Starting an interactive reef - 265g reef tank w/ live web camera

[rEd86]

I did a lot of Kiosk & CD Rom development in the 80s before transitioning to the web in the 90s. (yea, I've been in this business WAY too long)

I don’t do a lot of programming anymore so it’s fun to take on small projects like this.

--Ed

 

[Untamed12]

That's a good find on that touchscreen! That is exactly how I got my touchscreen as well. Purchased on their own, they are crazy expensive.

What controller are you using? In order to run the touchscreen and a connected computer... Do NOT choose Aquatronica. They have a real nice computer interface but things don't work properly if you leave the computer and touch screen connected all the time. Maybe they will fix it...but I've been living with the problems for 2 years now and they haven't fixed it yet!

 

[rEd86]

I am running a Lighthouse Pro XLS controller. I've been a big fan of MCU Research for years, since they were one of the first out there to provide a web interface to their controllers.

The other reason I chose this one is Joe indicated he's going to be opening up the controller in the open source spirit which means I can expand it with some features I want.

The web interface means I don't need to connect a computer up to it, which is why I looked for that years ago.

--Ed

 

[Lowredranger]

awesome looking tank can't wait to see the video stream.

 

[Ski11z]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11902504#post11902504 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rEd86
OK, just got my RO unit in which I will hook up this weekend. I don't know if I can talk about where I got it from but you can tell from the photo! :lol:

At 100gpd I should be able to get things filled in a little less than a week.

--Ed

Be sure to run at lest 50 gallons threw before you attach the DI stage, don buy into the high cost RO units cause they are pretty much the same, as long as the sediment filter and Carbon blocks are under 5 microns you should be good, i got mine 5 stage from ebay bulkreef supply.com for half the cost of those other so called high end and i couldn't be happier.

 

[melev]

Ski11z, I can't agree with that advice, especially the very first statement you gave. 50g before you hook up the DI section is pretty wasteful and totally unnecessary. 5 gallons (1 hour) is sufficient to push out the food grade preservative in the brand new membrane.

Bulkreefsupply.com sells RO units from their own website, as do many sponsors here on RC. You said half the price, so did you buy it for $84.50 plus shipping?

 

[rEd86]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14598084#post14598084 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Ski11z
Be sure to run at lest 50 gallons threw before you attach the DI stage, don buy into the high cost RO units cause they are pretty much the same, as long as the sediment filter and Carbon blocks are under 5 microns you should be good, i got mine 5 stage from ebay bulkreef supply.com for half the cost of those other so called high end and i couldn't be happier.

Thanks but you're a little late - the RO/DI unit was installed over a year ago!

I am not sure where you're getting your pricing since I just searched and found a similar RO/DI on eBay, which is about the same price as mine was from a RC sponsor - Melev's Reef. I got a 100gpd unit instead of 75gpd, plus the reputation and service of a top-notch company. Unless the pricing is significantly different for the exact same product and service is not a factor, I always support sponsors (both on Reef Central and my local Cincinnati reef club - CincyReef) since the sponsors support us.

--Ed

 

[rastarainy]

nice tank. earlier you mentioned a FOWLR? is that still running in your office too? (i think i saw a massive emperor angel in there!)