RobinL`s 125 tank specs

[ReefSalt]

Hi everyone I have been so busy with work and all I have barely had any time for forums,I have renovated my basement and after speaking and pleading with my better half , I had to down size my plans for the new setup from a 220g to 125g , due to the renovations and space available, guess I can’t have it all. I am still going to get my large setup but only if we move in couple of years.

I sustained a few losses while renovating and preparing the other tank . Next time I won’t be renovating gyp ,painting and redoing the electricty at the same time ever again thats for sure to risky. I am presently looking for some more SPS to stock it looks empty so if anyone has some frags to sell let me know.


So here is the info on the setup.
Sytems filtration is in a Filter Room so I do not have to hear it.Electricity to the system runs off 2 seperate 15 amp breakers that are dedicated only for the system.

Tank:

125g Miracles in glass 48 x 24 x 24 w/ acrylic corner overflow.
3 x 1.5” bulkheads: 1 for the over flow to the sump, 2 for the intake of the closed loop.

Closed Loop:

Runs with a Reef-Flo Dart, 2 x 1.5" intakes and 3 x 1” returns at different depths, with unions and valves for quick disconnect.

Sump:

90g w/ baffles return is done with a Rena 1250 submersible pump.

Refugium:

I always used the Ecosystem method works well for me. The refugium is 30g. The water is supplied via a Gen x sub pump.

Protien Skimmer:

Can Foamer 830 Aerofoamer knock off which runs off an inline Mak 4.

Lighting:

I love these units T5 and HQI combo Aluminum fixture, incorporated fans full aluminum case with electronic ballast in the hood it holds 2 x 250w HQI and 2 54w Actinic T5.Each has its own fuse and switch and plug for timers/controllers

Calcium Reactor:

Geo C-Reactor great little unit Co2 is supplied via a Sera Co2 kit with controller.

Controller:

Neptune II Pro another great investment, the only thing is I have to get filters for the electronic ballast.

Wave Makers:

Another good product is the Reef Rat it’s a Canadian made product has no o rings like the Sea Swirl so no chance of leakage in the future which I heard is issue with the SS.I used 1 on the return (Rena 1200) from the sump.

AquaScaping:

After getting the Idea from Achilles on RC,I decided to make some Acrylic Racks and create a canyon look looks really nice, especially when you see a fish swim towards the rear of the tank and disappear to emerge at different locations also its great to cut down dead spots since circulation is good behind the rock work.
I would suggest to everyone who has a 24+ wide tank to build these.

R/O:

Is done with a SeaChem Pinnicle 100 which water is filled into a reservoir and then a float switch is in the main tank which refills as need via a small pump.

Salts and Additives:

I use only Seachem. There products are top notch.

Chiller:
Pacific Coast CL650 1/4HP when I researched other brands other units didnt have a heater controller incorporated and did not have a 10 degree drop down on a 180 gl tank I would have to buy a 1/3 HP unit to have the same type of effeciency.High quality, durable,completely enclosed. Digital contol.Titanium heat exchanger

[liv]

wow..sounds like a nice setup..
I want pics :)

[ReefSalt]

Will be taking some this weekend.but here are some pics of the plumbing ect.

[ReefSalt]

Just glued.

[ReefSalt]

The returns 3 x 1"

[ReefSalt]

Reef Racks

[ReefSalt]

Rear View of tank

[ReefSalt]

this isnt the best res I modified the size ect but came out fuzzy.

[ALRHA]

i like it. can you post that link for the aquascaping?
your set-up seems great.
did you need the chiller? how hot does your tank get without it? i am hoping to get away without one, and have a fan over the sump.

[ALRHA]

p.s. i tend to lean toward seachem products too for some reason. i guess i may have been impressed by their website, they seem to cover all angles. but can they be the best at EVERYTHING?

[ReefSalt]

Well I will tell you honestly that before there was the "Other Manufactures" there was Seachem They have there formulas well made.
I met the owner(Dr Leo Morin) about 6 years ago at a trade show and he told me how he started,he was a Canadian from Sherbrooke who beleived in Nature/Naturalist and reproducing the lifeforms proper needs.He was supposed to be a priest but later left the order and chose to be a Scientist/chemist.And moved to the good ol United States where he started his buissness.
Thats why I believe so much in his products because of his background he passed away 2 years ago, but his son who to has followed in his footsteps a chemist as well keeps the same standard and runs the buis the same way..

Another thing is I meet alot of people in this industrie trying to sell us on distributing there products,If its Aquatic or any other pet I for some reason always ask there staff,Reps,product developers what do they have at home?Seachem is the only one where the majority of staff has Reef or Marine set ups at home and at the office,So they practice what they preach.No pun intended:D

[ReefSalt]

A new Frag

[ReefSalt]

some more,

[ReefSalt]

another

[ReefSalt]

I really am not the best with Cameras I bought my Nikon 1 yr ago and still have not read the instrctions.

