Coral Tank from Canada (1350gal Display Tank)

[AQD_ottawa]

As an importer myself, dealing with Europe-UK Singapore-Australia-China-Korea

THE biggest advise I can give anyone is "Never import in terms of financial value what you can not afford to lose"

In other words, if the ship sinks, the company goes down, the goods are not what they seem, it may be a nasty pill to swallow but you still have a company left to pick the pieces up with.

I am going through this exact process right now with a new product (no I will not tell the name) and we have secured a 50-50 contract, final payment on receipt of order. If the manufacturer will not do that then use Escrow they will act as the middle man until the goods are delivered.

Just some advise that might help others.

 

[skanderson]

it was listed as a pond pump and i have absolutely no idea about what its made of or if its saltwater safe. that being said i do have a pond so if it isnt saltwater safe i can test it out of my tank and not even loose the 38 bucks. i am spurred on by this because i think that the dc flow pumps on the market are rediculously expensive. i get that the controllers are complex. but it seems to me that to get an adjustable flow prop pump that is dc shouldnt be all that hard. so if i order and ruin a few 30 dollar pumps it wouldnt be the end of the world. it seems alot of innovation in tank tech is brought about by the hobbiest messing around with tools in their kitchens. sorry to hijack the great thread keep up the good work.

 

[digitalchrisg]

it was listed as a pond pump and i have absolutely no idea about what its made of or if its saltwater safe. that being said i do have a pond so if it isnt saltwater safe i can test it out of my tank and not even loose the 38 bucks. i am spurred on by this because i think that the dc flow pumps on the market are rediculously expensive. i get that the controllers are complex. but it seems to me that to get an adjustable flow prop pump that is dc shouldnt be all that hard. so if i order and ruin a few 30 dollar pumps it wouldnt be the end of the world. it seems alot of innovation in tank tech is brought about by the hobbiest messing around with tools in their kitchens. sorry to hijack the great thread keep up the good work.

I have been using a pond pump for the same reason for over a year now. For me it works fine, but they did claim it was saltwater safe when I purchased it. So far I have not had any issues with it.

 

[mr.wilson]

Double post

 

[mr.wilson]

You need a ceramic shaft for a low RPM pump and something more exotic like titanium or silicon carbide for a high RMP pump.

There is a line of Chinese DC pumps out now with a remote control that are reef safe, but they only go up to about 2,000 GPH. I will have some soon to test, but they are by no means high tech, and they will be a lot more than $38.00 even by the container.

I plan on making a needle wheel for one and see if it can handle the heat of a high air:water ratio. These applications typically require the pump to be submersed to stay cool. Calcium falls out of solution and crystalizes on hot, particularly metallic, parts. This is a cooling issue that needs to be addressed in the pump design. Cheap pumps are typically 4 pole and will often spin in the wrong direction or seize up when turned on and off.

The advantage of some of the new models on the horizon is low voltage. Cheap pumps often have poor epoxy seals and weak bearings, which is a fire and shock hazard. Most of these pumps are sold without UL, CSA, or any other safety equivalent.

 

[Chago09]

IMO a pump is the last thing you want to cheap out on. Its the one piece of a equipment we use that really effects every other piece of equipment. If the pumps are not working, no water will get to the sumps, refugiums, skimmers, reactors etc etc etc. Also it takes the most wear and tear, constanly running through salt water that has algae, critters, waste etc constantly being forced through them. Ohh right not to mention it can literally flood your house if it is going to leak.

 

[canesfan44]

IMO a pump is the last thing you want to cheap out on. Its the one piece of a equipment we use that really effects every other piece of equipment. If the pumps are not working, no water will get to the sumps, refugiums, skimmers, reactors etc etc etc. Also it takes the most wear and tear, constanly running through salt water that has algae, critters, waste etc constantly being forced through them. Ohh right not to mention it can literally flood your house if it is going to leak.

Agree 100%

 

[nineball]

IMO a pump is the last thing you want to cheap out on. Its the one piece of a equipment we use that really effects every other piece of equipment. If the pumps are not working, no water will get to the sumps, refugiums, skimmers, reactors etc etc etc. Also it takes the most wear and tear, constanly running through salt water that has algae, critters, waste etc constantly being forced through them. Ohh right not to mention it can literally flood your house if it is going to leak.

Not only do I agree with you but as a major principle DIY pump experiments are definitely NOT a best practice and NOT a consideration for this build. To go even further, they are not even a recommended practice because they carry an unusually high risk of failure and the consequences can be catastrophic to say the least.

I would not recommend to anyone to put any kind of experimental pump in the servicing chain for an aquarium build. The whole notion of saving money with these kinds of critical components just doesn't add up in my book.

If I want to take these kind of risks then I would recommend a one way ticket to Vegas. I might even consider taking my fish room girl with me.............. Oh yeah I forgot, I still haven't filled that position yet!!!!


Peter

 

[msr224]

The advantage of some of the new models on the horizon is low voltage. Cheap pumps often have poor epoxy seals and weak bearings, which is a fire and shock hazard. Most of these pumps are sold without UL, CSA, or any other safety equivalent.

This should be enough said right here. Let the early adopters pay for the newest technology. By the time all the bugs get worked out and the equipment smaller/more reliable it will come down in cost for the rest of us.

I for one agree 1000 percent, don't risk your tank, livestock, house, your own life OR your marraige on a cheap pump that "looks" like the more expensive ones. You're just asking for issues down the road....

