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

[Electrobes]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12305055#post12305055 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Rustylugnuts
Hell yea there are. I'ts been fun following along!.
If I wasn't a broke student bout to graduate I'd try to make an offer on that refractometer but anyway I doubt youll have any problems getting rid of the box o crap content you won't use.

Thanks, I am almost sad now that I am almost done... I love the actual building of reef tanks and all the fun little side projects. Okay not nearly as sad as not getting my Maxim mag from Box O Crap, but you get my meaning :lol:

I have to admit that I am SO ready to get my rock and sand. It'll be a month before I can even put the rock in the tank! Why oh why I decided to take it slow and do it all the right way is beyond me

Man as soon as the Fed Ex guy comes by here for me to sign for a package the sooner I can leave already and get the replacement Needle Saddle Valve and other stuff to finish the build and start filling the tank up for a leak test.

 

[Electrobes]

Okay I got the RO/DI working finally.. that'll be the next post. I'll have also finished the PVC rock support and post about that with pics. Just need to actually do it

 

[Electrobes]

The RO/DI

The RO/DI

Ug what a pain this was. A lot more than usual, and I've set up these units before but my own stupidity makes it more complicated. So the first time I tried this (yesterday) I pierced both sides of the tubing with the needle saddle valve.

I went to Lowes and got new tubing, but had to sand it to fit the faucet and screw in thingie. After that I put on the saddle valve first and looked through the piping to make sure I didn't pierce both sides. It was a success and now we're in business.

After that it was time to plug in the RO/DI unit. This is a slightly new design.. and I don't much like it. The flush valve was all the way open so for a while I was wondering why the unit was filled but not producing. Eventually I discovered the issue. And closed the flush valve some.

I did discover 3 leaks and in a way to observe longer I put a container under the leak to later disover the other ones.

After discovering the leaks I used teflon tape and tried to stop the leaks. Lucky for me it worked though it is not suggested to use teflon tape on plastic to plastic threads. Whatever I tried it and it worked. No more container!

More importantly were the TDS results:

Before Unit:

And after:

I am letting the unit run for a little. I am trying to guage it to produce 5 gallons an hour and it is not producing near that. Letting it run for a bit and fiddling with the "flow resistor valve/flush valve" I hope to eventually get the right gallons/hour.. I hope

Next will be the PVC rock structure. I am going to try this out and if I like it I'll put it in. I want it because I want flow in between the rocks as well as the rest of the tank. I think this helps keep detritus in the water column for the filtration to take place. Again... I am trying to do everything the right way for the benefit of healthier (i.e. faster growing) corals!

 

[chrismunn]

whats the GPD rating on the RO/DI? you may not be able to get 5gph and maintain clean water...

 

[Electrobes]

Hi Chrismunn,

The Unit's GPD is 100. I've used this same unit 3-4 years prior (before the reef hiatus) and it produced 0 TDS at 5 GPH. I still need to tinker with it some more (The flow adjuster), but today is a beautiful day, temp is about 65 F, and I'm BBQing chicken with some friends as we speak I'm just glad the unit worked without much trouble (leaks).

 

[chrismunn]

that unit at 100gpd is capable of producing 4.8 gph, surley exceeding the rate by 0.2 will be just fine! you've already proved that.

i wish i had a flush valve on my RO/DI. i dont even know what it is? :lol: but i bet i could make one

good luck. and enjoy the weather and chicken!

 

[Electrobes]

Heh thanks man. Everything went well, I didn't burn the house down.. yet

A flush valve basically empties the Unit (Relieving pressure) via the waste line. It's nice when disconnecting for any reason.

I am gunna go tinker with the RO/DI again.. hopefully I don't break it

I almost forgot about my PVC rock structure!

 

[Electrobes]

I forgot to mention a couple things:

- I did finally figure out the relay deal for the float switch/auto top-off. I need to get a different relay from radio shack.. and I'll be able to finish it. I will post those pics and build tomorrow.. if I find my part.

- I am going to have to wait till tomorrow to build the PVC rock structure. I forgot my hand saw and have no other saws here at my home.

A couple thoughts:

There is a rock and sand offer in my state and I was seriously thinking about making the trip. Unfortunately I come to find out that it's not so much base rock as it is more like live rock.. which means the price goes up per lb and it's live rock.. I was hoping more for base rock.

For those of you reading I am definitely looking for your thoughts and opinions on where to get base rock. Many thanks

 

[acceler8]

Speaking of lurkers... I have that exact same RO unit, and likely had the exact one you used to have. My previous AquaSafe was about 4 years old. I've not plumbed the new unit up, but I agree. I think I liked the older flow valve better.
Love you design plan, can't wait to see it running!

 

[chrismunn]

is the flush valve what you use to dial in the waste water / product water production? on mine, there is a small tube inside of the waster water tube that has to be cut down to a certain length to meet the 4parts waste water to 1 part product water reccomendation.

that small diameter brown tube is what controlls how much water is discharged from the waste water line. could i replace the small brown tube with a valve instead, and have the same results?

