Shawn's 180 Wall Divider Build

Lol - I like your approach - gun to a knife fight. I am going to be a bit more optimistic and hope there is not a failure for the initial fill :).

I am using solenoids for the pumps. I also wanted one for the ATO, but I am having a hard time finding a 1/4" NPT plastic Normally Open - plenty of N/C, but no N/O.
 
For some it would be best to control a pump instead of the valve its self. This reduces heat and waste energy. Just make sure there is no chance of a siphon and run the pump until Low_Water1=open and then defer for 02:00. I always run my ato pump for 2 extra minutes after it is satisfied from the float. Helps keep it from short cycling.

Granted I only have 5g in my ato bucket, if it gets stuck I do not have to worry about sg being way off either.
 
Be sure to remove and thoroughly clean all those float valves once a month. Replace every two years. I have had all of those types you show fail catastrophically on me at various times.

Dave.M
 
But I have a gravity fed ATO from the fresh water tank to the sump - no reason to have a pump IMO - But the solenoid N/O could help!
 
dave.m said:
Be sure to remove and thoroughly clean all those float valves once a month. Replace every two years. I have had all of those types you show fail catastrophically on me at various times.

Dave.M
Click to expand...

Great advice - this is my first float valve setup....
 
Cooking Rocks baby!

Cooking Rocks baby!

The weather gave us some warmth and I took advantage and treated some rocks to a Muratic Acid bath. 10 parts water to 1 part acid. Cooked for about 30 mins (or until reaction stopped). Neutralized with backing soda. I was expecting more rock loss than I saw, but the picture shows the reaction I was expecting...

cookrocks.jpg
 
Stand Adjustments

Stand Adjustments

I had to make a couple of adjustments to the stand. First was to cut a section out so that I could remove the fresh water top off tank when I wanted.


FrashTankAccessCut.jpg




I used the jig saw but totally forgot about the float switch wires and whack...


FreshTankWiresOops.jpg
 
Tank is cycling

Tank is cycling

I got the tank full and started the cycle with some rocks that had already cycled in a temporary tank. Should speed things up a bit.


DTwithfewrocks.jpg



The BeanAnimal overflow is running well. I repaired the weir mistake to remove some bubbles that the main siphon was sucking up. Still have some adjustments to make to get it perfect...


OverflowRunning.jpg
 
With so little clearance, I needed an easier way to access the salt water replenishment tank to add salt. After I raised it up a bit and added a pair of Home Depot sliders, she is good to go!


slidersforsalttank.jpg
 
Apex setup

Apex setup

I was able to build a box and program the basics of the Apex controller. Just in time - about 6 hrs after, one of the drain bulkheads sprung a leak. The Apex ALD detected it and alarms were blaring.


apexsetupfront.jpg


I have a second EB8 coming in today.

apexsetupback.jpg
 
Aquascape Round 1

Aquascape Round 1

I did my first round of aquascaping last night. The goal was to create two "mountains" that curved in and have them inverse from each other with a pathway that goes between them. It is pretty tough to do exactly what you want with of depth, though.

I am fairly happy with one of my mountains, but the rock does not seem to want to sit as well on the other. I will probably just leave it alone since it will all look so different with SPS all over! Also - added some ammonia to bring the tank to 2 ppm - let the cycle begin!

aquascape1.jpg



aquascape2.jpg



aquascape3.jpg
 
Good question. I kind of went about this backwards and put them in the tank after the water. I would prefer to drill and insert PVC rods, but some of my previous experimentation with the drilling was splitting up the rocks. Also, that would require that I remove a good portion of water.

The rocks towards the front of the tank are solid, but the second set may need some epoxy...
 
Cool - I have never used it before. From what I see it works well but you should wear gloves (super messy).
 
Yes wear gloves! Used 5 tubes before I learned that it took a week to get the residue off of my fingers and nails.
 
Like the view so far. I wanted to do this, but was worried that an anemone would go on the back side and not be as visible.

I am going to make mine a C shape instead.
 
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