320g build/journey/experiment DIY :-) [Archive] - Canreef Aquatics Bulletin Board

Greenmaster

07-06-2010, 07:10 AM

I started this thread on another forum and had a local here in Courtenay tell me I should post on here. I thought hey it's not that hard to just cut and paste so most of this thread will be a duplicate until I get to where I am today. Hope you enjoy!

So here I go, I have a lot of work ahead of me. I have to re-enforce the floor, build the stand, build the tank and then connect it all together. Aqua-scape, making some of my own rock. Then cycle the tank and slowly overpopulate my tank. I plan on having a reef setup with a 72"W x 30"L x 39"H with a bottom tank of 100g 60"x18"x24"
Edit*** Lots of lighting 3 x 250w MH for the bottom tank 2x400w MH +2x175w MH + 3x20w LED with a possible moonlight if I can find the kind I'm looking for. (One that turns on every night slightly brighter for 14 days then darker till it's off) ***
-I'm going with an all LED DIY setup now.
Still not sure on the pumps I'm going to use... but there will be 2. No wave makers, power heads, reactors, or protein skimmers. (the 2 pumps will be split into 2 pipes each so it will be like having 4 power heads) I plan on overpopulating my tank to the edge of collapse to see if I can find a way to have a dense population of fish. I will be using aragonite oolite sand. I will be posting pictures at least once a month and be updating once or twice a week (maybe more in the beginning) I have amassed a large list of fish... 25 spices 126 total fish (I plan on having schools and I know that the total number of fish will probably be smaller that's what this test is for)
Edit *** I'm ordering my glass today ***
-The glass shops couldn't guarantee me the sizes I needed so I got the tank custom made.
and pouring cement for the foundation of my floor for the tank (will weigh around 6000lbs when finally set-up). I hope this perks your interest and it's something that you will enjoy at least a little, cause I know I will :D

Greenmaster

07-06-2010, 07:11 AM

This is where my tank is going to go
http://i737.photobucket.com/albums/xx18/Greenmasterone/Locationoftank.jpg
This is looking from the outside
http://i737.photobucket.com/albums/xx18/Greenmasterone/Frontveiwoftanklocation.jpg
This is some of the mess I made while making a foundation for the approximate 6000lbs that is going to sit in the bay window.
http://i737.photobucket.com/albums/xx18/Greenmasterone/Tankfoundation.jpg
It took me about 8 hours to jack the addition up 1" put the 6"x6" beams in drop it back down (fell 1/2" so still 1/2" higher then before to allow for some sinking) mix 1 yard of concrete and pour it into a 1.5" by 10" hole. Now it's done and ***Edit*** I'm going to order my glass just waiting on a quote*** (couldn't get the glass had to get it custom made). I also got my 110g tank ready for pickup I found it in the "Buy and Sell" for $150 but I need to re-silicone it I think. More photos in 3-7 days

Greenmaster

07-06-2010, 07:12 AM

This is the supplies for my stand... but you need to add 3 more 8' 2"x8" boards.
http://i737.photobucket.com/albums/xx18/Greenmasterone/Supplysforstand.jpg
This is the start of my build with my small tank approximately where it is going to stay... I have taken the silicone out of the inside and am going to re-silicone it.
http://i737.photobucket.com/albums/xx18/Greenmasterone/Tankwithmostofsiliconeremovedstarto.jpg
Stand almost completed... still needs some braces on the legs and the 3/4" plywood on the top.
http://i737.photobucket.com/albums/xx18/Greenmasterone/Standalmostreadyfortank.jpg
This is another picture of the same state but with my 4 year old helper in the picture to give you an idea of size.
http://i737.photobucket.com/albums/xx18/Greenmasterone/Standunderconstructionwithhelper.jpg

Greenmaster

07-06-2010, 07:12 AM

some more pictures of my stand in the stage where I am ready to build my tank on it... The tape measure is the height of my tank.
http://i737.photobucket.com/albums/xx18/Greenmasterone/Moreofstand2.jpg
My daughter really likes to help... but most of all she wants to be in the pictures.
http://i737.photobucket.com/albums/xx18/Greenmasterone/Moreofstand3.jpg
http://i737.photobucket.com/albums/xx18/Greenmasterone/Moreofstand.jpg

Gee

07-06-2010, 07:13 AM

Greenmaster

07-06-2010, 07:13 AM

This is some rock I made a couple of days agohttp://i737.photobucket.com/albums/xx18/Greenmasterone/2picsofthesamerock.jpghttp://i737.photobucket.com/albums/xx18/Greenmasterone/3smallrocks.jpghttp://i737.photobucket.com/albums/xx18/Greenmasterone/Bigrockwith6smallcaves1med1large.jpg ***Edit*** (I didn't end up using these rocks they were not what I wanted)
So I went to a couple of glass places in town... a few times... and none of them wanted to sell me the glass... Every time I talked to them they would need to get back to me on something so I would wait for a call back... no call ever came... I went back to both stores and more crap. So I decided to go with a pre-built tank rather then building it myself. I ordered it today and they say I can pick it up in 4-6weeks :-D. I also got some more oolite aragonite. The stupid stores in my area can't order it in for me and they only get 2-4 bags in at a time... so I go in and clean them out when their truck comes every 2 weeks... got 12 30lbs bags so far.
Making more DIY rock today this time with the white portland cement.

Greenmaster

07-06-2010, 07:14 AM

I've finally perfected my recipe and made a bunch of rocks

Small kiddie pool filled with DIY rock.
http://i737.photobucket.com/albums/xx18/Greenmasterone/Poolfullofrocks.jpg

My daughter pointing to the one she made... all I did was tell her the amounts to mix she did the rest.
http://i737.photobucket.com/albums/xx18/Greenmasterone/Liawithherrock.jpg

Finished rock will be posted in a couple of days.
Finally here are some pictures of my DIY rocks

http://i737.photobucket.com/albums/xx18/Greenmasterone/DIYrocks-1.jpg
http://i737.photobucket.com/albums/xx18/Greenmasterone/DIYrock-1.jpg
http://i737.photobucket.com/albums/xx18/Greenmasterone/DIYrocks.jpg
http://i737.photobucket.com/albums/xx18/Greenmasterone/DIYrock.jpg
I like lots of hiding places... this isn't necessarily how I'm going to set it up in my tank. The size of the rock pile is approximately 2'6" wide, 2' deep, and 2' high.

Greenmaster

07-06-2010, 07:16 AM

This is a DIY rock tutorial I made...

http://www.youtube.com/v/hboNJHlgOvc&hl=en_US&fs=1&

http://www.youtube.com/v/wndkovV8DpU&hl=en_US&fs=1&

http://www.youtube.com/v/cgI3aiMCJyk&hl=en_US&fs=1&

http://www.youtube.com/v/We95IFct7R8&hl=en_US&fs=1&

http://www.youtube.com/v/OXxyvNZJOaY&hl=en_US&fs=1&

Some things of note.

-With the formula I have you need to let the molds sit for 48 hours to cure properly. If you want it stronger (also it will be less porous and heavier) you can remove the salt from the formula or add extra cement.
-You can't make things too thin or they will brake.
-Will flake lots of stuff off (using more cement stops that)
-You can use sand as the medium for molding your rocks in.
-If you use balloons for making shapes you need to make sure you take out the balloons when done. (some times the balloons pop and you have to chisel the balloon out or just through out the rock)
-The oyster shell can be substituted by aragonite sand or crushed/pieces of coral. (It is not anywhere near as porous but is way stronger... but I would prefer to use no salt or more cement then aragonite or crushed coral)
-After being made it needs to soak for up to 2 months to make sure most of what can leach out has leached out. (with a proper set-up you could possibly do it in 1 month or less with the formula I have used as there is lots of water flow through the entire structure... a downside of that is there is much less anaerobic areas in the rock turning nitrates to nitrogen... most tanks don't try to do that process anyways, on the upside there is lots of aerobic area for turning ammonia/ammonium all the way into nitrates... and that's the most important part of the nitrogen cycle in most tanks.

Formula:

-3 Parts washed crushed oyster shell (can be picked up at almost all feed stores, very inexpensive... in a city you might have to go to the edge of town as not many people in cities keep chickens http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/images/smilies/biggrin.gif )
-1 Part Aragonite sand (picked up at most fish stores can be substituted for pool sand or removed from the formula all together... I like to keep it in there)
***Edit*** (now I would not use less then 1.5 parts of White Portland Cement, it needs it for the strength and to prevent it from degrading as fast in the water.)
-1 part White Portland Cement type 10 or general use (can be picked up at some places where cement supplies can be purchased. You can use the gray stuff as it is cheaper and easier to find, but I have heard that it takes longer to cure and it doesn't look as good IMO, also to make your rock stronger you can add extra cement to your mix... makes it slightly less porous and slightly heavier... would also make more anaerobic areas)
- 1 part Course Rock Salt. (I used water softening salt it can be purchased at some grocery stores as well as at some appliance stores and some hardware stores... also very cheap... can be removed from formula to make rock stronger... also makes it less porous and heavier... also makes slightly more anaerobic areas)

I put my DIY rocks in the ocean on the 20th and will be pulling them out July 11th.

Greenmaster

07-06-2010, 07:17 AM

This is my custom tank. The long awaited arrival... now I have a lot of work ahead of me! I put my kids and wife in the tank to give more of an example on dimensions.

Top View
http://i737.photobucket.com/albums/xx18/Greenmasterone/Tanktop.jpg

Side View
http://i737.photobucket.com/albums/xx18/Greenmasterone/Tankside.jpg

Front View
http://i737.photobucket.com/albums/xx18/Greenmasterone/tankfront1.jpg
http://i737.photobucket.com/albums/xx18/Greenmasterone/tankfront2.jpg

Greenmaster

07-06-2010, 07:18 AM

Some updates as I work on the tank...
I taped off where my tank is going to be so I could silicone without stinking up my house or affecting my young children.
http://i737.photobucket.com/albums/xx18/Greenmasterone/Tanktapedoff.jpg

My door for getting in and out of my taped off area is the window.
http://i737.photobucket.com/albums/xx18/Greenmasterone/Mydoor.jpg

The acrylic overflow... I bought the 2 pieces this afternoon glued them together then added it to my tank. The two left bulkheads are in the overflow the right one isn't.
http://i737.photobucket.com/albums/xx18/Greenmasterone/Myoverflow.jpg

A look at the full height of the chamber.
http://i737.photobucket.com/albums/xx18/Greenmasterone/Myoverflowfull.jpg

And my little helper that has to always be in the photo http://www.reef2reef.com/forums/images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif
http://i737.photobucket.com/albums/xx18/Greenmasterone/Myhelper.jpg

Greenmaster

07-06-2010, 07:19 AM

Taggin along :mrgreen:

Glad to have you here

Now I'm up to date... Let the questions fly http://www.reef2reef.com/forums/images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif... or let people observe in silence heh

snow1

07-06-2010, 07:29 AM

That is some true dedication right there to this hobby. This is going to be a great looking setup....I'm in awe.:bounce:

Greenmaster

07-06-2010, 07:42 AM

That is some true dedication right there to this hobby. This is going to be a great looking setup....I'm in awe.:bounce:

The story behind it is I had a tank about 6 years ago... then we got to move from Brooks AB, back to my hometown of Courtenay BC. Well I knew that I couldn't try and set-up here for at least 6 months so I sold all my fish and LR back to the LFS. When I took my tank out of storage it was cracked and I didn't have the money at the time to buy a new tank (it was a 70ish gallon tank). Fast forward to September of 2009. I'm riding home on my motorcycle and some lady comes out of a side road going way to fast and not stopping till she is in the middle of the road... only being about 15 feet in front of my I had no time to do anything, so I rammed right into the side of the van. Got hurt and totaled the bike. Wife says "NO MORE MOTORCYCLE!" but she says I can do what I want with the payout as long as I don't buy a new bike. We took a holiday and I get my tank.

