Quietness...

I finally received my new returnpump (Royal Exclusiv Red Dragon) and skimmer (Royal Exclusiv Bubble King Mini 180) today. They replaced the loud stock pump and skimmer. What a difference! Still some resonance but nothing compared to the stock equipment.

Water parameters

Water parameters day 29.
Temperature: 25.2°F / 77.4°F
Salinity: 34.1 ppm / 51.9 mS / 1.0252 SG
pH: 8.13 (1 pm)
dKH: 6.6 (alkalinity)
NH3/4: 0 ppm (ammonia)
NO2: 0 ppm (nitrite)
NO3: 0 ppm (nitrate)
PO4: 0.08 ppm (phosphate)
Ca: 415 ppm (calcium)
Mg: 1460 ppm (magnesium)
RedOx: 337mV(reduction potential)

Alkalinity dropped to 6.6 again, I'll raise it with 50ml. Reef Foundation B. Same for Calcium.

Dimming lighting upgrade; sunset, sunrise and clouds

I received my new dimming ballasts yesterday. Replacing the stock ballasts is quite simple and can be done without damaging the RSM, so all modifications can be reverted. I used 5 dimming Philips HF-Regulator 254 TL5 EII 220-240V 50/60Hz ballasts. That's one for every 2 TL5's, which enables me to control 5 independent channels with a standard 1-10V (1-100%) interface. The Profilux is controlling these lights:

L1 = front section first two TL5's
L2 = front section second two TL5's
L3 = mid section two TL5's
L4 = back section first two TL5's
L5 = back section second two TL5's

L1 is leading and L2, L3, L4 and L5 are following L1 with 15 minutes interval. That way the sun will rise in the front of the aquarium and will set in the back. The Profilux is also simulating clouds, so the lights are fluctuating a bit to get more realistic lighting.

Water parameters

Water parameters day 26.
Temperature: 25°F / 77°F
Salinity: 34.45 ppm / 52.4 mS / 1.0255 SG
pH: 8.39 (6 pm)
dKH: 6.4 (alkalinity)
NH3/4: 0 ppm (ammonia)
NO2: 0 ppm (nitrite)
NO3: 0 ppm (nitrate)
PO4: 0.08 ppm (phosphate)
Ca: 395 ppm (calcium)
Mg: 1480 ppm (magnesium)
RedOx: 312mV(reduction potential)

Alkalinity dropped further to 6.4. Also nitrate levels dropped further to zero. Because alkalinity and calcium levels are quite low, I decided to raise them with the Red Sea Reef Foundation Program; A for Calcium, B for Alkalinity and C for Magnesium. I raised calcium to 415 ppm and alkalinity to 7.7 dKH. I'll check the levels again tomorrow.

Water parameters

Water parameters day 26.
Temperature: 78 °F
Salinity: 34.4 ppm
pH: 8.41 (8 pm)
KH: 6.7
NH4: 0 ppm
NO2: 0 ppm
NO3: 0.25 ppm
PO4: 0.08 ppm
Ca: 400 ppm
Mg: 1440 ppm
RedOx: 312mV

I'm using this calculator to determine the correct balance between dKH and Ca: calculator. Both dKH and Ca are quite low, but balanced. I measured Mg accurately. NO3 dropped significantly from 4 ppm to 0.25 ppm in the last days. I still have a lot of algae in the tank.

The reef tank after 3 weeks

Water parameters

Water parameters day 24.
Temperature: 77.4 °F
Salinity: 34.8 ppm
pH: 8.37
KH: 7.5
NH4: 0 ppm
NO2: 0 ppm
NO3: 1 ppm
PO4: 0.08 ppm
Ca: 415 ppm
Mg: 1600 ppm
RedOx: 312mV

NO3 is dropping and Mg is quite high.

Profilux VorTech Controller

I received my Profilux VorTech Controller today. With this device I can control my two MP40's with my Profilux controller. That way I can simulate high and low tide, and turn the MP40's down during maintenance or feeding pause. Connected the VorTech Controller with the PAB (Profilux Aquatic Bus) and did a reset of the MP40's. Tried to configure both the MP40's as a slave of the controller (master). But the MP40's failed to see the master controller (Profilux VorTech Controller). No clue how to fix it, luckily I stumbled upon this thread: GHL Support Forum. Opened op the device and indeed the RF module was loose. Pressed it in place again and the blue RF LED went on. Tried to assign the pumps as a slave again and this time with success. Now I'm able to control my MP40's with the Profilux Controller.

Profilux VorTech Controller

The topright RF module was loose

Time lapse

This is a time lapse video of the live rock that's in my RSM S500.

EcoTech Marine VorTech MP40's

I received two EcoTech Marine VorTech MP40's today. With these pump I want to create a variable flow in the tank. The two pumps are configured as a master/slave. I have to wait for the Profilux VorTech controller, so the pumps work independently from the Profilux controller.

With these pumps I can create waves in the tank.

