Horace's new mixed SPS 180g Rimless Build - Page 2

Horace · 08/04/2017, 02:03 PM

Yes that is a Rollermat. It is an Auto changing filter floss device. Essentially eliminates the need for filter socks and changing them.

Yes I plan to build panels, and about 75% certain I will be putting a canopy on too. All in due time

. Those items are for looks, and I want to get the tank functioning properly first.

Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk

Horace · 08/04/2017, 02:04 PM

My goal now is to get the tank cycled, then add some fishies

Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk

BlackburnD · 08/05/2017, 01:24 AM

Interesting. I will be following along. Interested what you come up with for the paneling and how to secure it for sure.

dimasv · 08/05/2017, 06:11 AM

Looks really cool following along

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

Horace · 08/07/2017, 08:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlackburnD

Interesting. I will be following along. Interested what you come up with for the paneling and how to secure it for sure.

I have some thoughts....I am considering using Velcro strips on all the steel, and adhering a 1x3 frame to it. The attach panels and doors to that.

Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk

Horace · 08/11/2017, 08:46 AM

Looks like I need to get rid of those photobucket links. Curse you Photobucket!!!

New Update:

I got some ceramic media from my buddy's tank to help inject some bacteria, and dosed 2ppm of Dr Tim's Ammonia Chloride to get the cycle rocking and rolling.

I am hoping that there is enough good bacteria in his media to start the cycle going, but we shall see

.

I also plan to pick up 30-50 lbs of live/cured rock rubble today at my LFS. That should also jump start the cycle.

Ive got my eye on a few fish, so updates will be coming as my cycle progresses!

Official start of cycle started last night.

Horace · 08/11/2017, 03:51 PM

Added some cured sump rubble to hopefully jumpstart the cycle. Unfortunately it appears this live rock, while cured is likely not very "alive". It was in a large vat of salt water and very clean, but there were no fish, and no curing live rock in there to keep the denitrifying bacteria alive. I did also get a small scoop of sand from their tank that DID have fish it it (some really darn big ones too I might add), so hopefully that had some nice bacteria in it

Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk

Horace · 08/11/2017, 07:52 PM

Another small update concerning the in-stand sump. At this point I do not regret the decision. By making a manifold and running everything off of it, the tank is extremely quiet. That DC18000 is dead silent....I am running it at 80%, and I cant hear it at all. The in tank CP40s and the skimmer pump are significantly louder, and those are still very quiet. The BeanAnimal drains are also VERY quiet. There is just a slight trickle of water sound coming from the durso pipe, but that is it. The main siphon line is dead silent, and it is moving ALOT of water. The only pump I have yet to have running is the Calcium Reactor, and that may add a bit more noise, but I also plan to enclose the stand, and that should deaden the sound even further. Overall I am super happy thus far. This tank is SOOOOOOOO much quieter than my last tank.

Horace · 08/11/2017, 08:27 PM

Did a little tweak to my Apex autotop off code tonight:

I added a time to it so that it would only operate during a 3 min window each morning. This add a additional safety to the system. IE it only opens my RO solenoid for 3 mins, rather than potentially running 24 hours if the tank springs a leak and the float switch triggers the solenoid to open.

This not only adds safety, but it also means my RO unit will cycle FAR less often. So instead of turning on/off all day long, it will only top off the tank ONE time per day. If I find its not filling it all the way in 3 mins (That should be plenty of time), I will increase the window a bit.

The code: (the time looks like its wrong and in reverse, but since you cant code and "AND" statement, that is how you have to do it...basically code the second part of the AND in reverse logic...So the first statement turns it on, but unless the time is between 6:57AM and 7:00AM, it is immediately shut off (before it ever turns on). The sw_Hig is the safety float that ensures if the sump overfills, it will kill the RO feed (this should NEVER happen with only a 3 min window to fill the tank, but safety never hurts!!!!)

Fallback OFF
If Sw_ATO CLOSED Then ON
If Time 07:00 to 06:57 Then OFF
If Sw_ATO OPEN Then OFF
If Sw_Hig CLOSED Then OFF

Horace · 08/11/2017, 08:48 PM

Tested the Nitrites and i do have a very small tinge of color already (probably only about .05 ppm), so the cycle has started. Still LOTS of ammonia in the tank!

Horace · 08/15/2017, 06:23 PM

Started the canopy tonight. Normally folks leave the rear open....I did not because I don't want fish jumping out the back, nor do I want the wall behind the tank to get damaged by moisture. I also want to keep the light contained.

