Thanks Mikey, much appreciated. Trying to keep it on track... Hit some obstacles today with the way I had planned to run the wiring from the pendant, but I think I have a clean solution...we shall see!
Modern Integrated 50gal Cube...Build Thread!
- Thread starter joshbryer
- Start date
Thanks Mikey, much appreciated. Trying to keep it on track... Hit some obstacles today with the way I had planned to run the wiring from the pendant, but I think I have a clean solution...we shall see!
So, here's the current state of the proposed plumbing, in plan, not to scale. Some things to bear in mind/questions:
-The chiller... At this point my plan is to monitor the temperature for the first couple months while cycling/seeding and see if the room ac can keep up. I'm hopeful since I'm running t5s and a single system pump.
-The 50ml/min dosing pumps.... BRS is out of stock on that model. Anyone know of alternatives? 1.1ml is too slow for topoff and auto water change.
Also, here's the sump design. It's really simple, 2 chambers with baffles in between and a single filter sock holder.
-The chiller... At this point my plan is to monitor the temperature for the first couple months while cycling/seeding and see if the room ac can keep up. I'm hopeful since I'm running t5s and a single system pump.
-The 50ml/min dosing pumps.... BRS is out of stock on that model. Anyone know of alternatives? 1.1ml is too slow for topoff and auto water change.
Also, here's the sump design. It's really simple, 2 chambers with baffles in between and a single filter sock holder.
Peale
New member
What does this mean? I've never heard this 'budget' word before. :crazy1:
This is going to be fantastic! I can't wait to see everything come together!
I can recommend spectapure LiterMeter 3 for your Auto saltwater change & FW top off water. You can also hookup your RODI system to your FW reservoir. I have been running with this setup since Feb, and so far its been great. Just make sure that you calibrate your LiterMeter every month or two and check your salinity.
Great build! any picture of the equipment room behind the wall?
Great build! any picture of the equipment room behind the wall?
Seriously, right? This one has been better managed than previous bleeds....err projects. Thanks for following along!
J
Thanks Mirugai! I'll get some pictures of the storage space where the topoff, waste, 2part tanks will go tomorrow. It's definitely not a room, but it's perfect for the reservoirs...
I've looked at the LiterMeter, but I don't want to get that spendy and I'm controlling everything through the Apex.
Unfortunately the RODI is not going to be close enough to setup a float switch topoff of the FW tank, but that gets me thinking.....:strange: I am thinking now about plumbing a pipe through the yard (about 50') so that I can at least do it manually with a small external pump!
J
Acrylic goodies got picked up on Sunday. John at Advance Acrylics was really awesome to deal with, and had some sick pricing too! Picked up the sump and QT tanks. The third QT tank was built from extra pieces, and the price was too good to pass up, so I'll use it as a transfer tank or something.
Sump: 20x23x16 1/2" thick, ~29gal
Fish QT: 20x20x8 1/2" thick, ~12gal
Coral QT: 15x20x6 1/2" thick, ~6.5gal
Temporarily in their new home, QT tanks waiting for me to build their stand:
Sump: 20x23x16 1/2" thick, ~29gal
Fish QT: 20x20x8 1/2" thick, ~12gal
Coral QT: 15x20x6 1/2" thick, ~6.5gal
Temporarily in their new home, QT tanks waiting for me to build their stand:
What is the purpose for waste tank?
If youre thinking of using BRS peristaltic pump for your auto water change programmed to your Apex, you should have a way to know that the waste water pump takes out the same amount of water as the new water pump, otherwise youll have salinity problem. I dont think that these pump stays consistent through out the time.
I have Apex too, but I think LM3 can do the job better, just throw away that budget sheet
If youre thinking of using BRS peristaltic pump for your auto water change programmed to your Apex, you should have a way to know that the waste water pump takes out the same amount of water as the new water pump, otherwise youll have salinity problem. I dont think that these pump stays consistent through out the time.
