Behlen 600 gallons, multi display

[davebehlen]

About 600 gallons of display tanks...3 separate Display tanks, with option for viewing the Q which will be able to break away from the system, or can be in the system. I wanted to be able to watch things in the Q, or hide it from the view depending on what I'm doing with it at the time.

I'm still planning things out, but I do have my previous 210 fired up and running as I work on the rest of the build.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/album.php?albumid=8662

 

[davebehlen]

Link to build pic album

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=8662&pictureid=59061

 

[RJT]

Nice concept. Will the sumps be under the tanks?

 

[davebehlen]

Nice concept. Will the sumps be under the tanks?

RJT, yes there will be 3 tanks beneath the displays in the same arrangement with same approximate footprints...just not as tall so I have working head room above them under the top tanks... Q, Frag, and Sump. One of the ideas is I can either send the overflow returns directly to the sump, or divert with valves to flow through the Q and Frag tank, then ending up in the sump. I'm trying to employ as much efficiency in both power usage and space as possible. There will be about 23"x72" of walk space to work in all the tanks. The close quarters hopefully will help with temp stability. Luckily the garage is behind two of the back walls, so I can add a room AC such as a very small window unit through the wall and that will be the cooling needed, and dehumidifying for the room. The idea with the separate displays is species diversity...such as the "eel tank" which will be viewable on the small side of the tank (left of the 210). It will be about 4 foot long, but only 30" side viewable from the room. I'll put some 3" PVC pipes under the structure for the eel to run through....an eel play ground. :clown:

 

[davebehlen]

This afternoon I have successfully punched a hole in my AT&T 2Wire and can reach my Apex from the internet. If anyone needs suggestions please let me know.

additional keywords: ATT 2 Wire HTTP Router

Configuration is static IP on the Apex, and allowing port 80 through the AT&T Router. I have no other web servers at my house, so default port 80 is fine for now. I did successfully test other ports.

AT&T 2Wire model :
Manufacturer Pace Plc
Model 3801HGV

 

[davebehlen]

Ordered a couple pan/tilt Foscam IP cameras. One for the fish room so I can check out the sump area and one for the living space. Will share URLs once set up on request for a prescribed period. Two way audio. Cool thing is I can swing it over to the parrot and talk with him too I hope. Should be fun.

 

[davebehlen]

I know it is not new to many, but I'm officially impressed and excited about being able to view the Apex from the internet now. Will be x2 when the Cameras are hooked up in a few days.

 

[davebehlen]

1 of 3 P47 retro kits installed. I like it, so the other two just got ordered. The Apex dim control does not bring the light to full off...maybe will want to explore other drivers as I grow my 'LED Legs' and learn more about dimmable lighting. Maybe I'm doing something wrong. Nothing an EB8 outlet cant fix for now.

 

[davebehlen]

I have bugs!

My wife and I for years have referred to the little pods in the tank as bugs. Until mounting the P47, i just had a small 16" fluorescent for the last few months as I'm rebuilding the tank. I didn't know I had bugs until turning on the new LED last night. There is more life in there then just the 7 sacrificial damsels. Guess it cycling right along. Looking forward to 6 months from now.

 

[davebehlen]

Two Foscam FI8910W cameras added and accessible via web. Having some lighting issues and/or reflection issue with getting a good image on the DT, but the one in the sump area is nice enough for me. Let me know if you want me to share a link on request. You can Private Message me.

 

[benihana]

Very cool build. What are your plans for equipment and how are you planning on storing/plumbing it all?

My plan is to have a room very similar in size to yours. 56"x104", with a 72x42x24 DT and somehow try to successfully cram everything in there is going to be an engineering marvel.

 

[sfsuphysics]

Thought about doing a Foscam type of setup too, since I'm at my computer more than I'm at my tank... hmm maybe I should just move my computer desk next to the tank!?

But either way I'd be interested in seeing how nice the images are, post up a screen grab or two maybe?

 

[davebehlen]

Very cool build. What are your plans for equipment and how are you planning on storing/plumbing it all?

My plan is to have a room very similar in size to yours. 56"x104", with a 72x42x24 DT and somehow try to successfully cram everything in there is going to be an engineering marvel.

There is some room in the garage that can help. It will be a while before I get there though. The main flows will be split between 3 return pumps branching into the 3 top tanks.(p1 to t1&2, p2 to t1&3, P3 to t2&3)...if one fails all 3 displays still get flow and a simple float in any overflow box hopefully will alarm the reduced flow rate/water level change.

Some overflow into Q and Frag, but mostly directly back to the sump. The Q will split off the system via turning a ball valve or two so it can be isolated for med quarantine/new stock or kept in the system for behavioral quarantine depending on the situation. I can toss a small hang on Skimmer on there for isolated med quarantine as needed.

I'm trying to keep it efficient as possible. There are some pics with narrative of some of the ideas in my album....it is all "work in progress"

 

[davebehlen]

Thought about doing a Foscam type of setup too, since I'm at my computer more than I'm at my tank... hmm maybe I should just move my computer desk next to the tank!?

But either way I'd be interested in seeing how nice the images are, post up a screen grab or two maybe?

Send me a PM and I'll give you the log in info for a while to check them out first hand.

 

[davebehlen]

Not sure how to fix the lighting issue with the cam yet. This shot is with 2 P47 lights on, middle and left side.....still building the retro for the right side.

 

[davebehlen]

Pic from the top side with the two LEDs on the left....

 

[davebehlen]

Found a sump...same dims as the one I was going to building, including a drilled in the side. LFS used tank I ran across yesterday....it is in the garage now.

 

[benihana]

Is that a 120? Got to love the deals at the LFS!!

 

[davebehlen]

Is that a 120? Got to love the deals at the LFS!!

Yes sir 120. 48x24x24. My frag was going to be a little shorter since it will be under the display tank above...to give me head room to work in it, so I was going to drill into the side and flow into the return chamber of the sump. The display on the far end above will have one overflow through the frag into the sump is the idea...to conserve a bit. Yes, LFS that is down the road I have not been in for the 4 years I've been in "hobby on hold" and shut down. Just happened to get a feeling to drop in yesterday and there she sat. Went back with cash and made good deal. It is a beautiful tank...some would think I'm nuts to turn it into a sump...but some would think that about many of us on here. The sump was the next big project on my list as it be. It was like a blessing. :beer:

Just yanked out the overflow box, got a little cleaning to do from that, and then I'm gonna take the black paint off the back side since that will actually be turned into the inside area of the fish room. I will have to modify my sump design a bit to match up to the pre drilled holes, but it may turn out for the better now that I've had time to think about my design more.

 

[benihana]

Nice!