May Update
May Update
Another slow month for the aquarium, with just a few days for project time.
Since last time:
- Salt mixing station rebuilt
- Built float switch override panel for the RO/DI reservoir
- DT water change system installed
- Coral QT setup progress
- QT and dosing pumps progress
- Garage completed. Not really relevant but since so little happened on the tank. . .
The mixing station failed in exactly the way I feared it might and had to be reworked. The head pressure from the reservoir completely overwhelmed any suction effect, so the mixing tank just continued to fill up, nothing being drawn out of it into the recirc pump. After considering a number of options I decided the easiest solution would be to add a separate mixing pump.
Revised Mixing Station
Added Mag24 to left of cone tank. Mixing procedure is now:
- Open valve under cone to start filling cone
- When half full, turn on Mag24 to start pumping water from cone bottom tank to reservoir
- Partially close valve under cone until Mag24 is drawing water out of the tank just slightly faster than it is being refilled from the reservoir
- Slowly dump bucket of salt into cone bottom tank
- Shut off valve under tank and allow Mag24 to pump out remaining water
Completed Mixing Station Wall Panel
Valves allow redirection of RO/DI and Salt water to a local hose attachment or to a hose attachment at the far end by the quarantine tanks.
Closeup of RO/DI Float Switch Override Panel
3-position manual switches for the High and Low float switches in the RO/DI reservoir. Top position overrides switch to report as dry (closed), middle position as wet (open), and bottom position passes along the actual switch position unchanged.
Display Tank Water Change Pump Station
Dual head Stenner 80gpd pump mounted on wall behind the skimmer. This pump runs the daily 25 gallon water change for the display. New saltwater is pumped into the sump. Old sump water is pumped to a 30g holding tank to be used as 'new' water supply for the quarantine tanks.
Back side of control board for Coral QT
The back of the control board for the coral QT holds the light drivers for the 100W Ecoxotic pendants over the coral QT. Massive overkill for a 16" deep tank, but can be dimmed down and I already had these on hand. Also hoping that light will be similar enough to the 120W cannons over the DT to minimize light acclimation issues when corals move into the display
Coral QT Control Board
Mounting board for the various Apex modules and electrical supply. On left can see the top is removed from the floor chase that carries all of the electrical, plumbing, and signal lines from the wall over to the stand.
Overflow for Coral QT
Was just barely able to cram a durso drain into the overflow.
QT Water Change Pumps
Progress on the water change station for the QTs. Waiting on backordered Liter Meter pumps. Numbers label each end of every water line. With dozens of lines disappearing into chases and reappearing 5 to 30 feet away, labels are mandatory!
Garage Completed
Finally finished the garage redo: commercial porcelain tile flooring, stainless steel cabinets, new lighting, sliding door to hide the large-tools alcove. Much easier to get to tools for the aquarium project now (fish room door partially visible on the left). Very happy with the Vault cabinets. Better built than the current generation of Snap-On, almost as solid as Lista and available in much more appealing colors.
(I have a CLS63)