Got to love lousy drivers :D

snow1

07-06-2010, 08:27 AM

The story behind it is I had a tank about 6 years ago... then we got to move from Brooks AB, back to my hometown of Courtenay BC. Well I knew that I couldn't try and set-up here for at least 6 months so I sold all my fish and LR back to the LFS. When I took my tank out of storage it was cracked and I didn't have the money at the time to buy a new tank (it was a 70ish gallon tank). Fast forward to September of 2009. I'm riding home on my motorcycle and some lady comes out of a side road going way to fast and not stopping till she is in the middle of the road... only being about 15 feet in front of my I had no time to do anything, so I rammed right into the side of the van. Got hurt and totaled the bike. Wife says "NO MORE MOTORCYCLE!" but she says I can do what I want with the payout as long as I don't buy a new bike. We took a holiday and I get my tank.

Got to love lousy drivers :D

LOL, never thought you got this tank from a story like that.:lol:
Good though for getting back into the hobby, plus keeping fish tanks are WAY cooler than having a bike.:mrgreen:

Greenmaster

07-06-2010, 08:31 AM

Both are good at releasing stress... although both can add stress too lol... all and all though I will spend more time at home and less time on the road and that's good for the whole family. Plus kids really enjoy a fish tank.

mseepman

07-06-2010, 03:38 PM

This tank will be very interesting...crazy depth. Hope you have long arms...lol.

Greenmaster

07-06-2010, 04:47 PM

This tank will be very interesting...crazy depth. Hope you have long arms...lol.

Ya that's what is the biggest difference from other large builds... is the depth.
My arms are pretty long... but to reach the bottom I need goggles and a snorkel... my whole shoulder and head have to go in but the rest stays out... I think... I still don't have the tank on the stand so I will have to wait and see.

Chaloupa

07-06-2010, 04:57 PM

Tagging along...excellent build!

SeaHorse_Fanatic

07-06-2010, 04:59 PM

At that depth, anything falling to the sandbed is staying on the sandbed (at least until you feel the urge to get soaked).

I find my 29" depth to be plenty deep. BTW, don't get those pickerupper things from the LFS. They rust out & break within weeks we found. The cheap dollarstore ones (red & black in colour) have lasted for months. Go figure.

Greenmaster

07-06-2010, 05:07 PM

Tagging along...excellent build!

Thanks hope you enjoy it :D

At that depth, anything falling to the sandbed is staying on the sandbed (at least until you feel the urge to get soaked).

I find my 29" depth to be plenty deep. BTW, don't get those pickerupper things from the LFS. They rust out & break within weeks we found. The cheap dollarstore ones (red & black in colour) have lasted for months. Go figure.

I plan on making my own "pickerupper" (tongs) out of acrylic. I'll post pics once they are made... they may not work but I'm going to try.

Lance

07-06-2010, 05:07 PM

Tagging along for the ride! Looks to be an interesting build.

hillegom

07-06-2010, 05:17 PM

Comming along nicely.Also looking forward to tong "build".

Greenmaster

07-06-2010, 05:21 PM

Tagging along for the ride! Looks to be an interesting build.

Welcome aboard

Comming along nicely.Also looking forward to tong "build".

I will try to make it as detailed as I can.

SeaHorse_Fanatic

07-06-2010, 07:14 PM

Slick Fork

07-06-2010, 08:44 PM

It makes a huge difference if the family is enthusiastic about it. I always gotta chuckle with my wife... when it's time to pick out corals or other inhabitants it's OUR tank! When it's time to do waterchanges or any other work it becomes MY tank :mrgreen:

Greenmaster

07-06-2010, 10:20 PM

I think I would have built it the other way (39" wide and 30" tall) instead. I hate the feeling of wet armpits:redface::wink:

It is sweet that your wife & kids like the idea of a huge sw tank. My wife likes the hobby too (although for me its more of an obsession) and my 2 years old daughter loves fish & corals. She can already name many of the species in the tanks.

Looking forward to more progress reports.

Anthony

Space was the biggest reason (Tank would have been way cheaper to go in some other dimension)... my wife didn't want me to go the whole 8' (she wanted to put plants on either side since it was where she had plants before I got the tank) Also we didn't want the tank protruding into the room. So up was my only option... I went as big as I could with the space I was aloud to fill. The second reason (didn't have as much weight) is fish tend to like to inhabit one of three "main" "zones" in the ocean. At the top closer to the surface in the middle around overhangs and such, and at the bottom in or on the sand. Most tanks tend to have only two "zones" top and bottom. I'm hoping that with my height I can get that third "zone" and enable me to have a more dense population in my tank.
I don't plan on diving in very much. I hope that my CUC will take care of most of the bottom of the tank... I also plan on making sure things are secure. One last plan is to have some sort of tongs :D

It makes a huge difference if the family is enthusiastic about it. I always gotta chuckle with my wife... when it's time to pick out corals or other inhabitants it's OUR tank! When it's time to do waterchanges or any other work it becomes MY tank :mrgreen:

HAHA... Ya my wife not so enthusiastic... it's more like the better of two evils... I was in a motorcycle accident and she said she didn't want me to get a new bike but I could spend the payout money on whatever I wanted... so we took a trip and I got the fish tank :D

Edmonton newbie

07-07-2010, 03:57 AM

i cant see trading my fatboy for a bigger tank i guess ill have to sneak one into the basement somehow lol

Greenmaster

07-07-2010, 04:14 AM

i cant see trading my fatboy for a bigger tank i guess ill have to sneak one into the basement somehow lol

My bike was totaled. She wouldn't have let me just sell the bike and set up a fish tank because the value of the bike was no where near what I would need for a tank. I sold the bike and my knee for the set up :D

oh and good luck sneaking a tank like this inside... over 1000lbs

Edmonton newbie

07-07-2010, 04:17 AM

lol i have an 8 foot 300 gal out in the garage but too scratched up to even bother bringing it inside lol

sean2477

07-07-2010, 04:24 AM

WOW....Awsome build....definately tagging along to this one.:mrgreen:

Greenmaster

07-07-2010, 04:33 AM

lol i have an 8 foot 300 gal out in the garage but too scratched up to even bother bringing it inside lol

Would make a sweet refuge for a 500-1000g tank... :wink:

WOW....Awsome build....definately tagging along to this one.:mrgreen:

Welcome aboard hope you learn something... but most of all full of knowledge I can steal muahahaha! :D

sean2477

07-07-2010, 05:14 AM

Great how to DIY rock. I think I might have to try this.:wink:

Doug

07-08-2010, 02:18 AM

:welcome:

Little late but

Welcome
to Canreef

:mrgreen:

Greenmaster

07-08-2010, 04:58 AM

:welcome:

Little late but

Welcome
to Canreef

:mrgreen:

Not that late I just signed up yesterday at 12:00am you posted within 44 hours of me joining. I just can't do much atm so I have been online a bit... over 50 posts :D

Greenmaster

07-08-2010, 07:19 PM

I ordered my LED's and my Aluminum slab today.. expect to get the LED's by mid August and have my heat-sink ready by then.

bauder1986

07-09-2010, 03:11 PM

Intense build here dude! Tagging along for sure!

Greenmaster

07-10-2010, 12:59 AM

Intense build here dude! Tagging along for sure!

Welcome aboard :-)

So this is the start of the heatsink... I still need to buy the thermal paste so I can attach the copper but this is what it looks like ATM.

Aluminum slab is 5'x2'x3/8"
Groves cut with a router 5/8" rounded bit... (went through 3 of them) cut about 3/16" deep
1/2" copper pipe
http://i737.photobucket.com/albums/xx18/Greenmasterone/Heatsink1.jpg
http://i737.photobucket.com/albums/xx18/Greenmasterone/Heatsink2.jpg
http://i737.photobucket.com/albums/xx18/Greenmasterone/Heatsink3.jpg
http://i737.photobucket.com/albums/xx18/Greenmasterone/Heatsink4.jpg

bauder1986

07-10-2010, 03:39 AM

Dude! Holly crap! Like wow! Thats gonna be a big lighting system! Yah and you say im ahead you in my build??? I beg to deffer! Watching eagerly.

Greenmaster

07-10-2010, 04:23 AM

Dude! Holly crap! Like wow! Thats gonna be a big lighting system! Yah and you say im ahead you in my build??? I beg to deffer! Watching eagerly.
You have your lights and most of your equipment (my LED's are at least 3-4 weeks away plus I have to wire them... I expect that to take 2 weeks)... your tank is on the stand (I still need to put some of my rock in first... finish my stand... Drill 2 more holes in my tank... convince 4 people that they want to help me slide my tank onto the stand and hope the jacks don't kick out)... I will have fish in September when are you planning on having your first fish?
My "lighting system" is only 5'x2' there are lots of pendents that are 6' or 8'.

lastlight

07-10-2010, 04:28 AM

Greenmaster

07-10-2010, 04:35 AM

Ok that is one hardcore heatsink! Are you plumbing water into the copper piping to draw heat out?

Tagging along. Your daughter is hilarious btw. They don't speed the process up but it's a lot of fun to see them get into it.

Yes once I get my thermal compound I will be cutting the copper pipe to the proper size and attaching it to the aluminum plate. Plumbing water to run underground to dissipate the heat. The pump will be under the house so there will be no noise from the pump and best of all most of the time there will be no noisy fans blowing... (on hot days I may have a fan set up to help with cooling the tank... I may just install a solenoid to have the water cool off the sump.)

bauder1986

07-10-2010, 04:35 AM

You have your lights and most of your equipment (my LED's are at least 3-4 weeks away plus I have to wire them... I expect that to take 2 weeks)... your tank is on the stand (I still need to put some of my rock in first... finish my stand... Drill 2 more holes in my tank... convince 4 people that they want to help me slide my tank onto the stand and hope the jacks don't kick out)... I will have fish in September when are you planning on having your first fish?
My "lighting system" is only 5'x2' there are lots of pendents that are 6' or 8'.

Oh you misunderstood my thread! That is my planning list for my tank. I have none of that yet. I have a sump on hold for me though but the equipment is still on my want list :smile: But yah, my tank is on the stand though:lol:. I do want my tank running by August though at the latest with its first fish.

Greenmaster

07-10-2010, 04:37 AM

Oh you misunderstood my thread! That is my planning list for my tank. I have none of that yet. I have a sump on hold for me though but the equipment is still on my want list :smile: But yah, my tank is on the stand though:lol:
LOL okay... but when do you "plan" on having fish?

bauder1986

07-10-2010, 04:38 AM

By the end of august hopefully, probably sept like yourself.

Greenmaster

07-10-2010, 04:39 AM

By the end of august hopefully, probably sept like yourself.
oh... okay then we are close to the same stage I just have a lot more work ahead of me :D

bauder1986

07-10-2010, 04:43 AM

Greenmaster

07-10-2010, 05:10 AM

I would say so, I have this month to gather the bare neccesities to run my tank, sump, pump, skimmer, plumbing, rock, substrate, salt, RO water, and at least one MP40 and then I can start cycling it. I can bring the light into the picture by mid august and then by the end of august or begining of september, i can have fish!
Basically I'm waiting on a drill bit to arrive and that's at least 2 weeks away. Then I will be putting my tank on the stand and start setting up the plumbing (it will take at least one week to do, That's the start of august if I'm lucky... probably mid august)... I'll give the plumbing about 1 week to cure then I can start adding the rest of the rocks and sand (if I have to glue any rocks to hold them in place I'm looking at another week min to cure.) I'm hoping some time in September... maybe the end of September.

bauder1986

07-10-2010, 02:05 PM

Basically I'm waiting on a drill bit to arrive and that's at least 2 weeks away. Then I will be putting my tank on the stand and start setting up the plumbing (it will take at least one week to do, That's the start of august if I'm lucky... probably mid august)... I'll give the plumbing about 1 week to cure then I can start adding the rest of the rocks and sand (if I have to glue any rocks to hold them in place I'm looking at another week min to cure.) I'm hoping some time in September... maybe the end of September.