The panels for the sides will hang over by 1" to keep the canopy secure, and to hide the 1" waterline. The rear does not overhang which allows the canopy to slide on from the front, otherwise it would be alot harder to install/remove if/when needed.

Horace · 08/15/2017, 06:26 PM

Joints will mostly be hidden using pocket joints

Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk

BlackburnD · 08/16/2017, 06:23 AM

looking good. I really need to brush up on my carpentry skills... Building your own stand really seems like the way to go

Horace · 08/16/2017, 06:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlackburnD

looking good. I really need to brush up on my carpentry skills... Building your own stand really seems like the way to go

To be fair I didnt build my stand, but I did have it built (im not a welder). However a standard 180 canopy would not have worked well. So at minimum i would have needed to build that. Its going to be a heck of a lot of work to get it finished (ive never made doors before, so this should be interesting

). ive been reading alot about how to make Shaker doors with concealed hinges. Ive got a nice jig to drill the doors, and plan to also pocket the frame together, but still not 100% decided how I want to put the panel in. I have a few options for doing the panel, one being pretty easy but I am not sure if it will have the look I am going for, others will look better but are substantially more work and would likely mean I need to buy a router table. I just have a handheld which likely isnt precise enough.

Vinny Kreyling · 08/19/2017, 09:03 AM

IF you decide to do a basement sump a few suggestions:
Cut the hole in the floor - use a floor heat cover for the rectangular size.
This allows for more room for hose or pipe that just "holes".
Next put everything on a bench, not the floor. Saves your back, makes things easy to work on & will cut a few feet off the head pressure.
Wish I had this option, crawling under is a hassle.

Horace · 08/21/2017, 08:14 AM

I completed a fish less cycle and added the first fish last night.

All fish came from well established tanks, NOT LFS, so QT was not necessary.

Blue Tang
Tomini Tang
Melanrus Wrasse
2x Blue Green Chromis

Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk

Horace · 08/21/2017, 08:18 AM

Wrasse was still in the sand and the Tomini was still behind the rocks this morning too.

It's nice to finally have inhabitants

Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk

Horace · 08/21/2017, 08:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vinny Kreyling

IF you decide to do a basement sump a few suggestions:
Cut the hole in the floor - use a floor heat cover for the rectangular size.
This allows for more room for hose or pipe that just "holes".
Next put everything on a bench, not the floor. Saves your back, makes things easy to work on & will cut a few feet off the head pressure.
Wish I had this option, crawling under is a hassle.

That is a really damn good idea......had I thought of that, I probably would have gone with a basement sump. Though honestly, I do have alot of room under my stand (its 42" tall). It also very quiet, and I dont even have it enclosed yet. But if I ever want to put a frag tank down stairs, I may just do that!!!

Horace · 08/22/2017, 06:31 PM

Got more work done on my canopy and was able to test my lights. My camera pics look like complete crap with the blues on so here it is with only the white channel at 80% power.

Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk

Horace · 08/22/2017, 06:33 PM

Here are the other pics of the other 4 channels....the camera just doesn't capture the light well at all....

Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk

Horace · 08/23/2017, 02:07 PM

This is what the light fixture looks like. I cut a hole in the top of the canopy so that some of the heat would stay out and the salt/moisture would not get on the electronics.

Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk

Horace · 08/23/2017, 02:12 PM

View of the underside.

Before I get any comments/questions, yes I will be putting a front on it with access doors, molding/crown, and the whole thing will be painted.

Should look like this when done

Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk

Horace · 09/02/2017, 10:19 AM

Made some good progress on the stand

Added a base trim, crown around the bottom of the rim, and corner molding.

View from the back so you can see how it was constructed. I personally really like pocket hole joints

Still haven't figured out how I am going to hide all the electronics etc. Thinking of building a panel on one end behind the door.

k2swat · 09/02/2017, 10:25 AM

Man that is looking good. Great looking setup so far. Can't wait to see when you start adding those SPS.

Horace · 09/02/2017, 10:36 AM

Definitely hit the diatom phase!

Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk

08/04/2017, 02:03 PM	#26
Horace Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Atlanta Posts: 5,009	Yes that is a Rollermat. It is an Auto changing filter floss device. Essentially eliminates the need for filter socks and changing them. Yes I plan to build panels, and about 75% certain I will be putting a canopy on too. All in due time . Those items are for looks, and I want to get the tank functioning properly first. Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk __________________ -Horace Pinker Current Tank Info: New 180g Mixed SPS Build in progress

08/04/2017, 02:04 PM	#27
Horace Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Atlanta Posts: 5,009	My goal now is to get the tank cycled, then add some fishies Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk __________________ -Horace Pinker Current Tank Info: New 180g Mixed SPS Build in progress

08/05/2017, 06:11 AM	#29
dimasv Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Brampton ON Canada Posts: 73	Looks really cool following along Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk __________________ 180gal starphire reef build http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?p=25040952

08/11/2017, 08:46 AM	#31
Horace Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Atlanta Posts: 5,009	Looks like I need to get rid of those photobucket links. Curse you Photobucket!!! New Update: I got some ceramic media from my buddy's tank to help inject some bacteria, and dosed 2ppm of Dr Tim's Ammonia Chloride to get the cycle rocking and rolling. I am hoping that there is enough good bacteria in his media to start the cycle going, but we shall see . I also plan to pick up 30-50 lbs of live/cured rock rubble today at my LFS. That should also jump start the cycle. Ive got my eye on a few fish, so updates will be coming as my cycle progresses! Official start of cycle started last night. __________________ -Horace Pinker Current Tank Info: New 180g Mixed SPS Build in progress

08/11/2017, 03:51 PM	#32
Horace Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Atlanta Posts: 5,009	Added some cured sump rubble to hopefully jumpstart the cycle. Unfortunately it appears this live rock, while cured is likely not very "alive". It was in a large vat of salt water and very clean, but there were no fish, and no curing live rock in there to keep the denitrifying bacteria alive. I did also get a small scoop of sand from their tank that DID have fish it it (some really darn big ones too I might add), so hopefully that had some nice bacteria in it Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk __________________ -Horace Pinker Current Tank Info: New 180g Mixed SPS Build in progress Last edited by Horace; 08/11/2017 at 07:55 PM.

08/05/2017, 01:24 AM	#28
BlackburnD Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Hohenfels, Germany Posts: 22	Interesting. I will be following along. Interested what you come up with for the paneling and how to secure it for sure.

08/11/2017, 07:52 PM	#33
Horace Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Atlanta Posts: 5,009	Another small update concerning the in-stand sump. At this point I do not regret the decision. By making a manifold and running everything off of it, the tank is extremely quiet. That DC18000 is dead silent....I am running it at 80%, and I cant hear it at all. The in tank CP40s and the skimmer pump are significantly louder, and those are still very quiet. The BeanAnimal drains are also VERY quiet. There is just a slight trickle of water sound coming from the durso pipe, but that is it. The main siphon line is dead silent, and it is moving ALOT of water. The only pump I have yet to have running is the Calcium Reactor, and that may add a bit more noise, but I also plan to enclose the stand, and that should deaden the sound even further. Overall I am super happy thus far. This tank is SOOOOOOOO much quieter than my last tank. __________________ -Horace Pinker Current Tank Info: New 180g Mixed SPS Build in progress

08/11/2017, 08:27 PM	#34
Horace Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Atlanta Posts: 5,009	Did a little tweak to my Apex autotop off code tonight: I added a time to it so that it would only operate during a 3 min window each morning. This add a additional safety to the system. IE it only opens my RO solenoid for 3 mins, rather than potentially running 24 hours if the tank springs a leak and the float switch triggers the solenoid to open. This not only adds safety, but it also means my RO unit will cycle FAR less often. So instead of turning on/off all day long, it will only top off the tank ONE time per day. If I find its not filling it all the way in 3 mins (That should be plenty of time), I will increase the window a bit. The code: (the time looks like its wrong and in reverse, but since you cant code and "AND" statement, that is how you have to do it...basically code the second part of the AND in reverse logic...So the first statement turns it on, but unless the time is between 6:57AM and 7:00AM, it is immediately shut off (before it ever turns on). The sw_Hig is the safety float that ensures if the sump overfills, it will kill the RO feed (this should NEVER happen with only a 3 min window to fill the tank, but safety never hurts!!!!) Fallback OFF If Sw_ATO CLOSED Then ON If Time 07:00 to 06:57 Then OFF If Sw_ATO OPEN Then OFF If Sw_Hig CLOSED Then OFF __________________ -Horace Pinker Current Tank Info: New 180g Mixed SPS Build in progress

08/11/2017, 08:48 PM	#35
Horace Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Atlanta Posts: 5,009	Tested the Nitrites and i do have a very small tinge of color already (probably only about .05 ppm), so the cycle has started. Still LOTS of ammonia in the tank! __________________ -Horace Pinker Current Tank Info: New 180g Mixed SPS Build in progress Last edited by Horace; 08/12/2017 at 02:03 PM.

