Looks good to me!
The Return of Hans - A 150 Gallon SCA Mixed Reef Build
- Thread starter hhaase
- Start date
I was playing around in the water room yesterday starting to plan out the RO location and lines, and gave it a good test with the new membrane. The good news is the RO filter works fine. The bad news is I have a minor drip in the relocated sump pump lines. I have till spring to fix that, as the exterior hose is frozen at this point, and it probably only leaks under pressure. But it's something I'll have to worry about at some point.
Otherwise I did move all the electrical sockets up to about 6ft off the ground, both for access and water clearance, and brought home some 2x4's to start building out a bench and stand.
The water tanks are the main reason for the room, but it would be nice to be able to put a small workstation and quarantine tank in there too.
-Hans
Otherwise I did move all the electrical sockets up to about 6ft off the ground, both for access and water clearance, and brought home some 2x4's to start building out a bench and stand.
The water tanks are the main reason for the room, but it would be nice to be able to put a small workstation and quarantine tank in there too.
-Hans
The bench isn't done, and man did it suck up room quickly. I still need to put decks on both levels of it, and it'll need some shims to level it all out, but this was a good evening of work. At some point I should probably put some plywood behind all of this too, but since the stand isn't built into place I can always pull it away and get it done.
I also moved over the RO filter. Temporary location for now, as I know things will change pretty quick once I get the other tank in place.
I can't decide if I want the top tank to be RO and the bottom salt, or the other way around. Either way it's going to be a bit annoying to get at the top of the tank to get the salt mix into it. I'll either be crouching, or up on a step-stool. There's good points to either method. And either way is still better than hauling buckets.
I also moved over the RO filter. Temporary location for now, as I know things will change pretty quick once I get the other tank in place.
I can't decide if I want the top tank to be RO and the bottom salt, or the other way around. Either way it's going to be a bit annoying to get at the top of the tank to get the salt mix into it. I'll either be crouching, or up on a step-stool. There's good points to either method. And either way is still better than hauling buckets.
I took advantage of the BRS sale for Black Friday / Cyber Monday. I have a water-saver kit on the way for the RO/DI system, and fresh DI media. I really like the numbers I'm currently seeing, with 280ppm going into the membrane and 2ppm coming out. But I'd still like to cut down my waste water amount and see if I can hit zero PPM. Eventually I'll go with the triple part DI modules, but for now I'll just keep the single.
I also did the plywood shelving on the stand today as well. So I just need to level it, and add the second tank, then I can start thinking about some plumbing. All I have right now is a drain valve to get at the DI water.
I also did the plywood shelving on the stand today as well. So I just need to level it, and add the second tank, then I can start thinking about some plumbing. All I have right now is a drain valve to get at the DI water.
The water saver kit arrived today finally, and installed quick and easy. I also refilled my DI can finally. TDS meter is telling me I've got 6ppm into the DI and putting out 0ppm now, which is right on target for what I want it to be.
I also have some used media reactors on the way from a fellow reefcentral member. I don't know which ones they are exactly, but I believe they are a Bashsea 4-12 and 4-18, plus a very similar NanoSeaCreations BR1. Plenty of media options with 3 reactors, that's for sure.
Too bad I'm not getting to Minneapolis any time soon, great deal on an acrylic sump out there, but no way I'll be able to pick it up in the near future.
I also have some used media reactors on the way from a fellow reefcentral member. I don't know which ones they are exactly, but I believe they are a Bashsea 4-12 and 4-18, plus a very similar NanoSeaCreations BR1. Plenty of media options with 3 reactors, that's for sure.
Too bad I'm not getting to Minneapolis any time soon, great deal on an acrylic sump out there, but no way I'll be able to pick it up in the near future.
Skimmer is on the way now too, just ordered a Bubble Magus Z-7. When the tank gets heavily loaded I'll probably have to upgrade, but that's likely well over a year away from hitting that point. And at the price-point of this skimmer, I'm ok with that. I'm not personally a fan of hugely over-skimming. I'd rather size the skimmer to what the bio-load of the tank is.
-Hans
-Hans
And the momentum continues to increase. Things will start getting quite exciting soon over here. More updates from today.....
1: picked up the 2nd water tank. It’s not doing anything but I have it now.
2: funding is in place, tank getting ordered either Friday or Monday.
3: I am close to finalizing the stand design with a local steel shop. So that should be in progress soon too.
1: picked up the 2nd water tank. It’s not doing anything but I have it now.
2: funding is in place, tank getting ordered either Friday or Monday.
