★ 110 Gallon (In-Wall Office Dream SPS Reef Tank) ★ PROJECT GENESIS [Total Automation, DIY & More ]★

[WallyB]

Yes

Thanks for double checking for me.
GOOD NEWS!! I have one more day. I did the extra TTM (when the Firefish got killed) on Thursday. But I didn't update my Chart!!
SO TOMORROW will be 72 Hours.

 

[WallyB]

Had a SMALL HEART ATTACK (( DT Fish * ICH* )) But NOT ICH

I was inspecting my tank and looking closely at Fish.

I noticed my BlackCap Basslet and Mandarin were covered in white ICH spots. Freaked me out.
Did I contaminate the Tank from the Firefish QT? Long shot since I was really careful with sterilization and tool sharing.

I started taking photos of the Fish, and on review.....The ICH kept changing it's SPOT location in each photo. Not possible with ICH!!

Just Dust on them, since the new FLOW is really stirring up the TANK

I turn down the flow a bit, and all fish ICH free

Whew!!

 

[WallyB]

FISH Enjoying ( Fast Flow Stream ) GYRE turned down to 40% (60% too strong)

Hard to believe I was running the XF150 at 100% before cleaning. I just reduced down to 40% since 60% occasionally was a bit rough.

New improved flow keeps fish busy, and entertained. At one point all 6 fish were playing follow the Leader.

 

[WallyB]

MANDARIN Goby (Dust Not ICH) Will run a POM/DOM Filter

The Mandarin was all covered in dust flakes like shown below (one dust spot example. Photo just taken)

He is fine ......Same with Black Cappet Basset. Dark Fish show dust more than others (and that is what caught my attention)

Before I figured it out, I reacted quickly and added one dose of Polyp Lab Medic (Ich Cure). No harm done....The stuff is SAFE...(and Reef Safe too).

I Know that @tenurepro would have scolded me for getting the ICH Firefish, if things went wrong. He warned me about risking the Firefish knowing it had it.
Being SUPER CAREFUL on Quarentine, and Sterilization. QT is far from DT, and everything used is separate, and soaked in Vinegar right after use.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I WILL BE DOING A POM/DOM filter to clean up the Stirred water a bit.
Learned this from @shih87.

DOM is Disolved Oragnic Matter.
POM is Particulate Organic Matter

Great article from Dr Randy Holmes on those two topics
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-10/rhf/index.htm

SHIH87 told me that when Particulates get too much in his tank.
He blows off rocks with powerhead, and he runs a Maxijet with some Floss on the input, to capture all the dust. Just a hour or so.
(Not too long since some DOM/DOM is needed for Healthy Corals as Dr. Randy Homes states)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

[Rakie]

The thing I stress to everybody is as much flow as possible. If you don't need to turn it down 40%, turn it down 35% instead

IMHO, if the fish aren't plastered against the glass you can keep turning it up.

 

[Justin Opheim]

Just came across this and glad I did. amazing to see that reefing isn't just fish, but can add in electrical, woodworking, and more.

 

[WallyB]

The thing I stress to everybody is as much flow as possible. If you don't need to turn it down 40%, turn it down 35% instead

IMHO, if the fish aren't plastered against the glass you can keep turning it up.

I don't know. It's pretty wicked at 80%. 7 Pumps in there crashing into one another.

This table is out of date (doesn't include the 1200GPH Maxi-Jet)

The Flow is 14,000 GPH in the 110Gal Tank.

I also made an Adjustment on the Return Pump That Feeds the SEA SWIRL. Decided to run it at MAX. (But had to stop the SEA SWIRL rotation, since it would leak at the O-Rings)
The VCA Nozzle does a great Job at the Higher Flow, and who cares about rotating the Sea Swirl into the Corner. (Nothing there)

Now things are more RANDOM. I fed some flake and the fish were confused chasing food, since it would turn 90 degree on them.

I also fooled around with my ICECAP MaxSpect XF150 Contoller, via APEX.
It's tough to figure out 1/10 on/off Pulse Timing, but I did. (not perfect, but close)
Got some 20%/100% Pulses going that ROCK THE TANK with a Wave Wobble.
Wanted to set this up when I started the tank, but to get timing right today it took me about an Hour to figure out.

 

[WallyB]

Just came across this and glad I did. amazing to see that reefing isn't just fish, but can add in electrical, woodworking, and more.

