Top off ideas on a 20G?

mcoomer · 12/02/2009, 09:59 AM

I've got a small 20 gallon tank in the garage that I'm setting up as a mixed reef. Right now I've got a 20" Sunpod 150, Reef Octo BH300F HOB skimmer, and a Maxijet 1200 in the tank with about 20lbs of Tonga branch. Aside from an algae bloom there's nothing in the tank. Once the algae has run its course and the tank is stable I'll start to populate it.

I don't want to run a sump with this tank so I've been thinking of alternatives. I think I've settled on putting a 5 gallon bucket under the tank, an Osmolator in the bucket, sensors in the tank, and water tubing running up to the last chamber in the skimmer. I figure that I can keep the bucket topped off with RO and not have to worry about adding water every day to the tank. Once the tanks gets going and the rates of calcium consumption have stabilized I could put my calcium in there and not have to worry about dosing the tank. I think it's a pretty simple solution to keep the tank topped off with a minimal amount of equipment and effort. With the rates of evaporation that I've been seeing, 5 gallons would probably last two weeks.

What do you think? Pros and cons to my idea?

Thanks,
Mike

jasonrp104 · 12/02/2009, 10:15 AM

By putting your calcium in there, do you mean Kalk? I've been doing that for a few months now on my 45 and I love it. Once a week I fill the bucket with 5 gallons of water and 10 tsp kalk powder. My levels never change any everything loves it

Chris27 · 12/02/2009, 11:12 AM

I would plumb the water directly into the tank vice the skimmer. The addition of more water into the skimmer may cause the skimmer to overflow...it may not, but I've used the Octo HOB's before, and had issues keeping a constant skim and keeping it from overflowing.

mcoomer · 12/02/2009, 12:19 PM

Kalk or any other calcium additive. I am getting setup to dose BRS' two part kit on my 125 so I suppose I could use a bit of those ingredients in the bucket. Still, probably just kalk in the beginning.

As for the plumbing, thanks for the tip. The skimmer is new to me so I'm not familiar yet with it's failure modes. I'll try a few things and see what shakes out. I'm just looking for a way to keep the tank as clear of obtrusive equipment as possible. I'm actually looking at modding the intake to the skimmer so that it isn't sticking as far down into the tank.

Thanks,
Mike

Chris27 · 12/02/2009, 12:46 PM

An ATO will make using that skimmer much easier - I had a hell of a time with it when my water level dropped ever so slightly.

IslandCrow · 12/02/2009, 01:26 PM

I'm in a very similar situation, and I have a similar thread going in the nano forum, so I'll update you with any good ideas that come out of there. Are you planning on using something like the Spectrapure Liquid Level Controllers (http://spectrapure.com/St_alc_p3.htm) for your sensor. I used one of these when I had my 46g, and it worked out pretty well. It would certainly be a good fit for my nano, but it doesn't kick in until the water level has dropped by an inch, so it has me a little concerned as that inch is going to be more significant in a nano tank.

Chris27 · 12/02/2009, 10:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IslandCrow

I'm in a very similar situation, and I have a similar thread going in the nano forum, so I'll update you with any good ideas that come out of there. Are you planning on using something like the Spectrapure Liquid Level Controllers (http://spectrapure.com/St_alc_p3.htm) for your sensor. I used one of these when I had my 46g, and it worked out pretty well. It would certainly be a good fit for my nano, but it doesn't kick in until the water level has dropped by an inch, so it has me a little concerned as that inch is going to be more significant in a nano tank.

You may be able to find another float switch that has a shorter throw...

Tadashi · 12/02/2009, 10:49 PM

I have a 14-gal tank (with 250w MH so evap is high, but I use a chiller not fans so evap is not too high) with a 2-gal RO/DI reservoir in my stand. I use the AT-1 tsunami (pressure sensor) in the main tank. When the water level drops it turns on a MJ1200 to pump water to the main tank. The 2-gal pitcher (Walmart special) lasts about 1 week before needing to be filled. I have not tried to put my b-ionic in the reservoir. I did not want to deal with deposits building up on my pump or settling at the bottom of the reservoir.

The water pressure sensor is much smaller than a float switch which is perfect for smaller tanks. I suppose you could put a float valve in the RO/DI top-off reservoir which is fed directly by an RO/DI filter system.

mcoomer · 12/03/2009, 11:42 AM

I finally was in the right place at the right time! A Tunze Osmolator with extra pump and kalk dispenser for $155 shipped. I think I can come up with a bucket...problem solved!

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1745567

Chris27 · 12/03/2009, 11:52 AM

Great solution, they make a great product, and you got yourself a great price.

