jselzler1
Non-member
Been a long time since I've posted anything. Have been finding the hobby a little dragging in '15. I had even put my system up for sale, even had a buyer and was about to pull the trigger on the deal until I informed the wife. She said 'what!?!' and put a stop to the sale. Since then I've been wondering what to do. Been having a struggle with hair algae and cyano recently, too, since about the time I decided to sell I've ignored some husbandry. When wife changed my mind started to go to battle with the algea. I made partial success then came the 3 week vacation planned long ago.
Got a 12 year old neighbor kid to take care of the tank so he has been interested. Gave him the lowdown, walked him through maintenance, then had him come over a few days later for test run. I was completely expecting a major algea outbreak returning from vacation. BUT tank looks better than it has for months!!! Kid got a raise.
Anyways, the algae battle victory got me thinking. Wifie wants new furniture for the living room on main floor. We could really use the tank space for some of that furniture. Out of happen-chance was browsing the equipment sales forum which I probably haven't done in 6 months. Low and behold found a sweeet deal on a standard 90G, nice custom built stand, 20G sump, 20G refugium (thanks Pesto) that sit within the stand. Now I'm back two feet into this hobby and excited again.
I think I can re-use most of my equipment from the 54G corner tank once the 90 is up and running. Will transer the RKL, skimmer, ATO, doser, main pump. Already bought a new Jabeo RW8, maybe get another or just add my existing WP25 depending how I like the flow. The 90G will be relocated to the family room in the basement. Probably remain a mixed reef with LPS, zoa dominate and a little SPS. The basement location allows me to use some area in the utility room to setup a dedicated salt water mixing area, plumb that into the sump, and also plumb a drain out backyard into the woods. Should allow water changes to become really easy instead of lugging around 5g pails like I've been doing for 4 years. I think it is the water changes that had really turned me off to the hobby.
Attached is a quick diagram I had drawn of the idea. There would be a union joint between the three way switch and tank in case I need to pull this part of the plumbing or the main pump for maintenance. Anybody see any improvements?
Also what will I need to re-learn jumping from a 65G of water to ~130G? I assume Kalkwasser in ATO alone will no longer be able to hold my params up like it currently can in the 54g corner. I've got a doser which I can setup 2-part dosing. Should I skip Kalkwasser in ATO completely and rely only on the 2-part. I'll also be hunting for a new light setup. Leaning LED's as don't want two 150 or 250MH burning in the basement everyday. OR are 6-bulb T5's enough for SPS?
Jason
Got a 12 year old neighbor kid to take care of the tank so he has been interested. Gave him the lowdown, walked him through maintenance, then had him come over a few days later for test run. I was completely expecting a major algea outbreak returning from vacation. BUT tank looks better than it has for months!!! Kid got a raise.
Anyways, the algae battle victory got me thinking. Wifie wants new furniture for the living room on main floor. We could really use the tank space for some of that furniture. Out of happen-chance was browsing the equipment sales forum which I probably haven't done in 6 months. Low and behold found a sweeet deal on a standard 90G, nice custom built stand, 20G sump, 20G refugium (thanks Pesto) that sit within the stand. Now I'm back two feet into this hobby and excited again.
I think I can re-use most of my equipment from the 54G corner tank once the 90 is up and running. Will transer the RKL, skimmer, ATO, doser, main pump. Already bought a new Jabeo RW8, maybe get another or just add my existing WP25 depending how I like the flow. The 90G will be relocated to the family room in the basement. Probably remain a mixed reef with LPS, zoa dominate and a little SPS. The basement location allows me to use some area in the utility room to setup a dedicated salt water mixing area, plumb that into the sump, and also plumb a drain out backyard into the woods. Should allow water changes to become really easy instead of lugging around 5g pails like I've been doing for 4 years. I think it is the water changes that had really turned me off to the hobby.
Attached is a quick diagram I had drawn of the idea. There would be a union joint between the three way switch and tank in case I need to pull this part of the plumbing or the main pump for maintenance. Anybody see any improvements?
Also what will I need to re-learn jumping from a 65G of water to ~130G? I assume Kalkwasser in ATO alone will no longer be able to hold my params up like it currently can in the 54g corner. I've got a doser which I can setup 2-part dosing. Should I skip Kalkwasser in ATO completely and rely only on the 2-part. I'll also be hunting for a new light setup. Leaning LED's as don't want two 150 or 250MH burning in the basement everyday. OR are 6-bulb T5's enough for SPS?
Jason