[ReefSalt]

zoos

[ReefSalt]

Milli

[ReefSalt]

Eye candy

[ReefSalt]

Hammer

[ReefSalt]

another

[ReefSalt]

Originally posted by ALRHA
i like it. can you post that link for the aquascaping?
your set-up seems great.
did you need the chiller? how hot does your tank get without it? i am hoping to get away without one, and have a fan over the sump.


Yes I will post the link you have to judge the different levels you want .

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-04/totm/index.htm

Ye I did need a chiller,My tanks temp went through the roof even with a fan.

[ReefSalt]

Frags are all from reefmuts tank, he has if not one of the most beutiful/healthy tanks I have seen.

[ALRHA]

cool, good to know about seachem.
great pictures btw (i am the same with my camera, i just leave it on 'Auto')

[ReefSalt]

Yeah Auto is the way to go when you have no time to read the instructions.

[ALRHA]

:imwithstu

[Moretank]

RobinL. Nice setup, I have a green digitata frag if you like, I could frag kenya tree, frog spawn, tan with red, yellow center zoo some polyp, mushroom, I offer you for free or just show your tank's picture sometime :)

[ReefSalt]

Moretank that is really nice of you.

[ReefSalt]

Well after bieng in and out of town for several weeks,I came back to see that I had a huge Cyano outbreak...mainly due to my own dumb idea.
To elaborate I feed DT`s regularly and since I was going away I froze it in some icecube trays so my wife could just pop them in..well dead phyto does not work well big time Cyano.

I bought some RED SLIME eliminator and this product works well in two days it was all dead, now I have to siphon out the dead matter which will be a task all in its self.

Well from now on only live phyto for me.

Oh yeah while at the Tradeshow I visited some real stocked stores where I got a really nice(shape and look) purple rim cap amongst a whole lot of new additions.
will post some pics soon....still didnt read my cam instructions :rolleyes:

[ReefSalt]

Well the colors are really coming in nice Reefmutt anything look familiar:D

[ReefSalt]

I wonder is there away I can post them all instead of reposting?

[ReefSalt]

Bottlebrush

[ReefSalt]

cap

[ReefSalt]

ahh not to clear

[ReefSalt]

Horrida

[ReefSalt]

Milli..vanilli

[ReefSalt]

Here is a Update of the Reef

[Dazz]

looking good Robin!

I really cant wait till next year when I am able to at least add more to my tank, if not get a bigger one =)

[DARK]

Your tank looks awsome. A reef us noobs aspire to.

[ReefSalt]

Thanks Dazz & Dark,

Dazz your off to a good start with the frags you got,and those crabs.

[Dazz]

I hope so! I am just so impatient... I want all the corals to grow over night lol.

[ReefVan]

Very nice Robin! Wow, lots of live rock and corals in there... it looks just super... well done. :)

[ak_sniper]

Originally posted by Dazz
I hope so! I am just so impatient... I want all the corals to grow over night lol.

hehe isn't everybody when it comes to seeing there new corals and fishes hehe but unfortunatly in this hobby, you CAN'T be impatient, which im sure you already know :p:

Im also an impatient person at time but I like this hobby because its helping me change that and be more patient!

AK

[Moretank]

It seems that you're running out of space :) I forsee a huge tank upgrade in the near future :)

Beautiful looking tank!

[ReefSalt]

Originally posted by Moretank
It seems that you're running out of space :) I forsee a huge tank upgrade in the near future :)

Beautiful looking tank!

I wish... but I have no space left to put a bigger tank unless my wife wants to give up her lounge upstairs:D

As for space I got alot more corals to fit in there.

Thanks Reefvan & Moretank:)

[DC22]

That aquascaping is unbelievable! I also appreciate all the plumbing pics, especially the closed loop! I think they'll be a big help for me...great work!

[ReefSalt]

Originally posted by DC22
That aquascaping is unbelievable! I also appreciate all the plumbing pics, especially the closed loop! I think they'll be a big help for me...great work!

Thanks DC22

[ReefSalt]

Hi Everyone a little update.
Here are some pics of frags I got from Reefmut this summer,except for the Tortuosa below which is going to be a sweet looking one.

I have to say I have tried several brands of DE bulbs and the color and growth are incredible when using XM 10K`s and Actinics.Finally you can have Growth and Color with no comprimises.

I had been using Reef Advantage Calcium only until recently I started up my calcium reactor.