12/02/2009, 09:59 AM	#1
mcoomer Rat Bastard! Join Date: May 2007 Location: Sammamish, WA Posts: 1,487	Top off ideas on a 20G? I've got a small 20 gallon tank in the garage that I'm setting up as a mixed reef. Right now I've got a 20" Sunpod 150, Reef Octo BH300F HOB skimmer, and a Maxijet 1200 in the tank with about 20lbs of Tonga branch. Aside from an algae bloom there's nothing in the tank. Once the algae has run its course and the tank is stable I'll start to populate it. I don't want to run a sump with this tank so I've been thinking of alternatives. I think I've settled on putting a 5 gallon bucket under the tank, an Osmolator in the bucket, sensors in the tank, and water tubing running up to the last chamber in the skimmer. I figure that I can keep the bucket topped off with RO and not have to worry about adding water every day to the tank. Once the tanks gets going and the rates of calcium consumption have stabilized I could put my calcium in there and not have to worry about dosing the tank. I think it's a pretty simple solution to keep the tank topped off with a minimal amount of equipment and effort. With the rates of evaporation that I've been seeing, 5 gallons would probably last two weeks. What do you think? Pros and cons to my idea? Thanks, Mike __________________ Spending exorbitant amounts of money on this hobby since 1998! My wife thought the tank would be cheaper and easier to keep than a dog...no seriously! Current Tank Info: 180 gallon mixed reef; Reeflo Barracuda, Tunze 6105 (X3), 250W Radiums with dual HQI Blue Wave 7, Reefkeeper Elite controller, custom sump with ASM G4, carbon and GFO reactors

12/02/2009, 12:19 PM	#4
mcoomer Rat Bastard! Join Date: May 2007 Location: Sammamish, WA Posts: 1,487	Kalk or any other calcium additive. I am getting setup to dose BRS' two part kit on my 125 so I suppose I could use a bit of those ingredients in the bucket. Still, probably just kalk in the beginning. As for the plumbing, thanks for the tip. The skimmer is new to me so I'm not familiar yet with it's failure modes. I'll try a few things and see what shakes out. I'm just looking for a way to keep the tank as clear of obtrusive equipment as possible. I'm actually looking at modding the intake to the skimmer so that it isn't sticking as far down into the tank. Thanks, Mike __________________ Spending exorbitant amounts of money on this hobby since 1998! My wife thought the tank would be cheaper and easier to keep than a dog...no seriously! Current Tank Info: 180 gallon mixed reef; Reeflo Barracuda, Tunze 6105 (X3), 250W Radiums with dual HQI Blue Wave 7, Reefkeeper Elite controller, custom sump with ASM G4, carbon and GFO reactors

12/02/2009, 01:26 PM	#6
IslandCrow Reef Monkey Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Rockledge, Fl Posts: 5,759	I'm in a very similar situation, and I have a similar thread going in the nano forum, so I'll update you with any good ideas that come out of there. Are you planning on using something like the Spectrapure Liquid Level Controllers (http://spectrapure.com/St_alc_p3.htm) for your sensor. I used one of these when I had my 46g, and it worked out pretty well. It would certainly be a good fit for my nano, but it doesn't kick in until the water level has dropped by an inch, so it has me a little concerned as that inch is going to be more significant in a nano tank. __________________ All opinions in the above message should be taken with 35 ppt salt. -Mike C. Current Tank Info: I have a reef screen saver on my phone, does that count?

12/02/2009, 10:49 PM	#8
Tadashi Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Ft. Hood, TX, USA Posts: 2,252	I have a 14-gal tank (with 250w MH so evap is high, but I use a chiller not fans so evap is not too high) with a 2-gal RO/DI reservoir in my stand. I use the AT-1 tsunami (pressure sensor) in the main tank. When the water level drops it turns on a MJ1200 to pump water to the main tank. The 2-gal pitcher (Walmart special) lasts about 1 week before needing to be filled. I have not tried to put my b-ionic in the reservoir. I did not want to deal with deposits building up on my pump or settling at the bottom of the reservoir. The water pressure sensor is much smaller than a float switch which is perfect for smaller tanks. I suppose you could put a float valve in the RO/DI top-off reservoir which is fed directly by an RO/DI filter system. __________________ Honey, put down the bleach and step away from the tank. I promise we will spend more quality time together. Current Tank Info: 14-gal Oceanic BioCube (see homepage link for current status)

12/03/2009, 11:42 AM	#9
mcoomer Rat Bastard! Join Date: May 2007 Location: Sammamish, WA Posts: 1,487	I finally was in the right place at the right time! A Tunze Osmolator with extra pump and kalk dispenser for $155 shipped. I think I can come up with a bucket...problem solved! http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1745567 __________________ Spending exorbitant amounts of money on this hobby since 1998! My wife thought the tank would be cheaper and easier to keep than a dog...no seriously! Current Tank Info: 180 gallon mixed reef; Reeflo Barracuda, Tunze 6105 (X3), 250W Radiums with dual HQI Blue Wave 7, Reefkeeper Elite controller, custom sump with ASM G4, carbon and GFO reactors

12/02/2009, 10:15 AM	#2
jasonrp104 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: vt Posts: 1,113	By putting your calcium in there, do you mean Kalk? I've been doing that for a few months now on my 45 and I love it. Once a week I fill the bucket with 5 gallons of water and 10 tsp kalk powder. My levels never change any everything loves it

12/02/2009, 11:12 AM	#3
Chris27 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Virginia Beach, VA Posts: 4,452	I would plumb the water directly into the tank vice the skimmer. The addition of more water into the skimmer may cause the skimmer to overflow...it may not, but I've used the Octo HOB's before, and had issues keeping a constant skim and keeping it from overflowing.

12/02/2009, 12:46 PM	#5
Chris27 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Virginia Beach, VA Posts: 4,452	An ATO will make using that skimmer much easier - I had a hell of a time with it when my water level dropped ever so slightly.

12/03/2009, 11:52 AM	#10
Chris27 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Virginia Beach, VA Posts: 4,452	Great solution, they make a great product, and you got yourself a great price.