In-wall 380gal tank - cut out options

[e55driver]

Thanks for the help on the first question, helped clear up a few problems.

 

[karimwassef]

The surge actuator was more straightforward. Just a piston.

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http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/k...8DD-520-0000002DCF1FE831_zps2da5d119.mp4.html

 

[karimwassef]

For the rotating diverter (not the surge actuator), I used epoxy I shape the diverter body's internals:

<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/764FD3C7-FE2A-4FB1-9729-FA63B3C09C4D-367-0000003D8228040E_zps09db8d4b.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/764FD3C7-FE2A-4FB1-9729-FA63B3C09C4D-367-0000003D8228040E_zps09db8d4b.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 764FD3C7-FE2A-4FB1-9729-FA63B3C09C4D-367-0000003D8228040E_zps09db8d4b.jpg"/></a>

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http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/k...317-177-00000019E06AA86E_zps75ac8d10.mp4.html

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http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/k...305-827-0000013EFC853B4A_zpsc78786c6.mp4.html

 

[karimwassef]

Back to the surge actuator

<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/9217BFF1-1105-4222-87F1-C2A9E94C510D-368-0000004F1A356895_zps8b687046.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/9217BFF1-1105-4222-87F1-C2A9E94C510D-368-0000004F1A356895_zps8b687046.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 9217BFF1-1105-4222-87F1-C2A9E94C510D-368-0000004F1A356895_zps8b687046.jpg"/></a>

<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/87E69A23-E5E2-4956-9BB5-C45EF3D3B69C-216-000000450E03D78C_zps0d39892c.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/87E69A23-E5E2-4956-9BB5-C45EF3D3B69C-216-000000450E03D78C_zps0d39892c.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 87E69A23-E5E2-4956-9BB5-C45EF3D3B69C-216-000000450E03D78C_zps0d39892c.jpg"/></a>

 

[e55driver]

Where did you pick you the actuators, a car stereo place?

 

[karimwassef]

eBay. But I think they were advertised for use in cars.

<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/s4_zps39d3f6ab.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/s4_zps39d3f6ab.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo s4_zps39d3f6ab.jpg"/></a>

 

[karimwassef]

$50 a piece I think

 

[Lavoisier]

Sooooo great. I just did a search to find the acuator you used and did not find it on ebay. Can you give us a little more specific information on the unit?

 

[karimwassef]

here's the original
http://www.ebay.com/itm/320948568171?_trksid=p2059210.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

 

[karimwassef]

Linear Actuator 2" Stroke 225 Pound Max Lift 12 or 24 Volt DC Heavy Duty
Brand: Ezzy Lift

TOP QUALITY OEM REPLACEMENT PARTS.
BRAND NEW
2" Linear Actuator
Same Day !!Free Shipping!!
8 1/8" Extended Length
6 1/8" Compressed Length
[From center of Mounting Holes]

12 Volt
2" Extension.
225 Pound (102.3 Kg) Max Lift.
Speed: 12mm /second.
6mm Diameter Mounting holes
20mm Diameter Shaft
Wiring included, pre-installed.
Built-in clutch prevents over-extending and over-compressing.

 

[karimwassef]

found a new listing:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Linear-Actu...937?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5af4a75e11

 

[karimwassef]

the real trick to this is using the Apex V1-4 outputs (not outlets) with an optically isolated control board - two of them (one for each actuator I've got). Russ from Apex forums pointed to the predecessor of this board and it's the only one that worked:

http://www.mdfly.com/products/4ch-relay-control-board-optical-coupler-isolated.html

 

[karimwassef]

and two adapters: 12V DC & 5V DC

throw in an ethernet cable cut in two, a soldering iron and wire...

and of course two water level switches in the surge tank... and Apex code

and voila! bubbleless surge

 

[karimwassef]

I have to admit that, after adding sand, I needed to redirect the output to avoid sand migration.

Many thought it would make a big sand storm but it doesn't. It does cause the very slow migration of sand exposing the tank bottom.

if the outlet is too high, the surge flow creates a surface vortex. too low and it creates sand hills. it's a bit of an art directing it through the rock structure to avoid either extreme.

 

[karimwassef]

Added some live rock and dead coral ... A couple of days later, long tentacles started coming out. They're not starfish or worms but they're coming our of lots of these pieces.

<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/021FCADB-E97D-4A56-8CED-465907140C42_zpsbtqg4gef.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/021FCADB-E97D-4A56-8CED-465907140C42_zpsbtqg4gef.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 021FCADB-E97D-4A56-8CED-465907140C42_zpsbtqg4gef.jpg"/></a>

<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/F9B61819-94E8-4680-9607-95BF9245CDCE_zps9rln3cog.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/F9B61819-94E8-4680-9607-95BF9245CDCE_zps9rln3cog.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo F9B61819-94E8-4680-9607-95BF9245CDCE_zps9rln3cog.jpg"/></a>

Anyone know what these are?

 

[karimwassef]

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http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/k...8-4768-9C4B-3C630BD8DF8B_zpsq0deqwon.mp4.html

 

[karimwassef]

It's not hair algae... I remember what those looked like.
These are white hairlike and isolated from each other

 

[karimwassef]

Got a couple more pieces of live rock from a LFS and in 24hrs... Diatom bloom.

Guess it's all part of the curing process

 

[Lavoisier]

Yes, I can't remember anyone being able to skip that step!

 

[karimwassef]

Added three green chromis, some chaeto in the sump and a bumblebee snail... Also fed for the first time (little bits of krill).

If we're gonna cycle, let's go all out. LOL

The rock had some copepods so let's hope they make good use of the first feeding - chromis couldn't take much of the krill bits, even though they're 1.5" each.

Also got to see the surge dynamics as the bits of uneaten food were moved to all parts of the tank before I got to pick them back up.