cubetankguy
its hip to be square
Plus I know he isn't doing anything that will require running away from the police!
he hasnt taken reefin to the next level then... good for him
Zoolan's 135 Oceanic Build (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter zoolan70
- Start date
he hasnt taken reefin to the next level then... good for him
OP
OP
Good news and bad news today...
The good news is that I can't find any new aptasias today, so maybe those two were the only ones. I doubt it, but after the second item today, I need something to go right...
On the bad news side, I developed two pinhole sized leaks in the return plumbing. I went to plug my RO/DI top-off float in, and it was wet...never a good sign inside a tank stand. I removed the offending part, and after further inspection, the leaks are in two different areas. One was the threaded connection to the bulkhead (reseated with more teflon tape) and the other was in a glued PVC connection (tried just slathering on PVC glue to the seam, hoping it would melt the leak shut).
Both ended up not working, so I shut down the pumps and filled both joints in with a copious amount of aquarium sealant. I'll let that cure overnight and test it tomorrow. I really hope this works, or I need to order a new bulkhead and union and start over...
Any other ideas on how I can seal this if the silicone doesn't work?
The good news is that I can't find any new aptasias today, so maybe those two were the only ones. I doubt it, but after the second item today, I need something to go right...
On the bad news side, I developed two pinhole sized leaks in the return plumbing. I went to plug my RO/DI top-off float in, and it was wet...never a good sign inside a tank stand. I removed the offending part, and after further inspection, the leaks are in two different areas. One was the threaded connection to the bulkhead (reseated with more teflon tape) and the other was in a glued PVC connection (tried just slathering on PVC glue to the seam, hoping it would melt the leak shut).
Both ended up not working, so I shut down the pumps and filled both joints in with a copious amount of aquarium sealant. I'll let that cure overnight and test it tomorrow. I really hope this works, or I need to order a new bulkhead and union and start over...
Any other ideas on how I can seal this if the silicone doesn't work?
OP
OP
Almost there! Another good weekend of progress on the tank...
I'm just about done with hardware acquisition! The screen tops are done (thanks Scott for the extra netting!) and I'm very happy with how they turned out. Very simple process, but took some patience in cutting, fitting, cutting a bit more off, fitting again, and finally installing the netting:
http://www.tcmas.org/forums/showthread.php?t=16625
I picked up a 'fuge light from Hypertech, but it didn't work for me, so I went to Home Depot and picked up a clamp on lamp and a 'daylight' bulb ($10 total). It didn't say the color temp, but it showed it as higher than others that said they were 4100K. I'll order the one that Melev recommends when it is time to replace this one:
http://melevsreef.com/fuge_bulb.html
I also got a clump of Cheato from MNPilot (thanks again!), so the 'fuge is running!
I wanted to keep all the electrical stuff out of the stand, and the ballasts away from the tank to help control the heat. In planning for this, I installed 2 low-voltage mud rings to give me access from the mechanical room to behind the tank. The idea being that when I move out, I can just put two white cover plates on these, and don't need to repair holes in the drywall.
Through these accesses I ran my R/O line, and the cords for my ballasts, which are hung from the joists under the stairs.
In order to hide the rest of the wiring, I wanted to utilize the space between the tank and the wall. I found a sweet deal on a 'scratch-n-dent' cabinet at Home Depot, threw a quick coat of stain on it, and drilled some holes in the side. It fits perfectly, and hides all the wires.
The biggest item of the weekend was the purchase of an AquaController Apex (thanks Fritz!). I added the pH probe, so I think I'm pretty set for now. I will need to add another DC8 at some point, but not for the time being.
I mounted the Apex into the cabinet, and put the rest of the outlet strips in there, and ended up with a mess. LOL. I need to clean it up, but figured I'd attack that later this week.
I think I'll mount the Apex monitor screen right onto the tank. I was thinking of mounting it to the wall, but the cord isn't long enough to reach the other end of the tank.
The coolest thing about it is that I can now completely control my tank from my iPhone! Not only from here, but from anywhere. I messed up the heater programming last night, and when I woke up today I had emails from the tank telling me that the temp was low, so I just flipped on the heaters in manual mode, all without getting out of bed. Very sweet!
Programming the controller wasn't hard at all, though some of the programming commands they use are a bit odd to me. It took me forever to figure out that you can't say "RT-0.5". You need to say "RT+-0.5". I'd really like to see someone's entire programming to compare to what I came up with on my own.
I'm just about done with hardware acquisition! The screen tops are done (thanks Scott for the extra netting!) and I'm very happy with how they turned out. Very simple process, but took some patience in cutting, fitting, cutting a bit more off, fitting again, and finally installing the netting:
http://www.tcmas.org/forums/showthread.php?t=16625
I picked up a 'fuge light from Hypertech, but it didn't work for me, so I went to Home Depot and picked up a clamp on lamp and a 'daylight' bulb ($10 total). It didn't say the color temp, but it showed it as higher than others that said they were 4100K. I'll order the one that Melev recommends when it is time to replace this one:
http://melevsreef.com/fuge_bulb.html
I also got a clump of Cheato from MNPilot (thanks again!), so the 'fuge is running!
