d2mini's "Essential Focus" Mixed Reef Build

[brownmarc]

Awe shucks. Nice and red. I wouldn't have it any other way lol.

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[CafeReef]

Done.

great idea. looks awesome, Voss bottles?

 

[fq600]

How many liters of liquid r those? Very nice!

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[Bdial]

Done.

I love this idea. I'll be utilizing it too! I love watching your builds. So ingenious.

 

[d2mini]

great idea. looks awesome, Voss bottles?

Yep.
The paint scrapes right off with a razor blade.

How many liters of liquid r those? Very nice!

These are the larger glass ones, 800 ml. The PET are 850.
At some point, I may be refilling every few days... but until then, these will do.

I love this idea. I'll be utilizing it too! I love watching your builds. So ingenious.

Thanks, go for it.

 

[ReefCowboy]

The GHL has 24v Stepper Motors, accurate to .1ml
I don't know how long they will last in comparison to neptune's. I'd say only time will tell.
Other features of the GHL...
- WiFi for programming options MyGHL cloud service and compatibility with apps/smartphones
- ports for connecting magnet stirrers! (stirs before dosing)
- port for connecting an upcoming external GHL Control Pad (4.3" capactive touch screen)
- port for temperature measurement with alarm
- port for ATO and AWC (with 2 optional level sensors)
- expandable, up to 16 pumps with slave-dosers

Thank you for the comparison, im actually impressed with the GHL

I have both pieces of equipment and can give you my opinion on them. They both are stepper motor driven, so are very accurate. Both motors will have a long life as stepper motors are a brush less type motor.

The biggest difference is the size... The DOS is HUGE, but I think it is mainly intended for the water change and top off crowd. The big advantage I have found that is with creative programming and check valves, you can do all sorts of things with a single pump, that normally would take two pumps.

The GHL unit Is designed to dose small amounts, I mean my top off is measured in the gallons, so I'd never want to use it for that, as they would always be running. But If I want to dose, one drop, every 15 minutes of something these units are king.

Sure you can use both units to do both things, but just look at the difference in tubing size and it will really show what these pumps were designed to do... Now if you have a sub 100 gallon system, I'm sure the GHL's smaller pumps would work for topoff and water change, and I'm sure if you only were dosing two part the DOS would be great for that, as you can dose small amounts.

But when you break down the price point, the GHL is cheaper per pump, and when you are a control freak, the per pump price is a big concern, as well who just uses 4 dosing pumps

Just my two sense.

I also run Masterflex pumps, even the giant ones that use 1" tubing and 1/3rd horsepower motors, so noise is subjective. If you find the pumps noisy, slow them down, and dose more often... slower speed means quieter.

Thank you Theokie;
I plan on a reefer 525, the system will be 130 gals approx. im thinking about the GHL, as i can dose cal/alk/mg and Nopox with a small footprint system. I woukd need two DOS's and that could be huge inside a sump area...

 

[Theokie]

Can the GHL pump run backwards? I'm looking at setting up a frozen food feeder like Slief's

I don't want to derail your thread, but I will give a quick reply to this.... For people that want more details on comparing the dosers give me a PM, or maybe I will start a thread.


The GHL pumps are capable of running in both directions, but the control interface doesn't give you programming you would need to do the autofeeder like behaviors. I actually use on my of DOS channels for just that, along with the other to exchange water on a nano tank with my larger system.... 1 liter out, one liter back in, using the same line, every half hour. Also I wouldn't try to use the GHL for anything bigger then Oyster Feast or similar... as the internal size of the tubing is very small... smaller then airline.

The solution with the GHL is to use their soon to be available magnetic stirrers, so you get your food in suspension and then pump it out.

 

[maxxII]

Can the GHL pump run backwards? I'm looking at setting up a frozen food feeder like Slief's

An option for a frozen food dispenser I've been working on is using Cole Parmer Masterflex pumps. I purchased a used variable speed CP Masterflex pump with two heads.

One line will run from the sump to the container. The other will run from the container to the tank. Since the two pumps will be running at the same speed, I wont have to worry about one pump over running the other.

Water will be pumped from the sump to the container, to mix food up and the other will pull food from the container and dispense it to the tank. Both pumps will run for several minutes to flush the feed line and prevent spoilage.

Just another thought.

 

[d2mini]

GHL is aware of the need for reversal and will probably include that feature in a future firmware update.
But it's really designed/built for traditional dosing.
Not moving lots of water, not moving particles.
I too use Cole-Parmer pumps for more industrial applications like water changes and such because they have stainless rollers and are built to run 24/7.

 

[d2mini]

UPDATE 4-15-16

Moving right along... the equipment board is done and the sump is in!
Some of the plumbing is still dry fit as I wait for a couple fittings to arrive this week.
And some minor things to do like install the dosing lines, label the bottles, install my probes, put the Avast Spyglass in the return section of the sump... all in due time.

Now to head back outside and run those water supply lines from the mixing station on the back deck!

 

[mikeatjac]

Very clean set up Dennis. I almost went with the same tank but could not get pass the corner overflow. So I went with a Red Sea tank.

 

[Reef noob_]

That sump is simply gorgeous, does anyone know if you can won TOTM before even putting in water?:rollface:

 

[Fish Keeper82]

Very nice and clean install following along.... always late to the party.

 

[d2mini]

Very clean set up Dennis. I almost went with the same tank but could not get pass the corner overflow. So I went with a Red Sea tank.

Yep, I know how u feel.
I've always been a proponent of the long overflows for their surface skimming capabilities.
I've decided to take a chance with the Elos due to how much flow their overflows can handle.

That sump is simply gorgeous, does anyone know if you can won TOTM before even putting in water?:rollface:

haha, thanks!
I do happen to know the answer to that question and unfortunately it would be a big fat "NO".

Very nice and clean install following along.... always late to the party.

Thanks, and welcome.

 

[Deep Reef]

Great looking tank/system! Your making me think about redoing my DT

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[Chrisrush]

Looks great Dennis. I'm hoping to get my tank in and start the plumbing and wire management. Lots of great ideas here.

 

[motocrf450176]

Curious what media are you planning to run in the avast spyglass?

 

[Wazzel]

Looking good Dennis. You are moving much faster than me.

 

[vitodog]

Dennis, every time you start a new build you inspire me change something in my tank. Dennis, if you don't mind, what is the model LifeReef skimmer you are using in this tank and what is the footprint? Thank you Dennis.

 

[Deep Reef]

ANOTHER NEW TOY ARRIVED.


I'm putting this bad boy over my refugium in my sump.
Mars Hydro 300. $99 on Amazon.
It's a full spectrum grow light. 300w.
Should be good for most macros, not just chaeto.
And from what I hear, it blows away the HPS light I was using over my previous refugium. :eek2:
Visually it has a real pink look.

Dennis, I'm sorry for coming late to this party, you indicated that the grow light was not good for chaeto. Why not? What macros will you be using instead?

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