SubzeroLT

Tuajia, technically it sounds feasible. But if you are already planning to drill a hole at the side of the 'overhead sump', might as well drill a hole in the display tank instead and keep the sump below the DT. Diamond glass cutter of various diameters are available in good hardware shops (eg. those found in industrial estates). They are about $30 each. Its actually quite easy to drill through glass. There are youtube videos available. I recall reading previously that DE Aquatics offer this hole cutting service as well.

Thanks. Think the coloration is probably due to high nitrates the past weeks for 2 reasons 1) Skimmer wasn't running properly & not able to skim anything out. Nitrates creeped up to about 5ppm 2) I've also stopped the sulfur reactor as it was pulling the pH down to around 7.7pH. I'm now relying on Microbacter7 + Biofuel at the moment.

New addition from Pacific Reef : Recently, someone asked me if i dosed amino acids. Tried a couple of various brands along the way. These are the 2 products that i've been using for the longest time. Got the polyp booster (contains amino acids & fatty acids) back when Madpetz was having the moving out sale from their previous Sin Min location. I dose a small amount of the polypbooster in high flow. After about a minute, turn off the pump then target feed with reef roids. Fed about 2x a week. Some other progress pics : Badabing frag : Frag from Jonathan a couple of weeks back (Thanks ) Slightly better color. Still some ways to go :

One worry is that the overflow siphon is broken => no more water flows to the sump. But the return pump is still running & continues to pump water to the display tank -> water overflows onto the floor. The safe bet around this is to install an aquarium controller & float switches. That's what I did when i converted my freshwater tank to a saltwater tank with sump. I've explained it in my tank thread.

Not exactly clear what u mean gravity. Is there a hole already drilled in the display tank? Or are you planning to use a direct siphon or overflow siphon? In any case, make sure it's fool proof & able to handle power outage etc. if not, don't do it. Another option is just make a new tank & sump (reuse cabinet) Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Yes its possible to fabricate/customize a sump tank. A glass one made by Atlantic Glass (@ Serangoon) will probably be less than $100. Acrylic is possible but may be more expensive Not sure how you are planning to transport the water to the sump.. Hang on back overflows are available but they are prone to breaking siphon. I'm using one and won't recommend it.

Did you open the cage / housing & drop the ceramic bushing? It's a common problem. so, it won't turn anymore. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

For microbacter7 - Bacteria If you have medium to high nutrients (assume 5ppm or more), dose 5ml per 100L of tank water daily. If you have low nutrients (assume 2ppm or less), 5ml per 200L weekly. For Bio Fuel (carbon source to feed bacteria) Medium to high nutrients (5ppm or more) - 5ml per 200L daily Low nutrient system (2ppm or less) - 5ml per 400L daily Other points : Ideally, both Microbacter7 & Bio Fuel be used together for maximum effect as many have mentioned earlier. If you are already running biopellets (carbon source), the bio fuel is not required. From what i've seen, an overdose of carbon may fuel cyano bacteria. If for any reason you do not want to dose carbon (eg bad cyano situation), then its OK to just dose "more" microbacter 7 only. => adding more bacteria instead of feeding with carbon source for it to self reproduce For nitrates to be reduced, you need to have some level of phosphates in the water (it cannot be zero). Skimmer should be switched off for a few hours to maximize effect. Not let additives be skimmed out too quickly. Overdose symptom (bacteria bloom) will be cloudy water or spider web like stuff on the glass. Generally harmless which will go away after a few days.

Nice! Thanks for sharing.

Yeah. Purchase from http://www.isocket.eu. If you just want to monitor power, get the PowerWatch model (S$137+) If you want to add features such as smoke or water alarm, get the Environment Pro (S$169+) Remember to select "British Plug" type for Singapore use. Shipping is S$29 (via FedEx). But is free if you spend more than $185. So either get some additional sensor accessory or group buy with a buddy if you want to avoid shipping cost. Takes about 5 days to arrive.

Nice to see it progressing so well! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Agree.....A UPS is a good alternative. Note that most UPS generate either square waveform or modified squarewaves. So far, i know only of the APC Smart UPS that can generate a pure sine wave but those UPS cost more than $600 for a small one. AC pumps will not run properly with the square or modified waveform. It will in fact damage the motor. Should be OK for DC motors/pumps.

