Flip's Reef
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Flipside
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So, I found a used Vertex Puratek Deluxe 100GPD RO/DI unit (comes with booster and microprocessor computer) for $165. The guy is tossing in a refractometer and some spare parts for the unit, too (smart guy to have backups). 
I've owned this unit before and loved it, so nothing new there... I will need to get new filters, but they are a dime a dozen around here (as well as DI resin). I'll probably change out the RO membrane while I'm at it. Any way you look at it, the deal was worth it.
I'll post pics when I get it, and where it's going to be mounted. I have to get clearance from the wifey, first.
I've owned this unit before and loved it, so nothing new there... I will need to get new filters, but they are a dime a dozen around here (as well as DI resin). I'll probably change out the RO membrane while I'm at it. Any way you look at it, the deal was worth it.I'll post pics when I get it, and where it's going to be mounted. I have to get clearance from the wifey, first.
OP
OP
Flipside
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More this weekend (this is taking too long)!
I got some sand, salt, a power head that I've been wanting to try for some time now, my RODI and refractometer (came in mail on Thursday), and new filters for it.
1. Sand is Caribsea Seaflor Special Grade. I was going to use Reef Flakes, but I got a good deal on this stuff from my buddy who owns a LFS. This stuff was recommended to me by many folks, so it was my second choice any way.
2. Salt is AV Salinity. Same buddy hooked me up and I've had good results with it before.
3. PH is a Sicce Voyager 1250, I believe. I have some backups if this don't workout.
4. I went with the Vertex 100gpd unit and the Vertex refractometer.
5. Filters for RODI are Filmtec RO membrane, Spectrapure DI resin/canister, and some carbon blocks and sediment filters.
I have painted the inside of the tank's stand with oil based KILZ, and the final coats are drying as I thumb-type. It looks great, and when I open the doors in the future, it won't be hard to aee everything down/in there. Black is slimming, but it absorbs all the light!
Here's some cheapo phone pics:
Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2
I got some sand, salt, a power head that I've been wanting to try for some time now, my RODI and refractometer (came in mail on Thursday), and new filters for it.
1. Sand is Caribsea Seaflor Special Grade. I was going to use Reef Flakes, but I got a good deal on this stuff from my buddy who owns a LFS. This stuff was recommended to me by many folks, so it was my second choice any way.
2. Salt is AV Salinity. Same buddy hooked me up and I've had good results with it before.
3. PH is a Sicce Voyager 1250, I believe. I have some backups if this don't workout.
4. I went with the Vertex 100gpd unit and the Vertex refractometer.
5. Filters for RODI are Filmtec RO membrane, Spectrapure DI resin/canister, and some carbon blocks and sediment filters.
I have painted the inside of the tank's stand with oil based KILZ, and the final coats are drying as I thumb-type.
It looks great, and when I open the doors in the future, it won't be hard to aee everything down/in there. Black is slimming, but it absorbs all the light! Here's some cheapo phone pics:
Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2
prsnlty
Jackie
Sounds like it's coming along great! I have to say the I love the Sicce PH and wavemakers. I don't have them yet but one of my lfs uses them on a couple of their tanks. I'm getting two v4 ans one 3200. I think you will like the turbulance unlike the forced flow
following along....
125g mixed reef Peninsula
following along....
125g mixed reef Peninsula
OP
OP
Flipside
Well-Known Member
Thanks prsnlty! I'm not sure if I'll take it as far as that until I run them, though. I'd like to be SPS dominant, but I don't want too much flow because I'll have a sand bed this time around. I hope your're right! I hope the Sicce that I have forces me to buy more of them.
So, I got my RO/DI about 95% done last night. I did a little cable/tubing management (temporary) just to clean it up a bit, and tied-in my Tap line, sorted out the TDS meter, and ran it long enough to make sure there's no leaks. I will probably add-on a DI canister in the near future, but for now this'll do. I know it's a bit odd, but I took some pics of it last night.... Here they are:
Vertex's meter/cpu showing 00PP(M) for TDS. This measurement is taken at the end of the line (the good water).
This is my tap's TDS reading. Please ignore the Sharpie writing on the meter itself. I'll clean that up later, but the PO of the meter put those on there.
This is right after my RO membrane (it is still breaking in).
Here's the whole she-banga-bang... I'll clean it up more, later.
For those of you that wonder what waste water looks like.