I wanted to keep all the electrical stuff out of the stand, and the ballasts away from the tank to help control the heat. In planning for this, I installed 2 low-voltage mud rings to give me access from the mechanical room to behind the tank. The idea being that when I move out, I can just put two white cover plates on these, and don't need to repair holes in the drywall.
Through these accesses I ran my R/O line, and the cords for my ballasts, which are hung from the joists under the stairs.
In order to hide the rest of the wiring, I wanted to utilize the space between the tank and the wall. I found a sweet deal on a 'scratch-n-dent' cabinet at Home Depot, threw a quick coat of stain on it, and drilled some holes in the side. It fits perfectly, and hides all the wires.
The biggest item of the weekend was the purchase of an AquaController Apex (thanks Fritz!). I added the pH probe, so I think I'm pretty set for now. I will need to add another DC8 at some point, but not for the time being.
I mounted the Apex into the cabinet, and put the rest of the outlet strips in there, and ended up with a mess. LOL. I need to clean it up, but figured I'd attack that later this week.
I think I'll mount the Apex monitor screen right onto the tank. I was thinking of mounting it to the wall, but the cord isn't long enough to reach the other end of the tank.
The coolest thing about it is that I can now completely control my tank from my iPhone! Not only from here, but from anywhere. I messed up the heater programming last night, and when I woke up today I had emails from the tank telling me that the temp was low, so I just flipped on the heaters in manual mode, all without getting out of bed. Very sweet!
Programming the controller wasn't hard at all, though some of the programming commands they use are a bit odd to me. It took me forever to figure out that you can't say "RT-0.5". You need to say "RT+-0.5". I'd really like to see someone's entire programming to compare to what I came up with on my own.
TriggerFreak
Senior Member
great work lil fella, now youll have to come and help set up mine, when do i get to come over and take a peek?
OP
OP
Don't know...I don't have any more futons for sale.
You're welcome anytime you want to stop over. Maybe for the Packers vs. Jets Superbowl game in a few weeks?
You're welcome anytime you want to stop over. Maybe for the Packers vs. Jets Superbowl game in a few weeks?
TriggerFreak
Senior Member
good enough for me:beerchug:
Dhummel
Senior Member
Almost there! Another good weekend of progress on the tank...
I'm just about done with hardware acquisition! The screen tops are done (thanks Scott for the extra netting!) and I'm very happy with how they turned out. Very simple process, but took some patience in cutting, fitting, cutting a bit more off, fitting again, and finally installing the netting:
http://www.tcmas.org/forums/showthread.php?t=16625
I picked up a 'fuge light from Hypertech, but it didn't work for me, so I went to Home Depot and picked up a clamp on lamp and a 'daylight' bulb ($10 total). It didn't say the color temp, but it showed it as higher than others that said they were 4100K. I'll order the one that Melev recommends when it is time to replace this one:
http://melevsreef.com/fuge_bulb.html
I also got a clump of Cheato from MNPilot (thanks again!), so the 'fuge is running!
I wanted to keep all the electrical stuff out of the stand, and the ballasts away from the tank to help control the heat. In planning for this, I installed 2 low-voltage mud rings to give me access from the mechanical room to behind the tank. The idea being that when I move out, I can just put two white cover plates on these, and don't need to repair holes in the drywall.
Through these accesses I ran my R/O line, and the cords for my ballasts, which are hung from the joists under the stairs.
In order to hide the rest of the wiring, I wanted to utilize the space between the tank and the wall. I found a sweet deal on a 'scratch-n-dent' cabinet at Home Depot, threw a quick coat of stain on it, and drilled some holes in the side. It fits perfectly, and hides all the wires.
The biggest item of the weekend was the purchase of an AquaController Apex (thanks Fritz!). I added the pH probe, so I think I'm pretty set for now. I will need to add another DC8 at some point, but not for the time being.
I mounted the Apex into the cabinet, and put the rest of the outlet strips in there, and ended up with a mess. LOL. I need to clean it up, but figured I'd attack that later this week.
I think I'll mount the Apex monitor screen right onto the tank. I was thinking of mounting it to the wall, but the cord isn't long enough to reach the other end of the tank.
The coolest thing about it is that I can now completely control my tank from my iPhone! Not only from here, but from anywhere. I messed up the heater programming last night, and when I woke up today I had emails from the tank telling me that the temp was low, so I just flipped on the heaters in manual mode, all without getting out of bed. Very sweet!
Programming the controller wasn't hard at all, though some of the programming commands they use are a bit odd to me. It took me forever to figure out that you can't say "RT-0.5". You need to say "RT+-0.5". I'd really like to see someone's entire programming to compare to what I came up with on my own.
wow i like that, i wonder if the AC3 will foreward to the blackberry like that, i get all my alarms to the phone but cant control them with the phone....NICE!
OP
OP
As far as I know, the only platform that allows control is the iPhone. It should be easy enough to program...the question would be if anyone was interested in doing it, and getting RIM to approve it as an app.
OP
OP
Updates
Well, I finally got around to taking some pictures of the tank. It is coming along pretty well, though I'm fighting a bit of slimey brown algae.
