My 400 gallon in-wall Miracles Reef Tank

[NexDog]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7704038#post7704038 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Cathy8424
I have had some questions as to how my auto water change system works. Here is a picture and details for those that are interested. If you have any other questions, please feel free to ask.

If you would like to see a complete description with photos and a plumbing schematic of my Water Change System, you can look Here .

The water change system is fed from a line off of my closed loop pump on the frag tank, and free flows into a 29 gallon fuge which then free flows into the frag tank.

I run one barrel with the system. The other barrel is closed off with the ball valves. When it is time for the water change, I close the barrel that is open, then open the barrel that was closed; the water change is done. To empty the old water, I open another valve piped into the bottom of the barrel and use a pump and garden hose to pump the barrel empty. The barrel is then refilled by opening a valve from the RODI unit. There is a Kent Float Valve in each barrel to keep it from overflowing during the refill (be sure to put the float valve lower than the discharge bulkhead). In a day or two I go back, shut off the RODI valve and put in the salt (be sure to shut off the RODI valve).

I have a maxi jet in both barrels to plug in for the one that is not running with the system. The one that is not in use with the system is just like having your bucket of salt water ready to do a water change. In the other barrel the water is constantly moving from the water being pumped into the bottom from the frag tank closed loop (kind of like water being pumped into your display from a sump). Then it overflows from the bulkhead in the top of the barrel, into the fuge, then free flows from another bulkhead back into the frag tank (kind of like and overflow box in the display tank, but there is no siphon to break).

I only have one barrel on line at a time. When I want to do a water change I switch barrels. The barrel just stays ready and full of clean saltwater until I decide to chance barrels (in other words, do a water change). The water change is preformed by opening and closing valves.

The set up works great and I love it.

This image shows the feed line that feeds the barrels from the closed loop pump in the frag tank, and all the valves with a description of their function. The water enters the bottom of the barrel and exits the top of the barrel. In this picture, barrel 1 is in use and barrel 2 has fresh unused salt water.
<img src="http://www.high-velocity.org/saltcity/album_pic.php?pic_id=458"><br><br>

I think I understand this and it's the coolest WC system I've ever seen. But surely you must have ball valves above both barrels too? I imagine that you have a pipe coming out the fuge that Tees to both barrels and one is closed (going into the fresh salt water barrel) and the other is open (one that runs with the system). So when you do the water change you close off the one on the output of the latter then open the one on the output of the fresh salt water mix but then you have to open the water into that barrel from the top and close off the other at the top too? So the water change must involve all 4 valves? Just trying to understand it completely because I might have to copy this idea if I ever do a huge system.

 

[Cathy8424]

Thanks for the nice comments guys.

I will write an updated and get some updated pictures up soon.

NexDog, There are no ball valves needed on the top as it free flows into the fuge. The barrel is filled from the bottom with the closed loop pump. If that supply vavle is shut off, no water will come out of the barrel. If the fuge pipe was Teed, which they are not, I would have to put valves on them.

To do the water change, I close the valve coming straight out of the barrel and open the other valve coming straight out of the other barrel. The two valves running side ways are for emptying the dirty barrel.

I will get you some picturef of the top part tonight or tomorrow.

 

[Cathy8424]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7704038#post7704038 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Cathy8424
NexDog,
if you would like to see a complete description with numerous detailed photos and a plumbing schematic of my Water Change System, you can Click Here .

The set up works great and I love it.

<img src="http://www.high-velocity.org/saltcity/album_pic.php?pic_id=458"><br><br>

 

[NexDog]

Ahhhh, I get it. So the flow is from teh bottom to top - that's genius! In that pic above Barrel 1 with both valves at the bottom closed, the barrel is closed off and Barrel 2 runs with the system. And the two valves in the pipe that connect the two are just used when emptying the old water.

And genius in more ways than one as with the flow coming out high you can basically gravity feed the fuge. What pump do you have feeding this loop?

 

[Cathy8424]

Yep, you got it!

The Sequence HammerHead pump from the frag tanks closed loop feeds the barrels from the bottom (this helps keep the water circulated), then gravity feeds into the fuge, which in turn gravity feeds right back into the frag tank.

And the two valves closest to the barrels are just used to drain the barrels.

I have a second fuge set up for the display tank that feeds from one of it's closed loop pumps and gravity feeds right back into the display tank.

The whole system works great, I have been very pleased with it so far!

The water change system, I would recommend to any one that has the space for it. When you start a new barrel, you can open the valve slowly, then after the water is mixed, you can set it to the flow you desire.

 

[labragg1]

Cathy--how's the Achilles doing? I had one for a short while, but then it just went belly up on me. From what I've heard they don't have a very good survival rate. I would love to have another one, but I'm afraid to chance it again--especially based on the high cost of getting one.
Just wanted you opinion. Thanks

 

[NexDog]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7871493#post7871493 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Cathy8424
Yep, you got it!

The Sequence HammerHead pump from the frag tanks closed loop feeds the barrels from the bottom (this helps keep the water circulated), then gravity feeds into the fuge, which in turn gravity feeds right back into the frag tank.

And the two valves closest to the barrels are just used to drain the barrels.

I have a second fuge set up for the display tank that feeds from one of it's closed loop pumps and gravity feeds right back into the display tank.

The whole system works great, I have been very pleased with it so far!

