30 gallon AIO Temperate 55F degrees of COOLNESS!

[Micro-Reefs Aquarium]

I would welcome all reefers to join me on a voyage to explore the incredible diversity of the temperate seas.

 

[iMi]

Sweet, plus you can toss a six pack in there and forgo a mini fridge. See? This hobby can offer some awesome savings!

Seriously though, I love the idea. Good luck!

 

[Micro-Reefs Aquarium]

Sweet, plus you can toss a six pack in there and forgo a mini fridge. See? This hobby can offer some awesome savings!

Seriously though, I love the idea. Good luck!

Lol six pack? Too much fun for me to add beer to this equation, so instead I threw this in for me, what do you think?

 

[Micro-Reefs Aquarium]

To accommodate the 15watt UV, I punched in a 1/2 inch whole to give a smooth run in and out of the back of the AIO.

 

[Micro-Reefs Aquarium]

I got a chance to retrofit the back of my AIO, getting it ready to receive my chiller and also gave my UV dedicated internal pump and had to make an acrylic step to get all pumps to fit.

 

[Fishyj]

Looking good. Following.

 

[Silver Dollar]

I love the tank! It looks so clean.
Where will you put the chiller?

 

[Micro-Reefs Aquarium]

Reef Glass simmer came in for both my 12 and 30 gallon AIO systems. Smallest air driven skimmer on the market!

 

[Micro-Reefs Aquarium]

Nero5 installed and KASA controllers arrived. System is getting closer to getting wet.

 

[Micro-Reefs Aquarium]

JBJ Artica 1/10th HP chiller arrived today, let the temperate games begin! Who's got 55F degrees?

 

[fishlover1478]

is that a custom tank? if not where did you get it?

 

[Micro-Reefs Aquarium]

is that a custom tank? if not where did you get it?

Yes, it is a custom build 3/4 inch cast acrylic designed all components for keeping 55F degrees of Pacific Ocean.

I plan on keeping high intensive green surf anemones in this system.

I built this system ground up for me to venture into cold water reefing.

Any good reefer with some shop skills can easily make this tank in their home, glad you noticed it, thanks.

 

[Micro-Reefs Aquarium]

After fighting with connection leaks all night long, I realized I needed a generous amount of Teflon tape around every threaded connection. I should have asked Reef2Reef? Then I would have gotten sleep last night.

But alas at 3am I got all the fittings from leaking and one stupid bulk head the one to my Aqua UV required two rubber gaskets one inside the aquarium and one out of the aquarium, please tell me I could have learned that also on reef2reef? Lol

Here are couple pics of hitting my target 55F degrees of COOLNESS!

I need to insulate every hose or pvc piping, I am losing temps but that is simple.

 

[Micro-Reefs Aquarium]

Question for any reefers out there, that have run temperate cold water systems. I have brought down my tank to 55F degrees and the tank is doing great, no sweating as I already knew that the 3/4 inch acrylic would do the job. But the PVC piping and hoses are very cold to the touch and I feel the condensation, so I am losing the efficacy of the insulation. I am off to ACE hardware to get the insulation covers, but the question I have, is I have a Aqua UV 15watt, and that thin casing is sweating, any ideas on how to insulate? Thanks

 

[Micro-Reefs Aquarium]

Here is how my insulation looks to keep the SYSTEM at 55F degrees without much loss of cold.

 

[Micro-Reefs Aquarium]

Finished up first quick video freshwater test, showing off the build with all the components, I selected for this temperate system that will house California biotope. Aqua Illuniation Nero5, Hydra HD 32, Sicce pumps 1.0,1.5,2.0, Aqua UV 15 watt, Innovation Marine 18watt Cheato LED and JBJ lighting 1/10 HP chiller.

 

[eatyourpeas]

Are you using schedule 80 lines to prevent temperature loss?

 

[Micro-Reefs Aquarium]

Are you using schedule 80 lines to prevent temperature loss?

The rule is to insulate with all better variables, so thicker PVC is always better than thinner for cold applications. Also, using pipe insulation that has higher R-Value. In this case, the photos you see with that foam insulation were replaced with a higher rated R-value, picture will be coming soon. I had to tear apart all the fittings, as I did the water test and I had to patch up an internal leak from the dividers in the filtration area.

 

[eatyourpeas]

The rule is to insulate with all better variables, so thicker PVC is always better than thinner for cold applications. Also, using pipe insulation that has higher R-Value. In this case, the photos you see with that foam insulation were replaced with a higher rated R-value, picture will be coming soon. I had to tear apart all the fittings, as I did the water test and I had to patch up an internal leak from the dividers in the filtration area.

I am in a similar situation with my Puget Sound biotope. I am building the tank out of 1" cast acrylic and running the lines to chilled room on the other side of the wall, following @Silver Dollar 's model. I see that the insulation pads you had in the picture might not be enough, so it is good to know you have replaced them. I like what you have done!

 

[Micro-Reefs Aquarium]

Decided to make tank tropical instead. Need help 20 lbs inside the tank. Do I add more or call ot a day? Tank is 30 gallons cube.