TH3C1SC0K1D's Frankenstein's Fluval Chi Aquarium.

[TH3C1SC0K1D]

I have seen these aquariums for some time in the store and I though what a nice little project this could become. But then my Dr. Frankenstein thinking started and needless to say this should be an interesting build. I will start off by explaining what is currently running on my system.

• Fluval Chi 5 gallon Rimless Aquarium.
• Fluval Chi submersible LED light/filter.
• Seaclone 100 Protein Skimmer. (Not great but it gets the job done currently. I plan to upgrade this as we progress along.)
• Marineland 250 watt Visi-therm Stealth Pro Heater)
• 5 lbs. of live rock & 15 lbs. of base rock (Currently cycling and generously donated by Dominick aka Domboski)
• 2 lbs of live sugar grain sized sand.
• Livestock: 2 Percula Clownfish, 1 Filter Feeding Cucumber and 2 Turbo Snails.

I have included some aquarium shots so you can see what it looks like currently. Please excuse the infamous micro bubbles from the Seaclone 100 Protein Skimmer. I do plan on finding a much more suitable replacement for this Protein Skimmer shortly.

Front Photograph of the Aquarium.

Left Side of the Aquarium.

Daytime Shot of the Aquarium.

 

[Aqua Pro Builder]

Is the light sufficient for corals? I returned mine once I see that I cannot find a way to add my light to it gracefully. However, I may be too rush not to even turn on the light to check whether it can support corals because for the price I would expect them to ship a powerful light. I like the dimension of it very much, in fact.

 

[TH3C1SC0K1D]

Is the light sufficient for corals? I returned mine once I see that I cannot find a way to add my light to it gracefully. However, I may be too rush not to even turn on the light to check whether it can support corals because for the price I would expect them to ship a powerful light. I like the dimension of it very much, in fact.

No, I do not think the stock light is capable of supporting corals. However I have an idea in my mind of how to replace the lighting/filter unit of the aquarium and integrate an custom made LED fixture. But that little project is down the road.

 

[TH3C1SC0K1D]

Aquarium Update: Friday, May, 27, 2011.

Well I just thought I would provide a little update on my aquarium. I have had this aquarium running for about 2 months now with just a few pieces of live rock. I recently added some more live rock as stated that was donated to me from another Reef Keeper and that has been cycling for a little over a week. Now previously I did not conduct any water changes as normally as I should have but I think I will have everything on schedule with very small water changes each Friday. I have included a small video of the aquarium below along with yesterday's most recent chemistry water test.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YMvsQMOvbnI&hd=1

 

[TH3C1SC0K1D]

Aquarium Update: Thursday, June 02, 2011.

So I decided to work on a custom canopy for the aquarium as I want to ditch the stock LED Lighting/Filter Unit. So I took a little trip to the local Home Depot and picked up some supplies. If it looks a little rough that okay I did everything with a measuring tape and a hand saw. I still have to sand down the rough edges and I will have to wait to close the canopy up until I get the LED lighting installed.

My Custome Flucal Chi Aquarium Canopy in Progress...

 

[jeffvmd]

What led lighting are you getting for the chi?
I was thinking of getting one or just go for a doaqua rimless.

 

[Aqua Pro Builder]

What led lighting are you getting for the chi?
I was thinking of getting one or just go for a doaqua rimless.

Actually, for the similar size, Fluval also makes one called EBI which I am ordering, I will let you guys how I feel about it after it arrive. Check it out in FLuval's website whether you like it better than the Chi or not. As I said, earlier, Chi leave us almost no chance of upgrading the light.

 

[TH3C1SC0K1D]

What led lighting are you getting for the chi?
I was thinking of getting one or just go for a doaqua rimless.

Jeffvmd, I am actually going to order a DIY kit from Rapid LED. I'm going to slam 12 Cree LED under the canopy. I already have their DIY Moonlight Kit in route and should be expecting that on Monday or Tuesday.

 

[TH3C1SC0K1D]

Actually, for the similar size, Fluval also makes one called EBI which I am ordering, I will let you guys how I feel abou tit after it arrive. Check it out in FLuval's website whether you like it better than the Chi or not. As I said, earlier, Chi leave us almost no chance of upgrading the light.

Wingo is definitely right about not being able to upgrade the light. It's either deal with you or replace the entire light/filter unit as they are combined.

 

[Aqua Pro Builder]

Jeffvmd, I am actually going to order a DIY kit from Rapid LED. I'm going to slam 12 Cree LED under the canopy. I already have their DIY Moonlight Kit in route and should be expecting that on Monday or Tuesday.

