Jimbo’s CDA 250

[Jimbo327]

With the new year, I'm going to be more on top of my tank maintenance and improve redundancy. Maybe unlock some coral growth this year.

My goal is to upgrade both return pumps. They are the older model M1 and L1. So I plan to upgrade to M2 and L2 pumps, and keep the existing ones as emergency backups. I already picked up an used L2 pump and eyeing an used M2 pump at R2R marketplace.

 

[drexel]

Yeah, I'm going to back to some fundamentals this year as well, mostly routine water changes.

 

[bakbay]

With the new year, I'm going to be more on top of my tank maintenance and improve redundancy. Maybe unlock some coral growth this year.

My goal is to upgrade both return pumps. They are the older model M1 and L1. So I plan to upgrade to M2 and L2 pumps, and keep the existing ones as emergency backups. I already picked up a used L2 pump and eyeing a used M2 pump at R2R marketplace.

What are you looking for in the new return pumps that your old ones are not providing?

 

[Jimbo327]

^ Not much. But the L1/M1 has a lot of miles on it...I got them used with the tank. It's time to do some preventative maintenance and avoid catastrophic failure down the line. I've got too much money in corals and fish, so I need to make sure the major equipment is maintained properly.

The hardest part is the rat's nest of wiring to remove and install the pumps.

Probably a good idea to change out the UV bulb and sleeve at the same time.

 

[Jimbo327]

I've seen other people keep aiptasias in a mason jar with no water movement. Aiptasia is tough as nails.

So I'm going to give it a shot too. I have an old cooler from the thrift store, added some river pebbles, heater, air pump, cheap tiny light and a gravity ATO. Put some old tank water in there and threw in some aiptasia. Whenever, I can remove aiptasia from DT, I'm going to throw it into this cooler. I'm going to use tap water in this aiptasia tank too. It's a fun littler experiment.

 

[bakbay]

I've seen other people keep aiptasias in a mason jar with no water movement. Aiptasia is tough as nails.

So I'm going to give it a shot too. I have an old cooler from the thrift store, added some river pebbles, heater, air pump, cheap tiny light and a gravity ATO. Put some old tank water in there and threw in some aiptasia. Whenever, I can remove aiptasia from DT, I'm going to throw it into this cooler. I'm going to use tap water in this aiptasia tank too. It's a fun littler experiment.

You got simply too much time on your hand man! lol

 

[Jimbo327]

You got simply too much time on your hand man! lol

check out this aptasia loveshack, even used the solo cup to prop open the lid.

 

[JojosReef]

check out this aptasia loveshack, even used the solo cup to prop open the lid. View attachment 130938

That's crazy. Is this for propogating berghia?

I was thinking of starting the OCBP (Orange Co Berghia Project), which entails a Berghia/Aiptasia rock exchange amongst locals to keep the berghia going and distribute as low to no cost.

 

[thresher]

Looks like someone is running project breaking bad. Good luck and hope you find that sweet recipe.

 

[Jimbo327]

My DIY trace element batch is mixed and put online on my DT. I tried to copy the TM A+K elements. I made 2L of this mixture, and dosing 2ml per day. When mixing, there was a lot of solids and fillers that I had to filter out, so it's definitely not as pure as the commercial retail products.

The concentrations are based on what I think my tank is consuming. I'm going to take before and after ICP tests over a period of 30 days to check consumption.

 

[bakbay]

My DIY trace element batch is mixed and put online on my DT. I tried to copy the TM A+K elements. I made 2L of this mixture, and dosing 2ml per day. When mixing, there was a lot of solids and fillers that I had to filter out, so it's definitely not as pure as the commercial retail products.

The concentrations are based on what I think my tank is consuming. I'm going to take before and after ICP tests over a period of 30 days to check consumption.

I’m not a chemist but thought that you can’t make a combined mixture of both due to instability of the chemicals?

Testing: if you’re trying to match TM A/K, why not do TCP testing of the commercial product and yours?

