A Golden Reef Tank (v2) - Page 9

Reefer40b · 06/20/2018, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sisterlimonpot

I'm going back over your thread, what's the purpose of that acrylic tube and what looks like a floating sphere???

Probably shows what water level that tank up top is at..

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

halmus · 06/21/2018, 10:02 AM

Thanks reefer40B.

You’re right, it’s to indicate water level visually for now. I will be putting an electronic level sensor in that tube later that will allow me to make it “smart”. Tie it into a microprocessor and do some magic. The level sensor isn’t just a binary on/off like a float switch but provides an analog voltage out which I can map to water level/gallons remaining.

I’m not sure what you’re seeing as a floating sphere. It might be a coil of wires that you’re seeing? That picture was taken while still under construction. There is a single float switch installed now in the lid so that I don’t overflow the tank (again) when filling it. I get distracted in that room and forget the pump is running.

Sisterlimonpot · 06/21/2018, 11:00 AM

It could just be the picture, but it looks as if there's a white (pingpong) ball inside at the base of the tube.

halmus · 06/21/2018, 11:54 AM

Ah....I didn’t know I had put that in when the picture was taken.

Yes, it’s essentially a ping pong ball. Floating water level indicator. Although a ping pong ball was too big so I ordered a plastic ball I found on amazon. Side benefit is that the ball is painted to look like an eyeball. Adds to the mad science theme in my lab with eyeballs floating in tubes.

yifan917 · 06/22/2018, 01:53 PM

This setup is just too perfect to be true! Great work! Love it!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

halmus · 07/04/2018, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yifan917

This setup is just too perfect to be true! Great work! Love it!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thanks. How's your tank coming along? I remember reading through the thread as it was coming together. Absolutely beautiful the last time I saw it!

Mrs. Music · 07/04/2018, 07:37 PM

I really need to see a picture of this eyeball! please!

halmus · 07/05/2018, 07:34 AM

IMG_3857.jpg

I hope the attachment works. Here’s your eyeball.

yifan917 · 07/09/2018, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by halmus

Thanks. How's your tank coming along? I remember reading through the thread as it was coming together. Absolutely beautiful the last time I saw it!

It’s doing quite alright, I guess it’s time to post an update on my thread before it gets deleted lol

Still, your planning and construction skills just blew my mind! Keep the updates coming!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

tripdad · 11/23/2018, 01:30 PM

Any updates on this beauty?

Sisterlimonpot · 11/23/2018, 02:36 PM

I too have been eager to see new updates as well....

BZOFIQ · 11/23/2018, 02:59 PM

Add me to the list; can't wait.

halmus · 11/23/2018, 03:26 PM

Thanks for the interest everyone. I did take a bunch of pictures with my DSLR before leaving town. I want to try to learn photoshop while I’m sitting around with the holiday weekend and mandatory family fun time. Hopefully have some eye candy posted within the next few days.

vanburen · 11/24/2018, 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by halmus

Thanks for the interest everyone. I did take a bunch of pictures with my DSLR before leaving town. I want to try to learn photoshop while I’m sitting around with the holiday weekend and mandatory family fun time. Hopefully have some eye candy posted within the next few days.

Please do! I take great inspiration by this build - my inner engineer is thrilled by it.

Have you found any sources of tank incremental level detectors? This is a big gap for us in this hobby! A float switch or optical sensor isn't enough for me! Your mechanical version was very clever. Love the eyeball.

halmus · 11/24/2018, 10:50 PM

As far as an analog liquid level sensor there is a product called etape.

https://www.adafruit.com/product/464

There are some different lengths available. I happened to catch them when they were producing a custom line for another customer at 70” long. Since the machining was set up, I got a fairly reasonable tape that length. Otherwise lengths are limited to much shorter. You still have to find a way to map the analog voltage out to a meaningful value in terms of gallons or water depth. I haven’t tested how well it works in saltwater. The salt creep might throw off measurements long term.

I wish Apex would open up their products to allow us to create custom graphs of analog voltage inputs. That would be a simple and awesome application for these etapes!

Otherwise, you’re going to have to get creative with a microprocessor and your own displays. Web interface and/or digital outputs to tie into the Apex if that’s the route you want to go. I haven’t officially integrated any of them into my build yet. I’ve been sidetracked with other concerns like putting in my two weeks notice and starting my own business. So, who knows when I’ll take the next step in completing all of the custom electronics projects I had originally planned. I’ll make sure to post up the progress if that ever happens.

Sisterlimonpot · 11/25/2018, 03:25 PM

Taking the leap to be your own boss??? very nice! That will be a huge change that will put a lot of the hobby on the back burner.

Congratulations on that.

halmus · 11/25/2018, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sisterlimonpot

Taking the leap to be your own boss??? very nice! That will be a huge change that will put a lot of the hobby on the back burner.

