225 upgrade IS HERE

[eldiablosrt8]

you making me jealous ian....

 

[CookieJar]

Nice job! I really like how you aquascaped a channel on the right side with the overhangs. Very cool.

 

[DurTBear]

Looking really nice Ian. Random question, but did you have to cook the Marco Rocks? Are you concerned about stored phosphates? Just asking since I plan to use Marco Rocks as well but not sure if you need to cure/cook them.

 

[rygh]

From my Marco rocks experience:
First set was very dry, a bit dirty, and had a lot of phosphate issues.
Second set, maybe a year ago, was moist, and had clearly been in the ocean a bit. No phosphate issues.
And the site now mentions pre-cycling, "smart start".
So I am thinking that the phosphate issues are a thing of the past.
He certainly took a lot of heat on that in various forums.

 

[GreshamH]

From my Marco rocks experience:
First set was very dry, a bit dirty, and had a lot of phosphate issues.
Second set, maybe a year ago, was moist, and had clearly been in the ocean a bit. No phosphate issues.
And the site now mentions pre-cycling, "smart start".
So I am thinking that the phosphate issues are a thing of the past.
He certainly took a lot of heat on that in various forums.

You need to be more spefic about the rock... Key largo has not seen the ocean in a LONG time, he does pre-rinse it and I know he's got a bunch of vats set up to help "cycle" it. Most that use Key Largo, myself included, have reported no PO4 issues. Now the Fiji stuff, yah, that stuff is loaded with organic material as one should expect from rock taken off reefs then dried.

 

[DurTBear]

So if I get Key Largo rock, it can go straight into a tank for cycling? Just wondering if I should get the rock now so I can cook it for 4 months before going in a new tank or if that's even necessary.

 

[iani]

I would soak the rock in some RO water. If you don't you may get an alk spike.

 

[iani]

Finally took a FTS tonight.

 

[Mr. Ugly]

Healthy nice sized pieces in there!

 

[Tumbleweed]

Looking good Ian

 

[DurTBear]

Wow it looks amazing Ian!

 

[iani]

Thanks Norm, Brian, and Durwin.

Next step is going to be to run some bio pellets. I ordered a reactor from AVAST marine. http://www.avastmarine.com/ssc/do/product/mediareactors/MR-5

I am having them custom make it 14" taller (before I asked for it they only went up to +12") than the norm. In total, it will be about 28" tall. I am also having them place straight threaded elbows on the top so I can screw in some John Guest fittings.

I also ordered a Davy Jones' Skimmate Locker from them as well.
http://www.avastmarine.com/ssc/do/product/proteinskimmers/Davy-Jones-Skimmate-Locker
I ordered the largest one and am having them make it 11" taller than the norm. My skimmer drain sits up at about 29" so I wanted the largest volume I could have on the skimmate locker. This will allow my skimmer to be as automated as it can be with the self cleaning head that I already have.
http://www.avastmarine.com/ssc/do/product/proteinskimmers/SWABBIE

 

[cwolfus]

Here it is with Ian's links working...

Thanks Norm, Brian, and Durwin.

Next step is going to be to run some bio pellets. I ordered a reactor from AVAST marine. http://www.avastmarine.com/ssc/do/product/mediareactors/MR-5

I am having them custom make it 14" taller (before I asked for it they only went up to +12") than the norm. In total, it will be about 28" tall. I am also having them place straight threaded elbows on the top so I can screw in some John Guest fittings.

I also ordered a Davy Jones' Skimmate Locker from them as well.
http://www.avastmarine.com/ssc/do/product/proteinskimmers/Davy-Jones-Skimmate-Locker
I ordered the largest one and am having them make it 11" taller than the norm. My skimmer drain sits up at about 29" so I wanted the largest volume I could have on the skimmate locker. This will allow my skimmer to be as automated as it can be with the self cleaning head that I already have.
http://www.avastmarine.com/ssc/do/product/proteinskimmers/SWABBIE

 

[Gomer]

Very cool Ian :-D...but...where are all your plateS?!

 

[seminolecpa]

In his cupboard?

 

[iani]

Thanks Charles.

Tony, Bryan is right. They are in the cupboard. lol
Nah, I have only 2 plates left. They are downstairs in the rubbermaid stock tank.

 

[seminolecpa]

Tony, Bryan is right.

Quoted so it must be true.

 

[Tumbleweed]

Tony, Brian is the correct spelling of my name.

Quoted so it must be true.

There fixed that for you.

 

[sfboarders]

Hey Ian, is that a Rena feeder you're using? If so, how do you like it? Do you have it hooked up to a controller?

 

[iani]

The feeder works well, its not hooked up on an controller. It has its own controller that you can set the feeding with.


Skin for the steel stand finished and attached. Its made out of quartersawn maple w/ aluminum trim. Greg65 does great work.