[ReefSalt]

Tortuosa

[ReefSalt]

last tort pic,
the Tort is doing fantastic since its little infection which Reef Dip took care of well.

[ReefSalt]

Bottlebrush Acro

[ReefSalt]

Mats Slimer has branched out into 2 seperate lenght branches.

[ReefSalt]

Another of Mats baby`s

Red Milli the lighter colored areas are due to Halmida Algae that was on it cleaned it away to give it room.

[ReefSalt]

Another one with nice colors if you goto page 2 you will see how much this one grew in a short period.

[ReefSalt]

Stylophora picked from Ivan at the MTL meet.

[ReefSalt]

Another Acro

[ReefSalt]

Acro Horida also showing great growth under the XM`s

[ReefSalt]

I have quite a few bunches of Halmedia Algae growing tried pulling someout to cultivate but easier said than done.From what I read this algae needs good water conditions to thrive.

[ReefSalt]

I had just thrown this little one into the tank which it landed in a crack of liverock well when I went to place it in a plug it was firmly attached.

It seems to be a Acropora Kosurini from what I have seen from other pics.

[ReefSalt]

Rose BTA

[ReefSalt]

Scroll

[CableGuy]

Very nice Acro's Robin!! I can't wait till I have my reactor hooked up, then I will be able to add some nice SPS to my tank. Keep them pics comin.

Colby

[reefmutt]

HEY ROBIN!! I'm so proud of my babies growing up into fine upstanding citizens!!
Btw, I'm comming over to your place soon with a little pair of pliers.....
Looks awesome- Greg and I are drooling over the bottle brush;)

[johnmorris]

Some amazing looking corals. Nice coloration to. I need a bigger tank and more equipment real soon. I got to try keeping some sps soon.

[ReefSalt]

:biglaugh2 Mat No problem bring over those rusted pliers of yours.

[ReefSalt]

johnmorris, yes under good lighting you can really bring out the colors of Acros.

[ReefSalt]

Originally posted by CableGuy
Very nice Acro's Robin!! I can't wait till I have my reactor hooked up, then I will be able to add some nice SPS to my tank. Keep them pics comin.

Colby


Thanks CableGuy,
I didnt use my Reactor untill recently I allways added Reef Advantage Calcium since I found they were young and I didnt have alot of Acros at the time.

[tang_man_montreal]

Robin,

Looking Great!!!
That bottlebrush is something else!

[ReefSalt]

Wow... I would have thought more people would drool over the Tortuosa than the Bottlebrush.:p:

[ReefSalt]

Greg,here is a pic or your donut.

[reefsurfer]

Am I ever glad I ran into this thread! Love your acros. I also had that "tri color staghorn" I believe it was called. Great coral. Yours is looking realy nice:D it seems to be busting out! I have to admit, that peice of bottlebrush has realy nice growth to it, different. Im sure in a few months when the Tortuosa busts out a bit all the guys (including me) will be DROOLing over it!!
Keep the pics comming!

[ReefSalt]

Hi Reefsurfer,
I was away on Buisness and picked up about 15+ new Acro additions will post some pics soon.

[ReefSalt]

Here is a pic of a new Acro

[ReefSalt]

Got a Frag of this Purple Rim

[ReefSalt]

Here is a pic of a new Acro

[ReefSalt]

another

[ReefSalt]

Here is a pic of a new Acro

[ReefSalt]

Instead of adding another M/H fixture, I decided to add URI Super Actinics VHO`s ..they bring out some nice florescence in the corals.

[ReefSalt]

:)

[ReefSalt]

Efflo

[ReefSalt]

Stag aprox 8" tall

[ReefSalt]

From blurry to more visible,Tortuosa frag,Bonzai colony,and a nice type of large polyp Acro,Im Real bad with names.

[ReefSalt]

Baby Blue Tort.

[ReefSalt]

a Yellow type of Bottle brush doesnt look like my present Bottle brush.

[ReefSalt]

I saw how this one looks when its larger it was stunning.

[reefsurfer]

WOW! You have a few that I would love to get someday! I can just imagine what some of those will look like when they get arround to making their new home home!

With all due respect, dude I cant wait till you crack open the instructions manual for your cam ;)

Where did you pick these up anyway? Some realy cool peices. I cant wait to get my tank going again with a few nice acros...

[ReefSalt]

Here is a updated pic of the tank.

[ReefSalt]

Originally posted by reefsurfer

Where did you pick these up anyway? Some realy cool peices. I cant wait to get my tank going again with a few nice acros...

I picked them up at Aqaurium Depot in Brampton,Extreme Marine in Toronto and Reef Raft in Toronto.

[reefsurfer]

Thanks Robin. I cant see the updated pic of the tank? Would love to see it!

