CCOMBS FIRST REEF!

[ccombs]

Today I added Sodium Nitrate per the @Lasse Method!

In theory my target ppm was 3, however, after dosing I tested at 10ppm. I either must have had nitrates already in the system and just added to it, or went too many days past the 5 day mark. The sodium nitrate was in our mailbox, but USPS took over a week to get us a replacement key made when we lost ours.

Sodium nitrate is used in fertilizers and explosives, so it was kind of funny to add it to the tank.

I am having some APEX Network issues that are frustrating. It keeps dropping the connection.

I am also having some gyre issues that aren't quite resolved.

 

[ccombs]

Tonight I have started having some major network issues with the APEX. I have been through all of the support forums, etc. and have a ticket with them. I have a feeling a full reset is in my future....

 

[ccombs]

First off, huge shout out to Neptune Systems and Luis for helping me through my problems. In short I completely lost the ability to connect via wifi or wired connection and my FMM started acting up as well. They were great on the phone and got me in last second before my work really picked up tomorrow.

Today I finished the outdoor enclosure, check it out!

The DOS waste line runs right into my home drainage spouts.

Per the @Lasse Method, I added a soft coral. I first did a coral dip which I have never done before. I am still waiting on this GSP to open up. A few of the polyps have opened, but this is about a baseball sized piece. I know most people despise GSP but I really like the pop and the movement. Eventually this tank will be mixed and I will have some big boy corals as well haha.

The rock that the coral is on has some nice coraline and other good hitchhikers. I am hoping I get some coraline seeded and better biodiversity overall.

I am still having some Gyre issues that are extremely frustrating, but much like everything else in life and this tank in general, I will take a smooth and methodical approach and end up doing just fine.

Finally, here is a FTS for where I am at. One day I will get good at taking pics.

 

[ccombs]

Tank is going really well. Still figuring out what is going on with the gyre, and I also am trying this device that uses the power cable running through the walls to establish a wired connection for my APEX. I will let you know how it works, Neptune Systems recommended it.

The GSP opened up which is huge for me, because before GSP and Xenia would die pretty much right away on me. Here are some pics!

I swear the tank isn't as blue as these pictures make it!

 

[Crustaceon]

I have a particular fondness for GSP since it was the very first coral I purchased. When I went the sps route, all of the gsp i could find went to local community member tanks and I thought that was that. I’ve since made the decision to go back to a softie/lps tank (future build thread coming in the next few months) simply because I liked it better/ I proved to myself that I could do the sps thing. I was kicking myself for getting rid of my GSP and it’s ultra-colorful waving, like a grassy field... That is until I was monkeying with my rockwork last night and noticed a little colony that had eluded me. Out of all of my current corals, THAT makes me the most excited.

 

[ccombs]

I have a particular fondness for GSP since it was the very first coral I purchased. When I went the sps route, all of the gsp i could find went to local community member tanks and I thought that was that. I’ve made the choice to go back to a softie/lps tank (future build thread coming in the next few months) simply because I liked it better and was kicking myself for getting rid of my GSP and it’s ultra-colorful waving, like a grassy field... That is until I was monkeying with my rockwork last night and noticed a little colony that had eluded me. Out of all of my current corals, THAT makes me the most excited.

I understand that it needs more work, etc. But the way that I see it, if I can make it through, Uronema, Velvet, and a full tank breakdown, I can trim some GSP every now and then This tank is meant to be a mental retreat for me since my job is so mentally taxing. I love watching softies and LPS gently flow around so I think they will always have a place in my tank even though some reefers might look down on it.

 

[Hemmdog]

What’s going on with your gyres, what kind are they. I can try to help.

 

[ccombs]

What’s going on with your gyres, what kind are they. I can try to help.

A few issues, and I can't find a common thing that relates the issues. Here is what I know.

Icecap Gyre 1K, Icecap 1K Gyre Interface, Neptune APEX, Alternate Gyre Cable.

1) Gyre runs perfectly fine (and quiet) with normal controller.

2) When connected to APEX, Gyre spends first 10 minutes kind of glitching back and forth and won't run for more than half a second.

3) After 10 minutes, it seems to run at full speed (even though that isn't the program) and it is LOUD. I mean, laughably loud. However, it does not do this with the normal controller.

4) @CoralVue was great and send me new interface, it does the same thing.

5) I need to put a multimeter on the cable to verify voltages

6) I am only running one of the sides, I have the left side capped off so it fits vertically in my tank.

7) I am aware that gyre does not like to be below 20% on controller, my lowest intensity is 30%

I am thinking it is the cable, I will check out voltages tonight.

 

[Crustaceon]

Sounds like a voltage issue to me. (Too much being supplied). I owned a pair of gyre xf250’s and they were ridiculously loud above 50% power, especially when changing speeds. wwwwwWWWWWEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEeeeeeeeeeeeeeooooooooo.......wwwwWWWEEEEEEEEEEEeeeeeeeeeooooooooo. I could hear them from about fifty feet away and over my skimmer especially without the ultra tactical super custom seachem bottle silencer I built for it.

