d2mini's "Essential Focus" Mixed Reef Build

[jschultzbass]

Thank you for the info! With the small amount of O3 I take it you don't need the carbon filter?

 

[d2mini]

Thank you for the info! With the small amount of O3 I take it you don't need the carbon filter?

The lifereef recirculates the unused ozone. I'm sure a little might escape.
If I open the stand and it's running I can smell it.
But I can also smell ozone when my AC kicks on and the air is passing through the ozone air sterilizer.

 

[jwilliams860]

Did you consider UV at all vs ozone? I just put water in my 150, it's non triton, but I have no experience with ozone yet. I do have everything to run it but I also have a UV sterilizer. So I've been on the fence on which to add or both. Thanks for any advice

 

[d2mini]

Did you consider UV at all vs ozone? I just put water in my 150, it's non triton, but I have no experience with ozone yet. I do have everything to run it but I also have a UV sterilizer. So I've been on the fence on which to add or both. Thanks for any advice

I did.
Depends what you are looking to get out of it.
If you are looking purely for cleaner water, either would work and UV is probably the safer way to go.

 

[d2mini]

Found this guy hanging out yesterday, baby starfish.
He's about 2" tall in this pic.

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

Found this guy hanging out yesterday, baby starfish.
He's about 2" tall in this pic.

These little cool things are one reason I love this hobby! Nice shot!

 

[d2mini]

These little cool things are one reason I love this hobby! Nice shot!

Yep, this is the kinda thing you just don't get with Freshwater!

 

[jazzmik]

Incredible setup!! The whole process from the start for that matter...

 

[d2mini]

So ya'll might remember how this build started out on page 1... painting the ground level deck that was installed by the previous owner. And then building the water mixing station.
Some of you thought the color was a bit strong, but for a couple of designers, we really liked how it turned out!

Well as you can see, the deck butted right up to the house which sits on a concrete slab.
We've had a ton of rain over the past year (its raining right now) and we started having a couple different moisture issues inside the house, effecting our wood floors.
Right along the threshold of those french doors we ended up with the floor rotting.

And this was NOT water coming over the threshold, the doors seal tight.
What I found out was that the deck was built over the original concrete patio which is still there.
And where the patio steps up a level along the house, the deck was sitting right on top of it.
Plus there was all the leaves and junk that would collect underneath, falling through the slats.
So with all the rain, it was never drying out. It was always wet wood on wet concrete.
The moisture was just wicking into the foundation all along the edge.
Nasty.

So unfortunately, the deck had to go.
Got my sawzall out and got to work!
Did this all myself over a weekend. It wasn't raining, but it was 98 degrees!

And a week later, here's my brother after we dragged it all to the street for heavy trash pickup.
(plus an old crib, lol)
In the pouring rain, I might add.
In fact my street was flooded when we got home and got started.

Since then, I had all the wood siding (standard bead board, christ) pulled off and changed to HardiPlank with the same look.
And same with the trim.
While it was off everything was checked for mold and water damage and we were ok except for one rotted 2x4 which was replaced.
Looks like we took care of it quick enough.

So that's the majority of what I've been working on for the last few weeks!
Now I'm sitting here with a mud pit of a backyard waiting until we can get a new patio built.
Waiting for @Diesel to swing by and work some magic like he did with our previous home.
We will NOT be installing a ground level deck, though! That's for sure.
And FWIW, it was VERY easy to move the mixing station!
The lines are all connected directly to the shed via quick fittings, so I just disconnected them, unplugged the one power cord and shoved it out of the way.
After emptying and removing the two water tanks.

 

[Diesel]

See ya in the morning my friend.

 

[Clayton Jessup]

I am sorry to hear about the deck and moister leak. But glad you got it fixed before it was to late . Props to you for also having the talent to being able to fix the home as well . I am sure the new patio/deck will look just as good or even better then before. Like the rest of the home.

 

[Diesel]

I worked up some kind of design.
Just waiting to get the ok from
Mrs d2mini

 

[Clayton Jessup]

Holy cow that looks amazing, hopefully she gives it the thumbs up [emoji12][emoji106]

 

[d2mini]

Holy cow that looks amazing, hopefully she gives it the thumbs up [emoji12][emoji106]

hahaha... i need the ok from Mrs d2mini's Sugar Daddy!

Hey, as long as I get to use the pool, too.

 

[Diesel]

Those are just two simple n

hahaha... i need the ok from Mrs d2mini's Sugar Daddy!

Hey, as long as I get to use the pool, too.

You Sir can P in the Pool............... others if no P we all called it OOL, lol!

 

[kschweer]

Everything's looking great Dennis! Can't wait to see what you and Ben come up with for the patio/backyard.

 

[Diesel]

Mrs d2mini liked the presentation.
Now running some numbers for Mr d2mini and we are set.
Btw. You might sell the Audi sooner my friend and I know a buyer

 

[d2mini]

Mrs d2mini liked the presentation.
Now running some numbers for Mr d2mini and we are set.
Btw. You might sell the Audi sooner my friend and I know a buyer

Yessir, always good to see the diesel. Reef talk, Landscape talk and Car talk. Pretty good morning!

Speaking of reef... Here's a few new shots. Some are new acros picked up recently.

 

[TighTT]

It's doing great.

The bottom return was plumbed to shoot water across the middle bottom of the tank. You can see pics early on of some schedule 80 pipe with an elbow on the end.
It sends the water under an arch in the middle of the rock work, towards the front glass.

What happens when the return pump turns off? I assume ELOS has some anti-siphon mechanism in there?

 

[d2mini]

What happens when the return pump turns off? I assume ELOS has some anti-siphon mechanism in there?

Siphon break built in. Only the overflow box drains to the sump.