New Tech Test Tank

[Ron99]

My experiment begins. Stay tuned :)

http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/picture.php?albumid=956&pictureid=6804

[lpsouth1978]

And what is your experiment?

[Ron99]

I'm starting development of a specialized coating that should prevent coralline algae growth on equipment etc. The glass pane on the end of the tank on the right is coated and the power head on the left is coated.

[Mark426]

Oh...hope it works. Would be AWSOME.

[Ron99]

Sorry for the lack of updates. Took a little while for the tank to cycle properly. I'm now 3 months in and the last month has seen the start of some coralline growth etc. Here's the coated and uncoated powerbeads...

http://i749.photobucket.com/albums/xx133/racingminiatures/Test%20Tank/TestPHCoatedAug31-2015.jpg

http://i749.photobucket.com/albums/xx133/racingminiatures/Test%20Tank/TestPHUnCoatedAug31-2015%201.jpg

[JaySchulz]

Interesting! How's the glass looking?

[similacbreath13]

Got my popcorn I'm in to see how this turns out

[Ron99]

Interesting! How's the glass looking?

Still only film algae on the glass so far...

[Reefstarter2]

I assume it will be safe for corals ?

[Ron99]

I assume it will be safe for corals ?

Yes, I have a few corals in the tank and they seem to be doing fine. This stuff was originally developed for medical applications where it will be in contact with patient blood etc. So safety is paramount there.

[Ron99]

OK, here's some better pictures as of today. Uncoated first and then the coated pump. I'm contemplating a kickstarter project to fund a batch of coated Jebao powerbeads so not sure what the interest in that might be and what the rules around here might be to inform people as well? Any thoughts? Would you guys sign up in advance on Kickstarter to get these?

http://i749.photobucket.com/albums/xx133/racingminiatures/Test%20Tank/UncoatedPumpSept28-2015.jpg

http://i749.photobucket.com/albums/xx133/racingminiatures/Test%20Tank/CoatedPumpSept28-2015.jpg

[KirbyBTF]

Wow, thats actually pretty interesting. I'm not sure people would really want to buy powerheads coated in this stuff, but depending on availability to the public of whatever you coated it with, it may mean more to the community here if you just posted what it was you used.

[Ron99]

Wow, thats actually pretty interesting. I'm not sure people would really want to buy powerheads coated in this stuff, but depending on availability to the public of whatever you coated it with, it may mean more to the community here if you just posted what it was you used.

It's not possible to do this yourself. It wouldn't be a product in a bottle. it has to be done in an industrial setting under controlled conditions and involves a couple steps. So it's an OEM process to be incorporated into products.

[Ron99]

Oh, and the intent is to develop this as an OEM process that could be incorporated into all sorts of products such as pumps, heaters, the aquarium glass, skimmers etc making it all coralline algae resistant.

[EllisJuan]

In that case, perhaps your best option would be to contact OEMs with your results and gauge their interest.

[Bishop]

Is this a photocatalytic coating such as a TiO2 based sol gel?

[Johnseye]

tagging along. curious to know if the coating is inert.

[HaiD888]

wow, this could save a lot of maintenance time.

[Ron99]

In that case, perhaps your best option would be to contact OEMs with your results and gauge their interest.

That's the plan eventually. need to do a little more testing first.

Is this a photocatalytic coating such as a TiO2 based sol gel?

Nope :) It's an organic monolayer coating. Still working on the patents so can't say much now.

tagging along. curious to know if the coating is inert.

It should be. First of all it is primarily being developed as a coating for medical equipment etc. so it has to be safe. Secondly, it is a very thin coating (on the order of a few Angstroms) so the actual amount of it on a pump is very small. And third, it is covalently bound to the surface so it doesn't wash off. In theory it should stay on for an very long time.

[Webmanny]

This sounds like a great product. I hope you get to develop it and sell it to manufacturers to use on all their products.