Poseidon's NEW Adventure! ;)

chort55 · Jul 8, 2012

Poseidon said:
Hey Chris, thanks! I meant to hit you up earlier, but I can't get into CR for some reason... it says I need to update my profile or something.

I'll give Jamie a call then, I know the pump is a Reef Octopus, I never had much luck with Coral Vue myself that is why I am asking. ;)

The update issue is simple, u just need to go to your profile and put that your from the midwest.... alot of people have been having issues and don't get that change.

I have read that alot of people have said they have good customer service, but i am pretty sure he has the same or atleast different model of that pump and I am sure he will be glad to fill you in on his experiences with them... lets just say I would probably go with something different myself.

Poseidon · Jul 9, 2012

Quick question-

Can I add a second RO membrane supplied by the waste water from the first? the output would then go into the DI chamber with the water from the first membrane, and waste would be reduced right?

Poseidon · Jul 9, 2012

Update- Shortening the supply side of the RO input from 20ish feet to less then 6 makes a HUGE difference! Output from the RO is MUCH faster now. I am still thinking of the 2nd membrane though, I did a little research and it seems I can cut the waste in half provided I have adequate pressure. Spending another ~ $120 on a pump and membrane would pay for itself in water costs fairly quickly.

CUNAReefer · Jul 9, 2012

The guy with your old light fixture is taggin along.:bigsmile:

Poseidon · Jul 10, 2012

Another quick update, things are starting to come together...

Salt is here, 200 gallons worth of Reef Crystals.

Return Pump is ordered, I went with THIS pump, I haven't done much research on it, but it is from Reeflo, so it has to meet a certain standard right?

60 gallons (ish) of RO water made and in the storage containers.

Top sump drilled, and drain to bottom sump in place.

Next up, I will need to drill the bottom sump for the new return pump, and make the final plumbing connections. Once that is done, set up the Reef Keeper Lite for Temp control, and feed mode, then let it FLOW!

creefer · Jul 11, 2012

This is really coming along nicely.

revhtree · Jul 11, 2012

Alright can't wait!

Poseidon · Jul 11, 2012

I am getting anxious too! Now that all the pieces are in place, except the light, and ReefBreeders has made me a great deal on a Cree 40 emitter fixture that he should have next week. Then when I get my 2nd quarter incentive, I can get that on its way to me!

Chameleon · Jul 12, 2012

Be careful with them LED's, dont want to burn any corals, I bleached corals Like crazy when I first built mine. Cant wait to see the tank up and running and I'm anxious to see how you like the LED's since it looks like it is your first build with them and you are quite experienced with other lights. BTW perfect dimensions on that tank, I really like how deep it will be, cant wait to see the sticks fill in the scape.

Poseidon · Jul 12, 2012

THERE BE WATER in the system!!!!

All the plumbing is complete from Living room to basement, the pump is in, the drain is done!!! The TANK HOLDS WATER! LOL!!!

Ok, that is the good news. I did have a couple leaks, one pretty severe, on the outlet side of the pump. I took the fittings off and rewrapped with Teflon tape, a LOT of teflon tape, hoping that cured the issue. The other problem is one of my acrylic baffles came unglued! I have never used acrylic baffles in a glass tank before, and I have never had this problem. I am hoping to use a bit of EDPM foam tape on the baffle to go with the "pressure seal" option. If that fails, I'll order up a glass panel.

I have a heater and a Hydor Korallia 4 in the tank right now, it is about 3/4 full. I need about another 40 gallons of water by my estimate, and I'll have that made plus more by the time I get home from work tomorrow.

Sunday is the next day I have available to work on the tank, I can't wait!!!! Pictures to come.

Poseidon · Jul 12, 2012

Pictures as promised:

This is Plan A, that is a 1" Threaded to slip adapter about 3" away from the basement wall, which wasn't going to work as I have a support above that holds the upper sump in place. Out comes the PVC bucket to see what else I have...

Here's the pump, it is TINY, except for the fittings that come out in basically a straight line across the front of the pump.

Plan B! I had some 1" ID flex line, a threaded ball valve, and even threaded barbs all in the PVC bucket! It worked out great!!!

Drain on the left, return on the right.

Drain from the tank to the top sump. (30L)

Both Sumps!

Drain from the top sump into the bottom. (About 45g)

And finally! THERE IS WATER!!!!

Chameleon · Jul 12, 2012

looking good. Take that sticker off the tank already...lol. nice pinewood derby cars btw

skinz78 · Jul 13, 2012

Looking good!

MarvinsReef · Jul 13, 2012

Very awesome Mike! :)

Poseidon · Jul 13, 2012

Chameleon said:
looking good. Take that sticker off the tank already...lol. nice pinewood derby cars btw

LOL! Ya, the sticker is on the list. The pine cars did well, 2 years ago was the green car, it finished 3rd, and last year was the Silver car, it finished FIRST! (Trophy not in this pic)

skinz78 said:
Looking good!

It's getting there! Thanks!

MarvinsReef said:
Very awesome Mike! :)

Thanks Marv! It is nice to be WET again. ;)

Poseidon · Jul 13, 2012

SHE'S ALIVE!!!

Fixed the leaks, filled her up and added salt. I'll post some pictures Sunday when I get home from scout camp. ;)

Reef Breeders · Jul 13, 2012

Congrats on filling it, looks great!

Poseidon · Jul 16, 2012

Another step closer... cleaned up the basement, then messed it up again! :D

I removed both acrylic panels from the sump and used some EDPM foam tape from Lowes to reinstall them, so far so good with them, I will have to keep my eye on it for sure though.

I also fixed up the ATO that I found in the basement, I had a spare float switch, and I found a float switch with bracket in the garage that used to be a "high water" sensor in my 90. With those parts in hand, I had to make a new acrylic bracket, and figure out the wiring that I had not labeled when I took it out a few years ago. It is a 2 float system, one low that must be UP and a top switch that will kick on when it is in the down position, only if the bottom float is up. (Neat safety feature.) For now the water is pumped from the RO bucket into the sump, eventually there will be a Kalk reactor inline between the 2. ;)

Oh, I also added a support between the bottom of the floor joist to the concrete floor in the basement, it is UGLY, but functional, as the tank would wobble pretty good if there was heavy steps in from of the tank. (The tank runs parallel to the joists, it sits centered over only one joist.) With the added support, no wobble!

My tank is still a bit cloudy, but is getting clearer by the day. I will stop by the LFS tomorrow for a filter sock and possibly a holder if I think I can make it work, that should take care of the last bit of particulate.

Specific Gravity is 1.025 and temp averaging 76.3, flow is good in the tank from the return pump and Korallia 4 that are in there now, I plan on adding a maxi-mod to the Korallia until I can get a vortech MP40 to manage the flow.