The ins and outs of my 20,000 gallon reef tank .
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- Thread starter Pigpen
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kschweer
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On average about how much time a week do you spend on maintaining the system? Also what was the hardest part in the process of designing and building a system this size?
OP
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Pigpen
Active Member
Its hard to say , some weeks I spend no time at all and others I can do 20-30 hours . the biggest pain so far has been lighting . I am reworking all the lighting right now and trying a few different leds along with some 1000 watt halides . the other hard part is the constant addition of flow to the tank . I have increased the flow ten flod since I set the tank up , you just have no idea how much will be enough in a tank this size .
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Pigpen
Active Member
I am always changing things to the system and that is why I am planing a new system to incorporate everything I have learned from this one .right now nothing is like it was when I started , everything has been changed or upgraded .
The level of components is mind-numbing. Nobody puts stuff like this on hobby grade equipment.
The apex, the "king" of aquarium controllers looks like a toy next to one of your PH controllers. I have an apex... it works... I still say it's like a toy.
Do you ever see a the downturn to the chinese "disposable" products and an upturn to more quality components? Would it be better or worse if it does happen? What's the point of a wicked Ph controller with the best meter if the probe is no better than using my earlobe?
Do you always think high quality equipment will be something of an art? I say that knowing how ridiculous that sounds, but I can't put a bunch of 'spensive parts in a bucket and it just works by itself. Putting together a system takes trial/error trying something and being ready to scrap it for a better way. I see it in your progression pictures, you continually improve and I'm sure continually testing new ideas.
The apex, the "king" of aquarium controllers looks like a toy next to one of your PH controllers. I have an apex... it works... I still say it's like a toy.
Do you ever see a the downturn to the chinese "disposable" products and an upturn to more quality components? Would it be better or worse if it does happen? What's the point of a wicked Ph controller with the best meter if the probe is no better than using my earlobe?
Do you always think high quality equipment will be something of an art? I say that knowing how ridiculous that sounds, but I can't put a bunch of 'spensive parts in a bucket and it just works by itself. Putting together a system takes trial/error trying something and being ready to scrap it for a better way. I see it in your progression pictures, you continually improve and I'm sure continually testing new ideas.
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Pigpen
Active Member
thats is how I got into building equipment for people. there are a group of people out there who want something that is totally engineered to work properly every time and to give reading you can trust . it all come with a price and people are willing to pay it . I have been selling way more stuff then I ever thought . my back round has helped me out quite a bit with the aquarium stuff .I see a way to do things that most do not and I am willing ti build from scratch to make things work the way I want them to . the thing I notice is everything is the same just copied from one manufacture to another .
SpartaReef
Active Member
Do you have a base price/design for different componants for different sized tanks that can be made into a "shoppable" listing? Seeing as Im saving up for my next tank build I would like to know how much to set aside for some Wannderful equipment...
gettaReef
Valuable Member
Bill, with your experience and knowledge, do you foresee any possible way, either you or some manufacturer, designing a probe/monitoring system that could accurately measure in real-time parameters such as alkalinity, calcium, magnesium, or even nitrate, and program a dosing mechanism to sustain them at set levels? I know this has been a wishful invention of many hobbyists and am just curious as to your thoughts on the subject. Thanks!
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Pigpen
Active Member
Almost everything I build is custom . I like to build to fit the system not fit the system to the equipment . just pm me if you would like more info , I put mst of the stuff I build on my face book page for people to see . I think they might get mad if I post things I build on here .
That makes sense and it would take a lot to change that. eh, it's probably better this way. You're a specialist, most of us are to a degree, just some more than others. haha
I also see equipment that is close to some that I've used/been around, I've seen more hydraulics than aquatics in my work history. I have watched some of your equipment evolve just by watching some of your FB posts. Then I've seen companies take years to make 1 change and make an event out of it. Eh...
Awesome that you're busy, means something is going right! I'll keep looking forward to the pictures of the new stuff!!
SpartaReef
Active Member
I follow you on Facebook as well Bill. I will certainly pm you when the time comes... would like to arrange a tour of your place as well most likely at that time... 
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Pigpen
Active Member
Getting ready to add the new frag tank behind the main tank . I removed the old holding tanks today and will start building the stand shortly . the tank will be 8 feet long by 30 inches wide made from acrylic . if I have time I will post some pictures when I start building the tank .
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