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88g Planet Crystaline New Build (1 Viewer)

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sderise

sderise

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Set up the ATK today. I think i have a siphon from the topoff container to the sump. The pump kicks on at the lower sensor, and I think it's shutting off when it's supposed to, but a while later the alarm on the FMM module trips and I noticed that the water level in the sump ends up being too high. Not sure how to fix it except to run a solenoid in series with the pump. Any thoughts?
 
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sderise

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Went back and RTFM and the ATK came with a siphon breaker. All good now. :crazy:


Anyways... the apex is now on the move again. Should be delivered tomorrow.
 
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Congratulations, great looking setup! I'm just a couple of weeks ahead of you on my tank. I am using apex everything (almost). I had the first version when it came out years ago and the newest model seems to be more user friendly. I am using a cor 20 and have it dialed way back on my 120. I am using the apex wave pumps too, very simple plug and play with a lot of pre-programed options in there and they automatically turn off if they come out of the water or the water level drops. I am currently using a DOS as an auto water change setup. I have a break out box that's got several float switches. I will probably find an old eb8 to put in the laundry room to add control there for my mixing barrels but not there yet.

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I had the first neptune controller version also. Got the job done. I like that the new one has the conductivity probe. Nice clean set you've got.

As for the siphon issue, the fitting that came with the Neptune ATK seems to have done the trick. Maybe you can find something similar on the market; after a quick search, I didn't find anything. Seems like it's just a 1/4" coupler with a tiny hole drilled in it at an angle. I'm also going to put a check valve in line with the top off tubing to create some resistance and prevent backflow to the reservoir.

anti-siphon.jpg
 
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I had the first neptune controller version also. Got the job done. I like that the new one has the conductivity probe. Nice clean set you've got.

Thanks. So far my conductivity probe has not been very accurate or consistent, other than that everything is working as advertised. I can calibrate the conductivity probe and 12 hours later it reads really high or really low. I almost made the mistake of adding salt at one point based on that and then I checked it manually and sure enough the probe was reading low. I have read a couple of other people having issues with it too.

I would have liked to try the apex top off but they werent in stock when I ordered everything and went with the Tunze because I have had good luck with it in the past. I may swap it over to the Apex top off so I can log when the top off is running. Right now, I have a separate float switch at the top of the sump level that acts as an additional safety switch which will kill power to the Tunze if it gets that high.
 
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sderise

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Update:

The tank's been running for about a week now. Been phantom feeding everyday and also added a bottle of Dr. Tim's. I cannot get a non-zero ammonia reading. Nitrite and Nitrate also very low, so I added a pair of clowns and couple softy frags yesterday. I freshwater dipped the clowns and also dipped the corals, which was a first for me. I didn't do that kinda stuff on my last tank and ended up with flatworms, ich, etc... The temp is fairly stable although I still have about a 1 degree swing. That's with 2 150W Eheims running in parallel. I ordered a Cobalt 300W heater, which will be in today. BRS did a video on heaters and the Cobalt did the best for consistency. Also ordered a Milwaukee salinity meter; I had the hardest time get my salinity right. Also learned that the APEX salinity probe is fairly accurate as long as you keep the bubbles out, which is impossible when you're breaking in a new skimmer. Just about have everything dialed in.

Here's a newer pic with clear(er) water. Will take some pics of the clowns and corals when my camera filter kit comes in.

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Looking good. I used the Dr Tim's amonia initially and after about a week and a half, my nitrate and nitrite spiked. Did a 50% water change shortly after and then it was pretty quick when ammonia was back to zero.

Think your right with the conductivity probe and bubbles, proble is I have bubbles in all the chambers in my sump. I think I got it isolated now, its reading correctly at the moment.

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Tank Update!

I added a BRS CO2 scrubber today. My PH has been hovering around 7.8-7.9 and it sits next to an internal wall, so no chance of fresh air. The PH is coming up a little now, so it'll be interesting to see how this plays out. I'd like to get up to 8.2-8.3. I tee'd a motor actuated valve in with the reactor and set the APEX to open it at 8.3 to keep it from going too high (got high hopes...).

The skimmer's broken in and producing a pretty good dry skimmate.

After doing some research, I've decided on dosing All-for-reef and Acropower. So far just dosing 5ml of Acropower and keeping an eye on Alk to see when I need to fire that up.

Added a couple new fish too. A foxface and a yellow tang.

Got a minor diatom bloom on the sand but all parameters are well in check.

I've been steady adding zoas and got a few new corals from WWC in today. Super happy with the way things are going so far.

Here's few new pics.


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frankc

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Looking good. It never occurred to me to mount some of the equipment on the door of the electronics section of the stand. I may have to steal your idea if I run out of room.
 
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Tank Update!

I added a BRS CO2 scrubber today. My PH has been hovering around 7.8-7.9 and it sits next to an internal wall, so no chance of fresh air. The PH is coming up a little now, so it'll be interesting to see how this plays out. I'd like to get up to 8.2-8.3. I tee'd a motor actuated valve in with the reactor and set the APEX to open it at 8.3 to keep it from going too high (got high hopes...).

Kinda like this?

 
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It's helped a little, but never comes close to 8.2. I'm undecided whether I'll keep it going or just use the reactor for carbon dosing.

old PH.png New PH 2.jpg
 
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Playing around with a new macro lens. Still learning.


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