Sump and Electrical Cabinet Upgrade Build Thread

AquaLifeStudio · Nov 20, 2018

I moved over almost all the equipment except the ATO controller and one of the MP40 drivers as the standard length of wire of 8' isn't long enough. I'll end up building a shielded extension from scratch once I can get to my supply store. I really only need an additional 2 feet but I'll build a couple of extras in 4 and 8 foot lengths.

I just ordered a KH Director and Doser 2.1 combo and should be able to install that setup this next week.

Rat nest of wires behind the scenes.

Ryn0_11 · Nov 21, 2018

Looks good man, reminds me I need to cable manage under my stand

AquaLifeStudio · Nov 21, 2018

Cleaned up the wiring a little bit and added an overhead light. All the power bars are held to the inner walls of the cabinet with velcro strips. Moved the Tunze ATO controller over to the mounting board but it's going to be a while before I can move the last mp40 driver over. I need to source the right 5 conductor wire first.

Frosty Latte · Nov 21, 2018

beautiful!!

Frosty Latte · Nov 21, 2018

beautiful!!

AquaLifeStudio · Nov 23, 2018

Thought I'd mix up the thread a bit and include some animated objects for once.

As part of a local fish store's black Friday sale, I added three Acanthurus tangs to one of my QT tanks. An Achilles, Goldrim, and Powder Brown are all getting used to their short term stay before hopefully graduating to the Display tank before the end of the year.

I've now got a total of 16 fish in 3 QT tanks, 10 of which are small fish like a Gold Nugget Clownfish, a pair of Darwin Clowns, a bonded pair of firefish, Diamond Goby, and four Blue Reef Chromis. Besides the new tangs picked up today, the "big fish" are a Blonde Naso Tang, Moorish Idol and Blue Throat Triggerfish.

AquaLifeStudio · Dec 2, 2018

I finally got the wiring and molex connectors in so I could create an 8' extension cable for my vortech MP40. The 5 conductor shielded cable is just as flexible as the stock cabling that runs from the pump's dry side to the driver.

And here's the last driver that needed to be mounted.

I'll be receiving my early Christmas present, a GHL kh director and Doser 2.1 combo, on Monday so I can finalize the cabinet's equipment, for now at least.

najer · Dec 2, 2018

Very nice work.

AquaLifeStudio · Dec 13, 2018

I finally got around to doing a little more work today. I have been working on the top and rear doors with ironing on veneer to the edges, wood filling and priming.

I was also able to cut, route and construct this new front door. I'll look into getting the smoked acrylic tomorrow to fill out the center. I'm nearing this portion of the project's end.

AquaLifeStudio · Dec 13, 2018

And this is what it looks with the smoked acrylic inlay. I'm totally looking forward to getting it painted, maybe today.

The other doors are currently drying and should be installed shortly.

AquaLifeStudio · Dec 16, 2018

AquaLifeStudio · Jan 11, 2019

Here are a few teasers of what I've been slowly working on for the final stage of this clean up project.

AquaLifeStudio · Jan 17, 2019

I just wanted to finish this end of the project so I didnt feel like plastidip spraying the remaining pvc pipe.

Got the GHL flow sensor finally inline with the piping so now I can see how much flow is returning back to my sump. I'm getting roughly 370 gallons per hour after all the manifold equipment, inline heater, elbows and the drop down to 3/4" pvc on the return line.

xaflatoonx · Jan 17, 2019

whats going on with that heater in the back - can you please explain what you did there.
love your set up with the reactors. exceptional work.

one more question. What kind of support you have on the pipes holding the reactors? i noticed its not flush with the wood on top - so what did you have to use to hold them lower by that much from the wood?

AquaLifeStudio · Jan 17, 2019

xaflatoonx said:
whats going on with that heater in the back - can you please explain what you did there.
love your set up with the reactors. exceptional work.

one more question. What kind of support you have on the pipes holding the reactors? i noticed its not flush with the wood on top - so what did you have to use to hold them lower by that much from the wood?

The reactor manifold and pvc piping is held by a pair of clamps that I got from Bulk Reef Supply.

https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/sm-c...v4YnY770RdamE66kXu18L3xeWrX3LzlIaAhlwEALw_wcB

As for the inline heater, it's an EHEIM jager 300 watt unit. Its held on the inside of the pvc contraption that I built and remains water tight by using a Uniseal. In the nearly 20 months that I had been using the heater like this, it's worked out pretty well. I did have to clean it out as there was quite a bit of crap that had been pushed into the back end of the T-section because it was out of the regular flow.

And, yes, I only have 1 heater on my tank but I had nowhere else to put it and I didnt want to leave it in my overflow. If I were to built the unit again, and I plan to, I'd build a drain line into somehow.