Chronicle of my 180g Aquarium
- Thread starter Psyire
- Start date
Psyire
Premium Member
So over the weekend I was able to get some more stuff done on my tank.
My auto-top off system consists of the following:
1x Aquasafe RO/DI Unit
2x 1/4" 120V Solenoid Valves (autotopoff.com)
2x Float Switchs
1x Barr Aquatic Kalk Reactor (KR1220)
and my Aquatronica to control it all.
My auto-top off system consists of the following:
1x Aquasafe RO/DI Unit
2x 1/4" 120V Solenoid Valves (autotopoff.com)
2x Float Switchs
1x Barr Aquatic Kalk Reactor (KR1220)
and my Aquatronica to control it all.
Last edited:
Psyire
Premium Member
Here is how the controller logic works.
The lower float switch controls the opening and closing of the control solenoid. The upper float switch is programmed to shut the control solenoid if the water reachs it. (a backup incase the lower float switch sticks open)
Now the other solenoid is ran on a timer set to open up 3 times a night for 15mins each time. It is during these times that both solenoids will be open so my RO water runs through my Kalk Reactor and into the tank. It's set this way so that I only dose my Kalk at night in hopes of keeping my pH constant.
The Kalk reactor is set to stir 4 times a day. 1 hour before each topoff time and once in mid afternoon. So far it's working good, I might have to do alittle tweaking on the amount of time the timer solenoid is open, but that's about it.
In other news, my skimmer shipped out today so I should have it shortly, I can't wait!
The lower float switch controls the opening and closing of the control solenoid. The upper float switch is programmed to shut the control solenoid if the water reachs it. (a backup incase the lower float switch sticks open)
Now the other solenoid is ran on a timer set to open up 3 times a night for 15mins each time. It is during these times that both solenoids will be open so my RO water runs through my Kalk Reactor and into the tank. It's set this way so that I only dose my Kalk at night in hopes of keeping my pH constant.
The Kalk reactor is set to stir 4 times a day. 1 hour before each topoff time and once in mid afternoon. So far it's working good, I might have to do alittle tweaking on the amount of time the timer solenoid is open, but that's about it.
In other news, my skimmer shipped out today so I should have it shortly, I can't wait!
Bax
Premium Member
Psyire
Back to you overflow drains for a moment (cause since seeing the pic I can't get it out of my head). I mispoke earlier, I looked at my Mega flow overflow again and there is a rear wall so the mid and lower inlets don't drain directly into the overflow. (duh! that would drain the entire tank now wouldn't it!) So anyway I was looking at you design and thinking of how or if it would be somthing to test on my tank.
One question I have is, did you consider that the durso is pulling the surface water off the overflow, and would it be possible to direct that to the skimmer? Do you think it would be more efficient (cause it's all surface skimmed water) or would it not make the desired flow to the skimmer. I am just thinking that even in the overflow, protiens and neutrients rise to the top where the Durso is working.
The "open" drain could then feed the fuge, maybe with a filter bag at the discharge?
... just a thought
Back to you overflow drains for a moment (cause since seeing the pic I can't get it out of my head). I mispoke earlier, I looked at my Mega flow overflow again and there is a rear wall so the mid and lower inlets don't drain directly into the overflow. (duh! that would drain the entire tank now wouldn't it!) So anyway I was looking at you design and thinking of how or if it would be somthing to test on my tank.
One question I have is, did you consider that the durso is pulling the surface water off the overflow, and would it be possible to direct that to the skimmer? Do you think it would be more efficient (cause it's all surface skimmed water) or would it not make the desired flow to the skimmer. I am just thinking that even in the overflow, protiens and neutrients rise to the top where the Durso is working.
The "open" drain could then feed the fuge, maybe with a filter bag at the discharge?
... just a thought
Psyire
Premium Member
Hey Bax,
Great questions in which caused me to do some thinking. I think having the surface skim sent directly to the skimmer would be the most efficient however that pipe also has the lowest amount of flow so it wouldn't be very disirable as you pointed out. Considering the small waterfall falling over the overflow is doing a great job of breaking that surface tension and keeping the water in the overflow turbulent, I'm not too worried. If you had a very small amount going down to the sump then this might be an issue.
If you think it's something to worry about I would probably run both drain lines to your skimmer section and just 'T' off the main drain to your 'fuge. (with a valve to regulate your flow) If I did it again I would probably do it this way, but I don't think it's enough to warrant a piping change.
Great questions in which caused me to do some thinking. I think having the surface skim sent directly to the skimmer would be the most efficient however that pipe also has the lowest amount of flow so it wouldn't be very disirable as you pointed out. Considering the small waterfall falling over the overflow is doing a great job of breaking that surface tension and keeping the water in the overflow turbulent, I'm not too worried. If you had a very small amount going down to the sump then this might be an issue.
If you think it's something to worry about I would probably run both drain lines to your skimmer section and just 'T' off the main drain to your 'fuge. (with a valve to regulate your flow) If I did it again I would probably do it this way, but I don't think it's enough to warrant a piping change.
Damn Yankee
New member
Why could'nt you have that overflow on the out side of that tank?would really free up some real estate.
Damn Yankee
New member
Why could'nt you have that overflow on the out side of that tank?would really free up some real estate.
