STT to VT - Page 3

bluespotjawfish · 07-30-2007, 10:45 PM

He is a one man shop, so he may be out collecting rock. He tries hard to notify you of your shipment, but if I remember right mine was shipped without notice. I got a call from the airlines that my rock was waiting for me (a day after it had arrived). He called me and apologized though.

Melanie · 07-31-2007, 04:35 AM

I'm excited to see your transformation! I've heard great things about the TBS LR. Can't wait to see what you get. I really wanted to get their LR but price was an issue for me so I had to go with etropicals.com. (Less than $4 a lb including shipping.)

ScubaDrew · 07-31-2007, 07:08 AM

I just noticed this on his page "PLEASE NOTE: Hello, Richard from Tampa Bay Saltwater here. I will be closed until the end of June (on a very much needed vacation!). Orders will be filled as quickly as possible when I return. Trust me, it's worth the wait!"

June? do you think he means July? if not its bit disconcerning that he has left this message up for an extra month!

Considering ordering from some place else, but I'm worried he will ship with out contacting me as he did for you. He hasnt charged my CC yet...

Quote:

Originally Posted by bluespotjawfish

He is a one man shop, so he may be out collecting rock. He tries hard to notify you of your shipment, but if I remember right mine was shipped without notice. I got a call from the airlines that my rock was waiting for me (a day after it had arrived). He called me and apologized though.

ScubaDrew · 08-01-2007, 10:45 AM

Got a message from Richard today:

Quote:

Richard Londeree to me
show details 10:02 am (2½ hours ago)

Yea I was...in Thailand.....was in the keys last week collecting....am a one man show here!

any day ok to ship?

Looks like he is ready to ship the live rock!

Drew

Quote:

Originally Posted by scubadrew

I just noticed this on his page "PLEASE NOTE: Hello, Richard from Tampa Bay Saltwater here. I will be closed until the end of June (on a very much needed vacation!). Orders will be filled as quickly as possible when I return. Trust me, it's worth the wait!"

June? do you think he means July? if not its bit disconcerning that he has left this message up for an extra month!

Considering ordering from some place else, but I'm worried he will ship with out contacting me as he did for you. He hasnt charged my CC yet...

Dentoid · 08-01-2007, 12:17 PM

I got the package from him and had no problems with 2 shipments, 4 weeks apart. He was good about e-mailing and he even called me one weekend that he returned from collecting to tell me that he had just got some great rock. You'll be pleasantly surprised and happy with this rock!

ScubaDrew · 08-03-2007, 08:10 AM

Out of date sequence but here are some photos of my disaster area. When I added my sand the tank was cloudy for a week. Even with a 100micron sock the very fine powder circulated. I couldnt find any information on anyone else experiencing this - i belive it may have been due to the crushed coral I put down first having ground itself down during shipping etc.

The tank is crystal clear now.

Its ugly, but its a start!

ScubaDrew · 08-04-2007, 08:31 AM

With my shrimp in the water for close to a week I'm starting to get some different (other than all 0's) readings on my water tests. So here they are:

Phosphate - ~0
Nitrite - ~0
Nitrate - 5.0ppm
Calcium - 300mg
pH - 8.0

Dentoid · 08-04-2007, 09:19 AM

Where is the ammonia test result?

meandean45 · 08-04-2007, 10:35 AM

Hi Drew!

If you wait a few days the sand should settle out of your system in the sump. then just syphon it out. You'll probably see this quite a bit until the fines get out of the top layer of your' sand bed, probably several weeks. it will happen alot if you have sand stirring fish early in your' set-up.

Dean

ScubaDrew · 08-06-2007, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dentoid

Where is the ammonia test result?

I just retested this twice. I dont understand it, but it is 0. I put live sand in over three weeks ago, then added the shrimp less than a week ago.

In the 5 days the shirmp has been in the tank it has almost entirely dissolved - perhaps I cycled w/ just the live sand?

Still, i'm surprised to see 0.

lcstorc · 08-06-2007, 07:32 PM

I would put in several more shrimp. I never trust a cycle I can't see on tests.

JMO

ScubaDrew · 08-07-2007, 07:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lcstorc

I would put in several more shrimp. I never trust a cycle I can't see on tests.

JMO

Would the shrimp dissolve somehow with out the tank cycling? This morning I touched it with a poker and it dissolved completely. Only been in there 5 or 6 days.

thesauce · 08-07-2007, 08:36 PM

ScubaDrew!

(ScubaDrew's buddy from NY here). Killer tank! Just a few things to address some of your concerns in previous posts.

