210 Mixed Reef

[rrasco]

Picked up my new pump at the LFS today. Then I promptly dropped it upside down in the parking lot. Scraped it up a little bit, but it was still in the original box so it's no worse for wear, just a little cosmetic scrape and a tiny dent from asphalt. It was just the rounded casing on top of the motor, I think there is a solenoid or something in there. I disassembled that part to make sure all was okay and it is. I do feel like a goof for doing that though.

 

[webersole]

Tagging along. Looking at starting a tank the same size and with a bean setup with C2C. Nice setup.

 

[llewoh05]

your build is coming along nicely. keep it up.

 

[rrasco]

Finally an update. Tank is still cycling. After 2 weeks I threw in a small damsel to provide some waste for the cycle instead of ghost feeding everyday. Since I can't do much to help the tank cycle, I moved onto my LED rig and my water change system.

I had a coworker weld together the aluminum channel and am now waiting on nylon screws and a tap to arrive from McMaster-Carr. At that point I will be tapping the channel for mounting my LEDs. I picked up an Arduino a few weeks ago and have been working on building the controller as well. Built an LCD shield with tactile buttons and RTC breakout yesterday. Hope to start working on some programming soon.

I also picked up some parts for my RODI system. Since I am running this from the laundry room in the kitchen to my fish room, I plan to use PVC conduit and run it through the attic. The PVC will keep anything from damaging the line and will also help corral any leaks that maybe occur, but I plan to use a single run, so that shouldn't be an issue. To finish it off I got a dual inline TDS meter and a float valve auto top off system from BRS. Hoping to get that installed this weekend so I can finally start making my own water.

If all goes well I will have more updates and pictures of the LED rig this weekend.

 

[rrasco]

Ah ha! Looks like I can solder effectively enough.

 

[Dustin1300]

Good job and love the ReefCentral comment on display Been a while since I played with a breadboard like that!

 

[rrasco]

My hardware came in so I finally began building the LED units. I managed to get one rigged up today and the test was a booming success. I need to clean this one up, get a few wire accessories and then build two more just like it.

These pictures show various intensities of the LEDs. Blues and whites are at the same level, but I did play with bringing the blues down and the whites up. I'll have the freedom to do whatever I want once they are on the tank, this was merely a functionality test. I only pushed them up to around 50% so they will get much brighter. Although, I don't ever intend to run them over 75% or so.

 

[rrasco]

Today I cleaned up the wiring. Next up, two more units and then I will work on building the housings.

 

[rrasco]

Well, the worst possible thing happened this week. I came home from work on Wednesday and the tank had a huge crack across the front. I'm not really sure what caused it, either the tank was defective or my stand caused it. No way to really know.

The worst part is the tank was covered under warranty up until the point I 'modified' it. While the LFS and the manufacturer agree that the modifications did not contribute to the failure, they are using it as a loophole to keep from having to replace the tank. Fun. FWIW, neither one cared it was on a DIY stand which I thought was a huge part of the warranty. Evidently not.

The more people I talk to, the more I evaluate the situation and the more I think about it the more I believe it was a tank defect. But like I said, I will probably never really know.

Either way, I'm majorly bummed and am now evaluating what I am going to do. Fix the tank and use it. Buy a new tank and reuse my stand, or get a whole new setup. I might end up getting a new DSA tank and stand so I have a warranty. Future is up in the air at this point.

After the emergency draining of the tank I continued to disassemble it. It had to be done one way or another. I had about 25 gallons of RODI on hand so I made some SW up real quick and tossed in some powerheads to keep the LR curing.

Damage to my house was not nearly as bad as I anticipated. Most of the water stayed on the tile, the parts that did make it to the carpet were pretty wet, but as the carpet meets the tile, my cats have already prepped the edges of the carpet to be pulled up from the tack board, so I just propped it up and shoved a floor fan under there to dry the carpet and padding to keep it from growing mold over the next few weeks. The only real loss was the tank and attachables like the internal overflow and misc plumbing pieces I have to cut to remove. Although, I can reuse the overflow if I remove it.

 

[TheFishTeen]

Ouch! Sorry to hear, i feel for you.

If it were up to me I would get a new tank, same size, keep the stand, and get the new tank reef ready so its warranted and you don't need to drill it.

One question though, did the tank hold water with the glass cracked?

 

[rrasco]

I'm definitely getting a new tank RR that has a warranty. Live and learn.

The tank did still hold water, marginally. You can see it leaking out the bottom left of the crack. I think since the glass was 1/2" it kind of held it in place. It was weird.

http://youtu.be/AgbOf2uzEpo

 

[smitch]

Eeeeek

Sorry for your set back. The tank was coming across nicely.

 

[rrasco]

That's all it is, a setback. There WILL be a replacement.

 

[Dustin1300]

Glad that the flood did not do any real damage and better it happened now rather than later I try to be a half cup full kind of guy but know it's easier said than done. Keep your head up, this hobby has its ups and DOWNS.

 

[heathersangels]

very nice

 

[rrasco]

Glad that the flood did not do any real damage and better it happened now rather than later I try to be a half cup full kind of guy but know it's easier said than done. Keep your head up, this hobby has its ups and DOWNS.

I've actually been pretty positive about this. Things could have been a lot worse and a lot more expensive. My house is okay for the most part and nobody got hurt so I can move on. Thanks for the positive reinforcement.

 

[Robb in Austin]

That sucks.

Can't wait to see the replacement.

 

[reefermad619]

This sucks! Sorry man.

 

[juny00605]

I finally made up my mind on how to build my LED fixture. I am going to build 3 independent units that will run off one power supply. Each fixture will be 18x19.75. Planning to order the aluminum and acrylic this week.

I like the design of the leds. Can you elavorate a little more, like measurements between the channel etc. I'm planning a led set up and I like that aproach.

 

[TheFishTeen]

Good for you! Im impressed your setback didn't kill your enthusiasm. I have heard way too many stories of people having tank disasters and giving it all up. Its good to see someone with a strong heart for the hobby.