 

[Electrobes]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12316030#post12316030 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by acceler8
Speaking of lurkers... I have that exact same RO unit, and likely had the exact one you used to have. My previous AquaSafe was about 4 years old. I've not plumbed the new unit up, but I agree. I think I liked the older flow valve better.
Love you design plan, can't wait to see it running!

Thanks

You just brought up a good topic. I haven't really made mention of what rockscape I had planned on doing. I was thinking of going with a one sided hill slanting from high left to low right (When facing the tank). In conjunction with the PVC Rock Support, I can hide just about all my equipment AND have flow within the rock structure itself, leaving no dead spot for detritus to settle.

I am still deciding on what corals to go with based on the design. I am thinking about one or two tree like leathers, with ground cover provided by zoos, ricordeas, and possibly mushrooms. We'll see as the time comes to stock the tank.

 

[Electrobes]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12316168#post12316168 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by chrismunn
is the flush valve what you use to dial in the waste water / product water production? on mine, there is a small tube inside of the waster water tube that has to be cut down to a certain length to meet the 4parts waste water to 1 part product water reccomendation.

that small diameter brown tube is what controlls how much water is discharged from the waste water line. could i replace the small brown tube with a valve instead, and have the same results?

I don't think aqua-safes tubes have that. I think the flush valves on ours are pre set.. you only use it to flush out the unit.. then put it all the way back and it goes back to normal. The new ones now are variable. The more we restrict.. the more good water we get, etc.

 

[Electrobes]

An update for the three of you keeping up with the thread

I have completed the relay and am now contructing my PVC Rock Support. This shouldn't take long by I am doing a favor for a friend in a little while, when I get back... pics and explanations (The relay is going to be painful )

 

[Electrobes]

Delay hell

Delay hell

So the favor for my friend took a bit longer than expected and then I found out I did the relay wiring wrong

I just now finished all the projects (Relay is now done) and have the pictures but I need to sleep because of a work trip tomorrow. When I get back from my trip, I promise to have the relay build and the PVC rock structure up as well. Until then goodnight!

 

[dwd5813]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12315954#post12315954 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Electrobes


For those of you reading I am definitely looking for your thoughts and opinions on where to get base rock. Many thanks

I got base rock from bulkreefsupply, they call it ecorox.
here's a link, and some pics of a 25 pound box in my 40 breeder.http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/

it seems to be very porous rock that will end up working out nicely. this is my first marine tank, so take my advice for what it's worth, but based on what i have been able to figure about this type of thing, I look forward to seeing what this rock looks like a few months down the road when it has had some time to be seeded with the live rock i'm planning on adding.

 

[Electrobes]

dwd5813 - I am SO jealous! I just got an email from Andrew (BulkReefSupply) and they tell me they prob won't get a shipment of ecoRox for months. Not sure of anyone else aside from Marco (Also out of stock) to get it from.

Thos pieces are pretty though, exactly what I am looking for. Very nice!

 

[Electrobes]

The Relay

The Relay

Okay finally the builds for the Relay and next: The PVC Rock Structure.

The Relay for a lack of better words... sucked. I first bought the wrong one, then wired the other one poorly (I actually used super glue), tested it and it was backwards. I finally re-wired it correctly, and it worked and actually looks pretty good now.

I don't really have a good way of explaining this... but I can tell you where I got the info from aquahub.com has the directions to attach a relay to a float switch set up. The only difference between what I did and what they had was the Relay Socket. Just remember that the 12V wall transformer goes to #7 and #8 while the 120V Dosing pump wires goes to #4 and #6. Also make sure to test it out BEFORE more permanently attaching the wires to the prongs of the relay.

Best order of pics I have:

And after all that and the testing.. "Sparky" got cleaned up and this is how he looks now:

He goes into a project box to hide is ugli...beautifulness in the stand. So much for the KISS approach as the inside of the stand looks like a DIY'er's wet dream.

 

[Electrobes]

The PVC Rock Structure

The PVC Rock Structure

Now I have to admit, I thought this was going to be an easy project but as usual I am as wrong as Hulk Hogan wearing a sun dress.

I must have changed this thing about 20 times before reaching the conclusion of this project! I am happy to report a happy ending and I truly believe this is going to work out great.

Here are the pics in order (Mostly).

 

[Electrobes]

Minor details changed over this course of the build, but FINALLY everything is all good... now let's hope it work!

 

[Electrobes]

GREAT NEWS! I was able to purchase 60lbs of Premium Fiji Rock from Marco Rocks. It wasn't the normal 50lbs Marco Box, but I still feel it was a good deal.. but we'll see in three days

I am going to set up a vat and all to get ready for the culturing of rocks. I'll take pictures as I go along but for now it'll include the vat, an actinic light (This will be a bit tricky and you'll see why), water changes, and patience.

I am so excited as I predict the addition of fish and coral in about a month or so... awesome!