Congratulations on that.

Thank you! Yes. I hear by boss is a bit demanding though, we’ll see how he works out.

I’ve wanted to start the business for a while at least for side work and then see if it could turn into a full time thing. Instead, I’m doing it backwards and starting the business full time and see if I end up going back to a 9-5 sometime in the future.

I’m starting out with woodworking, trim, and custom cabinet work for the business since it’s a skill in demand in my area and I know it well. We’ll see if I can expand on that into more custom fabrication to justify all of the toys I hope to play with (CNC, laser etcher, 3D printing). Hopefully I can create my own Mythbusters style “builder of weird things” business.

...back to work. I’m trying to learn adobe photoshop so that I can tweak aquarium photos and future business images. Hopefully I’ll have some pictures worth posting here in the next few days.

tripdad · 11/26/2018, 12:32 PM

Congrats on the venture and look forward to the photos.

halmus · 11/26/2018, 06:50 PM

I'm away from home and only have DLSR images I took with AUTO settings. I'm still learning that camera. Also learning Lightroom. So, my disclaimer is that these are heavily processed images.

Also, the tank has a LOT of room to fill in. Plenty of bare rock to cover up. I do have a couple fist sized colonies but most are frags that are slowly growing in. Sorry it isn't a more impressive update after all this time.

halmus · 11/26/2018, 06:50 PM

McPuff · 11/27/2018, 07:14 AM

Wow, that looks terrific!

I need to get another yellow porites...

tripdad · 11/27/2018, 08:39 AM

I very much like the rock scape, all the irregular bits. It should look very cool once grown in. Thanks for the update.

halmus · 11/27/2018, 09:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by McPuff

Wow, that looks terrific!

I need to get another yellow porites...

Thanks Puff

It was a beautiful coral at first. It’s more of a mustard porites these days but still growing out. Probably some trace element it’s missing. Or lighting. Who knows.

halmus · 11/27/2018, 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tripdad

I very much like the rock scape, all the irregular bits. It should look very cool once grown in. Thanks for the update.

Thank you. Rockscaping was a family project. My wife and I built them dry outside the tank mostly. It was fun working together on that. When we placed them, I really had to stand my ground refusing to allow them to be placed too close to the glass. She kept bumping them out.

I tried to model them off of ChingChai’s (spelling?) DSPS tank from Thailand. Loved his build. I don’t think I ended up with nearly the same rockwork but I’m pretty happy with it. I’m finding it hard to dial in lights on a 36” deep tank and the rockwork we ended up with. I still get a lot of shading and haven’t had much luck with LPS where I intended keeping them down lower. Everything in the top half is baking at 400+ PAR. 600 at the highest points.

tkeracer619 · 12/01/2018, 12:29 AM

Looks like it has progressed nicely! Well done!

I wonder if running Ozone would help with water clarity. Maybe get you that little bump in par on the sandbed for your LPS.

06/21/2018, 11:00 AM	#203
Sisterlimonpot R.C. Fraternity President Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Litchfeild Park AZ Posts: 11,490 Blog Entries: 2	It could just be the picture, but it looks as if there's a white (pingpong) ball inside at the base of the tube. __________________ Jimmy MASVC President Dishes are done man! Current Tank Info: 300 in progress

07/04/2018, 07:37 PM	#207
Mrs. Music Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Sylvania, OH Posts: 636	I really need to see a picture of this eyeball! please! __________________ Midwest Custom Acylic 180 gallon, 2 AI Hydra Twenty Six HD, Tunze 6055, remote custom 75 gallon sump with chaeto refugium, Pan World pump, Reef Octopus INT 200 skim

11/23/2018, 01:30 PM	#210
tripdad Frustrated Stick Gardener Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: near chicago,Ill. Posts: 701	Any updates on this beauty? __________________ Scott Current tank: 65 gal DSA rimless, mixed reef, 20 gal sump, T5 6bulb, big skimmer, 40B Fowler, 20 gal sump, 4 bulb T5

11/23/2018, 02:36 PM	#211
Sisterlimonpot R.C. Fraternity President Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Litchfeild Park AZ Posts: 11,490 Blog Entries: 2	I too have been eager to see new updates as well.... __________________ Jimmy MASVC President Dishes are done man! Current Tank Info: 300 in progress

11/25/2018, 03:25 PM	#216
Sisterlimonpot R.C. Fraternity President Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Litchfeild Park AZ Posts: 11,490 Blog Entries: 2	Taking the leap to be your own boss??? very nice! That will be a huge change that will put a lot of the hobby on the back burner. Congratulations on that. __________________ Jimmy MASVC President Dishes are done man! Current Tank Info: 300 in progress

06/21/2018, 10:02 AM	#202
halmus Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Golden, CO Posts: 340	Thanks reefer40B. You’re right, it’s to indicate water level visually for now. I will be putting an electronic level sensor in that tube later that will allow me to make it “smart”. Tie it into a microprocessor and do some magic. The level sensor isn’t just a binary on/off like a float switch but provides an analog voltage out which I can map to water level/gallons remaining. I’m not sure what you’re seeing as a floating sphere. It might be a coil of wires that you’re seeing? That picture was taken while still under construction. There is a single float switch installed now in the lid so that I don’t overflow the tank (again) when filling it. I get distracted in that room and forget the pump is running.

