210G Upgrade / Build (Lots of Pics)

[michael_in_nc]

Got some of the initial plumbing done and the 75G tank is setup in my son's room now. Ready to plumb into the main system.

The hole in the wall...

Plumbing will run between my son's room and the living room through the wall. Dual panel old work box on each side trimmed out to fit.

My 'stockman' overflow drain:

Plumbing in the 75G (internal overflow) through the wall. I also painted the back glass black and that helped the overall look of the tank quite a bit.

Plumbing fits through with just enough room to run the wiring through, too. The plugs will run into the Apex for central control of both tanks.

 

[michael_in_nc]

Canopy lift is completed and powder coated. Hopefully will get it installed tomorrow if all goes well. I'm going to try and get a video of it in operation and post it. There were several things I learned in the process. I was thinking of posting a thread just on the canopy lift details if there is interest. What went well, what didn't, the end results, and plans from here.

Here's a picture of the lift frame just out of the powder coating oven. It is upside down in this picture. The two long parallel beams will attached to the linear rails that will be bolted to the back of the stand. The shorter "arms" at the bottom of the picture will go into the back of the canopy to attach to it.

 

[janey]

Yes post Vid and How you did it ...
I want to build one too...

Thanks

Janey

 

[jdm18honda]

looking good

 

[jdm18honda]

reefsavvy tanks are always top notch and customer service has always been good

 

[michael_in_nc]

Setup Weekend.

Setup Weekend.

Ok, still a few things to fix up and such, but a lot of progress and pictures...

The canopy lift system first. I haven't got to the video yet. I took some, but haven't gotten it uploaded yet. Maybe tomorrow.

The lift is constructed as follows:
- 3" U-channel steel frame that supports the lifted canopy.
- 1" steel linear rails (50" long). (Made for CNC machines)
- 1 36" linear actuator. Rated at 400lbs & about 0.6"/sec travel.
- Entire assembly is powder coated to protect it from rust.
- All bolts are stainless steel to prevent corrosion

The actual lift operation occurs as follows:
- Steel frame rests on steel supports bolted to the back of the stand. No weight of the frame rests on the glass! (about 140lbs for the frame).
- Actuator slides in a steel tube attached to the frame. A bolt allows for adjustment of where contact is made. This allows adjustment in range of travel and back off to allow the frame to rest on the steel supports rather than the glass.
- As the actuator moves up it eventually makes contact with the frame (about 4"), then starts pushing the frame up.
- The frame has arms that go into the back of the canopy. These are also backed off from the canopy so the canopy 'floats'. There are (4) levels bolts (stainless steel) that control when contact is made.
- As the frame goes up, it eventually contacts the canopy and lifts it up.
- The actuator has built in stops that shut off the motor to prevent it from going beyond it's normal travel in either direction.


This is the back of the lift system mounted to the stand:

With the canopy lifted in full up position (about 26 - 30"):

This is the inside of the canopy on one end. The canopy has a steel frame that acts to strengthen the walnut skin, hold the light fixture, and attach to the lift system.

Ok, everything is nice and level, so time to fill her up...

Rock work was pretty typical. I was trying to get a few specific effects, but I wasn't thrilled with my results. In this one, I was trying to get some "branches" that gave an appearance that they were 'floating'. Similar to the 'bonsai' thread if you've seen it.

Here I was trying to get a tall structure that would actually go out of the water every so slightly. I've seen some threads that did this and it seemed to give an appearance that you were 'under' the water with the reef. Not exactly great execution, but might adjust it down the line.

Halide light cords were too short! Going to have to get some extensions soon, but for now with just the actinics.

It definitely make a presence in the room, but I think "management" is going to get used to it.

 

[aquaph8]

Nice!!!! Water is good. Love it man, my management had to get used to mine too, it grows on em. LOL

 

[michael_in_nc]

Canopy Lift Video

Canopy Lift Video

Video of the canopy lift mechanism. There was at least one mistake in there. The linear actuator rate is actually 0.6"/sec not per minute.

http://youtu.be/tQuzVCtJs1g

 

[D5HP]

Video of the canopy lift mechanism. There was at least one mistake in there. The linear actuator rate is actually 0.6"/sec not per minute.

http://youtu.be/tQuzVCtJs1g

Looks incredible.

