Custom Build - Rethinking everything I think I know....

[CMMorgan]

8" is a great mounting height. I generally measure it from the bottom of the light to the surface of the water. The fixture is only an inch and a half tall, so it won't make a huge difference either way. The lights will do well anywhere between 6-12" off the water given the dimensions you've got.

Thanks @Kessil ... You rock!

 

[CMMorgan]

So, the electrician was supposed to come today. No show, no call.
The plumber was supposed to come today ... no show but at lest he called.
The hot water is being replaced with Tankless and the pipes are being replaced with Pex. That should get rid of the rust that has been showing up in my water for the last month. Plumber is supposedly coming tomorrow... no clue when we'll see the electrician.

 

[CMMorgan]

Just got a call.... my tank shipped!!! It is in a big ol' truck on it's way from Pennsylvania. Delivery agent will call on Friday to schedule delivery for next week.

 

[CMMorgan]

The tank is coming.... the tank is coming.....

It's on the truck and headed to Punta Gorda y'all!!

 

[CMMorgan]

The electrician ran my lines for the lights and the dedicated 20 amp circuit. He has to wait for the breakers to come in on Monday and then that will be live.
Plumber is coming back to put in the drain for the AWC.
Otherwise, things are about to get real...

 

[CMMorgan]

The truck is 30 minutes out!!!!!

 

[CMMorgan]

Mixed feelings happening about now. The tank is here. it's in one piece. It's big, it's shiny and new...
but the dimensions do not align with the order. Now the tank is a different size than the stand. I'm just over it after almost six months of waiting. I was just giddy opening this thing up and now, I just want to go eat my feelings.

 

[John Bolden]

Well if its not how its supposed to be then return it. Because in the long run you will thank your self.

 

[CMMorgan]

Thanks @john bolden. The last update from the vendor was that he was intending to find the correct tank or fast track a new one. Hoping for an update tomorrow.
There are just too many things incorrect about this one to "live with". The vendor contends that they must have shipped the wrong tank. The size is wrong, the thickness is wrong, the drilling size is wrong for plumbing, the color is wrong.... just a calamity of errors.
Fingers crossed that this will be resolved soon.

 

[CMMorgan]

So, considering that I have some time to wait on the new tank.... I did some modifications to the skeleton of the stand today.
I added two more leveling casters because I did not like how it rolled with 6. It is much smoother now.
I installed two soft close roll out trays to the left compartment, then closed the front off with quarter sawn oak. I'll velcro some controllers onto the QSO panel later.
The top roll out is for "stuff".
The bottom one will hold the ATO container. When I want to add salt to do a water change, I just need to pull out the tray. remove the lid and add the salt to mix. This will be automatically refilled from the RO once I install the float valve into the can.
I'll be running a 1/4" saddle valve for the drain in the drain through the wall. That will allow me to set up for Auto Water Change when needed. No buckets to haul, y'all.
The other picture is the underside of the top. I glued a 1/8" yoga mat between the frame and the 3/4" plywood on top. This serves as a vapor barrier and an uncoupling mebrane.

 

[CMMorgan]

Thanks @Living Reef Orlando ... my shipment arrived this morning by 10:00 am. Even going Florida to Florida, there were heat packs. Water temp was 82 ... warm and happy critters. Everybody is straight up chilling in the QT tank. I dipped the corals, no signs of spiders, aiptasia or other nasties. All look healthy and happy. The rock flower was not happy with the cup I tried to put it in... floated right on out and settled on the QT biofitration rock on loan from the DT. Lights are low and slow. So far... very promising outlook.
Just wanted to shout out Anne and the LRO team for their professionalism, excellent communication, and superb packaging. I'll be a repeat customer for certain. Will post picks in a few days when the lights come up and they are all open.
Now if only that new DT would show up.....

 

[CMMorgan]

I am trying to dial in my dosing... I was running about 12 ALK, so I cut dosing in half... down to 7... going to try to meet in the middle. Tested with NYOS.
Calcium holding at 360-380... honestly, I can never read the color metrics very well. I've tested with NYOS and confirmed with API (because it was in the drawer, so why not.)
Salinity on the DT holding steady at 1.025, the QT loses so much to evaporation that it keeps running high. This would be my favorite hanna checker to get... I hate squinting on the refractometer.
Phosphates are low... .2 -.4 over the last month. Tested with API.