Oh the fun of waiting Eh? Its torture enough to see the tank just sitting there, taunting you to hurry up and put it to use

lockrookie

07-10-2010, 04:01 PM

reefwars

07-10-2010, 04:49 PM

Large plastic tie straps work well with small pieces and mixed with acrylic rods for bigger pieces just drill some holes it's how I kept my eel from toppling over his mountain lair when I had him:)

reefwars

07-10-2010, 04:51 PM

I really liked your homemade liverock idea and I'm gonna try it out over the next few weeks I'm going to gather up materials next week and you'll probably here from me asking what went wrong lol looking forward to love projects like this:)

Greenmaster

07-10-2010, 07:30 PM

be careful on "glueing" the rocks in place it makes for harder future aqua scaping. what some ppl do is drill holes in the rocks and ad plastic pegs to hold them in place then you can take them apart and move if need be in the future. i tried using frag putty to hold a few rocks in place as well and it doesnt seem to stick and just pops apart. most of my rocks are just carefully placed as to not cause a rock slide.

but since you are doing the waiting game set up a mock tank out of carboard or wood and pre plan your aquascape gives you time to get that litle bit of perfection without getting as wet:)
As I said if I have to I will glue... don't plan on it though... but I'm taking my rocks out tomorrow so I will have lots of time to try and figure out what I'm doing.

Large plastic tie straps work well with small pieces and mixed with acrylic rods for bigger pieces just drill some holes it's how I kept my eel from toppling over his mountain lair when I had him:)
I may use the tie straps and rods but I will see first how well I can stack them.

I really liked your homemade liverock idea and I'm gonna try it out over the next few weeks I'm going to gather up materials next week and you'll probably here from me asking what went wrong lol looking forward to love projects like this:)
I find making the rocks a blast... one thing to keep in mind is in my video I said 1 part cement I would not do it again with less then 1.5 parts.

reefwars

07-10-2010, 07:33 PM

What did you find when using just one part? Is there anysize restrictions to rock or larger pieces just take longer to cure??

Greenmaster

07-10-2010, 07:52 PM

What did you find when using just one part? Is there anysize restrictions to rock or larger pieces just take longer to cure??
Just one part would cure faster... I just found there wasn't enough strength. The rock with just one part tends to be flaky and weak (the outsides of the rock tends to flake off little by little... it's a pain)... 1.5 parts is about the sweet spot where it is still very porous and has enough strength. May take a little bit longer to cure but it's worth the wait.

DCDN

07-10-2010, 11:01 PM

Cant wait to see this filled. Tagging along

Greenmaster

07-10-2010, 11:36 PM

Cant wait to see this filled. Tagging along
Welcome aboard :D

So I was thinking (always trouble when I do that) solder is a pretty good conductor of heat... and it's a lot cheaper then thermal compound I'll just solder the pipe to the aluminum... so I attach all my pipe to the aluminum and all the corners, so I have a nice long single line... I start to solder and I solder the elbow to the small connecting piece then to the other elbow... seems a little difficult but I figure it's just cause I haven't done it in a very long time... then I try to solder the elbow to the long line... not happening... I keep trying anyways... after about 5 min of going "What the heck!" I figure it out... (most people know that to solder you need both pieces to be hot enough to melt the solder so it can "stick") Well it turns out that my aluminum heat sink works well with no solder or thermal paste as it wont let the pipe attached to it heat up enough to solder it. Now I'm going to have to take all the pipe off and solder it before re-attaching it. What a pain. oh ya and there will be no soldering the pipe to the aluminum. (live and learn... darn heat-sink works too well.)
http://i737.photobucket.com/albums/xx18/Greenmasterone/Notthinking.jpg

Greenmaster

07-12-2010, 04:53 AM

Here is my DIY rock in the ocean and laid out on my lawn.
http://i737.photobucket.com/albums/xx18/Greenmasterone/Rocksinocean.jpg
http://i737.photobucket.com/albums/xx18/Greenmasterone/Haulingrock.jpg
http://i737.photobucket.com/albums/xx18/Greenmasterone/Boatofrocks.jpg

The rock in her hands is the one she made :D

http://i737.photobucket.com/albums/xx18/Greenmasterone/Liawithrocks.jpg

delo978

07-16-2010, 04:33 AM

It's looking good can't wait to see it in person ;) if you still need a hand to move it later give me a shout I'm just up in Comox by the Air Force base.

Greenmaster

07-16-2010, 04:49 AM

It's looking good can't wait to see it in person ;) if you still need a hand to move it later give me a shout I'm just up in Comox by the Air Force base.

You bet... there isn't much to see at the moment though... I have a ton of work ahead of me. But I will definitely call you when I go to move the tank... a tank that weighs 1000lbs with about 100lbs of rock inside definitely needs many hands...(but they all need to not be underneath...)

delo978

07-16-2010, 04:55 AM

lol want me to call on the airforce boys

Greenmaster

07-16-2010, 05:13 AM

lol want me to call on the airforce boys
ROFL... I'm going to jack it up and make it so you need as few people as possible... not much lifting mostly sliding from the jacked up rollers it's on to the stand then the hard part is lifting one side to take out the boards then lifting the other side. But I'll keep it in mind :D

Greenmaster

07-16-2010, 05:27 AM

Well this is me soldering the pipe to the aluminum plate (to fill in gaps and help with heat transfer) It's kinda messy but a little cleaning and it won't look too bad... plus it will be on the side nobody can see :D
http://i737.photobucket.com/albums/xx18/Greenmasterone/SolderingHeatSink.jpg

Slick Fork

07-16-2010, 06:00 AM

How is your heatsink going to be set up? I maybe missed it but are you running tank water through the copper pipe? Or will it be attached outside somehow?

Greenmaster

07-16-2010, 06:03 AM

How is your heatsink going to be set up? I maybe missed it but are you running tank water through the copper pipe? Or will it be attached outside somehow?

It will be on a separate closed loop system that will travel under the ground to dissipate heat... I may in the future branch off of the pipe and have it run through some plastic pipe and have tank water on the outside of the pipe to cool the tank on hot days.

abcha0s

07-16-2010, 06:35 AM

Nice thread! Lots of great and original ideas.

lastlight

07-16-2010, 06:39 AM

Agreed some pretty hardcore stuff going on here. I dig your creativity.

Especially love the shot of you taking the rock out on the raft lol! Not something I've seen in many (or any) build threads.

Greenmaster

07-16-2010, 06:48 AM

Nice thread! Lots of great and original ideas.
Thanks I hope that with my "original ideas" (most are rip offs of other people just applied slightly different) I can do some things that have not been done that well in reefing (like a high bio load)

Agreed some pretty hardcore stuff going on here. I dig your creativity.

Especially love the shot of you taking the rock out on the raft lol! Not something I've seen in many (or any) build threads.
I hope with my creativity that I can create a very low maintenance set-up, but the set-up is hella slow.... I want my fish! oh well soon enough :D

simplycoral

07-17-2010, 03:36 AM

http://i737.photobucket.com/albums/xx18/Greenmasterone/Moreofstand.jpg

Tagging Along ! :smile:

I wondered if the ceiling above the tank would be staying? Is there much space above for access to the tank?

Simon.

Greenmaster

07-17-2010, 04:10 AM

Tagging Along ! :smile:
I wondered if the ceiling above the tank would be staying? Is there much space above for access to the tank?
Simon.
Welcome aboard... There is not much space... it may be a problem in the future but for now it's staying the way it is... (I'll cross that bridge if I come to it)

Snaz

07-17-2010, 04:39 AM

I love a good build thread and this one is great. Have put any thought yet into livestock?

hillegom

07-17-2010, 05:10 AM

I can't take it any longer. I have to know how you soldered copper to aluminum.

Greenmaster

07-17-2010, 08:16 AM

I love a good build thread and this one is great. Have put any thought yet into livestock?

Here are the fish in no particular order:

Bartletts Anthias
Yellow Spotted Anthias
Bicolor Psudochromis
Diadema/Purpleback Pseudochromis
Neon Dottyback
Orchid Dottyback
Flame Cardinal
Bangaii Cardinal
Spotted Cardinal
Ochre Striped Cardinal
Sankeyi Dottyback
Australian Black Percula Clownfish
False Percula Clownfish
Sunshine Chromis
Blue Mandarin
Target Mandarin
Flaming Prawn Goby
Orange Firefish Goby
Purple Firefish Goby
Yellow Clown Goby
Long Nose Hawk
Geometric Pygmy Hawk
Blue Hippo Tang
Hawiian Yellow Tang
Six Line Wrasse
Flasher Wrasse

I know this is a long list... This is my long, short-list... I will probably not be getting all of these.

Greenmaster

07-17-2010, 08:18 AM

I can't take it any longer. I have to know how you soldered copper to aluminum.

It's not perfectly soldered but it's pretty good and it's filled in most of the cracks... I used a tiger torch http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=535070#post535070

mseepman

07-17-2010, 03:23 PM

Wow, this gives DIY a whole new meaning!! Looking good.

hillegom

07-17-2010, 04:58 PM

It's not perfectly soldered but it's pretty good and it's filled in most of the cracks... I used a tiger torch http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=535070#post535070

Yes, I saw the pic of you working with the tiger torch. The solder will move the heat efficiently to the aluminum.
Are you using a special type of solder? It sticks to aluminum?

Greenmaster

07-17-2010, 10:17 PM

Yes, I saw the pic of you working with the tiger torch. The solder will move the heat efficiently to the aluminum.
Are you using a special type of solder? It sticks to aluminum?

It sticks to the copper and the copper is screwed onto the aluminum so it is held against the aluminum... if you took out all the screws it would still hold but if you gave it a little tap with a hammer it would release... so it is kinda sticking to the aluminum but not a very strong bond.

hillegom

07-18-2010, 01:07 AM

Greenmaster

07-18-2010, 02:21 AM

yeah ok, I see. Thanks.
For where there isn't any solder, you could put on some of that thermal compound,,the type they use on cpu's (sparingly of course) But just by being in contact with the aluminum, heat will migrate from the Al to the Cu pipe.

I thought that maybe they finally invented some new solder.

I was going to use thermal paste to "connect" my pipe to the aluminum but then I did some math and I do not believe it is needed or will make more then 1-5 degrees difference. But to attach the LED's to the aluminum you bet I will be using thermal compound.

