| Author |
 Topic Search  Topic Options
|
dukester48 
Guest
Joined: April 05 2005
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 363
|
 Post Options
 Thanks(0)
 Quote  Reply
 Topic: Upgrading from 55 display to 120 build thread
Posted: April 12 2009 at 2:55pm |
So my mom started remodeling her front room.  I decided since I had to take down her 55 display anyways..., maybe it is time for an upgrade.  
The 55 had: ASM G-1x skimmer (No mods) Mag 9.5 return 2x250 watt HQI Current 14,000k MH 2x96 Watt PC Actinic 2xSeio 620
I am going to be using most of the equipment for the new setup.
Old tank:
Lots and lots of salt creep because of the big fan...., Had to have the fan going when the 250watt MH's were turned on with that small of a tank.
Started taking it down:
Most of my livestock in temp "tanks" (put a lot of the coral in my tank at home):
|
 |
dukester48
Guest
Joined: April 05 2005
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 363
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: April 12 2009 at 3:07pm |
New tank and I will be using the same sump(I believe I bought the sump from Blundel a couple years ago):
Looks like I have some bowing, so I think I will add a little brace for stability.
The new tank was sanded down and stained but not finished.  I went and bought some spar urethane and did 2 coats, then went over it with brass wool and cleaned up the rough spots:
I also decided to paint the inside of the stand to protect the wood from moisture and to make it easier to clean, And I think it makes it look a lot nicer.
Before:
After:
|
|
dukester48
Guest
Joined: April 05 2005
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 363
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: April 12 2009 at 3:14pm |
First question:
The new tank has 2 holes drilled in the overflow.  I cant decide whether to use both for drainage and have my return lines go up the back of the tank. or to use one for drain and one for return.
My sump has a refuge so if I only use one for drain, I will be splitting it anyways so one goes to refuge(trickle) and the other go to the skimmer chamber.  Any recommendations?
|
|
zionsreef
Guest
Joined: February 04 2006
Location: The Narrows
Status: Offline
Points: 260
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: April 12 2009 at 3:22pm |
 dukester48 wrote:
First question:
I cant decide whether to use both for drainage and have my return lines go up the back of the tank!
|
I like this idea! Use 1 line to the refugium as a slow flow and the 2nd as a drainage to a strong closed loop. You could also drill additional holes good luck
|
|
MISTAKES:
It Could Be That The Purpose Of Your Life Is
Only To Serve As A Warning To Others!
(despair.com)
|
|
Mike Savage
Guest
Joined: July 15 2005
Location: Murray
Status: Offline
Points: 19173
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: April 12 2009 at 4:31pm |
|
|
|
|
|
Xacttech
Guest
Joined: January 25 2005
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 625
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: April 17 2009 at 2:20pm |
|
How are we progressing?
|
|
dukester48
Guest
Joined: April 05 2005
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 363
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: April 17 2009 at 3:49pm |
|
Very slowly.... I ordered an RO/DI unit..., thats about all. I will be plumbing it this weekend...., Ill update the pics as well.
|
|
dukester48
Guest
Joined: April 05 2005
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 363
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: June 30 2009 at 11:02am |
Sorry Ive been pretty busy and hopefully Im better at building up tanks than keeping up on my build thread  . Got everything plumbed and and running. Here are some late pics. Getting her filled.  Stormy  Day after.....  And the day after that.....  I will add newer pics later... Things that have happened this week: **One of my halides burned out (it was acting weird and putting off a yellowish color compared to the other one for a while) They are Current 14k 250w **Took out the ASM G-1x and added an Aqua C EV-120 (just trying to get the Da** thing tuned) I have a hole in the wall that goes to the kitchen pantry were I have my electrical and my RO/DI unit. I will post pics once I get everything pretty. One question..... My hood is pretty heavy with my lighting and my tank is so close to the wall that I cant prop the hood against the wall. Has anyone used lid support hinges (like piano hinges) so that I can open it and not have to hold it when maintaining things?
|
|
jmorrell
Guest
Joined: May 17 2009
Status: Offline
Points: 257
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: June 30 2009 at 11:17am |
|
I know what you mean by not being able to open your canopy. my tank is so tall that I cant open my canopy all the way, so when I am maintaining it I built a wooden wedge to stick in it.
|
|
dukester48
Guest
Joined: April 05 2005
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 363
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: June 30 2009 at 11:47am |
|
I also took out the Seio's and added 2 Koarila 4's
|
|
Mike Savage
Guest
Joined: July 15 2005
Location: Murray
Status: Offline
Points: 19173
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: June 30 2009 at 5:30pm |
That is looking good. I like the rockwork.
Mike
|
|
|
|
dukester48
Guest
Joined: April 05 2005
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 363
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: July 01 2009 at 2:49pm |
|
Thanks Mike! I actually lucked out. I wasn't really trying to aquascape..., I was just trying to get all the rock in the tank and when I was done and the dust settled...., I really liked how it looked so I left it.
New question:
I replaced my ASM G-1x (with mesh mod) with an Aqua C EV-120. My ASM seemed to perform much better. Should I switch back or should I just work on getting the EV tuned in?¿? Does anyone have experience with these? I read good things but it just doesnt seem to compare to my ASM.
|
|
Adam Blundell
Presidency
Joined: June 24 2002
Location: Davis County
Status: Offline
Points: 18526
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: July 01 2009 at 3:06pm |
My ASM skimmers well out perform my EV-120.
Adam
|
|
Come to a meeting, they’re fun!
|
|
dukester48
Guest
Joined: April 05 2005
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 363
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: July 01 2009 at 3:51pm |
|
That sucks! I thought I was doing a great upgrade by adding that. Im thinking I will switch back to the ASM until I get a higher bio-load. I am thinking of getting an MSX200. Will that be worth it or does anyone have any other suggestions?
|
|
dukester48
Guest
Joined: April 05 2005
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 363
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: July 07 2009 at 4:08pm |
Update: Added 2x96watt actinic pc's.  I have been getting some hair algae build up but I expected that since I was impatient and used tap water to fill up the first time. I switched out the Aqua C and put back my ASM. I really need a cleanup crew big enough for this next. I also think I'm going to remove my check valve from my return line because it has slowed my Mag 9.5 to a trickle. I tried my Da**edest to get a spring hinge on so I could have the lid stay open but that was a complete failure, so now I am just using a piece of pvc to keep it open while working on it. Stay tuned.....
|
|
