85 Gallon scratch build too divorce.....Passed the point of no return so suck it up!

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Dukereefnz

Dukereefnz

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So I am following 65Naja sump design but at a poor mans level.
That is when I worked out that dam draw might be in the way!

I have built frames for the ATO and AWC - notice how nicley the X-1 sits at the back...
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The sump middle brace was a gonna but F me it might stay.
The design of this roller filter is so good.. over flow goes in the the back, there are valves that lift for the reef live to exit .. dont ask.

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Yep those things... flapy things, at least these might be useful, the wife's one just seem to hang around and seem point less...
 
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UV - purchased... Life gard - 3"- 55w - high out put Amalgam pro.
Not easy to get in good old NZ, or like not available!
Not for sale here, looked in Aus.. our west island and F m $1000...robbers.

We all know Australia was colonised with criminals... seems after all these years its hard to break an old habit!
So after giving the finger to the west island, I had to look to the good old USA.
Only problem is voltage 110v - NZ is 240V, tried to find out from lifegard if the USA version can do 240vac but they did not reply..

So this is the best I could do.. try and find a picture of the ballast.... and see what the input voltage is.
99v - 264v - yep good to go.

Purchase price $299 USD down from $350 = $439 NZ
Add shipping and Fn Tax = $296 NZ
Total - $735 NZ

I did lots of research when selecting this UV, and I mean hours!
This is the best value for money, but it gets better... totally serviceable.
Its a beast...

Three things so far i have spent the cash on.
- Deltec skimmer
- X1 - filter roller - the research and testing that went in to this unit is amazing. This was not a rush job.
I read post after post... review after review.
- Lifegard UV - No point buying cheap, do it once and do it right.

Still paying for the X1 - ... drip feed to avoid suspicion...
The Lifegard - well i just had to take the hit... nice thing was the shipping cost and tax bill came later when it arrived at a shipping company in USA. WOW did not know it would cost that... sorry.. "yes right lol"
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Did another mod to my stand.
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If your going to weld inside - tip - do not tell the wife, just do it.
Once the smoke starts filling the house and sparks are flying around, and your waiting for the **** to hit.... your nearly finished, or its to late now to stop LOL.

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Got bored last weekend, right lets see if these LEDs go.
Got one of the shuttle flaps out and fitted the LEDs - this is 1 of 2...
Fired it up and left it on for a couple of hours and the LED or heat sink did not get above 22C.
So no fan needed, happy that my over kill heatsinks will do the job.

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And yes.. that is the spare bed ...
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One thing not anticipated, is the power supply noise.
We can hear it all around the house, this thing is nosy.
So its going in the ceiling / roof. Finger crossed that shuts this thing up!
 
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It is Friday night, the week has ended and I am suitably adjusted for a reef build up date.
Neil Young is playing... On the Beach..

So where am I at?
Yes - lights, well the only update about them is I have started building light 2... better than above.. just tidier and the wires have solder etc.

Next on the list is a ATs.. so I decided to make one. Version 1.
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Ok it can do with a tidy up... I think it might leak.. so try again i will.
Version 2...
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Looking better but I still think it will leak.
Went to good old Steve's Led site for lights.. etc
yep another $100 land in good old NZ, priced up the acrylic, router and price is getting up there.
Oh and buy the special glue... and will it work?
Cost for DIY ATS .. Is getting up there!

I stumbled on this looking for design tips, after the wizard Mr Turbo site.... studied hard

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/shelf-for-a-algae-scrubber.832307/

what the heck - ACS.. on Ebay.. Alge Clean Scrubber.


After watching this U tube vid, I threw my cardboard leaking ATS in the bin.
Sorry but being a sort of engineer, the skill involved in this ACS rocked my boat. I know whats involved in getting it right, and it is seldom the first attempt at a DIY option.

Oh and the price.... did i mention the price... Not sure I mentioned the price...
No I did not! $200USD plus freight - without a power supply for 240VAC.

Have you ever been there when the urge is just to great?
You know the consequences will be ...... severe but you can't help yourself and you put down that beer ... stretch across the desk for the mouse and hit BUY NOW. Pray you have not purchased 4... sit back and go.. cool.
The pain will be worth it.. This thing looks perfect!

Here is a link to the ACS... which I will update.
Folk that have one seem impressed... ok understatement!

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Sorry - did I not mention this F#cker comes with a stand if you want one, more cash of course but when you are building a reef tank is anyone counting.... Of course someone is... Wife.

So you have to lie, cheat and steal to get what you want... who said my kids need new shoes, whats wrong with the cardboard I put in them?

Back to buy now option ... it done, ACS is on its way to NZ.
Sorry, did not seem to work as well as it once used to.
But what can you do? apologise, yep done that many times

More pictures:
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https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/a...e-feed-back-on-r2r-so-here-is-my-take.841613/
 
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The boat has landed.... I purchased a mount for my Tunze controller in Feb... just arrived. Yesterday.
Not bad 4 months.

More fun is the beast UV turned up.. holly molly this thing is massive.
Look out wife....white spot killer!
Trying to work out how to pipe this son of a *****!

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Made this stand ...
 
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Well that stand in in the bin, to be honest it went in the log burner... stainless screws and all.
So its been a while since my last confession...

Time to add a back panel, easy enough, weld some lugs and bingo.
There are times I think the draw was a stupid idea.. and it is now... I have lost very valuable space.
But we must live with our regrets, I been married for 22 years .. perfect example.

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There is a bit of a gap at the top... lets say it was on purpose for venting..
There will be a fan blowing in..

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Why the gap for the draw. Well its too long LOL
Still fits nicely inside the overflow. And its Stainless... but cheap butt China crap stainless...
So take a bet on how long it will last!

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Dry side.. no need to explain that one, but for the fools.. its not wet!
Access will be from the front for the cool stuff, otherwise the end comes for the behind the scenes where the crap is.

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Dam good looking divider..
****, just noticed the vacuum, sorry.
If the Women is not using it them it should have been put away.. to avoid being punished...

OK I was using the vacuum to suck up the wood from drilling the divider, but lets not let the truth get in the road of a good tale. And yes I put it away. .lol

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We just had a plumber around to fix our water pump, we are on tank water from the roof.
He said our we need to filter our water and get a UV...
what the heck.. we can not afford that!

From the left..
- Fresh water and salt water
- Sump
- Dry side

"Why is your tank so small, on such a big stand"?
Nice question ... No answer... But is that stand future proof?

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No one like to be naked.. so let put some clothes on...Its winter here so you don't have to worry about my reflection in the glass... bring on summer!
 

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More clothes.. if your interested.

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Like the top... I dont!

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Fully dressed, but the top does not go... need to work on the top.
Yep.. do I need to say it, the wife would not be allowed out in that top...after all it would not fit in my car!
 
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Its Friday, in lock down.. update.
Lock down sux..! Life in NZ - useless Government.... terrible PM..
New Zealand is lock down for 13 cases ..

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Listening to Neil Young... so I'll let pictures tell the tale.

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Planning out the front control panel, "Houston, we have a problem"

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Reef - PI.
This is the cheap / poor mans Apex...
I built it, then powered it up and left it in my office with a couple sensors in a mug of water... slowly evaporating ..LOL for months now.. as the water goes everything reacts..
Fill mug and do it all over again... yep ... convinced its reliable.
Love the on line app.

We have had power cuts, unplugged everything and generally tried to F it.
With NO wifi ... power back on and it goes perfect... reliable as.

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Nothing plugged in, just moving the controller from my office to the Huston.

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1 x power bar built and 1 to go...... IPad can turn these outlets on and off or program them... so cool
 
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