Greenmaster

07-18-2010, 03:26 AM

This is a cool acrylic top I saw on someone's set-up so I got some mesh from a guy in the states (if your watching this feel free to post a link to your thread).
I ordered my acrylic... and like my glass nobody wants to give me what I want (they say it's too hard/too much work/they can't do it cause it shatters at that width)... so I buy a saw and an 80 dollar blade and cut it myself (at 1/2" in width there was not even a chip). Then I put it all together.
The saw and the pieces I cut.
http://i737.photobucket.com/albums/xx18/Greenmasterone/Sawwithacrylic.jpg

The first step is to make the bottom rectangle. If you notice the piece that I put on top of the box is the full width. Making the boxes staggered like that helps to avoid weak spots.
http://i737.photobucket.com/albums/xx18/Greenmasterone/Arylicbox.jpg

Then you stretch the mesh on the one side and glue/clamp the top piece on.
http://i737.photobucket.com/albums/xx18/Greenmasterone/Attatchingmesh.jpg

Then you pull the mesh tight to the other side and stretch it width wise at the same time (difficult to do solo without the right tools).
http://i737.photobucket.com/albums/xx18/Greenmasterone/Twosidesmesh.jpg

The you do either side pulling it tight (you may get some mild warping) then put the tabs on to make sure it doesn't fall into your tank.
http://i737.photobucket.com/albums/xx18/Greenmasterone/Installed.jpg

fishytime

07-18-2010, 03:42 PM

have to agree......great build thread and a great job on all the DIY stuff!:biggrin:

Greenmaster

07-18-2010, 04:43 PM

have to agree......great build thread and a great job on all the DIY stuff!:biggrin:

Thanks, Most of the stuff if I had more time or better tools I could make them look nicer but at least this way you guys get the idea of how to do it yourself if you want.

Greenmaster

07-19-2010, 11:42 PM

I got my LED's today... That was crazy fast... anyways here they are. :D

90 20 watt Drivers
http://i737.photobucket.com/albums/xx18/Greenmasterone/Drivers.jpg

90 20 watt LED's
http://i737.photobucket.com/albums/xx18/Greenmasterone/90LEDs.jpg

A closeup of the LED's the top left is white the top right is blue and the bottom is warm white. If you look closely you can see the 20 individual dies on each chip.
http://i737.photobucket.com/albums/xx18/Greenmasterone/LEDcolors.jpg

Greenmaster

07-20-2010, 04:33 AM

This is a diagram of how I plan on placing my lights on the aluminum sheet (I did it in paint... I know it sucks but it gets the point across). What do you guys think?
http://i737.photobucket.com/albums/xx18/Greenmasterone/LEDdesignlayout.jpg

Polscot

07-21-2010, 05:35 PM

i should be the one following your threat bro, this is unreal, very very very nice work,

plutoniumJoe

07-21-2010, 05:42 PM

This is looking awesome! I love your creativity.

andestang

07-21-2010, 06:22 PM

Another DIY led light project, look forward to see how you make out. What made you decide to do LED's vs say T5's ?

Greenmaster

07-21-2010, 06:42 PM

i should be the one following your threat bro, this is unreal, very very very nice work,
Welcome aboard... and thanks for the comment :D

This is looking awesome! I love your creativity.
I can't wait to see what it looks like when it's done :razz:.
I'm not being creative... I'm stealing others ideas... that's what these forums are all bout :D

Greenmaster

07-21-2010, 06:44 PM

Another DIY led light project, look forward to see how you make out. What made you decide to do LED's vs say T5's ?
...T5's were never on my decision list... it was MH or LED's... LED's won because this is very much an "experiment" as it says in the title as well as clearance issues with height.

muck

07-21-2010, 07:44 PM

http://i737.photobucket.com/albums/xx18/Greenmasterone/Haulingrock.jpg
Harvesting the cured rock... awesome!!
Best tank build pic yet... :lol:

I got my LED's today... That was crazy fast... anyways here they are. :D
http://i737.photobucket.com/albums/xx18/Greenmasterone/LEDcolors.jpg
Will be following along on this... Where did you snag the LEDs from??? Did I somehow miss it earlier in this thread?!? :confused:

Greenmaster

07-21-2010, 08:12 PM

Harvesting the cured rock... awesome!!
Best tank build pic yet... :lol:

Will be following along on this... Where did you snag the LEDs from??? Did I somehow miss it earlier in this thread?!? :confused:
Thanks, Welcome aboard. I got the LED's from a seller off e-bay. :D

Skimmerking

07-21-2010, 10:39 PM

Green master looking really good man, I still can't believe that those little LED's can make corals grow.

Greenmaster

07-22-2010, 12:16 AM

Green master looking really good man, I still can't believe that those little LED's can make corals grow.
Size doesn't matter much... it's the amount of light that is produced that matters... Anyways just stick around for a year or two and see how they do.

Greenmaster

07-22-2010, 05:19 AM

Some photos of my rock while I wait for things to arrive in the mail...
I got board so I did a pre aquascape. The wood represents the dimensions of the tank.

Looking from the front of the tank

http://i737.photobucket.com/albums/xx18/Greenmasterone/Rocksfront.jpg

Looking from the back of the tank

http://i737.photobucket.com/albums/xx18/Greenmasterone/Rocksback.jpg

abcha0s

07-22-2010, 05:32 AM

How are you going to tie the structure together once it goes in the tank?

Greenmaster

07-22-2010, 05:34 AM

How are you going to tie the structure together once it goes in the tank?
Not sure... but most of the structure is solid... just a few pieces either need to move or be secured.

andestang

07-22-2010, 05:47 AM

That is looking great ! What ever fish gets the pethouse on the top is going to be one lucky fish :) Can't wait to see it all in the tank.

Skimmerking

07-22-2010, 11:20 AM

this build is one sweet ride well done Green

Greenmaster

07-22-2010, 02:21 PM

Glad you are enjoying it... I am too :D

muck

07-22-2010, 03:41 PM

Looking from the front of the tank

http://i737.photobucket.com/albums/xx18/Greenmasterone/Rocksfront.jpg

This structure reminds of the style of houses in the Flintstones cartoon.
Could look really cool covered in corals.

trinac

07-22-2010, 04:14 PM

Pretty neat!! The rockwork is unreal, I too can't wait to see this come together. :biggrin:

Greenmaster

07-22-2010, 06:21 PM

Here is the top down pic that I missed yesterday.
http://i737.photobucket.com/albums/xx18/Greenmasterone/Rockstop.jpg

Skimmerking

07-22-2010, 06:23 PM

looks like it doesn't give you alot of swimming room

abcha0s

07-22-2010, 06:44 PM

The rock actually looks really nice. Once the coraline starts taking over, it will look really natural.

I do agree that swimming space is limited. If you consider how large some corals will grow, I would suggest using less rock and filling in the space with coral.

I also think you should consider leaving more space between the glass edge and the inner rock. On my new tank, I am planning to leave sufficient space for small corals to groww on the rock facing the glass and still have sufficient space to get a cleaning magnet all the way around the tank.

On my old tank (90G) I have rock touching the glass and I can tell you that it is very difficult to clean in those areas without damaging something. I generally just let the algea grow, but I wish I had enough space to get at the algea.

Just my thoughts ...

Nebthet

07-22-2010, 06:48 PM

I love your home made rock. I can't wait to see it in your tank.

StirCrazy

07-22-2010, 08:04 PM

looking good so far. I have a sugestion for a tool to help you get things off the bottom of the tank, I ordered a set of forcepts that are 30" long and they work awsome. check with some of the online fresh water planted tank stores. I will try remember where I got them and post the name of the place for you.

Steve

Lance

07-22-2010, 10:30 PM

Coooooool! I like the looks of that home made rock. I kinda agree with the others though. There's a little too much rock IMO. When the corals grow in there's not going to be much water left.

lastlight

07-22-2010, 10:37 PM

I agree with what's been said. The rocks themselves will look naturaly enough in texture at least as time goes on. But that structure looks like it will fill a large portion of the tank if the board are in the correct spot there...

I ordered a set of forcepts that are 30" long and they work awsome. check with some of the online fresh water planted tank stores. I will try remember where I got them and post the name of the place for you.

Steve

Oh yes please do I really want something like that. Are they stainless? The plastic grippers can't yank my algae out and I'd love a pair of these. Sorry for the off-topic post.

StirCrazy

07-22-2010, 11:04 PM

I agree with what's been said. The rocks themselves will look naturaly enough in texture at least as time goes on. But that structure looks like it will fill a large portion of the tank if the board are in the correct spot there...

Oh yes please do I really want something like that. Are they stainless? The plastic grippers can't yank my algae out and I'd love a pair of these. Sorry for the off-topic post.

ok sorry they are hemostats not forcepts.

http://www.aquariumplants.com/24_Curved_Hemostat_p/aquasc09.htm

24" not 30 and yes stainless and they come with removable silicone covers for the jaws.

Steve

bvlester

07-22-2010, 11:51 PM

I think it will be fine you can always take some out if you need more space and sell what you take out once Coraline is growing on it your good to go. get some of the money that you put out in making it back so you can buy more corals.

Bill

plutoniumJoe

07-23-2010, 03:02 AM

ok sorry they are hemostats not forcepts.

http://www.aquariumplants.com/24_Curved_Hemostat_p/aquasc09.htm

24" not 30 and yes stainless and they come with removable silicone covers for the jaws.

Steve

Sorry to be off topic but you can get a smaller version at most Fly Tackle shops for around $10. For Vancouverites the flea market on Terminal often has them for about $8.

Love the build so far. I made a good portion of my original rock and now you can hardly tell what was natural and what was man-made. Your recipe looks stronger than mine ended up being.

Greenmaster

07-23-2010, 03:04 AM

looks like it doesn't give you alot of swimming room
Looks can be deceiving... there are several spaces that fish can swim through that are 6-12"... I know that it looks like everything is very crowded but all the rock is away from the glass and there is lots of swimming room. We will all see how it looks with fish and the rock in the tank.

The rock actually looks really nice. Once the coraline starts taking over, it will look really natural.

I do agree that swimming space is limited. If you consider how large some corals will grow, I would suggest using less rock and filling in the space with coral.

I also think you should consider leaving more space between the glass edge and the inner rock. On my new tank, I am planning to leave sufficient space for small corals to groww on the rock facing the glass and still have sufficient space to get a cleaning magnet all the way around the tank.

On my old tank (90G) I have rock touching the glass and I can tell you that it is very difficult to clean in those areas without damaging something. I generally just let the algea grow, but I wish I had enough space to get at the algea.
Just my thoughts ...
- I hope that it looks good... there is a bit of space that is shaded as I have lots of tunnels and such, so the coraline might not look as good as I'm hoping.
- There is lots of swimming space (I think there is anyways...)
- At the front of the tank there will be some spots coral can grow but not right on the sand because it is quite deep... I believe that there is minimum 3" space all the way around the tank I think that's good enough for most magnets.
- If I have any touching the glass it will be at the overflow and more to hide it then anything... I'm also not that squeamish of algae...(it grows on real reefs too)
Thanks a lot for your input I will take it all into consideration and I hope that it will work out

I love your home made rock. I can't wait to see it in your tank.
I'm just waiting for the hole saw and then I can put the tank on the stand do the plumbing and start a cycle :D Mid to end of August then fish in September.

Coooooool! I like the looks of that home made rock. I kinda agree with the others though. There's a little too much rock IMO. When the corals grow in there's not going to be much water left.

We will see, I really like the look of the rocks and 3 of them make up most of the space taken in there. When growing corals how much space do you want for a minimum, from the top of your rocks to the top of the water?

globaldesigns

07-23-2010, 03:20 AM

OMG!!! Holy rockwork... That is one major setup, very impressive.

StirCrazy

07-23-2010, 01:22 PM

Sorry to be off topic but you can get a smaller version at most Fly Tackle shops for around $10. For Vancouverites the flea market on Terminal often has them for about $8.

why would I want a smaller version. I bought them for my freshwater tank to plant in a 32" deep tank so I wouldn't be wet up to my neck and to keep as much of my body out of the tank as I could. I used them in my salt water tank also.