 

[Jimbo327]

TM A/K lists the elements that is in each bottle. So I did the same thing, I mixed the same elements into 2 bottles. I just don't know the concentrations of each element or the starting compound. So that can be problematic if 2 compounds will react and precipitate. After a little ChatGPT, I left out Barium Chloride and proceeded to mix the rest.

I figured it's close enough and just send it! If I can get to 80%, I'm good. I can always adjust single elements.

 

[bakbay]

TM A/K lists the elements that is in each bottle. So I did the same thing, I mixed the same elements into 2 bottles. I just don't know the concentrations of each element or the starting compound. So that can be problematic if 2 compounds will react and precipitate. After a little ChatGPT, I left out Barium Chloride and proceeded to mix the rest.

I figured it's close enough and just send it! If I can get to 80%, I'm good. I can always adjust single elements.

Cool - Jimbo, the next ABC Reagent millionaire!!! Love it

 

[Jimbo327]

Keeping up with the 2026 New Year's resolution of being more diligent on my routine maintenance:

• Checked all of my MP40 wetsides and Reefwave gyre. No issues, no rust. A quick clean and back in service. I ordered a new extra wetside for backup.
• Checked M1 return pump. It had some bumps in the motor plastic housing (design flaw causes overheating) and will need to be replaced as soon as possible. I've taken it offline. Waiting for my new M2 pump parts to arrive.
  

I plan to check the L1 return pump (has same design flaw as M1), Skimmer VarioS-6S pump and UV bulb/sleeve in the coming weeks.

 

[Jimbo327]

Also placed an order restock a bunch of CUC with the Socalireefer Meetup wholesale opportunity. I don’t have much algae, but it’s good to add CUC diversity, and more fun to find different types of CUC in the tank. Thanks to @joeoliver for coordinating.

Joined @JojosReef to order a captive bred yellow banded pipefish. It’s a big gamble because most people say don’t get pipefish in a mixed reef with other established big fishes and flow. But I always wanted a pipefish. And I’ve seen other big mixed reef tanks have one survive, and I have a lot of rock for it to hide. Taking a chance it’ll work out.

 

[Jimbo327]

Installed the new M2 pump tonight. I was running 3/4" piping outlet for the M1, but had to upgrade to 1" piping outlet for M2. All of these newer gen pumps are running larger outlet pipe sizes. So they are not interchangeable, and a big PITA to swap. Luckily, I had all of the extra fittings in my hoarder shed.

I took the L1 pump offline and inspected the impeller. Everything looks fine on the L1. Planning to swap in the L2 pump if I can find the coupling part that I need at the plumbing supply store tomorrow.

 

[bakbay]

Sweet! Vectra’s are pretty darn reliable and you got a backup.

I need to go dual returns for my frag tank when I’m bored. The big tank & mushroom tank are already dual returns so I can sleep well at night.

 

[Jimbo327]

I spent the whole day finishing up the L2 and M2 swap and re-routing the wire rats nest.

I checked/cleaned the skimmer pump, all good. While I had the pump out, I cleaned the skimmer cup and emptied the skimmate bucket. Only thing left is to check to UV, but I’m going to leave that for another weekend.

I need a nap. Here is a quick FTS.

 

[Jimbo327]

The ice maker on my fridge failed again. Very frustrating. No Ice. The design flaw of the constant door opening/close and pinching wire will break any solder. I have to come up with another solution.

At this point, I feel like a handyman. And starting to wonder if I should just replace this fridge if I can't overcome the design flaw. It'll be like $2k to replace with something similar. So probably not happening.

Will spend the rest of afternoon trying to troubleshoot and fix it.

 

[bakbay]

The ice maker on my fridge failed again. Very frustrating. No Ice. The design flaw of the constant door opening/close and pinching wire will break any solder. I have to come up with another solution.

At this point, I feel like a handyman. And starting to wonder if I should just replace this fridge if I can't overcome the design flaw. It'll be like $2k to replace with something similar. So probably not happening.

Will spend the rest of afternoon trying to troubleshoot and fix it.

Good luck — that’s a good route. My icemaker broke 3 years ago so just learn to not use ice! Try replacing two 36” Subzero built-in refrigerator/freezer units? Uhm that means getting rid of all my tanks so ain’t do it…