Smite's Stout CDA - 205G

drexel

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At the end of my 22g nano’s life (before I updated to the 90g) I was running three 160’s and a 4 bulb 24” sunpower. I had light coming at every angle, but that little tank was so packed that it needed that much light. To me, T5/Kessil combo is only rivaled by MH/T5.
I think of you updated to 360x’s down the road, that combo would look awesome.

This was the last top down shot before the move.


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Smite

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At the end of my 22g nano’s life (before I updated to the 90g) I was running three 160’s and a 4 bulb 24” sunpower. I had light coming at every angle, but that little tank was so packed that it needed that much light. To me, T5/Kessil combo is only rivaled by MH/T5.
I think of you updated to 360x’s down the road, that combo would look awesome.

This was the last top down shot before the move.


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That was one badass nano!

Thats kind of what I'm thinking too. I could update as I go pretty easily.

Maybe I'll pick up a 360x for the 360we that burnt out and start there.
 

drexel

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The great thing about the “x” is the added color control of the violet, red and green channels. I use 100% violet during peak hours and I was using a little red and green, but not much.


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Smite

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The great thing about the “x” is the added color control of the violet, red and green channels. I use 100% violet during peak hours and I was using a little red and green, but not much.


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I spoke with kessil about repair and was told if I wanted to apply the 100 dollar diagnostic fee to a replacement 360x they would do that for me. Amazing customer service on their end. I may end up doing it.
 

Smite

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I finally got the paint right. I built the second kessil bar. I used a flapper grinder wheel them steel wool to smooth it out and it has a similar finish to the ati now. I’ll be doing that to the first one as well.
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I got a piece of black acrylic and made a overflow cover as well.
Filled and flushed the system. No leaks. So all I need to do is get my dedicated circuit over there and I’m ready to swap.
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drexel

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Nice! One of the many reasons why I’m a Kessil fan is their customer service. They’ve treated me well over the past few years and being that they’re based here in Cali is an added bonus. Can’t wait to see that thing get wet.


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Smite

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Nice! One of the many reasons why I’m a Kessil fan is their customer service. They’ve treated me well over the past few years and being that they’re based here in Cali is an added bonus. Can’t wait to see that thing get wet.


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It is nice to find a company like that.

Hey do you happen to know what size ends are on the power side of kessils? That DC cable, female male. I picked up an extension, matched the 20 gauge wire size and the female fit fine but the male end inside whole was much smaller and wouldn't fit the kessil. Seemed weird.
 

drexel

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It is nice to find a company like that.

Hey do you happen to know what size ends are on the power side of kessils? That DC cable, female male. I picked up an extension, matched the 20 gauge wire size and the female fit fine but the male end inside whole was much smaller and wouldn't fit the kessil. Seemed weird.
I’m not a sure, but I’ll look at mine. If you email Brandon or Brendan, he’ll let you know. But looking at them, I would guess 4.5mm?


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Smite

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Thanks, I was thinking my Velcro backing would look tacky but it’s hard to notice. I’be got about 50 bucks worth of Velcro in this B but I think it’s going to be the easiest system to get it and pull things for repair or maintenance. Bundling the power supply up right next to the controller with Velcro. Then I Velcro the service loop right to that.
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Best part no rust
 

Smite

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I was able to get another kessil 360we in good shape. I added that in and will transfer the 4th over after the swap since it runs my frag section currently. I repaired the fan on the Powermodule and got all the wiring management done for the light down to the display. I left a nice long service/drip loop so I can raise the light 2-3' when I really need to get in there and for the day I transfer. I'm using my controller and current UV so I'm really as far as I can go until the transfer.

I added 120-140lbs of special grade and that gave me about 1.5" deep sand bed. Some dry and rinsed but the majority "live" sand. I don't trust that for the day of transfer so I'm adding it early. I had about a 1L left of MB7 so I added that to the sand, a few drops of ammonia and about 50g of fresh mixed NeoMarine. Basically making sure the sand is seeded, truly living and ready to rock come transfer day. I've also got an airstone in there to help out the bacteria.
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I've got another 55g of salt mixing right now and I'll be adding that tomorrow. That should get me enough water height to add my rock from the bin in the garage. I picked up some 3" ABS PVC in case I want to cut some shims to lift my scape up.

My plan is to get the tank filled with the sand and rock all in place. I need to test, but I'm assuming after all this time of adding ammonia to the bin in the garage the nitrates are for sure high and possibly with phosphates as well. I wont be using that water, I want 100% fresh neomarine in the new tank. So once the rock is in it'll just be a waiting game for nutrients to rise close to that of the 75g. I'll manipulate the major parameters to match the 75g, then I'll be swapping everything over.

