My slice of nature

[IshDeOne]

Wow! Such a neat sump n effort to document each detail.. Camping here to see ur progress

[SubzeroLT]

The Apex Neptune energy bar came with a Euro plug - really dislike it when products come with Euro plugs. They usually don't get grounded when using the typical multi plugs.

Alternative is to cut the cable to change to a regular 3 pin. I found a Euro adapter at Sim Lim Sq 3rd floor - UF Technologies

Finally wired up the Apex Neptune

I got a Bubble Magnus probe holder from DE Aquatic & found that it does not fit the temperature probe of the Apex. The probe was barely 0.5mm too large.

Had to file the hole a little bigger to accommodate it.

It was OK for the pH probe.

It was OK for the

[SubzeroLT]

Since I'm using a Skimz overflow box, I figured I better some redundancy in place in case the display tank overflow.

Added a float switch next to the overflow box connected to the Apex such that when the water level rises near the brim, it cuts off the return pump.

[SubzeroLT]

Tank cycling has been about 1 week with the market prawn still decomposing in the tank.

Ammonia - 0ppm

Nitrite - 0 or 0.25ppm (not so clear with the API kit)

Nitrate - 25ppm (steadily climbing over the past days). Tested with API kit as well - somewhat similar readings.

Phosphate - 0.5ppm

I guess I should let it cycle another week?

Time to set up the refugium with micro algae & Rowaphos?

[RomeoJuliet]

On 11/1/2014 at 6:20 PM, SubzeroLT said:

Tank cycling has been about 1 week with the market prawn still decomposing in the tank.

 

 

Ammonia - 0ppm Nitrite - 0 or 0.25ppm (not so clear with the API kit) Nitrate - 25ppm (steadily climbing over the past days). Tested with API kit as well - somewhat similar readings. Phosphate - 0.5ppm I guess I should let it cycle another week? Time to set up the refugium with micro algae & Rowaphos?

Bro, Refugim is very good for tanks . Do have it set up if possible . Not necessary to run rowaphos , rather u run the bio pellets instead .

[SubzeroLT]

Bro, Refugim is very good for tanks . Do have it set up if possible . Not necessary to run rowaphos , rather u run the bio pellets instead .

Thanks for the tip. Bio Pellets are supposed to remove both Nitrate & Phosphate right?

And Rowaphos is only removes phosphates.

[asg]

Remember to do a bit of WC

[Clement Chen]

Thanks for the tip. Bio Pellets are supposed to remove both Nitrate & Phosphate right?

And Rowaphos is only removes phosphates.

Bio pellets only remove nitrate unless u get the all in one biopellets.

Can run both rowa and biopellets in separate reactors

[hennan]

Bro, where do you get the grey color box to cover your apex Neptune cable? Thanks in advance

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[Admiraltian]

Very neat cabling and trunking.

[tofubox]

Good idea to place that float switch!

[SubzeroLT]

On 11/1/2014 at 9:58 PM, hennan said:

Bro, where do you get the grey color box to cover your apex Neptune cable? Thanks in advance

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These are regular electrical trunking found at neighborhood hardware shops.

For mine, i got them at Clementi avenue 2 (near Marine Life)

[hennan]

Thanks Bro. I just want to exchange some pointer about the float switch next to your overflow box connected to the Apex. Won't it better to flip it till you have a OPEN status for normal water level and CLOSED status when water level rises near the brim then cuts off the return pump?

The reason is you always want CLOSED = turn off, OPEN = turn on, cause If a switch gets disconnected, the wire gets loose, the wire breaks, etc, the switch will read OPEN.

Is it better?

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[SubzeroLT]

Thanks Bro. I just want to exchange some pointer about the float switch next to your overflow box connected to the Apex. Won't it better to flip it till you have a OPEN status for normal water level and CLOSED status when water level rises near the brim then cuts off the return pump?

The reason is you always want CLOSED = turn off, OPEN = turn on, cause If a switch gets disconnected, the wire gets loose, the wire breaks, etc, the switch will read OPEN.

Is it better?

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I've set the Apex for this float switch as :

Fallback ON

OSC 005:00/005:00/005:00 Then ON

If FeedA 005 Then OFF

If Sw5 OPEN Then OFF

If Sw5 CLOSED Then ON

Hence if its open (either cable is disconnected or water level rises), the return pump will shut off.

