GT's Build

[GaryE]

So.. I did not find this place until after my tank was done and somewhat stocked. I didn't feel the need to do a build thread once it was several months old and running fine.

I was recently gifted a second 75 gallon tank and stand. (And all of the equipment that she had with it, most will not be reused)

So starts a build thread... I'm going to also post random pics of my first tank on here just for the heck of it. Also, I have been working on my own circuit board for the reef-pi. One is complete and working, however with some minor issues. I'll be sending off to the PCB manufacturer a new design shortly that fixes the errors in the first design and should be "final". I'll post some information here about that process also.

Anyhow, here is the start....

It's just your basic Petsmart purchased Marineland 75 gallon aquarium combo. (stand is in the garage) Just finished cleaning it. Will be moving it inside tomorrow...

This tank is going to be an anemone specific tank. If we are able to get one, I want to put a Haddon's Carpet Anemone (Metallic Green) in the tank in the center, with two "rock islands" on either side with rose bubble tips. Along with that a harem of clowns. I got these 4 little guys at the LFS yesterday and had to rescue them. They were in with a much large ocellaris. Two of them show signs of being bullied, fins are in bad shape. Hopefully they will recover. The other two are in great shape. Everyone seems to be in otherwise good health. Eating like pigs.

Currently they are about 1/2 inch long. Tiny little guys. I did some searching and believe them to be Gold Stripe Maroon. I'd like to add a couple more if I can find them in a size to match these.

They are going to be staying in the QT tank until the main DT is setup, cycled and carpet nem in place.

So this should be fun to mark the progress of this new tank.

 

[GaryE]

Just built this to control temperature in my QT. Much better control than the heater alone.

 

[GaryE]

Current "completed" DT.

 

[GaryE]

In an effort to make my hanging back overflow, I have been trying a few different things.

Finally have something that works.... It has even made the sump quiet too.

The overflow I have is an 800gph from Marine Depot. The stock "silencer" works (see video below), however, it has a tendency to start gulping air after a bit. Plus, the foam filter is a pain to clean.

I saw something similar on here and decided to try it.

I built this with 1 inch PVC pipe, a 1 inch cap, 2 inch slip union and a large oring.

The holes in the top of the pipe are about 1/4 inch, I don't think size matters so much as you have enough. The important part is that they are covered by the union. See the pics.


It takes a bit of trial and error to tune it, but I think the key is plenty of holes for water flow and a large enough tube for air.

I also noticed that the air tub can't be too far down the pipe or it will chug.. so I just slowly pulled it out until it stopped. Been 24 hours totally silent now.

 

[GaryE]

My new full size Reef Pi board is done and ready to go to the PCB manufacturer.

This thing is extreme.


Its powered by one 120watt (or more) 24volt power supply. The prototype of this board is running just short of 105 watts with all of my lights running.

This would be a good one :


Features:

24 volt input with reverse voltage / over voltage protection.
3 on board high efficiency buck converters stepping down to 12 volts, 10 volts and 5 volts. 5 volts to the PI header is protected.
ADS1115 Analog to Digital Converter
PCA9685PW 12bit PWM LED Driver
4 connectors for 12 or 24 volt MOSFET switched LEDs. (voltage switchable via jumpers)
3 10volt PWM connectors (Kessil type)
Onboard DS18B20 Temp sensor with 3 external sensor connectors
SHT31-D Temp / Humidity sensor
2 ATO connectors
2 Dosing Pump connectors
Atlas pH EZO header (isolated)
Equipment header for an relay controlled power strip.
9 pin ground header
GPIO Header will be the ADAFruit Stacking header so all unused GPIO pins will be accessible.

 

[GaryE]

The mini board has been revised.

This board is also powered by 24 volts like the large board.

Features:

24 volt input with reverse voltage / over voltage protection.
2 on board high efficiency buck converters stepping down to 12 volts and 5 volts. 5 volts to the PI header is protected.
PCA9685PW 12bit PWM LED Driver
3 connectors for 12 or 24 volt MOSFET switched LEDs. (voltage switchable via jumpers)
1 onboard fan connector
Onboard DS18B20 Temp sensor with 2 external sensor connectors
SHT31-D Temp / Humidity sensor
8 pin Ground header
GPIO Header will be the ADAFruit Stacking header so all unused GPIO pins will be accessible.

I am running a prototype of this on my step sons freshwater tank. Works very well for that. I am also running a similar one with lots less features on my QT tank. Just controlling the temp.

 

[GaryE]

Finally got the new tank wet.

 

[GaryE]

Getting good coraline growth on my dry rock.

Also have a very abundant pop population in this tank.

 

[GaryE]

Built a couple canopies for the tanks yesterday. The design is a duplicate of the Marineland Canopy, sans cover. Lights wouldn't do so well with the cover in place.

Then, as you can see in the photos I added mounts for the lights. You'd think that they wouldn't hold up, being 3/4" pine, but they are quite stable.

Built a new reef pi box for the nem tank.

 

[GaryE]

This is the driver in the the Wills lights and the connector for PWM control.

 

[crapshoot]

This is the driver in the the Wills lights and the connector for PWM control.

any chance you can share how you wired this? I'm having issues getting mine to work and I think I missed something.

 

[GaryE]

any chance you can share how you wired this? I'm having issues getting mine to work and I think I missed something.

Yeah, I certainly can. Give me a day or so to get something drawn up.