I have Apex too, but I think LM3 can do the job better, just throw away that budget sheet
Scuba_Steve
Premium Member
Looks great so far. I am sorry I cant remember the name and site for these. There are pumps I was just reading on that each had 2 inputs/outputs. They were not peristatic pumps, but just as accurate. They did not suffer from the tube wear that plague those pumps as well. Both sided of the pump did not need to be synced with each other, they are always identical. I really wish I could remember the pump name, maybe someone else can help out, or you can find them. Anyways they would be great for your WC setup, as well as all of your other dosing pumps. There were single output versions as well.
As for your electricity, 2 20a lines is overkill. What I would do is change your breaker on one of those lines to a normal breaker. Run all essential equipment on that breaker. Mainly return pump. Plug everything non essential into the gfci. If they both tripped for some reason, you would be in serious trouble.
As for your electricity, 2 20a lines is overkill. What I would do is change your breaker on one of those lines to a normal breaker. Run all essential equipment on that breaker. Mainly return pump. Plug everything non essential into the gfci. If they both tripped for some reason, you would be in serious trouble.
The Escaped Ape
In The Canopy
This is shaping up to be a really great project. I really admire the way you're being meticulous in the design process. I only wish I could render drawings and diagrams the way some people here do! I also think you (or you and your wife) have excellent taste. Very attractive style to everything.
What is the purpose for waste tank?
If youre thinking of using BRS peristaltic pump for your auto water change programmed to your Apex, you should have a way to know that the waste water pump takes out the same amount of water as the new water pump, otherwise youll have salinity problem. I dont think that these pump stays consistent through out the time.
I have Apex too, but I think LM3 can do the job better, just throw away that budget sheet
Hi Mirugai-
The Waste tank is for waste water from the main tank during water changes....I don't have a drain nearby to run it to. Another benefit is that I can use the main tank waste water as input water to the QT tanks during their water changes. The volumes on the QTs are relatively small, so frequent water changes should be necessary....
At this point given the additional cost of the litermeter setup, I'm thinking about just doing a semi-automated change system with two small pumps. Basically, when I wanted to do my weekly change, I would switch output pump on and off based on visual water level and then the input pump on to fill to the correct level in the sump. Hmm......
J
Hi Steve-
Thanks for the info. As far as the electrical...all of the gfci is at the outlets, so even if I switch one of the breakers to a normal one, the gfci will still be active. Do you reccomend this due to the afci breakers being finicky?
I plan on running chiller and system pump on seperate lines and seperate gfcis, same with the two vortechs (though they'll be on battery backups).
Best,
Josh
Tom,
Thanks so much for the compliments! Google sketchup really is a simple 3d package. I feel it's actually built to be intuitive for someone who's never really used cad/3d packages before....one side effect of that is frustration for someone who has! :>
You should give it a try, once you get the hang of it, you'll be cruisin. There's lot's of videos and tutorials to get you started, and it's freeeee!
Best,
Josh
Ycore
New member
If you're looking for a good cheap ATO pump, the Tom's Aqualifter 3.5gph.. Works great on my 50G CAD in conjunction with my Apex. As for water changes, I do 5G a week and it honestly takes me ten minutes tops.. One empty bucket at sump, one bucket filled with salt water.. Use a maxi-jet to suck 5G out of sump, then transfer Fresh salt water bucket and pump 5G in.. Done.
Great build can't wait to see it finished.
BTW, can you post up pics of your backyard, i like the patio set up on the cement squares... One of my projects besides to finish up my 55gal build,
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1780792
is to start my backyard landscaping.
Thanks
BTW, can you post up pics of your backyard, i like the patio set up on the cement squares... One of my projects besides to finish up my 55gal build,
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1780792
is to start my backyard landscaping.
Thanks
Ycore, thanks for the heads up on the aqualifter. My 2 concerns with that pump are not handling head pressure and possible back siphoning....
Hey Camaro-
Thanks! Checked out your build thread, really nice work on that stand...very clean. I'll try to get some pics of my backyard this week...the grass is dead and we're waiting till fall to replace it, so please excuse the dirt :>
Best,
Josh
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