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pdiehm
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Yesterday:
Installed my new Gyre pump, set at Constant 20% for cycling, just to ripple the water. Undecided whether to run 10 second pulses or alternating mode after playing with it.
Last night: Dosed 8.8ml of pure ammonia to start the cycle.
Installed my new Gyre pump, set at Constant 20% for cycling, just to ripple the water. Undecided whether to run 10 second pulses or alternating mode after playing with it.
Last night: Dosed 8.8ml of pure ammonia to start the cycle.
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pdiehm
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4/20 Update:
The 120 is cycling nicely. Nitrites have fallen to 0 twice within 48 hours after ammonia dosing. Dosing to 1ppm ammonia when they fall to 0. CoralVue is sending me replacement parts for the gyre, as one of the rubber feet was not installed right, and the spinning wore down the pad, so now it doesn't grip and the one impeller doesn't spin. This IMO is a design flaw and should be addressed. Emailed Coralvue about that. If this happens again, I may look toward getting a pair of Vortech Quiet Drives for the tank.
The Quarantine tank is starting to kick in. The AC20 I had wasn't enough biological media IMO and that was causing nitrites to remain sky high. Used my amazon points to purchase an AC70, and used the media from the 20 with the media from the 70...yesterday the nitrites had fallen to approximately 0.5 from well over 1.
The BioCube 29 is in the same process, just waiting for nitrites to fall, but there's no rush as until the QT is ready, I can't really get fish.
Picked up the Tunze 3155 ATO yesterday for $100. Took a while to realize that the tube needs to be higher than the water level in my storage bucket, because it'll siphon in if it's submerged. Had to angle it towards the side glass so it was quiet.
I also completed the bottom part of the tank stand. Added top trim and corner moulding to it. I have 1 more coat of poly to apply, but really happy with how this turned out. Not perfect, as the top piece is approximately 1/8" short so the one corner, there's a lip to the side...whatever
The 120 is cycling nicely. Nitrites have fallen to 0 twice within 48 hours after ammonia dosing. Dosing to 1ppm ammonia when they fall to 0. CoralVue is sending me replacement parts for the gyre, as one of the rubber feet was not installed right, and the spinning wore down the pad, so now it doesn't grip and the one impeller doesn't spin. This IMO is a design flaw and should be addressed. Emailed Coralvue about that. If this happens again, I may look toward getting a pair of Vortech Quiet Drives for the tank.
The Quarantine tank is starting to kick in. The AC20 I had wasn't enough biological media IMO and that was causing nitrites to remain sky high. Used my amazon points to purchase an AC70, and used the media from the 20 with the media from the 70...yesterday the nitrites had fallen to approximately 0.5 from well over 1.
The BioCube 29 is in the same process, just waiting for nitrites to fall, but there's no rush as until the QT is ready, I can't really get fish.
Picked up the Tunze 3155 ATO yesterday for $100. Took a while to realize that the tube needs to be higher than the water level in my storage bucket, because it'll siphon in if it's submerged. Had to angle it towards the side glass so it was quiet.
I also completed the bottom part of the tank stand. Added top trim and corner moulding to it. I have 1 more coat of poly to apply, but really happy with how this turned out. Not perfect, as the top piece is approximately 1/8" short so the one corner, there's a lip to the side...whatever
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My Tank Thread
My Aquarium Showcase
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Well done!
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pdiehm
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Last night nitrites fell to 0. dosed again to 1ppm. Things are moving along nicely.
pH = 8.4 or there abouts
Salinty = 1.025
Ammonia = 0
Nitrites = 0 (dosed back to 1ppm ammonia)
Nitrates = Did not test
pH = 8.4 or there abouts
Salinty = 1.025
Ammonia = 0
Nitrites = 0 (dosed back to 1ppm ammonia)
Nitrates = Did not test
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pdiehm
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Dosed my tank again last night with 4.4 ML of ammonia.
Also redid my return plumbing because my Sicce pump while not loud, had a really nice hum to it. Turns out becaue I hard plumbed PVC directly to the pump, it was causing a reverburation. Long story short, took off about 2' of PVC, and added Vinyl Tubing. Lost a little flow because in order to remove any kinks had to make the run a little longer. But it's dead silent. Will more than likely redesign the return at some point to get a more direct path.
Now the loudest parts of the tank are the water going into the overflow box (if I turn the Gyre off, that's not even noticeable) and my Aquamaxx EM200 skimmer, which also has a nice hum to it. Having a very difficult time to get that dialed in to the point where the foam doesn't rocket up into the cup in a matter of minutes.
All a learning process.
Also redid my return plumbing because my Sicce pump while not loud, had a really nice hum to it. Turns out becaue I hard plumbed PVC directly to the pump, it was causing a reverburation. Long story short, took off about 2' of PVC, and added Vinyl Tubing. Lost a little flow because in order to remove any kinks had to make the run a little longer. But it's dead silent. Will more than likely redesign the return at some point to get a more direct path.
Now the loudest parts of the tank are the water going into the overflow box (if I turn the Gyre off, that's not even noticeable) and my Aquamaxx EM200 skimmer, which also has a nice hum to it. Having a very difficult time to get that dialed in to the point where the foam doesn't rocket up into the cup in a matter of minutes.
All a learning process.
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pdiehm
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No more cutting. No more screwing, sanding, nailing, staining or finishing. No more cursing because the pieces don't line up. The stand and canopy are done. Construction is done.
Is it perfect? Nope.
Is it professional grade? Nope.
Is it better than store bought? Aestetically no, but it's probably 3x as strong. Estimate of 1750 lbs weight capacity.
Am I proud? You bet yer bottom I am!
Always ready to represent the 12th man of Seattle!
Is it perfect? Nope.
Is it professional grade? Nope.
Is it better than store bought? Aestetically no, but it's probably 3x as strong. Estimate of 1750 lbs weight capacity.
Am I proud? You bet yer bottom I am!
Always ready to represent the 12th man of Seattle!
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SeahorseKeeper
Where's the mysis?
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Looking good!!
SeahorseKeeper
Where's the mysis?
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Any updates?
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pdiehm
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Probably will add some snails and hermits in a few days. and get a pair of clowns and start the QT process for addition to the biocube.
Finally at work so I can respond properly
Finally at work so I can respond properly
just saw this thread, excellent job on everything! you should be proud and I really like your aquascape as well! looking forward to seeing the tank with nemos
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pdiehm
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Just ordered the first part of the cleanup crew for both my biocube and my 120.
2 dwarf cerith, 2 florida cerith, 4 nerites for the biocube. May throw a scarlet hermit in there as well. Will get the 3 nassarius snails once I have fish in there.
25 dwarf cerith, 12 florida cerith, 10 nerites, 3 scarlet hermits, 1 bag of pods. Will get the rest of the cleanup crew once I start stocking fish, and tank parameters begin to stabilize.
2 dwarf cerith, 2 florida cerith, 4 nerites for the biocube. May throw a scarlet hermit in there as well. Will get the 3 nassarius snails once I have fish in there.
25 dwarf cerith, 12 florida cerith, 10 nerites, 3 scarlet hermits, 1 bag of pods. Will get the rest of the cleanup crew once I start stocking fish, and tank parameters begin to stabilize.