Steve

Greenmaster

07-23-2010, 07:17 PM

These are the biggest holes there are some that only smaller fish would want to swim through but you cant see them at this angle they are about 4"x3" and 3"x3" hope that helps with the understandings of space.
http://i737.photobucket.com/albums/xx18/Greenmasterone/Rockssizeofholes.jpg

Greenmaster

07-26-2010, 01:09 AM

I installed my LED's on my heatsink... now I just need to do all the wiring... not looking forward to that.

lastlight

07-26-2010, 08:35 PM

Wow that comes out to $60 shipped to me! Hells no!

Edit: Just paid $40 CDN for the exact same thing on Ebay. Heads up for interested parties.

Man your fish are gonna love all the little places to hide in that!

ok sorry they are hemostats not forcepts.

http://www.aquariumplants.com/24_Curved_Hemostat_p/aquasc09.htm

24" not 30 and yes stainless and they come with removable silicone covers for the jaws.

Steve

Doug

07-26-2010, 11:30 PM

Well I think that rock work looks spectacular. One of the more impressive and innovative builds I have seen.

:thumb:

Skimmerking

07-27-2010, 01:16 AM

looks like it doesn't give you alot of swimming room
Just wait a darn minute that is a 320 gal not a 180 gal I can't speak.

now i get there will be alot of swimming space :mrgreen:

Greenmaster

07-27-2010, 05:39 AM

YAY!!! I finally got my hole saw... I will be putting the tank on the stand on Saturday :D

Here are the holes I cut... took about 5-10 minutes each... A little fast I think that's why the glass got chipped...

The hole I cut next to my 3 overflow holes.
http://i737.photobucket.com/albums/xx18/Greenmasterone/Holeintank.jpg

The hole on the far side of the tank
http://i737.photobucket.com/albums/xx18/Greenmasterone/Hole2.jpg

Both holes will be for the line in. I hope that the build will start to finally come together once the tank is on the stand.

Skimmerking

07-27-2010, 12:25 PM

Patience patience remember little grasshopper, don t get to crazy fast on us.

Snaz

07-27-2010, 06:22 PM

Number one rule of reefing - “The only thing that comes quickly is failure"

Greenmaster

07-27-2010, 10:44 PM

Patience patience remember little grasshopper, don t get to crazy fast on us.
。。。patience what the heck is that? anyways anyone going to be in the Comox Valley on Saturday the 31st at 5:00PM? and want to help with a tank moving project? I believe I have 4 spots open :D (cause you know there is high demand for people wanting to do work for pizza :lol:)

Greenmaster

07-30-2010, 07:19 AM

Tank goes on the stand tomorrow :D

mseepman

07-30-2010, 03:55 PM

Take lots of pics...I'm looking forward to seeing this bad boy up on the stand.

lastlight

07-30-2010, 04:10 PM

Tank goes on the stand tomorrow :D

Where is it now? In the ocean? You've done things a little differently so far...thought I'd ask!

muck

07-30-2010, 04:19 PM

Where is it now? In the ocean? You've done things a little differently so far...thought I'd ask!

Submerged up to the rim to test for leaks... :mrgreen:

Parker

07-30-2010, 05:00 PM

lol @ Reverse leak testing!

Ron99

07-30-2010, 05:08 PM

Looks like a cool build. I'm would keep a close eye on your LED setup though. Those high wattage LEDS may look nice on paper but they are much more inefficient then good quality 3W LEDs (i.e fewer lumens per watt and more heat per watt). Given the higher heat you will experience with them your cooling may not be up to the task. It's a neat idea but I think you would have to run very cold water through those pipes to make it work. The reason most people use heatsinks and fans is to maximize surface area for heat dissipation and having the fans running air over that large surface area to cool it.

Good luck and I'll be along for the ride now.

abcha0s

07-30-2010, 06:05 PM

http://i737.photobucket.com/albums/xx18/Greenmasterone/Installed.jpg[/QUOTE]

I love your cover!! - Any chance you have left over materials?

- Brad

Greenmaster

07-30-2010, 08:24 PM

Take lots of pics...I'm looking forward to seeing this bad boy up on the stand.
Not as much as I am... Then I can start to work on the plumbing :D

Where is it now? In the ocean? You've done things a little differently so far...thought I'd ask!
I took a picture of it in the alcove where I have been gluing things... it's too heavy to put in the ocean... I would have to brake it into pieces to get it up the beach.

Submerged up to the rim to test for leaks... :mrgreen:
lol @ Reverse leak testing!
LOL that's a good idea... oh well too late for that one... or no nm not a good idea... the water would be pushing in helping to seal any leaks that may be present... then when you go to fill it you may have a sieve... LOL

Greenmaster

07-30-2010, 09:05 PM

WARNING THIS POST IS ABOUT COOLING OF ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS...
aka... boring :D

Looks like a cool build. I'm would keep a close eye on your LED setup though. Those high wattage LEDS may look nice on paper but they are much more inefficient then good quality 3W LEDs (i.e fewer lumens per watt and more heat per watt). Given the higher heat you will experience with them your cooling may not be up to the task. It's a neat idea but I think you would have to run very cold water through those pipes to make it work. The reason most people use heatsinks and fans is to maximize surface area for heat dissipation and having the fans running air over that large surface area to cool it.
Good luck and I'll be along for the ride now.

Welcome aboard and I hope you enjoy and learn a thing or two... (I'm learning lots... Thanks everyone for your impute)
I realize that they are less efficient but they are still better then MH IMO, Plus the cost per watt and/or per lumen is extremely high on the 3W with only slightly better efficiency. As for cooling water cooling is far superior to air cooling. The water that goes through the pipes will be colder then the air around the tank. If you want to look at cooling performance just look at high end computers... you will learn all the ways to cool a silicon chip. The chips work better and longer if they are kept at cooler temperatures (under 30 to 50 degrees)

1. Ambient air (Silent and uses no extra electricity, but requires a large heatsink and cannot cool very well... used on northbridge southbridge and on some older CPU's/GPU's)
2. Forced air (Often they are loud but they have worked hard on making quieter fans and more efficient designs works well for cooling and is fairly energy efficient, as computer components started to heat up the Ambient cooling was not good enough so they added fans to help move the heated air away and new air could absorb the heat. This is also a limited technology and it can never cool the heatsink colder then the surrounding air and usually about 10-20 degrees higher.)
3. Water cooling (Can be loud or quiet/silent depending on the type/location and type/location of pump. In small scales they are not very efficient but they can get things a lot cooler then forced air. Water cooling is generally setup with water going over a heatsink because water is such a good carrier of heat (in comparison to air) it can often get the heat sink within 5 degrees of the "radiator" you can have the radiator in several different styles generally they use the styles in example 1 or 2 but the radiator can be much larger than most heatsinks and can put in a colder location... like a basement, a fridge/freezer, outside, or just a colder room.
4. Peltier Cooler also known as Thermoelectric Cooling (Silent, Extremely inefficient and not commonly used in stationary applications... Used a lot in mobile electronics and things where space is limited.)
5. Phase Change (Depending on location and size/type can be quite loud. Best at cooling... can get the heatsink down to -40 degrees in ideal conditions. Expensive and not extremely popular for the cooling of electronics. Used in industrial applications, testing facility's and hardcore computer enthusiasts.
6. Liquid Nitrogen... (Silent... Expensive... Dangerous. Used in industrial applications, testing facility's and some hardcore computer enthusiasts with more money then brains)

Using water is far better then trying to do forced air in my application there is too much heat to disperse in this size of an area.

schroeder

07-31-2010, 12:47 AM

... keeping fish tanks are WAY cooler than having a bike.:mrgreen:

Hmmm...
Nope!

Greenmaster

07-31-2010, 12:53 AM

Hmmm...
Nope!

+1 (I wish I had a bike... especially with the nice weather we have been having... even with my life insurance my wife still thinks I'm worth more alive then dead :(... when she changes her mind she will let me get a bike :lol:)

Greenmaster

07-31-2010, 04:56 AM

I love your cover!! - Any chance you have left over materials?

- Brad

Not really I got the mesh from a guy on another forum... was cheep only like 10-15 bucks
http://www.reef2reef.com/forums/f60/fs-1-4-square-clear-polypropylene-29899.html
with directions here
http://www.reef2reef.com/forums/f30/light-friendly-clear-mesh-screen-cover-29897.html

That's not how I did it though.

Greenmaster

08-01-2010, 09:21 PM

YAY! I had 9 people come over yesterday and help me to put my tank on the stand and move it into place :D we also had 2 beam lifters to get the tank to the proper height so we didn't kill anyone or brake anything (then I would have been killing people...) so the tank is in place and I spent about 2 hours putting the rock in place, the sand and I also put 10" of water in the tank to help me to get the sand into the crevices (it didn't work too well though cause now I can't see where the sand needs to go :surprise: oh well)
I would have taken some pictures but my batteries died... will post pics this afternoon though (I hope).

PS thanks delo978 for coming and helping. Also thanks to all those who came to help and are following along.

Greenmaster

08-02-2010, 02:55 AM

So I have some other pictures of the rock going in... after my brother and a bunch of others helped me move the tank he got out his camera and took some pictures as I was putting the rock in... anyways here is the tank ready for plumbing :D

The left side

http://i737.photobucket.com/albums/xx18/Greenmasterone/LeftHalf.jpg

The right side

http://i737.photobucket.com/albums/xx18/Greenmasterone/RightHalf.jpg

FTS with the bottom tank in the mix as well.

http://i737.photobucket.com/albums/xx18/Greenmasterone/FTSwithsump.jpg

Greenmaster

08-02-2010, 04:36 PM

Some pics that my brother took

http://i737.photobucket.com/albums/xx18/Greenmasterone/P1000340.jpg
http://i737.photobucket.com/albums/xx18/Greenmasterone/P1000347.jpg
http://i737.photobucket.com/albums/xx18/Greenmasterone/P1000349.jpg

Skimmerking

08-02-2010, 05:04 PM

looks great man. those angelfish are looking mighty hungry thou.......:lol:

plutoniumJoe

08-02-2010, 07:19 PM

Looking great! I love the rock work. How are you attaching the rock together?

Lance

08-03-2010, 12:03 AM

:thumb::thumb::thumb:

Greenmaster

08-03-2010, 12:19 AM

looks great man. those angelfish are looking mighty hungry thou.......:lol:
I'm in luck they eat pizza so it won't cost me that much too feed angels that size :D

Looking great! I love the rock work. How are you attaching the rock together?
The rock is DIY rock and the oyster shell really grabs together... they are not attached.

:thumb::thumb::thumb:
:D :D :D

Scubasteve23

08-03-2010, 03:33 AM

never been a huge fan of the man made Live rock, but i really like how yours is coming together...i cant wait to see it all done....and were u standing in the tank moving rock around???that pic is crazy..haha..lookn good though

Greenmaster

08-05-2010, 06:02 AM

muck

08-05-2010, 03:10 PM

Damn... is that where my old couch went too? Looks identical. :lol::lol:

lastlight

08-05-2010, 04:33 PM

Haha did you get the kids into the sump and then slide the tank into place?!

Things are moving along! When are you doing your water test?

Skimmerking

08-05-2010, 04:36 PM

Well I decided that while I waited for some of my stuff to dry I would work on the lights a bit... I'm just soldering away... I have done 48 out of 360 solder points... still got a ways to go.

http://i737.photobucket.com/albums/xx18/Greenmasterone/Stillworking.jpg

hey there Green get use to that place on the couch once you start stocking that beast you will be spending alot of nights there ....LOL:biggrin:

Greenmaster

08-05-2010, 09:05 PM

Haha did you get the kids into the sump and then slide the tank into place?!