[ReefSalt]

Here we go as you can see I still havent read my manual :o:

[piatchie]

The tank looks wonderful Robin!!! I only hope to someday have on like it!!! I had an oportunity to get a 350gal tank at a good price but I just don't have the space for it!!! I'm still considering it though cause it's a steal and I won't be renting forever!!!(At least I hope not!)

[reefsurfer]

WOW!!!! Dude, your tank looks amazing! I cant blame you for taking it EZ:o: Tis the season!:beer: :smokin: :silly: :puke2: :zzzzzz: LOL
Looks like you have some awesome peices of acro going on in there! Realy cool aquascaping too. Itll be an event when you can take a close up thats not blurry:) Cant wait!
Happy :boxing: day.

[reefmania]

Robin, looks great. Cant wait till you read the manual. I can just imagine the images you will be able to get.

Ward

[ReefSalt]

hahahaha yes I am a procrastinator when it comes to manuals... but if it was a manual for Reef Equipment I would have read it by now. :)

Thanks for the Compliments guys and gals,I can`t wait until everything grows in.There off to a good start though.

[ReefSalt]

Ok it hs been a couple of days since I added a 10mg Ozonizer and there is a great deal of clarity within my Tank water see for your self compare it to the previous pic.nothing has changed same camera settings,lighting ect.

[ReefSalt]

As you can see with ozone the light penetration is much greater,I only run it at night for 12 hours through my skimmer.

[ReefSalt]

Well I am more than pleased with these XM bulbs.

about 2-3 pics up you will see this same coral we are talking one month difference here.

[ReefSalt]

P.S I didnt read the manual for my Cam but Im getting better ;)

[One Salty Dog]

Man I can't wait until my tank starts looking like some of the ones I see here day in and day out.
Rob

[reefsurfer]

Cool, good to SEE your getting better at taking shots! Its realy cool to see the difference between the 2 pics. Much more prestine looking with the ozone. Hmmm....

That last peice you posted is realy nice, what is the ID on that acro? I have to admit it doesnt look all that it could be on the first shot, but the second one has got me coming back for seconds!

Feel free to post as many of those nice acros as you want, I love it!!
:) :)

[ReefSalt]

Actually if you look at the full tank shot prior the same coral is located in the middle of the tank near the percula,and now you can see it on the new pic at the same area.The OLDER pic is actually taken a little closer so it would be smaller preety amazing.

As for the name well its a ACROPORA IAMSTUMPED :)

OSD,Saw your setup, your going to have a Reef that many will admire.

[ReefSalt]

Here is another on page 4 , 7 pics down.

[ReefSalt]

On page 3 in the middle you can see the growth with the slimer I got from reefmutt.

[Joseph Montreal]

Your tank looks GREAT!

What type of XM are you using 10 000K or 20 000K?

[ReefSalt]

Hi Joseph,
Thanks

Since the end of last summer I have been using XMDE 10K in 250w I supplement with Actinics.
I all ways found the color to be exceptional and couldn`t get any better, but now with the Ozone reactor & an air dryer, its even nicer

[reefsurfer]

The first acro on this page looks realy different than it did when you first got it, (pg 4-7 pics down) Looks like the growth changed on it? Totaly nice, youve got me drooling!:)

[ReefSalt]

Hi Reefsurfer,
Yes it did change it was short and stubby,and now its branching out fast.

[reefsurfer]

What could have caused this change in its growth?

[ReefSalt]

I would say Lighting and water current water chemistry just overall good conditions & no DSB in the tank.
I have 4500 gph of circulation in the tank w/Reef Rats and they were kept in 20K SE bulbs at the importer and I keep them under 10K .
Thats all i can think of besides,
I feed regularly alternating the food between cyclops,Plancton flakes,Sera GVX mix and every other day Reef Solution.
I make My own fresh recipe for coral and fish food which I made up using ingredients from Sanjay and Eric.B`s recipe ,and have froze it into plates it made about 10 packs that are 8 x8.
Next time I will have to make it out side since my wife freaked with the Smell and mess it made ot her food prosesser.

One I feel is very important is a good variety of different foods for the animals nutrition,I mean like would you eat hotdogs everyday and be healthy?Its something that many overlook.

Let me say though I do have one problem I dont experience rapid growth with my Xenia and Umbrella they are great looking but dont grow fast which I hear that for lots they grow like weeds and Montipora the green one on page 4 bleached wnich this is the third one I bought and experienced the same and also is considered one of the easier acro`s to keep.

[reefsurfer]

Interesting, I wonder if no DSB realy afects growth paterns that much, surely it affects their diets, so maybe also affects the way they grow? I would agree that definatly light and water movement plays a big role.
True, people overlook diet, I know I did. I didnt get the feeling my corals minded though. I had a DSB. Maybe in BB tanks you have to be more on it with the food? Thats a whole other debate!