Whole Tank Shot
Another Tank Shot
Right side
Center
Left side
My fav fish!
The camera didn't capture the colors real well...
I added a few toys since I posted last, mainly to address the occasional need for the tank to run 'autmagically' for a week if I'm traveling:
Alk dosing pump - I'm doing BRS two-part alk with the BRS pump. I'll be adding a calcium dosing pump very soon.
I modified my skimmer to drain into an old milk jug. I can hold a few weeks of skim now, if need be. I am looking into a auto-shutoff solution in the event the skimmer goes coo-coo. I just need to get out the soldering iron and build a breakout box for my Apex.
Put in a BRS dual chamber reactor for running GFO.
Added a second Tunze Stream. I'm still trying to dial them in and get good water movement without blowing everything around.
That's about it for now...anyone have any ideas on the algae issue? Its the brown slimy stuff that is full of bubbles when the lights are on. I'd think the GFO would keep it down, but no such luck.
Well, I finally got around to taking some pictures of the tank. It is coming along pretty well, though I'm fighting a bit of slimey brown algae.
Whole Tank Shot
Another Tank Shot
Right side
Center
Left side
My fav fish!
The camera didn't capture the colors real well...
I added a few toys since I posted last, mainly to address the occasional need for the tank to run 'autmagically' for a week if I'm traveling:
Alk dosing pump - I'm doing BRS two-part alk with the BRS pump. I'll be adding a calcium dosing pump very soon.
I modified my skimmer to drain into an old milk jug. I can hold a few weeks of skim now, if need be. I am looking into a auto-shutoff solution in the event the skimmer goes coo-coo. I just need to get out the soldering iron and build a breakout box for my Apex.
Put in a BRS dual chamber reactor for running GFO.
Added a second Tunze Stream. I'm still trying to dial them in and get good water movement without blowing everything around.
That's about it for now...anyone have any ideas on the algae issue? Its the brown slimy stuff that is full of bubbles when the lights are on. I'd think the GFO would keep it down, but no such luck.
How do you keep your sand so nice and bright? Looks like its new! :beerchug:
How do you like the Apex so far? Is there any other phones that it will work on I know previous in thread was no but is there any new updates?
How do you like the Apex so far? Is there any other phones that it will work on I know previous in thread was no but is there any new updates?
OP
OP
LOL! Thanks! I think it is a combination of lots of snails and sand sifting critters, and over-exposure of the camera. It is pretty white in person, but not quite as bright as it looks in the pictures.
OMG...I'm a tech geek to the core, so maybe I'm a bit too excited about it, but I feel it is the absolute best thing I purchased for the tank. It makes all my other equipment better by allowing me to automate how most of it behaves. Just the feed cycles make it worth the cost in my opinion...
I'm pretty sure there are apps out there for iPhone, Blackberry, and Android smartphones...plus there are a few people that have mobile webpages that allow you to manage your tank without any native app at all. They aren't as 'flashy' as the native apps, but have more features, like being able to look at and modify the programming remotely.
There are also widgets for Windows Vista and 7.
You can find out about all the development efforts, plus see what other reefers are using their Apex or AC Jr to automate on the forum at ReefCentral. I'm not sure if I'm allowed to post a link, so please feel free to remove this if need be:
Reef Central Forum - Sponsors - Neptune Systems
I just built a breakout box today to allow me to control things with any device that can open/close a circuit, like a WaterBug, or float switch. I plan to add a few WaterBugs around the tank and my mixing stations to email me if there is water on the floor, plus maybe design an automatic water changing system.
OP
OP
Well, it's been a while since I updated this. I'm going to be starting Eco-bak next week (if it shows up) so I wanted to get a baseline for my tank. I shot this video:
Reef Tank Update
Reef Tank Update
Wow. Just watched the video and all I can say is wow. The corals are looking happy and colorful. I love the fox coral. I like the flow you have going on in the tank. Great tank.:biggthumpup:
Jeffro2331
Senior Member
Just Awesome!!!
Keep it going!!!
Keep it going!!!
OP
OP
Thanks everyone! I lost the big torch coral yesterday, which breaks my heart. I got it from Ray with two heads, and it died with 7...stupid brown slime disease.
Did you end up running PVC back into your furnance room to pump out waste water during water changes? I was thinking about doing something similar and was curious as to how it worked? Did you use an entirely separate pump? How is the ATO working as well?
OP
OP
In the end, I didn't. I couldn't change enough water by just pumping out the sump (only 10 gallons in the 'pump' section), plus I had no way to clean my sand. So now I just use my Python to siphon the tank, and manually pump water from my mixing tank back using the same hose. I have marks on the back of the tank that tell me how many gallons I've taken out, so I don't overshoot the volume in my mix tank.
On my next tank, I will make the sump remote from the tank, and much, much larger. This will allow me to do water changes the way I initially hoped.
ATO rocks! The Apex lets it turn on for 15 minutes twice a day, and that is enough time to replace the evaporated water. The system has effectively three fail-safes so I'm not worried about it being connected directly to my RO system.