Finally a long overdue update. Life seems to always get busy when there are things I want to get done!
Anyways, I was able to get most everything done except the controller board finished, but’s it’s coming along.
I’ve never been able to get my aquascape quite right when it all goes in the tank, but I switched some things around and like where it’s at. I think I’m going to try and get some more height out of the front rock on the left. Maybe more of a tower with a shelf on top? I’m leaving plenty of room for some acropora to grow out so it feels pretty empty right now, but its necessary.
I also decided to go with an Ecotech Versa for my ATO. While it takes some effort to determine my current evaporation rate and that it will change during the seasons, I see a lot of positives with using a peristaltic pump vs a float switch/sensor to determine water level. To start, I took out 500ml at a time and marked where the water level was all the way up to 1500ml. I noted the time and then came back later to determine roughly what my evaporation rate was.
This was about 7ish hours, but I waited until it got down to 1500ml which was closer to 10 hours. I converted the hours into minutes (600 min) and divided that by the amount that had evaporated (1500ml). This got me to 2.5ml of evaporation per minute. I was then able to set that on my Versa and away it goes, dripping water in constantly at a rate of 2.5ml/min. I’m unsure if it actually does 2.5 or it rounds up or down, but really it doesn’t have to be too exact. I know where my water level should be so if it’s slightly off I can adjust it with my weekly water change.
I originally had hoped for using hard acrylic tubes as shown, but the Versa cannot be set in reverse (or at least I couldn’t find that option) so back to the drawing board!
I then tried using some leftover RODI tubing I had, but from the bend and my not so flush cutting, it would pull air in and cause the water to eventually stop flowing. The placement is temporary so I’m sure if it was mounted in a way that the tubing didn’t bend so much near the connection and if the cut on the tubing was cleaner, it would work out much better.
Being as determined as I am to make something work, I created a 1/4” bulkhead holder with my 3D printer and used the Versa barbs with some soft tubing as well as the acrylic rods. It’s the best of all worlds!
I also decided to make some diffusers for my Hydra 32HDs. I made similar ones for my Prime HDs in the past, but this was much easier to design due to the rectangular shape.
I’ve gotten most of my fish transferred out of the other tank and added some LR to assist with bioload. I’m sure the rock that was cycling in my brute could handle it no problem, but you can never be too safe! And I also added 2 female lyretails to bring my total to 3.
I’m breaking in the Red Sea RSK 300 skimmer as well, but it’s still overflowing after a few days. I’ve left the drain hose open for now and will let it run for a few more days. If it stays that way, I might make a taller stand for it. It’s sitting right on the water level marker right now, but one more inch should bring the bubbles down enough for now. The side cabinet is also still a mess, but I’m starting to tackle some wiring before the board goes up and everything is mounted.
If anyone has any tips or advice I would definitely appreciate it! I’m gonna try to take some better photos of the tank as well as it’s current inhabitants.
