Complicated Reefs

[pickupman66]

So, how complicated is your reef? I purchased another module for my controller this past weekend. it was not really what I expected it to be, but none the less, gives me some options. inorder to use these options, I really needed to wrap my head around my tank and where the power is going to so I made this Map of the system. Included are the controller and its modules and the items they control. Also the Plugs on the wall they draw power from. the system is on two breakers as well. one in the garage, and one inside the house.

In yellow are the proposed changes I plan to make tonight or this weekend sometime. Mainly taking the heaters off a home-made relay circuit(they draw too much for my pc4) and putting them onto my new PC1.

 

[roadrashpaul]

That is quite impressive LOL. Mine is nothing like that. No controller.... yet. Lights on a cheap timer from Lowes, top off is gravity fed and all my powerheads run 24/7. Pretty easy and good enough for me.

 

[schooleyosis]

:smash:

 

[Kworker]

Looking at the graph makes me happier I keep my system lightly stocked and simple. ROFL

 

[roadrashpaul]

Lindsey don't take this the wrong way at all but just as an outsider looking in, do you think this could be part of your problems? Maybe your system is over complicated and you should take a step back and simplify a few things. Just thinking outloud.

 

[pickupman66]

Paul. I appreciate the insight. this is maily the electrical routing. where every single device is plugged into. if you break it down by areas, it is actually more simple than you think.

Frag tank has heater, lights and pumps.

180 has 3 light circuits and two types of circ pumps

Sump has a return pump, skimmer heaters and chiller for summer.

Extraneous is the Calcium reactor which replaces dosing and makes alk very stable and the UV.. I could do away with that I guess.

 

[ToXIc]

:smash:

lol

 

[roadrashpaul]

Paul. I appreciate the insight. this is maily the electrical routing. where every single device is plugged into. if you break it down by areas, it is actually more simple than you think.

Frag tank has heater, lights and pumps.

180 has 3 light circuits and two types of circ pumps

Sump has a return pump, skimmer heaters and chiller for summer.

Extraneous is the Calcium reactor which replaces dosing and makes alk very stable and the UV.. I could do away with that I guess.

You are correct. I guess once I actually studied it for a few minutes its not too bad. Just me personally I like the KISS method as I am prone to screwing up things easily.

 

[Dowtish]

If you are new to the hobby or just a regular non hobbyist and you walk into my house and see my sump you would think, " What the heck is going on under there!"

When i look at it, it all seems to be pretty simple. My plumbing is about as simple as it gets minus the manifold, but in reality the manifold makes the system even more simple by only using one single pump to power the tank and 3 reactors and a chiller.

Paul- the longer you are in this hobby you will find yourself adding more and more things to automate the system and to make it less hassle free on you. It may appear complicated at first but once it is installed you realize you are just making it more "simple" to take care of.

 

[pickupman66]

Exactly what Chris said. I use one main system pump to power the calcium reactor the Carbon reactor the algae scrubber and the water delivery to the frag tank and the main tank.

 

[roadrashpaul]

If you are new to the hobby or just a regular non hobbyist and you walk into my house and see my sump you would think, " what the heck is going on under there!"

When i look at it, it all seems to be pretty simple. My plumbing is about as simple as it gets minus the manifold, but in reality the manifold makes the system even more simple by only using one single pump to power the tank and 3 reactors and a chiller.

Paul- the longer you are in this hobby you will find yourself adding more and more things to automate the system and to make it less hassle free on you. It may appear complicated at first but once it is installed you realize you are just making it more "simple" to take care of.

I have no doubt you are 100% correct about that. The only thing holding me back from adding a controller now is $$$.

Although I will say there are some things I never see myself having.

 

[pickupman66]

The folks from Midwest coral had a very complete reef angel controller unit for sale at the swamp. And he had a really good price on it. I almost bought it

I would not think of running an aquarium today without a controller.