Hello my name is Wally and I'm starting a new tank thread.
I'm no expert, since you never are.... but I've learned a lot over 20 years in this wonderful Hobby!!
This reason for this fresh start, is I'm restarting one of my two tanks.
Not sure where this journey will take me, but I'll start by sharing my next phase of Tank Automation, which is a
Custom DIY Aurdino Based Doser/Controller.
LET ME START WITH A QUICK INTRO OVERVIEW before I start on this specific tank Thread, and AUTOMATION.
I have
two tanks.
The first tank below... (WHICH THIS THREAD IS NOT ABOUT) is a 15 years old,
100 Gallon Mixed Coral Tank, that is in our Family kitchen on first floor (Directly above sump room).
Quote:
Originally Posted by Wally.B
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I won't get into much detail about this tank, since for some reason, it runs on it own.
I figure it's just maturity, and I've done everything wrong over the years, and have run out of things to break.
I think one thing I did right was building a custom lighting setup (Kessil, T5, LED), that's ideal for the low-medium lighting requirement of the corals.
I run lighting very low, which keeps algae, Cyano in check. Best fish I ever added was a Algae Blenny.
I did post a thread on the
Custom Lighting Build here.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=2510779
BOTH Tanks run into a SUMP Room in the basement that I renovated a few years ago.
In that Sump Room, you can see my 2nd Tank, which this thread is about.
It's a
65 Gallon, SPS only tank, which is build into my office wall. Office in on other side of wall.
I've had no success with this tank!!
I won't get into details, since a 2+ year thread tell it all.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=2500379
Before I start this thread, I'll share one more thread that show the
CUSTOM Sump Build for my Office Tank.
It will help understand the steps I'm taking toward Total Automation, since the Sump was designed exactly for that purpose.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=2570554
SO LET ME START THIS NEW THREAD.
Basically if you read the Tank thread above. I started the SPS tank with no SPS experience.
I first
under fed the Corals (via low Fish count) and then
over fed the corals with all kinds of additives, which led to negative consequences at both extremes.
I've had accidents, etc. Even made a Star Wars Parody Movie from A Mega Algae Bloom that followed a Mega Cyano Bloom by using Timelapse Web Cam observation of various CUC to fix things.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ycQ9YPuAaVk (Mostly done to get my Teen Son Involved).
At the end I gave up on the Algae Mess and tore the tank down and started from scratch.
So this time (TAKE 3), I've built a custom Sump with a
Built in Algae Scrubber. My nutrient export is very good.
I still have the same problem that I started with, which is too low nutrients.
Yes, I could add more Fish, which is the #1 recommended solution for healthy, growing, thriving Corals. Especially SPS. However finding ideal fish for 65 Gallon community is tough. QT takes time, and I see my fish growing into this tank.
So the New plan is:
->
Automated Water Changes. I hate doing them and I slip with two tanks to do.
->
Automated Dosing Water Stabilization/Quality and Supplements/Food for Corals.
HERE IS HOW I'll DO IT:
This Aurdino Doser is key!!
Here is the Doser (Just Finished and ready for installation on the New SUmp)
It fully Driven my an Ardunio Mega Controller with some Relays controlling Kaemoer Peristaltic Pumps.
The backside of the Controller shows most of the features that I've designed into this next Automation Stage of my Setup.
Months of work went into this project, most of it on the coding.
I just finished the final test runs on my desk with Water, and it ready for installation.
Here is a
YouTube Video (Crappy one), but gives you an idea how it current works.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TFAtzBtKVhA
I'll make a better Video Tour once it's installed.
You might say why don't I didn't use my Apex (Have two), or buy a ready made commercial doser.
Answer is simple. I like to build things, and I wanted specific features and controls. Also, it works with the Apex which I show after I get it installed.
Here is a Summary of the Key features.
-> Dosing Accuracy 0.5 ml, Kamoer Pumps (40ml/minute)
-> All pumps reversible (for priming, fluid return, and maintenance)
-> Programming allows Pumps to be Named with the Solution then dose.
