Maggie's Mixed Reef Build V3, now a 75!

Mhamilton0911 · Mar 3, 2024

So since I've been thinking of ways to streamline all my tanks, so everything is as easy as possible, not only for my day to day things but also so I can take a vacation in the future.

I've decided overall I have 2 really similar tanks and I could probably combine the two. The 13.5 Evo and the 15g IM cube. The cube has no real purpose and it's inhabitants can easily go anywhere, but I really like this tank and how it's designed. I like it's location and maintenance has been easy. No permanent corals in it yet so blank canvas really. Dislike the Evo, honestly the baffle design sucks compared to the cube, and I maintain this one the least. But a lot of Corals to take out, 3 types of anenomes, an established Duncan colony glued to the rock, and a few euphillias.

Here's glorious blue dirty glass pictures.
Cube

Evo

Mhamilton0911 · Mar 4, 2024

New stuffs.

Mhamilton0911 · Mar 4, 2024

I like the test kit, but are my nitrates really that low? 2ppm?

I haven't tested in a while since I hate the Hanna lowrange one, and I ran out of salifert.

I was usually above the 5ppm limit of the low range Hanna, so that's why I'm surprised to see it at 2ppm.

Also, got the dosing pump hooked up, tested, calibrated and ready to install, but I need to figure out the scheduling part of the app. My little dosing container looks like it will work, it'll hold over 2000ml so should be plenty for my needs. And wow, the tubing in this pump is tiny and not all airline is created equal. I know that now.

Mhamilton0911 · Mar 4, 2024

Currently printing a shelf for the little pump.

I have lots of room but I also need to leave space for an ATO resovior, which I still haven't installed...

Mhamilton0911 · Mar 4, 2024

Printed tiny shelf. Fits the pump perfect, visually a little blemised but useable.

Mhamilton0911 · Mar 4, 2024

I went ahead and installed the ATO while I was waiting for the shelf to print. The tunze 3152.

If I feel confident in this one, I'll get a bigger resovior. This holds a gallon.

Mhamilton0911 · Mar 5, 2024

Well the ATO overfilled over night? Went about 3" over the sensor. But did not empty the container, so I guess the overfill safety did shut it off. Not sure why.

Same exact scenario with the last ATO that was an optical sensor. Which is why I went float sensor this time.

So confused. Unplugged for now.

rmorris_14 · Mar 5, 2024

Mhamilton0911 said:
Well the ATO overfilled over night? Went about 3" over the sensor. But did not empty the container, so I guess the overfill safety did shut it off. Not sure why.

Same exact scenario with the last ATO that was an optical sensor. Which is why I went float sensor this time.

So confused. Unplugged for now.

@F i s h y

tbrown · Mar 5, 2024

Which ATO did you get?

tbrown · Mar 5, 2024

Also also, is there an anti-siphon that's above water? That's a possible fail point if not.

Mhamilton0911 · Mar 5, 2024

Tunze 3152. It didn't come with a siphon break like the other one did, now that I'm thinking about it. But I did make sure that the fill hose is not submerged at all.

Osmolator 3 Nano Auto Top Off

Effortless Stability for Your Nano Aquarium Precision Optical Sensor for Consistent Water Levels High-Performance, Low-Voltage Dosing Pump Recommended for Tanks up to 66 Gallons Easy & Strong Magnetic Mounting Built with Durable, High-Quality Materials The Tunze Osmolator® 3 Nano Auto Top...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

tbrown · Mar 5, 2024

Mhamilton0911 said:
Tunze 3152. It didn't come with a siphon break like the other one did, now that I'm thinking about it. But I did make sure that the fill hose is not submerged at all.

Osmolator 3 Nano Auto Top Off

Effortless Stability for Your Nano Aquarium Precision Optical Sensor for Consistent Water Levels High-Performance, Low-Voltage Dosing Pump Recommended for Tanks up to 66 Gallons Easy & Strong Magnetic Mounting Built with Durable, High-Quality Materials The Tunze Osmolator® 3 Nano Auto Top...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

Does it pump up to the tank or into a sump?

rmorris_14 · Mar 5, 2024

Mhamilton0911 said:
Tunze 3152. It didn't come with a siphon break like the other one did, now that I'm thinking about it. But I did make sure that the fill hose is not submerged at all.

Osmolator 3 Nano Auto Top Off

Effortless Stability for Your Nano Aquarium Precision Optical Sensor for Consistent Water Levels High-Performance, Low-Voltage Dosing Pump Recommended for Tanks up to 66 Gallons Easy & Strong Magnetic Mounting Built with Durable, High-Quality Materials The Tunze Osmolator® 3 Nano Auto Top...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

When Jason installed mine he used a RO connection that he drilled a hole into just above the waterline to prevent siphon issue. I can send you a photo when I get home.

I know this isn’t the current issue but if you get that one resolved and continue use, you will want some sort of siphon break.

tbrown · Mar 5, 2024

rmorris_14 said:
When Jason installed mine he used a RO connection that he drilled a hole into just above the waterline to prevent siphon issue. I can send you a photo when I get home.

I know this isn’t the current issue but if you get that one resolved and continue use, you will want some sort of siphon break.

For soft tubing you can heat up an ice pick and melt a small hole the same way.

Mhamilton0911 · Mar 5, 2024

tbrown said:
Does it pump up to the tank or into a sump?

Up into the tank, it's AIO. Sensor in the pump return chamber, no bubbles, I've eliminated them with a big sponge. The outlet is above the sponge, not in water, but positioned so the refilling water goes into the sponge to not make a splash to disrupt the sensor.

I'm not home but I'll I take pictures to show I get back.

tbrown · Mar 5, 2024

Mhamilton0911 said:
Up into the tank, it's AIO. Sensor in the pump return chamber, no bubbles, I've eliminated them with a big sponge. The outlet is above the sponge, not in water, but positioned so the refilling water goes into the sponge to not make a splash to disrupt the sensor.

I'm not home but I'll I take pictures to show I get back.

Sounds like a potential delay in the filling due to the sponge then possibly it takes a couple of seconds to equalize in the "return" section.

rmorris_14 · Mar 5, 2024

tbrown said:
Sounds like a potential delay in the filling due to the sponge then possibly it takes a couple of seconds to equalize in the "return" section.

This was my first thought.

Mhamilton0911 · Mar 5, 2024

My initial test run stopped perfect where it should. Of course it was while I was standing in front of it, only fails when I walk away...

I did a bunch of reading on the fails for this one, and it appears that's it's own magnet on the outside of the tank can interfere with it's float magnet inside the tank. Remedy was to add cardboard between to make the outside magnetic less strong?

tbrown · Mar 5, 2024

Mhamilton0911 said:
My initial test run stopped perfect where it should. Of course it was while I was standing in front of it, only fails when I walk away...

I did a bunch of reading on the fails for this one, and it appears that's it's own magnet on the outside of the tank can interfere with it's float magnet inside the tank. Remedy was to add cardboard between to make the outside magnetic less strong?

Makes sense I suppose. Thinner glass/acrylic could grab the float switch and hold it open until the water level gets higher.

rmorris_14 · Mar 5, 2024

Less likely, but it could also be possible that you return pump in fluctuating. (Failing?)

My previous pump was doing this on my
Big tank before I replaced it. So if the ATO fills to the correct level and then subsequently, your return slows down, it could appear to be overfilling.

Again, usually the less complicated explanation is more likely. Just a random thought I had.