 

[ccombs]

Sounds like a voltage issue to me. (Too much being supplied). I owned a pair of gyre xf250’s and they were ridiculously loud above 50% power, especially when changing speeds. wwwwwWWWWWEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEeeeeeeeeeeeeeooooooooo.......wwwwWWWEEEEEEEEEEEeeeeeeeeeooooooooo. I could hear them from about fifty feet away and over my skimmer especially without the ultra tactical super custom seachem bottle silencer I built for it.

This might be the best onomatopoeia I have ever seen haha! I need to send this to some English teachers lol. I am about to go grab my multimeter and I will report back with the results. Thanks for the advice, let's see what happens!

 

[ccombs]

Sounds like a voltage issue to me. (Too much being supplied). I owned a pair of gyre xf250’s and they were ridiculously loud above 50% power, especially when changing speeds. wwwwwWWWWWEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEeeeeeeeeeeeeeooooooooo.......wwwwWWWEEEEEEEEEEEeeeeeeeeeooooooooo. I could hear them from about fifty feet away and over my skimmer especially without the ultra tactical super custom seachem bottle silencer I built for it.

SO! Interesting News. I just metered the 1/8" Cable. I used the sleeve as the ground (which is standard wiring) and no matter what I did at the APEX, the tip and ring both metered at 10vDC. So that being said... is my Apex the issue?

 

[Crustaceon]

If the apex module itself is controlling voltage regulation and no longer has control over it then that could very well be possible, especially considering you’re having the same issue with not one gyre module but two. This is my mechanic training talking. Of course it could also be software issue which I’m sure someone here is more of an authority on the the intricacies of apex systems than me.

 

[ccombs]

If the apex module itself is controlling voltage regulation and no longer has control over it then that could very well be possible, especially considering you’re having the same issue with not one gyre module but two. This is my mechanic training talking. Of course it could also be software issue which I’m sure someone here is more of an authority on the the intricacies of apex systems than me.

So electronics are right up my alley, but I find it very unlikely that a new in box APEX would have an issue, especially since the other variable voltage port is working. I mean, it is possible.

That being said, I would like to think that I am probably more at fault here with my programming. However, I have had the exact same issue when I use the wizard to control the gyre, and also when I make profiles that are triggered. I watched the Coral Vue video on programming a few times and followed their steps word for word.

I let Neptune know about the problem when I spoke with them and will set up a follow up call.

Finally, my energy bar has a crazy high pitch hum that is driving me insane, especially since the tank is in my bedroom.

 

[Hemmdog]

Why not just run the gyres on the normal controller then if that works?

 

[ccombs]

Why not just run the gyres on the normal controller then if that works?

Well, honestly, for a few petty reasons.

1) I purchased the components to make it work, and it frustrates me that it isn't working as it should.

2) Programming from the normal controller kind of sucks. Also, with how hidden my gear is, it is hard to make adjustments with how I would need to mount it.

3) With my travel I need to be able to make changes remotely.

4) I recently invested a lot of money into gear and the APEX ecosystem specifically. I have everything else pretty much controlled by the APEX and would love for this to be as well, especially with how I configured my power outage scenario.

None of the above are really 'good' reasons. I would just like to be able to do what I have invested money into.

 

[Hemmdog]

Well, honestly, for a few petty reasons.

1) I purchased the components to make it work, and it frustrates me that it isn't working as it should.

2) Programming from the normal controller kind of sucks. Also, with how hidden my gear is, it is hard to make adjustments with how I would need to mount it.

3) With my travel I need to be able to make changes remotely.

4) I recently invested a lot of money into gear and the APEX ecosystem specifically. I have everything else pretty much controlled by the APEX and would love for this to be as well, especially with how I configured my power outage scenario.

None of the above are really 'good' reasons. I would just like to be able to do what I have invested money into.

Ah, I see. lol.

 

[ccombs]

Ah, I see. lol.

You certainly have the best idea here, I fully admit that. I just don't like being defeated by technology hahaha.

As much as I hate to admit it, there is also a part of me that loves when things don't work so I can fix them. Once you get past the frustration and profanity it is down there somewhere lol.

 

[mattzang]

i like your dedication, i hate technology, but if i paid for an apex, i want that thing to do everything under the sun for me!

 

[ccombs]

i like your dedication, i hate technology, but if i paid for an apex, i want that thing to do everything under the sun for me!

 

[ccombs]

It is my great pleasure to announce the following:

MY TANK IS GETTING THE UGLIES!

But seriously, this makes me so happy. Why do you ask? Well, if you have read the full thread you know that my tank kinda didn't do this before and it messed up my stability long term. My rocks are getting color and there is some junk on my sand. It pretty much all happened while I was at work today. Obviously I don't like the way it looks, however, I am happy that natural processes are at work.

@Lasse I am going to decrease my photoperiod as it is quite long and feed a little less. I know you want me to use my head, but please let me know if I missed something or am about to do something dumb lol.