But thanks for the pointer....i'll need to think & experiment what you mentioned. See if i missed something out.

[hennan]

Is the above scripts for your returnPump? My example returnPump will be like below:

For returnPump;

Set ON

Fallback ON

If FeedA 005 Then OFF

If Sw5 OPEN Then OFF

Defer 005:000 Then ON

Cause I want my returnPump to be ON everytime unless there is a feeding or water rises near the brim at overflow box

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[DerrickLim]

On 11/1/2014 at 6:12 PM, SubzeroLT said:

Since I'm using a Skimz overflow box, I figured I better some redundancy in place in case the display tank overflow.

Added a float switch next to the overflow box connected to the Apex such that when the water level rises near the brim, it cuts off the return pump.

Bro, did u use the virtual Outlet to control your overflow status? If not, your pump will just keep turning on and off if the overflow is blocked.

[DerrickLim]

Is the above scripts for your returnPump? My example returnPump will be like below:

For returnPump;

Set ON

Fallback ON

If FeedA 005 Then OFF

If Sw5 OPEN Then OFF

Defer 005:000 Then ON

Cause I want my returnPump to be ON everytime unless there is a feeding or water rises near the brim at overflow box

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U might want to refer to page 138 of the Apex comprehensive manual. A safer way to control an overflow situation.

[hennan]

Bro are u referring to this:

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[DerrickLim]

Bro are u referring to this:

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Yes. I am using this script. Works well.

[hennan]

Ok Derrick. Thanks.

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[SubzeroLT]

Bro, did u use the virtual Outlet to control your overflow status? If not, your pump will just keep turning on and off if the overflow is blocked.

No i'm not using a virtual outlet (not familiar with it yet) ...need more reading up. Need to try it

This is what i'm doing now :

1) The Skimz overflow has 2 drain pipes. 1 using a siphon, the other is straight exit downwards.

2) I also have an aqua lifter pulling air out of the overflow box in case the siphon is broken. Hopefully this will minimize siphon issues.

[SubzeroLT]

Set up the refugium today.

Used a 36cm Up Aqua Z freshwater lights. I wanted the light to sit just above the sump to optimize space as I plan to put something above the lights.

Discarded the light's original plastic holders which would make the lights sit higher up. Inserted some wire to straddle the light over the 40cm wide sump.

Some CaribSea Mineral mud & very fine sand as per Caribsea instructions.

And installed reactors for Bio Pellet & Rowaphos.

** Thanks Thomas, for the chaeto

This is my setup/notes. Feedback welcome.

• I placed the reactors higher up as I wanted to maximize the volume of the sump available for water. Egg crates could not hold the weight. Using an old chopping board for now.
• Connection wise : Outlet of the Bio Pellet FR (high flow needed to tumble) is split - One tube to the TLF/Rowaphos reactor (lower flow). The other tube carries the remaining output of the Bio Pellet reactor back to the sump near the skimmer.
• The Jebao 6000 pump is currently running at 70% power with plenty of flow to power the reactors & display tank return.
• The sump is cramp & messy now. Its gonna be hard to get to the filter sock now.

Personally, I felt that the Jebao6000 pump seems a little 'noisy'. There is a light humming sound.

I read of eheim return pumps being totally silent. I wonder how it compares between the 2.

1 more market prawn added to the display tank. Cycling continues.

[RomeoJuliet]

Bro, I hope your refugim starts growing some copepods and brittle starfish.

As for the pumps, Eheim is reliable and quiet but not controllable.

Will you be adding any more equipments to the tank?

[Edmund Koh]

Love how clean your sump looks

Bro .. If u trying to create a deep sand bed in your refuge .. I dun think it's deep enough.

[SubzeroLT]

Bro, I hope your refugim starts growing some copepods and brittle starfish.

As for the pumps, Eheim is reliable and quiet but not controllable.

Will you be adding any more equipments to the tank?

I still have a dosing pump to set up & perhaps a carbon reactor if necessary.

I've ordered more float switches from eBay - for ATO. That should be it.

Any other suggestions?