205G Tank Build

[Fish4Me2]

More progress to report. Tonight I got the plugs to allow me to run the halides through the wall wired up. Here's the pictorial:
Step 1, take deep breath and cut wires:

Step 2, use tool to slit open outer layer of wires:

Step 3, strip wires:

Step 4, twist and tin wires:

Step 5, wire plugs:

Step 6, rinse and repeat until all 3 fixtures are done!

I followed that up by running the ends of the wires from the ballasts through the wall and adding plugs. The bad news is that when I plugged the ballasts into my EB4 HD, which is plugged directly into the new GFI circuit the electrician ran, the GFI tripped. This was even though all the outlets on the EB4 HD were set to off via the Apex controller, and indeed showed no power when tested. I unplugged it all for the night and will investigate more later.

 

[Fish4Me2]

I want to take a moment to raise a glass in celebration. :beer: This weekend marks my fifth wedding anniversary.

Coincidentally, that also means that it was five years ago that Mr. Fish4Me2 encouraged me to get my first saltwater tank. The poor man: if he'd only know! Despite holes in walls, floods, and drained bank accounts, he's been amazingly supportive of my addiction ever since. Even if 5 years doesn't deserve cheers, that sure does! :celeb1:

 

[s2k]

Congrats on your 5 yr anniversary! It is so much easier to have your significant other supporting you in this crazy hobby.

 

[Fish4Me2]

Congrats on your 5 yr anniversary! It is so much easier to have your significant other supporting you in this crazy hobby.

Thanks! I am grateful he's supportive. Reefing would be much less fun, otherwise. Is my memory right that you were recently engaged last year? If congratulations are in order, I send them!

 

[Fish4Me2]

Ok, time for the last phase of the light rack project: wiring the T5s. I have an old Ice Cap 660 ballast that I plan to use. Because the ballast will be on the dry side of the wall, I need to run the wires from the end caps, through the wall, and to the ballast. Rather than ordering a wiring harness, I got the parts and will make it myself so it's the right length. In case you've ever wondered, the connector that goes with the ballasts is a 16 pin molex mini-fit jr. Which is hard, but not impossible, to find these days.

I think I have all the parts ready, so here goes!

 

[NorthReefer]

Any update in this? I like to see how the light setting went.

 

[Fish4Me2]

Great timing on the question, NorthReefer. The rack itself is now completed, and I'm about to start the wiring. I went out and got some acrylic and lexan, to allow me to mount standoffs, moonlights, and eyebolts. I used aluminum rivets to mount the acrylic and lexan. I've seen galvanic corrosion issues before, and they're not pretty, so my goal was to only allow aluminum to touch aluminum. All the screws and nuts for the T5s and moonlights are nylon.

Here's the completed light rack, with 4 of 8 t5 reflectors.

Here's a close up of how the T5 standoffs, and the eyebolts for hanging the rack are mounted:

And here are the moonlights:

Next up is wiring all of the T5 endcaps to a quick disconnect, and then running that through the wall to the electrical panel and ballast. For now, I only have 1 ballast, so I"ll only be running 4 of 8 bulbs.

 

[Alec]

the light rack is really comming out nice

 

[Fish4Me2]

the light rack is really comming out nice

Thanks! It's a long way from perfect, but since I'm NOT a skilled DIYer I'm happy with what I've been able to manage.

 

[allsps40]

Nice light wrack where did you get the frame to make it?

 

[Fish4Me2]

Nice light wrack where did you get the frame to make it?

I ordered from a company called EZ Tube. So far, I am impressed, the frame is super sturdy. I haven't seen any deflection from the weight of reflectors yet.

 

[Fish4Me2]

Well, here she is, a glow:

One of the new waterproof endcaps I purchased arrived broken, but I only have one ballast for the time being, so it isn't a huge issue at this second. I also want to get wiremold to clean up the wiring, rather than just using zip ties. So, more to come.

Once that's done, next up is hanging this, which is the part I've been most dreading.

 

[Fish4Me2]

And then, there was light! :dance:

We used a combination of eyebolts and turnbuckles, but we got the fixture hung. Of course there was only one rafter anywhere near where I needed it to be, but Hilti makes some decent fasteners for sheetrock. I still have clean up to do, including adding an extra fastener for emergency back up, but it's getting there.

The fish are mostly hiding, I think they want sunscreen!

 

[charlie.jarratt]

looks great so far, i really like the stand with the shelves all around, makes for resting the beers easier when looking at the tank

cant wait to see more

cj

 

[Fish4Me2]

looks great so far, i really like the stand with the shelves all around, makes for resting the beers easier when looking at the tank

cant wait to see more

cj

Yeah, it's nice to have a spot for the important things that reefing requires! :lol2:

I am also both happy and unhappy to report that my chiller fired up correctly for the first time today. I got it at last year's Marine Depot scratch and dent sale. While I tested it then, and it worked, I was still nervous until today. It's done great so far, although it's sad that the halides add so much heat that it's needed.

 

[Fish4Me2]

Allright. I still have the last bit of cord clean up, but I used black plastic sleeving to protect all of the wires for the T5s. You can see a bit of it running around the permineter of the rack in this picture. The empty eyebolt will be used for two things: 1 cord management, to keep the cords away from the heat, and emergency holding power.

And I finally have the electrical board cleaned up. I need to add an extension cord for the chiller, and make a few cuts in the wire mold, but otherwise, this side of the wall is ready to go.

Next up: CORALS!

 

[aquaph8]

Looks great, very neat and clean.

 

[Fish4Me2]

Looks great, very neat and clean.

Thanks, Brett. I'm really happy so far.

And I'm pleased to report I added the first coral over the weekend, and it seems to be happy so far! The setosa in my 60g tank has been one of the best growers, but I keep making accidental frags. I decided to move one over, so at least I have some color:

And my blue hippo wanted to say 'hi' as well!

 

[Fish4Me2]

The next project will be disposing of the hot air that the chiller is creating in the utility room. The chiller lives underneath the counter, like this:

According to jbj, the 1/3 HP chiller puts out 328 CFM. So, the plan is to order a 380 CFM panasonic vent fan, and install it underneath the counter. The vent will then vent out the wall, which is an exterior wall in our house. I'll use sheet metal to build a wall on the right side of the chiller, so all the hot air goes up to the fan. It won't be pretty, but it should be functional. Here's the fan:

 

[Fish4Me2]

Added the last of the 5 original fish to the tank today. Here's the first shot, just to prove that there are three new fish now: (yellow tang and 6 line wrasse have been with me for 3 years and 5 years, and anthia's going on 2)

Here's a close up of the tang. I think he'll be happier and brighter again with the better lighting in this tank. The QT relied on natural sun light, and the poor guy has faded.

Next up is getting rid of the AEFW so the rest of the coral can go in. Anyone have any good suggestions, besides napalm?