So its been kinda slow going. I found a tunze ATO off ebay for $100, but realized it was an older model so I had to order the dual sensor mount. Decided to go ahead and put the ATO pump into the 32g RO/DI Brute in my mixing station. Decided not to use the rubber tubing and go with RO tubing. Put in a slip connector and drilled a small hole (I think it was 1/16"), so its just above the max water line in the container, that way when the pump stops, it breaks the siphon and doesnt drain the hole container to my sump. Then had to lengthen the connectors to the control box since I wanted the control box in my cabinet. Easy to do. Got some 2 wire cable, crimp connectors and heat shrink. Ran it over, plugged it all up and installed the sensor. Tested and works as expected, breaks the siphon and good to go. Then I started looking at turning off the ATO when the return pump is off since the high level alarm would sound every time. So using the smart power strip, I have both the ATO and return pump on smart plugs (the Icecap and inkbird are on always on). So I started looking at some of the home automation stuff. I was able to add a conditional statement in which if the return pump is off for whatever reason, the ATO automatically turns off. I also created a feed mode on the power strip. One button press and both ATO and return turn off. The return turns back on after 15 minutes and then the ATO 5 minutes after that. Who needs an apex!!! I also stole my kids Alexa/echo that isnt being used. Put it in the same room and set it up so that I can say "Alexa, activate feed mode" and it activates my feed mode routine.
cycle has been going, I am stalled at 1ppm nitrite, ammonia is 0 and will go from 1-2ppm to 0 with in 24 hours. So just gotta wait out the nitrites to cycle. I got a NO3 brick from brightwell in a raffle along with some microbacter 7. Asked on here and was told just to soak it and put in the sump. So we will see if that helps or hinders the cycle.
The chromis have started dying... After 7 days in QT, I did a water change (matched the copper level) and added the second dose of praizipro per the humble fish QT procedure. After 10 days, found 1 fish dead, then the next another. Checked all parameters and they were in line, so I can only assume its the classic chromis aggression. Found another Friday night just floating around in the current, not swimming floating, like he was just being blown around..,..and then there were 3. Havent seen any aggression but I also dont have eyes on all the time. They like to hide behind the filter. Yesterday morning, another one was stuck on the filter, wasnt dead but was in a bad way. Turned off the filter and he swam down. Came back a few hours later and he was stuck again. Let him loose, but he just wasnt doing anything. Was breathing and slowly moving but it was obvious he wasnt gonna last. No signs of aggression, no fin tears, no bruises, but again Chromis are none for this. I have 2 left and they are the bigger of the pack so makes sense. Looking at getting a group of Anthias.....
Decided it was time to do my DIY screen lids. I had gotten some screen kits, extra corners, spline and screen top from Lowes. After looking at the screen again, I realized it was aluminum and probably not the best for a saltwater environment. I ordered the clear screen from BRS instead. The middle screen is easy as it was a rectangle. Stretching the screen out is kinda tough by yourself, but got the wife to help, then realized we did it too tight as the screen warps on the corners. But I pushed it down and it was a perfect tight fit. Now the other 2 sections (this tank has 3 sections on the top) have the over flows and the returns coming over the back of the tank. So I measure it out, and slowly built it out make an approx 2"x2" box that allows me to fit the screen around the return pipe. It also covers most of the overflow in case a fish does get down there. Its not as pretty as the square and I think its still to tight as the 2x2 box wants to pull apart a little and is a little off. But one its sitting on the tank its ok. Will work on the last one later.
