Chuck's 150 Gallon Reef Project - Page 61

ChuckG · #**601** (**permalink**) 05-09-2007, 01:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cello

I say...MAN UP CHUCKG....enough about your finger. It will either heal up, or ----well, you might only be able to count to 9...HEHEHEH.

LOL - I was actually considering going ahead with rescaping tonight and who knows, I might. Without the gloves - I have the drugs now so I can't do much more harm, right? Only problem is that if I get started then I know I won't want to stop and it will be the wee hours of the morning once again and then the mail will have to be delivered by someone else tomorrow.

But hey, I already have one unexcused absence against me and tomorrow would be considered the same instance so - - - - - - - you never know.

It'd be my luck that someone from the PO is monitoring this thread.

ChuckG · #**602** (**permalink**) 05-09-2007, 02:52 AM

Here's another helpful tip.

If you have a Vortex Diatom Filter and you know that is has a leaky shaft seal - DO NOT turn it off and go about your business without removeing the hoses from your tank.

ChuckG · #**603** (**permalink**) 05-09-2007, 03:21 PM

I've got a new challenge with the new system. Since it was just filled and new sand gives off "junk", it has put a film on the surface water. This is actually a good test of how the system will handle it. Mine isn't - that's the problem. Since I made the overflow myself maybe there is something I'm missing here?

I honestly don't see how the surface film isn't at least being removed from the display tank into the overflow box. The overflow box has the film as well.
I can sit there and watch the flow pattern in the display and water is being pushed up and back towards the overflow. Water obviously goes over the overflow yet the film only gets pushed up to the overflow and doesn't seem to "go over the edge". It's almost like the overflow box is too full and the film is keeping it's tension over the waterfall and so it doesn't go over. Is this possible?

Just took a good look at it now and the waterfall into the box is really only about 1/2 ". I think it's quite possible that the surface tension simply isn't being broken to clear the rest of the display. I'll lower the durso in the overflow box later and see what effect that has on it. I suspect tha will take care of the film in the display area.

This will still leave the area of the overflow box itself completely filled with the film. Since it is a durso (DIY one), the surface water isn't being skimmed from the box down into the drain. With my last system it had a built in overflow with durso and I never noticed a build up of film within the overflow. Doesn't mean it wasn't there - I just didn't notice it. I would think that this film needs to continue on through so that the organics can be processed in the skimmer. So how do make sure the overflow box stays film free short of removing the durso which I do not want to do from a noise standpoint?

**phlounder** · #**604** (**permalink**) 05-09-2007, 05:33 PM

While you may not have enough drop off in your overflow, I would think that by increasing surface agitation, you would not have the film problem - that may also take care of it in the overflow as well. I always have substantial movement at the waters surface. Try redirecting one or two of your returns toward the top of the tank, until you have substantial rippling and maybe even rolling at the surface.

Daggs · #**605** (**permalink**) 05-09-2007, 06:34 PM

Chuck,

If I remember your setup correctly, and with out serching through tons of pages I was thinking of something like this for you. Might like it or not, but might get you thinking of some ideas.

You could add a bubble trap, to sorta force water movement. Sort of like below. This would help keeping the film to a minimum.

ChuckG · #**606** (**permalink**) 05-09-2007, 07:07 PM

I just now lowered the durso to get more of a drop into the overflow box. I need to let things calm down and more film to form to see the results. If the problem isn't already corrected you may actually be on to something there. Confine the film right where it comes into the box. Then the waterfall hits it and actually submerges the organics and is sucked into the durso drain before it can come to the surface on the other side of the box. Hmmmmm

What might be simpler though is that once I know for sure the water level I want in the overflow box would be to simply drill a hole in the durso at the water line and then the box itself would skim down the drain.

ChuckG · #**607** (**permalink**) 05-09-2007, 07:17 PM

BEFORE:

AFTER:

Is this looking better?

warloc · #**608** (**permalink**) 05-09-2007, 08:34 PM

Chuck,

I would say the way you've stacked the rock looks better. The clarity of the water looks about the same however. Not sure if this is from the image or not though. Since the lighting in the background does look different from before to after image.

ChuckG · #**609** (**permalink**) 05-09-2007, 08:52 PM

The water is cloudy. My diatom filter is on the fritz. PC lights were in a different position. Those things I'm not worried about.

HERE's YET ANOTHER HELPFUL TIP:

If you run an Oceans Motion on your system (especially if using southdown sand) - shut it down while you aquascape or else you will kick sand up into your system and jam your drum up.

Called OM and know what to do but have to make a trip to HD for a part.

ChuckG · #**610** (**permalink**) 05-10-2007, 01:31 AM

The 4 way is back online.

The water has cleared to the point that I can actually get a decent shot of the rescape. I'm not 100% happy but it will do. Once all the rocks are covered with corals it will look totally different anyway.

And don't forget my little friends

Every rock got a flatworm exit bath before going in this tank