Rickztah's Low Iron 22g Peninsula RBTA / Euphyllia / Clownfish (build)

[rickztahone]

dumb question, but is that the wireless. Reef angel relay box on the bottom?

No, I have the orp and the expansion down there. However, I do have the wireless one as well. I cannot for the life of me figure it out though. I'm not very computer savvy but I did get the codes in to the RA. I just need to figure the wireless part out because i'd much rather change stuff off my phone than reaching in top that panel every time

 

[pandimus]

No, I have the orp and the expansion down there. However, I do have the wireless one as well. I cannot for the life of me figure it out though. I'm not very computer savvy but I did get the codes in to the RA. I just need to figure the wireless part out because i'd much rather change stuff off my phone than reaching in top that panel every time

There is a program that is bundled into your reefangel program you need run and plug your programming TTL cable into wireless and program it to connect to your wireless. Then port forward to that module.

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[rickztahone]

There is a program that is bundled into your reefangel program you need run and plug your programming TTL cable into wireless and program it to connect to your wireless. Then port forward to that module.

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Yeah, I've done some of this. The term port forwarding is lost on me however, lol. Remember I said I am not too techy? I tried troubleshooting a few months ago but it was a no go. Yesterday I realized that one of the connection wires had a pin that was bent so I have to replace that to try again

 

[rickztahone]

I happened to find a replacement wire amongst my pile of wires lol. Connected most of it up and looks good.

 

[rickztahone]

Wired the sump lights. They look a little more yellow than they do here in the pics. I really like how bright they are considering they are LED's though. This will toggle via the Reef Angel controller from the wifi module via my phone just as everything else will

I'm still in the process of organizing the rats nest. I had to get some low profile extensions for the outlets or else my door wouldn't close. That ran me $40 and that is just for 8. I still need another 8. Truth be told, I am not even sure I need the other 8 plug relay. Seems like overkill. However, when I got the controller, the guy just threw that in. I wasn't going to say no to a $120 relay.

DSC00517 by Rick Vasquez, on Flickr

DSC00519 by Rick Vasquez, on Flickr

DSC00526 by Rick Vasquez, on Flickr

DSC00528 by Rick Vasquez, on Flickr

 

[rickztahone]

Sorry for the flood of pics. I am just excited to be working on this project again. The next things to do is the plumbing and chiller housing and wiring.

Wiring this was not fun. I was not happy the way everything ended up. I wanted a cleaner side panel but the truth is I just simply didn't have enough space. I will get zip ties and such but the wires will be visible to an extent

Oh well. Can't have everything your way. Wiring the dosing pumps and the ATO was not fun at all, but the worst of all was the power wire for the RA relay. It took me close to 30 minutes to run one wire. I had to stop in the middle of the wiring because I got so frustrated lol. In the end I got it though. I didn't buy enough of the low profile extension cords. Still need 4 more but I may just buy all 8.

I never imagined that I would use up more than one relay but as it stands, this is what I have plugged in:

Main Relay
1-Return Pump (Main)
2-Heater (Not yet purchased)
3-Light fixture
4-Calcium doser
5-Skimmer
6-Alkalinity Doser
7-ATO
8-Sump Lights

Second Relay
1-Chiller (not wired as I do not know the location of it yet)
2-Return pump #2 for chiller
3-MP20
4-ORP

Wired 22g by Rick Vasquez, on Flickr

 

[Rakie]

Everything is looking good man!! Really clean and nice setup. I can envision something like this, but I couldn't build it like this (nor can I afford to pay someone else to!)

 

[dodgerblew]

Ricardo, you have serious skill.

 

[rickztahone]

Everything is looking good man!! Really clean and nice setup. I can envision something like this, but I couldn't build it like this (nor can I afford to pay someone else to!)

Honestly, it isn't that difficult. I've learnt everything over the years from building stands and trying DIY stuff. I don't like paying people to do stuff for me either lol. So I try on my own and if I painfully fail I will consider having someone do it for me.

I like helping people with stuff too, if you were closer I'd volunteer to help you out. That really goes out to anyone that ever wants some help around me.

I like DIY and I like having things that are more unique that your typical LFS bought stuff, especially stands. Stands (IMHO) are a huge part of the whole package deal.

Thanks again.

Ricardo, you have serious skill.

Thank you Rik. That means a lot from someone with such a beautiful tank as you have. Just remember, as I get closer and closer to finishing this, I will reach out for help with dialing stuff in.

Remember I told you I take for ever on my builds? This is why :hmm4:

 

[Rakie]

Thanks! And I feel ya Rik, stands often aren't, but *could* be one of the most intricate parts of a system. thegrun has an absolutely stellar stand he built himself, not only great looking, but compartmentalized to have an Energy Bar section, power toggle section for electrical, and all kinds of other cool stuff.

Honestly, If I could have I'd have made a slightly larger stand so I could have fit a larger sump. Simple needs lol.

 

[dodgerblew]

Thanks! And I feel ya Rik, stands often aren't, but *could* be one of the most intricate parts of a system. thegrun has an absolutely stellar stand he built himself, not only great looking, but compartmentalized to have an Energy Bar section, power toggle section for electrical, and all kinds of other cool stuff.

Honestly, If I could have I'd have made a slightly larger stand so I could have fit a larger sump. Simple needs lol.