1.) The shrimp: It is possible to have a 'weak' cycle. Basically the bacteria your after will colonize in greater numbers the greater its food source. There's no harm in adding additional food sources to buff your colony. Registering 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite and some getting a nitrate spike is indicative of a complete cycle and you could introduce some critters after a large water change. Although you mentioned when we spoke that your live rock is being shipped in water, I would still expect some 'die off' which will trigger another cycle.

2.) Lights: Yes, too much light can cause bleaching and will likely make heat a major concern. It depends on what you want to keep. LPS, SPS, Softies? SPS are generally the biggest light hogs. If you want, return the lights and use my discount when you visit.

It looks great though! I didn't realize that you are synching the entire thing to your laptop, thats sick. There are also some probes on the market that can be incororated into your system that will allow for remote testing of nitrate, ammonia, ph, etc. They are pretty pricey though. When you get the rock, try to arrange it so that there is a good amount of water flow throughout the tank. This will avoid 'dead spots'. Keep those pics coming!

ScubaDrew · 08-07-2007, 10:52 PM

Tonight I worked on an auto-topoff container for RO water. To date I've manually filled 5 gallon jugs when I need water, which is quite inconvenient and resulted in many gallons going to waste due to leaving it on all night and it overflowing.

A simple setup but it should do the trick.. for now.

Float valve

Outside of float valve

Float valve in action

Added ball valve for filling jugs

ScubaDrew · 08-09-2007, 09:37 AM

I ordered a new ammonia test kit from marinedepot - it tests in much smaller increments than the API master test kit I am currently using.

Live rock comes this weekend, so hopefully if things have only partially cycled it will be enough to reduce the cycle the die off causes from killing too many hitchhikers.

On another note I got the power control unit working last night. I'm able to control my tank lights, sump light, skimmer, return pump, and power head via my computer. I tested today from work - turned my tank light on at 10 am.

Next step is to choose a controller or datalogger to get tank vitals into the computer. Right now I'm looking at:

$ - Pico DrDaq PC data logger and pc oscilloscope
$$ - OCTOPUS 4000
$$$ - Automated Aquarium Systems - RS-485 Aquatic Monitoring and Control System

I can build my own system like the ones found on automatedaquariums for slightly less than what they show. This system is by far the most flexible allowing for monitoring of many items like flood, flow direction and rate, etc.

07-30-2007, 10:45 PM	#31 (permalink)
bluespotjawfish Tridacna maxima Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Utah Posts: 4,289 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: STT to VT He is a one man shop, so he may be out collecting rock. He tries hard to notify you of your shipment, but if I remember right mine was shipped without notice. I got a call from the airlines that my rock was waiting for me (a day after it had arrived). He called me and apologized though. __________________ Lorraine To BB and all Bluespots - Journey of the 2nd Year ...The 2nd Year - Photoshow Check out Mr. BJ and friends... Mr. BJ's Aquarium - PhotoShow

07-31-2007, 04:35 AM	#32 (permalink)
Melanie Golden Moray Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Naples, Florida Posts: 2,120 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: STT to VT I'm excited to see your transformation! I've heard great things about the TBS LR. Can't wait to see what you get. I really wanted to get their LR but price was an issue for me so I had to go with etropicals.com. (Less than $4 a lb including shipping.) __________________ My Reef Journey Latest Recap My Videos My Flickr Photos Pres. of Dork Club I love ScubaDrew and North East Coral! Read why HERE...

08-01-2007, 12:17 PM	#35 (permalink)
Dentoid Over Achiever Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Virginia Posts: 10,289 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: STT to VT I got the package from him and had no problems with 2 shipments, 4 weeks apart. He was good about e-mailing and he even called me one weekend that he returned from collecting to tell me that he had just got some great rock. You'll be pleasantly surprised and happy with this rock! __________________ Scott Dentoid's Reeforama

08-03-2007, 08:10 AM	#36 (permalink)
ScubaDrew Elegance coral Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Burlington, VT Posts: 1,072 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: STT to VT Out of date sequence but here are some photos of my disaster area. When I added my sand the tank was cloudy for a week. Even with a 100micron sock the very fine powder circulated. I couldnt find any information on anyone else experiencing this - i belive it may have been due to the crushed coral I put down first having ground itself down during shipping etc. The tank is crystal clear now. Its ugly, but its a start! __________________ www.NorthEastCoral.com My coral and supply website! STT2VT - Chronical

08-04-2007, 08:31 AM	#37 (permalink)
ScubaDrew Elegance coral Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Burlington, VT Posts: 1,072 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: STT to VT With my shrimp in the water for close to a week I'm starting to get some different (other than all 0's) readings on my water tests. So here they are: Phosphate - ~0 Nitrite - ~0 Nitrate - 5.0ppm Calcium - 300mg pH - 8.0 __________________ www.NorthEastCoral.com My coral and supply website! STT2VT - Chronical