 

[mr.wilson]

As with any technology, the first generation pumps are $2000, then four years later the second generation are a more efficient and cost $1000, and two years from now they will be a little more efficient and level out at $500. In the mean time you will see some cheap imitations that prematurely fail due to poor engineering, materials and workmanship.

The next step in the evolution is for AC pumps to do a complete redesign in order to compete. The Iwaki pumps we use now haven't seen a significant update in over 20 years. That's why the price has remained constant. If they can't compete with DC technology, they will get cheaper and eventually become obsolete. With the way environmental concerns are going, electrical items like these may even become banned, like they are doing with incandescent lighting.

On the sidelines, we have prop pumps which are largely low voltage and will soon be DC as well. There will always be a place for submersible pumps. As an aside, all of the DC flow pumps thus far have been submersible, so all it takes is a prop mod, which already exists for the ABYZZ model.

 

[nineball]

By the way everyone, if you haven't already, please take a look at our mentor's tank. ChingChai's latest video is posted in his thread and it is truly inspirational. Please leave him a few words of encouragement as he continues to move this hobby forward in such a positive light. Do any members of this community know about how to start a nomination process for Tank of the Month?

Peter

PS. iIf you have a strong computing platform shift the video resolution on the video to 1080P and go full screen......its really worth it!!!

 

[Mandragen]

can you give us a link to that page please

 

[mr.wilson]

can you give us a link to that page please

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showpost.php?p=18065717&postcount=5082

 

[chingchai]

By the way everyone, if you haven't already, please take a look at our mentor's tank. ChingChai's latest video is posted in his thread and it is truly inspirational. Please leave him a few words of encouragement as he continues to move this hobby forward in such a positive light. Do any members of this community know about how to start a nomination process for Tank of the Month?

Peter

PS. iIf you have a strong computing platform shift the video resolution on the video to 1080P and go full screen......its really worth it!!!

Peter. Thank you so much.
Don't call me mentor. I am just your humble friend.

Tank of the Month:
I already got this title.
Let's give this opportunity to other reefers.

 

[chingchai]

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showpost.php?p=18065717&postcount=5082

Shawn. Thanks.

 

[swissgaurd]

to Peter,mr wilson and the grim brothers and wife .
i have followed this build thread from the beginning.
Your tank is truly amazing and well designed,in this build you have left out no detail.
I was just recently invited to see this system in person ,the hospitality was like no other,from when the front door opened i felt welcomed.
for me to follow a build thread and then see it in person is amazing.
peter and mr wilson has left out no detail in this build eveything that is documented is in this thread. Even the pictures that has been shown on lighting are the same as what ive seen in person.
the size of this tank, the fishroom is a dream of mine that ive always wished for.
ive been in this hobby for over 20 yrs,i knew mr wilson back then when i used to by wholesale from him, peter you couldnt have a better manager.
To me this is what the reef hobby is what its all about,its not just the fish and the size of tanks its about the people you meet along the way.
again i thank you for letting me into your home to view this beutiful system that youve put togethor.

thankyou

vic

 

[CraigB]

+1

Yes, thank you Peter, Mr. Wilson, Brothers Grim, Judy and even Mollie for the incredible opportunity and experience.

Yes, the tank, build, fish room and house are truly as fabulous as shown in this thread.
Yes, Peter is truly as nice a guy as is presented in the 230+ page build.
Mr. Wilson, you sir are one very knowledgable expert. The amount of time you spent explaining the highs and lows of this jounry to date was amazing. The amount of time and valuable advice / discussion you shared was,, invaluable.

Thank you all so much for making our humble little group a small part of your fish tank, sorry OUR fish tank.

 

[szymek]

Peter and the team,

Our Club has been honored to be given opportunity to view your build in person.

I've been monitoring this thread since nearly the beginning. But now to be given an opportunity to see it in person was "mind blowing". This is really well designed system that is absolutely stunning and inspiring!

Peter: Thank you for your generosity and hospitality! That was extremely kind of you!

Shawn: Thank you for your patience and answering our 1000 or maybe 1001 questions. Your knowledge is profound.

Drago: Thank you for explaining the water filtration. You've answered a lot of my questions, so hopefully that will close off few loose ends in my own setup. We will definitely stay in touch!

The maintenance team: you guys are very hard workers and quick learners. Thank you for sharing with us your experiences on this build.

Below are few pictures that I have taken while at Peter's house.

 

[Reefski's]

do you have floor drains? with the quality of work you will probably never have a leak big enough to need one.

 

[nineball]

to Peter,mr wilson and the grim brothers and wife .
i have followed this build thread from the beginning.
Your tank is truly amazing and well designed,in this build you have left out no detail.
I was just recently invited to see this system in person ,the hospitality was like no other,from when the front door opened i felt welcomed.
for me to follow a build thread and then see it in person is amazing.
peter and mr wilson has left out no detail in this build eveything that is documented is in this thread. Even the pictures that has been shown on lighting are the same as what ive seen in person.
the size of this tank, the fishroom is a dream of mine that ive always wished for.
ive been in this hobby for over 20 yrs,i knew mr wilson back then when i used to by wholesale from him, peter you couldnt have a better manager.
To me this is what the reef hobby is what its all about,its not just the fish and the size of tanks its about the people you meet along the way.
again i thank you for letting me into your home to view this beutiful system that youve put togethor.

thankyou

vic

Thank you very much for the kind words and your generosity Vic. It did feel like we knew each other for a long time. I'm glad you are a part of this community and I do look forward to more meetings like this to share progress reports as we move to the next phase of this build.

Peter