Dawn On The Reef

[BigC]

Just a little update to keep things ticking along.
The pH in the tank is between 8 and 8.3
The ALK is rather low and needs to be lifted. I have cut the glass at work inorder to make a sump/refugium for Cheato and I am currently working on this aspect. Also I am trying to get my head around marine water chemistry and the various relationships of the chemicals and their ideal levels. A refugium would give me a certain amount of chemical stability I think. Further test kits need to be bought particularly Calcium and Magnesium. If I cant get the Alk up then maybe a two part additive may have to be employed. I will include photos of the sump build as and when. The power filter canister will have to go external to make room for the refuigum in the cabinet. When will I be able to sit down and relax..LOL
Regards
BigC

 

[littleme1969]

"When will I be able to sit down and relax..LOL"

Never as long as you have a marine tank PMSL.. Youll soon be upgrading to 100g in no time lol

 

[BigC]

Youll soon be upgrading to 100g in no time lol

Hehehe.
Been there and done that one LM. I dont think my wallet has ever taken such a hammering like this. Anyone know where I can buy a wallet pump.
Regards
BigC

 

[steelhealr]

Wait 'til your first overhaul when you have to clean all the pumps, rinse the chaeto, change the PCs....lolol SH

 

[BigC]

Wait 'til your first overhaul when you have to clean all the pumps, rinse the chaeto, change the PCs....lolol SH

At this pace my first overhaul will be due before I even get the chance to place a coral species in the tank.

Just started building the refugium (10"x10"x18"deep) mainly for propagating Cheato.
Below is the initial stage before internal sealing. I work in a glass factory so I had all the pieces polished, which means all the edges are nicely champfered. I can now run smaler beads of silicone both on the inside and outside of the tank. I do this with all my DIY tanks, which makes for a much neater leakproof job.

Should I have a lid/coverglass on the refuigum, Yes or No. Should I employ some kind of baffle system within the refugium or is this not essential.
Regards
BigC

 

[steelhealr]

You won't need a cover unless you are going to put animals in your refugium or need to reduce evaporation. Certainly, having air circulation for O2 and CO2 exchange is helpful. Chaeto need high flow, so, keep this in mind as you plumb it. Also, chaeto can break off in small pieces, so, you'll need some sort of protection for your pump intake which should be simple enough. As you probably know BigC..my middle chamber contains my refugium and chaeto. It gets at least 10X flow thru it. The intake on my Maxijet has a plastic sieve that came with the PH. It needs to be 'defouled' every 2 weeks at a minimum. Your refugium will be EXCELLENT for illuminating it since all sides are glass. ANY exterior desk lamp with the new 'daylight'/ natural ligth bulbs will probably do great. WTG. SH

 

[BigC]

Just compleated a 24ltr fill of the proposed refugium above, and it has sucessfully passed the test, no leaks, now to get on with the plumbing.
Thanks for your help guys, you know who you are..
Regards
BigC

 

[SkiFletch]

Now the fun part

 

[BigC]

Now the fun part

Stop it, yer killing me Fletch
Expect some more daft PM's on unorthodox methods of running a sump.
Cheers
BigC

 

[Bean84]

Big C - great journal to follow, along with what the others (in particular Stealhealr, SkiFletch and Littleme - who has been extra nice in offering frags and so on) have given in advice you will all stand me in good stead when setting up my 13 gallon tank.

Long live this THREAD!!!

Bean

 

[BigC]

Big C - great journal to follow, along with what the others (in particular Stealhealr, SkiFletch and Littleme - who has been extra nice in offering frags and so on) have given in advice you will all stand me in good stead when setting up my 13 gallon tank.

Long live this THREAD!!!

Bean

Cheers Bean,
Yeah I sure got some really good friends (I think I've known them long enough to class them as such) onboard to help me out, which is why I love this forum so much. Whenever I had/have or will have a problem I know I can count on a swift and concise reply from the people who have worn the Tee Shirt. I dont know what I would have done without such people, willing to give up their time to answer queries on all matters surrounding this thread. To all those who have contributed to helping me make this tank a reality, I am eternally greatful. (I'm not finished yet Guys!)
The reason I started the thread was primarily to get some help into the project but also to help others gleen information from it. Its good to hear that you are one of those members that this journal can help, I hope it has been as informative for you as it certainly has for me.
Thanks for taking the time to view.
Regards
BigC

 

[SkiFletch]

Expect some more daft PM's on unorthodox methods of running a sump.

*runs and hides in the corner*

 

[BigC]

runs and hides in the corner

Eanie,Meanie,Miney,mo
What time do you get your lunch again

 

[TylerFerretLord]

I just read through all six pages of this.

Great tank, I love the rock wall.

 

[SkiFletch]

What time do you get your lunch again

Predicting the weather in Buffalo is easier than predicting the time I take lunch every day