Question:

What did your wife say about the video you just shot in your living room for four minutes? haha!

I am certain with the stand and canopy looking as good as they do she has got to be more supportive than if they were just your basic pine builds. Really spectacular to see it all come together.

You have put a ton of time and thought into all of this and it absolutely shows. This system is going to be really spectacular after a few months of maturation...really a show stopper.

As for that canopy wobbling on the way down...it probably isn't an issue but I do have a pretty simple solution for you. If the actuators are just driven via 12DC supply without any control signals this would seriously take you just a few minutes to rig up without any real circuity other than a microcontroller. Seriously $40 tops and you've got that all sorted out since you mentioned already trying two actuators.

PM me and I'll explain it in some more detail if you want to give it a shot.

Again, good stuff

 

[michael_in_nc]

My wife is still laughing at me! But, she is a great sport with the new "furniture" in the living room.

 

[michael_in_nc]

So, the point of all this gear is some livestock. I put in a cleaning crew, and a couple fish for now. Probably a little early for the fish, but it's been a long journey and I'm trying to get things moving now. I figure the 120+ lbs of live rock from the original tank should keep the cycle to a bare minimum.

I was playing around with the camera and got this shot of the angel (had him in the old tank). Going to attempt him in the reef, but if he doesn't behave, he'll be out.

 

[Mikesville510]

beautiful build!! :thumbsup: I'm jealous because I still have to wait to get my build started. But hey, you gotta do it the right way with quality products. Good work!

 

[lessans]

Wow! Your whole system is sick! I have system envy! Have you considered having semi-automated water changes? What I mean by that is open a valve and water flows out, then pump the new water in. Voila! That would be amazing!

 

[75pxatr]

Just added a emperor to my 210 and he has been a model citizen not touching even the softies....yet. Worth the risk. If it does not work take him out and find him a good home.

 

[michael_in_nc]

Wow! Your whole system is sick! I have system envy! Have you considered having semi-automated water changes? What I mean by that is open a valve and water flows out, then pump the new water in. Voila! That would be amazing!

Thanks! Yes, I have a partially automated water change system. I finished plumbing it last night. I have a "fish room" in my laundry room with a tank mounted high (about 6') that I use for my main ro/di reservoir. I ran a 3/4" pvc run under the house and up behind the tank and into the back of the stand. You can't see any of it, but there is a valve in the sump area that I can turn and water flows over gravity feed. The fish room will get some work once I get up and running. I'm going to do some small automation project in there to get the system running with less work, too. I have a cat5 line ran with the water line to allow me to talk to the Apex between the two rooms.

I have a water exhaust line running out from behind the stand and down to the crawl space (with the 3/4" water line) for the water change empty phase. It ties into the house septic line. It's plumbing off the Little Giant return pump in a manifold. Twist a valve and water exits. Twist the other valve and I get new water.

That was a key spec on this build. Low maintenance!

 

[michael_in_nc]

Just added a emperor to my 210 and he has been a model citizen not touching even the softies....yet. Worth the risk. If it does not work take him out and find him a good home.

That's good to hear. Hopefully I will have the same luck!

 

[michael_in_nc]

beautiful build!! :thumbsup: I'm jealous because I still have to wait to get my build started. But hey, you gotta do it the right way with quality products. Good work!

Thanks! Yes, patience was key. Everything took longer than I thought, but I'm having fun with my new toy....

 

[James404]

Looks great Michael! Haven't been on in a while, looks like you've made good progress. I will be updating my thread soon, tank is up and running with fish and coral though

 

[Guage32]

Great idea for the canopy. The progress is looking nice!

 

[BillyC]

One day when I am able to, I'm going to look up this thread again and copy it exactly haha!!!