1,200 gallons of fun!
- Thread starter Mr.Biggs
- Start date
I have always wondered why so many people in this hobby get offended or keep such a secret how much their system cost. I have many other hobbies, and on my car forums people tend to flat out tell you how much they have invested, and at hunting camp my friends and even strangers can't wait to tell me about the deal they got on their gun, or truck, etc. On here though you can get crucified if you inquire on expenses. Blew my mind the first time I saw that happen to someone that inquired. Its a hobby for everyone here, and some people genuinely want to know costs, so they can gauge whether its manageable for them, or to just drool in amazement. So anyway, from someone who really wants to know what people sink into a massive system, I really appreciate that you share your costs so willingly, thank you.
Anyways, I love the attention to detail you do in this build.
CryptReefer
In Memoriam
Very nice, waiting to see some tank shots!!!
Mr.Biggs
New member
I want to say thank to those who have helped answer questions previously brought up in the tread as well as the words of thanks and encouragement.
It does take quite a bit of time for me to post as typing and the written word are not my strongest skills. I do hope that by doing this I can give back and help others though.
Progress in the side room has stopped over the holidays. I have done some shopping and started on the HVAC system.
First off one my recent purchases.
Now for some of my thoughts on the HVAC system and how to cut costs and hopefully not destroy the house with moisture.
:reading:
Just skip this if you don't care about the background info. More pic to fallow.
:reading:
I have had some overall Reef system design goals when planning this system.
First was to create a reef system that will have low initial construction cost relative to the cost/gal of water. My goal is to keep it under $15/gal. I was trying for > $11/gal, but the change to a RO system and water storage is blowing that budget. This would be like setting up a full 180 gal (681 l) reef system for > $2700
The seconded major goal is to have one of the lowest overall operating costs for house and the system.
Heating /Cooling and moisture or humidity control is one of the largest initial and long term operating costs associated with running a large reef system in your home.
What about the local climate conditions and how they relate to the system?
Every area of the world will have their own local condition that will effect over all system construction and operating costs.
The area of Wyoming that I live in is one of extreme weather changes throughout the year. I have seen the temp vary from -25 to 110f (-32c to 43c) from winter to summer. Humidity changes from about 12% - 100% and the wind can be from nonexistent to 50 "“ 70 mph (80 "“ 112 MPH) sustained for hours at a time.
What are some of the system and controls that are available for use?
There are fans, dedicated AC units, dehumidifiers, Heat Recovery Ventilator (HRV), chillers, electric heaters, boilers, and the lights on their systems.
What am I starting with?
My current tank has about 750W of light and 150 gal (567 l) of water it uses about 1K watt + of power. It will evaporate 2-3 gal (7.6 "“ 11.4 l) a day. In the summer with the AC running the house can use 2.4MW of power for the month. The new system will have about 2 - 3 x the power usage of my current one and could evaporate up to 30 gal (114 l) a day.
The house has a forced air system with natural gas for heat and an electric AC unit, but there are no cold air returns in the basement.
This will be my base line for evaluation of future operation and construction cost.
My thought is to use the current system along with the addition of a pair of fans. I will also add a filtered air intake and exhaust line with some additional duct work and include some automatic dampers controlled by the custom programmed PLC. I may add a dehumidifier for use in the winter if need to keep humidity down in the winter time. Total cost will be in the range of $1,000 - $1,500 and should be pay backed in the energy savings over the life of the system.
I will give greater detail on the design and programming in the future.
It does take quite a bit of time for me to post as typing and the written word are not my strongest skills. I do hope that by doing this I can give back and help others though.
Progress in the side room has stopped over the holidays. I have done some shopping and started on the HVAC system.
First off one my recent purchases.
Now for some of my thoughts on the HVAC system and how to cut costs and hopefully not destroy the house with moisture.
:reading:
Just skip this if you don't care about the background info. More pic to fallow.
:reading:
I have had some overall Reef system design goals when planning this system.
First was to create a reef system that will have low initial construction cost relative to the cost/gal of water. My goal is to keep it under $15/gal. I was trying for > $11/gal, but the change to a RO system and water storage is blowing that budget. This would be like setting up a full 180 gal (681 l) reef system for > $2700
The seconded major goal is to have one of the lowest overall operating costs for house and the system.
Heating /Cooling and moisture or humidity control is one of the largest initial and long term operating costs associated with running a large reef system in your home.
What about the local climate conditions and how they relate to the system?
Every area of the world will have their own local condition that will effect over all system construction and operating costs.
The area of Wyoming that I live in is one of extreme weather changes throughout the year. I have seen the temp vary from -25 to 110f (-32c to 43c) from winter to summer. Humidity changes from about 12% - 100% and the wind can be from nonexistent to 50 "“ 70 mph (80 "“ 112 MPH) sustained for hours at a time.