Water parameters

Water parameters day 13.
Temperature: 78 °F
Salinity: 34.8 ppm
pH: 8.33
KH: 7.6
NH4: 0 ppm
NO2: 0 ppm
NO3: 4 ppm
PO4: 0.08 ppm
Ca: 390 ppm
Mg: 1520 ppm

Profilux Aquarium Automation

Been busy with the Profilux controller:

• Measuring temperature and controlling the chiller and heater, high / low alarm
• Measuring pH, high / low alarm
• Measuring salinity, high / low alarm
• Independent control of the lights; front, mid, back and moon LED's
• Lights are turned off when temperature becomes too high
• Filters are turned off during a feeding pause
• Maintenance modes for cleaning filters, water changes, etc.
• Reminder texts like filter media change
• Graphs of temperature, pH and salinity
• Control of all equipment via telephone and website
• Alarm emails

I'm thinking about adding the EcoTech Marine VorTech MP40's to create a variable flow in the tank. Two level sensors to do an automatic water change. Automatic dosing of Ca, Mg and Alk. I'll do some research to see if I can make the lights dimmable.

Water parameters

Water parameters day 11.
Temperature: 79.5 °F
Salinity: 36 ppm
pH: 8.18
KH: 8.6
NH4: 0 ppm
NO2: 0 ppm
NO3: 3 ppm
PO4: 0.08 ppm
Ca: 395 ppm
Mg: 1500 ppm

Raised the salinity with a water change.

Some modifications and rescaping (again)

I picked up a new chiller yesterday, finally I can control my temperature. Temperature was a bit high since I didn't have a chiller, I kept my lights off as a precaution. I also installed the new Profilux controller. I completely removed the integrated power center and replaced it with the controller. Picked up 38 lbs. of extra live rocks, so I needed to rescape everything again. Did a 10% water change, this time I used 35 ppm salt water I made myself with Red Sea Coral Pro.

After the mist cleared. 

Profilux Aquarium Computer

I received the ProfiLux 3.1N eX Mega-Set today. This set is ideal if you want to measure and control the temperature, conductivity and the pH-value and if you want to achieve illumination control. Furthermore the controller has a LAN-port and a webserver. This controller can be upgraded later with expansion cards. The bus-system (ProfiLux Aquatic Bus) additionally offers options for extensions.

Features overview:

• 32 channel illumination control for dimmable and non-dimmable lamps, herewith up to 32 lamps can be programmed separately
• Sunrise and sunset
• Moon phase simulation, calendar-based
• Cloud simulation through random generator, thunderstorm calculation
• Rainy days, programmable
• Feed pause for pumps
• Control of up to 16 speed-variable current pumps (ebb/tide and wave simulation)
• Operation hour meter for lamps
• Burning-in mode for fluorescent tubes
• Battery-buffered real time clock
• PC-interfaces RS232, LAN and USB are built-in, WLAN option, operation with free Windows-Software ProfiLuxControl possible
• Integrated webserver: viewing values and states, edit important settings, email-client, DHCP, SNTP, TFTP, RSS
• Connection option for external display
• Display of reminder texts (e.g. "Filter change!")
• Control of up to 64 switchable power sockets and dosing pumps
• 32 timer and dosing pumps programmable
• Child protection via PIN-code
• Simple and intuitive operation, all settings are made in form of interactive dialogues
• All settings are stored in a non-volatile storage (FRAM) even during power failures
• Computer is expandable with 2 additional modules, with our Expansion Box there are practical no limitations
• Connection option for radio-controlled clock receiver (DCF)
• Several ProfiLux can be networked
• Regulation of the pH-value via CO2-addition (downwards) or via alkalisation (upwards), programmable nightly decrease
• Sequential temperature control for glow bar, ground heating and cooling, programmable nightly decrease, speed-regulated fans controllable
• Measuring and controlling of conductivity (measurement range fresh water or saltwater adjustable)
• Measuring and controlling of redox potential
• Alarm function, output of the alarm optical, acoustic or via switchable powerbar
• Operation hour meter for all sensors
• Therapy program for ill fishes
• With expansion cards other values like humidity, air temperature or oxygen can be measured and controlled
• Connection option for level sensors
• Automatic calibration of all sensors
• Recording of measurement data Temperature sensor included in delivery

Water parameters

Water parameters day 7.
Temperature: 80.6 °F
Salinity: 31.3 ppm
pH: 8.5
KH: 7.4
NH4: 0 ppm
NO2: 0 ppm
NO3: 4 ppm
PO4: 0.16 ppm
Ca: 360 ppm
Mg: 1240 ppm

Rescaping

Did some rescaping again. I still want to create two islands.

Water parameters

Water parameters day 5.
Temperature: 87 °F
Salinity: 29.9 ppm
pH: 8.5
KH: 7.6
NH4: 0 ppm
NO2: 0 ppm
NO3: 4 ppm
PO4: 0.08 ppm
Ca: 360 ppm
Mg: 1300 ppm

I'm going to leave the lights off, because temperature is really high without a chiller.

