Reef tank parimeters

Hi guys, I would like to share some info on reef tank parimeters. Over the years of tank maintenance, this is what i have discovered, in order for majority of the corals to strive in your tank, these are the parimeters that you would like to maintain for your tank:

• PH 8.0-8.3
• KH 9.0-12.0 dkh
• Calcium 390-450 ppm
• Magnesium 1200-1350 ppm
• Phosphate 0-0.03ppm
• NO2 0 ppm
• NO3 0-20 ppm
• NH3/NH4 0 ppm

You can visit this site http://www.tanktests.co.uk/test-results-parameters.htm and get a good understanding on the parimeters affecting your reef tank.

Pacific Coo thermostat model AVE-2000

Steps to set chiller temp (thermostat model AVE-2000)

1. Press and hold set button for 3-5 secs. (_ _ _ will appear)
2. Click 'up' then 'star' button, 'up' then 'star', 'up' then 'star'. (1 1 1, this is the default password and F01 menu will appear)
3. While in F01 menu, click 'star' button, the present cut in setting will show. Click 'up' or 'down' button to choose the temperature at which your chiller will start to run. Click 'set' button once. (the display will blink and goes back to F01)
4. Now while in f01 menu, click 'up' to F02, click the 'star' button, this is the cut off temperature setting at which the chiller will stop sunning. Click 'up' or 'down' button to choose the ideal temperature you want the chiller to chill down to. Click 'set' button once. (the display will blink and goes back to F02)
5. While in F02, click and hold 'set' button 3-5 secs. (present tank temperature will display, your setting is memorised)
6. For function F03, its thermostat calibration, you can calibrate the temperature between tank and thermostat, from -5 to +5 degrees. (ignore it)
7. F04 is the time delay in minutes when the chiller is switch on. (ignore it)
8. F05 is the defrosting cycle (not in use for chiller application, its being set to 0)
9. F06 is the defrosting cycle timing (not in use for chiller application, its being set to 0)
10. F07 is the alarm setting (not in use, by default remain at 20)
11. F08 is the setting for function between chilling for chiller application or heating for heaters (its being set to 0 for chiller and 1 for cut off device reef saver for lighting)
12. P01 to P03 is the password setting, you can set your password for the thermostat if you want to. (ignore it)
13. To set F03, F04, F05, F06, F07, F08, P01, P02 or P03, the follow the steps mentioned aboved.

Here are the quick reference settings:

• F01- cut in temperature
• F02- cut out temperature
• F03- remains at 0
• F04- remains at 3 or 0
• F05- Remains at 0 (or set to 0)
• F06- Remains at 0 (or set to 0)
• F07- remains at 20
• F08- 0 for chiller or 1 for reef saver (cut off device for lighting)
• p01- 1 (password)
• P02- 1 (password)
• P03- 1 (password)

Tank maintenance pictures

Although this is a soft coral tank, each soft coral are of 1ft to 1.5ft in size. The tank is 4ft(L) by 3.5ft(W) by 2.25ft(H) in size.

These few pictures not professionally taken from one of my tank maintenance, reflections are all over the places, this is a mixture of soft coral and LPS tank. Tank size is 6ft(L) by 2ft(W) by 2.5ft(H).

Will be taking more pictures of my maintenance tank and post it in soon

Chiller failure?

Here are the list of things for quick reference to check before calling a technician for repair:

• Normal room temperature air flow felt at chiller
• Thermostat showing incorrect temperature (reading fluctuating)
• No air flow
• Compressor not running
• No electrical supply to chiller
• Chiller very dusty and dirty

If any of the above is the true, you can contact me at +65 97979910 to arrange an appointment for repair.

Chiller Diagnosis

How do you know whether your chiller needs servicing? How do you know your chiller is failing? Whether is it worth to buy that 2nd hand chiller? These are all the questions asked when people call me. Think i will put it into my blog for people to easy access when needed.

Visual checks - check whether the chiller is covered in dust, especially the chokage to the condenser. What is a condenser? The condenser of the chiller is for freon gas heat exchange. Here are the list of brands of chiller condenser location, with the help of a torch light, look for signs of dust chokage, the front of chiller is always the view at which you view thermostat reading:

Picture of condenser

• Old version Haile chillers (white), condenser is located above the chill water inlet and outlet.
• New version Haile chiller (black) smaller horse power unit, the condenser is located infront, you will be able to see it when you open up the front panel.
• New version Haile chiller (black) bigger horse power unit, the condenser is located behind.
• Teco older version chillers (black) smallest horse power unit, the condenser is located at the bottom of chiller.
• Teco older version chillers (black) higher horse power unit, the condenser is located at the back.
• Teco newer version chillers (grey), the condenser is located at the bottom.
• Atman chillers (light grey), the condenser is located at the back.
• Resun chillers model 280, 450, 650, 300 (black & grey for 280), condenser is at the back.
• Arctica chillers indoor unit, condenser is located in front.
• Arctica chillers outdoor unit, condenser is located at the back.
• Pacific Coo chillers all version, condenser is located in front.

Listen for adnormal noise - noise like high pitch shrieking sound, loud knocking sound that vibrates chiller. Usually if the chiller fan fails, loud knocking sound with vibration can be heard, no air flows when chiller is running, its best to switch off chiller to prevent further damage.

High pitch shrieking sound most likely leads to fan motor failing.

Fan motor air flow sound can be heard but not chiller compressor, most likely compressor seized, capacitor of compressor blown, relay of compressor failed or thermostat faulty.

Most important of all, check for hot air flow. If the chiller is healthy, without dust chokage, you should be able to feel hot air flow. If there is no hot air flow the following most likely the cause:

• compressor failure or seized
• thermostat failure, compressor not cut in
• gas leakage
• fan motor failing, fan motor is not spining at max speed
• compressor not cut in due to blown capacitor, faulty relay or faulty wiring.

As long as you can feel hot air flow from chiller, most likely the chiller is healthy. Or in the case of choosing a 2nd hand chiller, its rather worth to get a chiller with hot air felt. This is only a general guide, you can contact me at +65 97979910 for chiller repair, servicing or enquiries regarding chiller issues.

Pacific Coo thermostat Model AVE-1000

Steps to set chiller temp (thermostat model AVE-1000)

1. 1. Press and hold set button for 3-5 secs. (_ _ _ will appear)
2. 2. Click 'up' then 'star' button, 'up' then 'star', 'up' then 'star'. (1 1 1, this is the default password and F01 menu will appear)
3. 3. While in F01 menu, click 'star' button, the present cut in setting will show. Click 'up' or 'down' button to choose the temperature at which your chiller will start to run. Click 'set' button once. (the display will blink and goes back to F01)
4. Now while in f01 menu, click 'up' to F02, click the 'star' button, this is the cut off temperature setting at which the chiller will stop sunning. Click 'up' or 'down' button to choose the ideal temperature you want the chiller to chill down to. Click 'set' button once. (the display will blink and goes back to F02)
5. While in F02, click and hold 'set' button 3-5 secs. (present tank temperature will display, your setting is memorised)
6. For function F03, its thermostat calibration, you can calibrate the temperature between tank and thermostat, from -5 to +5 degrees. (ignore it)
7. F04 is the time delay in minutes when the chiller is switch on. (ignore it)
8. P01 to P03 is the password setting, you can set your password for the thermostat if you want to. (ignore it)
9. To set F03, F04, P01, P02 or P03, the follow the steps mentioned aboved.