What are some of the system and controls that are available for use?
There are fans, dedicated AC units, dehumidifiers, Heat Recovery Ventilator (HRV), chillers, electric heaters, boilers, and the lights on their systems.
What am I starting with?
My current tank has about 750W of light and 150 gal (567 l) of water it uses about 1K watt + of power. It will evaporate 2-3 gal (7.6 "“ 11.4 l) a day. In the summer with the AC running the house can use 2.4MW of power for the month. The new system will have about 2 - 3 x the power usage of my current one and could evaporate up to 30 gal (114 l) a day.
The house has a forced air system with natural gas for heat and an electric AC unit, but there are no cold air returns in the basement.
This will be my base line for evaluation of future operation and construction cost.
My thought is to use the current system along with the addition of a pair of fans. I will also add a filtered air intake and exhaust line with some additional duct work and include some automatic dampers controlled by the custom programmed PLC. I may add a dehumidifier for use in the winter if need to keep humidity down in the winter time. Total cost will be in the range of $1,000 - $1,500 and should be pay backed in the energy savings over the life of the system.
I will give greater detail on the design and programming in the future.
Mr.Biggs
New member
The cut hole from inside the duct with the 6" tie in place.
The 6" to 8" adapter in place.
and the fan in place with the start of some ducting.
This fan is currently very loud running at full speed. It will all most shut down the cold air returns from upstairs. I will be adding a speed control and a bunch of duct work to it hopefully this will quite it down.
The 6" to 8" adapter in place.
and the fan in place with the start of some ducting.
This fan is currently very loud running at full speed. It will all most shut down the cold air returns from upstairs. I will be adding a speed control and a bunch of duct work to it hopefully this will quite it down.
BluScrnOdeth
Darin Schmidt
so whats going on, any updates? its been a while since any images.
Sisterlimonpot
Premium Member
What's the latest news?
leslie hempel
Member
more please 
Mr.Biggs
New member
Have you ever been fallowing or subscribed to a riveting and informative thread?
One that captivates your attention and puts you on the edge of keyboard waiting in anticipation of the author's next post.
Only to find that updates never come and the author has seemed to drop off the face of the earth never to heard form ever again.
Yep me to.
Sorry to do that to you, but do to various personal reasons this build has been put on a TEMPORY hold.
If everything goes the way I hope, I should resume work on it in 2-4 months.
I have some pics of some progress that has been made and might post them during that time.
Untill then keep dreaming BIG.
One that captivates your attention and puts you on the edge of keyboard waiting in anticipation of the author's next post.
Only to find that updates never come and the author has seemed to drop off the face of the earth never to heard form ever again.
Yep me to.
Sorry to do that to you, but do to various personal reasons this build has been put on a TEMPORY hold.
If everything goes the way I hope, I should resume work on it in 2-4 months.
I have some pics of some progress that has been made and might post them during that time.
Untill then keep dreaming BIG.
Robb in Austin
New member
Rapidly approaching 4 months.....
Update?
Update?
Sisterlimonpot
Premium Member
+1, Just want to let you know that we're still here patiently waiting....
Mr.Biggs
New member
Not quite ready to get back to work on this yet, but I have some photos to share.
Finished hanging the Sheetrock in the water holding, quarantine, hospital area.
The 1 1/2" white PVC pipe is for water return, by a dart pump, from water storage to the salt mixing. It's just hanging in place for the photo. The gray PVC is electrical conduit for pump and controls. I will install a pair of polyflow tubes in this area in the future for RO/DI fill to storage tanks and lime water makeup for evaporation.
One can also see the air return duct that will be over the main quarantine tank.
Finished hanging the Sheetrock in the water holding, quarantine, hospital area.
The 1 1/2" white PVC pipe is for water return, by a dart pump, from water storage to the salt mixing. It's just hanging in place for the photo. The gray PVC is electrical conduit for pump and controls. I will install a pair of polyflow tubes in this area in the future for RO/DI fill to storage tanks and lime water makeup for evaporation.
One can also see the air return duct that will be over the main quarantine tank.
Robb in Austin
New member
Nice! Glad to see you're still around and still working on it.
My lowly 75 upgrade has been going on for almost a year due to outside circumstances so I feel ya(as the kiddies say ).
My lowly 75 upgrade has been going on for almost a year due to outside circumstances so I feel ya(as the kiddies say
).
aquaenthusiast
Member
Keep up the great work Mr. Biggs!!:bounce2::bounce2:
Sisterlimonpot
Premium Member
Nice to see some progress. I really enjoy this part of the build, things are starting to take shape.
Now we just need to see a tank with water in it....
Now we just need to see a tank with water in it....
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