Reef Automation Build

[Tango2]

I started my saltwater experience back in 2002, with a 40 gallon freshwater tank converted to a FOWLR tank. That quickly morphed into a 72G bowfront reef tank coupled with a 20G nano reef. About a year and a half after setting those tanks up, military lifestyle caught up to me and the wife won the tank battle and they were both retired (temporarily).

Fast forward to 2013 and a move to a more stable job. Within 2 months, I had my current tank up and running.

I'm going to attempt to document my previous progress as well as future plans in this thread so that hopefully others can benefit from my mistakes, and the couple things I did right.

 

[Tango2]

I searched out options for this build for a long while in anticipation of my move. I really liked the look of the rimless cubes, and I found one build that I kept coming back to. This one was built by d2mini on a "central reef" forum. His was a 130g cube, but I really liked the stand design. I sketched up the below design in my new favorite brainstorming tool (all credit goes to d2mini).

After a couple weeknights and a weekend or two, below is what I ended up with:

As you can see, I didn't even bother cleaning my garage between moving in and getting this built...

 

[Tango2]

I ended up getting a couple things used along with the tank itself. One was the Maxspect Max-S 110w led lighting and a QuietOne 4000 return pump. Here I have both installed for the leak check

The lighting wasn't ideal, or exactly what I wanted, but I wasn't quite sold on any setup at that time either. The price was right, so I went with it as a temporary solution. Although I had a couple of magdrive pumps from my old tanks, I was really looking for something a little more robust and quiet. Being out of the hobby for such a long time really put me behind the power curve. The Quietone pump worked, but it is much louder than I would like. Not sure if the noise is because of backpressure, age or just inherent to those pumps. I'm not happy with it, but it's still my main return pump for now.

Above is the initial aquascaping from the front. The rock is the Fiji dry rock from BRS.

 

[Tango2]

So a lot has happened since my last post here, and some of it is documented in other threads (see links below), but I feel that it's time to stop telling myself I'm going to go back and post every step of getting my tank to where it is today. Probably the most significant thing I've done is the sump build, which is documented pretty well in my sump build thread.

Here we are today, and I've been working out of 10G Rubbermade Brute trash cans for both my ATO supply and my FSW supply. I was doing automatic water changes using a stenner dual-head pump for a while, and for some reason I stopped. I can't even recall why I stopped, but it was something mechanical with my water change station. I'm in the process of getting that reconfigured and going again.

I just purchased two 78 gallon barrels, and the plan is to outfit them both with a high- and low-level float switch. I've drilled one and filled it, and only found one minor leak which I think I have fixed. My other two floats should arrive tomorrow, and I'll probably get them mounted and transfer the water out of the current one to better fix the leak I found.

Pictures to come, and links as promised...

Sump Build
Return Pump died... oh, and in the process an Apex EB8 died also!

 

[Tango2]

So I got all 156 gallons of barrel filled in my garage. I had good success with the float switches installed in the side so far, with the exception of the first one I put in. It was below the water level, and water was leaking out of the threads. I was able to loosen the threads with water in it, add thread sealant to the threads and tighten it back up. No more leaks!

I used the same method on the second barrel and had no leaks after the first fill. Here's what I have so far:

Each barrel currently has 3 holes in it. Two holes are for the high- and low-level float switches. The third hole is for the RO/DI input which I'm using a manual float valve. This is my primary shutoff now when the tanks are full, but eventually will be a safety shutoff when I have my solenoids hooked up and working.

I'm trying to find the best way to run my 1/4" tubing down to the bottom of the tanks. I also need a better way to connect my Mag5 pump I'm using to mix my FSW tank. I think I'd rather have it internal, but then I have to get the cord out. Any suggestions or ideas welcomed. In the mean time, I'll clean up that mess of stuff you see in the bottom left of the picture!

 

[Tango2]

I have still yet to find the best solution to ensure my 1/4" lines are submerged to the bottom of each tank. I did get my continuous water change setup back online and changing water. I ended up running the 1/4" tube through the open top and zip tied it to the cord on my Mag5 mixing pump. Far from ideal, but it's working.

I'm also looking for a good bulkhead fitting for doing a sight tube on both containers to see the water level. I'd like to use clear 1/4" tubing with pushlock (John Guest-style) fittings. I haven't come across anything for this yet. The same fitting may be useful for the water lines to my peristaltic pumps. I know I've seen some examples of this, but can't find them now. If anyone knows of any, please point me to them!

 

[ReeferReefer]

Not sure why you don't have any comments yet but this is looking great! Can't wait to see more! Is the tank stocked?

 

[Tango2]

Thanks for stopping by and commenting. The tank is stocked, but lightly. I seem to have some tragedy strike every time I make a little progress, but I think that's how it goes. Just introduced a diamond goby today because everything has been stable. Checked on him tonight before going to bed, and found him on the floor behind the tank. Not sure how long he was there, but he's back in the tank and swimming around.

Aside from him, I only have two clowns in the tank. I lost my coral beauty suddenly after about two years. I'll have to get a FTS posted soon.

 

[MTWiley]

I have still yet to find the best solution to ensure my 1/4" lines are submerged to the bottom of each tank. I did get my continuous water change setup back online and changing water. I ended up running the 1/4" tube through the open top and zip tied it to the cord on my Mag5 mixing pump. Far from ideal, but it's working.

I'm also looking for a good bulkhead fitting for doing a sight tube on both containers to see the water level. I'd like to use clear 1/4" tubing with pushlock (John Guest-style) fittings. I haven't come across anything for this yet. The same fitting may be useful for the water lines to my peristaltic pumps. I know I've seen some examples of this, but can't find them now. If anyone knows of any, please point me to them!