The water change system, I would recommend to any one that has the space for it. When you start a new barrel, you can open the valve slowly, then after the water is mixed, you can set it to the flow you desire.

Cool. I have a spare HH that I'm not using.

 

[Cathy8424]

You can T off of any existing pump you have in your system for this.

 

[Cathy8424]

Update on the progress of our reef set up.

Update on the progress of our reef set up.

Cabinets have been installed in the fishroom and the water and drain were finally hooked up this past weekend!

I have been honing and cleaning up the electrical cluster.

I have got several safety relays in place, but still have some more and solenoids for the auto top off to get in place. - parts are here need more time!!!

I also have all my light ducting materials and equipment. It will be vented to the outside or inside (depending on temp) with actuated dampers and regulated with the AquaController to send heat outside in the summer and inside in the winter. In the summer it will drawl air form outside and vent it outside, a straight pass through the enclosed light fixture. This way I will not be heating my air-conditioned air. In the winter the exhaust will be vented into the house. - parts are here need more time!!!

Loren has been working on the wood work for skinning the interior of the living room. In the next few days, I will get some pictures of the fishroom cabinets, and progress of the interior skin posted.

The tank its self is doing great! The corals are beginning to color up nicely and continue to improve daily. The tank is really coming to life!

Click on the thumbnails for a larger view of the corals, I am very pleased with how every thing is going and growing.

 

[Cathy8424]

This is the beginning of the skinning for the new Display Tank. It is approximately 12 foot wide and 6 1/2 foot tall.

Click on the thumbnails for a larger picture.


These are cabinets we acquired free and refurbished for the fish room. We did have to buy the faucet. These cabinets sit straight behind the display tank.

 

[Waxxiemann]

Cathy, Your tank is really just AWESOME. Inspiring. I'm hoping to upgrade to a 225 from Miracles in the upcoming year and I have learned a lot from your thread.

Thanks for sharing and keep the pics coming!

 

[John_Auberry]

great tank!

 

[Cathy8424]

Waxxiemann and John,

Thanks for the nice words!

Waxxiemann, good luck with the planning on your new system! Miracles were wonderful to work with, I love my tank and have been very happy with it! If I can help you with anything, please feel free to ask! I have taken a lot of ideas from these threads too, and have come up with a few of my own. It is a fun process!

 

[Cathy8424]

Actuated vent dampers for light heat exhaust.

Actuated vent dampers for light heat exhaust.

If any one sees any problems, or has any other ideas to offer, please chime in before it is to late! HVAC is really not my thing!

I started working on the actuated dampers for venting the light fixtures. It was a PITA, but I finally got the wiring figured out for them.

I got my Effikal Vent Dampers, transformer, fan, Ys and the insulated duct work all from Ebay. It was quite a savings.

I had a schematic form the manufacture and the pigtails didn't have the color wires they were supposed to. I had to take the damper apart and trace the wires. Then when I started on the second one, well that sucker had different color wires than the other one and the schematic. So I had to take it apart and trace it out too.

Any way, I finally got it hooked up to use one transformer, and one relay to run them in a reverse cycle. When one closes, the other will open. They will be thermostatically controlled, using the AquaController.

Here is a diagram resembling what I plan the finished project to be like.

<img src="http://www.high-velocity.org/saltcity/album_pic.php?pic_id=592.jpg" alt="http://www.high-velocity.org/saltcity">

<img src="http://www.high-velocity.org/saltcity/album_pic.php?pic_id=588.jpg" alt="http://www.high-velocity.org/saltcity"> <img src="http://www.high-velocity.org/saltcity/album_pic.php?pic_id=589.jpg" alt="http://www.high-velocity.org/saltcity">

 

[jond]

Cathy,

Your tank and project in whole is inspiring. I just received my new 280 (72X30X30)from Miracles. I can also say that they were a pleasure to work with. I have acquired many great ideas from your thread and I thank you. My new house is currently under construction and I cannot wait to get mine in the wall.

 

[Charlie97L]

cathy... i just read your whole thread and WOW what an accomplishment!!!

do you have pics of your frag tank? i saw a teaser during the leak test, but i didn't see pics of it.

 

[Cathy8424]

Thanks guys!

I will try to get some pictures of the frag tank tomorrow.

Jond, when do you anticipate moving into your new house? Man it would be great to get to build a house around a new tank! You will be able to do it in a much better fashion! You can plan the heat, ventilation, wiring, plumbing and every thing to be user friendly to your system instead of having to work around existing limitations!

 

[jond]

It is looking like the December/January time frame. The tank is already here so in that respect if will be a long few months. It has been fun to build around the tank. The space I was able to dedicate to the fish room is only about 5.5' X 12'. Could have been nice to have more space, but I am just happy to have a dedicated room. It will have a sink, extra outlets, built in de-humidifier, etc.

I will try to learn to post some pics and start a new thread. I am sure that I wil need lots of advice.

 

[Cathy8424]

Here is an up date on the wood work. The bottom and side portion will be installed today or tomorrow. The top portion will be soon to follow. The crown molding trim and wood cut fish will be following shortly.

 

[Alphabet]

Love the project!! Just wondering why some pics did not show up? I noticed your euro was 4 pieces, is there a reason for that? Could'nt they use one piece and water jet it, or is it stronger they way you have it. I only ask because I do notknow and I am compiling info for a future upgrade.

Thank you for any info.