Electrobes' K.I.S.S. 40Br Thread

[Electrobes]

Re: Re: RO/DI Plans

Re: Re: RO/DI Plans

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12258158#post12258158 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by MeuserReef
Take the BLUE pill Christian!... the BLUE pill!!!

I have my ATO setup like this and its awesome. As long as your RO/DI has a pressure shut-off valve, you can use one of these <a href=http://www.toofishy.com/product.php?productid=18680> FLOAT VALVES</a> to act as a mechanical safety should your electric solenoids fail.

I use two 12V float switches (wired in series) to control two 120V solenoids (also plumbed in series and switched via a 12V relay). The output from my RO unit goes into my Kalk reactor, which allows me to dose my tank w/ kalk whenever its top-off time.

All of this (except the float valves.... duh!) are in my laundry room, which is on the other side of the wall that my tank sits against. The waste water from the RO goes down the washing machine waste water drain, although some folks use it to fill their washing machine or to water their plants/lawns.

To prevent "short-cycling" on the RO unit (caused by the float switches bobbing up and down all day) I control the power to the ATO by a el-cheap-o mechanical timer. It comes on 5 times a day and remians on for a MAX of 15 min at a time.

Ps... thanks again for the CO2 setup!

:lol: I am surprised, I figured people would have told me to take option two. Only thing I worry about with two solenoids failing and a float switch is if the float switch were to work.. it could damage the RO/DI.

With option two it would just overflow the container onto my tile floor which would be fine except for the minor inconvienience of mopping it up and having a very loud person at your side (aka wife)!

 

[MeuserReef]

There wouldnt be any damage to the RO unit so long as it has a pressure shut-off valve (most good units do).

Flooding is not an option... ever... for any reason.. in my situation. My home is a split level so everything is upstairs. To flood would be to ruin the ceiling downstairs. Talk about a loud person then!!!

I have had this in use for almost 2 years now and (IMO) its truly the best "set and forget" type of ATO you can build.

 

[Electrobes]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12258232#post12258232 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by MeuserReef
There wouldnt be any damage to the RO unit so long as it has a pressure shut-off valve (most good units do).

Flooding is not an option... ever... for any reason.. in my situation. My home is a split level so everything is upstairs. To flood would be to ruin the ceiling downstairs. Talk about a loud person then!!!

I have had this in use for almost 2 years now and (IMO) its truly the best "set and forget" type of ATO you can build.

Hmm.. I didn't know RO/DI units had such things (pressure shut off valves). I am going to investigate whether mine has one.. I have a dark feeling about this :rolleye1:

 

[MeuserReef]

I think its actually called the Auto Shut-Off Valve (ASOV) on the RO units. It senses when pressure builds on the clean water output line and shuts off the incoming water source.

looks like this:

<a href=http://www.buckeyefieldsupply.com/showproducts.asp?Sub=109&showspecials=109>BUCKEYE FIELD SUPPLY</a> has them for $9.75. (and they are an RC sponsor too )

 

[Electrobes]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12258422#post12258422 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by MeuserReef
I think its actually called the Auto Shut-Off Valve (ASOV) on the RO units. It senses when pressure builds on the clean water output line and shuts off the incoming water source.

looks like this:

<a href=http://www.buckeyefieldsupply.com/showproducts.asp?Sub=109&showspecials=109>BUCKEYE FIELD SUPPLY</a> has them for $9.75. (and they are an RC sponsor too )

Thanks a lot MeuserReef, I will definitely get it if my new RO/DI doesn't have it. I now may have to go with option one... I mean no breaking the RO/DI AND no mess... it's like the wife-shackles-of-worry-and-doom just fell off of me! :dance:

 

[Electrobes]

Okay I just checked and it looks like mine too has the auto-shut-off valve... saweet!

 

[MeuserReef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12259315#post12259315 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Electrobes
it's like the wife-shackles-of-worry-and-doom just fell off of me! :dance:

Too funny!

Glad to hear that your RO has the ASOV. If setup correctly, option 1 will work flawlessly, expecially with the laundry room on the other side of the wall!

