Chuck's 150 Gallon Reef Project

[Gecko]

Chuck,
Did you actually buy the Hanna HI 83203 (Multi-parameter Photometer for Aquaculture) I am totally stoked about this product but I recall you mentioning something about it, can it only test fresh water?

[ChuckG]

Don't bother buying it. I didn't buy that one - I bought the HI 83200 (even more parameters than the 83203).

Bottom line is that ONLY Nitrite, Phosphate and Dissolved Oxygen will work with salt water. Other parameters will either NOT work or have NOT BEEN TESTED for salt water.

I asked a tech at Hanna if they had plans in the future of creating a multi parameter photometer for the parameters we would be interested in (for salt water) and the response was "not to his knowledge".

Real bummer. I had to send everything back. I do have the single parameter meter for phosphate and it works great AND EASY.

[Gecko]

That stinks; I wish they made one for salt water. They should change their website and state that the meter is for freshwater use only.

[ChuckG]

I would have thought they would have changed their website after my ordeal as well. Guess they just haven't gotten around to it. I have run across the meters on other sites that DO tell you. Look up the Nitrate photometer at Dr. F&S and it does tell you that it is for Fresh Water Only.

Nitrates is the other parameter that I REALLY REALLY wish I could get an accurate meter for. I think that a lot of the hobby grade kits are fairly accurate for high range nitrates but less than about 5 ppm I don't hold them in high regard - even the Elos kit.
I have recently stumbled across a website for nitrate kits that has my curiousity up. For the price they charge - they better darn well be accurate.

I can't find the exact page that I was reading but one of their kits specifically says that it will work in salt water.

The main page: Nitrate Elimination Co Inc (NECi) Home Page - Enzyme linked Nitrate Testing and Remediation in Water, Food and Waste Water

NO - I haven't purchased any yet. Still in the debating with myself phase.

[Gecko]

I hear you; I am using the Salifert test kits, I don’t really trust them that much either. I would love to have some sort of photometer to test my parameters. I guess I will have to wait until something is finally offered on the market.

[ChuckG]

Head's Up. The build thread will build some more.

I started this project to do things "right" this time around. I'm not sure if that ever happens. It seems as though there are always ways to improve on what you have accomplished.

There are numerous things with this system that I feel warrant a change. Mainly in the plumbing area. I have the last week of this month off as vacation time. First part of the week will be dedicated to replumbing my system. Then I end the vacation with the RAGGER's Collecting Trip over in Tampa. Hopeing to bring lots of little goodies home for the new and improved system.

[ChuckG]

Tomorrow I will begin the process of replumbing my system. This will of course take place with lots of photos and explanations as to "what and why" I am doing things.

My RBTA that split several times has not split again but has grown TREMENDOUSLY. He owns the top rock.

[Gecko]

Beautiful RBTA Chuck.

[Tangboy]

That thing is monstrous... very beautiful!

I am curious as to why you're replumbing everything so I will be tagging along as always...

Personally I think you're replumbing so that you have more thread content to hit 200 pages :P

Have a GREAT weekend!

[ChuckG]

Originally Posted by Tangboy

Personally I think you're replumbing so that you have more thread content to hit 200 pages :P

200? LOL - We're shootin for Guinness here.

There are several main reasons why I need to replumb the system.

1) Minor leaks that are creating salt creep on some connections.

2) Micro bubbles in the main display as a result of an outlet being too close to the pump end of the main sump.

3) I want to be able to push more water through the two main sumps that are connected together.

4) The most important reason of all. To eliminate as much noise as possible. Most of the noise is coming from overflows or where water enters a sump.


First order of business: Replumb the frag tank.

Some of you might remember that I have been mentioning an ongoing battle with hair algae in the frag tank. One suggestion was that I didn't have enough water turnover back to the main tank. I also considered everything I was dosing using the Zeo method as a culprit. I gave up the zeo and stopped dosing everything. I added a HOB overflow as shown below to get more flow through the frag tank.



Whether it was stopping the Zeo or the extra turnover rate - My algae issues are VERY minimal now.



What am I changing?

This is the current overflow.


It's simply a single DIY durso standpipe that dumps into a secondary sump below. The durso was noisy until I stuck a piece of airline in the air hole. That cut the noise to almost nothing. I still get noise and bubbles where the water enters the secondary sump. The plan is to redo the overflow to a 3 pipe dead silent fail proof overflow that will handle enough flow to remove the HOB overflow box that is currently set up on the tank.

So todays agenda is to remove the few frags that are in the frag tank so that I can isolate this part of the system. That way I can drain it and make the needed changes.

The secondary sump below also needs the baffles reworked because I am planning on using it as a place to run the ETSS 800 skimmer as an in sump skimmer. I'm doing this for space saving reasons as well as I just don't trust this skimmer. I realize this is a BIG waste of sump space but I don't see many options here.

Time to get to work.