Welcome Justin.
Yes, I wouldn't be in the Fish Tank Hobby if it were not everything you mention. Especially Electronics, and Automation.
I like fish/corals (for Color/Beauty), but Watching Coral Grow is friggin too slow. [BORING]
Building things is fun, but that get's me into Trouble since I keep changing things JUST TO BUILD. Corals don't like that.
So I try to restrain myself by doing other build projects (away from DT)

 

[NY_Caveman]

All caught up.

• Sorry about the Firefish
• Glad Fluke is enjoying his luxury home
• Nice commentary on the pumps. I was just starting to notice some Cyanobacteria in our display and, after checking my spreadsheet, similarly saw my returns are due for their two month cleaning.

• Lastly, this follow the leader type of fish play is the exact kind of observation we reefers live for. Love this!

 

[WallyB]

FINAL TANK (FLOW) TUNING ** TOMORROW*

Just a reminder for myself to Tune the Circulation on the TANK.

I am learning (that max flow on all pumps is not IDEAL). Some have to be TURNED DOWN.

What I mean is what's the point of running a Narrow Flow Powerhead at 1000GPH, when a Wall of Gyre water is Blasting by at 5000GPH.
It's like blowing into a Gale Force wind. You achieve nothing.

What I'm going to do it like when I tuned the VCA nozzle. (Inject some airstone bubbles into the Return Pump and watch them).

Now I am running the VCA/DC Waveline at Max. So something like this last test.



Same test, but with new PUMP Setup and the 1" VCA at Full Power (no SeaSwirl Rotation)

 

[Justin Opheim]

May I ask, with the Apex jr. The Jr can be expanded with all the new modules? It's been years and when I was going saltwater before ther was no really no monitors. So I would love to add an Apex, but going with a Jr is so appealing to save cash.

 

[WallyB]

May I ask, with the Apex jr. The Jr can be expanded with all the new modules? It's been years and when I was going saltwater before ther was no really no monitors. So I would love to add an Apex, but going with a Jr is so appealing to save cash.

Well, that is a good question. A while ago, the Apex JR had some limitations, on # of modules you could add. (ie EB8s, VDM, etc). I reached that limit.
It was a dumb limit since the JR could do more. It was just so they would sell more Apex Classics. I asked them and they admitted it.
But when Neptune wanted to sell their DOS Doser, and some of the new Stuff they are coming out with. People maxed out like me, wouldn't buy them since it would mean replacing the Apex Jr.
So they increased the Limit. Simple firmware. And DOS now works for folks maxed out. (Apex Jr and Classic)
Now the JR can handle way more. More then I actually need.

For 90%+ of your needs the JR is Perfect. Actually better, since SOLID Metal. Mounts nicely in cabinet or on wall. Comes with 4 Plug built in. Two are Relay so HIGH AMP.
If you want the new ALK Doser, Apex is saying it won't work on either the JR or the Classic since it need more CPU power to do it's computation work. So you need the new Apex.
It that true? Or another Sales thing. Probably true.

So if you don't want the Auto Alk KH Doser. A Jr will be best. Since you can get deals from people wanting a KH Doser.
Could be other Future modules that don't work, but I think most of them do. SO CHECK before you Buy a JR.

I have two tanks all running on my APEX Jr. 3x Eb8, 2 VDMS, IO breakout, 1xPM1, two PH Probes. No issues. Could add more.

 

[WallyB]

One more things about Apex, and Outlet control.

To compliment my APEX. For some other Automation (on/off) OUTLET I just use these Wifi Plugs.
https://www.amazon.ca/Outlet-Wireless-Compatible-Function-Required/dp/B07CZ8ZXBL/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1541397345&sr=8-3&keywords=wifi+plugs
They are basically Apex EB8 Outlet. Relay 10 Amp. Some are two outlet. Some have controllable USB outlet.

They are really handy. Manual control button. Control thru Phone, but also work on their own (so I program them with a on/off for my Refuge, or QT light) and they run (ON THEIR OWN)

Why waste an Apex on a simple task as a light. I actually have about a dozen of these, and they turn on my desk light, my sump light, my Sink Light . (Turn lights off if I forget).
If my hands are wet, I use Alexa to say "turn on sink light" which is plugged into one of these. Or I can use the app, or push the button. Or schedule built into the plug will turn off/on lights at certain times.
Recently I am using one as a timer. I always Plugged in Fill pump into Outlet to fill Garbage can of water. I get distracted by kids, an it overfills. I now set a timer 10 minutes, and pump stops after 10 minutes. I not longer have to watch the garbage can fill.

