Centre Pampideux

[ZzyzxRiver]

Thank you for the video explanation. Uploaded it link below
The top horizontal plate is only secured by its own weight right now, so i can change things.
About the lighting...
Since I have been collecting bits and parts for this revival tank (and made plenty of mistakes along the way) I now own two Kessil AP700 and one Odyssea 48" T5 fixture with 4 bulbs, all of which were excellent deals. thinkign and reading about it it seems the Kessils woudl be overkill and the odyssea a short term solution because of its quality.
Just couldn't find an ATI Sunpower 48" dimmable fixture ata price i can afford.
So i should have enough light.
Here is a video:
Centre Pompideux: Aquascape without sand

You’ll want to adjust your video visibility settings- it’s currently private so only you can see it!

 

[ZzyzxRiver]

BTW, Centre Pampideux is such a perfect name for your tank!

 

[rpkneumann]

Oops.
Here is the public link
Center Pompideux: Aquascape no Sand

 

[ZzyzxRiver]

Looks way less boxy! Those risers are cool, you can keep your rocks above the sand!

 

[rpkneumann]

It’s full. Pumps are on. Posted about a pulsing phenomena…different thread Center Pompideux: Pulse

 

[GatorGreg]

Love this thread.

Wonderful craftsmanship. Excited to see this grow out!

 

[rpkneumann]

 

[rpkneumann]

still watching paint dry.
Started with Tim’s fishless method.
After 14 days my ammonium is Zero. Have been dosing with ammonium chloride every 2 to 3 days as per Tim’s rules.
Nitrite, peaked day 11 at 5 but it’s coming down very slowly. Today at day 17 it’s 0.8.
I think my feeding with ammonium chloride has slowed it coming down.
I will be patient until it’s zero.

 

[rpkneumann]

The tank definitely needs a lid. Now that I’m running with only the main pumps water evaporates at a rate of 10 gallons a week.
My ATO is busy.
I have decided to go with 1/4” polycarbonate cut into two 2x2 pieces. Add all the cutouts and use my 3dprinted hinges withich also serve as cable management. They have small loops to pull a zip tie through.
As feeding ports I will use the catering hinged lids which are made out of polycarbonate.
(1/6 clear hinged lid) you can find them for $3.00 at the webrestaurant store.
Picture when it’s done.

 

[rpkneumann]

Lid is done,

Cycle is complete.
Next is a water change, rollermatt activation, skimmer activation - needs an air flow control valve, install small reactor for carbon. (I decided to pull the dual BRS GFS-Carbon reactors until I need them.
Then , off to my LFS to start populating the tank.

My granddaughter can't wait... so you all know what we will get
She has been a great help during the building when i needed somebody to bend into the last corners of the stand.

 

[rpkneumann]

Fish added.
1 orange striped cardinal
2 bengai cardinals
2 clowns ( paired, very small)
5 green chromis
1 tiger snapping shrimp
1 yellow watchman goby

 

[rpkneumann]

Fish are very small they disappear in this big tank.

 

[ZzyzxRiver]

Fish are very small they disappear in this big tank.

I bet they’ll appear more once they acclimate! And that means room for more!

 

[rpkneumann]

 

[ZzyzxRiver]

Welcome fishies! You ready to see how the tank handles all the extra nutrients?

 

[rpkneumann]

Yes, I keep track.
Added Copepods and are feeding them with Phytoevery day.
The lights are still off.

I have two wave pumps (Nero style) and a gyro on order which are a bit behind the shipping curve.
There are two Nero3s in the tank , one works full time the other on and off randomly.
They hardly move the water and are on their last legs grinding sometimes. The glass is 1/2" thick, the Neros3's magnets are to weak to hold them in place safely.

Current total flow rate with my two mains pumps is set combined at about 720 GPH. (Measured on outlet). That's a little high for my Rollermat but so far it works.
The skimmer is still off. I turned it on and immediately overflowed with bubbles because I couldn't trim down the airflow enough with the main tube rotating to reduce the inlet flow.
The 1/2" air hose Is missing an air-control valve, which is on order.

I continue to measure Ammonia, Nitrite and Nitrate with the Red Sea kit i did the cycling with.
So far no change.
Ammonia = 0
Nitrite <= 0.1
Nitrate = 10
PH = 8.2

Will soon switch to Hanna Checkers which I used with my previous tank.
I had to order new reagents because their lifetime is short.
Here are the checkers I have.
I know I'm missing magnesium checker, but also do not have any corals yet.

Here is what I have:
- Marine Salinity Tester (HI98319)
- pHeP+ Pocket pH Tester (HI98108)
Checkers:
- Nitrate LR (HI781)
- Calcium (HI758U)
- Phosphate LR (HI713)
- Alkalinity (HI755)
- Nitrite ULR (HI736)
- Ammonia HI784

Please let me know what i shoudl replace or better use instead.

One thing does trouble me:
One of the green Chromis and a Banggai Cardinal simply disappeared. Gone now for several days.
I checked everywhere, but can't find them. The only possible place left is the main drain into the rollermat. Which is highly unlikely because the weir teeth are not big enough for these fish.
Any ideas?