Im sure you already have your setup plans bubbling around in your head, but this is how I have my system setup if it helps.

 

[Electrobes]

Yeah that's exactly what I had in mind except instead of a sump it would be my Kalk Reactor.

 

[Electrobes]

Reef Closet

Reef Closet

Si I took some time this morning before my hellolights shipment got here to clean out my closet by the garage. It is just filled with junk and severely needed cleaning out.

After a full bag of garbage and patience it's now this:

And who can resist this?

Truth be told she is the sneaky one... I no longer fall for this look... mostly

 

[Electrobes]

Minor update:

As I speak I am awaiting to put a third coat of Kilz acrylic water-based exterior/interior paint/primer to water proof my canopy (White colored). This should protect the wood from any water/moisture damage caused by evaporation. I mean if my freshwater set up did that much with two bulbs, imagine was 4 will do to it!

I also bought wood filler for the idiotic holes I created earlier when I was setting up a freshwater tank. I also bought a stain marker to camoflauge the filled holes, hopefully it works well.

I don't think I'll have the electrical part of the lighting done as I need to wait till the paint has fully dried. I'm also sad to learn that Lowes does not carry 18 guage wire.. of all the retarded things...

I should finish the electrical tomorrow, and will post pics of the pain job and the actual lighting tomorrow. For those who are curious I have two Aquasuns and two super actinics... both by URI.

Oh I forgot to post a picture of my other mutt, since pictures are fun and all:

Lovely how she dirties the wall with that lethal tail of hers!

 

[MeuserReef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12261775#post12261775 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Electrobes
I'm also sad to learn that Lowes does not carry 18 guage wire.. of all the retarded things...

Go to Wal-Mart, get a 16/3 extension cord (whatever length you want... the longer, the better). Cut the exterior insulation off and you will have a Black, White, and Green wire to work with. This will also provide you with a pre-wired male and female plug that Im sure you will find a use for. You can walk away with 16 gauge wire cheaper than 18 if you go this route. If you MUST have solid wire, then you might try Radio Shack.

Im not sure if you will need wire rated over 300V to connect the ballasts to the lamps.... I never do and havent had any problems.

 

[kar93]

Looks Good so far, I might try that DIY reactor for myself, Great idea!

 

[Electrobes]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12262221#post12262221 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by MeuserReef
Go to Wal-Mart, get a 16/3 extension cord (whatever length you want... the longer, the better). Cut the exterior insulation off and you will have a Black, White, and Green wire to work with. This will also provide you with a pre-wired male and female plug that Im sure you will find a use for. You can walk away with 16 gauge wire cheaper than 18 if you go this route. If you MUST have solid wire, then you might try Radio Shack.

Im not sure if you will need wire rated over 300V to connect the ballasts to the lamps.... I never do and havent had any problems.

I was debating doing something like that as Lowes had 18/3 and 7s... could have bought a small pack and split them up.. but their packs were all large. Could I use 14 guage wire with 18 guage? Or is there a problem using both of them together??

 

[Electrobes]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12262251#post12262251 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by kar93
Looks Good so far, I might try that DIY reactor for myself, Great idea!

It really is very, very easy to do. In total it cost me about 50 bucks to do, even with normal everyday tools. I think I will soon build another down the road and make it out of acrylic as now I have the time to wait around with my current Kalk Reactor. :smokin:

 

[MeuserReef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12263519#post12263519 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Electrobes
I was debating doing something like that as Lowes had 18/3 and 7s... could have bought a small pack and split them up.. but their packs were all large. Could I use 14 guage wire with 18 guage? Or is there a problem using both of them together??

You can use 14 gauge wire to connect to 18 with no problems, so long as whatever you are wiring is designed for 18.

It is always OK to use a larger gauge wire than is required, but under NO circumstances should you EVER use a smaller gauge wire to supply power to a device that requires a larger one.

Substituting a 14 gauge wire for an 18 gauge wire is fine.

Substituting an 18 gauge wire for a 14 gauge wire is asking for a fire.