Apex is for things like timing/synchronizing pumps, Doser Pumps, or variable 0-10Volt control of Variable Speed Pump, for dimming, or LED lights with multiple channels, and some custom modules to control Pump/Lights.
Before you buy any of the Many Wifi Plugs MAKE SURE the APP is SMART LIFE.
I tested bunch and many are Junk Apps. Smart Life Works (LAN Wifi and Cellular, in your house and anywhere you can get internet), is stable, Nice Graphical Interfaces, and plugs/app works with Alexa, etc.

 

[Justin Opheim]

I am not sure if I will be doing a dosser yet. This is something that is still new to me and I don't 100% understand it. I know my main concerns for getting an apex would be that I want to monitor, Temp, Salinity, and PH. I also wanted the ability to monitor flow from my returns, overflow and reactors. The ability to have leak detection. I am going to have an ATO hooked up to my ATO tank and lastly a breakout box to control cabinet lighting and misc other functions.

Down the line I am sure I will need to add a dosser, but unsure if tat is something that could be hard wired to a breakout box function and automated that way?

My pump I plan on going with an external Eco Tech M1 DC.

Powerheads Eco Tech MP40WQD

 

[Justin Opheim]

I also would like to add the tank to a smart hub do I could control some functions with Alexa such as being able to give the simple command of "Alexa put the tank in feeding mode" and pumps and returns would turn off on a timer of say 7 min and then turn back on.

 

[WallyB]

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/a...ience-share-your-automation-learnings.482715/

I also would like to add the tank to a smart hub do I could control some functions with Alexa such as being able to give the simple command of "Alexa put the tank in feeding mode" and pumps and returns would turn off on a timer of say 7 min and then turn back on.

All great ideas.....All Possible.
Many things depend on the Tank Size you are building, and what you plan to put in it (fish, corals, what kind of corals...etc).
Salinity is one measurement that is sometimes more work doing via probe than manually. I say that since like PH, probes drift and need calibration. Easier to Calibrate a Refractometer than a probe. But that just my opinion. Salinity probe would be cool to have, never had one, so not even sure how temp changes drift with the Probe on Apex.
HANDs DOWN, the best initial Convenience/Stability gizmo you can get for a startup take it a AUTO TOP UP (doesn't have to be an Apex. Standalones are just as good or better)
Have you started a build thread? If so I can certainly help you, along with others on this forum.
Also PM me and I can provide you extra details (on Automation How to), that would overwhelm this thread if we got going.

OR....Here is a thread I started. Fox Alexa/Apex Automation, Auto buttons. Your questions can be answered there if possible....
/https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/a...ience-share-your-automation-learnings.482715/

 

[WallyB]

FLUKE MAKES IT to (FINAL "TTM" QT) ** ABOUT TO Graduate ICH FREE **

Got the Last Transfer Done (before Frag Tank Transfer). Went smooth.

Fluke instantly got comfy, with the Last of my KIDS Decorations (Plus a cut up plastic bag for background...came out nice to Hide the Ugly Patched Tank Crack),
.....and something SPECIAL.

In the CENTER is RAKIE's TREE OF LIFE.........Only the Strongest Fish that make it to this stage get to see it. Kind of the Holy Grail to Heathy Life.

Named after @Rakie as a special privilege to someone who have been very helpful to me, with Crazy Thoughts, Good Advice and Inspiration.

P.S. The Maxijet Pump (or blender) is only run manually by me THIS TIME. (and Guard Glued on this Time )

 

[Rakie]

I'm glad I'm commemorated by a dead acro [emoji23]

 

[WallyB]

I'm glad I'm commemorated by a dead acro [emoji23]

Well...(better than Plastic)....and It was one of my Favorites, in that OLD 65 Gal Tank of years past. It lasted the longest after all the abuse I put that tank thru.
All others are just crumbles in my Refuge except that one SPS.

I had a Sand Bed back then too........How times have changed.

 

[Rakie]

Yep. See, now that you aren't having issues you know what I've been telling you. You'll get bored, and always want another acro [emoji23]