Psyire
Premium Member
Time for another update!
Here's some crazzzy pod pictures! It's amazing how fast pods multiply when they have no predators. It's been about 7 weeks since I added my Live Rock and the cycle started. I've got quite abit of Green Algae as well, and the odd dot of Coralline.
Closeup of Pods:
About 1sq ft. of my glass:
Another section:
Some Green MacroAlgae:
(look closely and you'll see the pods crawling on it)
Another shot:
Closeup:
So microlife is thriving and I finally added some fish. I moved my Dragon Goby and Lawnmower Blenny up into this tank this morning, it was easier than I thought to catch them. Much easier than it was my Sixline, but this time I used starvation and bait with seaweed. lol
Here's some crazzzy pod pictures! It's amazing how fast pods multiply when they have no predators. It's been about 7 weeks since I added my Live Rock and the cycle started. I've got quite abit of Green Algae as well, and the odd dot of Coralline.
Closeup of Pods:
About 1sq ft. of my glass:
Another section:
Some Green MacroAlgae:
(look closely and you'll see the pods crawling on it)
Another shot:
Closeup:
So microlife is thriving and I finally added some fish. I moved my Dragon Goby and Lawnmower Blenny up into this tank this morning, it was easier than I thought to catch them. Much easier than it was my Sixline, but this time I used starvation and bait with seaweed. lol
Psyire
Premium Member
I also recieved my skimmer today! All I need now is the pump so I can hook it up... should be here in about a week.
Barr Aquatic SK1620 Skimmer
-------------------------------------
Skimmer & Waste Collector:
Closeup of Airflow Meter:
Closeup of Air Filter, Beckett, & Ozone Injection Port:
Closeup of Top Etching:
Closeup of Gate Valve:
The quality of this skimmer is what I've come to expect from Brent @ Barr Aquatic. (nothing short of marvelous)
Two thumbs up!
My plan is to drive it with the Gen-X PCX55HP External Pump.
Barr Aquatic SK1620 Skimmer
-------------------------------------
Skimmer & Waste Collector:
Closeup of Airflow Meter:
Closeup of Air Filter, Beckett, & Ozone Injection Port:
Closeup of Top Etching:
Closeup of Gate Valve:
The quality of this skimmer is what I've come to expect from Brent @ Barr Aquatic. (nothing short of marvelous)
Two thumbs up!
My plan is to drive it with the Gen-X PCX55HP External Pump.
wow, all I can say. your budget far exceeds my own; but wow.
2 questions that Im sure you answered even though I read the whole thread.
1. the black piping; thats flexable; whered you get that? price?
2. your returns in the overflow; they branch out to the flexible sprayers, how do the sprayers pass through the overflow wall? bulkheads for each one?
2 questions that Im sure you answered even though I read the whole thread.
1. the black piping; thats flexable; whered you get that? price?
2. your returns in the overflow; they branch out to the flexible sprayers, how do the sprayers pass through the overflow wall? bulkheads for each one?
Psyire
Premium Member
areze,
Answers:
1. I'm going to assume you mean blue piping as I don't have any black piping. This is just tigerflex flexible pvc (white) with blue electrical tape wrapped around it so it looks alittle nicer.
2. You got it, bulkheads through the overflow for each locline return, 4 in total. (3/4")
Answers:
1. I'm going to assume you mean blue piping as I don't have any black piping. This is just tigerflex flexible pvc (white) with blue electrical tape wrapped around it so it looks alittle nicer.
2. You got it, bulkheads through the overflow for each locline return, 4 in total. (3/4")
Psyire
Premium Member
Alright...
So it's been a month since my last update. Quite a few things have went on since then.
I spent a good few weeks waiting for equipment and I also aquired some new livestock. I added a Juvenile Atlantic Blue Tang, and Blue Neon Goby to my holding tank to QT for a month. (50g) To my 180g tank I added a Mandarin Dragonet and 10 snails. I did not quarantine my Mandarin due to the fact I don't have many, if any, pods in that tank. I also read they are a slimy scaleless fish that dosen't contract disease very easy. I brought home these fish around the middle of September.
I got a big shipment of new toys in about a week ago and have been spending a lot of time setting things up. I started with my protein skimmer as I was anxious to get it running after finally getting the pump. Here are some pictures of it after I fired it up.
Skimmer:
Equipment shot:
(notice Waste Collector on it's own shelf)
Skimmate! 27hrs worth!
So it's been a month since my last update. Quite a few things have went on since then.
I spent a good few weeks waiting for equipment and I also aquired some new livestock. I added a Juvenile Atlantic Blue Tang, and Blue Neon Goby to my holding tank to QT for a month. (50g) To my 180g tank I added a Mandarin Dragonet and 10 snails. I did not quarantine my Mandarin due to the fact I don't have many, if any, pods in that tank. I also read they are a slimy scaleless fish that dosen't contract disease very easy. I brought home these fish around the middle of September.
I got a big shipment of new toys in about a week ago and have been spending a lot of time setting things up. I started with my protein skimmer as I was anxious to get it running after finally getting the pump. Here are some pictures of it after I fired it up.
Skimmer:
Equipment shot:
(notice Waste Collector on it's own shelf)
Skimmate! 27hrs worth!