 

[sp1187]

I am trying to dial in my dosing... I was running about 12 ALK, so I cut dosing in half... down to 7... going to try to meet in the middle. Tested with NYOS.
Calcium holding at 360-380... honestly, I can never read the color metrics very well. I've tested with NYOS and confirmed with API (because it was in the drawer, so why not.)
Salinity on the DT holding steady at 1.025, the QT loses so much to evaporation that it keeps running high. This would be my favorite hanna checker to get... I hate squinting on the refractometer.
Phosphates are low... .2 -.4 over the last month. Tested with API.

I don't check often, but I bought the hanna checkers. I have difficulty with the color charts. except for the NO3 because mine is consistently high.

 

[CMMorgan]

I don't check often, but I bought the hanna checkers. I have difficulty with the color charts. except for the NO3 because mine is consistently high.

That was why I switched to NYOS. They have more color variants on the high side for NO3. I was running almost 50 for a while. I'm pretty stable at about 20. Can't get it to go down (or up). Nothings dead - so I'm not chasing numbers anymore.

 

[CMMorgan]

While impatiently waiting on the replacement DT.... my husband encouraged me to replace the sump. I just got this yesterday. This is the Trigger Sapphire 34. The plan is to get a yoga mat this weekend to go beneath it and then I can start the plumbing. It will be so nice to NOT have the skimmer in the return chamber any longer.

 

[Bo.]

Time to start updating here again now?

 

[CMMorgan]

Time to start updating here again now?

Yes - I do believe you are right!

 

[CMMorgan]

So the chapter is closed! The OG tank rolled away - finally. It's on it's way back to Pennsylvania. I deposited the check and this morning I spontaneously ordered a long fin captive bred Davinci roundtail clown from @oceans garden aquaculture. I really thought I was done with clowns but those long tails are just fascinating. My last one - an Ora Snowstorm (Mr. Wiggles) - just makes me smile. I have two others - a Black Saddleback that rules the entire tank and a little false Percula named Periwinkle. I've never had any territory issues per say in the 48" tank, so I am crossing fingers that one more in a 72" will fly.
This little guy (girl?) arrives Tuesday. She'll chill in the QT and then transfer over to the new DT the same day as the others. Hopefully, everybody gets along. Should be a safer bet than adding a third tang.
I'm going to hold off on adding any other fish until the new system is completely running for a few months. The benefit of keeping my old DT going until August is it will make a good QT!
The new tank is finally in the living room - not yet on the stand. We are still dealing with the aftermath of the RO flood, so it's going to have to get in line.

 

[CMMorgan]

Tank is still in the living room while we dry out the room I flooded enough to lay new flooring.
That is going very slow. There was trapped moisture under the vapor barrier (Pergo) and the whole room had a system of fine roots growing all over it. UGH
In the meantime, I placed an order for my new fish with @Dr. Reef . I have to say that he has exceptional communication skills. I have no issue waiting a while for them to arrive. It just gives me time to get everything arranged without feeling rushed. I mean - it took 7+ months to get the tank so why rush now.

The official stock list is as follows:
Periwinkle - "Nemo" Clown
Glub - Saddleback Occy
Mr. Wiggles - Ora Snowstorm
Captive bred long finned Davinci - coming Tuesday for QT
Flat Stanley - Yellow Tang
Finley - Blue Hippo
Ruby - 6 line Wrasse
Peekatchu - YWG
Flame Hawk - coming from Dr. Reef
4 Orange Lyretail Anthias - coming from Dr. Reef
Royal Gramma - coming from Dr. Reef
Ultra rock nem
Purple Acid BTA pending shipment

We will definitely rehome the Pajama cardinals. Still on the fence regarding the 3 green chromis but probably those too.

CUC:
Sand Sifting Starfish x 1(existing)
Fighting Conch x 4 - coming from Dr. Reef
90 dwarf ceriths - coming from live-plants.com
20 Nerite snails - coming from live-plants.com
20 Nassaris snails - coming from Live-plants.com
The team coming from live plants will clean up the old tank while the old team travels to the new tank. When the biodiversity levels off in the new tank, I'll move everyone to the new home.
Old crew is a mix of bumble bee, nerite, Florida cerith, dwarf cerith, nassaris snails and what's left of the hermits.
Macro will also come from live-plants when the water warms up.

Even if I can't get my house back together as fast as I want - it was a good day. Progress was made. I have to work tomorrow, which is good. I have appts set for next week, also good. Fish are ordered! That is great.

Sleep well everyone and God Bless!

 

[Jedi1199]

I recall your post about the tank arriving basically completely wrong... Did you get that issue resolved already?

Done with clowns??? Is that even legal in a reef tank? lol