I also put the doors on my stand, placed the sump in the stand, and the skimmer in the sump. I'm actually surprised I didn't take any pics of that! I think I got stuck on Diablo III or Bejeweled Blitz and just forgot.
I hope your're right! I hope the Sicce that I have forces me to buy more of them. So, I got my RO/DI about 95% done last night. I did a little cable/tubing management (temporary) just to clean it up a bit, and tied-in my Tap line, sorted out the TDS meter, and ran it long enough to make sure there's no leaks. I will probably add-on a DI canister in the near future, but for now this'll do. I know it's a bit odd, but I took some pics of it last night.... Here they are:
Vertex's meter/cpu showing 00PP(M) for TDS. This measurement is taken at the end of the line (the good water).
This is my tap's TDS reading. Please ignore the Sharpie writing on the meter itself. I'll clean that up later, but the PO of the meter put those on there.
This is right after my RO membrane (it is still breaking in).
Here's the whole she-banga-bang... I'll clean it up more, later.
For those of you that wonder what waste water looks like.
I also put the doors on my stand, placed the sump in the stand, and the skimmer in the sump. I'm actually surprised I didn't take any pics of that! I think I got stuck on Diablo III or Bejeweled Blitz and just forgot.
OP
OP
Flipside
Well-Known Member
Tonight, well so far, I cleaned out my 100g holding tank, that I'm using for RODI water. I had acid/water mixing around in it for a week. Water gets trapped in there and rather than using my shop vac to get it all out, I drilled it for a bulkhead toward the bottom.
I have about 50-60lbs of rock soaking in acid/water too. I put an old powerhead in there to stir it up. It's nasty so I put a lid over it.
More later...
Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2
I have about 50-60lbs of rock soaking in acid/water too. I put an old powerhead in there to stir it up. It's nasty so I put a lid over it.
More later...
Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2
OP
OP
Flipside
Well-Known Member
I went to a LFS at lunch today and purchased some fittings and bulkheads. Also got some BRS Kalk that they had in stock (was shocked that they were in-store now) and a powerhead (Koralia Evo 1400gph). Oh, and I also grabbed a couple of Kent float switches (love these things) and some Ecotech Coral Glue (love this stuff too). Spent a little over $150, but it's the little things, right?
Hindsight being 20/20, I forgot to eat...
Hindsight being 20/20, I forgot to eat...
OP
OP
Flipside
Well-Known Member
LOL! Good to know I'm not the only one out there! LOL! Thanks for the reply, Drew.
So, last night was spent doing homework with the kiddos, and watching The Avengers again. I can't get enough of that movie! I wanted to work on the tank, but I got wrapped up with watching the movie with the kids, walking the dog, then chatting with a buddy of mine about a carpet 'nem he wants to add to his tank. LMBO! Good stuff!
Tonight, the daughter and I have a class to attend, but then I'm going to start designing my stand system for the RO/DI station. I've got a good idea what I want to do, but I've been known to "engineer as I go," so to speak.
So, last night was spent doing homework with the kiddos, and watching The Avengers again. I can't get enough of that movie! I wanted to work on the tank, but I got wrapped up with watching the movie with the kids, walking the dog, then chatting with a buddy of mine about a carpet 'nem he wants to add to his tank. LMBO! Good stuff!
Tonight, the daughter and I have a class to attend, but then I'm going to start designing my stand system for the RO/DI station. I've got a good idea what I want to do, but I've been known to "engineer as I go," so to speak.
OP
OP
Flipside
Well-Known Member
Yes! Looking good, Drew! Oh... wait... :xd:
Thanks quajoreef... I think. LOL
So, here's a crude drawing of what I plan on trying to accomplish this weekend. I seriously doubt I'll get done, but I'll at least get started on it:
Thoughts and opinions are more than welcome, but I plan on using gravity as much as possible because it's free. I will have a pump for the salt mixing container and will use gravity to do water changes. I will have to use a pump to siphon out the old water in the sump until I install a sink in there. Then I'll try to automate that.
Thanks quajoreef... I think. LOL
So, here's a crude drawing of what I plan on trying to accomplish this weekend. I seriously doubt I'll get done, but I'll at least get started on it:
Thoughts and opinions are more than welcome, but I plan on using gravity as much as possible because it's free. I will have a pump for the salt mixing container and will use gravity to do water changes. I will have to use a pump to siphon out the old water in the sump until I install a sink in there. Then I'll try to automate that.
