In-wall 380gal tank - cut out options

[karimwassef]

<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/FB00F13D-159D-40E3-9BFC-84050015FA3D_zpsfeei8id1.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/FB00F13D-159D-40E3-9BFC-84050015FA3D_zpsfeei8id1.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo FB00F13D-159D-40E3-9BFC-84050015FA3D_zpsfeei8id1.jpg"/></a>

 

[karimwassef]

Ok. Scrubber is up

<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/7F196466-BF7C-4180-8F59-42240DDCE508_zpss3kzlw1b.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/7F196466-BF7C-4180-8F59-42240DDCE508_zpss3kzlw1b.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 7F196466-BF7C-4180-8F59-42240DDCE508_zpss3kzlw1b.jpg"/></a>

<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/45D0591A-9237-460E-A204-109F378562F4_zpswf2rwtij.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/45D0591A-9237-460E-A204-109F378562F4_zpswf2rwtij.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 45D0591A-9237-460E-A204-109F378562F4_zpswf2rwtij.jpg"/></a>

 

[karimwassef]

Active carbon/GFO reactor is done too

<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/9F14AEC0-2590-44E8-ACEB-9622E6926F89_zpsoprozkdk.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/9F14AEC0-2590-44E8-ACEB-9622E6926F89_zpsoprozkdk.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 9F14AEC0-2590-44E8-ACEB-9622E6926F89_zpsoprozkdk.jpg"/></a>

 

[karimwassef]

<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/2737FBCE-E5AC-4049-93AB-4A77271F68B7_zpsub7qwool.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/2737FBCE-E5AC-4049-93AB-4A77271F68B7_zpsub7qwool.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 2737FBCE-E5AC-4049-93AB-4A77271F68B7_zpsub7qwool.jpg"/></a>

 

[karimwassef]

Ok. A quick update on the performance of the scrubber.

Before installing it, my Alkalinity due to the PurpleUp, PurpleTech, SuperBuffer, and Two part Ca and Kalkwasser hit a high of 14dKH. I suspect that was the reason my large emerald crab died.

So, I cut out all buffers last night including Kalkwasser. I was worried that the nighttime swing down in pH would be hard to counter. This coincides with the addition of the scrubber.

This morning, the pH was 8.16 when the skimmer started back up. A couple of hours later, the lights came on. Usually, the pH would have gone up to 8.2 or a little above, but it's up to 8.3 without buffers.

I can't say objectively that the scrubber pulling external air is the reason (too many variables uncontrolled for), but I think it is. It usually takes a few kicks of Kalkwasser to get to 8.3 and this time, it didn't need it.

 

[Lavoisier]

Thank you for the pics. I'm going to use your model. Sounds and looks good. :thumbsup:

 

[karimwassef]

Finished the GFO/carbon reactor. Here it is under test:

<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/EF2DE6BB-6E12-40B1-9E7B-8BD64CED1CD5_zpsnlrpmdgn.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/EF2DE6BB-6E12-40B1-9E7B-8BD64CED1CD5_zpsnlrpmdgn.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo EF2DE6BB-6E12-40B1-9E7B-8BD64CED1CD5_zpsnlrpmdgn.jpg"/></a>

And installed the overflow grill
<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/97D63408-6B14-49A4-82E3-18325C6922A0_zpswgdwqdxc.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/97D63408-6B14-49A4-82E3-18325C6922A0_zpswgdwqdxc.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 97D63408-6B14-49A4-82E3-18325C6922A0_zpswgdwqdxc.jpg"/></a>

I tried a couple of animal control plastic netting and the thin bird wire doesn't work because it won't hold a shape. This heavier grade stuff was made to go around trees so forms a natural curve when bent.

No impact on flow

 

[karimwassef]

Also ran a line from the ATO waste water under the garage door frame and used an airline splitter/valve to run it to three locations in the yard.

- CO2 scrubber (done)
- Active Carbon / GFO Reactor (done)
- Nighttime vinegar / batch bacteria (close to starting)
- Kalkwasser ATO upgrade
- UV LED upgrade (next on the list- pics coming)
- Evaporation-less plastic sheet on aux containers
- Plastic wire overflow install (done)
- RODI waste water garden recycling (done)
- Mylar curtains for increased lighting
- Concrete fish housing under overflow
- Calcium reactor
- Exhaust fan for humidity control
- DT to Sump forced flow (bubble reduction)
- Outside mangrove greenhouse

 

[karimwassef]

Ok. Updated the UV LED strip.

I had experimented with using Saran Wrap (yes, really) as a water barrier based on it's high temp properties and low UV absorption. This worked quite well except where there is direct contact between the LED and the sheet.

