Alien Invasion?

Not really. Just a green fish.
A Green Chromis.
I am now accepting offers for naming rights. Name suggestions will be considered, but management retains all rights to names not accompanied with an offer. Suggested names are favored with references to his color. The following are some easy suggestion although a little obvious.

1. Greeny
2. Booger
3. Limey
4. Green Fish
5. Hulk
6. (your suggestion here)

 Added some new hardware this week too!
You can see the pump above. This is for water circulation inside the tank. There is another pump on the opposite side. The pumps are variable speed and synchronized to create a flow pattern in the tank that mimics a reef zone. You can see the tank side below.



 Below are the speed controllers for he tank pumps.



Sponge Bob is patiently waiting his turn.





Control Central.

This is the brains of the operation: An Apex aquarium controller, a power strip with 8 switchable outlets, a probe module to connect a temperature probe and a PH probe, a Wireless Variable speed module for pump control, a digital heater temperature control, and the display. This system will run all the pumps, heaters, lights, maintenance cycles, feeding cycles, and even email me it there is a problem. Currently I have it connected on the home network. I still have to figure out how to make it accessible from the Internet.

Next week -- maybe a new fish and the clean up crew (crabs, snails, and shrimp)

Lots to do yet.

Back to work.

Sand, salt, rock, and rubble

No Fish Yet.
Almost.

The heat controller on the front is temporary. I wanted to get the water up to temperature quickly so I added a third heater in the tank. The other two heaters are in the sump. Notice the place the rock and sand (Thank Beth). I think it is looking pretty awesome.

Two 100 watt heaters in the sump. I put extra rock in the center section for more biological filtration.

Don't worry about the messy wiring. It is still a work in progress.

Added a couple of the larger extra pieces of rock to the Refugium.

Maybe A fish tomorrow.

Blue Green Chromis

Getting Close

The WATER is in and circulating.

 No LEAKS.  Wahoo!

Added an Osmolator today. This is an automatic water pump that keeps the water level and helps maintain the salinity of the water. It has a optical low water sensor and a float switch as a safety high water switch.

You can see the water level sensors in the left chamber with the pump.
 

A 32 gallon fresh water storage tank was added. It has a float switch for the water filter so it will automatically fill and shut off the water. A 3/4" pipe is installed in the side so I can connect a transfer pump to pump water into the salt water storage tank. More about this in later posts.

Next step is adding the coral rock and the aquarium controller.

Tempting Fate.

I know. I know.
The family water curse, plumbing, water leaks, aquarium...
Some how I think I can beat it this time.
YIKES! What am I thinking.

Installed the water purification system in the furnace room. Installed a 6 stage water filter with a booster pump. I 'll run the water line over the bathroom ceiling into the workshop and into a 30 gallon garbage can for the water storage. The water requirements are 65 gallon display tank, 55 gallon refugium, and a 36 gallon sump. Total 156 gallons. I have two 30 gallon garbage cans to store water. One can for clean water to refill the tank as the water evaporates. The other will have salt water for the water changes. Every week or two 10% to 15% of the total volume of water should be drained from the tank and replaced with fresh salt water.

Looks impressive to me. I hope it works.

Also started plumbing the sump (bottom shelf) and refugium (top shelf).

 I dry fit the pieces to make sure it will work and look good. I need to make a trip to the hardware store for a few odd pieces.

Notice the brown drain valve under the shelf. This will help with the water changes. I can shut off the red handle valve, open the brown valve, and pump water directly to the floor drain.

Next is drilling some holes in the wall to get the plumbing to the tank. That will be another day.

The Sump Room gets ready.

The tool box and other item were moved from the wall area backing up to the aquarium. Install a steel shelf with a 1.5" plywood shelf to hold the 55 gallon aquarium to be used as the sump. I found the aquarium on craigslist from a guy in Upper St. Clair who was cleaning out junk from his house.

$75.00 for this is a lot cheaper than the sumps I found on line for $500.
Notice I have water in the sump tank to make sure it does not leak! No leaks. Yea!

I ordered several items last night from bulkreefsupply.com to get me moving on the set up. The main item is call dead rock. It is old coral skeletons which are used to grow coralline algae and beneficial bacteria to start the biological filtration system.

More to follow after my order arrives.

Making room.

I finally pick up the tank this week.
A 65 gallon "reef ready" tank. It is official. I am committed. Thanks to Mimi, Sara, Beth, Tom. It is a great gift idea to celebrate my 50th.

Now I have to decide were to put it. My office at home is the natural choice.
Dimensions: 36" long X 18" wide.
My office was cluttered to say the least. I spent most of the day on Saturday cleaning and moving a book case.

Now I am putting togeather my shopping list for needed equipment. I need the following items.

• Protein skimmer. (read bubble filter)
• Tank heaters.
• pump. Creates water flow in the tank.
• External sump/filter. It is called a refrugium.
• Return water pump from sump to the tank.

All this before I add water.
I am having fun reading about the technology and planning the system. There is a lot to learn and lots of fun to be had!

Thanks Kids!

The 1st step!
A long journey begins with the first step.
Well I have read the book. Stopped at Wet Pets. Talked to the sales people. Researched on the internet. I am not sure I am any closer to buying an aquarium. Actually I am closer. I am trying to decide the size tank.