I've had good luck with uniseals in my mixing station, I' d use those and a couple of elbows along with this clear PVC to get you your sight tube.

I'm also wondering if there's an adapter from PVC to 1/4" JG so that I could put in an uniseal near the bottom of my mixing barrels for my peristaltic pumps that do my AWCs

 

[ReeferReefer]

I'm sorry to hear that. I don't get too attached to fish but angel fish are the exception. They have such great personality. I look forward to seeing your tank develop and wish you best of luck.

 

[Tango2]

I may go the uniseal route. I hate to put holes in the containers in the event my plan doesn't work out. I also need to figure out the best way to get my mag5 power cable out of the container as well. I'm leaning towards cutting the plug off and going through some cable glands to seal everything up.

Also, I'm trying to wrap up my sump build. I need to cut a top to cover the fuge section, and I'm trying to find an LED light for my 26x4" fuge section. Previously, I ran a PAR38 bulb and my chaeto grew like crazy. I'd like to find something comparable that can cover my new fuge size.

Finally, Sandy (the new diamond goby) has set up shop and decided to stay in the tank since his long jump. Hopefully I can keep him fed in return for him keeping my sandbed clean, which he has done a really great job of in just a couple of days.

 

[Tango2]

So I ordered some 1/2" uniseals and received them the other day, as well as a couple 1/4" bulkhead fittings. Now I just have to empty my containers so I can get them all sorted out. Also started another project after considering it for quite some time. I won't spoil it, but here are a couple pictures (hint: it's not a cornhole board ):

 

[Tango2]

Here's a quick update, although it's not finished.

As you can see, the cables need to be extended and run through the wall, and my suspension cable was attached to the ceiling about 1" off center. That's what I get for hanging that with no help. Patience is not my strong suite.

I also need to figure out how to quiet my Neptune AFS. I haven't used it in a while, and I forgot how LOUD it is.

Another week or so and I should have it all cleaned up.

 

[Tango2]

So I haven't posted an update in a while, so it's probably about time.

I recently recovered from some issues that stemmed from an oversight with my auto water change setup. I noticed my tank was slowly dropping my salinity. I checked my fresh salt water bin, and it was maybe a hair low on salinity. I mixed up a new batch and didn't worry to much about it. About a month or two later, I saw that my hammer coral was closed, which was unusual. Everything else looked normal. A couple of days later, I noticed my montipora bleaching. I did a quick salinity check and I was down to almost 20 ppt ! This was a couple days prior to me going on vacation, so I was a little worried with getting things back into check before I left. I started using my fresh salt water for top-off, but after running some numbers, it would have taken a LONG time to gradually bring it back up with an overall tank volume of about 70 - 75 gallons. I did water changes with some salt water at about 40ppt salinity, and finally opted for throwing some salt into the filter socks in the sump and doing a "rapid recovery".

Although things were in check prior to me leaving, I lost my montipora (which was growing like crazy), hammer coral, and the one acropora I had in the tank. Survivors were the two clowns, the diamond goby, finger leather, half of my gorgonia and my trumpet coral.

I found the problem, which was that my fresh salt water suction tube was floating in my container, so it was sucking both air and salt water. My ATO was making up for the difference, and over time, it dropped my salinity. For now, I've turned off the auto water change and I'll have to re-engineer the suction tube.

I also have a order of corals inbound (listed below) to restock my tank. It's been a while since I've added anything, so I'm looking forward to it.

Blueberry Gorgonian
Purple Sea Whip
Aqua Acropora Frag
Green Slimer Acropora
Blastomussa Merletti Coral
Pink & Green Acropora Frag
Australian Berry Delicious Chalice Frag
Neon Green Zoanthids
BerryLicious Mushrooms
Alien Eye Zoanthids
Candy Apple Zoanthids
Lavender Lord Acan
Green Ricordea Coral
Mystic Sunset Montipora
Light Green torch coral

Now to figure out placement for all of them...

 

[Tango2]

Here's a quick update since my new additions. Things are looking good so far, and overall I'm pretty happy with my order from AquariumsDepot.com. I had one DOA (BerryLicious Mushroom), and 2 others that are not looking good now (Green Slimer Acropora & Blueberry Gorgonian). Otherwise, everything I ordered was in good shape and seems to be doing well. I haven't decided on final placement yet, I want everything to get acclimated to the tank before I decide.

This is an initial shot about 15 minutes after acclimation was done. This should be a good reason for me to brush up on my reef photography skills - that is something I have yet to master!

 

[sneub]

Looking good my friend I like how you mounted the Kessil and feeder, really clean work.

 

[jsker]

First time stopping by, nice work with all the DIY.

 

[nervousmonkey]

Just read this thread and you've done an awesome job, esp. noting the mistakes/issues you have found. That is the most important part of automating, otherwise we all forget the basics.

 

[Tango2]

Just read this thread and you've done an awesome job, esp. noting the mistakes/issues you have found. That is the most important part of automating, otherwise we all forget the basics.

You know, it really makes me appreciate these forums to get a comment like this. I'm not perfect, and I try to learn from my own mistakes and from others. I try to consider all possibilities when automating my reef, but Murphy's law still strikes. As frustrating as it is, the important thing is that you learn and correct. Sharing on here doesn't hurt either since others may be able to learn from your mistake without having to make it on their own. I have no problem sharing my mistakes, and welcome constructive criticism on what I could do better.

Reef on!