120 GAL Progress Thread

[jackson6745]

Hey Don,

Nothing really new.... I didn't test the water yet . I am waiting for an ammonia and nitrite testkit but I had to add a test dummy SPS frag to see how it would do. So far the frag is doing great and looks better than it did in my 65gal so i guess thats a good sign. Also, the skimmer hasen't pulled anything out since the 2nd day the tank was running...

 

[cali_reef]

Rich,

I have spare test kits if you want to swing by for them.

 

[jackson6745]

Cool, thanks Pierce. I should have some testkits today so I can test the water.
I'm not sure what size doors to order. The front panel is 48L X 40H. What would be the biggest doors that I could fit in the frame?

 

[ctxmonitor]

The tank is going smoothly as I see. No problem so far. So Rich, are you going to transfer all your old setup, live rock, fish, coral, etc all over or you starting a new seprate tank? Since you a SPS Pimp is this going to be an only SPS tank? Just wondering...

Tom

 

[jackson6745]

Tom, everything from my 65gallon will be transferred over once I feel confident in the stability of the new system. I actually have a few SPS in the 120 now and they're doing fine.....so I slowly add a few more before adding the whole bunch.
This tank will be 98% SPS but I don't think I'll be pimping my frags for a while . I have a lot of room for now so I plan on letting everything grow out for a while. Once I get the livestock in I'll post more pics...


Looks like I won't need a chiller on the new system. The tank is running at 79 degrees and I'm not even running fans over the sump yet.

 

[Vic8361]

Hey Rich,
The tank is comming out great. Love the aquascape and set up. Your good and long planning is paying off.
Keep up the good work.
Can't wait to see it in about six to eight months from now.

Vic

 

[cali_reef]

Rich,

I think the best size door would be 20Wx30H because the framing around the opening.

You can try Home depot if you happen to be there, I don't think they will have this odd size in stock tho.

 

[jackson6745]

Thanks Vic, good to hear from you. Be careful if you use the penductors.....you'll definitely make a sandstorm.

Thanks Pierce, I'll check HD, if they don't have I'll probably just order from that site you posted.

 

[jackson6745]

Pierce, I'm having some issues with the MRC skimmer. It seems that the new and old injectors don't work prorerly with each other since they have different size outlets. I know you will some input on this issue


http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&postid=4750763#post4750763

[ April 14, 2005, 02:22 PM: Message edited by: jackson6745 ]

 

[cali_reef]

Rich,

I read what you have posted, I didn?t feel like giving my bias opinion in the MRC thread :lol:. The old injector will take in less air due to the back pressure created by the 1/2 inch fitting; it should use less or only allow 30% less water to flow thru comparing to the new 1 inch unit. I think the thing you can do is to use a matching pair of injectors or you can restrict the flow to the new injector with a ball valve. However, restricting flow is counter productive and a waste of energy.

Andy should never sell new injectors to people that have an old one because the flow rate would not match. The new injector will not perform as well because the lower pressure/higher volume water trying to push thru but don?t have the energy due to the back pressure on the other side.

My bias opinion: MRC is a poorly designed POS skimmer, the owner is a deceiving person that happened to figure out he can sell some glued acrylic pieces to people that reads RC as the bible in reefing. FWIW

 

[jackson6745]

LOL...I love these replies. Yeah, since the new injectors can handle more flow they need a larger pump to run 2 of them. So I am told that 1 new injector will perform better than 2 old ones???? But if someone was to run 2 new injectors to the max, that 1.5" drain may not keep up. Those Deltec skimmers are looking better and better everyday.......

 

[cali_reef]

Like I said, MRC=POS.

The product is not R&D properly and he is just gluing together whatever he sees as popular on RC.

I like to check out some Deltecs, any place locally have them? I would hate to fly back to LA to see them in action in some of the local's tanks.

 

[wedfr]

Rich IM or PM me about that deltec idea. I have something very interesting

 

[jackson6745]

Pierce, Pat from Aquarium Solutions cariies Deltec skimmer (pretty good prices too) he is in Brooklyn on 12th ave and 60st.

Danny you have me curious, I'll talk to you later.

 

[Pseudo]

Oh no... Danny is up to something

Pierce.. Rich's skimmer is not working properly at all. I checked everything out on the skimmer and also had it running on one injector. I also have 2 mismatched injectors and mine is running perfectly (ok ok I know). My only other concern is how he has the pump plumbed to the sump. As it is now, he has the pump pulling water from the sump through 3 feet of hose and then pushing it up 3 feet of hose.

When you feel the pressure coming out of the injector it feels like a fully open sink tap and is not all that filled with air bubbles. Mine is tottaly opposite. It is very strong and full of air. You can hear the air coming in from both injectors. On Rich's, you only hear it coming in through one of them.

I am stumped right now.

Kasei

[ April 14, 2005, 07:55 PM: Message edited by: Pseudo Boy ]

 

[wedfr]

what pump is running this thing? how many GPH and what does it put out at 4ft head and what is its max head. It sounds like the pump isnt strong enough

 

[cali_reef]

Umm, very intersting Kasei, what kind of pump are you running?

Rich, I like to see your set up and maybe do some trouble shooting.

Any of you going to the NERAC this weekend?

 

[jackson6745]

The pump is a Pan World 150PS 1100GPH 28ft head. This pump is the equivalent to an iwaki 55RLT. I even tried running the skimmer with the Genx 55PCX pump, which according to the MRC site is the "best skimmer pump".

Pierce, you're welcome anytime. I don't thinks its the plumbing though.
I can't make the NERAC this weekend

 

[Pseudo]

Pierce,

I am running a Iwaki 55RLT. I cant make NERAC this weekend. I am going to be playing with my daughter all weekend. Havent seen her in a while. I am gonna take her to the aquarium to see what they are calling a reef these days.

Kasei

 

[cali_reef]

Kasei,

Take her to Atlantis, they have a 20,000 gallon reef.

Rich, the 3 ft of 1 inch flex will restrict the flow on the intake side if not cavitate the pump, these pumps are not made to suck water thru a small tube. Can you use 1.5 inch spa flex with a larger bulkhead? I have another sch 80 if you can enlarge the hole or plug it up and drill a new hole. The other thing I was going to mention is the water outlet of the skimmer is below the water line in the sump, that also creates back pressure in the skimmer chamber will reduce the amount of air being drawn in.

Deltec looks better and better. I will have to check the place out, now I just need to find someone to go with me.