gcarroll's 260g SPS reef

[Flippers4pups]

Different skimmer now?

 

[reefwiser]

So what is the plan to move forward?

 

[hatfielj]

Here is my latest update! I got good news and bad news.

Good news: my sump is home and really looks great under the tank!!!

Bad news: although the skimmer fits, I will not be able to remove it once it’s in the sump. I totally missed calculating the distance between the top of the sump and the steel stand. I’m about 1.5” shy of the 13” needed to get the skimmer out.

I definitely think a smaller skimmer would be fine. That one is overkill for that system IMHO.

 

[Abhishek]

Hmm :mad: !!!

Well am sure a new Deltec will fit in fine like the 1500lx or running an external RO regal 300 with float switch is an option .

How bad it is to order taller 80/20 beams and replace the legs ?
But that means a lot of work like taking the aquascape down and moving the tank ..

Regards,
Abhishek

 

[lilchris_357]

What's under the bottom plywood? If there are no support beams running across the bottom of the stand, can you take that piece of plywood out and set the sump on the floor? (of course put some type of vinyl down) Just a thought.

 

[gcarroll]

curious is this a 1 off sump? I wasn't aware that vertex would make custom sumps.

The intent was for it to be a one off sump but there ended up being a duplicate made. It is going to a LFS up in Canada.

Different skimmer now?

So what is the plan to move forward?

I definitely think a smaller skimmer would be fine. That one is overkill for that system IMHO.

The plan going forward is to step down to a Alpha 250. The Alpha 300 was overkill but I was only going with it because so many said it was too big. I enjoy proving people wrong. Besides, I feel that the more air water exchange, the more benefits from the skimmer.

Hmm :mad: !!!
Well am sure a new Deltec will fit in fine like the 1500lx or running an external RO regal 300 with float switch is an option .
How bad it is to order taller 80/20 beams and replace the legs ?
But that means a lot of work like taking the aquascape down and moving the tank ..

You of all people should know how many products were rejected in this project simply because they did not match the theme. I'll just go with the next size down, too much work to change the stand just to accommodate that skimmer.

What's under the bottom plywood? If there are no support beams running across the bottom of the stand, can you take that piece of plywood out and set the sump on the floor? (of course put some type of vinyl down) Just a thought.

There is steel support beams under the plywood.

 

[reefwiser]

Well its good that you have another skimmer in mind. Its time you put water in this tank.

 

[gcarroll]

I know, I know!!!

 

[Rakie]

curious is this a 1 off sump? I wasn't aware that vertex would make custom sumps.

They don't.


@gcarroll say goodbye to that sweet dry tank of the month distinction. It's setting up to be one heck of a dry tank, shame to ruin that progress.

 

[biecacka]

Greg, what do you mean when you said, “I was told this will be a zeovit tank”

Who told you that?

Looking good for sure man

Corey

 

[Abhishek]

The intent was for it to be a one off sump but there ended up being a duplicate made. It is going to a LFS up in Canada.


The plan going forward is to step down to a Alpha 250. The Alpha 300 was overkill but I was only going with it because so many said it was too big. I enjoy proving people wrong. Besides, I feel that the more air water exchange, the more benefits from the skimmer.

You of all people should know how many products were rejected in this project simply because they did not match the theme. I'll just go with the next size down, too much work to change the stand just to accommodate that skimmer.

There is steel support beams under the plywood.

Yeah that's true ! The most amazing thing I learnt from this build is patience and attention to detail .

250 will be a great match but hopefully you will have enough space above to slide the cup . Thing I love with vertex alpha and bubble King is the screw in cup which might save the day for you.

Regards,
Abhishek

 

[gcarroll]

Greg, what do you mean when you said, “I was told this will be a zeovit tank”

Who told you that?

Looking good for sure man

Corey

So the only thing I did when ordering the sump was give maximum parameters. Crazy thing is, this was supposed to be a sump in the garage. When we moved, I could not find a house with a garage on the other side of the wall. I left all the details up to the Owner of vertex to design what he would want. I've never tried Zeovit but am very familiar with the product. I have used other forms of bacterial systems like bio pellets, carbon dosing, Dr Tim's, Micro Bacter 7, and Prodibio. So you know I told him if I am running Zeovit, I want an Automatic Zeo reactor. Then I told him how I wanted it designed.

Yeah that's true ! The most amazing thing I learnt from this build is patience and attention to detail .

250 will be a great match but hopefully you will have enough space above to slide the cup . Thing I love with vertex alpha and bubble King is the screw in cup which might save the day for you.

Regards,
Abhishek

I would have been able to get the cup in and out, it was the base that would have been stuck. This skimmer was meant to be a temporary until the new line of skimmers is released some time in the future. I just didn't want to be stuck without the ability to upgrade.

 

[biecacka]

Gotcha. I’m interested in hearing your experience with zeovit.

Corey

 

[Janci]

I would have been able to get the cup in and out, it was the base that would have been stuck. This skimmer was meant to be a temporary until the new line of skimmers is released some time in the future. I just didn't want to be stuck without the ability to upgrade.

I have a similar problem with my skimmer after upgrading it. My stand was designed for the first skimmer, but after realizing it was too small, the new skimmer did not fit inside the sump under the tank.
I have to completely dismantle it to get it in/out.
The cup comes off easily. The rest of the skimmer I practically clean just inside the sump...

But yes, the Alpha 250 will still be a great size of skimmer for this setup.

 

[ReeferBean]

Man this isn't plumbed and running yet?

 

[Fishinbob]

Here is my latest update! I got good news and bad news.

Good news: my sump is home and really looks great under the tank!!!

Bad news: although the skimmer fits, I will not be able to remove it once it’s in the sump. I totally missed calculating the distance between the top of the sump and the steel stand. I’m about 1.5” shy of the 13” needed to get the skimmer out.

Beautiful setup! Looks so clean

 

[gcarroll]

Gotcha. I’m interested in hearing your experience with zeovit.

Corey

Me too. I will stay away from the Zeospur since I'm not keen on pastel corals.

I have a similar problem with my skimmer after upgrading it. My stand was designed for the first skimmer, but after realizing it was too small, the new skimmer did not fit inside the sump under the tank.
I have to completely dismantle it to get it in/out.
The cup comes off easily. The rest of the skimmer I practically clean just inside the sump...

But yes, the Alpha 250 will still be a great size of skimmer for this setup.

Even with the skimmer dismanteled, I could not get the base in or out of the sump. At least not without removing the sump.

Man this isn't plumbed and running yet?

Relax buddy! Winter is Coming!!!

Beautiful setup! Looks so clean

Thanks.

 

[Abhishek]

So no zeospur but you will use the rest like zeolites , zeobak , zeofood7 , zeostart , K and sponge power ?
Also you plan to pump the zeovit reactor once a day ?

Interested to see how you are going to modify the zeovit system for your need . Always wanted to run zeovit system but it's cost and strict maintenance routine has kept me away

 

[Reefcowboy]

Greg,

System looks unreal, very nice. Its a bummer the skimmer wont fit, i really dig that monster you had set up! Im sure a smaller one will be just fine

 

[ReeferBean]

I do want to wish this guy a belated HAPPY BIRTHDAY!