Eli's Senior Project

[elithelion]

Here is the updated floor plan, system plumbing schematic, as well as the saltwater mixing station I'll be making. Hopefully this will be the final system plan.

The porch already has electricity, hopefully I wont have to add anymore breakers to the power box.

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This system plan is much more simple. I also found a 700 GPH internal pump I will be using. I'll probably end up upgrading it, but it will do for now.

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I've decided to put the mixing station on the interior. I have enough room and I won't have to worry about the water getting too cold in the winter.

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Here is the link where I found the mixing station plans - http://wamas.org/forums/topic/58398-rodisaltwater-mixing-station-advice/">http://wamas.org/forums/topic/58398-rodisaltwater-mixing-station-advice/</a>
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[wannabeeareefkeeper]

Rich, our president could help with any power/electrical issues.


Wannabee

 

[elithelion]

WannabeeaReefKeeper;1049930 wrote: Rich, our president could help with any power/electrical issues.


Wannabee

I knew I should have paid more attention in that wiring class LOL

I looked at the breaker box and I have 20 amps to work with. That should be plenty.

 

[wannabeeareefkeeper]

ElitheLion;1049931 wrote: I knew I should have paid more attention in that wiring class LOL

I looked at the breaker box and I have 20 amps to work with. That should be plenty.

I believe for around $60 you could swap out the regular 20 amp breaker for a GFCI; ground-fault circuit interrupter breaker. I'm not an electrician; but I believe in making safety #1. I would change out the regular breaker just to be safe. Lowe's would have the GFCI breakers.

Wannabee

 

[wannabeeareefkeeper]

WannabeeaReefKeeper;1049936 wrote: I believe for around $60 you could swap out the regular 20 amp breaker for a GFCI; ground-fault circuit interrupter breaker. I'm not an electrician; but I believe in making safety #1. I would change out the regular breaker just to be safe. Lowe's would have the GFCI breakers.

Wannabee

I need to clarify something. I suggested in the previous post that you could change out the breaker. I would recommend an electrician change out the breaker.

Wannabee

 

[elithelion]

LOL, nice disclaimer. I actually had the opportunity to take a two week "general electrician" course. Final project was to wire a shed at my school, turned out pretty well. Anyways, my dad wired the house so I'll talk to him about it.

 

[elithelion]

Today I took my life savings and went and bought a 10' livestock feeder. Okay, it wasn't my life savings, but it had been sitting in my room for quite sometime.

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I'm glad to say that these jars paid for 90% of the tank. Every little bit counts.

The ride home was interesting. I forgot to throw some straps in the cruiser, so I ended up holding it coming down the highway

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After a quick trip to Lowes everything was ready to go. (Except that lowes didn't have any bulkheads so I had to order them.

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Here is the first plumbing I made for the pump line

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I then realized it was pointless to have 2 valves as if closed off it just burn out the pump. So I added a T to the left side and will add one more valve to that. That way when the flow to the tank is cut, the water will just circulate in the sump.

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The bulkheads will be here on tuesday, so hopefully I'll have a post with the system up and running by wednesday.

Cheers Guys!

 

[wannabeeareefkeeper]

Looks like you have a pump. I found a Mag 18 for sale here at ARC. You original post stated that you were looking for a Mag 18. Here's the link: http://www.atlantareefclub.org/forums/showthread.php?t=101125">http://www.atlantareefclub.org/forums/showthread.php?t=101125</a> . Not sure if it's a Great deal or not; that's if you need a backup pump?

Wannabee

 

[elithelion]

WannabeeaReefKeeper;1050242 wrote: Looks like you have a pump. I found a Mag 18 for sale here at ARC. You original post stated that you were looking for a Mag 18. Here's the link: http://www.atlantareefclub.org/forums/showthread.php?t=101125">http://www.atlantareefclub.org/forums/showthread.php?t=101125</a> . Not sure if it's a Great deal or not; that's if you need a backup pump?

Wannabee[/QUOTE]

The pump I have now is 700gph...I'm a bit doubtful as to how efficent it will be

 

[elithelion]

Today I got in the bulkheads so I went ahead and did some dry plumbing for a proof of concept. Happy to say everything went very well and should be perfect after some minor tweaks. Here are pictures.

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So now the plan is to get LR, Lights, Protein skimmer. For mechanical filtration I was thinking about just putting filter socks on the return pipes, does anyone have any ideas?

Also, I've been thinking about fish for the tank. Do you guys think a tomini and kole tang would be appropriate? Or perhaps just one of the two? Just contemplating.

 

[wannabeeareefkeeper]

I'm sadden to see very few have commented on your thread. I thought there would be an outpour of responses related to your Senior Project. The air must have changed from the past. The ARC meetings to come will provide some feedback on how many show up for the meetings. I wish you the best and your project will be amazing; especially when you get the younger children involved.