Can get from Madpetz. Think some other LFS carry it as well. This is Madpetz' link & price http://www.madpetz.com.sg//index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=&products_id=59

In the past month, I've heard of at least 2 reefers suffering losses to corals due to power trip. Personally, had a bad experience several months back. Some have the Apex Neptune but when the whole house trips, it won't be able to trigger alerts since the home router/wifi will also be off. Web Cams will be useless as well. Just sharing 2 equipment which I think are good contingencies to have. Some may think its an unnecessary expense but for those of us have suffered through a power trip before, this will be money well spent. 1) Ecotech Battery Backup (http://ecotechmarine.com/products/battery-backup) Keeping the water moving is critical. Without it, corals can die within a couple of hours because of lack of oxygen due to no still water. Also, as long as there is some water surface agitation, there will continue to be air exchange with the atmosphere. When the main power is cut, the Ecotech batter takes over powering the wavemaker. I was curious about how long the battery could last & decided to clock it recently. For my system (1x MP40, 1x MP10), it lasted about 55hrs. That's 2 days plus. At least this gives some peace of mind especially & sufficient time to come home from work to turn the power back on. Some pics : Battery mounted on a small cabinet next to the tank. It has 2 output cables hooked to 2 Vortech wavemakers When the battery takes over, the LED indicates the amount of power left. Right most = 100%. This photo was taken after 24hrs After 36hrs, Setting for MP40. Running ~ 60% Setting for MP10. Running ~ 40% 2) iSocket - (https://www.isocketworld.com/en/all-isocket-products/) This is another important equipment. I got mine from the above website. - Plugged into an electrical socket / extension plug - Has an internal rechargeable battery. - Has a SIM card which then sends you an SMS when it detects power outage. In my case, i have an MobileShare SIM card which i got free with my Singtel contract. Else some folks use pre-paid SIM cards. Configuration is quite simple. From your own phone, just send a command "MakeMeBoss" to the number of the SIM card. Then all future alerts go to your mobile phone. There are temperature sensor, smoke detector & leak detector sensor attachments available as well. With the SMS trigger & backup power source to keep the wavemaker going for a while, I think it gives us sufficient reaction time to rush home to restore power.

Its available from Fresh & Marine. Brand is "Hobby"

This is a nice gadget for hatching baby brine shrimps. No pumps, lights or additional step to separate eggs required. Just put the brine shrimp eggs on the outside... Put the lid on And this is the yield 24 hours later.

It does increase alkalinity as well. BRSTV explained the chemistry graphically here : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lu_To5UZ2c0 For dosage, i mix 1 teaspoon of kalk powder into that 5L water container.The ATO will dose a bit every hour throughout the day/night.

There are varying valid opinions about which parameters or frequency to check. For me, i'm still learning the hobby & hence need to check weekly to be sure things are under control. I'm sure that once one is more experienced and have a proven routine (eg. water change, bio pellet amount, supplement dosing, feeding amount etc), then one won't need to check it so often (monthly/quarterly). Just like some experienced reefers in SPS only measure KH & nothing else. I think for a new reefer with mostly fishes or few LPS, nitrates is important to measure. Once the LPS load increases, nitrates, Ca, KH, Mg, Phosphate For a new reefer into SPS, nitrates, Phosphate, KH, Ca, Mg. If budget allows, Potassium, Strontium.

Most livestock are tolerant to some levels of NO3. However, there is a tipping point where it becomes toxic. This point is different for various creatures. Some say its about 50ppm, some maybe 200ppm when things start to go downhill. I'd say its good to check but not critical. Its analogous to checking one's blood pressure. Its good to know where you are on the scale of things.

Yep. Petmart is where I got mine too. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I use a Tom's aqua lifter for the ATO. The ATO container has an acrylic tube that does not go all the way down to the bottom of the container.

Thanks all. The torches were from various places over the past year. Hope this picture describes it.

Borrowed a colleagues' Olympus TG4.... some pics : Chilli Pepper Monti Blondies Forest Fire.....growing but losing its green tips. Yuma (from SA) Teardrop Maxima Bali shortcake from SA. Its more purple than pink now due to high nutrients SSC frag. From recent LCK shipment Blue Monti Torch Garden. Still looking for nice torches Anemone split a weeks back Got a frag of Bali Slimer on the right. Looks different from what i've seen in pictures though.

You can get new ones somewhere along 245 Jalan Besar. See pic

Kalkwasser is actually Calcium Hydroxide. There are food grade ones available at some LFS. Else some brands like Two Little Fishes, Seachem or Kent Marine carries them. Mixing preparation & dosing instructions are on the packaging. IMO, any brand will do. Personally, my tank runs at pH of 7.7 (a little on the low side). I dose with Two Little Fishes brand Kalkwasser in my auto top off water throughout the day.