show this since u mentioned modding your output to reduce noise. this is the aquacev mod works great you can even put a cap on the T with a hole in the top for even less noise but its pretty quit as is.

AquaC EV-180 Protein Skimmer Modification to Reduce Noise - YouTube