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03/30/2012, 11:51 AM | #3676 | |
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-Brett 180g Marineland Starfire In-Wall 278 gallon system Last edited by Misled; 04/08/2018 at 08:39 PM. |
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03/30/2012, 02:19 PM | #3677 |
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Why not rotate the pump 90 degrees and insert the pump output through the reactor's PVC bottom? You will get great mixing and save on the overall footprint. Plus PVC is easier to drill.
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03/30/2012, 08:14 PM | #3678 | |
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-Brett 180g Marineland Starfire In-Wall 278 gallon system |
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04/01/2012, 04:45 PM | #3679 |
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Brett,
Have you checked out the new cadlights design? I think I finally understand what you are trying to accomplish by doing something similar to the reef dynamics one. I have been trying to think if there was anyway possible to use a manifold and I don't think it's possible. I just hate the fact you would have to use another pump.
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Josh Current Tank Info: 180G in-wall, 3x 250w MH radiums on M80 ballasts, Cree LED actinics, Deltec TC2560, Bubble Magus Doser, 4x Vortech Mp40, Dart return, Neptune Apex |
04/01/2012, 05:17 PM | #3680 |
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We have a purple spiny urchin in a 120 that we feed algae strips to weekly- he loves it.
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04/01/2012, 05:33 PM | #3681 | |
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I think sticking with a more straight forward design is probably best. I went back and reviewed the original video where I got the plumbing idea from. So I've edited down my design and was able to eliminate a few fittings and turns in the pipe. Overall, I think this is the best design so far. Smallest footprint and minimal plumbing involved. Here's the video of the original Reef Dynamics design. Skip to 7:50 to see a shot of the whole reactor. I've simplified the output side of the plumbing since my Mag 3 can be turned up on it's side, so even less plumbing is necessary. The only thing I will probably add is a threaded valve on the top of the reactor just in case I need to do minor adjustments in flow on the output, but I think flow-through will be mostly controlled from the valve on the manifold. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zMx4H...D55831BE01D992 And the latest design.
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-Brett 180g Marineland Starfire In-Wall 278 gallon system Last edited by Misled; 04/08/2018 at 08:39 PM. |
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04/01/2012, 06:03 PM | #3682 | |
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What Brett is designing will have full control on both
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A smooth sea never made a skillful mariner Current Tank Info: 110g Mixed Reef, LED's & T5's Last edited by psteeleb; 04/01/2012 at 06:20 PM. |
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04/02/2012, 10:01 PM | #3683 |
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That's what I'm shootin' for.
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04/03/2012, 05:41 AM | #3684 | |
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If they don't have it, no one else will.
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HENRYSTYLE - That Henry Guy Current Tank Info: 30g frag tank/120g sps dominant reef |
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04/03/2012, 10:42 AM | #3685 | |
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^ Click on my username and 'Visit Taqpol's Home Page!" to view my 220 gallon custom Miracles tank! -Alex |
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04/04/2012, 08:18 PM | #3686 | ||
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04/04/2012, 08:27 PM | #3687 |
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UPDATE:
Couple of upgrades came today. I was getting a small amount of stray voltage, about ~15v, and was finally able to pin it down to my two Theo Heaters. I don't know specifically if they were leaking or if they just weren't insulated very well, but in any event the meter was showing excess voltage. I had felt small tingles on occasion in the past when they were ON, so I decided it was time to take care of it. Out with the old, in with the new! This time around I went with two Eheim-Jager 250 watt True Temp heaters. I also picked up two 1/2" Uniseals for the reactor mod project. And a new reagent refill for the Hanna Alkalinity Checker.
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-Brett 180g Marineland Starfire In-Wall 278 gallon system Last edited by Misled; 04/08/2018 at 08:40 PM. |
04/05/2012, 11:27 AM | #3688 |
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UPDATE:
The valve for the reactor mod came today. I went with a 1/2" George Fischer Type 375 True Union Ball Valve. The handle is very easy to adjust and it looks to be extremely well made like the other GF products I've used. Just need to pick up a couple fittings locally and some pipe and I can mock up the plumbing. GF Type 375 True Union Ball Valve The size of this 1/2" valve is fairly small. Here's a size comparison with my iPhone so you can get an idea of how small it is.
