Gilroy 425g Build Thread (All Apex, all the time)

[Terence]

Thanks for the tip. Eventually I can make the Deltec work just fine. It will actually be a challenge I will want to take on and then fix Brads.

 

[Panky]

Lights?

 

[shadow1013]

No worries. I don't think I'll be able to make any of those so hopefully I'll see you at RAP Orlando 2017.

But I did just bump into one of your coworker, I don't remember his name even thought I talked to him at RAP, he was at Reefers Direct installing an Apex Gold on their system. It looks sharp!

Sorry. These shows are crazy times for us. During much of the show there were about 10-15 people in our booth at any one time.

Our next US event is RAP in NY/NJ and then MACNA and then RAP SoCal.

 

[Terence]

You guys in Canada are so lucky to have a guy like Phil Gilbert of Polyp Labs. Today, via overnight UPS Air, came a package with two of the replacement pieces I needed for the Deltec Calcium Reactor (no charge) along with a complimentary of the Polyp Labs Roids coral food. I still think there are some design flaws in the CR, but wow what Customer Service!

I drained the old water out of the CR, installed the new part, refilled the reactor with water and fired it up. WE ARE BACK ONLINE!

Other updates:

- Lights are still a couple of weeks out - a few snags there.
- I got two 20g long tanks and I am setting up one of them as a QT. Put the water in tonight (20g from the tank - put 2og good saltwater in sump to replace). Turned on the HOB filter.
- Changed the 1" to 3/4" reducers on the sea swirls from the ugly white ones to Schedule 80 grey ones
- Added another WAV pump. Couldn't stand seeing that free 1LINK port!

Future projects:

- Going to add some more modules to the downstairs to control the Kessil light on the macroalgae.
- Also going to add an Apex to the QT tank(s) on the rack.
- Need to add float valve to saltwater fill line from RODI tank
- Possibly a return pump change to something with a little more umph. I am getting 1000gph of turnover now (2.5x per hour). Would like to at least double that for more filtration.
- Build a better filter sock solution that can handle two socks instead of one.

 

[gettaReef]

Now that's the service I like to see! Glad somebody made it right

 

[jl283467]

You know your killing us with this whole light thing right

 

[hybridazn]

Glad to see you got the CaRX back online!

 

[Terence]

OK, CR back online and running smoothly. Thanks again Phil!

Used BRS 2-part two days ago to get parameters in line. This morning I took my baseline test of kH and CA. It was 8.8 and 415 respectively. I will let it run for three days and then check it again. If it is within +/- 10% I will wait another three days and check again and then adjust the flow as necessary on the reactor.

I think I will tinker again tonight down in the Fish Cave and get some more things online to the Apex. I will probably install a 1Link down there to power a couple of DOS (only one there now) as well as some other accessories like solenoid valves for the water tank filling.

I also forgot to add above that I got a booster pump for my RODI. 45psi was not cutting it.

 

[FireEMT]

I know that you have said you want to keep this thread about you tank but you mentioned an empty 1Link port. Speaking of empty 1Link port, where are the 1Link cable for the DOS. I have two DOS units and would love to hook one of them to the "empty 1Link Port". Any news, I was told months ago it was going to be very soon.

 

[Terence]

https://www.saltwateraquarium.com/apex-dos-to-1link-power-cable-male-male-10-neptune-systems/

 

[FireEMT]

https://www.saltwateraquarium.com/apex-dos-to-1link-power-cable-male-male-10-neptune-systems/

Thanks for the info

 

[Terence]

CR is back online. Not perfect yet as the pump has had two or three thermal cutoff issues in three days. I can see them when the CO2 rises above the set point (due to no circulation in the reactor). I have been able to dial in the bubbles (by accident) such that at the current output flow, the solenoid barely ever has to cycle off/on. I wasn't looking to do this - nor do I think it is important - but it was an interesting anomaly to see on the graphs. The one below shows the peaks where the pump shut down, the ups and downs when the solenoid was cycling at the set points, and then a period now where it is relatively smooth (the bubbles are just right and no solenoid cycle). Super interesting what you can see on one graph.

I also set up a booster pump on my RODI but the cutoff switch needs some tweaking still.

I changed out the filters on my RODI and also added a final stage of DI (I had just one before).

The first QT tank is running nicely with a little HOB filter. Going to put an entirely different Apex on these QT. Why not!? I happened to have in the garage my enclosure with Apex and two EB8 in it I used on my 210g from before I moved to CA. It even has a waterbug in it and a prototype of the first ALD complete with 3D printed module bezel. I fired it up and it had 4.20 CB12 on it!

Chaeto is growing great. I caught some amphipods from a coworkers tank (they are like roaches in his DT), brought them home, and put a 1g BRS jug with sand in it and set it sideways in the sump under the chaeto ball. I have not seen any large amphipods yet in my tank, so I wanted to get some going. When I add some more coral I am sure they will come along for the ride - but I was impatient!

 

[psirex]

Nice progress

 

[Terence]

I stopped by Neptune Aquatics in San Jose yesterday. What a great job Robert and Cerissa have done with that place since it opened just over a year ago.

My main goal for stopping there was to pick up a few nicely seasoned pieces of rock from their sumps. Robert has some impressive "vats" of rubble and macro under each of his coral and fish holding retail tanks and it is loaded with tasty rock and various macroalgae growing in mats!

I also decided that my QT process would include chloroquine phosphate and asked Robert about it. Sure enough he had some, so I picked up some of that too.

Nancy was drooling over a rainbow scoly in the AP700 display tank. "Tell him I want that!"

As we left, my wife Nancy says to me "Aren't we getting any fish" with a sad face. Soon baby, soon...

If you live anywhere near San Jose you already know about Neptune Aquatics. If you are passing through for other reasons, it is worth the visit!

www.neptuneaquatics.com

 

[psirex]

Sucks that there are no places like this in the upper northeast.......

 

[Terence]

Well, there are very few like this out this way as well. In fact, I have to drive 40-45 minutes (with no traffic) to get to Neptune Aquatics - but it never disappoints!

 

[psirex]

We some decent LFS here but nothing like that....

 

[nitro]

+1 on Lifereef I am new to using Lifereef, but if you think great products and great customer service is important then check them out. You will be glad you did.
Nitro

 

[Terence]

Before... And after...

 

[Terence]

Picked up a new Dewalt drill driver today. Now I have the little son to the big daddy I got almost 14 years ago! My right forearm will from henceforth thank me!