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aqua_digital
23.02.2013, 22:48
I am pleased to announce the new tank build can now finally start. Thanks to Dave at Concepts for the amazing tank and stand, both are the best quality I have ever seen! The tank having a one piece Euro Brace and 100% star fire with unique total clear silicon.

The tank is 36x32x24 with external overflow. The sump will be in the basement about 8 feet below the tank.

The system will run everything we distribute one way or another but also form the basis for all future marketing photos for GHL equipment for the North American market, for example the Mitras. The tank will run just one single silver Mitras HV.

Here are some photos I took at 1.45am this morning after getting off a plane back from Turks and Caicos getting in the door at 1.30am!! Something was bugging me! Did I measure our door gap right? will the stand fit? 30 minutes in the garage with a jenny bar and a tape measure confirmed my thoughts. Yep I measure wrong the stand wont fit, so it has to go through the patio doors, so now I have to snow blow the side of the house and around the swimming pool and get some lads over to get the stand through the rear patio doors. But before that the stand is off to a local cabinet makers to have a little mod done to it I did not get done during manufacture.

This will be a painstaking slow build, so next update will be a while

http://sphotos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/421396_437923109619472_1507056181_n.jpg

http://sphotos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/539678_437923129619470_415203398_n.jpg

http://sphotos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/35467_437923139619469_2128170635_n.jpg

doggydoc10
24.02.2013, 00:38
Congrats
Looking forward to the progress


Doggydoc

aqua_digital
24.02.2013, 00:41
First progress will be to snow blow the side of the house and back yard to make a path to show horn the stand through the patio doors :(

Halfmoon
24.02.2013, 04:35
Great, don't forget to post some light projects and program logic for the slow learners like me. :)

aqua_digital
24.02.2013, 23:59
Unpacking continues, with a back that does not allow me to lift more than 20LB I am very reliant on my friends and employees coming over at the weekend so its a slow old job.

Need to work out what all the sump compartments are for! Sump now in basement.

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i159/monitors-direct/IMG_8713_zps7f0e4f5e.jpg

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i159/monitors-direct/IMG_8712_zps15d83729.jpg

Stand really dusty due to the crate being cut the shreds with a hand circular saw for speed ;)

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i159/monitors-direct/IMG_8710_zps47c8801d.jpg

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i159/monitors-direct/IMG_8711_zps71477841.jpg

aqua_digital
27.02.2013, 00:48
new photos - the lower edge will have 2" beading to hide the bottom edging

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i159/monitors-direct/IMG_8725_zpsf44afbc2.jpg

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i159/monitors-direct/IMG_8724_zps2b390325.jpg

Single piece glass star fire Euro brace

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i159/monitors-direct/IMG_8723_zps88736a78.jpg

Antipodes
27.02.2013, 01:23
Hi Michael,
Good luck on the tank build.
Looking good so far.

aqua_digital
02.03.2013, 16:14
Planned work this weekend on the marine tank build

1. Get two 6' lengths of 4"x6" and bolt them together
2. Collect 1 x Floor support acro

support floor under fish tank in basement so we can still party without risk of said tank making sink hole through living room floor and becoming an uninvited guest in the basement.

If i am lucky enough I might get the Aquascaping roughed in.

Need to get work bench for sump in the basement.

aqua_digital
04.03.2013, 00:06
Aquascaping complete! I decided to go for a canyon in the end, its tough trying to be original without going off the wall and creating an unnatural scene. When sitting in the viewing seat ;) the canyon draws you through, more so as it narrows to a small opening. The photos do not really show this off well as they are 2D

I also wanted to keep rock well away from any of the sides to make maintenance easy.

http://sphotos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/313739_441395555938894_393559168_n.jpg

http://sphotos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/557865_441395659272217_914453126_n.jpg

benner
04.03.2013, 02:35
I know we have had our differences Michael but good luck with the new tank build......I will be following this one for sure! What do you plan on having in there?


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

aqua_digital
08.03.2013, 20:58
We are through ;)

http://sphotos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/69196_443785952366521_285690053_n.jpg

http://sphotos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/482367_443785929033190_1788755716_n.jpg

Not glued yet so looks a bit wonky
http://sphotos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/69823_443785909033192_1293148603_n.jpg

aqua_digital
09.03.2013, 01:17
sump position and support strut

http://sphotos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/74480_443855379026245_1295782524_n.jpg

http://sphotos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/537546_443855319026251_691476077_n.jpg

http://sphotos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/578180_443854439026339_1851919185_n.jpg

aqua_digital
09.03.2013, 19:19
Sump plumbed to tank.

The sump return line has been plumbed using 45 degrees bends to reduce the flow restriction of 90 degrees where possible.

The two drain lines have a 5% drop so there are no real dead static points that could create issues.