How many watts each? If 3W each then it's going alot of light for a 6G!

 

[jeffvmd]

The fluval ebi is a much better tank and I think you can have the CFL light that comes with it replaced with a 5050 white/actinic.

 

[TH3C1SC0K1D]

Water Quality Testing Results for Friday, June 03, 2011.

Aquarium Water Quality Testing Results.

Ammonia (Recommended Range: 0ppm): 0ppm
Nitrite (Recommended Range: 0ppm): 0ppm
Nitrate (Recommended Range: 0ppm): 0ppm
pH (Recommended Range: 8.2pH - 8.4pH): 8.0pH
Alkalinity (Recommended Range: 8dKH - 12 dKH): 9dKH
Calcium (Recommended Range: 400ppm - 500ppm): 440ppm
Phosphate (Recommended Range: 0 ppm): 2ppm

 

[TH3C1SC0K1D]

Rapid LED Ultra Premium Daylight Lighting System

I placed another order with Rapid LED for a set of their DIY 6 LED Ultra Premium Constant Lighting Systems. This kit come with the following listed below. I also placed an order for a Heat Sink 5.9 Inches Width x 5.9 Inches Depth x 1 Inch Height which will be used to mount the LED's to and suspended from the aquarium canopy that I have build the framework for. I was hoping to receive my order this afternoon and get started building everything but thanks to the United States Postal Service I have to wait yet another day. :hissyfit: Hopefully tomorrow I can get started!

• 3 Cool White Cree-XPG R5 LED's
• 3 Royal Blue Cree-E LED's
• 1 Mean Well LPC-35-700W Driver with Power Cord
• Thermal Adhesive Pads
• Wiring

Update - Thursday, June 09, 2011 at 8:50pm

Well it appears that the aquarium gods have shined down upon me and granted me my gift of tinkering this evening. Right after dinner my doorbell rang and I went to the door with a suprise to see the United States Postal Service Delivery person standing their with my package from Rapid LED. So I immediately cleared of the table and get t work constructing the unit. So after about 2.5 hours of tinkering and some solder burns I have my new lighting system. My first thoughts are that it looks great but I still have some room on the Heat Sink for maybe another 6 LED's... maybe down the line. What can I say, it's an addiction!

Photographs: Rapid LED DIY Ultra Premium Lighting Kit

 

[TH3C1SC0K1D]

Brightwell Aquatics Microbacter7 Dosing.

I just received my Brightwell Aquatics Microbacter7 additive and I am going to start the dosing my systems with it to assist with seeding of Biological Filtration and reducing the level of excess nutrients and waste material within the water. According to the instructions I must add approximately 4 drops per 1 gallon (I have added 20 drops to my aquarium) and will have to leave the Protein Skimmer off for a period of 4 hours after each dose (in my case the Seaclone 100 Protein Skimmer is now the only source of of water movement in the aquarium so I just closed the air valve which essentially turns of the Skimming feature). I will be on this schedule of dosing for the next 14 days, thereafter I will modify the dosage from 4 drops every day to 1 drop every two days.

Photographs: Brightwell Aquatics Microbacter7 250ml bottle.


The product dose indicate that a noticeable difference should be clearly seen in 30 minutes but since I am currently lacking a Daylight LED Lighting System it is a bit difficult to make out. However, closing the Air Valve on the Seaclone 100 Protein Skimmer did make a noticeable difference because now I don't have Micro Bubbles.

Photograph: Aerial perspective of the aquarium.

Photograph: Aerial perspective of the aquarium.

Photograph: Front perspective of the aquarium.

 

[TH3C1SC0K1D]

Brightwell Aquatics Reef BioFuel.

I was lucky enough to stumble across a bottle of Brightwell Aquatics Reef BioFuel today in a local fish store in Long Island near my job. I am using this to provide a carbon source for Phosphate and Nitrate removal. According to the instructions I must add approximately 2 drops per 1 gallon (I have added 10 drops to my aquarium) and will have to leave the Protein Skimmer off for a period of 2 - 6 hours after each dose (in my case the since I am dosing the Brightwell Aquatics Microbacter7 which requires the Protein Skimmer to be off for 4 hours after dosing anyway I will choose 4 hours as the period for leaving the Protein Skimmer off). I will be on this schedule of dosing until Phosphates and Nitrates are undetectable by my test kits and then will convert to 5 drops every day to 1 drop every day.

Photographs: Brightwell Aquatics Reef BioFuel 250ml bottle.

 

[jeffvmd]

Can't wait to see that finished hood.:spin: