Finally! My 220g slice of the reef

Jbell370 · Mar 8, 2021

I'm just trying to figure out the best way to automate it, the Tunze system looks good. I want to turn it on, flush membrane for 5 minutes then fill the ATO. These two tanks are only for saltwater for the auto water change system.

Oberst Hajj · Mar 8, 2021

You should be able to flush the membrane with the use of a Y connector and two Apex SV-1solenoids. RODI output goes to the Y and then one SV-1 on each line after it. One line goes to the waste and one to your RODI reservoir. Then it is just a matter of programing the SV-1s to open in the correct order to send the water where you want it. You need a third SV-1 before for the Y (or before the RODI system as a whole) to turn water flow on.

At least that is my idea on how to do it.

Jbell370 · Mar 9, 2021

I have just heard that typical solenoids will fail due to high TDS from supply and membrane, hence the thought of Tunze mechanical ball valves, not cheap, but a divorce costs more.

Jbell370 · Mar 9, 2021

Layout for the skin around the stand has arrived. All logos will light up, cooling fans etc...getting exciting

Oberst Hajj · Mar 9, 2021

Jbell370 said:
I have just heard that typical solenoids will fail due to high TDS from supply and membrane, hence the thought of Tunze mechanical ball valves, not cheap, but a divorce costs more.

I don't recall seeing a lot of SV-1 failure threads, but this might be a more cost effective solution.

Jbell370 · Mar 9, 2021

My original plan was the Apex valves, I bought a bunch of them and optical sensors. I'm not really concerned with the large water units as I have an emergency drain plumbed in. My concern is the auto fill on the ATO that will be within the stand and around plenty of expensive electronics. With the timer function I would at worst case get a notice and could manually turn off should there be several failures. Basically want to have 3 forms of fail-safe.

Jbell370 · Mar 13, 2021

Finally water is flowing, started last night at 10pm, using a new 6 stage BRS 200gpd unit. This is at 5:30 this morning.

Decided on sand, bare bottom just didn't look right for me. 6 bags was all that the store had, so took them and have another 3 arriving tomorrow.

Oberst Hajj · Mar 14, 2021

I'm glad to see you decided on sand as well, I think they look so much more natural with sand. So it looks like you are filling the tank with RODI and will mix the salt in later?

Jbell370 · Mar 14, 2021

I agree, I've been in salt since I was 13 and approaching 50 now, every tank I've had used sand or crushed coral etc. I know the extra maintenance in cleaning the sand, but that is relaxing to me.

You are correct, it was full this morning and I have just started to add salt. I need more sand which apparently will be delivered later today. Hopefully get all the salt in and the extra couple bags of sand.

My mixing station is all done now, so have to take it apart and move that to its final resting place.

Jbell370 · Mar 14, 2021

Tank filled, salinity @ 1.025 and the balance of my sand in. Water mixing station done and in its final resting place.

Oberst Hajj · Mar 15, 2021

It is really looking good man!

Jbell370 · Mar 16, 2021

Took me forever to sort out the overflow, was very loud, wrong pipes in the wrong spots, results of over tired and trying to do too much in too little time. I put 1 light up yesterday just to see, I think I am going to mount them perpendicular to the bar, I have 5 units, so that should provide enough coverage for now. Also added a couple bottles of bacteria to get things going.

ZachP · Mar 17, 2021

Looking killer so far! That scape is going to look awesome with some corals grown in

Jbell370 · Mar 18, 2021

ZachP said:
Looking killer so far! That scape is going to look awesome with some corals grown in

Thank you, still so many little things to be completed, but it is getting there.

Jbell370 · Mar 30, 2021

A little update, work has been crazy busy. Half of the equipment is up and running, water station good to go and full. Stand skin being worked on.

Oberst Hajj · Mar 31, 2021

Are those going to be your display boards? They look sweet! Are you making them or having them made?

Jbell370 · Mar 31, 2021

You are correct, those are the 2 end pieces, 1 for the 4 vortechs and battery backups the other for some of the Neptune gear. I am having them made by a CNC design shop.

Oberst Hajj · Mar 31, 2021

Jbell370 said:
You are correct, those are the 2 end pieces, 1 for the 4 vortechs and battery backups the other for some of the Neptune gear. I am having them made by a CNC design shop.

Nice, is it a local sign shop and did you design them in a CAD program your self? We need more details on this.

Jbell370 · Mar 31, 2021

Local as it gets, I am in Niagara area and they are located in Toronto, maybe 90 minute drive. I run a steel fabrication shop hence the HSS metal stand, which I have now built many for friends. The original thought was plain wood, painted high gloss as I liked the Red Sea stands, then looked at HDPE sheets either way the plan was to route out circles in the back to add magnets that would hold to the stand. Then I happened across Adaptive Reef, on here as Elder if I recall. I had my CAD guy at the office draw up what I had and specs then Kyle took that and ran with it, he has the templates for the Ecotech and Neptune equipment so that part was easy for the ends of the stand, since he has added some other special effects and of course the front yet to be seen. Should be a great center piece for me.

Oberst Hajj · Mar 31, 2021

Jbell370 said:
Local as it gets, I am in Niagara area and they are located in Toronto, maybe 90 minute drive. I run a steel fabrication shop hence the HSS metal stand, which I have now built many for friends. The original thought was plain wood, painted high gloss as I liked the Red Sea stands, then looked at HDPE sheets either way the plan was to route out circles in the back to add magnets that would hold to the stand. Then I happened across Adaptive Reef, on here as Elder if I recall. I had my CAD guy at the office draw up what I had and specs then Kyle took that and ran with it, he has the templates for the Ecotech and Neptune equipment so that part was easy for the ends of the stand, since he has added some other special effects and of course the front yet to be seen. Should be a great center piece for me.

Cool, I thought that looked like Elder's work and workshop. He does amazing stuff.