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

[MeuserReef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12329131#post12329131 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by chrismunn
haha, no it actually makes alot of sense! thanks for taking the ttime to explain it to me.

so there is always power coming from the 12v supply going to #8, but power from the 12v wont reach #7 untill the float switch is activated right?

at that point it closes the relay switch and allows the 120v ac coming from the wall to pass through the relay, and power up the dosing pump, all without blowing up the what,.... float switch or 12v power supply?

The 12V and the 120V never come in contact with each other so there is no worry about the 120 blowing anything up. The DPDT relays are actually 2 switches wired to the same control circuit (one switch consists of pins 1, 2, & 3 and the other consists of pins 4, 5, & 6). You could wire 2 pumps, one to each side, so that they both come on when the floats activate the 12V circuit. You could also wire one side so that its ON (using the Normally Closed contacts) when the float switch is not activated, while having the other side wired so that its OFF (using the Normally Open contacts) when the float switch is not activated (and vice-versa).

This is the basic operation of all relays. A low(er) voltage control circuit controlling a high(er) voltage device.

 

[MeuserReef]

Christian, I wouldnt worry about the bubbles. Considering the short distance from the top rim of the tank, there is not likely alot of pressure at the joint where you are seeing the bubbles. There also seems to be a pretty reasonable amount of silicone bead inside of the tank to hold the water back from even getting inside of the joint.

BTW... why do you fear REASONABLE spouses? Wouldnt you have to worry more about dealing with the UNREASONABLE ones?

 

[Electrobes]

:lol: No! It's the ones that are reasonable that make things less fun

 

[Electrobes]

Ug well after a tally from this thread and the other thread I posted about the possibility of tank leaks, I've decided to return my new tank and get a new one. This REALLY sucks!

I thought I should add why this sucks.. the nearest PetCo to me is 76 miles away. Of course I am going to call confirm I can trade it in and if they have it in stock, but this equally is a monster waste of gas

 

[kar93]

Its better than spending all the money on the tank and then it leaks though right?

 

[Electrobes]

I know, but I get to cry don't I?

The only loss here really is gas.. not even time is the issue. I still have to culture the rocks, which will take about a month.

I did call around today and discovered that I'll prob get my tank in at PetCo not this Monday, but the one after. Only one store in my area (76 miles away) has it even available to order.

I seriously debated about making an acrylic tank. I work with acrylic but I mold it, not join pieces together. I may still go with this idea is the order doesn't go through, and just use the credit at PetCo for something else. I'd still need to learn how to do nice seams before I attempted this, and I've asked Marc (Melev) what he does. Guess time will tell.

 

[Electrobes]

Tomorrow should see an update: The Rock Vat.

It isn't anything fancy but I am still researching what people has done with the idea, things like: Actinic light or none at all, Calcium additions or no, water change frequency, etc.

I should be done with the research tonight and I'll post my findings, ideas, and what not tomorrow.

I am also still debating about making an acrylic 40Br or not. I think for now I will stick with getting a new Aqueon tank until two Mondays from now. If Petco doesn't get one in I will opt to make my own and use the credit to buy salt or something.

Night!

 

[Electrobes]

$#!*

$#!*

So an update that I wish weren't true. I wanted some more RO/DI water for the Rock Vat and still was having a slow drip for output. I thought it was the variable flow thing on my Unit, so I took out the waste water tube to see what ratios I was getting.. and got a shocker: I wasn't producing any waste water!

What this means is that I barely have enough pressure to push water through the Unit... it takes about 2-3 hours to get 5 Gallons on a 100GPD unit. I was sincerely not hoping for this but alas it happened and now I am going to have to weigh in my options:

1 - I could buy a booster pump and some how find a way to power it.

2 - I could just deal with the slow amount of time it takes for me to get water.

3 - Any other suggestions?

So what do you guys think?

 

[chrismunn]

whats the water pressure where you are, and isnt there a pressure gauge on the unit? it should only take around 65psi for the unit to operate properly. 65psi is the normall pressure output of most household water supplies. what a bummer! are you sure you had it dialed in right?

have you seen marcs acrylic page on his website www.melevsreef.com ?

 

[Electrobes]

Hey Chrismunn: Unfortunately I think the PSI here in Greenwood is 50 or less. I did have it dialed in right and checked everything again but nothing was wrong.

I am now shopping for a booster pump but I don't have a plug under the sink. I may have to either install an outlet (Will prob have to hire someone for that), or just plug and unplug the transformer (For the pump) when I need water. I am thinking about going with the latter as once i have the tank set up it'll be rare for me to need the water for more than 2-3 times a month. I can deal with that.

 

[chrismunn]

there's no plug under the sink? thats strange, what country do you line in again ?

i would probably do the same thing you said you want to do. just run an extention cord over to the booster when you need power.

 

[Electrobes]

Yeah I posted a question about a pressure switch at Pure H2O (Sponsor). They have a good price on a Booster Pump, and since I am ordering one might as well ask about it though I doubt I will have a need for one. Once I am done getting water I turn off the water source and the pump I would have to unplug anyway.

 

[Electrobes]

chrismunn - I found your thread, sorry about your smaller tank breaking and the firefighter deal..

