1 metre cube tank build thread

WillpoleReefers · Jul 2, 2023

A holiday and work got in the way but progressing again today. Built much of a home rolled RODI. It’s designed to be fixable and flexible. Might change the DI for a bigger resin volume depending on how things go, easy to develop this. Control will be manual with flush plus PIC electronic controlled auto start and stop. TDS/conductivity will be measured post membrane, inter DI resin and outlet, initially at least. All feeding into the PIC to display the data and give alarms if needed. More plumbing and wiring to do yet!

Steve

WillpoleReefers · Jul 6, 2023

Another day of work creating the “fish loft”

WillpoleReefers · Jul 20, 2023

Today I got the loft installed RODI system into basic manual operation. It will have PIC micro based automation and TDS monitoring in time. Needs further work!

Gumbies R Us · Jul 20, 2023

WillpoleReefers said:
Today I got the loft installed RODI system into basic manual operation. It will have PIC micro based automation and TDS monitoring in time. Needs further work!

Nice RODI setup!

WillpoleReefers · Jul 20, 2023

Gumbies R Us said:
Nice RODI setup!

Thanks it’s getting there. I’m getting some useful input over in my thread in DIY which may help develop it further.

Link: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/diy-rodi.997615/

This afternoon I put together version 0.1 of a controller for the RO setup and salt mix. The boards are off my shelf and very much early stage/old designs but will do to start some coding.

WillpoleReefers · Jul 30, 2023

Saltwater waste plumbing connected. Up to the loft then crossing the the house to get waste to the drain system. Was worried the NRV would be a bit strong for the test pump (cheap bilge pump) but it all works fine and pumped the sump near dry. Needed to rig a custom connection in the loft to get 20mm pressure pipe to connect to 40mm waste. End stop and a tank connector did it. No style points but it works

WillpoleReefers · Aug 5, 2023

Some testing on measuring conductivity using a PIC and a TDS interface board. TDS in towards 260, out around 0. Obviously we sample between the two resin chambers and post RO in the long term, 4 places. This code is running on a small 12F PIC but will be developed into the 4 channel final version running on a PIC18F which will also control the RO units solenoid valves. Also salt mixing in the long term.

I’m

Celestion · Aug 5, 2023

Acrylic aquarium? 6 inches off a full cube will fine incredible even , 3/4" will work , go full 1" if possible

Celestion · Aug 5, 2023

With glass id keep the height at 30 " limit , and 24" makes the build lighter and simplifys the maintenance

WillpoleReefers · Aug 5, 2023

Celestion said:
Acrylic aquarium? 6 inches off a full cube will fine incredible even , 3/4" will work , go full 1" if possible

Will be Optiwhite glass and heavy! I’m going to try to get it built in situ, going to start exploring that option soon. I’m going to get it as near to a cube as possible, have not finally decided the height. Ceiling height is the key thing. Need room for the lights and slightly awkward access from a ladder

Steve

7of9 · Aug 5, 2023

I’m loving the creative workarounds you’ve been using to use the space you have available. I never would have thought of putting an RO/DI system in an attic like this. I can’t imagine it was easy doing all this work in those tight quarters!

Celestion · Aug 5, 2023

3/4" will be the limit on low iron glass , make sure its a expert level build , glasscages and others has pro level quality , heavy euro brace the floor and top of course , even a tempered floor is best , with 1" acrylic the full cube is no problem , lol

WillpoleReefers · Aug 5, 2023

7of9 said:
I’m loving the creative workarounds you’ve been using to use the space you have available. I never would have thought of putting an RO/DI system in an attic like this. I can’t imagine it was easy doing all this work in those tight quarters!

The truly bad part was getting the waste saltwater away. Wrong side of the house. A lot of crawling in unpleasant spaces to thread that 40mm pipe across to overhead the small bathroom. It is done, it works, doesn’t leak. Never have to do that job again in my lifetime best that can be said . The RO work feels luxurious by comparison in that space. I’ve got it well lit and boarded under now, makes things more pleasant. Ordering a lot of piping and fittings plus a bilge pump for emptying as we speak. I’m going to take the sump live without a tank and get the Jaubert bed in action soon. Just don’t want to have to lift that tank in, hoping a home build is possible!

Steve

WillpoleReefers · Aug 5, 2023

Celestion said:
3/4" will be the limit on low iron glass , make sure its a expert level build , glasscages and others has pro level quality , heavy euro brace the floor and top of course , even a tempered floor is best , with 1" acrylic the full cube is no problem , lol

I’ve talked to multiple companies and the pros seem to think it is possible. I am going to try a different one as no offers to build in situ yet, but there is a UK company advertising this that is promising I think.

Steve

Celestion · Aug 5, 2023

UK oh I not see that , lol , is it a reason your going glass

WillpoleReefers · Aug 6, 2023

Celestion said:
UK oh I not see that , lol , is it a reason your going glass

Acrylic doesn‘t seem as common here in the UK, most builders seem to be using glass. Also there seems to be a fair bit of advice favouring glass out there when you do seek it. Starting a debate was not my intent though

WillpoleReefers · Aug 10, 2023

Did some plumbing today including sump pump out to my overhead loft level drain. Used the bits I had, I know the layout isn’t perfect. Used a Jabsco 24V boat bilge pump, has the advantage of being self priming so doesn‘t sit in the sump. Can pump out either of the two sump compartments (Jaubert section or main sump) using a pump above waterline. One day might set up auto water change, but manual should be easy enough with this setup.

WillpoleReefers · Aug 24, 2023

OK so the weak Eheim tubing wasn’t up to the job of a diaphragm bilge pump …. Those things try to shake the building and it sucks like crazy! So, pump side tubing replaced with 19mm auto silicone which seems excellent. Suction outlet tube mounted really solidly to plywood using MDPE pipe clips too. Cheaper and better than the weak PVC clips meant for that pipe. 5 of those suckers really nailed the vibrations.