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Kaplanm

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Posts posted by Kaplanm

    Return Plumbing Help

    in Reef Keeping

    Posted

    Alright, I'm struggling to figure out how to plumb my sump returns. My tank has a center overflow box, with dual returns. I'd planned on driving both of those off of a single submersible return pump. (The Eheim Compact 3000 to be specific.) Now I'd been reading that it's best to unless absolutely necessary use rigid PVC for all plumbing, but there is no way to connect rigid PVC to the pump. Should I use a short length of hose (say 6") and then connect it to a barp leading into a rigid PVC T, or is there a better method?

    My first reef: 50 gallon bowfront

    in Tank Builds

    Posted

    Getting ready to make a big hardware buy, thought I'd get some thoughts. I'm planning on LPS/SPS for this tank. Reliability is tantamount to budgetary reasons. I'm in an apt. and trying to minimize risk as much as possible. My tank has a single drain and dual returns.

    Right now I'm looking at a pair of 50W Jager heaters
    A Mag Drive 9.5 return pump
    a Coralife Super Skimmer Needle Wheel for 65 Gallon

    and a pair of 36" Build My LEDs.

    My big ??s are would a Eheim Compact+ 3000 return be better, or would a Reef Octopus 4" Needle Wheel be better for a skimmer?

    I know I'll need some additional circulation, I've just not decided quite yet on what I'm planning to do for that.

    june 4

    in Fish Gallery

    Posted

    Prices on live stock were good. Overall good time.

    Really? I found them to be fairly inflated, at least for salt water. Their live rock (real reef) was 9.99/lb. I know aquatek had it for 7.99/lb last I checked. Seemed to me most fish were at least $5 than other comparable specimens I've seen.

    That said, I think their tanks are better at displaying the stock than other stores I've been to locally. They also had some nice large colonies for sale.

    Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I497 using Tapatalk HD

    june 4

    in Fish Gallery

    Posted

    I agree that it seemed a little light on salt water. I get that fresh is the gateway drug, but I was hoping to see a bit more variety. Also found the layout of hardware /dry goods to be confusing. Didn't seem to flow at all.

    I can't wait to see th their show room when it opens.

    Definitely struck me as "come back in a month and we'll be ready to shine"

    Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I497 using Tapatalk HD

    Grand opening?

    in Fish Gallery

    Posted

    Couldn't open at a better time. I'm in the market to buy everything except my tank. Maybe I'll hold off on placing that order tonight for all the gear to see what y'all can do!

    Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I497 using Tapatalk HD

    • Like 1

    calling all lighting experts

    in Off Topic Discussion

    Posted

    LEDs in general are very low power so for a short time period like a band performance power shouldn't be a significant issue. Depending on the effect desired synchronized control may be unnecessary. Otherwise I could see a couple options ranging from the simple to the worth writing an academic paper on.

    calling all lighting experts

    in Off Topic Discussion

    Posted

    I've been out of the game for a couple years but I used to do stage lighting for years. Now the that was all conventional theater lekos, pars, and source 4s,but the same principals apply. Depending on what exactly you want to do I may be of service.

    Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I497 using Tapatalk HD

    • Like 1

    My first reef: 50 gallon bowfront

    in Tank Builds

    Posted

    Decided to go with the sump I can't remove. I only intend to be in this apartment for a year and then it's on trio bigger and better. I'm willing to gamble that in a year an off the shelf standard tank won't fall. Sump design and u u trial pics will be posted tomorrow.

    Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I497 using Tapatalk HD

    • Like 1

    My first reef: 50 gallon bowfront

    in Tank Builds

    Posted

    So I once again find myself in a jam. While the stand now fits the 20gal tank, it would require excessive clearance behind the tank (8") in order to jockey its removal. I see three options.

    1). Put the sump in so that it cannot be removed.

    2). Place the tank excessively far into the room.

    3). Scale the sump back to a 10gal.

    Am I dooming myself by forcing the sump to be static?

    Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I497 using Tapatalk HD

    My first reef: 50 gallon bowfront

    in Tank Builds

    Posted

    Great news! Contacted DSA and if turns out the stand that was shipped to me was an old model. They're sending a new one that will hold a 20 gallon sump. Hopefully arriving on Thursday. Photos will follow soon.

    Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I497 using Tapatalk HD

    My first reef: 50 gallon bowfront

    in Tank Builds

    Posted

    Made the judgement call. I returned the stand. I'm going to get ahold of DSA to see if they can custom build a stand that works, but failing that, does anyone know a good cabinet maker who could do a custom stand locally?

    Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I497 using Tapatalk HD

    My first reef: 50 gallon bowfront

    in Tank Builds

    Posted

    So my tank gets delivered tomorrow, but I checked it out in the store. I fell prey to one of the classic blunders, only slightly less know than never get involved in a land war in Asia. I failed to get complete specs on the stand prior to purchasing the tank. So instead of having room for a 20gal sump I find I only have room for maybe an 8 or 9 gallon sump.

    I'm hoping someone has an idea. The space measures 16" X 16" X 18"ish. I want to squeeze in a refugium, protein skimmer, auto top-off, and heater elements. There are small shelves to either side of the cabinet, maybe 4" X 8". I figured I could use one of those for a reservoir for the top off.

    Any thoughts?

    Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I497 using Tapatalk HD

    Ahoy!

    in Welcome

    Posted

    I have a spare okeanos reef controller from Nick Devan on reef central if you want to try it out (arduino based controller)

    I'll keep that in mind. I'm a long way from even having a tank up and running. Thanks!

    Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I497 using Tapatalk HD

    Amazon.com 5/13 - Tapatalk Forum Reader FREE

    in Reef-Related "Deal of the Day"

    Posted

    I use the hd version on my tablet. It is an app that cleans up the way you work with a forum on non - desktop environments. Keeps it much cleaner. Honestly one of the best $3 purchases I have made.

    Is this how you get on arc all the time? I'm waiting on samantha to get home so I can try it on my tablet

    90% of the time it is. The only time I use the website is if I'm out and about without my tablet. Make sure for your tablet you get the hd version. I know it sucks that there are multiple versions, but it makes a difference.

    Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I497 using Tapatalk HD

    Ahoy!

    in Welcome

    Posted

    I figured it was time to say hello. My name is Mike and I'm up in north Austin. I am just in the process of setting up my first reef tank. I've spent about 2 years keeping tropical freshwater fish, but it's always been my ambition to try my hand at reefing.

    I've got a 50 gallon bow front coming in shortly. I'm going to start a build thread as soon as I lay hands on it. I'm a programmer by trade and am excited to see some of the arduino builds. I'm vacillating between building my own, and purchasing possibly an apex, or possibly augmenting one with the other.

    Anyway, thought I'd say hi, and hopefully I get to meet some of you Saturday.

    Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I497 using Tapatalk HD

    Home Brewers?

    in Off Topic Discussion

    Posted

    Yep,

     

    I prefer strong carbonated meads and a good light lager.     Think of a mead made into champagne on tap.  Great for New Years! 

    Grog

    Have you brewed your own mead? We've been brewing beer for a while now, but I've shied away from mead due to the long brew time and my inability to maintain constant temps below 76.

    Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I497 using Tapatalk HD

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