Water parameters

Water parameters day 3.
Temperature: 85.0 °F
Salinity: 29.9 ppm
pH: 8.0
KH: 8.1
NH4: 0 ppm
NO2: 0 ppm
NO3: 3 ppm
PO4: 0.16 ppm
Ca: 360 ppm
Mg: 1160 ppm

I started to use tests from Red Sea instead of Sera. Temperature is quite high, because I still don't have my chiller.

Scaping & Critters

I did some scaping, I wanted to create two islands. I think I need some extra rocks. Also found some new hitchhikers on the rocks. Ordered some Red Sea Aiptasia-X to get rid of the Aiptasia.

Aiptasia

Nudibranch

Mr. Crab

Bristlestar

Water parameters

Water parameters after running with live rock for 24 hours.

Salinity: 28.6 ppm

pH: 8.0

KH: 9

NH4: 0 ppm

NO2: 0 ppm

NO3: 10 ppm

PO4: 0.1 ppm

Ca: 320 ppm

Live Rock

Picked up my live rock today. I didn't take the time to scape it, just placed it in the tank. I think I need some more, this is around 100 lbs. Spotted several hitchhikers already; snails, crabs, tube worms, etc.

Switched from tap to sea water

I've been testing my setup with tap water, but it's been running great, so I emptied the tank and refilled it with sea water. A hell of job to take 135 gallons out of the tank and refill it again. I also ordered some jerrycans and a barrel to keep my RO water and to prepare my synthetic saltwater. Later this week I'll pick up the live rocks and start up the nitrogen cycle.

Tested the seawater
Salinity: not measured
pH: 8.0
KH: 10
NH4: 0 ppm
NO2: 0 ppm
NO3: 10 ppm
PO4: 0.1 ppm
Ca: 320 ppm

Lighting schedule

The Red Sea Max S500 comes with 10 T5 Red Sea Reef Spec fluorescent tubes and blue moonlight LED's.

• 5 Reef-Spec BlueWhite 15000K 54W
• 3 Reef-Spec Actinic 22000K 54W
• 2 Reef-Spec Pink 54W

They are controlled with two timers. One timer to switch the front and back section on or off. And one timer to switch between the mid section or moonlight LED's. It's difficult to set the time equally on both timers, so it's better to use a programmable controller.

Starting in the front, I ordered the T5 tubes like:

Front

1. BlueWhite
2. Actinic
3. BlueWhite
4. Pink

Mid

5. BlueWhite
6. Actinic

Back

7. BlueWhite
8. Pink
9. Blue White
10. Actinic

The current schedule looks like this:

10:00am 2 T5's mid section on and moonlighting off (2 T5's total)

12:00pm 2 T5's mid section off and 8 T5's front and back on (8 T5's total)

02:00pm 2 T5's mid section on (10 T5's total)

08:00pm 2 T5's mid section off (8 T5's total)

10:00pm 2 T5's mid section on and 8 T5's front and back off (2 T5's total)

12:00am 2 T5's mid section off and moonlighting on

This way every T5 tube will have the same burning time and there's some sort of simulated sunrise and sunset.

Problem with the chiller

The tank has been running for 24 hours now. Everything is working great, except the chiller. I returned it today, because it kept leaking.
Also the skimmer had some issues, it wasn't producing any foam or bubbles. I took the air pump apart and reassembled it again. After that it began to produce bubbles in the skimmer. Pumps are still quite noisy.

Received and assembled the tank

Today I finally received my new reef tank. Did some heavy lifting, that thing is heavy. The whole living room was filled with boxes. There was barely room to assemble the tank. Where do I put 135 gallons of seawater? Assembling the tank was simple, it's just a lot of work when you have to do it alone. It took me around 10 hours to unpack it, assemble and fill it with tap water. Big moment to start all equipment, not everything worked; the chiller was leaking, so I disconnected it. Everything else was working great, but the returnpump and skimmer are quite noisy, I hope that will fade away. Also aligning the doors is a bit tricky.

The aquarium itself is quite heavy, it will take several people to get it on the stand properly.

The living room filled with boxes and equipment.

The supporting frame of the cabinet.

Leveling the tank on the cabinet.

Powered up the lighting.

Finally running with tap water.

Ordered my reef tank

Today I ordered my new reef tank. It will be a Red Sea Max S500. I decided to go for this plug-and-play system, because it's a very well built system. I also looked at custom build systems, but I think those systems don't look as nice as a RSM S500. This is a 135 gallon system (119 gallon display tank with a 16 gallon sump). It's a total package with lighting, skimmer, returnpump and circulationpumps, standing on a nice cabinet.

I also ordered some additional stuff like 110lbs of live rock, coral sand, chiller, reverse osmosis system, and 135 gallon of seawater to start with. I will be making my own saltwater with Red Sea Coral Pro.