Trelize Posted August 25, 2013 Author Report Share Posted August 25, 2013 Any suggestions on which test kits I should go for .... Brand and type Ph Nitrite Nitrate etc ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David R Posted August 26, 2013 Report Share Posted August 26, 2013 For me, Nitrate/Nitrite/Ammonia/pH are essential for any fish keeper, API liquid tests are good enough and reasonably affordable, and they do a four-pack of those essentials. I'd also invest in GH/KH and a TDS meter seems how you're most likely to be playing around with the hardness of your water. Seems like a bit of money at the time, but they will last for yonks once your tank is settled and running. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trelize Posted August 26, 2013 Author Report Share Posted August 26, 2013 Thanks David , What about PH Pens ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
camtang Posted August 26, 2013 Report Share Posted August 26, 2013 API Liquid test I find really good. I think you can buy full "master" kits with the whole range of tests Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David R Posted August 26, 2013 Report Share Posted August 26, 2013 I looked into a pH pen, but decided given how often I check pH once a tank is running it wasn't worth the issue. I think people place far too much importance on pH, if I had a dollar for every time I'd seen a thread about someone stressing about their pH and trying all sorts of things to fix it without even testing hardness... well I could possibly afford a pH pen.... :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trelize Posted August 26, 2013 Author Report Share Posted August 26, 2013 PH pens seem to go pretty cheap on TM maybe they are crap ... ? , but I think I am gonna take your advice David and get the a "master Freshwater Test Kit" will look at the API as suggested , thanks I must say I thought PH was the thing to keep an eye on , I should read a little more up on this , I am glad the tank is weeks away , giving me time to find out all that I need to Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nudge Posted August 26, 2013 Report Share Posted August 26, 2013 agree with david, get your kh sorted and stable and your ph will be fine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trelize Posted August 28, 2013 Author Report Share Posted August 28, 2013 Been looking at return's , and could do with a bit of advice regarding this to please ... So 2 x 40mm "herbie" overflow going out , what size should I have as a return ? 25mm ? 32mm ? I love the look of the Loc-line but it seems too small ? anything similar available ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David R Posted August 28, 2013 Report Share Posted August 28, 2013 Depends on the size of your return pump and how much water you want to move. 25mm would probably do, but you won't lose anything by going 32mm, and it will be cheaper as you could use PVC waste pipe instead of pressure pipe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trelize Posted August 28, 2013 Author Report Share Posted August 28, 2013 Fair enough , any recommendations for nozzle's ? Loc-line type ? or similar ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David R Posted August 28, 2013 Report Share Posted August 28, 2013 I've never used them, simply made my own spraybar out of PVC. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trelize Posted August 28, 2013 Author Report Share Posted August 28, 2013 I think I may over think things :lar: K.I.S.S - shall be my new motto :lar: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David R Posted August 28, 2013 Report Share Posted August 28, 2013 :thup: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trelize Posted September 2, 2013 Author Report Share Posted September 2, 2013 Temperature Control ? So going to go for 2 x 300w Jager's , well that's the plan at least ... 650 odd litres ? Would a controller be needed / suggested ? What brands are good and where do I get them from ? I found this one from Kens Fish http://www.kensfish.com/aquarium-supplies/aquarium-heaters/finnex-hc-0810-digital-heater-controller.html am I on the right track here ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David R Posted September 2, 2013 Report Share Posted September 2, 2013 I've used one of these and found it to be pretty good for the price, seems accurate enough, and I used it for ~12 months with no issues; http://www.fish-street.com/aquarium_atc ... gory_id=60 Only downside is they are only good for 1000W, on the big tank I'm running a custom one made by a friends father who is an electrical engineer. I know of several people running these from Jehmco and they seem to be highly recommended; http://www.jehmco.com/html/temperature_controller.html Can't comment on the one from Kens sorry, but if you're running more than one heater then I'd highly recommend a controller. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trelize Posted September 2, 2013 Author Report Share Posted September 2, 2013 Thinking of putting one of these together ... http://www.brewshop.co.nz/stc-1000-temp-controller.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trelize Posted September 9, 2013 Author Report Share Posted September 9, 2013 Started getting my equipment together in preparation of the tank arriving , got 3 x 200W Jager's over the weekend , found the 300's just so long ! also ordered a STC-1000 as my temperature controller , had a look at some return pumps... I got the Laguna PowerJet 11000, AFAIK they're the same pump as the MaxFlo series, but they come with all the waterfall crap for ponds. The MaxFlo wasn't available here but the PJ was, only downside was that I had to buy the adapter for the 40mm/1.5" return plumbing separately. Do you think I would be alright with a PowerJet 1500 @ 6000LPH or the PowerJet 2000 @ 2000LPH I estimate around 5 foot Head Loss on a 700 Litre system ? ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David R Posted September 9, 2013 Report Share Posted September 9, 2013 Do you think I would be alright with a PowerJet 1500 @ 6000LPH or the PowerJet 2000 @ 2000LPH I estimate around 5 foot Head Loss on a 700 Litre system ? ? Is that the right figure for the PJ2000? I think you'd want to shoot for at least 4-5 times turn over after the head loss etc, maybe more if you're planning on heavily stocking it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trelize Posted September 9, 2013 Author Report Share Posted September 9, 2013 Is that the right figure for the PJ2000? I think you'd want to shoot for at least 4-5 times turn over after the head loss etc, maybe more if you're planning on heavily stocking it. Sorry , 7600LPH for the PJ 2000 . You think the PJ2000 then ? I am struggling to get my head around head loss etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David R Posted September 10, 2013 Report Share Posted September 10, 2013 IMO it really is just guess work! Take the figure that the manufacturer quotes at the vertical height of your tank, deduct a bit based on the size and complexity of your return plumbing, then round it down a little to allow for a bit of a "fudge factor". There are figures out there that can be used to calculate the friction loss from piping and elbows etc, but the required turn over isn't an exact science so I think you'd be right with the PJ2000. Is that 7600LPH at zero head, or 5'? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trelize Posted September 10, 2013 Author Report Share Posted September 10, 2013 I think you'd be right with the PJ2000. Is that 7600LPH at zero head, or 5'? ... not sure ... ? got this from their site Maximum flow rate is 7500 LPH (2000 U.S. GPH). Maximum head height is 3.7m (12’2”) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David R Posted September 10, 2013 Report Share Posted September 10, 2013 The 'Maximum Flow' figure is with zero head. Based on this chart you'd be looking at about 5-5500LPH at 5' head, depending on the return plumbing of course. IMO that is sufficient for your tank size, and I'd say go with at least 32mm pipe for the return. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trelize Posted September 10, 2013 Author Report Share Posted September 10, 2013 The 'Maximum Flow' figure is with zero head. Based on this chart you'd be looking at about 5-5500LPH at 5' head, depending on the return plumbing of course. IMO that is sufficient for your tank size, and I'd say go with at least 32mm pipe for the return. Thanks David , that has put me at ease , I am going to cost it up now , do you know if I could order the 1.25" adapter from HFF too ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David R Posted September 10, 2013 Report Share Posted September 10, 2013 Not sure, I had to order the 1.5" adapter in, HFF asked but the rep couldn't find one. They're available on amazon.com but because of the small size and price you have to buy something else to make it shippable. I took that as a good excuse to buy a book or two! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trelize Posted September 10, 2013 Author Report Share Posted September 10, 2013 Yeah I found some on amazon too , also found them on Tubby.co.nz anyone had experience buying from them ? Its the Click fit ones I need right ? PT-640 ? http://www.lagunaponds.com/lagunaeng/connectors/connectors1.php?link=192 So... just heard from HFF and no more laguna pumps , there are 3 left Free Flo 1500 Free Flo 3500 and a Free Flow 11000 Might have to look at an alternative or ship one in :facepalm: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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