3: I am close to finalizing the stand design with a local steel shop. So that should be in progress soon too.
Still no shipping info from SCA on the new tank, but I'm neither surprised nor concerned. I figure they're probably closed this week, so I wouldn't be surprised if it doesn't ship for another week or so (assuming they even have it in stock).
I did pick up a 40 breeder to use as the main sump, still working on the layout in my head, so no fun photos to show yet.
But either way, things should start ramping up pretty quick here.
I did pick up a 40 breeder to use as the main sump, still working on the layout in my head, so no fun photos to show yet.
But either way, things should start ramping up pretty quick here.
Ah, anticipation. Part of the hobby! Now you can focus on all the other stuff you need to do. Have fun!
One week till estimated shipping on the new tank. Not much I can do at the moment though except wait.
In all the anticipation my freshwater tank is probably getting OVER-maintained at this point. But I have a fresh crop of shrimp fry and it's making me happy to see that tank succeeding so well.
In all the anticipation my freshwater tank is probably getting OVER-maintained at this point. But I have a fresh crop of shrimp fry and it's making me happy to see that tank succeeding so well.
Well, poop, I forgot to take pictures!
Tank has arrived safely at my Wife's job, and they are going to be building the stand for me, as they are a welding shop that makes dog cages, tables for veterinarian offices, and stainless tubs for groomers. So we've been going back and forth on ideas for the stand layout.
Going to be doing 1" x 2" steel tube, 14 gauge wall thickness. Two rear supports and one front support, with a bottom shelf for the sump. Two cross-braces in the top and bottom frames. 3/4" ply shelves top and bottom, with a lip around the top to hide the plywood. Skinned on 3 sides. The left and right side panels will be removable, front will be a pair of swinging doors.
Once they get the basic structure done I'll head back over there so we can talk about mounting locations inside the stand for refugium lights, electrical stuff, and plumbing.
It's so close I can taste it!
Tank has arrived safely at my Wife's job, and they are going to be building the stand for me, as they are a welding shop that makes dog cages, tables for veterinarian offices, and stainless tubs for groomers. So we've been going back and forth on ideas for the stand layout.
Going to be doing 1" x 2" steel tube, 14 gauge wall thickness. Two rear supports and one front support, with a bottom shelf for the sump. Two cross-braces in the top and bottom frames. 3/4" ply shelves top and bottom, with a lip around the top to hide the plywood. Skinned on 3 sides. The left and right side panels will be removable, front will be a pair of swinging doors.
Once they get the basic structure done I'll head back over there so we can talk about mounting locations inside the stand for refugium lights, electrical stuff, and plumbing.
It's so close I can taste it!
Sounds good, keep us apprised!
One thought I had was water proofing your steel frame. Water will be spilled. Protect your investment. You've probably already thought of that.
Your excitement is contagious!
One thought I had was water proofing your steel frame. Water will be spilled. Protect your investment. You've probably already thought of that.
Your excitement is contagious!
Yep, have that covered as well. They use speedliner in a few different colors.
-Hans
I'm told the stand will be ready for me to look at on Monday, at least the frame itself, prior to adding in any mounting bracket/straps/bars for accessories. I should probably start planning that out.
I also need to pick out the return pumps soon. Since the tank is drilled on the back for two returns, I'm planning two pumps for redundancy and finer control. Modular Marine recommended their 1,600gph overflow to match the holes in the tank, but I'm actually looking to do under 1,000gph through the sump. I'll need to measure head height, but probably looking at pumps rated around 500gph/2000lph in size. Preferrably DC controlled. Looking at the Jebao/Jecod DCS-2000, at least initially, to get myself started.
I also need to pick out the return pumps soon. Since the tank is drilled on the back for two returns, I'm planning two pumps for redundancy and finer control. Modular Marine recommended their 1,600gph overflow to match the holes in the tank, but I'm actually looking to do under 1,000gph through the sump. I'll need to measure head height, but probably looking at pumps rated around 500gph/2000lph in size. Preferrably DC controlled. Looking at the Jebao/Jecod DCS-2000, at least initially, to get myself started.
Score! Work just tore down a piece of equipment and I got a lot of 80/20 extrusion that I can use for a hood/lighting frame! Either that or a better stand for my water change station.
Hell, if my welded stand wasn't already done I'd have been able to build a stand from this stuff. All good 2" x 1" extrusions.
Hell, if my welded stand wasn't already done I'd have been able to build a stand from this stuff. All good 2" x 1" extrusions.
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