08/15/2017, 06:23 PM	#36
Horace Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Atlanta Posts: 5,009	Started the canopy tonight. Normally folks leave the rear open....I did not because I don't want fish jumping out the back, nor do I want the wall behind the tank to get damaged by moisture. I also want to keep the light contained. The panels for the sides will hang over by 1" to keep the canopy secure, and to hide the 1" waterline. The rear does not overhang which allows the canopy to slide on from the front, otherwise it would be alot harder to install/remove if/when needed. __________________ -Horace Pinker Current Tank Info: New 180g Mixed SPS Build in progress

08/15/2017, 06:26 PM	#37
Horace Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Atlanta Posts: 5,009	Joints will mostly be hidden using pocket joints Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk __________________ -Horace Pinker Current Tank Info: New 180g Mixed SPS Build in progress

08/16/2017, 06:23 AM	#38
BlackburnD Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Hohenfels, Germany Posts: 22	looking good. I really need to brush up on my carpentry skills... Building your own stand really seems like the way to go

08/19/2017, 09:03 AM	#40
Vinny Kreyling Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Miller Place, NY Posts: 7,206	IF you decide to do a basement sump a few suggestions: Cut the hole in the floor - use a floor heat cover for the rectangular size. This allows for more room for hose or pipe that just "holes". Next put everything on a bench, not the floor. Saves your back, makes things easy to work on & will cut a few feet off the head pressure. Wish I had this option, crawling under is a hassle. __________________ 250 gallon mixed reef, 2 Reefbreeder's Photon V 2, Deepwater BLDC 12, DAS EX-3 Skimmer, MTC mini cal, 2-3/4" Sea Swirls, Aquacontroller & 6 Tunze pumps.

08/21/2017, 08:14 AM	#41
Horace Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Atlanta Posts: 5,009	I completed a fish less cycle and added the first fish last night. All fish came from well established tanks, NOT LFS, so QT was not necessary. Blue Tang Tomini Tang Melanrus Wrasse 2x Blue Green Chromis Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk __________________ -Horace Pinker Current Tank Info: New 180g Mixed SPS Build in progress

08/21/2017, 08:18 AM	#42
Horace Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Atlanta Posts: 5,009	Wrasse was still in the sand and the Tomini was still behind the rocks this morning too. It's nice to finally have inhabitants Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk __________________ -Horace Pinker Current Tank Info: New 180g Mixed SPS Build in progress

08/22/2017, 06:31 PM	#44
Horace Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Atlanta Posts: 5,009	Got more work done on my canopy and was able to test my lights. My camera pics look like complete crap with the blues on so here it is with only the white channel at 80% power. Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk __________________ -Horace Pinker Current Tank Info: New 180g Mixed SPS Build in progress

08/22/2017, 06:33 PM	#45
Horace Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Atlanta Posts: 5,009	Here are the other pics of the other 4 channels....the camera just doesn't capture the light well at all.... Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk __________________ -Horace Pinker Current Tank Info: New 180g Mixed SPS Build in progress

08/23/2017, 02:07 PM	#46
Horace Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Atlanta Posts: 5,009	This is what the light fixture looks like. I cut a hole in the top of the canopy so that some of the heat would stay out and the salt/moisture would not get on the electronics. Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk __________________ -Horace Pinker Current Tank Info: New 180g Mixed SPS Build in progress

08/23/2017, 02:12 PM	#47
Horace Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Atlanta Posts: 5,009	View of the underside. Before I get any comments/questions, yes I will be putting a front on it with access doors, molding/crown, and the whole thing will be painted. Should look like this when done Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk __________________ -Horace Pinker Current Tank Info: New 180g Mixed SPS Build in progress

09/02/2017, 10:19 AM	#48
Horace Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Atlanta Posts: 5,009	Made some good progress on the stand Added a base trim, crown around the bottom of the rim, and corner molding. View from the back so you can see how it was constructed. I personally really like pocket hole joints Still haven't figured out how I am going to hide all the electronics etc. Thinking of building a panel on one end behind the door. __________________ -Horace Pinker Current Tank Info: New 180g Mixed SPS Build in progress Last edited by Horace; 09/02/2017 at 10:32 AM.

09/02/2017, 10:25 AM	#49
k2swat Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: Seminole, FL Posts: 121	Man that is looking good. Great looking setup so far. Can't wait to see when you start adding those SPS.

09/02/2017, 10:36 AM	#50
Horace Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Atlanta Posts: 5,009	Definitely hit the diatom phase! Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk __________________ -Horace Pinker Current Tank Info: New 180g Mixed SPS Build in progress