Gilroy 425g Build Thread (All Apex, all the time)

[markstubb]

I have tapped an existing 220 circuit already (originally for the previous owners tanning beds) in the garage and used that for two separate circuits for most of the gear that is down in the FishCave.

Hi Terence,
Did you take the existing 220v ckt and just split the two hots into two separate 110V ckt's, without replacing the breaker? If so, that's pretty dangerous, especially around water, as if you only "tripped" one side of the breaker, it's likely the other would keep the breaker closed, causing a bad situation.

Just saying

 

[RamsReef]

Hi Terence,
Did you take the existing 220v ckt and just split the two hots into two separate 110V ckt's, without replacing the breaker? If so, that's pretty dangerous, especially around water, as if you only "tripped" one side of the breaker, it's likely the other would keep the breaker closed, causing a bad situation.

Just saying

False.
The breaker handles are joined so that if one leg trips they both trip. You do not even have to buy a breaker with them together, you can add that feature after so long as they are beside each other and each on a different voltage leg.
You also cannot HOLD a breaker on, it's called TRIP-FREE and it is a requirement of breakers to have this feature. When a breaker TRIPS the mechanism is FREE to operate without being held closed.

 

[markstubb]

Learn something new every day. That being said, is it still 'safe' to operate two 110v ckt's off a 220v breaker?

Just seems sketchy to me that you're depending on the breaker to have enough umph to throw the married breaker in the event of a trip.

It also sounds dangerous to me to operate a 220v device on separate pole/phased breakers if they're not connected, which you make it sound like no big deal. Sure, it'll work, but why?

 

[RamsReef]

Its how your kitchen works man, the top and the bottom receptacle are on separate circuits with a shared neutral. If you load one circuit up to max, typically 80% rated for thermal breakers, say 12 amps for 15 amp breaker the neutral will also be taking 12 amps. Since the phases are 180 degrees out of phase if you load up the other phase to 12 amps as well there will be 0 amps flowing on the neutral, the neutral picks up the imbalance between the two phases. They have a lot of umph, go flick a breaker on and off, how hard was it to turn on? You are charging a spring in there. How hard was it to turn it off? You are just overcomming a latch mechanism and then the spring takes over.

They have to be connected, I don't believe I said they didn't have to be, I stated you can use two breakers that were not connected and then connect them via a metal bar or similar locking device. Go look at a breaker, you might see a little round hole on the tab, that hole is for a metal bar for this purpose, or a tag for information.

 

[Damion]

Electricians Battle Royale, Sunday! Sunday! Sunday!

 

[markstubb]

My apologies, I wasn't trying to put words in your mouth, was more asking to clarify for other readers. I'd never wire that way, even though it'd work, I'd just buy the correct breaker. I'm aware one can link breakers with a bar, I just wouldn't.

My kitchen has two separate 20A circuit runs, separated by physical outlet and not by top and bottle receptacle. It was built in 2011. it's just normal 12/2 to each outlet, with standard GFCI line protected 15A receptacles. Basically one side of the kitchen is one ckt, another on the other. I do like the idea of split receptacle though. Makes sense.

back to the tank!

 

[Terence]

Thanks for the insight guys. The FishCave and the Display Tank will be kept separate. I will be installing A new breaker and run a new line for these lights.

 

[Terence]

In other news, I am having some die off on some of my sps frags - can't figure out why because the tanks main numbers are all good. Thinking I am going to do a Triton test just to make sure something weird isn't going on here.

Could be an over-lighting issue I guess.

 

[Terence]

It's been slow. One one day another two days later. Slow from the bottom. Gone by the next day.

 

[justingraham]

Bugs?

 

[RamsReef]

It's been slow. One one day another two days later. Slow from the bottom. Gone by the next day.

:/

 

[Terence]

Bugs?

No. I have a really good eye for things like red bugs. I can spot them fast especially at night with a flashlight. That is not it. Besides, one of the Pocillapora are doing it too. One thing I did notice is it's all on the side that gets a ton more flow from one of my WAV. That could possibly be it.

Lots of them still doing fine. Encrusting, polyp extension, montipora encrusting.

Going to take some light measurements starting tomorrow. Putting the PMK back in.

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

I know you're an expert aquarist but could it be the tank is too young for SPS?

 

[Terence]

I know you're an expert aquarist but could it be the tank is too young for SPS?

I don't think so. It has been pretty well established now for months. All the numbers are stable and I have not had issues with any algae outbreaks etc. There is an awesome pod population now in the DT and the sump, and my various macro-algae, sponges, squirts, and tubeworms are growing well. Lots of diversity. SPS are encrusting. Other sps such as montipora are encusting and growing like crazy.

I did have one incident a week ago that could possibly be related as it is the only anomaly. I was a dumb user and put a new AFS on the tank, filled it up with food, mounted it, sat back, hit the feed button and watched a full tablespoon of pellets rain down into the tank. It could have caused a short term ammonia spike, but subsequent nitrate and phosphate tests were good. Bonehead move #2 is that overnight my mounting method for the AFS came loose and the feeder was bobbing in the water in the morning. See, even the Neptune guy does these things!

My hunch is light or flow (possibly too much of either or both) are the culprit here.

 

[Damion]

I was thinking this might be easier to construct, possibly more stable. (forgive the freehand drawing on my phone)

 

[justingraham]

Updates?

 

[Terence]

Busy with life! Need to do electrical. I should be on it soon. Tank is doing good. SPS not so much still and I can't understand why. I still think I will send some water to Triton just in case something weird is going on.

Could just be too much light. Some are doing great like the montiporas. Acroporas not so much growth except one or two types. Anacropora is growing really well.

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

Busy with life! Need to do electrical. I should be on it soon. Tank is doing good. SPS not so much still and I can't understand why. I still think I will send some water to Triton just in case something weird is going on.

Could just be too much light. Some are doing great like the montiporas. Acroporas not so much growth except one or two types. Anacropora is growing really well.

Are they surviving or just not thriving?

 

[Terence]

THIS. Is finally happening today.

 

[Terence]

Ok. Electrical all done. We have 220v juice coming up to the tank and I have a universal EB6 connected. Plugged the light in and Voila!