Bills CDA 225 gal 72x30x24 tank upgrade/SPS Dream Tank!!!

Billldg · Apr 26, 2021

Knowing myself, I couldn't stand still. I ran the supply line and return line for the AWC. I didn't fasten the waste line all the way, just zip tied it to a line that was there for roughly 15ft. I will fasten the line all the way over the weekend as it will mean I have to add supports for the line to fasten to.

HA HA, again, I couldn't stand still and fastened the line. I just have about 15ft left to fasten.

I ended up fastening roughly 50-60ft of waste line.

Billldg · Apr 27, 2021

T-minus 24 hours.

Its not like I am counting,

;Hilarious

Until I can start to leak check the tank overflow again.;Nailbiting;Doctor

Billldg · Apr 28, 2021

I added enough water to get the lower 1/4 of the bulkhead wet, which is where the leaks were happening from. I can't get it much higher without the water going down the drains. Now its a waiting game.

Billldg · Apr 28, 2021

I have since added more water to the tank. No leaks...So far. ;Nailbiting ;Nailbiting ;Nailbiting

I am roughly 10 gals from were I need to be to run my return pumps.

Billldg · Apr 28, 2021

K, Guys and Gals, I just added another 10+ gals of saltwater and turned on the right return pump. Now it it truly a waiting game. If no leaks are detected by Sunday, I will turn on the left return pump and deal with those leaks as they come.

Billldg · Apr 30, 2021

Not sure how much yet, but I am quickly seeing that this tank will use A LOT more RO/DI water from the ATO. If the cables show up tomorrow, as listed, then I will hook up the ATO to my Apex. I needed a 15 ft aquabus cable as a 6ft cable will not work. I ordered 2 in case I need another one. I still need to figure out what to do about the water level in the return pump sump area. I can't let the water level drop below the top of the union on the pump, otherwise I get microbubbles in the tank from the water dropping down into the sump area and the right return pump inlet being at that same spot. When I get my ATO running it will help, but would like to figure out another way in case. Thinking of installing some sort of baffling material or something.

Billldg · Apr 30, 2021

Since I couldn't mount the lights due do a few bolts, UGH, I turned on the 2nd return pump. Brand new pump and the flow meter only shows 575 gph. I am guessing that somehow the left pump copied the right pump IQ adjustment and is not pushing the amount I would expect from a brand new Neptune COR 20 2000GPH return pump. I will do factory resets on both to see it that is the case. If not then I will NEVER BUY Neptune COR pumps again. Lets see though...after the factory reset. I will give Neptune a chance...as I do like the COR pumps and never had an issue.

Billldg · Apr 30, 2021

Just a bump to get past that unlucky number.

Fudsey · Apr 30, 2021

What? The number of the beast???

Billldg · Apr 30, 2021

I am currently planning out my second control panel. The one that is in the tank of the left side. I will add a 3rd Apex Eb832, a Apex Fmm module, , Apex DOS, and 2 Ecotech Versa pumps. Honestly, I would go with all Ecotech Versa pumps, if it wasn’t for my Neptune Trident and auto dosing. So far I feel they are better built, and far more quieter at a higher speed than the DOS. This is me planning the spacing and such.

OHH, and the red tubing is for the AWC. It’s the waste line. One Ecotech Versa is for part C dosing, the other is the 2nd part of my AWC. After installing one in my basement and having it push water up a floor and over, roughly 40-50ft, I am a believer. I am now confident that it will have no issues doing the same for my AWC. The one Ecotech Versa I have installed now is just pumping RO/DI water upstairs. I will install 2 more. The first will be on my saltwater storage tank, and the other in the control panel. One will push the water up to the DT, while the other will remove waste water.

Billldg · Apr 30, 2021

I currently have both return pumps running with no leaks...SO FAR!!!

Now...Lets wait until Sunday.

Billldg · Apr 30, 2021

OHHH!!! I forgot to mention the @AquaticLifeProducts 61"DX18 non-dimmable fixture. I tested it yesterday, hoping against hope that it was a 2 stage fixture, and guess what, it is a true 2 stage T5 fixture. I could have easily made it a 2 stage fixture, BUT, the fact that I didn't have to is a plus. I plugged in the sockets to see which lights would come on and as I was hoping, the outside lights came on, and then the inside. This is a bonus is so many ways. I can stage on the T5 lights now, along with the progression of the LED's. ;Happy

;Happy

ScottB · May 1, 2021

Billldg said:
Since I couldn't mount the lights due do a few bolts, UGH, I turned on the 2nd return pump. Brand new pump and the flow meter only shows 575 gph. I am guessing that somehow the left pump copied the right pump IQ adjustment and is not pushing the amount I would expect from a brand new Neptune COR 20 2000GPH return pump. I will do factory resets on both to see it that is the case. If not then I will NEVER BUY Neptune COR pumps again. Lets see though...after the factory reset. I will give Neptune a chance...as I do like the COR pumps and never had an issue.

I have actually become a fan of the COR20 pumps. I think Neptune software is quite good but am generally a hardware skeptic. But the COR20 is the exception to that. Runs cool, dead silent, and the auto shutoff works very well and attempts restarts at a reasonable interval.

My first unit ran a year before needing a clean. The % temperature was my clue that it was time. 55% after install and break in. Once it started hitting 65% I figured it was time. Poor thing was filthy. Back to 55%.

Billldg · May 1, 2021

And let their be light

I installed the hybrid fixture today, I will install the LED’s in a little bit. I will fine tune the height, but it is level. I also started working on the elec panel on the left side. I installed the EB832, the MP40, the DOS, and the ATK. I would have my ATO actually working, but I keep running into issues with the Apex task manager. Until it gets resolved, my ATO will not work, UGH!!!

I will install cable raceways in a little bit to hide the cables.

Billldg · May 1, 2021

Thanks to @SuncrestReef, I was able to figure out the problem and get my ATO working.

So, I may be able to install my Ecotech Radion XR15 G5 Blues tomorrow, after I mow the lawn that is, LOL!!!

Billldg · May 2, 2021

And let their be even more light, LOL!!! I just added 4 Ecotech Radion XR15 G5 Blues.

fishybizzness · May 2, 2021

Looking good !

Tom Stevens · May 2, 2021

Billldg said:
And let their be even more light, LOL!!! I just added 4 Ecotech Radion XR15 G5 Blues.

Are you going to measure PAR? I have 5 Xr15 g4 pros on the same fixture. I am getting outstanding growth and good color running them T 95% AB +. I often wonder if I could get even better color from my Tenuis with more light. I think I am getting 350-400 PAR about 6 inches below surface measured with Seneye.

Billldg · May 2, 2021

Tom Stevens said:
Are you going to measure PAR? I have 5 Xr15 g4 pros on the same fixture. I am getting outstanding growth and good color running them T 95% AB +. I often wonder if I could get even better color from my Tenuis with more light. I think I am getting 350-400 PAR about 6 inches below surface measured with Seneye.

I will actually add a 5th XR15 G5 Blue. I haven’t started measuring par yet to see what I have. I mainly just wanted to get some light on the tank, LOL!!! I will measure par, and I will probably have Dana Riddle over at my house to confirm it.

I have an Apogee 210, I know Dana has a Apogee 510 and others that are even better.

Billldg · May 2, 2021

Not to be impatient, like none of us are, LOL, but I just built the platform and installed my Apex Trident. I am currently going thru the motions of setting it up, AGAIN, right now. I am currently priming everything.