Things are moving along! When are you doing your water test?

Kids were not in the room till the tank was in place...
Water test?... 26th of august... maybe the 18th or 19th.

Sebae again

08-06-2010, 12:44 AM

Greenmaster

08-06-2010, 01:09 AM

I like your tank build but the last picture made me LOL. Soldering on a fabric couch next to some tinder dry grass/brush.There wouldn't happen to be a 5 gallon jerry can of gas behind the couch? Hopefully you don't end up on tonights News hour.

It's an electric soldering iron... and I have a bottle of propane and 2 bottles of propylene that you can sorta see on the left of the pic :D

Sebae again

08-06-2010, 02:41 AM

That's what I like to see! ...a person that has all bases covered and prepares for the worst case scenario.Looking forward to seeing pics of the light.

abcha0s

08-06-2010, 04:48 AM

So, you were working on your plumbing the other day. Any progress? Any challanges?

- Brad

Greenmaster

08-06-2010, 05:01 AM

So, you were working on your plumbing the other day. Any progress? Any challanges?

- Brad
Okay here is the thing... my dad is living with me and he has chemical sensitivities (in other words he gets some horrible migraines from glues and such) so I have done what I can outside... My dad is going to visit my sister for a month and he is leaving on the Sunday so I will be able to finish gluing the pipes when I get home on Sunday if I get back from Victoria in time. So far everything looks good and I hope to have fish in the tank by the first week of September... but I'm not going to rush it... so if it's not ready then the fish have to wait... I'm shooting for the first week because the 12th there is a Frag Swap that I'm going to and I would like to be able to buy something :D

I'm going away for the weekend so there will be no updates past 2:00pm PST on Friday... I'll be back Sunday evening and hope to update with some pics/info on how the plumbing went... if I have the time/energy.

Ken

08-06-2010, 05:16 AM

Greenmaster

08-06-2010, 05:25 AM

Hi, looking good so far, so is the couch is used to be where the tank is now? How do you find so much time on your hands with 2 kids and a wife? I barely have enough time myself. Here's cheering you on. Regards Ken

Thanks... Ya the love seat couch thing used to be where the tank is :D I didn't like the couch. About the time... I work 40-60 hours a week, I also run a small business with 7 people on the payroll (I don't seem to make much though it all goes to my employees.. oh well) I also have 2 dogs... that's why I'm going to Victoria, there is a dog show and my golden is competing... But the solution I found is only sleep like 2-4 hours a night... one of my favorite sayings "You can sleep when your dead" :D

delo978

08-06-2010, 05:43 PM

It was my pleasure to come and help out. Can't wait to see it in a few months full of life. Give me a shout anytime if you need help and next time I'll bring the family down.

Greenmaster

08-06-2010, 07:19 PM

It was my pleasure to come and help out. Can't wait to see it in a few months full of life. Give me a shout anytime if you need help and next time I'll bring the family down.

Sounds good. I probably won't need much help unless there is a crash... but your welcome to take the family down at some point... when there is something to look at.

Greenmaster

08-11-2010, 04:19 AM

Well one more major step along the way... Plumbing is 90% complete... I just have to wait for the nozzles to show up for final completion. But in my mind the plumbing is done... and if I had to I could run it without the nozzles. Now less than 2 weeks till I can start my cycle :D... and if the parameters are right I will add fish on September 6th.

Anyways an update isn't an update without pics...
Looking at it from the outside.
http://i737.photobucket.com/albums/xx18/Greenmasterone/Plumbingfromoutside.jpg

Looking at it from the inside
http://i737.photobucket.com/albums/xx18/Greenmasterone/Tankwithplumbingdone.jpg

A slightly closer look at the refuge.
http://i737.photobucket.com/albums/xx18/Greenmasterone/Sumpplumbing.jpg

delo978

08-11-2010, 04:33 PM

It's looking real good, your lights all done yet?

Greenmaster

08-11-2010, 05:29 PM

It's looking real good, your lights all done yet?
Working on it today and over the next few days :D

Greenmaster

08-12-2010, 02:19 AM

Some updates on my LED's

This is me feeding the wires through and my daughter grabbing them and pulling them tight.
http://i737.photobucket.com/albums/xx18/Greenmasterone/Feedingwires.jpg

All the LED's soldered to the drivers an almost ready to go.
http://i737.photobucket.com/albums/xx18/Greenmasterone/LEDsfinished.jpg

The test of 3 of the LED's.
http://i737.photobucket.com/albums/xx18/Greenmasterone/LEDsinoperation.jpg

Skimmerking

08-12-2010, 03:33 AM

Dude you got big ones for plugging that in to the ext cord like that. :lol::lol:

Greenmaster

08-12-2010, 03:37 AM

Dude you got big ones for plugging that in to the ext cord like that. :lol::lol:
I may have big ones but I'm not a total idiot, I had the other end unplugged while I was setting up the LED cords and had my wife plug it in to the wall when I was ready to take the pic.

Greenmaster

08-14-2010, 03:29 AM

Just a quick question... what is the best "canary" in a coal mine, for a salt water reef tank?

schroeder

08-14-2010, 07:02 AM

Just a quick question... what is the best "canary" in a coal mine, for a salt water reef tank?

that is a difficult question.
There are many different biotopes in the marine environment.
If you have a tank that mimics a reef crest (high flow, nutrient poor, bright light) you couldn't keep a sun coral for instance.

All organisms have evolved to fit into their own ecological niches. What lives and dies has to do with whether or not the organism is suited to the environment it finds itself in.

The concept of the canary in the coal mine should not be used. Let me explain...

Humans are not indigenous to coal mines. We are not accustomed to breathing methane, living underground in cold damp environments, perpetually in the dark. The environment is stressful and unhealthy to us. It just so happens that it is MORE stressful to a Canary, which means that they will likely die first. Regardless, the environment is wrong for both humans and canaries.

Plan the environment that you wish to mimic in your tank. I personally find a biotope tank to be a much more interesting concept than just collecting a bunch of fish and corals.

Design your tank to match the environment as best you can (flow, lighting, substrate etc)

Pick inhabitants that are suitable to the environment, and can cohabitate.

If you are concerned about your water parameters... use a test kit! Don't rely on something that will die to let you know if things are wrong. Chances are it will be the most expensive thing in your tank.

abcha0s

08-14-2010, 01:00 PM

Schroeder really explained it well.

A couple things to add. Salt water tanks tend to take longer to cycle then fw tanks. Even after the cycle is no longer visible, they take longer still to stabilize and reach equalibrium. Tanks aren't generally thought to be mature until around the six month point or perhaps even longer.

The best approach is to never put anything in your tank unless you are confident that it will survive, if not thrive. Certainally, don't put any fish in that you plan to take out later or that aren't on your "fish list".

Take your time.

Greenmaster

08-15-2010, 01:14 AM

Greenmaster

08-16-2010, 12:53 AM

WOOT!
Tank has salt water in it... and only 1 leak... about 1 drip every 60 seconds or so.
I have salt in it... only at 1.016 atm. I have also started my cycle... I have added 5 raw shrimp... the 30 per pound size.
http://i737.photobucket.com/albums/xx18/Greenmasterone/Filling1.jpghttp://i737.photobucket.com/albums/xx18/Greenmasterone/Filling2.jpghttp://i737.photobucket.com/albums/xx18/Greenmasterone/Filling3.jpghttp://i737.photobucket.com/albums/xx18/Greenmasterone/Filling4.jpghttp://i737.photobucket.com/albums/xx18/Greenmasterone/Filling5.jpg

Greenmaster

08-16-2010, 03:19 AM

So on controllers I'm still on the fence about the controller I'm going to use... Neptune Apex or Digital Aquatics RKE. The main function for me is the light's going on and off as well as the moonlights... I will probably use the other stuff later on but my main thing is those two... does anyone have a preference or an opinion on them? Possibly even experience.

Greenmaster

08-18-2010, 05:34 AM

I'm sure there are more people following but I'm just not getting much response... oh well...

So here is an update on my water parameters.
After 2 days these are my current levels.

Ammonia 0.6
Nitrite 0.2
Nitrate 5

I did use an additive by Seachem... it's called Stability® here is a quote off the bottle: "...contains synergistic blend of aerobic, anaerobic, and facultative bacteria..."
I don't know why they put it like that... by the sounds of it it's all one type of bacterium.

Chaloupa

08-18-2010, 05:35 AM

For controllers I really like my Neptune.......

I used Hagen's Cycle when I did the 300g at work...and it really did speed up the cycle very well! Never tried it before, and will use it again as it was great!

Trabby

08-18-2010, 05:43 AM

Looking awesome! Can't wait to see more!

StirCrazy

08-18-2010, 02:42 PM

I did use an additive by Seachem... it's called Stability® here is a quote off the bottle: "...contains synergistic blend of aerobic, anaerobic, and facultative bacteria..."
I don't know why they put it like that... by the sounds of it it's all one type of bacterium.

no that would be more than one type of backteria, one for anerobic, one for aerobic, and then the other one. could be 30 different type, or could be 3.

I get a kick out of there discription to. had to look up synergistic to see how they were using it. they must have paid some one to make that sound nice as the actual meaning is
"...contains our hypothesis of how we thing they should act blend of aerobic, anaerobic, and facultative bacteria..."

Steve

Lance

08-18-2010, 04:37 PM

Greenmaster

08-18-2010, 09:11 PM

no that would be more than one type of backteria, one for anerobic, one for aerobic, and then the other one. could be 30 different type, or could be 3.

I get a kick out of there discription to. had to look up synergistic to see how they were using it. they must have paid some one to make that sound nice as the actual meaning is
"...contains our hypothesis of how we thing they should act blend of aerobic, anaerobic, and facultative bacteria..."

Steve
... it could be one kind or it could be 1 million all I was saying is they didn't need to put the "facultative" on there... a facultative bacterium can be both aerobic and anaerobic... they just switch processes when the oxygen is depleted.

Greenmaster

08-19-2010, 04:17 AM

Parameter update.

Ammonia is at 0 (or very close)
Nitrites are at 0 (there may be some slight color but not even a 10th the color of the lowest reading)
Nitrates are dropping... it's at less then 5 now... I would say 2 or 2.5
PH is at 8.1-8.3... hard to tell.
I will have KH and Calcium tests tomorrow.

delo978

08-19-2010, 04:30 PM

parameters looking good, I always find PH and phosphate really hard to read so I test them just as a backup but generally not worried if my tank is thriving.

Greenmaster

08-19-2010, 06:41 PM

Ya I'll get a controller to read those :D

Greenmaster

08-20-2010, 04:10 AM

So now the results are:

Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 0
PH 8.1-8.3
KH 80
Calcium 360
Salinity/SG 1.0255

I will be adding one prawn every 2 days till I order my fish... 5 days before my fish are supposed to come I will add 5 prawns and take them out the night before my fish arrive.

abcha0s

08-20-2010, 05:35 AM

Just curious... What is your theory on why you are seeing 0 nitrate. In your tank, what is consuming it?

Scubasteve23

08-20-2010, 06:04 AM

its really starting to come together.. how much longer u figure before ull be able to start stocking it?

Greenmaster

08-20-2010, 10:10 AM

Just curious... What is your theory on why you are seeing 0 nitrate. In your tank, what is consuming it?

My theory is bacteria is converting the nitrate into nitrogen... or maybe the start of an algae bloom? Either way it's all good :D

Greenmaster

08-20-2010, 10:12 AM

its really starting to come together.. how much longer u figure before ull be able to start stocking it?