 

[Electrobes]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12265109#post12265109 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by MeuserReef
You can use 14 gauge wire to connect to 18 with no problems, so long as whatever you are wiring is designed for 18.

It is always OK to use a larger gauge wire than is required, but under NO circumstances should you EVER use a smaller gauge wire to supply power to a device that requires a larger one.

Substituting a 14 gauge wire for an 18 gauge wire is fine.

Substituting an 18 gauge wire for a 14 gauge wire is asking for a fire.

Thanks MeuserReef, that makes perfect sense.. just wanted to be sure I didn't burn down my reef and take the house with it! :eek1: Pretty sure the wife would kill me, resusitate me, and then kill me again. :lol:

It just ocurred to me that I should have bought the 14 guage wire yesterday as now I have to wait till 1:30pm before any of the stores are open for business... Blue Laws

 

[Electrobes]

Ug... just got done with most of the lighting, but discovered (Right when I was about to soder everything cleanly) that my ballast will be in the stand... so if I want to take my canopy off.. I can't!

Anyone know where (If it exists) I can find a DIY quick disconnect product? Only ones I've found so far already are a part of the ballast... I need one to connect two sets of wires together. So close to finishing it.

Oh! I forgot to mention that my RO/DI is coming on the 10th (Thursday) so I will hopefully have that project done by then. Time will tell I guess

 

[Electrobes]

Another thing of importance that I should mention is that instead of going with 4 X 95 watt VHOs I discovered that my reflector is only capable if holding 3 bulbs! This actually works out for me in a number of ways:

- Nice color off two blues and one white

- 7.125 watts per gallon in my shallow softie aquarium is actually quite a bit of light, considering that I plan on housing.

- Less costs electricity and bulb-wise.

Anyone wanna soder my billion wires together? :lol:

I'll be posting pictures of the lighting build as soon as I finish with it all (Almost done, just ran into the quick disconnect snag... wish I knew where to get such a thing).

 

[cashman95]

Electrobes, OK Your going to have to stand up to the wife eventually!!!! Tell her its your house too, and she's lucky your not putting this tank in the living room! Besides if your putting up with her residencey, then she owes you! My wife works at Greenville Memorial Hospital here in the upstate of SC. I have been down the night shift/long shift road!

Ok since I live near you...sorta...45 minutes away, you have to update me about the LFS's in that area. Any good ones? Have you checked out any up here?

I am also doing a tank build that wil be going in our new house, and since I kept it small 24x24x20 Rimless cube, I get to put it in the living room. The garage is on the other side of the wall, so my "fish room" is going to be in there. I had the builders insulate the whole garage.

 

[Electrobes]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12269338#post12269338 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by cashman95
Electrobes, OK Your going to have to stand up to the wife eventually!!!! Tell her its your house too, and she's lucky your not putting this tank in the living room! Besides if your putting up with her residencey, then she owes you! My wife works at Greenville Memorial Hospital here in the upstate of SC. I have been down the night shift/long shift road!

Ok since I live near you...sorta...45 minutes away, you have to update me about the LFS's in that area. Any good ones? Have you checked out any up here?

I am also doing a tank build that wil be going in our new house, and since I kept it small 24x24x20 Rimless cube, I get to put it in the living room. The garage is on the other side of the wall, so my "fish room" is going to be in there. I had the builders insulate the whole garage.

:lol: I pick my battles with the wife... she's 5 feet of fiesty, just the way I like 'em! In reality she's been very good about it all (She was actually very receiving about me coming back to reefing).

Athough it saddens me that she has no interest in the hobby, she at least gets emotionally attached to the fish.. but her favorites are damsels! :rolleye1:

I am actually very new to the area, I am just now getting involved with the local Reef clubs like PMAC (Palmetto Marine Aquarists Club), but I hear Ocean Floor is a good store in Greenville. There was one other but I can not remember the name of it.

Have you started your build thread yet? I'd definitely like to see it. That's awesome that you had the builders do that.. are you planning on having your filtration in there?