d2mini's 130g Rimless Cube

[Taqpol]

Here you can see the blue ATO supply going to the Eshopps ATO in my sump.

Does your ATO dump into your tank be means of a mechanical float valve like what you have between your RO/DI unit and the FW storage tank? Seems like that could be a little dangerous if you ever had a leak somewhere and it dumped 65 gallons of freshwater into your system.

I love the continuous water change setup!

 

[d2mini]

Thanks!

A leak where?
It's a mechanical float valve. If it fails, it will stick in the OFF position. These are more trustworthy than the solenoids.
Eventually though I will upgrade it to the BRS version that has a mechanical float valve AND a solenoid, so there is a back up.

 

[dollarz81]

Is it possible to use the litermeter along with your reefkeeper to turn off the main pump every time a small water change is done? That way you could pull the skank water from the main display and add fresh salt water to the sump. That way you know your never pulling out fresh saltwater. It would probably cause your main pump to wear out prematurely.

 

[d2mini]

You wouldn't want your main pump turning on and off 150 times per day.

Trust me... when 4 oz of fresh water is pumped in... the chances of pulling any of it back out, from a completely different line, a minute or two later, is pretty much zero. I didn't mention it earlier, but there is a delay between pumps. But even if there wasn't, there is still pretty much zero chance of pulling out water you just put in, when there is 400+gph flowing through your sump.

 

[Taqpol]

Can you explain how the ATO would fail in the off position? In my head it seems like no matter what if the water level drops the float would also drop, allowing top off water to flow freely.

Admittedly this whole thing is an absolute worst case scenario. If your tank or sump popped a seam there is a chance your livestock will be fine once the sump runs dry and the return pump stops pumping, but in this scenario it seems like in that event your ATO would allow all 65 gallons into the tank severely lowering your specific gravity.

All float switches have the same problem (unless put on a timer somehow), but I was just thinking you might want a smaller FW reservoir in case something catastrophic happens.

 

[d2mini]

ok, wait.... 150 gallons on the floor vs 200 gallons. Not sure I'm seeing much of a difference there. LOL! :lol:

The ATO would fail in the off position the way most ATO's fail... by sticking. It's much easier for an electronic solenoid to stick in the down position. If the mechanical float valve is going to stick, most likely it will be in the up position which is "OFF". Sure, the sump could spring a leak, or the tank. No ATO that I know of will protect you from that. And a timer would only help you if you were home or near the tank while it's off. Your entire system is comprised of a bunch of calculated risks.
Like I said, I'll eventually upgrade to the dual unit from BRS. I had one from autotopoff.com that used two solenoids and I really liked having the extra piece of mind of the back up, but it won't work with my new setup, so i got this one for now.

 

[Crisis64]

Awesome Build!!!

Awesome Build!!!

Hey D2, can you explain why that stand pipe is so quite? Is it a stockman or something.
BTW I hope you didn't copywrite this build as I will definatley be copying it !!! HaHaHaHa!!!!

 

[d2mini]

Hey D2, can you explain why that stand pipe is so quite? Is it a stockman or something.
BTW I hope you didn't copywrite this build as I will definatley be copying it !!! HaHaHaHa!!!!

Everything you've ever wanted to know is in this thread.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=344892

But basically you are creating a siphon, with no air entering the pipe. This is why it's quiet. And then in your sump, the drain has to empty below the water line, so no splashing noises.

 

[Lyfey]

D2, where your old water dump line in your garage enters the tubing on the garage wall inside the garage, to go outside, it doesnt look like that hole is sealed where the water line is entering. Will that cause any leaks for the main purpose of your PVC sprinkler line?

 

[Lyfey]

and I know this seems very mundane, but the 18 litres of water a day that exits your house, the tubing is right up against the foundation. Will 18 litres of salt water a day, flowing directly to your foundation wall, will that cause any corrosion over the course of the tanks life? I would route it at least a foot away from the house, unless grass is a concern. Just my .02c

-Chris

 

[kc350twin]

Everything you've ever wanted to know is in this thread.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=344892

But basically you are creating a siphon, with no air entering the pipe. This is why it's quiet. And then in your sump, the drain has to empty below the water line, so no splashing noises.

I'm also curious. Yours is different isn't it? Most have 3 pipes.

1. Full siphon drain
2. secondary drain w/vent
3. Emergency drain

Do you have to do anything special when you shut down and re-start the main pump?


Thanks
Kc3

 

[d2mini]

D2, where your old water dump line in your garage enters the tubing on the garage wall inside the garage, to go outside, it doesnt look like that hole is sealed where the water line is entering. Will that cause any leaks for the main purpose of your PVC sprinkler line?