Weird about your xenia, I thaught that a calcium reactor would undoubtedly give enough trace elements for the thing to bust out like a weed, you might actualy consider this a blessing:) as they can be quite invasive! As long as it looks good. As for the Montipora, maybe it doesnt like living with an other coral you have in there, maybe its getting bugged by something, did you try changing its place out of the three times you tried it? Just a thaught...

[ReefSalt]

Yes I moved it around but no luck, now I have placed it in an area with very little light.I think that it maybe more suseptible to light changes.

[flycut]

Your experience is shown through the tank. We have the same size tank but they look nothing alike. How long has it been running. I hope I can get mine looking half as good.

[ReefSalt]

Thanks Flycut, the new tank has been up since I renovated that would be since July/August I had some bad luck with the livestock while I did the renovations so I didnt have much livestock that were prime but things happen.

[ReefSalt]

I hooked up a new Co2 solonoid valve,electronic controller and a 20lbs co2 bottle. Soooo much better now I dont have to worry about the ph in the reactor, its always stable.I was using a smaller Co2 kit from Sera but I was refilling thesmall co2 bottles to often.

[One Salty Dog]

I will also be starting out with the small Sera bottle that came with the setup. How often were you needing to refill it.. and at what cost?
Rob

[ReefSalt]

Originally posted by One Salty Dog
I will also be starting out with the small Sera bottle that came with the setup. How often were you needing to refill it.. and at what cost?
Rob

HI OSD,

At first I didnt have to refill it often about every 3-4weeks,but since the corals are growing so fast I found that the bottle went empty within 3 weeks.
I setup a refilling station at our warehouse to refill our customers bottles for there clients.

So it didnt cost me anything.The stores charge there clients $15-$ 20 per refill and they do that as a simple bottle exchange since the bottles have to refridgerated for 24 hours prior to refilling.

What color bottle do you have? Grey or Black?

[Seahunter]

WOW!! Very NICE!! how old is your setup?

[ReefSalt]

Seahunter, Thanks the new tank has been up since I renovated that would be since July/August I had some bad luck with the livestock while I did the renovations so I didnt have much livestock that were prime but things happen.

[ReefSalt]

This slimer is amazing its growing so well.

here is a pic a couple of months after I got it from Reefmutt

[ReefSalt]

Then a couple of months after,

[ReefSalt]

And today I moved it since it was growing on to my front glass from its previous location this is six week since the earlier pic.

[reefsurfer]

Wow, nice growth, looks happy!

[tang_man_montreal]

That's some great growth!

[Seahunter]

Upadate?

[ReefSalt]

Well have been spending most of my time outside,but I will post some more pics soon.

[ReefSalt]

Ok Updates,

I changed my Skimmer (Areofoamer clone) to a Kick Butt H&S.

Had my Calcium reactor go out of wack while I was away and melted my media,it was my fault I mickey moused my probe in a pill bottle and let the effulent drip into it.....well my maxi jet that supplies the CR jammed and the Ph within the pill bottle climbed and on went my C02 controller...it always happens when your away!
So my Mag was at sky high 1700+ and RTN set in on some acro`s.
Lots of water changes latter things are starting to look good.
And I have been shopping around for a new CR with a probe connection in the reactor which I got today.

[ReefSalt]

I Got my H&S Calcium Reactor and filled it with the popular european C.R media that Jet Stream and H&S uses.

Here is the first pic.
As you can see its a simple twist and the cover is off it has a Co2 recirculating feature and is used to drain any excess gas.
Also the probe input which i`m most happy with.

[ReefSalt]

Just a twist:D

[ReefSalt]

and closed again.

[ReefSalt]

The Media used is coral bones which is sold in Germany I picked up a 20kg bag the reactor holds about 16lbs.

[ReefSalt]

Full shot

[reefsurfer]

Nice peice of equipment! So would you say the probe input is a must on a CA reactor? Sorry to hear about what happened durring your trip. How was your trip anyway? Did you make it to Tofino?

[ReefSalt]

Hi reefsurfer,

I feel a probe plced in the reactor is one of the best ways to control your co2 if you have a controler that is.

I have not yet gone to B.C leaving in September,I will mainlt be traveling Vancouver and the interrior.

[ReefSalt]

Well here is a pic of what my skimmer has been removing from the tank,I have noticed much more crap since I did a cleanup in my fuge and cut the Calerpa down to a few strands .

[ReefSalt]

Well I got myself a new Camera for vacation since I didnt want to lug my Nikon around with me.

What I love about this camers is the option of underwater photograpy upto 12 feet.

Here I took some pics of some corals underwater with the flash and no MH running just actinics.

The clarity is fantastic and I didnt eve read the instructions lol....

[ReefSalt]

This one is with actinics and no flash.

[tang_man_montreal]

What camera is that Robin?
Does it come with an underwater enclosure? Curious....

[ReefSalt]

Hi Vince,
It`s the Canon PowerShot Digital Elf SD500,with a underwater housing.

[tang_man_montreal]

Hi Vince,
It`s the Canon PowerShot Digital Elf SD500,with a underwater housing.

Cool! I love those elf's with the housing. I usually take my parent's elf on vacation for underwater shots too! :)

Here's a few I've taken using a Digital elf with underwater housing, These were taken in Aruba.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v421/tang_man_montreal/Cruise2003/IMG_0931Small.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v421/tang_man_montreal/Cruise2003/IMG_0934Small.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v421/tang_man_montreal/Cruise2003/IMG_0955Small.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v421/tang_man_montreal/Cruise2003/IMG_0962Small.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v421/tang_man_montreal/Cruise2003/IMG_0927Small.jpg


These in St.Kitts,

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v421/tang_man_montreal/Cruise2003/IMG_0866Small.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v421/tang_man_montreal/Cruise2003/IMG_0869Small.jpg


And this flying Gurnard was in Venezuela.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v421/tang_man_montreal/Cruise2003/IMG_0916Small.jpg


That's enough for now... I hijacked your thread bud... sorry....

[ReefSalt]

Nice pictures Vince,
Thats the main reason for getting this camera vacation......thats what I told my wife(for her ease of use) lol
But when she saw me posting the pics she said ahaa..thats why you bought it.
Well I am looking forward to using it in the Carribean.

[reefsurfer]

Cool pics!
Robin, you should give us a full tank shot, its been quite a while!! :)

TMM, those are some cool looking helmets, what are those? I havent seen them...
Nice shots too!

[tang_man_montreal]

TMM, those are some cool looking helmets, what are those? I havent seen them...
Nice shots too!

Reefsurfer,
We used those in helmet diving in Aruba. There is an air hose attached to the top that constantly pumps are in with enough pressure to keep water out of the helmet. Your head remains dry, if you look down you can see water. You can actually bring your hand under the helmet and scratch your nose. :)

[ReefSalt]

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b316/ReefSalt/DSCN1348.jpg

[ReefSalt]

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b316/ReefSalt/DSCN1345.jpg

[ReefSalt]

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b316/ReefSalt/DSCN1347.jpg

[tang_man_montreal]

Lookin good!

[Dave83]

Reefsurfer,
We used those in helmet diving in Aruba. There is an air hose attached to the top that constantly pumps are in with enough pressure to keep water out of the helmet. Your head remains dry, if you look down you can see water. You can actually bring your hand under the helmet and scratch your nose. :)
Do you have to be scuba certified to use those helmets?

[tang_man_montreal]

Do you have to be scuba certified to use those helmets?

Nope. not at all. It's regularily offered as a shore excursion on many cruises.

Here's some info from a site:
Helmet Diving
Those wanting to enter the water to explore it might want to try the unique underwater experience known as helmet diving. Helmet diving allows everyone from age 5 to 85 to safely view the Caribbean's underwater treasures. Divers wear a helmet with a large glass mask. The helmet is connected to the surface by an air hose. After climbing down a ladder into depths of 10 to 12 feet, helmet divers take a guided undersea walk--past corals, sponges, rainbow-colored fish as well as other marine life. Helmet diving originated in Bermuda, where it is also known as Bermuda bell diving. Bermuda and Nassau in the Bahamas are the main places helmet diving is offered.

[ReefSalt]

Yeah its coming along... now all I have to do is make sure nothing goes wrong while Im in the carribean tomorrow.

[ReefSalt]

Here is a couple of pics of my Schuran that will be setup on the new system.

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b316/ReefSalt/4REACTORUPRIGHT.jpg

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b316/ReefSalt/9DIFFUSER.jpg

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b316/ReefSalt/13COMPLETETOPVIEW.jpg

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b316/ReefSalt/11BOTTOMDIFFUSER.jpg

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b316/ReefSalt/15FULLVIEW.jpg

[Toutouche]

WOW!! RObin the tank looks really awesome!! Nice coloring.

Vince,
Do you have to wear weights or does the helmet act as weight? Especially since I see Anna wearing a shorty wetsuit. How much does those helmets weigh?
Robin,
Are you scuba certified? I'm asking because I'd like to see how that new camera of yours fares a bit deeper than 10 to 12 feet, or will you just be snorkeling? At this shallow depth, most cameras in a decent housing will take nice bright clear pics, but a bit deeper is where they show there true colors. You going to bring a strobe with you?