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-Brett 180g Marineland Starfire In-Wall 278 gallon system Last edited by Misled; 04/08/2018 at 08:41 PM. |
04/05/2012, 12:23 PM | #3689 |
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Those are the only heaters I would ever buy, now. They seem to last longest. I did get credited for one (Drs F&S, of course) because I noticed water condensation inside. I had it fully submerged, as I do the second one.
I had tried to contact Eheim through the website help form, and never got a response, btw. |
04/08/2012, 09:43 AM | #3690 | |
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I've used Jager heaters in the past without issue, so I'm hoping these will last a while. I will say jumping up to the 250 watt, they are significantly longer in size than the 200 watt. But considering the tank is in the basement that stays relatively cool all year they seem to be doing a better job keeping the tank temp more regulated. I have the Apex set to a 0.5 degree swing and they are keeping it right there. There's a slight bump when the lights are on but it's only ~0.5 degrees off my heaters - so about 1 degree total per day.
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-Brett 180g Marineland Starfire In-Wall 278 gallon system Last edited by Misled; 04/08/2018 at 08:41 PM. |
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04/10/2012, 02:19 PM | #3691 |
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I can't believe that I never read through this thread before after seeing on the front page so many times!
Amazing build sir. Your patience is incredible, not many of us can take it that slowly....may I add this is way we all should do it.....it would save a lot of coral and fishes lives! Also, your DIY skills are unmatched. I only wish I had the capability of doing projects like you have done in finding solutions. Attention to details and also keeping things aesthetically pleasing in the meantime. Your corals are looking really good, once things start to fill in it will be awesome. I saw also that you are thinking of adding a leopard wrasse. I am sure you already know but don't do this until you have a healthy pod population and a very established "ecosystem". There is good information in the fish primer series on this site. Thanks for sharing with us, your work is inspirational....if pete hangs out here a lot you must be doing something right! |
04/11/2012, 12:46 PM | #3692 | |
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04/11/2012, 12:53 PM | #3693 |
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UPDATE:
The rest of the reactor mod plumbing parts came in yesterday. So finally I have everything needed to rough out the plumbing for the project. I ended up ordering all of it from US Plastics since the selection of schedule 40/80 gray fittings are somewhat limited at the local Lowe's. US Plastics had everything needed with very competitive prices to complete the project. I'll update as I rough out the plumbing, but here's the misc fittings and pipe.
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-Brett 180g Marineland Starfire In-Wall 278 gallon system Last edited by Misled; 04/08/2018 at 08:41 PM. |
04/12/2012, 10:32 PM | #3694 |
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UPDATE:
So it was time to replace the bulbs over the tank. I decided to give the Radiums another shot. I really liked the color of Phoenix bulbs for about the first 6 months but they started turning really purple towards the end of their life, which started to bug me. When I fired them up I started to remember what I liked about them 2 years ago. Crisp white with a cool blue overtone. Here's a size comparison between the old Phoenix (LEFT) and the new Radium (Right). Another angle. Closeup. I also started roughing out the plumbing on the reactor. This is not the reactor that I will be using since it's still online, but it is the same footprint as the SMR1. But it will give you an idea of what the finished mod will look like (kinda). More updates to come on this project...
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-Brett 180g Marineland Starfire In-Wall 278 gallon system Last edited by Misled; 04/08/2018 at 08:42 PM. |
04/12/2012, 10:51 PM | #3695 |
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looking good
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A smooth sea never made a skillful mariner Current Tank Info: 110g Mixed Reef, LED's & T5's |
04/13/2012, 12:29 AM | #3696 | |
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Regards, Matt "Rules are for the obedience of fools and the guidance of wise men." "Nemo mortalium omnibus horis sapit" - no man is at all times wise. "To a hammer, everything is a nail!" Current Tank Info: RSM 130 Last edited by Misled; 04/08/2018 at 08:43 PM. |
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04/13/2012, 11:02 AM | #3697 | |
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Thanks Pete.
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04/16/2012, 08:34 PM | #3698 |
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UPDATE:
Here's the before/after shots with the new Radiums now that they've burned in for a couple days. It's pretty subtle in the pics but the tank is definitely brighter and lacks the purple hue it had while running the Phoenix bulbs (in a good way). Phoenix: Radium: Also, here's some progression shots of a coral that's made quite a comeback since it's first addition to the tank.
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04/16/2012, 09:33 PM | #3699 |
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Is the camera exposure exactly the same? It looks to me as if the Radiums are a tad bit brighter.
I love that last coral, in particular! |
04/17/2012, 12:22 PM | #3700 | |
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