The Maelstrom 120

samnaz · Sep 22, 2019

AbjectMaelstroM said:
Haven't had the chance to play much over the last week, which is likely to continue for at least one more week due to work. Carpentry stuff is in holding pattern till I get a good amount of time to dedicate to it.

In the meantime, stopped by the LFS and scooped up a BRS RODI (6 stage) and a bucket (blue) of Red Sea salt. Plan is to transfer the dry rock aquascape into a 25gal tub and start the cycle over the next few months. Hopefully that won't be an issue, but it'll likely have to stay in the tub for at least a month and half, or close to Xmas before I get the tank ready.

Solid plan. Slow and steady wins the race. Xmas is a realistic timeline, not to mention an awesome gift to yourself!

Red_Beard · Sep 26, 2019

Dang man, that is really looking good! Sweet deal on the inverter, I picked up 4 90 Ah 12v batteries the company was just going to toss, was planning to run at least a powerhead and the reef pi on one. With that little load should last 3 or 4 days easy. We use a bunch of marathon brand and they have been decent for the price. Can’t wait for Christmas to see how it all turns out!

AbjectMaelstroM · Sep 26, 2019

Red_Beard said:
Dang man, that is really looking good! Sweet deal on the inverter, I picked up 4 90 Ah 12v batteries the company was just going to toss, was planning to run at least a powerhead and the reef pi on one. With that little load should last 3 or 4 days easy. We use a bunch of marathon brand and they have been decent for the price. Can’t wait for Christmas to see how it all turns out!

Haha, thanks! Yeah once i bought the salt mix for the rock cycle, I got really excited, then realized just how much more I have left to do.

The inverter is a monster, but I'm wondering if I should sell it (unit retails for 400-500) and put the money towards a generator so that wouldn't have to have a giant battery bank. Then make a diy battery backup for the mp40s just to run till I can get home and fire up the genny.

Red_Beard · Sep 26, 2019

AbjectMaelstroM said:
Haha, thanks! Yeah once i bought the salt mix for the rock cycle, I got really excited, then realized just how much more I have left to do.

The inverter is a monster, but I'm wondering if I should sell it (unit retails for 400-500) and put the money towards a generator so that wouldn't have to have a giant battery bank. Then make a diy battery backup for the mp40s just to run till I can get home and fire up the genny.

I feel you, i am in that same boat right now, everything is ready to be put in and plumbed but there is a TON of little things to do still!
I would if it were me sell that bad boy unless you need it for something else. going from 120 AC to 12-24 DC and back to 120AC is super inefficient too. A little battery backup goes a long ways when you aren't converting it. And you can take the generator camping!

AbjectMaelstroM · Oct 8, 2019

AbjectMaelstroM · Oct 20, 2019

AbjectMaelstroM · Dec 1, 2019

AbjectMaelstroM · Dec 8, 2019

bryanfuel · Dec 8, 2019

Awesome man! Can't wait to see what it becomes

AbjectMaelstroM · Dec 9, 2019

Ranjib · Dec 9, 2019

AbjectMaelstroM said:
"Command Center" coming together. Reefpi enclosure will probably be mounted on the back as I don't have a super fancy enclosure for it.

3d printer :0)

AbjectMaelstroM · Dec 9, 2019

Ranjib said:
3d printer :0)

Haha, I've been kicking that can down the road for a while now. Maybe next year?

AbjectMaelstroM · Dec 10, 2019

With tank delivery quickly approaching, something else I thought of. The stand is sitting on carpet at this time. What are people's thoughts on tanks and carpet?

Would yall suggest chatting it out under the tank? Set it on subfloor? Put down couple of laminate planks?

Red_Beard · Dec 10, 2019

I wanted to do tile under mine, but the wife vetoed it... so it is setting on carpet. Wasn't too bad, just have to get weight on it to be able to shim it level if necessary.

ScubaShane · Dec 11, 2019

Well Done! I'm following!

AbjectMaelstroM · Dec 16, 2019

She's here!

Those suction cup handles were probably the most anxiety enducing things I've dealt with this year.

AbjectMaelstroM · Dec 19, 2019

And today she is up on her throne. Waiting on plumbing to get here. Cutting it close to the 2020 deadline but I've paced myself thus far and don't want to rush it now.

Still.... Getting so close now I can almost taste the salt.

AbjectMaelstroM · Dec 19, 2019

Also.... Wasn't a fan of the pad supplied by SCA, so..... I found an alternative. Unfortunately I now have to explain to my wife what happened to her yoga mat.