Rags2Riches - The Learning Curve. 125g

RichtheReefer21 · Mar 17, 2019

Fudsey said:
You can have one when you pry it from my cold dead hands

I'll bring wd40!

RichtheReefer21 · Mar 17, 2019

@Raege just left my place. He got a tour of the catastrophe in progress. LoL. So he will have a good before and after in person now.

Some weird news. My TDS hand meter says .35ppm on my old rodi FW. He took a sample to test on his meter to see if that's the issue. Was 0 two weeks ago.

Hanna ULR shows po4 at .3 still. And I have been running the chaeto fuge 24hrs a day for the last 5 days. So to my dismay, no change in my po4 levels despite the fuge light schedule running non stop.

He gave me leftover No-Pox he had to attempt bringing it down, will wait till after the build is done to try dosing. Want to see if proper filtration, 25% water volume increase, and a bigger refugium will do it naturally first.

In trade, he got to borrow my hanna checker for cross referencing his own po4 red sea kits.

This hobby is awesome. True enthusiasts benefiting from each other. Thanks again Ray. Nice having u over! Read the directions. lol...

Fudsey · Mar 17, 2019

You should get a reactor with GFO, this is the way I bring down my PO4...

RichtheReefer21 · Mar 17, 2019

Fudsey said:
You should get a reactor with GFO, this is the way I bring down my PO4...

It's in the thoughts, but I have seen people with concerns over fine metals in GFO... any experience reading similar things or was it bad info?

Fudsey · Mar 17, 2019

I have run GFO since this tank was about a month old. I did an ATI test and the results didn't show any heavy metals. Test was done late Sept. so about 4 months in. I probably should do another one and see where things are now though.

Fudsey · Mar 17, 2019

I also think that it may occur with some tanks and not others. I use BRS GFO and ROX together and really don't have any issues.

RichtheReefer21 · Mar 17, 2019

PHOTO DUMP.

View attachment 20181101_095107.jpg

Raege · Mar 17, 2019

RichtheReefer21 said:
@Raege just left my place. He got a tour of the catastrophe in progress. LoL. So he will have a good before and after in person now.

Some weird news. My TDS hand meter says .35ppm on my old rodi FW. He took a sample to test on his meter to see if that's the issue. Was 0 two weeks ago.

Hanna ULR shows po4 at .3 still. And I have been running the chaeto fuge 24hrs a day for the last 5 days. So to my dismay, no change in my po4 levels despite the fuge light schedule running non stop.

He gave me leftover No-Pox he had to attempt bringing it down, will wait till after the build is done to try dosing. Want to see if proper filtration, 25% water volume increase, and a bigger refugium will do it naturally first.

In trade, he got to borrow my hanna checker for cross referencing his own po4 red sea kits.

This hobby is awesome. True enthusiasts benefiting from each other. Thanks again Ray. Nice having u over! Read the directions. lol...

Rich thanks for the invite seeing the tank in person so much better than a photo. Seeing your plans a talking reef for a bit was fun and s good get out of chores opportunity lol. Ty for the loan of the Hannah to cross check my kit. Look forward to showing you my hot mess in person.
Keep it salty and hope ya get the tds issue sorted

RichtheReefer21 · Mar 17, 2019

Raege said:
Rich thanks for the invite seeing the tank in person so much better than a photo. Seeing your plans a talking reef for a bit was fun and s good get out of chores opportunity lol. Ty for the loan of the Hannah to cross check my kit. Look forward to showing you my hot mess in person.
Keep it salty and hope ya get the tds issue sorted

Cheers bub!

RichtheReefer21 · Mar 17, 2019

Dropped the idea of the 12 x 12 cube for the Macro Algae fuge. Its only 7.5 gallons and I figured I have so much room in the sump since its 4ft long, that I will make the Fuge part of the sump. About 24" x 12" will be the ball park for the fuge. Big enough for a decorator crab to grow in just fine. And it will also be big enough to serve as a Tang/Damsel Correctional Facility if needed in the future. Hehe

This will also create space that was previously taken up by the cube's footprint. That new available space will allow me to have a huge ATO and dosing containers along side the sump.

Heres the doodle of the day:

RichtheReefer21 · Mar 17, 2019

Things being considered:

● A quick-disconnect above sock area for easy removal for maintenance.
● 3rd manifold addition for possible UV system later on.
● plumbing 1" or 1.5" throughout to maintain the same plumbing diameter as the overflow.

The cabinetry and doors will also have built-in shelving storage.

And I may install a sort of 'coast to coast' compartment hanging just below the tank, but above the sump, to give a moisture barrier between the sump and electronic connections from the equipment.

I am leaning towards an adjacent control cabinet against the wall perpendicular to the far side of the tank in the corner rather than underneath.

Brain is running at mach 5.

Retro Reefer · Mar 17, 2019

Everything is looking great! Love those filter socks in your sketch

RichtheReefer21 · Mar 17, 2019

Retro Reefer said:
Everything is looking great! Love those filter socks in your sketch

Thanks man..

Was hoping someone would notice the attention to detail on the socks.

RichtheReefer21 · Mar 17, 2019

Cant forget the graveyard of reefer's past...

I coulda bought a trigger sump for the cost of my losses in coral. I'm sure there will be more. Meh. Patience grasshopper.

#honestyinreefing

RichtheReefer21 · Mar 17, 2019

T-Minus 4 days.

Gnite.

Raege · Mar 17, 2019

RichtheReefer21 said:
Cant forget the graveyard of reefer's past...

I coulda bought a trigger sump for the cost of my losses in coral. I'm sure there will be more. Meh. Patience grasshopper.

Ahhh grasshopper we must remember the past but not live in it.