DansReef New 180 Reef

I also have gotten the system on my Apex. I set up the electronics board. The idea was to be away from the splash of the sump....at eye level... I plan on having all of the components here... and will hide the wires and label everything once things are set.

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I also added two Adanced Leak Detection sensors and module. One for under the sump and the other under the tank. The hope is that if something springs a leak...I will get an alarm when home or via my phone when away. Just a little added piece of mind. I now need to figure out the programming.... The Neptune Board is helpful.... If you are using these and have good programming for alarms and email notifications.... Please let me know. I would love your programming code.

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I am liking the Apex Fusion cloud app. I find it a lot easier to access my tanks. Though....it was a bit of a pain in the ass getting the dashboard set for multiple tanks.
 
I also did some tweaking of the sump. I shortened the drain pipes and rejigged the sock holder. The plan is to swap them out a lot more frequently than I had in other tanks. They are real easy to swap out.

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As you can see I added some rock. I want a bit more. Hopefully ETR has some he can spare.

I added four frozen ...but raw shrimp to begin the cycle. My plan is to wait a week or so and then add a couple of rocks from one of the other tanks. My hope is to be patient with the cycle....and perhaps be able to introduce first fish around the new year...

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More to come.
 
i have a very similar set up from Matt at sho-tank ...180 with side cabinets except mine is kind of a white wash stain ... very happy with the way it turned out ! one suggestion , i had a few problems in the beginning with over flowing my tank a few times because of various reasons , i bought a break out box and connected it to my apex ... i used a float sensor switch and turned it upside down and put it in a corner of the tank . its mounted with a zip tie on a piece of PVC just above the trim line , if the water level gets too high and sets off the switch it automatically shuts off my pump until i manually reset it or do it thru fusion ... best thing i ever did and its 100% by the time you get an alarm from a sensor you already have water out of the tank ?

just my 2 cents :hypnotoad:
 
Bowhunter4250 said:
i have a very similar set up from Matt at sho-tank ...180 with side cabinets except mine is kind of a white wash stain ... very happy with the way it turned out ! one suggestion , i had a few problems in the beginning with over flowing my tank a few times because of various reasons , i bought a break out box and connected it to my apex ... i used a float sensor switch and turned it upside down and put it in a corner of the tank . its mounted with a zip tie on a piece of PVC just above the trim line , if the water level gets too high and sets off the switch it automatically shuts off my pump until i manually reset it or do it thru fusion ... best thing i ever did and its 100% by the time you get an alarm from a sensor you already have water out of the tank ?

just my 2 cents :hypnotoad:
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Thanks Bowhunter. I am running along the same train of thought. I have the breakout box....just waiting for the float switch to come in. I have not had any overflowing of the tank.... It came close... as I was tweaking the valves...and could not get my fat ass up the stairs...and then down quick enough.... LOL! I like cheap insurance... A float switch has been on the plan. The sensors are just another safe guard... In a sense... it is overkill as I work almost literally right next to it... but when I am away from the home office it is nice peace of mind.

I need to check out your threads... I want to see your "Matt Original"....
 
Looks Great! I recall Matt telling me about the same design as mine but white washed. Would love to know more about the set up.... MH I am guessing. I like the handle on the access on the canopy. I have been thinking of doing the same. Is the sump located in the stand? What are you using for equipment? How long has it been running?
 
DanSreef said:
Looks Great! I recall Matt telling me about the same design as mine but white washed. Would love to know more about the set up.... MH I am guessing. I like the handle on the access on the canopy. I have been thinking of doing the same. Is the sump located in the stand? What are you using for equipment? How long has it been running?
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i live in crystal lake , i used to live in gilberts , you can come by and see it any time .... i have a basement sump ... total volume of about 250 gal. yes MH AND VHO , calcium reactor , turf scrubber , fuge ... pm me and i can give you phone # and address if you want ? i think it looks terrible at the moment tho
 
Bowhunter4250 said:
i live in crystal lake , i used to live in gilberts , you can come by and see it any time .... i have a basement sump ... total volume of about 250 gal. yes MH AND VHO , calcium reactor , turf scrubber , fuge ... pm me and i can give you phone # and address if you want ? i think it looks terrible at the moment tho
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Sorry to hijack, Dan, but [MENTION=1765]Bowhunter4250[/MENTION] is the turf scrubber the same thing as an algae scrubber and if so, how do you like it? I'd be curious to see a pic.
 
EricTheRed said:
Sorry to hijack, Dan, but [MENTION=1765]Bowhunter4250[/MENTION] is the turf scrubber the same thing as an algae scrubber and if so, how do you like it? I'd be curious to see a pic.
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yes it is ... im running the cube ballast i got from you and i still have that sunset monti rock witht he blue clove polyps ! anyway i have a little algae still growing in the tank but when i test my nitrates with a sailfert test kit it barely turns pink so holding it againt the card it looks clear which tells me zero nitrates ? im not sure if i still have the correct flow with light ratio but i get a good amount of growth on both sides of the screen but its not the long green hairy stuff i see most people get ?? its green but mostly a pile of slime ? i still run a phosphate remover 24/7 .... im in crystal lake if you ever want to stop by ? im a little embarrased of my tank right now tho .... ive seen yours before !
 
I think a road trip to Bowhunters place is in order. I would love to see the tank.

Hey Eric... I just so happen to have a algae scrubber a friend on another board sent me. If you want to give that thing a try... I am not going to use it at this point. Let me know. All you need is a air pump.
 
DanSreef said:
I think a road trip to Bowhunters place is in order. I would love to see the tank.

Hey Eric... I just so happen to have a algae scrubber a friend on another board sent me. If you want to give that thing a try... I am not going to use it at this point. Let me know. All you need is a air pump.
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sure thing ! let me know when you'd like to come over
 
Guys ... How about tonight? or tomorrow (sat)... looks like my day is wide open. Bowhunter....sending you a PM now.
 
DanSreef said:
Guys ... How about tonight? or tomorrow (sat)... looks like my day is wide open. Bowhunter....sending you a PM now.
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got it ! sent you a text , i cant do tonight but i can do tomorrow night after 6:00 if anyone want s to come over for a beer ? however like i said im pretty embarrassed of my tank at the moment ... just let me know who is coming
 
OK.... Guys... Time for a quick weigh in on Skimmers. I have an RO and a Skimz on my two existing tanks. I want to get a bigger skimmer for the new 180.... I want to get thoughts on the following.... quickly please!
a) What Skimmer would you choose if money were no option on my system that is around 225-250 gals total volume. I may at some point plumb my125 corner to is at some point. So I am thinking a monster sized skimmer.
b) BRS has a sale on Skimz SM203 that is rated up to 528 gals.... but... here is the trick... it has a DC pump. I have heard DC pumps are failing like crazy. The price is $349. It is the right size....right prices and I am very familiar and like the skimmer concept....with the exception of it having a DC pump
c) BRS is doing all of the warranty stuff on Skimz Skimmers now....which to me is awesome as BRS has never done wrong in my opinion. They always have taken care of me. The warranty on the SM203's pump is one year... then two years on the rest of the skimmer.
d) are there any other skimmers I should consider???

Please respond as quickly as you can. The sale at BRS ends in 13 hours. I am fine with waiting and getting another skimmer.... just want to get feedback here from folks.

Thanks!
 
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