CalmSeasQuest's Big Blue Wall

[CalmSeasQuest]

I did something tonight haven't done in many years - I mixed up a couple gallons of 2-part for the stock tank.

I feel vindicated for saving my dosing pumps after going CaRx. Now I just have to remember my dosing schedule and the apex dosing commands.

 

[Dowtish]

I did something tonight haven't done in many years - I mixed up a couple gallons of 2-part for the stock tank.

I feel vindicated for saving my dosing pumps after going CaRx. Now I just have to remember my dosing schedule and the apex dosing commands.

Reeftronics.net

Bottom right of the page has an OSC calculator. Download the spreadsheet in Word and it does everything for you.

 

[bknapp]

Epic before water. Insane!

 

[CalmSeasQuest]

Reeftronics.net
Bottom right of the page has an OSC calculator. Download the spreadsheet in Word and it does everything for you.

Thanks Chris- LOVE the calculator!

 

[CalmSeasQuest]

Epic before water. Insane!

Thanks Brandon

Strangely, I've heard the term insane quite frequently as of late :lalala:

 

[bknapp]

Thanks Brandon

Strangely, I've heard the term insane quite frequently as of late :lalala:

I think we all have.

 

[CalmSeasQuest]

Happiness is....40 amps of dedicated circuits





Waterproof covers are on the way for all outlets close to the tank.

 

[KoleTang]

Can't wait to see more!

 

[CalmSeasQuest]

Can't wait to see more!

Thanks Lucas - Me Too

The rest of the electrical components were delivered. In addition to the Apex EB8s which will manage all the devices that need to be controlled,


1400VA UPS for critical systems (controller, water movement and emergency heat.) I like the APC Smart-UPS line as you can adjust the input sensitivity to compensate for the "dirty"power output of my generator.


All circuits will be protected by a individual auto-resetting GFCIs


Trip Lite all metal commercial, 20 outlet power strip will power all the non-Apex items


Cabling will be run in 2.25" cable chase

 

[CalmSeasQuest]

Progress continues albeit, slowly.

I spoke w/Steve at GLA - They are behind largely due to the weather. They plan on starting on my tank and sump this week. Delivery should be less than 2 weeks away.

I've been working through how to handle GAC and GFO. I wanted fluidized reactors with small footprints that can be easily plumbed using the manifold. Perhaps most importantly, as these require frequent maintenance, I was looking for the easiest-to-service options. I decided on a pair of the the Vertex RX-U 2.5L


These will run ROX0.8 and BRS HiCap GFO.

I've been torn between using a Kalk reactor or large still-well. I've decided to use 40 gallon brute which will be located next to the saltwater station. This removes more equipment from the cabinet, lessens maintenance and allows for the addition of vinegar to the ATO Kalk if desired.

I've also started acquiring livestock - The Mid Michigan Swap was a great success and I picked up more then 40 SPS and Acan frags. I also placed large orders with Pacific East Aquaculture and found some stunning Acans at Mr.Coral. All combined there are more than 100 new additions to the grow out tank en-route.

 

[Jimbo662]

what are you using the GFCI plugs on? I need to get at least one for my apex.

 

[CalmSeasQuest]

what are you using the GFCI plugs on? I need to get at least one for my apex.

Each individual circuit will have a separate GFCI covering all devices. I divided things up for maximum redundancy, load balancing and to leverage critical needs on the UPS. The power plan is below....

Circuit #1 (20Amp) ~800W
Tripp Light commercial 20 outlet metal power strip on Tower Shock Buster auto resetting GFI
1-7 7X - Kessil 360WE LED lights (7X90W=630W)
8 - CaRx feed pump - 50W
9 - Apex power plug (for power fail sensing) - 10W
10 - CaRx mixing pump - 50W
11 - MP60 - 60W (Vortech battery backup)
12 - MP60 - 60W (Vortech battery backup)
13- 20 - Future Use

Circuit #2 (20 Amp - Saltwater station) ~780W
EB8 on GFCI outlet
1 - Waveline DC12000 Mixing/Transfer pump - 170W
2 - Aquatec 8800 RO Boost Pump - 110W
3 - ASW Heater/300W
4 - AWC Masterflex Pump - 100W
5 - ATO/Kalk Pump (YTBD)
6-8 Future Use

Circuit #3 (15 Amp) (1400VA APC SmartUPS) ~ 495W
EB8 on Tower Shock Buster auto resetting GFI -
1 - Fluval SP6 return pump - 135W
2 - Heater/300W (set at 76f/78f)
3 - WP-60 - 60W
4 - 8 Future Use

Circuit #4 (20 Amp) ~590W
EB8 on Tower Shock Buster auto resetting GFI
1 - Heater/300W (set at 77f/79f)
2 - Vertex Vectra Skimmer neck cleaner - 20W
3 - BK Skimmer - 50W
4 - Cabinet lights - 50W
5 - WP-60 - 60W
6 - Fuge/Frag light - 90W
7 - Moon lights - 10W
8 - AP Digital CO2 regulator - 10W

 

[jeffthomas]

This build is AWESOME! Waiting with anticipation to see how you bring it all together.

 

[CalmSeasQuest]

This build is AWESOME! Waiting with anticipation to see how you bring it all together.

Thanks Jeff - I'm looking forward to actually getting the tank

 

[CalmSeasQuest]

I had time to un-box and inspect the Vertex media reactors.



My initial reaction is that of disappointment.



Both units were received from BRS having been opened with the seals broken



The top O-ring on one unit is damaged, the O-ring on the other unit was badly twisted.



Although difficult to see in the photo, the section where the downtube and O-ring mates with the top-lid is badly scarred which, if left unpolished, I imaging would quickly destroy the O-ring.



One unit was supplied with a spare main O-ring (seen in the bottom of the right unit) whereas the other contained no spare.



My greatest disappointment is the overall design of the unit. I was willing to pay a premium for these as I had hoped they would provide the simplest/fastest cleaning and media replacement. The downtube O-ring has to be engaged 4 times for each cleaning and media replacement as both the top lid and top diffuser plate must be removed over the very tight-fitting O-ring on the downtube. It's very tedious to do. Based on the fact one O-ring was received damaged and the other twisted - Even with proper lubrication, it will seemingly result in a very short life and far too-frequent O-ring replacement.

I'll reach out to BRS and see how they and Vertex will handle the issues before determining if I keep these, or return them and choose alternate reactors.

 

[bknapp]

I hope BRS will make it right, I'm sure they will. Still very disappointing to see.

 

[CalmSeasQuest]

Just heard from GLA, the tank is being built today and might be delivered as soon as this Sunday. I'm also having the back of the sump blacked out to minimize light leakage from partially un-skinned section of back of the stand.

RX-U 2.5L problems - I finally got a hold of BRS, they are shipping 2 replacement reactors. I also called Proline Aquatics (Vertex distributor) hoping to get a few replacement O-rings. They said they had none to sell currently as they needed them for warranty replacement. Apparently there as a manufacturing defect in some reactors where the O-ring channel was cut too shallow, resulting in a very tight fit and the O-ring being quickly destroyed.

Hopefully the replacements on the way from BRS won't be part of the defective group.

 

[CalmSeasQuest]

The Apex AFS and Crossover Diet finally came in...



I also wanted to clarify the Vertex media reactor open-box issue. BRS told me that they were opening and inspecting all the Vertex reactors as many had shipped without the unions. They were also kind to advance ship replacement reactors.

Thanks BRS!

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

Glad to hear about the replacements. BRS is very good at what they do.