Ricardo, I'm looking forward to being a part of this. I'm not positive but I think after you were up here we had some water damage from a kitchen leak and we've done a major renovation to entire front of house. One thing that came from all this is I stepped in doing all the demo (saved thousands) and my wife and I took over some of the remodel (staining, painting, minor electric also saving a large sum of $$) but watching cabinet contractor I found a desire to learn to work with wood. I'm doing my baseboards (p.i.t.a.) and will then move on to replacement of a couple of doors and door moldings eventually getting enough experience to try building a new vanity for the guest bathroom. I've been collecting tools and have a small but decent shop, table, miter, circular and jig saws, nail guns and compressor and some Jawhorse stands. It's a start but it really makes me appreciate your projects.

Rakie, I'm very fortunate to own one of Mike's/thegrun stands and sump. A very nice piece of furniture.

 

[rickztahone]

Ricardo, I'm looking forward to being a part of this. I'm not positive but I think after you were up here we had some water damage from a kitchen leak and we've done a major renovation to entire front of house. One thing that came from all this is I stepped in doing all the demo (saved thousands) and my wife and I took over some of the remodel (staining, painting, minor electric also saving a large sum of $$) but watching cabinet contractor I found a desire to learn to work with wood. I'm doing my baseboards (p.i.t.a.) and will then move on to replacement of a couple of doors and door moldings eventually getting enough experience to try building a new vanity for the guest bathroom. I've been collecting tools and have a small but decent shop, table, miter, circular and jig saws, nail guns and compressor and some Jawhorse stands. It's a start but it really makes me appreciate your projects.

Rakie, I'm very fortunate to own one of Mike's/thegrun stands and sump. A very nice piece of furniture.

That's really how it starts. You start acquiring tools and then you think to yourself "well, I could make that better by doing this..." and you go out and buy materials, lol.

I will not say that DIY projects are cheap. Some people do, I know for sure mine are compared to buying a cheap stand. However, I always put in these terms, if I paid someone to make me a stand with my specifications, they would charge me more than 3x's what I spent doing it myself.

That usually makes everything better in my head, lol.

 

[Rakie]

Rick, for someone with zero tools what would you consider the absolute basic tools to have?

All I'm looking to do is -- Cut 2x4's, plywoods up to 1"+, fit & finish some basic woodworking.

I was thinking of these tools;
- Circular Saw (Corded)
- Drill (Have cheapie cordless)
- Router for plunge cuts / Edging (Corded)

If I could, I'd love a Table Saw... But that's WAAAY out of the budget. Even used ones are too much. So what do you think of these as a basic tool kit?

 

[rickztahone]

Rick, for someone with zero tools what would you consider the absolute basic tools to have?

All I'm looking to do is -- Cut 2x4's, plywoods up to 1"+, fit & finish some basic woodworking.

I was thinking of these tools;
- Circular Saw (Corded)
- Drill (Have cheapie cordless)
- Router for plunge cuts / Edging (Corded)

If I could, I'd love a Table Saw... But that's WAAAY out of the budget. Even used ones are too much. So what do you think of these as a basic tool kit?

You can pretty much do 90% of all DIY's with those 3 things. Circular saws are great but I would suggest getting a good T-square or somewhat of a bigger square and some cheapo clamps. With that, your cuts will be more precise.

I actually don't have a router and I wish I did, but a table one. There are a whole bunch of DIY videos on YT about making one but I have never had the chance to actually do one. For a drill, go with Dewalt. I have never had any complaints about them and their batteries are very multi-purpose.

 

[murphreef]

looking good bro!

 

[rickztahone]

looking good bro!

Thanks Justin

 

[Rakie]

You can pretty much do 90% of all DIY's with those 3 things. Circular saws are great but I would suggest getting a good T-square or somewhat of a bigger square and some cheapo clamps. With that, your cuts will be more precise.

I actually don't have a router and I wish I did, but a table one. There are a whole bunch of DIY videos on YT about making one but I have never had the chance to actually do one. For a drill, go with Dewalt. I have never had any complaints about them and their batteries are very multi-purpose.

Thanks much, and yeah I was looking at stuff like the saw guides, T-Squares and a bunch of clamps. Looks like it would turn the saw into a hand held table saw basically.

I won't do too much with 'em at first but the goal is to change that. Way too often I want something like X, Y, or Z, only to find nobody makes it, or it's 10x more expensive than it should be.

 

[rickztahone]

Thanks much, and yeah I was looking at stuff like the saw guides, T-Squares and a bunch of clamps. Looks like it would turn the saw into a hand held table saw basically.

I won't do too much with 'em at first but the goal is to change that. Way too often I want something like X, Y, or Z, only to find nobody makes it, or it's 10x more expensive than it should be.

That is the perfect time to make it yourself .

If you have any questions please just let me know.

One thing I can tell you to buy ahead of time that makes a big difference is a pilot hole drill bit. Get that right off the bat and use it for every project. It makes a big difference in projects. Many don't use it and I scratch my head because they are so cheap!

 

[mr9iron]

Any progress on the tank?


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[rickztahone]

Any progress on the tank?


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On the tank itself I don't need anything else but the actual stock. I will be getting 2 clowns and Euphyllia as soon as my tank is plumbed.

All my focus had been on the stand for a while but I should be fine on that now.