08-04-2007, 09:19 AM	#38 (permalink)
Dentoid Over Achiever Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Virginia Posts: 10,289 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: STT to VT Where is the ammonia test result? __________________ Scott Dentoid's Reeforama

08-04-2007, 10:35 AM	#39 (permalink)
meandean45 Ricordea Join Date: May 2004 Location: Bradford, Vt., USA Posts: 177 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: STT to VT Hi Drew! If you wait a few days the sand should settle out of your system in the sump. then just syphon it out. You'll probably see this quite a bit until the fines get out of the top layer of your' sand bed, probably several weeks. it will happen alot if you have sand stirring fish early in your' set-up. Dean __________________ Meandean45 -RELATIVITY: "Sit on a red hot stove for a minute, and it seems like an hour. Sit next to a pretty Girl for an hour, and it seems like a minute. That's Relativity". A.Einstein : "A man's got to know his limitations."- Clint Eastwood in "Magnum Force"

08-06-2007, 07:32 PM	#41 (permalink)
lcstorc Sunshine Reefer Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Cocoa Fl Posts: 20,892 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: STT to VT I would put in several more shrimp. I never trust a cycle I can't see on tests. JMO __________________ Peace LYNN You can't change the past but you can change how you view it. A reef tank is like a racecar. The faster you go the harder you crash. Lynn and Franks saltwater adventure Lynn's 20g clown tank Lynn's 90g of sunshine Every 60 seconds you spend upset is a minute of happiness you'll never get back. In Loving Memory Of Z 01/22/07 - 08/19/08

08-07-2007, 08:36 PM	#43 (permalink)
thesauce Tunicate Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 20 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: STT to VT ScubaDrew! (ScubaDrew's buddy from NY here). Killer tank! Just a few things to address some of your concerns in previous posts. 1.) The shrimp: It is possible to have a 'weak' cycle. Basically the bacteria your after will colonize in greater numbers the greater its food source. There's no harm in adding additional food sources to buff your colony. Registering 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite and some getting a nitrate spike is indicative of a complete cycle and you could introduce some critters after a large water change. Although you mentioned when we spoke that your live rock is being shipped in water, I would still expect some 'die off' which will trigger another cycle. 2.) Lights: Yes, too much light can cause bleaching and will likely make heat a major concern. It depends on what you want to keep. LPS, SPS, Softies? SPS are generally the biggest light hogs. If you want, return the lights and use my discount when you visit. It looks great though! I didn't realize that you are synching the entire thing to your laptop, thats sick. There are also some probes on the market that can be incororated into your system that will allow for remote testing of nitrate, ammonia, ph, etc. They are pretty pricey though. When you get the rock, try to arrange it so that there is a good amount of water flow throughout the tank. This will avoid 'dead spots'. Keep those pics coming!

08-07-2007, 10:52 PM	#44 (permalink)
ScubaDrew Elegance coral Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Burlington, VT Posts: 1,072 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: STT to VT Tonight I worked on an auto-topoff container for RO water. To date I've manually filled 5 gallon jugs when I need water, which is quite inconvenient and resulted in many gallons going to waste due to leaving it on all night and it overflowing. A simple setup but it should do the trick.. for now. Float valve Outside of float valve Float valve in action Added ball valve for filling jugs __________________ www.NorthEastCoral.com My coral and supply website! STT2VT - Chronical

08-09-2007, 09:37 AM	#45 (permalink)
ScubaDrew Elegance coral Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Burlington, VT Posts: 1,072 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: STT to VT I ordered a new ammonia test kit from marinedepot - it tests in much smaller increments than the API master test kit I am currently using. Live rock comes this weekend, so hopefully if things have only partially cycled it will be enough to reduce the cycle the die off causes from killing too many hitchhikers. On another note I got the power control unit working last night. I'm able to control my tank lights, sump light, skimmer, return pump, and power head via my computer. I tested today from work - turned my tank light on at 10 am. Next step is to choose a controller or datalogger to get tank vitals into the computer. Right now I'm looking at: $ - Pico DrDaq PC data logger and pc oscilloscope $$ - OCTOPUS 4000 $$$ - Automated Aquarium Systems - RS-485 Aquatic Monitoring and Control System I can build my own system like the ones found on automatedaquariums for slightly less than what they show. This system is by far the most flexible allowing for monitoring of many items like flood, flow direction and rate, etc. __________________ www.NorthEastCoral.com My coral and supply website! STT2VT - Chronical

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