<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/4AE21775-3C3E-4F8E-89EA-72051279323F_zpsyl6vd2nu.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/4AE21775-3C3E-4F8E-89EA-72051279323F_zpsyl6vd2nu.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 4AE21775-3C3E-4F8E-89EA-72051279323F_zpsyl6vd2nu.jpg"/></a>

<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/68488752-EE6F-4F60-8EE5-1F8D0ECB9887_zpswfvcbihn.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/68488752-EE6F-4F60-8EE5-1F8D0ECB9887_zpswfvcbihn.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 68488752-EE6F-4F60-8EE5-1F8D0ECB9887_zpswfvcbihn.jpg"/></a>

 

[karimwassef]

Replaced it with greenhouse rigid corrugated plastic roofing.

<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/5F071582-7EAB-4194-9BA2-B888598017A5_zps1qeplrll.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/5F071582-7EAB-4194-9BA2-B888598017A5_zps1qeplrll.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 5F071582-7EAB-4194-9BA2-B888598017A5_zps1qeplrll.jpg"/></a>

<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/D5387F64-5A98-4FA8-BFEB-7D94AD50F204_zpsfq7mm8kd.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/D5387F64-5A98-4FA8-BFEB-7D94AD50F204_zpsfq7mm8kd.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo D5387F64-5A98-4FA8-BFEB-7D94AD50F204_zpsfq7mm8kd.jpg"/></a>

The strip has a low power commercial white strip, 99 x RB 1.8W, 100 x UV 1.9W for a total of ~ 400W.

 

[karimwassef]

It brings out the fluorescent green in the Favia even under full MH (1200W)

<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/B28F6F29-D6EB-4AD4-9BAB-68C9143030C3_zps0eahus38.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/B28F6F29-D6EB-4AD4-9BAB-68C9143030C3_zps0eahus38.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo B28F6F29-D6EB-4AD4-9BAB-68C9143030C3_zps0eahus38.jpg"/></a>

 

[karimwassef]

Given that I need to reduce the CO2 in the tank, I'll work on making my holding vessels airtight next.

- CO2 scrubber (done)
- Active Carbon / GFO Reactor (done)
- UV LED upgrade (done)
- Plastic wire overflow install (done)
- RODI waste water garden recycling (done)
- Nighttime vinegar / batch bacteria (close to starting)
- Kalkwasser ATO upgrade (this week)
- CO2 reduction plastic sheet on aux containers (starting next)
- Mylar curtains for increased lighting
- Concrete fish housing under overflow
- Calcium reactor
- Exhaust fan for humidity control
- DT to Sump forced flow (bubble reduction)
- Outside mangrove greenhouse

 

[karimwassef]

Adding algae scrubber on the eggcrate to increase pH

Here's the starting point:

<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/5EC37A46-3106-4962-BC3B-C16D71CF7D85_zpsigrkeyoy.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/5EC37A46-3106-4962-BC3B-C16D71CF7D85_zpsigrkeyoy.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 5EC37A46-3106-4962-BC3B-C16D71CF7D85_zpsigrkeyoy.jpg"/></a>

I'll raise the eggcrate and cover it with mesh and upgrade the sump lights.

 

[karimwassef]

- Nighttime vinegar / batch bacteria (close to starting)
- Kalkwasser ATO upgrade (this week)
- CO2 reduction plastic sheet on aux containers (starting next)
- Macroalgae/algae scrubber
- Mylar curtains for increased lighting
- Concrete fish housing under overflow
- Calcium reactor
- Exhaust fan for humidity control
- DT to Sump forced flow (bubble reduction)
- Outside mangrove greenhouse

 

[karimwassef]

<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/06E64819-EDAC-4854-A980-12398F097E39_zpsxkldjn5t.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/06E64819-EDAC-4854-A980-12398F097E39_zpsxkldjn5t.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 06E64819-EDAC-4854-A980-12398F097E39_zpsxkldjn5t.jpg"/></a>

 

[muttley000]

Really looking good. Did the flow carve the sand away in the middle there?

 

[karimwassef]

Yes. It's very slow, but every surge moves a little pinch of salt and after a few days of surges, it goes to this exact shape- even when I try to fill it in.

The only way to reshape the sand is to redirect the flow at the source or with obstruction.

 

[mtlreeffreak]

wow this really is SICK!

 

[Joel_155]

Very nice Karim! Impressive work for the past year or so!

 

[karimwassef]

Thanks guys. Until It's covered in coralline and demonstrating coral growth, I won't call it a success yet. I'm thankful for all the great help I've gotten here and expect I need a lot more to get to my goal.