| | |  04-02-2011, 01:03 AM
My main system is a 120 gallon reef ready system. It has (2) 250W 13K Metal Halides and (2) 96W Dual Actinic Power Compacts. The 120 has a model 4 sump and submersible pump returns. The waterfall is designed with PVC out via external Coralife Turbo pump , and has not operated yet as plans to start this weekend are underway. The reef is 7 years old and houses many corals I have had just as long. The tank is also branched into 3 sections. From the sump, I have a line going directlt right of the main tank. the branch from my sump goes direct to refugium 1. This lower refugium is fed and water returns via gravity again to the sump. The top refugium draws water from the bottom and returns the water after a skimmer and the water returns via gravity with the lower refugium. Sort of double refugium action. The refugium stand built at Carver yachts on my time after work also has a water resistant area in case of extreme spill , that is siliconed tight and water run off ducts that hold my ballasts and electrical in the cabinet beneath. If I were to purposely overflow my refugiums, water would follow a trail on the floor and remain out of the electrical area. On the far lef, 2 different areas operate. The first is a 20G reservoir. This area is just a feed to area for water that returns via gravity to the main tank. A "tap into" area. I knew that I needed more area for my components, so this area is drilled for a quick shut off and connect/disconnect of my canister filter. The 2 holes are drilled and makes it easy to connect and disconnect. As well I run my Hydor Performer Skimmer , as well as Calcium Reactor in this area. Th U/V Sterilizer is in action there , as well as an emergency heater set to 76 in the event my main heater fails. My pinpoint Ph monitor is behind in this area , as well as CO2 tank. Directly in front of this res is another 20 gallon that is on the same stand, making the tanks look like a square. The front tank is a RO-DI Reservoir. My RO-DI unit constantly runs and is shut off with a float switch. When this tank fills it shuts off. Easy to steal R/O when needed , and my auto top-off unit operates here with a probe in the sump. I use a aqua-medic IV pump style to pump water in as it evaporates. Specific Gravity is always for the most part anyway - on the marker. Many small gadgets here and there , pumps etc., make for the investment. It has been a rough road before the basement in this schoolhouse. this eliminated the need for the chiller that always seemed to under par. I hold at 78, 78.5- 77.5. Really never see any fluctuation worse than that. I run (2) 300W heaters, and that seems to do the job. Well that's a little about my system. My friend , the owner of Advanced Aquariums whom I have been working on this system with is talking to me about ORP. Does anyone think this system demans that. What are the pros and cons? Any suggestions because I am full steam ahead on kicking the waterfall in, starting to wash and get everything ready tomorrow (Today). Good luck and happy sailing fellow reefers |
| | | |
Member's Reefs 
michaellong's 151 Gallon Waterfall Starting this weekend! 
, I have to be careful here peoples. So I am deciding, since it is operable from my main 120 sump, and PVC run all the way back to the drain to sump - do I go fish or reef. I would love to go reef but what about all those nice reef-eaters that I could now have. Any suggestions? What benefits would either or have on my reef. Of course - the larger water volume is my benefit. I protected each waterfall with plastic foodsafe netting. A goby couldn't get through. 
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Linear Mode