I almost got a fish yesterday... I will be stocking it with my first batch of fish as soon as my LFS puts in a new fish order. (I still may add a fish or two early...)

abcha0s

08-20-2010, 12:53 PM

My theory is bacteria is converting the nitrate into nitrogen... or maybe the start of an algae bloom? Either way it's all good :D

Yes, but it's not quite so simple. If it were that easy, we would all have 0 nitrate in our tanks. Are you talking about Anaerobic bacteria and if so, where are they in your system?

My curiosity is sincere. The 0 nitrate reading surprises me. I know what "should" be happening, but can't explain where your nitrate consumers are finding a suitable anaerobic enviroment to thrive in.

delo978

08-20-2010, 06:02 PM

It's the water in Courtenay/Comox I tell ya ;) I have never had nitrate in my tank either, not even through the cycle and that was months ago.

Greenmaster

08-20-2010, 08:05 PM

StirCrazy

08-21-2010, 01:35 PM

Yes, but it's not quite so simple. If it were that easy, we would all have 0 nitrate in our tanks. Are you talking about Anaerobic bacteria and if so, where are they in your system?

My curiosity is sincere. The 0 nitrate reading surprises me. I know what "should" be happening, but can't explain where your nitrate consumers are finding a suitable anaerobic enviroment to thrive in.

I had zero nitrate when I started my tank also. don't forget he had his rock int he ocean for a while which trurned it into fresh live rock, so he has a large bacteria count to start off with. my case and several others were all the same. fresh live rock into a tank and you get a instant cycle. I put a ton of shrimp and junk in to mine and never ever saw amonia, nitrates or nitrites

Steve

Greenmaster

08-22-2010, 05:35 AM

Well I couldn't wait... I got my first fish today :D

http://i737.photobucket.com/albums/xx18/Greenmasterone/Firstfish4.jpg

What? you can't see any fish?... neither can I so lets zoom in... I can see one in the picture below... but you need to know where to look.

http://i737.photobucket.com/albums/xx18/Greenmasterone/Firstfish5.jpg

Lets zoom in a little more... I think everyone should be able to see one in this picture.

http://i737.photobucket.com/albums/xx18/Greenmasterone/Firstfish6.jpg

And zoom one more time for a nice close up shot.

http://i737.photobucket.com/albums/xx18/Greenmasterone/Firstfish7.jpg

If you look really close you can see two fish... it's like wheres Waldo :D

http://i737.photobucket.com/albums/xx18/Greenmasterone/Firstfish3.jpg

Another picture of my two first fish.

http://i737.photobucket.com/albums/xx18/Greenmasterone/Firstfish2.jpg

My best picture I have ever take of a solo fish... today was my first day photographing fish...

http://i737.photobucket.com/albums/xx18/Greenmasterone/Firstfish.jpg

meenamjah

08-22-2010, 06:11 AM

poor fella must be so lonely in there.. lol

Greenmaster

08-22-2010, 06:20 AM

poor fella must be so lonely in there.. lol

There are two... I believe it is a mated pair... they were hiding in the same hole at the LFS... but they haven't found each other in the tank yet...

meenamjah

08-22-2010, 06:28 AM

darn, I must be more tired than I thought.. lol. still, thats an awful lot of space for two tiny fishes~

meenamjah

08-22-2010, 06:32 AM

er... do you still have that leak? you didn't seem very worried about it

Greenmaster

08-22-2010, 06:32 AM

darn, I must be more tired than I thought.. lol. still, thats an awful lot of space for two tiny fishes~

They got to enjoy it while they can... soon they are going to have lots of company.

Greenmaster

08-22-2010, 06:42 AM

er... do you still have that leak? you didn't seem very worried about it

I just checked it... it's no longer wet so I think it plugged it's self. :D

Greenmaster

08-23-2010, 12:53 AM

See I wasn't worried because that wasn't a problem... but ya...
...I was planning on finishing my lights today... no such luck... my bottom tank gave way... so I now have Rubbermaid tubs as my sump... I think my fish might be dead too... thank cooled down a fair bit. Also with all the disturbance of the sand moving it into my new sump, now I can't see 1" into my tank. I'll post again on Wednesday at the latest.

burrows14

08-24-2010, 01:37 AM

What happend?? sorry to hear the bad news:sad:

Greenmaster

08-24-2010, 04:00 AM

Warped floor and poor setup caused the tank to come apart at the seam on the bottom.

Lance

08-24-2010, 04:12 AM

:sad: Aw man! Sorry to hear this.

Greenmaster

08-24-2010, 04:37 AM

It's all good I'm just using Rubbermaid totes instead... and once I fix my 100g tank then I'll have a second setup. :D

hillegom

08-24-2010, 05:56 AM

That sucks man. Glad you see a silver lining

Greenmaster

08-26-2010, 10:53 PM

Sorry I took so long had some leak issues with my LED cooling so I needed to get that fixed before I took pictures. Well here they are.

15 Yellow 20 White and 25 blue.
http://i737.photobucket.com/albums/xx18/Greenmasterone/AllYellow.jpg
http://i737.photobucket.com/albums/xx18/Greenmasterone/AllWhite.jpg
http://i737.photobucket.com/albums/xx18/Greenmasterone/AllBlue.jpg
http://i737.photobucket.com/albums/xx18/Greenmasterone/AllOn.jpg

A view of them mounted.
http://i737.photobucket.com/albums/xx18/Greenmasterone/LightsMounted.jpg

FTS with the lights on.
http://i737.photobucket.com/albums/xx18/Greenmasterone/FTSwithLights.jpg

A couple of pics of my new Rubbermaid sump...
http://i737.photobucket.com/albums/xx18/Greenmasterone/NewSump.jpg
http://i737.photobucket.com/albums/xx18/Greenmasterone/NewSump2.jpg

Nebthet

08-26-2010, 11:14 PM

Very nice.. I love the LED set up. How many are on that?

Greenmaster

08-27-2010, 01:29 AM

Very nice.. I love the LED set up. How many are on that?

There are 15 Warm White, 20 Cool White, and 25 Blue for a total of 60 20W LED's or 1200W of LED's (basicly the same as 3 400w MH without the heat.)

On a side note my tank electrocuted me for the first time... I got home and was putting some stuff in my tank... my arm was grounded on the aluminum as my hand touched the water... made me jump... I almost fell off the ladder lol. Didn't take me long to find it... I only had two things not plugged into the GFI socket... a couple of heaters (that I installed today) ... and one was cracked... it's in the garbage now :D

Nebthet

08-27-2010, 01:40 AM

Greenmaster

08-27-2010, 02:08 AM

Glad you are still alive after the jolt.

That is a lot of watts of lighting. Would love to see the par readings on that and see how well it reaches the bottom of your tank.
Do you have optics on the leds and if so what degree?

Ya just went through the arm... across the chest would have possibly killed...
I need to rent a par meter.
No optics, I believe they are 140 degrees... hence the aluminum foil all around... I wouldn't want optics because I have 3 different colors of LED's and I wanted the light to be spread uniformly throughout the tank.

Greenmaster

08-27-2010, 02:49 AM

I may not have any real updates for a week or more as I am working for 12 days strait starting tomorrow... But I'll try to continue to answer questions and comments.

Greenmaster

09-08-2010, 06:02 AM

Basically my tank tried to kill me a week or so ago... got electrocuted... luckily it was only my arm and didn't ark across my chest, if it had I would have probably gone to the ER or morgue. Then just this last Saturday my dad comes home (he's been gone for over a month) He's in the basement cleaning up and he plugs back in one of his things... but to do that he unplugs an extension cord. The cord was powering my water pump for the cooling of my LED's... So I get home from work and I reach up to test the temperature of my pipes (to make sure that it is dissipating well and not starting to warm up.) and of course my pump is off, so I burn my hand pretty bad... I unplug my LED's. 50% are burnt out, after they cooled some came back on... but I'm sure my whole set-up of 60 LED's has greatly shortened it's life. So I take the lights down replace the 21 that are not working and put it back up... while I am plugging my LED's back into the power bar I slip and get a valve in the eye. Now it looks like I lost a fight, right around my eye is a little cut up and all black and blue. Also I didn't let my rocks cure long enough in the ocean... (3 weeks wasn't enough) so my PH is a little high... I'll have to continue to work it down till I have stabilized it. I was in such a rush in setting up I forgot to check the rock to see if it was done leaching prior to putting it in my tank. It looks like maybe no fish till... Christmas? I hope I don't have to wait that long but I need to step back and learn some things from this... like; I need a controller for my LED's with a thermometer to tell them to shut off past a certain temp, people were not kidding when they said "The only thing that happens quickly in a reef tank is failure." I will continue to answer questions and such but I'm guessing between 2-6 weeks for my rock to finish leaching... so I won't be able to do anything until then... so I just have to wait it out.:yield:

Scubasteve23

09-09-2010, 01:02 AM

sorry to hear about your lights, and good luck with the rock..cant wait for it to all start coming together for ya..looks great though

Lego

09-09-2010, 06:58 AM

WOW!! Good on you for taking on this tank setup! Next to a complete DIY eh! I was just searching DIY LED and your build came up.

I just read all the posts or more less scanned as fast as my little mind could think. When I saw the post about the tank bottom broke, I almost had something touching cloth thinking it was the display tank! But at least it was your sump... crappy for sure but it could have been your tank.

Then you shocked yourself!! WOW lucky lucky lucky lucky eh!

Then dad unplugs the cooling pump!! WOW

THEN you slip and fall and hit your eye on a valve sorry but WTF!!

Bud usally things happen in 3’s LOL ;)

It kinda like a higher power saying "YO CHILL BUD HAVE A MARLEY let this process take some time :) " LOL I’m sooo impatient I have to ask the wife to go feed the “fish” not the fishes. I want lots all at once but I have killed too many to repeat this cycle over and over; especially after a lighting fire…

This is really awesome! If I ever travel your way it would sure be neat to stop by and check your tank out! Keep going with this setup! Pretty neat!

Inedaan

10-09-2010, 12:55 AM

How is the tank going? Anymore near electrocutions or charred flesh?

Greenmaster

10-13-2010, 04:07 AM

Lego, You are welcome to stop by if your in the neighborhood... but if I were you I would wait till after the new year cause I still don't have fish...

Inedaan, nothing new... just waiting. I'll be doing a 200% water change on Thursday and then see where I am at.

Greenmaster

01-19-2011, 07:49 PM

Well It's been a while... I had some troubles with PH so I was having to flush the system as often as I had time... I forgot the water was on at one point and it flooded my house... so I left the tank empty for a while. I have been waiting for an apex controller to come on sale, not having any luck there. I have also been really busy with family and work... also my car ended up getting totaled as well. Anyways... I'm working on the tank again. I filled it with fresh water two weeks ago PH got up to 8.2 I emptied it last week and re-filled it. Today I emptied it and it was down to 8.0. I will be doing it again and again every week until I get a stable PH. I will try to post here next week as well and answer any questions.

lastlight

01-19-2011, 08:25 PM

Yours was an interesting thread I'm glad you're back at it.

The ph issues are caused by your DIY rock? How long did you have them in the lake curing?