06/21/2018, 11:54 AM	#204
halmus Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Golden, CO Posts: 340	Ah....I didn’t know I had put that in when the picture was taken. Yes, it’s essentially a ping pong ball. Floating water level indicator. Although a ping pong ball was too big so I ordered a plastic ball I found on amazon. Side benefit is that the ball is painted to look like an eyeball. Adds to the mad science theme in my lab with eyeballs floating in tubes.

06/22/2018, 01:53 PM	#205
yifan917 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: La Ilha Formosa Posts: 291	This setup is just too perfect to be true! Great work! Love it! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

07/05/2018, 07:34 AM	#208
halmus Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Golden, CO Posts: 340	IMG_3857.jpg I hope the attachment works. Here’s your eyeball.

11/23/2018, 02:59 PM	#212
BZOFIQ Registered Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Staten Island, NY Posts: 446	Add me to the list; can't wait.

11/23/2018, 03:26 PM	#213
halmus Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Golden, CO Posts: 340	Thanks for the interest everyone. I did take a bunch of pictures with my DSLR before leaving town. I want to try to learn photoshop while I’m sitting around with the holiday weekend and mandatory family fun time. Hopefully have some eye candy posted within the next few days.

11/24/2018, 10:50 PM	#215
halmus Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Golden, CO Posts: 340	As far as an analog liquid level sensor there is a product called etape. https://www.adafruit.com/product/464 There are some different lengths available. I happened to catch them when they were producing a custom line for another customer at 70” long. Since the machining was set up, I got a fairly reasonable tape that length. Otherwise lengths are limited to much shorter. You still have to find a way to map the analog voltage out to a meaningful value in terms of gallons or water depth. I haven’t tested how well it works in saltwater. The salt creep might throw off measurements long term. I wish Apex would open up their products to allow us to create custom graphs of analog voltage inputs. That would be a simple and awesome application for these etapes! Otherwise, you’re going to have to get creative with a microprocessor and your own displays. Web interface and/or digital outputs to tie into the Apex if that’s the route you want to go. I haven’t officially integrated any of them into my build yet. I’ve been sidetracked with other concerns like putting in my two weeks notice and starting my own business. So, who knows when I’ll take the next step in completing all of the custom electronics projects I had originally planned. I’ll make sure to post up the progress if that ever happens.

11/26/2018, 12:32 PM	#218
tripdad Frustrated Stick Gardener Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: near chicago,Ill. Posts: 701	Congrats on the venture and look forward to the photos. __________________ Scott Current tank: 65 gal DSA rimless, mixed reef, 20 gal sump, T5 6bulb, big skimmer, 40B Fowler, 20 gal sump, 4 bulb T5

11/26/2018, 06:50 PM	#219
halmus Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Golden, CO Posts: 340	I'm away from home and only have DLSR images I took with AUTO settings. I'm still learning that camera. Also learning Lightroom. So, my disclaimer is that these are heavily processed images. Also, the tank has a LOT of room to fill in. Plenty of bare rock to cover up. I do have a couple fist sized colonies but most are frags that are slowly growing in. Sorry it isn't a more impressive update after all this time.

11/26/2018, 06:50 PM	#220
halmus Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Golden, CO Posts: 340

11/27/2018, 07:14 AM	#221
McPuff Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Michigan Posts: 1,735	Wow, that looks terrific! I need to get another yellow porites...

11/27/2018, 08:39 AM	#222
tripdad Frustrated Stick Gardener Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: near chicago,Ill. Posts: 701	I very much like the rock scape, all the irregular bits. It should look very cool once grown in. Thanks for the update. __________________ Scott Current tank: 65 gal DSA rimless, mixed reef, 20 gal sump, T5 6bulb, big skimmer, 40B Fowler, 20 gal sump, 4 bulb T5

12/01/2018, 12:29 AM	#225
tkeracer619 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Westminster, CO Posts: 17,289	Looks like it has progressed nicely! Well done! I wonder if running Ozone would help with water clarity. Maybe get you that little bump in par on the sandbed for your LPS. __________________ Hobby Experience: 9200ish gallons, 26 skimmers, and a handful of Kent Scrapers. Current Tank: Vortech Powered 600G SPS Tank w/ 100gal frag tank & 100g Sump. RK2-RK10 Skimmer. ReefAngel. Radium 20k.