Ya, i sealed it with some silicone after i took the pic.
It's the exterior hole I was worried about.

and I know this seems very mundane, but the 18 litres of water a day that exits your house, the tubing is right up against the foundation. Will 18 litres of salt water a day, flowing directly to your foundation wall, will that cause any corrosion over the course of the tanks life? I would route it at least a foot away from the house, unless grass is a concern. Just my .02c

-Chris

Corrosion? Of my concrete slap foundation? Nope!
Here in Houston the homes are built on concrete slabs in most areas.
We are told to keep the perimeter of the house moist. I have sprinkler heads all along the foundation. So one, the whole house gets watered, not just that one spot. And the little bit of salt will probably get watered down by the sprinkler system anyway.

I'm also curious. Yours is different isn't it? Most have 3 pipes.

1. Full siphon drain
2. secondary drain w/vent
3. Emergency drain

Do you have to do anything special when you shut down and re-start the main pump?

That's the BeanAnimal version, which is basically just an extra failsafe over the one I used which is the Herbie version. 3 drains with Bean, 2 drains with Herbie. Go Bean if you have the room. The Herbie was originally designed for pre-drilled reef ready tanks that had one drain and one return. With the herbie taking up both drilled holes, the return was brought up behind the tank and over the top.

 

[kc350twin]

Ahhhh! I see the light now. Thanks for clearing that up. I wish I would have researched this before I ordered my tank.


Thanks
kc3

 

[dcook]

More tank pictures plzzzzzzzzzzzz


I need my fix LOL

 

[d2mini]

haha, ok well the only thing i have is some pics from last night.

Extra Cucumbers in my Reef Salad????

So i know I got TWO cucumbers from Richard at TBS... i remember unbagging them.
Last night after my tank lights had gone off I turned on the room lights which illuminate the tank enough for me to see somewhat and i had FOUR cucumbers out and about. See pics of all 4 below. One even looks just like the rock and one is white!
I'd say those would have to be the biggest hitchhikers found in my tank yet. :eek2:

 

[mike810]

I've seen this happen a lot with 8MM laminate. Next time go with 12MM. They look more like real wood with beveled edges and more durable against moisture.

It's laminate, made by Shaw. My style isn't made anymore.
But that doesn't matter because i would never recommend it. It sucks!
Get Pergo Select if you are going to get it, and make sure it's glued, not snap together. This shaw crap is bubbling/lifting at the seams... the top layer of the floor. You don't notice it pics, but in person you can see it in the right light. And Shaw won't warranty it because they said there is too much moisture. Ummm.... excuse me... your floor is on your laminate moisture barrier, on top of a freakin slab. So what you're telling me is you don't warranty your floor in Texas? A$$holes. :mad2: I have Pergo Select in the master bed/bath that is 8 years old and looks brand new, and this is even around the shower where it gets WET daily!

Thanks!

 

[IridescentLily]

This is an amazing photo.

 

[Taqpol]

Those cucumbers are really cool, are they all algae eaters?

 

[d2mini]

Taqpol, good question.
I think they are all general scavengers.
Richard at TBS did confirm that all Gulf cukes are non-toxic. Woohoo!
I hope all 4 can survive in my tank.

 

[Crisis64]

Thanks guys!
No new pics yet. Nothing has changes since the pics i posted a day or two ago.
Oh, but I did catch another Mantis. That's two down. And I snagged a gorilla crab.
I ended up pulling the offending rock out of the tank. It's the size of a basketball. Brought it into my garage and left it hoping the Mantis would realize he was out of water and would jump out. 20 minutes later, no luck. So I started looking real close and finally saw a couple beady eyes staring back at me. I went into the kitchen and got a glass of scolding hot water from the faucet and my trusty turkey baster. Started squirting the hot water into the hole he was in on top of the rock. A couple squirts later and he came flying out the bottom. I then started flooding every hole i could find but no more Mantis jumping ship. I heard lots of snap/crackle/pop noises but i think it was just the water filling all the nooks and crannies inside the rock. Tonite I'll try the other big rock that I'm pretty sure has at least one mantis in it.


Thanks! I do need to take a pic from outside, been meaning to. I do know that when just the T5's are on, the entire front of my house is bright blue! lol

I heard of a better method of removing mantis shrimps, I did this myself & it worked! Take the offending rock out of the water, & place it in a large bucket, take a large dc source, I used a car battery charger & shocked the rock. Never saw a mantis fly before:uzi::uzi::uzi: