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acharpenter's "Latest" 40 breeder build (1 Viewer)

patent said:
If it falls does it fall into the sump? If so, I'd move it. FWIW.
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A good precaution. Suction cups will loose their suction over time and will no longer sustain the ability to hold anything in place, especially on a dry surface.
 
Perhaps I will mount them another way rather than suction cups then

Anyone have any thoughts on the cycle plan?
 
acharpenter said:
3. The blue LED's in the stand.. blah, blah, blah. Thinking rather than switching them on/off every time I open the stand - I will just leave them on 24/7 - anyone see any issues with this?
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Get a magnetic switch (shown below) to turn the lights on only when you open the doors.
They're relatively cheap and very easy to install. (My build thread has a detailed description.)
Just convince Kevin it's a car project and he could do it for you.

 
jlanger said:
Get a magnetic switch (shown below) to turn the lights on only when you open the doors.
They're relatively cheap and very easy to install. (My build thread has a detailed description.)
Just convince Kevin it's a car project and he could do it for you.
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Awesome - thank you!!!!! Especially appreciate the build link
 
acharpenter said:
Anyone have any thoughts on the cycle plan?
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I think with the few pieces you added that have already been cured in another mature tank, it will speed up your ammonia, trites, and trates cycle a ton. Planning on 11/02 would probably be more than plenty of time. I'd say to test your water for ammonia and trites right before you do your first water change. It will let you know where youre at in the cycle. If they both come up at zero than test for trates. If you get a reading on trates, do a decent size water change (30 to 40% or so) and you're good to go. If you still have an ammonia and trites reading, stick to your original plan. But with the previously cycled rock added and a decent amount of water flow in the tank, you should be realistically cycled within the next week. I just cured about 100lbs of rock in a 55 gal barrel and it took 3 days to get a nitrite reading and one week to get a nitrate reading because i used 3 softball sized cured pieces of rock to seed it. So once you test and get a trate reading, it's time for a water change and fish shopping:)
 
Brought some water to the meeting last weekend to test and then left the vials next to the host's tank - a few members were wondering how the tank could be doing so well with the tests coming out like that - lol

As of today ammonia is 0 and Nitrites off the chart - so just waiting for the Nitrite to zero out then a water change and maybe wait another week - then ready for stocking!

Today while checking out the tank before work I found pod's and tiny brittle starfish that came in on some of the rock Ted cycled for me - woo! Finally something to look at! Although I must admit - I have found myself turning from my desk just to stare at the empty tank more than few few times in the last couple weeks. Cant wait for livestock!

Updated stocking list:

I will be reacquiring my famous double set of Randall's/Tiger Pistol's - although one of the Tiger's has passed since these went to another home - we will be working on getting another to replace it


Planned fish list:
Pair Randall's gobies
Midas Blenny
McCoskers Flasher Wrasse
PITA Pair Clowns

Fish are listed in order I plan to introduce to the tank. Still thinking on what else to add, any suggestions?

Planned Inverts:
Bubble tip Anemone x 2 or 3
Pair of Tiger Pistol Shrimp
Pair of Cleaner or Fire Shrimp
Banded Trochus Snails
Nassarius snails
White Urchin


Corals:
Blue Cloves
DG blue/purple vase sponge
Pink Pulsing Xenia
Dhummel Green Nepthilia - (im rethinking this one as they get so big, not sure yet)
GSP

Some Zoa's:
AOG's
Rasta's
Captain America's
 
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Tonight

Ammonia 0
Nitrites 0

Did a 15 gallon water change tonight

NOTE - CALIBRATE YOUR REFRACTOMETER(S) OFTEN!!!

Water tested at 1.030 and 1.031 tonight - after recalibrating both my refractometers - they were both off and sg was actually at 1.026 after calibration!!!

Looking into heaters for my tank now. I currently have an Eheim Jager 125w and am looking for 2 to replace it. The Eheim's are huge (I dont have a ton of room in my sump) and I am thinking I would like to go with a Titanium w/controller. Will also have them hooked up to my Apex for redundancy.

Torn between the Via Aqua Titanium or the Finnix Titanium - however the Cobalt NeoTherms are pretty nice as well.

Thoughts on these?
 
acharpenter said:
Looking into heaters for my tank now. I currently have an Eheim Jager 125w and am looking for 2 to replace it. The Eheim's are huge (I dont have a ton of room in my sump) and I am thinking I would like to go with a Titanium w/controller. Will also have them hooked up to my Apex for redundancy.

Torn between the Via Aqua Titanium or the Finnix Titanium - however the Cobalt NeoTherms are pretty nice as well.

Thoughts on these?
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Club....thought's on these heaters please?
 
I would let things settle a bit more and make sure the cobalt issues are fully resolved so I'd X-nay the neotherms.

You know me though, I'd take a Jager over anything else, if space is an issue you can always stick it under eggcrate or acrylic frag rack and still be able to put skimmer or other equipment on top.
 
Seems like these conversations always end in Jager. There are a lot of cool looking heaters on the market but I still only buy Jagers too...
 
What about Stealth? These were recently recommended to me by another member, I am also looking for a heater so following this closely.
 
David Grigor said:
I would let things settle a bit more and make sure the cobalt issues are fully resolved so I'd X-nay the neotherms.

You know me though, I'd take a Jager over anything else, if space is an issue you can always stick it under eggcrate or acrylic frag rack and still be able to put skimmer or other equipment on top.
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Under egg crate? They wont even fit across the bottom of the largest sump chamber without a 3 inch angle up on one end! There is just no room for one or I would keep up with the one I have

marty9876 said:
Seems like these conversations always end in Jager. There are a lot of cool looking heaters on the market but I still only buy Jagers too...
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Someone hear something?

ChristopherKriens said:
Neotherms have been great for me, as long as you're not looking at the 200 watt model which gets quite melty.
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How long have you been using yours? I really like them but want to get some opinions before biting the bullet on the price and picking a couple up

Kevin Lake said:
Neo Therm + :goldfish: = :micro:
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Stop it!

scubaspew said:
What about Stealth? These were recently recommended to me by another member, I am also looking for a heater so following this closely.
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Nerp - wanna go titanium with controller - also - have seen some bad reviews on them - hence they were not in my list
 
I have both the Via Aqua Titanium (300w) and the Finnex Analog Titanium (200w) for way longer then anyone ever should..... Its going on almost 3 years. I now only use the Finnex but it is also on my Apex as a back up. All in all both are great and I would buy them again.

That reminds me I should buy a new heater. lol
 
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