let the insanity begin

[rick rottet]

I hope it works too, brah. If it doesn't, it will be a while before the first shipment comes in for Kip Tani. I could probably get by for quite some time with just using the RO, so I guess I should be glad that is already in place.
Kip Tani did make me an excellent offer to buy another one from him, but if this one will hold, I'll just keep using it.

Man, I'll tell you this, that weld-on 10 has got some FUMES...weeeeeheehee! :eek2: It is a pretty thick (lots of filler) 2 part that gets mixed in a 100:13 ratio, it's white, has about a 30 minute working time but it can be made to set up quicker or slower if more or less hardener is used. 24 hours to fully cure.

I did a quick Google for 'weld-on 10 plastic'

http://www.ridoutplastics.com/weldon10pint.html

 

[melev]

I'm with you in spirit, and hope it holds.

 

[rick rottet]

I set up a little platform of 2" X 6" boards and put cardboard shims under the unit to get everything to sit level and plumb. When the glue was applied, I put a level on the end cap also, to make sure the whole unit would sit level when it is in place and running.

Poor thing looks kinda nubby sitting there next to the ani.

The weld-on 10 seems to have done it's job, and so far (2-2-06) is holding the unit water tight.



Well, I must have gotten a wild one (you know where) yesterday. There was all of this lumber sitting around that was cut and just waiting to get made into something, so I built all five of the remaining stands. Sure was nice to actually have a whole day go by where nothing happened that required immediate attention.

Let's see, build more tanks, plumb more tanks, fill more tanks, and stock more tanks.

 

[melev]

Congrats on the repair and construction. Let's hope it holds, and that you move along at an ideal pace now.

 

[Steven Pro]

What are you building those tanks out of?

 

[Carl_in_Florida]

Have you thought about building some sort of Bracket for those units? In the pictures they look like they are just standing there waiting to get knocked over.

How many days were you without a clean water source? Any problems from that?

Carl

 

[Carl_in_Florida]

Steven Pro - Tank construction begins here
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=465933&perpage=25&pagenumber=14

 

[jnarowe]

Is the Weld-On 10 white?

 

[rick rottet]

melev- thanks again. I really appreciate how much support I feel from you.

Steven- the tanks are white pvc sheet, 7' X 2' X 2' (~210 g). I got it here
http://www.precisionpunch.com/webpage.cfm?page_id=8
The folks there are real nice there and they really do work to back up their name.

Carl- haven't ever thought of making brackets for them. They sit on a flat concrete paver and are pretty heavy when full. Someone would really have to be trying to knock them over. Although, a bracket would eliminate the possibility.
I was without the ability to make new water for three days, but I did have about ten barrels full when the kati unit broke, so I didn't have any problems, just had a little catching up to do once it was repaired.

jnarowe- yes, the weld on 10 is white. 2-part epoxy type adhesive (solvent??)

 

[jnarowe]

That's strange. All the other Weld-on products I have used are clear.

Maybe you could put a large foam block between the two units and use an adjustable strap to hold them together so they won't fall over? I realize that my pserspective is from earthquake country, but they sure do look like they might fall over easily. That would be a total bummer after all the headache and work you have had to do!

 

[boxer85]

not only would i put a bracket on them, i would also build a box to set them in to catch the material in case either one breaks.

the larger the area of the box, the lower the sides would need to be.

 

[melev]

I'd like to see you install fins on the sides so it looks like the tail section of a rocket.

 

[H20ENG]

Rick,
Your clock must move slower than mine. Where do you find the time?????
Glad you have your leak free tank building methods down pat now.

 

[tschopp]

Rick,
Just a FYI, I used some weld on 10 to fill some gaps in the plywood on my tank and it failed after a few years of UV exposure. As far as I know it is the best to bond acrylic to other plastics, so it was a good choice, just something to keep an eye on. I don't think your joint will have any problems. I would think the weld-on between the ABS and the acrylic makes the joint. UV wont go through acrylic, but the weld-on on the outside might degrade over time.

Looks like things good progress, about 1/2 tanks built.

 

[Sm0kin]

well it has now been about 6 hours i been reading this thread. Alls i can say is rick rottet you have more convictions then i do. That thing would already have plants growing instead of corals. Just think if you ever want to expand and set up another gh next to this one it should go smoother.

 

[Carl_in_Florida]

2 weeks since the last update.

How goes all?

 

[rick rottet]

thanks for all of the tips and ideas guys.

sm0kin- thanks for taking your time to read through the thread. (Maybe I should start a different thread with only pictures of the corals as I get the tanks stocked.) When I applied for my zoning waivers, I did get approved for another greenhouse of the same size that can go right next to this existing one, just to avoid having to go through all of the red tape again if this thing ever was to take off enough to support setting up another one in the future.

Carl- It's going fairly well lately. Just been building tanks and doing water changes. I started building the 11th tank tonight. The water in the tanks that have corals in them has gotten a little hazy. I think it's probably a bacterial bloom. As a matter of practice, I run the typical tests once per week and the params are always pretty consistent, so I don't think it's a precipitation event. I ran a HOT cannister with a micron filter in it on one of the tanks, but that didn't change anything. I picked up a bulk sack of carbon and some media bags so that is now being run in all of thanks the tanks that have water. I also have a 40w UV unit I bought back when I started this project (about 18 months ago) just to have on hand in case there was ever a greenwater bloom or a bacterial bloom. I got it all plumbed up to a pump and fired it up, but the bulb won't stay lit and I'm thinking the ballast is bad.

The north end of the greenhouse had the plastic glazing deflate a few days ago. I looked all around it today but couldn't find any obvious tears or rips. The jumper hoses are intact too. I'm sure I will get it figured out, but it does seem to suck the heat out of the greenhouse faster with no air space between the layers of plastic. Seems a little strange that it would only deflate on one end. The outside temp has been down in the single digits for the last three nights, but the tank temps are good. Hanging around 75 - 76.


Nothing major, just minor inconveniences.

I go to bed now. :yawn:

 

[melev]

I assume there is an inflator pump or two. Maybe one is not running, or it's connection has been comprimised?

Sorry to hear about your UV failure. I think it is about time everything start working when you need it to, don't you?

 

[rick rottet]

Yes, there is a small blower which inflates the plastic over the main body of the greenhouse. Then there are two hoses, one connects from the main body to each end wall which lets the air go from the main body to the ends. Seems to me that if the air can deflate out of any one part of the plastic, it should be coming out of the whole thing, but the south end and main body are still inflated. Kinda strange.
I do think stuff should work when it is supposed to. With the UV, I was storing it in my garage, which is heated, but I only keep it about 45 degrees in there. Maybe the exposure of the UV sitting there for 18 months caused a problem with the ballast. I don't know for sure, but it seems possible/likely. I did shoot an email to the company to see if I can get a replacement ballast, still waiting to hear back from them.

I hate to sound so negative all of the time, but it does seem like I have more than my fair share of difficulties. It does, however, seem like the problems are getting less and less severe/critical.

 

[H20ENG]

What kind of UV, Rick? Some styles (T8 lamps) still use a starter. If it was new when you bought it and never used it, hopefully they will set you up with a new ballast.