Wannabee

 

[bwilliby]

Eli, i just read through your post (not sure how i have missed it) and i think this is a super cool idea! I grew up on the coast and my favorite field trips were the ones focused on marine biology, so pretty neat that you are bringing that experience to the mountains! I travel up that way every few weeks for work and would be glad to transport any needed items you find from the atlanta area. And when the time comes i am definitely in for some coral donations. Good luck!


Sent from my SM-G925P using Tapatalk

 

[elithelion]

Thanks guys, just trying to get the funds for the equipment and LR. One piece at a time

 

[jbdreefs]

I haven't commented because things seem to be going well! Definitely following!

Mechanical filtration usually occurs in a variety of ways: filter socks, skimmer (not the best, but you will see chunks of material in the cup if no other method is used), and various reactors for things like carbon, matrix, etc. if no filter sock is used. Some people don't use filter socks because of there tendency to become nitrate factories. However, the socks aren't a problem if you frequently clean/change them.

I have mechanically filtered a pond before by placing filter floss in a 5 gallon bucket with lots of holes drilled in the bottom. The water flowed into the bucket from the return line. In this application, you could put a bucket filled with floss in the sump and let the tank drain to it. Just an idea. Filter socks may be easier.

 

[cnbridge]

What equipment are you still needing?

 

[elithelion]

JBDreefs;1051676 wrote: I haven't commented because things seem to be going well! Definitely following!

Mechanical filtration usually occurs in a variety of ways: filter socks, skimmer (not the best, but you will see chunks of material in the cup if no other method is used), and various reactors for things like carbon, matrix, etc. if no filter sock is used. Some people don't use filter socks because of there tendency to become nitrate factories. However, the socks aren't a problem if you frequently clean/change them.

I have mechanically filtered a pond before by placing filter floss in a 5 gallon bucket with lots of holes drilled in the bottom. The water flowed into the bucket from the return line. In this application, you could put a bucket filled with floss in the sump and let the tank drain to it. Just an idea. Filter socks may be easier.

I like the bucket idea. I was going to make racks out of eggcrate, but that seems more simple.

 

[elithelion]

cnbridge;1051693 wrote: What equipment are you still needing?

Nearly all of it

Heater, Lights, Protein skimmer, powerheads.

I have the money for the cheaper items, but I've been waiting until I got enough for the live rock.

 

[camellia]

What a great project!
Agree to get younger people interested and involved is extremely important.

When you mentioned donations in your first post, were you referring to cash, equipment, coral or all of the above?

I'm not sure how close you are to being able to keep coral but with the ARC meeting being this Saturday, free coral would be a BIG possibility.

Unfortunately I don't have any extra of the equipment you need listed. I do have two large tubs of extra reef related extras that are not major items however certainly needed in the hobby. PM me for my cell if you are interested in content. If your willing to post in the "Want to Buy" thread and ask for the item at a "low or donated" price (refer them to this thread), our awesome members surely wouldn't let you down!

If you acquired a single heater, light and power head could you maintain donated coral until your totally up and running as desired?

Could you possibly make it this Saturday to the club meeting?

Let's get you started!!!
Deb

 

[elithelion]

Camellia;1051981 wrote: What a great project!
Agree to get younger people interested and involved is extremely important.

When you mentioned donations in your first post, were you referring to cash, equipment, coral or all of the above?

I'm not sure how close you are to being able to keep coral but with the ARC meeting being this Saturday, free coral would be a BIG possibility.

Unfortunately I don't have any extra of the equipment you need listed. I do have two large tubs of extra reef related extras that are not major items however certainly needed in the hobby. PM me for my cell if you are interested in content. If your willing to post in the "Want to Buy" thread and ask for the item at a "low or donated" price (refer them to this thread), our awesome members surely wouldn't let you down!

If you acquired a single heater, light and power head could you maintain donated coral until your totally up and running as desired?

Could you possibly make it this Saturday to the club meeting?

Let's get you started!!!
Deb

I was referring to all three. I'm trying to come this saturday, but It's my mother's birthday so I'm not sure.

I could get something running. I have a 60gal tank with a HOB return in my bedroom. I could probably set it up as temporary holding tank. I have two 48" T5 fixtures, but the powerline for the blues seems to be shorted out on one of them. They would also need new bulbs.

 

[camellia]

It appears your about 1 and half hours from the meeting area.
Cook mom breakfast, spend the morning with her and you've got plenty of time to get to the 4 PM meeting.

If you think you can do it, post on "Want to Buy" as suggested above and let's see what falls in your hands!
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