I have some fish that have been looking decent in QT/Observation. They've made it through both general cure treatments and are eating. No signs of internal parasites so far. They'll be going in while I wait/get everything dialed into the new tank. They are the newbies so that will give them time to acclimate before all the other fish make the jump.
Ornate Leopard Wrasse. Slept for the first 48 hours. Caught him waking. Not to stoked on the new place.
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Copperband Butterfly - eating live only, so I may hold him back. Also twitching even after two full rounds of GC and is flashing occasionally. I've had him a few weeks so that seems pretty odd to me. Hard to make out ich on a white fish but no other fish have signs of anything?

Yellowtail Fang Blenny. I'm so stoked on this fish. Hard to beat the blue and yellow combo with that black slash through the eye.
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And I may regret it but a Yellow Watchman Goby. Not sure if I'll be adding a pistol or not. I really like that relationship and don't plan to keep much on the sand but it could get annoying I'm sure.

I'd really like to get another blenny of some type, scopas or purple tang and possibly an angel of some type.
 

drexel

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Nice! It's coming along nicely, well done! You should pick up some PNS Substrate Sauce, it's designed for kicking starting the bacteria. And if it's anything like the other PNS stuff, it'll do the job nicely. But you'll probably be okay with what you've added so far. I'm going to order some from Algae Barn soon for my transfer and the 25g lagoon.
You'll love watching the fang blenny, they're super cool to watch and have such a cool swimming pattern. I don't think you'll have any issues with a YWG and pistol shrimp, they (YWG) pretty much stay on the bottom and only venture up when eating. The fang blenny is a mid-water fish, but mine is kinda all over the place. I really think you'll love the Kessil/T5 combo. Let me know if you need a hand when the time comes?
 

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Nice! It's coming along nicely, well done! You should pick up some PNS Substrate Sauce, it's designed for kicking starting the bacteria. And if it's anything like the other PNS stuff, it'll do the job nicely. But you'll probably be okay with what you've added so far. I'm going to order some from Algae Barn soon for my transfer and the 25g lagoon.
You'll love watching the fang blenny, they're super cool to watch and have such a cool swimming pattern. I don't think you'll have any issues with a YWG and pistol shrimp, they (YWG) pretty much stay on the bottom and only venture up when eating. The fang blenny is a mid-water fish, but mine is kinda all over the place. I really think you'll love the Kessil/T5 combo. Let me know if you need a hand when the time comes?
I'll look into that stuff! Looks like vitamin water for a reef tank haha

You're right, the watchman and fang blenny pay no attention to each other in QT so far. I'm more worried about piling up sand and burying things.
 

deaclauderdale

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Yo man slow down sheesh. Come over and help plumb my return section so I too can add water and sand

My tank well never be wet 🥲


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Smite

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Yo man slow down sheesh. Come over and help plumb my return section so I too can add water and sand

My tank well never be wet 🥲


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You’re doing it right take your time.

I put in a lot of hours this weekend. I had a major oversight with my sump location where I originally plumbed it in. It was too close to the front. I was thinking easy access for a shorter stand but it ended up too tight to slide my skimmer in. I had to move it back about 9” closer to center and the plumb the whole thing.

Had that not happened I’d probably have rock in it now. I was pushing to get it done so I had a shot at transferring before we leave for thanksgiving weekend but not sure that’ll happen. At least not with enough time to make sure it’s stable for the 6 days we will be gone. a qt tank in the garage, water bin full of live rock, this tank running and my display is a little much to ask someone to baby sit for me.

Have someone feed one tank no biggie but all those tubs of water somethings bound to happen is 6 days.
 

deaclauderdale

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You’re doing it right take your time.

I put in a lot of hours this weekend. I had a major oversight with my sump location where I originally plumbed it in. It was too close to the front. I was thinking easy access for a shorter stand but it ended up too tight to slide my skimmer in. I had to move it back about 9” closer to center and the plumb the whole thing.

Had that not happened I’d probably have rock in it now. I was pushing to get it done so I had a shot at transferring before we leave for thanksgiving weekend but not sure that’ll happen. At least not with enough time to make sure it’s stable for the 6 days we will be gone. a qt tank in the garage, water bin full of live rock, this tank running and my display is a little much to ask someone to baby sit for me.

Have someone feed one tank no biggie but all those tubs of water somethings bound to happen is 6 days.
Yeah I’m truly learning patience with this build. Was actually wondering how much space you had between your collection cup and the stand.

I’m actually glad you’re waiting until after you all get back from Thanksgiving as we know that in this hobby all things go wrong when we are not around, and your corals are to stunning to risk it IMHO.
 

Smite

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Yeah I’m truly learning patience with this build. Was actually wondering how much space you had between your collection cup and the stand.

I’m actually glad you’re waiting until after you all get back from Thanksgiving as we know that in this hobby all things go wrong when we are not around, and your corals are to stunning to risk it IMHO.
Thanks. I just didn’t want to overwhelm the house sitter but it probably is for the best. If o can get this running on a basic level I’ll toss the QT fish in and call it good.
 

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