Greenmaster

01-19-2011, 08:33 PM

They were only in the ocean for 4 weeks... I know that the rocks are the problem but they are getting better so it's just a waiting game ATM.

josie

01-20-2011, 02:52 PM

wishing you the best for 2011!
sending you good vibes for the tank :)

lockrookie

01-20-2011, 05:18 PM

i snooped on your reef central thread and noticed you are doing fresh water fill only with your rock is this correct? you have no salinity with your rock in the tank? if im wrong then discard this and ignore me.

just my thoughts on your difficulties are these no matter what type of tank you start there is a time frame where ph and amonia is all out of wack. but since your diy rock was in the ocean to start it up you have added fresh water only to the tank which may have destroyed all that you tried to accomplish with the rock being in the ocean. it would be like putting live rock ina fresh water dip but longer. removing all the water and refilling is really only going to cost you a huge water bill. the tankneeds to cycle it needs to get all screwed up to level out.and if ph is too high there are ways to lower it with additive.

again im not an expert nor claim to know all the answers.but maybe you shoudl start fresh. re insert your rocks in the ocean if you chose or leave theminand add some live rock toseed your rock. in the mean time fill the tank with salt water at the prefered salinity. let it cycle (you can add again additive to help boost the cycle with bacteria prodivo comes to mind). do weekly water changes and test for the spike in ammonia.. dont worry about ph just yet until the tank cycles. when you see your levels level out check for ph.

i just hate to see you struggle and by no means am i the best at this im sure ppl will dissagree with me or i missed something. and maybe im just selfish and want to see this baby running and pictures of youradditions:)

good luck
jeff

Greenmaster

01-20-2011, 11:37 PM

You are right that I am putting fresh water in the tank and not salt water.
I think you misunderstood the reason for putting my rock in the ocean. I didn't put it in the ocean to build bacteria colonies I put it there because cement leaches out lime and other chemicals but the lime leaches the longest... affecting the PH, so I am flushing the system in order to get out most of the lime that is going to leach. When I realized that my rock had not finished leaching I would have put it back into the ocean but a couple of my rocks were too big to take out so I decided to just flush my tank... As for the water bill... I live in a rain forest, we pay only a yearly fee for water service, we have plenty of water here.

lockrookie

01-21-2011, 12:04 AM

ok well that makes more sense thank you for explaining i just feel bad for you struggling with this

will shut up now and be patient ;)

Greenmaster

01-28-2011, 05:12 AM

This week the water is down to 8.0 I did a full change and I'll wait two weeks now to see if it stabilizes.

Greenmaster

01-29-2011, 12:59 AM

So I got a new pump for my B-day and now I need some help figuring where to put it... I'll upload some photos of my tank and if someone would like to give me some ideas on how to set it up I'm all ears. I see two options for the source. Either I can do a closed loop (that would allow pulsing of the pump... like on 5 sec off 5 sec.)? Or do it the same as my other two and just add a third return pump (that would increase turnover of the tank through the sump)? The next question is where do I put the bulkhead? (in/out for the closed loop or just the return) I was thinking I would like it close to the bottom half of the tank considering that the other two are at the top of the water. Next question is do I put a flow accelerator on like I have already or do I put some kind of rotating/ switching nozzle on? If so what kind/brand do you think works well?

Full tank shot.
http://i737.photobucket.com/albums/xx18/Greenmasterone/IMG_0197.jpg

Left side, looking from front.
http://i737.photobucket.com/albums/xx18/Greenmasterone/IMG_0204.jpg

Right side, looking from front.
http://i737.photobucket.com/albums/xx18/Greenmasterone/IMG_0199.jpg

Left side looking from left to back.
http://i737.photobucket.com/albums/xx18/Greenmasterone/IMG_0201.jpg

Left side, looking to right side, looking across the front of the tank.
http://i737.photobucket.com/albums/xx18/Greenmasterone/IMG_0202.jpg

Right side, looking to left side, looking across the back.
http://i737.photobucket.com/albums/xx18/Greenmasterone/IMG_0200.jpg

The white and black 1/2" pipe that is inside the tank is only there for filling/emptying the tank while I sort out the pH issues, once that is done I will be removing those pipes.
Also the pump is a 950 GPH

Skimmerking

01-29-2011, 04:59 AM

MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM looks fantastic Green hows is the LED light doing

matinbc

01-29-2011, 05:20 AM

Well done! Cant wait to see the rest! Good work on the photo shoot along the way.

Greenmaster

01-29-2011, 07:26 AM

MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM looks fantastic Green hows is the LED light doing
sore subject... turns out my dad fried about 90% of them... that's the problem when you let your dad live in your house... doesn't always think before he does stuff. oh well.
Well done! Cant wait to see the rest! Good work on the photo shoot along the way.
Thanks... but any ideas on what I should do with my extra pump?

Lampshade

01-29-2011, 09:14 AM

Sorry to hear about your LED's, that's rough. The injuries are not good either, but bodies heal faster than the wallet sometimes :S.

If you want a thermal shutoff for your LED's there's some decent options, I've been looking at making an Arduino controller for my future LED's and putting a few thermometers on the heatsinks to set at 130°F to shut off the LED's. can get an arduino for $15-$20 off ebay and the thermometers are about $3 a pop, pretty cheap and would let you play with the LED's a lot, and have the safety shut off coded in.

Tank looks great, can't wait to see what it looks like with fish/coral in there. The rock is amazing.

Greenmaster

01-29-2011, 10:23 PM

I plan on getting an apex and having it do the same thing... Only have the temp set at around 100F... but I'll change the temp if it's shutting it off.

Greenmaster

02-02-2011, 04:36 PM

Week one of a two week test... current PH is 7.9 if it stays at 8.0 or less till next week then I will fill with salt water, and test for three weeks... I may have one to two weeks with the tank empty, before the salt... if I decide to drill another hole or two...

matinbc

02-04-2011, 07:02 PM

Greenmaster

02-04-2011, 10:11 PM

You could always use that extra pump to make a water feature for the front lawn! hahaha. Or hook it up to the tank for water change days and run a hose out to your driveway to get rid of the ice if we ever see cold weather this year! (Kidding)

Whats your plan for lighting then? I Have a good buddy who is a dealer for led lights and I am thinking about making my own heat sink similar to yours for a led fixture. (On a smaller scale as I am only runing a 90gal tank)

I would be interested to better understand how you wired the fixture!
Well I think I'm going to forget about the extra pump for now and save it as a spare/water change pump.
Lighting wise I'm just waiting for Chinese new year to be over so I can order my LED's from china.
I wired each LED to it's own driver (strait on/off no fade) I then have five drivers wired to one plug... each driving same color LED's

GMGQ

02-04-2011, 10:22 PM

Hey, great build! Very unique concepts thrown together here, should be interested.

Regarding that extra pump and the question about circulation, I definitely think you need to add some water flow in the bottom half of your tank. The way I see it now, you have very little circulation in the bottom half of the tank, and around the rocks. You want more flow for nutrient export. Especially in all those caves you've created, the fish will probably be pooping in all those caves as if they were outhouses :P Normally with such intricate rock structures, people would build the rocks on top of PVC piping which they have drilled a million holes into, and plumb those pipes as returns from bulkheads at the bottom of the tank, so that there's water flow from within the rockwork.

That's my 2 cents on the subject.

Very exciting! ;)

Greenmaster

02-07-2011, 04:52 AM

So after 1.5 weeks my pH was still at 7.9 so I decided to drain it fill it with salt water and start a cycle going... as of February 6th at 8:30pm (PST) I added 60 ml of 14% ammonia solution to my tank putting my ammonia off the scale... I believe it is 6.5-7 PPM. At 9:30pm I added a 375ml/12.7 fl oz of Hagen/Nutrafin "Cycle" (bacteria), I will test in the morning and as often as I have time/deem appropriate and post results on or before Wednesday (probably on Tuesday night). After my cycle has completed (1-4 weeks) I will test my pH again... if the pH is off the chart again then I will dump the water and let it do a few more FW washes before I try the SW again.

Greenmaster

02-09-2011, 05:49 AM

So I'll do a full run down of the cycle when it's closer to completion, so all of the info is in one post. For now I'll just say my Ammonia is around 4-5, Nitrite is around 3, and my Nitrate is around 20-30. I'll post a complete run down of my cycle once it is, well... complete.

Greenmaster

02-10-2011, 07:01 AM

I added a few things because my cycle stalled and within 4.5 hours my ammonia was halved.
Ammonia 2.5
Nitrite 5+ (off the scale)
Nitrate 40-50

P.S. Thanks Chaloupa I love the store... but thanks to you I have to set-up a third tank... Do those guys get along well? What was the name of them again? I might setup my 100g tank and put a couple of them in there... if they are safe together... BTW your Ten Foot Tank (http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=65247) looks awesome.

Greenmaster

02-10-2011, 04:39 PM

Ammonia 0.75
Nitrites 5+ (off the scale still)
Nitrates 20

Greenmaster

02-11-2011, 06:38 AM

Ammonia 0.23
Nitrite 10-20 I believe very close to 16 (did 100ml tank water with 900ml tap water read around 1.6)
Nitrate 20

Greenmaster

02-11-2011, 09:59 PM

Ammonia 0
Nitrite 10 (± 5 as it is hard to read some of these tests... and I'm doing a 10/90 dilution ratio)
Nitrate 20

matinbc

02-11-2011, 10:34 PM

Its hard watching these numbers fall so slow, I wanna see what you have up your sleeve once the water stabilizes out. Everything happens slow and in moderation i guess..

:neutral:

Greenmaster

02-12-2011, 12:06 AM

Its hard watching these numbers fall so slow, I wanna see what you have up your sleeve once the water stabilizes out. Everything happens slow and in moderation i guess..

:neutral:

Ya... I'll add a small CUC with a couple small cheep fish.... (still paranoid about the rock.)

Greenmaster

02-12-2011, 10:06 AM

Ammonia 0
Nitrite 4
Nitrate 0-5 (just a trace if any)

Greenmaster

02-14-2011, 06:56 AM

For a complete run down of my cycle "CLICK HERE" (http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=72824)

Inedaan

03-29-2011, 02:14 AM

Any update?

Greenmaster

03-29-2011, 04:23 AM

I ordered my controller and am waiting for it to arrive... not sure if they have shipped it yet or not... they said a couple items were on back order.

Greenmaster

04-14-2011, 06:33 PM

Well the controller is supposed to get here any day now... But I couldn't wait...

I see LIFE in my tank... for a day or two at least
Here are my test subjects... Hope you live a long time buddies.
http://i737.photobucket.com/albums/xx18/Greenmasterone/953.jpg
http://i737.photobucket.com/albums/xx18/Greenmasterone/966.jpg

abcha0s

04-14-2011, 06:43 PM

Thats awesome! Keep in mind that even the cleanup crew needs to eat. If theres no natural food in the tank, you will have to feed them.

- Brad

Greenmaster

04-14-2011, 06:44 PM

They are being fed :-) more then they can eat because it's a big tank and they might not find the food I put in.

Leah

04-14-2011, 06:45 PM

:nod: :roll: Congratulations on the new life in your tank...Woo Hoo! Can't wait to see it stocked...by next week right. :wink:

Chaloupa

04-15-2011, 03:23 AM

WOOT! Looking good!

Greenmaster

04-16-2011, 05:09 AM

So... I got my controller today WOOT! But I didn't get to set it up. I was working on modifying my cooling system for my lights... because I "Need" my lights right now.
Why would I need my lights you say. Because I got a piece of plate coral (broken off not sure of type... still needs to color up maybe?) I also got a branching coral that is not properly attached to the puck... but it's all good.

A point of interest... these pictures were taken with my video camera and the color is way off... but here you go.
http://i737.photobucket.com/albums/xx18/Greenmasterone/Coral021.jpg
http://i737.photobucket.com/albums/xx18/Greenmasterone/Coral025.jpg

P.S. I know they will die and I know that they will not be happy. But since I'm new to corals I kinda want to see what they can survive/how long.
Also I'm running on less then half my LED's so they might not be getting enough light. New LED's are in shipping as I type this.