[Dave83]

I find it shocking that they will let people go down with the helmets without formal training. That is just my opinion but i think most divers would agree. The first 20 feet are the most stressful and I can't imagine what would happen if the helmet filled with water. I see no second octopus as a backup.

Nice looking tank ReefSalt, I wish to have something comparable someday.

[tang_man_montreal]

Robin,
I told you before and I'll tell you again, I LOVE that bubble counter! lol

Greg,
Nope, the helmet itself is quite heavy and is enough to keep you neutral with just enough weight to hold you down. Basically if you jump, you'd go quite high, but eventually come down again. I don't remember how much they weigh though, however you don't feel their weight under water. The helmets are lowered onto you while you're submersed up to your shoulders on a ladder.

Dave,
They give you a 30minute training on handsignals, and emergency situations. There's about 10 spot divers all around the group (8-10ppl) constantly checking everyone and making sure you give the "OK" handsign every few minutes.

Here's the official "Sea-Trek" Helmet diving website:
http://www.sea-trek.com/

[reefsurfer]

Nice Rob!!! Thanks for posting the pics. The new toy looks good too.

[ReefSalt]

Tanks Pat,
yeah I like playing with toys,I cant set it up untill I get the new system up. Nw I have to wait my wife says you want a bigger tank....she wants a bigger house :eek: So I may have to get a bigger house lol.... NOT

I just shut off my sump return pump and it never started again Impellar busted,thank goodness I had a mag 9.5 around it actually has more presure than my RENA 1200.

[ReefSalt]

Robin,
Are you scuba certified? I'm asking because I'd like to see how that new camera of yours fares a bit deeper than 10 to 12 feet, or will you just be snorkeling? At this shallow depth, most cameras in a decent housing will take nice bright clear pics, but a bit deeper is where they show there true colors. You going to bring a strobe with you?

Hi Toutouche,

I missed this reply,No I only have a little certificate from the Carribean T&T,I will be going to get my PADI this spring since my wifes friend is a dive master we will take our course with her.

As for the camera I went down to about 10 to 12 feet with it but didnt want to risk the camera geting damaged since it is only rated 10 feet. It took fantastic pictures though.

If we decide to spend more vacation time in the Carribean I will look into a large diving camera w/strobe ect,but they are quite expensive.

[ReefSalt]

Here is some pics the camera took at 12 feet.
I had to clean some up for distortion.But if it was relativly still while taking the picture they came out great.

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b316/ReefSalt/diving7.jpg

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b316/ReefSalt/diving3.jpg

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b316/ReefSalt/PuntaCana2005228.jpg

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b316/ReefSalt/diving2.jpg

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b316/ReefSalt/diving1.jpg

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b316/ReefSalt/PuntaCana2005182.jpg

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b316/ReefSalt/diving4.jpg

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b316/ReefSalt/PuntaCana2005194.jpg

[ReefSalt]

Hello everyone,

Here is a update to my tank,

I purchased a Deltec FR509 for my Ecophos/PhosLock ferric oxide media,I used the Phosban reactor to run carbon occasionally.

The Deltec reactor is highly recommended with larger tanks if you have tanks,since I would load up my phosban reactor pretty high and long term it would compact.If your tank is less than 100 gal you can use the Phosban reactor since the P04 media you are using will be adequate.Now the phosban reactor has a screw off cap so its much easier for cleaning.

Growth is still great with the 10k XM`s and water is fantastic like...I dont have any water in the tank and the fish are just floating in air :biglaugh2 .

I am still using the Schuran Media in my H&S and is just great! I will not use anything else from now on, no particulate mater,so no cloudy water just all around great water quality.

As usual there is always something that may happen in this hobby to set you back!

In December I got Red Bugs! I treat all my corals but cheated on one batch because they were in the bags a long time lesson learned...and these fragin bugs attack your nicest corals!
I contacted Eric B`s and asked him what he would suggest....he said DONT TREAT YOUR WHOLE TANK but I did,then he said Just ONE treatment thats all you need since they are direct developers,and thats what I did I have been bug free since.

So this is a updated picture,what do you think?


http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b316/ReefSalt/reef050206.jpg

[tang_man_montreal]

Nice pics Robin!

I was comparing your tank pics from 21/10/05 to this latest pic. There's some nice growth there! :)

21/10/05
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b316/ReefSalt/DSCN1345.jpg

05/02/06
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b316/ReefSalt/reef050206.jpg

[ReefSalt]

Thanks for doing that vince,

Yes actually there has been some very good growth as usual.I had to move some pieces around because of burning other corals,but all is good.

[DARK]

Looks beautiful! Awesome growth!

