Sounds good Gerry,

when mine was leaking it was losing 200-300 psi on the high side in 9-10 hrs.

Tank setup has changed.

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1. 150 US Gallons
2. Mist and Reactor / DC to yellow
3. Mag 5 distributing mist single output
4. NuClear 533 and 547 fed by dual Mag 9.5 in parallel to dual outputs.
5. 5 individual locline ends directionalizing flow
6. Overflow box at .25" drop
7. HO T5 240 wpg for 8hrs
8. Daily dosing normal EI

Now that I have much better circulation/filtration throughout the entire tank. Going back to straight EI and see if the improved circulation makes up for the need for increased phosphate dosage. I have a sneaky suspicion that a lack of PO4 was not the issue, rather inadequate circulation/filtration.

Hey Jdowns,

Got pics? Need to post them. A pic is worth a thousand words, or so I have heard.....

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So, this did NOT change? lol


So one mag 9.5 for each NC? On separate lines but then merge later?


So, I'm thinking 2 each for each of the NC lines and one for the mag 5 c02 mist output if not merged as I thought above?

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So did you add a sump, or just surface skimming with the overflow that is feeding into the canister loop? Details please.

Did you remove the C360?

Are you happy overall with the changes?

How do you like the NC'S?

Is your water clarity improved, overall cleanliness?

Good luck with all of your changes.

I'll get some pics up this week. Camera is on loan right now.

Old photo though will help explain.



The overflow is now outfitted with a 1" thinwall pipe for inputs about 16" tall. With (4) 1/2" holes in the overflow (overflow regulators) open I get 1/4" to 1/3" drop for surface skimming.

Below that a 1" ballvalve, then a "T" for dual ouptuts. 1" hose connects to each Mag 9.5. Each Mag 9.5 feeds to a 1" Manifold Wye. Then 1" line to the 533. A 1" union connects the 533 to the 547. Then a 1" line connects to another Wye. From there its (2) 3/4" lines with ball valves to the two closest bulkheads in the above picture to the overflow. Locline fittings with wyes to give 4 seperate fittings for flow directed around the tank. The startup pressure for the NuClears is now 5 psi with the added 547 and new piping.

Farthest top bulkheads fead the Mag 5 input/output. This is setup with a 100 micron prefilter to catch Co2 from a diffuser and spread the mist. I will probably add a Mazzei setup here. Although I'm happy with everything right now so its tough to keep changing things. I had to remove the Mag 7, since it was too much flow now in the tank.


The C360 is collecting dust as of now. I can't imagine not purchasing this type of setup again. Much more versatile and very cost effective.

I love the NC's. As far as overall cleanliness, I can't speak of as of yet. I do like the fact that I tripled my biological and have a much more effecient mechanical filtration now though.

CO2: Half the CO2 is fed to the misting portion and half to the NC's for dissolving. Plants responded very well today to the changes. But overall it will take more time to view the plants and make an overall opinion how much better this is for the plants. But as far as flow/filtration/circulation. The old setup pales in comparision.

Hey,


I had a mag 500 driving my 584 3/4 mazzei from 10" away and feeding right back into the sump pump and found this to not be ideal. The pump does not produce enough pressure to drive the venturi optimally.

I would switch the 5 with the 7 and that will help a bit if you add a venturi. Then since this is a high flow/low pressure pump, install a throttle valve AFTER the mazzei so you can create some pressure as the valve is closed, so the venturi performs better. That way the flow will be used up by the venturi and not be too much for the tank.

Glad to hear it is working out well.

1. Tank size.
2. Method of c02 injection. External reactor, Mazzei, needle wheel, etc. Bubble rate if possible.
3. Type and duration of lighting. MH, T5, T12, etc. Wpg please.
4. EI dosing numbers and schedule. Daily, 3x a week, etc.
5. Type and size of filter(s). Canisters, hang on, etc.
6. Type and size of any extra water pumps or powerheads for additional flow/current.
7. Overflow boxes or not, as this affects c02 de-gassing.
8. Sump or not, as this affects c02 de-gassing.

1. 130x60x60cm
2. External reactor, which is in the last compartment of my sump, meaning co2 enriched water is going to all outlets in the tank
3. 6xT5 54w: 15 hours; meaning in the afternoon 324 watts (with reflectors)
4. Dosage using EI; 3 times a week using dosing pumps every morning same time.
5. Sump: 100x50x40 (approx. 150 liters); flowing bed -> lava rocks -> filter watts -> larger rocks -> pump
6. None needed
7. No
8. Yes, but i don't have the "normal" co2 degassing like most people do. I designed my sump to be 100% quiet, meaning no falling water, or gurping watter, meaning little to none co2 degassing. More info in my welcome topic which i am going to post soon.

My filterpump is a 1200 gallon / hour pump (Red Dragon) which comes from the sea water area of our hobby. Uses only 45 watts and i am guessing that it still pumps 800 gallons / hour in my tank.

With about a week left on the stock solution, its safe to say that the added PO4 is no longer needed. GSA is non existent, as with any other pests. The improved circulation/filtration definatly was the proper fix rather then the excess PO4 IMI.

There are also marked areas of improvement in plant growth. But I'll let that go another 20 day cycle before drawing any premature conclusions.

The most notable improvements are in areas that I once thought as "normal".

I no longer have the quick decaying and loss of leaves lower on stem plants. Plant health is much impoved at the lower portions of stems.

Ludwiga Cuba grows smaller in diameter, with more off-shoots now. Could this be to less PO4? I'd have to do another 20 day run at higher levels to determine that.

Hi Gerry and "large tank" friends. I'll admit I'm a large tank lurker on this site. I've been following Gerry's posts for over a year now trying to see what he does.

My stats...
Tank: Oceanic 180 w/dual overflows
Sump: AGA model 4
Pump: Poseidon PS4 pumping about a 6 foot head
Reactor: AM1000 driven by powerhead from sump, 20lb CO2 @ about 2-3 BPS.
Lighting: 4x80watt 60" T5HO
Substrate: Eco Complete
Fertilization: Well I think I'm following EI but I'm confused about the amounts. I've been dosing 2 teaspoons N and 3/4 teaspoon PO 3x per week with 15ml of trace (TMG) 3x a week on alternating days from the macros.

Yes I have algae issues, they come and go. GDA one month, clean the next, BBA currently. I suspect my flow is woefully insufficient, the Poseidon pump doesn't push much at a 6 foot head but it is silent running which is why i picked it. So if anyone can recommend a good pump for a 180 gallon aquarium that is quiet enough for a livingroom wall aquarium please let me know. I tried the Quietone in sump pumps and they were completely unacceptable due to low frequency hum.

Aaron