The Ultimate Eight Foot Softie Reef

[jnb]

found answer - it's all about the GFCI energizing but still doing its job after a power outage (Not about auto resetting after tripping due to unnatural flow).

All (or perhaps there may be exceptions ) the wall receptacle units do auto reset. Most of the portables (strips, in-line, plug-ins) DON'T (by design so a table saw user won't get hurt when his tool comes back on unexpectedly). Strip users, plug-in users, in line users - BEWARE - but you can find portable GFCIs that do auto reset.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13593559#post13593559 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by melev
Don't get me wrong, it is a good question and it would be nice to know if there is an answer. I'd prefer to reset it myself when I've had the time to analyze the situation.

 

[jnb]

I wish I was there when you move the tank in just to see your expressions - I love the dimensions you are getting - James built both my tanks - ask him to throw in extra algae scrapers - he makes really nice ones.

 

[InsaneClownFish]

jnb- I can't wait! Yes, Marc was telling me how nice the scrapers are that James includes...good stuff!

So a fellow reefer is going to pick up a drilled 20L, from an LFS that is closing it's doors, for $12. This will serve as my fuge. Here's the problem, I found out the tanks are drilled on the bottom right back, or the bottom left back. For this to gravity feed properly, with the height of the shelf, the hole would need to be on one of the upper parts of the back or side of the tank. Raising the shelf is probably not an option as this would greatly limit my access to the fuge. Can anyone think of a way to make it work using the bottom bulkhead?

 

[InsaneClownFish]

Problem solved. Todd is going to drill a hole on the upper right back for me and I'll just close off the other bulkhead or use it as a fail-safe.

 

[InsaneClownFish]

Time for the distilled vinegar bath. Getting all of my equipment ready.

An interesting note on my skimmer. It seems to be operating more efficiently with the water level just above the outlet on top of the pump without the entire elbow submerged. I used to run it quite a bit deeper, and if you can make out from the pic, right at the black electrical tape line. Is the depth I have the skimmer at now a better submersion level to run it at?

Here's the happy tip of the day: When I drilled the holes on my stand they came out flawless. When I drilled the holes for my last stand(not made by me) I ended up scratching up the top of the stand(luckily covered by the tank) because I was applying too much pressure to the drill. This time I just held it in place and slowly let the weight of the drill take it down. I also slowed down on the trigger(less torque) once the circular edge of the saw blade hit the plywood in order to make enough of a groove where the bit would not slide or "scurry." I then slowly ramped up the trigger. I hope this helps someone. :thumbsup:

 

[melev]

Yes, you were running it in too much water in the past. 6" is probably about right for that skimmer. In your new setup, if you are going to use that sump and baffles, make a 4" stand to put under the skimmer and pump to raise it up some.

 

[InsaneClownFish]

Thanks for the input Marc. I can't believe I was running it so long at the wrong depth. I used to think this skimmer was underperforming because I had it on such a small system. Yikes was I wrong.

Look what left from across the country today. There's some nice flame polishing going on:

I shouldn't have bothered building a stand, I could have just run it on Jame's beast of a crate.

:celeb1:

 

[melev]

You're right. Rip it out and throw it away. :lol:

 

[Don-Coraleone]

awesome.....

 

[ctreefer]

My back's starting to hurt looking at that.

 

[JustinReef]

That tank sure is purdy...

I am getting quite jealous now.

 

[Maritimegod112]

Ho much would it cost for one of those in 4ft for christmas??? I like how it is not too deep for easy light penatration. good luck!

 

[JustinReef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13616118#post13616118 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Maritimegod112
Ho much would it cost for one of those in 4ft for christmas??? I like how it is not too deep for easy light penatration. good luck!

$1, 000, 000 :crazy1:

 

[FroMan]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13602592#post13602592 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by InsaneClownFish
I'm terrible with dates. I'm really annoyed we scheduled our house warming party for the same day Marc is speaking. I knew about it too, I just have way to much going on to pin down dates. :mad2:

We all know that reefing is more important than house stuff!!! Supposed to be a good raffle too!

 

[erics3000]

Nice build. I think your stand is strong enough

 

[InsaneClownFish]

The tank came into New Haven on Friday(I thought it would be in by the end of last week by the posted delivery date I found via the tracking number). Estes called me on Saturday for a Wednesday delivery. Tank comes tomorrow!

I did some finishing touches on the stand and shimmed the braces to a front biased and nailed them in place. I also wiggled the sump in- barely, and the same slight of hand got the skimmer in. I ordered an autotopoff switch from autotopoff.com and installed that.

 

[Fig70g]

Tagging along, great build! I'll be adding this to my list of builds for when I am ready (well when funding is ready anyway) to go with a bigger tank.

Looking forward to seeing the tank on that beast, I mean stand!

 

[InsaneClownFish]

Coming off the truck:

I cut out the styrofoam from the crate:

Everything is ready underneath, and I hooked up my ATO:

Getting everything else ready:

 

[tankjunky]

So is the tank going to be %100 softie dominated or is ther going to be some LPS and SPS

 

[melev]

Sooooo sexy!!!