So originally I had this idea that I was going to build a stand that would contain a cracked bottom pane by bailing water from below back up top. Then, I realized my tank is tempered, and the whole bottom would just blow out. So, although the drain and pan are part of the stand now, I abandoned that idea.
I ended up trying out doing my own main structure. I didn't just want a pile of rocks, and I originally imagined these columns as being sponge like, but I'm not entirely sure what I'm going to do with them now. I'm just kinda winging it. I think I'm going to end up with a pile of rocks in the middle to give fish somewhere to hide.
Tank seams make me really nervous, and when I saw clear drywall corner protectors at Home Depot I decided to go ahead and reinforce my corners now. I also liked the PEX tube supports for my braided line.
Two pumps handle water. One in the large column up top that a float switch kicks on just long enough to start a siphon, and the same pump in a 10G below that constantly puts water into the two smaller columns where it overflows into the tank. (except when the other pump is on, then it momentarily shuts down as the float switch doubles as overfill protection for the return pump) All 3 columns are sealed off from the main tank and weighted down, so I don't have to worry about a siphon ever pulling out more than 2.5G of water, which there will always be room for below.
Still working on reducing the gurgle effect when the large columns tube breaks siphon. I just need a pair of hose clamps for a check valve on the return line so that stops siphoning when the pump stops. Again, there's room for the water that's siphoned, but it's loud when it breaks.
With the exception of my heater, everything is and will be DC powered. Being a fire alarm technician I have access to power supplies with all sorts of protections built in as well as a nearly endless supply of sealed lead acid batteries. I'm using a 24VDC 10A Altronix notification appliance power supply, and buck converters to step down to various voltages for the various things. It all looks messy right now, and I'm using the power bricks that came with some of the equipment for testing purposes. I plan on cleaning that all up tomorrow.
My brother-in-law owns a cabinet shop. Once I get everything else done I'm going to make removable panels to wrap the whole thing in.
Still not sure what I'm actually going to put in it yet. I've still got a decent wait on the portland cement to stop spiking the PH I think. Then from there it's going to be a pretty good wait for actual saltwater to cycle properly. So I've got plenty of time to see what kind of zones there are in there, and research things that will thrive in those zones.
I ended up trying out doing my own main structure. I didn't just want a pile of rocks, and I originally imagined these columns as being sponge like, but I'm not entirely sure what I'm going to do with them now. I'm just kinda winging it. I think I'm going to end up with a pile of rocks in the middle to give fish somewhere to hide.
Tank seams make me really nervous, and when I saw clear drywall corner protectors at Home Depot I decided to go ahead and reinforce my corners now. I also liked the PEX tube supports for my braided line.
Two pumps handle water. One in the large column up top that a float switch kicks on just long enough to start a siphon, and the same pump in a 10G below that constantly puts water into the two smaller columns where it overflows into the tank. (except when the other pump is on, then it momentarily shuts down as the float switch doubles as overfill protection for the return pump) All 3 columns are sealed off from the main tank and weighted down, so I don't have to worry about a siphon ever pulling out more than 2.5G of water, which there will always be room for below.
Still working on reducing the gurgle effect when the large columns tube breaks siphon. I just need a pair of hose clamps for a check valve on the return line so that stops siphoning when the pump stops. Again, there's room for the water that's siphoned, but it's loud when it breaks.
With the exception of my heater, everything is and will be DC powered. Being a fire alarm technician I have access to power supplies with all sorts of protections built in as well as a nearly endless supply of sealed lead acid batteries. I'm using a 24VDC 10A Altronix notification appliance power supply, and buck converters to step down to various voltages for the various things. It all looks messy right now, and I'm using the power bricks that came with some of the equipment for testing purposes. I plan on cleaning that all up tomorrow.
My brother-in-law owns a cabinet shop. Once I get everything else done I'm going to make removable panels to wrap the whole thing in.
Still not sure what I'm actually going to put in it yet. I've still got a decent wait on the portland cement to stop spiking the PH I think. Then from there it's going to be a pretty good wait for actual saltwater to cycle properly. So I've got plenty of time to see what kind of zones there are in there, and research things that will thrive in those zones.