[Joseph Montreal]

Robin you say that you are using the Schuran Media in your H&S calcium reactor how does this media differ from the H&S media?

When are you setting up the schuran reactor?

Oh you tanks looks awsome. Great job!

[ReefSalt]

Thanks Dark.

Hi Joseph the Shuran media is the same as the H&S media coral bones I call it 15mm size.

I will be setting up the JetStream 2 when I move, got to sell my house first.I had a Jetstream 1 but with the size tank im thinking of getting I think I should get the larger model.
and thanks,
its coming around nicely,I look at it and I dont feel like moving just because of the breaking down procedure.

[reefsurfer]

Nice to see corals have filled in quite a bit!! I can honestly say your going to need a bigger tank soon, or a serrious fragging! :biglaugh2 :biglaugh2

I realy like the varriety of corals you have in there, realy nice tank!

[ReefSalt]

:biglaugh2 yeah Pat thats what I am planning for now, and I will need alot of frags to to start the new one because if I have the space I hope I will have its going to be nice so I will have a frag swap if everything goes well.

I am contimplating on having a custom job that will have to be assembled in my home if we move.I should have a few quotes by the end of this week, if it works out and the price is right it will be 96X48X36 for 720gl :ohyeah:

or else I will have a 300gl if I dont have the space. :rant:

[DARK]

720g! Sweet!

[Joseph Montreal]

48" front to back! that is going to be amazing.

[ReefSalt]

Yeah now my fingers are crossed hopefully my agent will give us some good news,Im like a kid at xmas and go to sleep dreaming of it!(the house to)There is just one house that we have found that I could place it where it deserves.Every other house has space but not that much space lol.

[reefsurfer]

720 eh! Sounds GOOD dude! 300 sounds good too.

[Dazz]

Man... 720... thats a whole bucket of salt every week for a water change (because we know your fish room will have plenty of extra volume too ;) )

[ReefSalt]

Man... 720... thats a whole bucket of salt every week for a water change (because we know your fish room will have plenty of extra volume too ;) )

:biglaugh2 your right ....about the water changes.
I got my quote today and almost fell off my chair :crap:

[colesy]

so what does a custom 720g cost anyway??

[ReefSalt]

roughly $5000 retail,

[DARK]

Ouch... but thats alot of full sized SPS for a 300g :)

[ReefSalt]

Ouch... but thats alot of full sized SPS for a 300g :)

That price was for the 720gl,which I may put the brakes on...Didnt think it was that much.

I think I may start taking donations :help: lol.

[ReefSalt]

Update,

I started a new thread for the new tank at the following link.


NEW TANK SETUP (http://aquariacanada.com/forums/showthread.php?t=10364&page=1&pp=20)


:)

[ReefSalt]

Hello all,

I will be selling off lots of stuff prior to my move and after. I will have a 120 gallon Reef Ready closed loop system setup with 90 gallon. sump ,skimmer,calcium reactors,pumps,MH lighting systems,VHO lighting systems,Reef Rat,T5 lighting and more I will post the list here when I have taken a inventory of what I have for sale now, and what I have for sale for first week of june.

Who ever wants stuff look here cause I have alot some new and some used.

[colesy]

Wow that sounds like a sweet lot for sure!!!

[DARK]

Depending on its size and manufacturer I might be interested in your calcium reactor.

[Weddel Tech Support]

Yes it going to be some nice stuff,when it comes to reef equipment I`m a pack rat.

Dark ,the CR is a H&S Calcium Reactor Up To 500gal - 200CR-F3000 8"x26" w/45w feed pump.

[ReefSalt]

Oh yeah Colsey, its going to be some nice stuff,when it comes to reef equipment I`m a pack rat, which is a good thing for those looking for stuff :)

Hi Dark,
the CR is a H&S Calcium Reactor Up To 500gal - 200CR-F3000 8"x26" w/45w feed pump.

[DARK]

H&S CR, you can pm me your asking price if you wish.

[ReefSalt]

Here is the last pic of the reef until I move it.

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b316/ReefSalt/April162006AC.jpg

[Seahunter]

Looking Real Good!

[ReefSalt]

Looking Real Good!

Thanks Seahunter,

It is growing in nicely,And I really dont want to move it since the last time(Renovations) it didnt go to well.

When I tear it down I`m sure there will be lots of broken pieces since most of the corals are fused to several rocks and the glass.

For those who wants Frags

When I move them I will make post for all those who want some frags but must be picked up in the same day.

[gophia]

I saw Robin's tank in person this week end and man is it sweet. It's sad to see you tear it down but I'm sure the new set would be just as sweet.

First dibs on the pink millopra and pink stylopora!!! :biggrinbo