-> Pump Calibration Mode (Pumps can be swapped, and lines types changed)
-> LCD display menu driven, with detail status and notifications.
->
Unique Scheduling configuration
-----> Set daily dose in ml, and you can schedule doses split up at any portion at any time, as many split as needed.
-> USB Logging to PC tracking all events (Future will be to USB card)
->
The Apex Integration Port is a Simple Relay that is drive by one of the Apex EB8 Ports.
----> That EB8 when ON tells the Doser things are ok to Dose.
----> Example, if PH is too high (EB is off). You program Apex with as many conditions as you wish (ie Return pump off, Dosing suspended)
DOSER PUMP SETUP (Primary):
------>
PUMP 1 (Aquaforest Component 1) Trace Elements, Mag
------>
PUMP 2 (Aquaforest Component 2) Alk
------>
PUMP 3 (Aquaforest Component 3) Mineral Salts/K,B
------>
PUMP 4 (TOP UP), whatever tank lacks that Test kits identify.
I used to make my own Stronger A/B solution, but for now the above will be sufficient since I'll be automation Water Changes, and SPS load I small.
Eventually I'll consider converting to higher concentration solutions for Alk, Calcium and Mag.
->
Build a DIY Magnetic Stirer (from a computer Fan and some magnets, and couple of Poker Chips for stablization)
------> One
Dosing Pump[5] will be dedicated to Coral Foods, which will be pre-mixed before distribution.
-----------> Plan is variety of weekly potions using the following:
-----------------> PolypLab Polypbooster
-----------------> Acro Power (Aminos)
-----------------> AquaForest Vitality (Vitamins)
---------------------> POWDER FOODS mix in RO Water
---------------------------->AquaForest Coral Food
---------------------------->Reef Roids
---------------------------->Coral Frenzy
---------------------------->AquaForest AF PURE FOOD
->
AUTOMATED Water Changes.
-----> The Expansion Port hooks into a module that controls AC outlets.
-----> Two MaxiJet Pumps will be install in my 5 Gallon Sump Section
-----------> Originally that section was going to be Refuge, but not needed after seeing Algae Scrubber do more than enough.
-----> Setting up a Large Salt Water Reservior (3 month+ capacity)
-----> Goal is 2.5% Water Changes Weekly (Automatically)
The remaining features are mostly with programming, display, notifications and failsafe logic.
In future I plan on adding programming for
AutoScheduled reminders for things like cleaning pumps, changing bulbs, since this Controller will be in my face all the time.
(I tried Outlook Calendar, Paper Logs, Email, and none work for me effectively).
SO WHERE IS THIS TANK that this thread will be about?
There isn't much to show at this point. The thread above ends where this thread begins.
I destroyed most of the SPS corals in the last Photo of that thread. Mostly due to instability, neglect since I got too busy.
Also A MH ballast that blew and I replaced last week.
So with that behind me, I'm moving forward again.
This 65 GAL tank equipment setup is the following:
-> 2x 250W MH (Switchable Ballasts), Pheonix 14000k Bulbs
-> 2x T5 Bulbs
-> 1x Custom LED fixture made from Steve's LEDs (SPS Extreme Combo)
-> EuroReef Skimmer
-> DC Waveline Return Pump
-> Sea Swirl of Return Pump
-> 50 Gallon Sump
-> RO System with Reservoir and Tunze Osmolator Top up
-> Algae Scrubber
-> Apex JR, 2 EB8's, PM Module, VDM Module
-> 1x MaxSpec Grye XF150 Pump on ICECAO Controller Via Apex
-> 1x Jebao CP24 WavewPUmp
I'll share more once I get the
Doser and
Water Change System setup.
Here is what I'm starting with. A new set up frags and I'm taking care of
manually for now,
but not for much longer.
I'll end this first thread post with the following.
I like to share information. Very open to feedback, constructive criticism, advice (willing to listen, don't always follow), and look forward to getting to know more folks on reef central.
I also hope I get things right this time.
Regards,
Wally