I so look forward to more updates about your tank though! Why does your red house thingie not go to your reef build??

I decided afterall to buy the booster pump from Purely H2O.. they had a sale on a nice one which comes with everything I need.. good deal! Should be here in a couple days as they are located in Daytona Beach.

I should be getting my Premium Fiji Base Rock tomorrow, I've set up the vat (I've decided on complete darkness for now) with heater and maxi-jet pump. I think I may end up doing complete darkness for about a 1/2 month or so and then maybe sticking one tube of actinics for the remainder of the month of culturing.

I am going to a Reef Meeting on Saturday (PMAC) and I am hoping to make friends and contacts. I am eventualy going to need to get a chaeto packed full of pods to help seed the rock. I'll also see about getting some live rock rubble (Or a couple small pieces) to again seed the rock, but I will definitely be checking them out for issues... it would ruin the whole point of an all base rock start if my tank caught something

This should make for an interesting weekend

 

[Electrobes]

So as some of you have seen I posted a question about controllers. After doing a bunch of stuff I still consider my tank KISS but I just feel like I have a bunch o crap under the stand (Wires).

With my birthday coming up I may have a chance to get a controller and feel with the added features than just being a cleaner install than what I have, it would simplify things pretty well AND add some great qualities to the reef. Oddly enough this would also make my life simpler.. adding to the KISS ideology

It's still nothing more than an idea, but we'll see. If I were to get a controller one thing that crossed my mind was the cost of what I already have. These come to mind:

- Salifert pH Test Kit: $15.00

- (3) Timers: $19.00

- (1) Power Center: $11.00

Total: $45.00

Ouch... oh well even if I do decide to go with it, I can prob use some of the items and sell the others. Granted this is assuming the wife wouldn't kill me first!

 

[Electrobes]

So my finding a decent replacemement is shot to hell. ARGH I am so ticked off. This s the second new Aqueon tank, and the seams on it are WAY worse than the first new replacement.

It looks like I am going to go Acrylic at this rate. Not like it will do much but I sent a letter of complaint to Aqueon. I'm pretty sure I will get this from them ----->

 

[Electrobes]

I've spoken to PetCo and they agreed top refund the 2nd tank if I bring my credit card statement proving I did indeed buy it from a PetCo (I originally bought it in Florida, not SC). I've given up on Aqueon and will now use other options:

1 - I could re-silicone my old 40Br (AGA originally) which would be cost effective but I have this one scratch that bothers me, so I am leaning away from this option.

2 - I can just build my own acrylic tank. I work with acrylic and can get the pieces for my tank without a problem (The good stuff too). I have a month to make it (Rock culturing) and feel that I can confidently make my display tank within that time period with practice.

3 - I could buy a custom tank (Maybe a starphire front glass tank) from Glasscages. Thier price is good plus I would meet them to get it and shipping would only be 30 bucks. My only beef with this is that cost versus making my own acrylic would be much higher and I've been hearing not so comforting critisms about Glasscages.

Weighing those options I am leaning towards option 2 at the moment. I've never had acrylic and it is clearer than glass (Not by much), plus it is a lot lighter (50%), and even more important? It's stronger (17 times that of glass). Have I convinced myself yet?

If I do go with option 2 I will most definitely be posting the build of the tank here!

UPDATE: I recieved my rock from Marcos Rock and it is awesome. I've heard some dissapointing reviews here and there, but I am happy to report that I am not one of those critics. I really couldn't be happier with the shipment, though one of the larger pieces looks like Tonga Branch instead of the Fiji Premium I ordered. I will be posting pics tomorrow, stay tuned!

 

[dwd5813]

looking forward to the pics of the marco rock. i need some more rock and i've been considering an order from them.

 

[Electrobes]

The rocks are here!

The rocks are here!

Woo hoo the rocks came! I want to pre-warn everyone here that these pictures utterly suck at actually showing what I got. I've seen rock over the years, and these are great but man do these pictures really not do them justice. None the less here we are:

Closer inspection... yep I've confirmed it.. they are rocks :

"Lemme get this straight.. you spent money on... rocks?" Quote from these girls... they're definitely the wife's advocates.. I get no love!

I decided to toy around with it... here is just a hill look:

And here's a slanted look:

I know what you're thinking... the PVC sticking out from the top needs to go.. and I think you're right. Two snips and we'll be good to go. It sucks that I got the look I want but now I need to tear it down after realizing how good everything fit now. But the rocks needs it some good ol' culturin'

All I need now is for my booster pump to get here, and if I'm lucky it might get here today to get this show on the road. Today also happens to be my first meeting with PMAC (Palmetto Marine Aquarists Club). I am so looking forward to it! :rollface:

 

[dwd5813]

Re: The rocks are here!

Re: The rocks are here!

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12364087#post12364087 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Electrobes

"Lemme get this straight.. you spent money on... rocks?"

:lol: i was staying with my cousin at the time that i got my rocks, and got the same reaction! :lol:

they look good :thumbsup:

 

[Electrobes]

:lol:

Thanks.. I guess I should have waited till day break so my camera wouldn't use the flash. The amount of pits, holes, and what not on these rocks is awesome!