The return lines are now being wet tested prior to water pressure testing.

The two canisters on the wall or for GFO and Carbon.

http://sphotos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/1829_444153645663085_859559598_n.jpg

http://sphotos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/601539_444153688996414_412315515_n.jpg

http://sphotos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/537703_444153668996416_718533725_n.jpg

http://sphotos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/486013_444153725663077_612498178_n.jpg

AndreO
09.03.2013, 23:46
what a shock first follow post to post and in one post we read some one says they have had differences at times and then the first line in the next post ..We are through It took a minute then I see you ment the floor.. thanks for the updates

aqua_digital
10.03.2013, 00:03
More updates to come this week, on the verge of filling ;)

aqua_digital
11.03.2013, 16:59
The tank is now half full (well nearly) the RO unit even though 100gpd is struggling due to the cold water going in, my water bill is going to be insane! I replaced the cartridges prior to filling to make sure the TDS was at 0

The sump looks cloudy due to force feeding the Marco rock chips, it has had a huge dose of bacteria courtesy of Prodibio StartUp.

http://sphotos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/374551_444929098918873_1287213384_n.jpg

http://sphotos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/429583_444929118918871_1549314109_n.jpg

http://sphotos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/487908_444629832282133_390864482_n.jpg

aqua_digital
15.03.2013, 01:20
We are up and running (after small Tsunami and electrocution that I will swiftly skirt over!)

http://sphotos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/62478_446229392122177_1314637872_n.jpg

http://sphotos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/577197_446229408788842_1846304336_n.jpg

I will post a video in a minute

aqua_digital
15.03.2013, 01:20
We are up and running (after small Tsunami and electrocution that I will swiftly skirt over!)

http://sphotos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/62478_446229392122177_1314637872_n.jpg

http://sphotos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/577197_446229408788842_1846304336_n.jpg

I will post a video in a minute

aqua_digital
15.03.2013, 01:23
http://youtu.be/Tu6Rvenp4bA

aqua_digital
15.03.2013, 22:54
Mitras LED lamp hung! Please don't judge the colour! This is straight out the box no setting up what so ever, also crappy camera does not work well in this light.. Too tired. Will dial it in tomorrow.

http://sphotos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/487646_446535072091609_876237337_n.jpg

http://sphotos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/526673_446535095424940_831704936_n.jpg

AndreO
15.03.2013, 23:21
looking good

aqua_digital
20.03.2013, 00:45
Quick update then photos at the weekend.

I have a few fish in the system and had to retrieve what was left of my few corals from my LFS who was care taking them, they did not do too well, and the reason why they are now in a tank that really should not have any corals in it yet, but a do or die situation they are no worse off here and probably better.

The balling system using the GHL dosers, bubble magus containers and also the Ocean fresh salts is now also set up.

Slowly getting over the cloudy period with the water.

The Prodibio start up did its job, all parameters at zero amazingly, talk about good stuff.

Reef Aquatica is supplying me with a stack of live copepods and other clean goodies to kick start the system.

Corals will come from various sources, mainly dealers I trust and know exactly where they get them from, I am not into photo-shopped corals ;)

Been playing with the Tunze pumps, I so wish I was running Vortechs I just cant get good waves with the Tunze. I thought I found a huge bug in the GHL software, I could not get the pumps to react to the programming, so in my eagerness to report my find I emailed HQ only 2 minutes later to find I had set in 1-10v both pumps to pump 1 (DOAH) needless to say NO bug!

Everyone is admiring Concepts tank build skills, I cant thank him enough for such an awesome tank.

Photos and video to follow in a few days when I feel more comfortable with the look of everything.

aqua_digital
20.03.2013, 21:20
So some pictures finally now things have settled.

The photos show the GHL balling system now in place using the 3 channel GHL doser, Bubble magus 5L containers which will be filled using Ocean fresh ionically balanced balling salts. All wiring now complete on the system and it all seems stable.

Not happy with the Tunzes I wish i could use MP40's but the acrylic pushes it past their tolerence and not being a solid fixture creates resonance. May look at routing a hole in it to fit the MP40's

Yes the flower pot coral is in way too soon but had to rescue it. And the chunk of monti that used to be bright green with purple edge is acting as a guinea pig to the system

Not the best of cameras, when we start doing promotional work with the tank we have photographers on stand by!

http://sphotos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/3428_448404575237992_1374945419_n.jpg

http://sphotos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/601585_448404595237990_1554044909_n.jpg

http://sphotos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/576896_448404601904656_1192853061_n.jpg

http://sphotos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/735112_448404618571321_837705415_n.jpg

http://sphotos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/734112_448404628571320_1861510797_n.jpg

http://sphotos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/581653_448404671904649_1324332155_n.jpg

http://sphotos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/484154_448404681904648_106761500_n.jpg

http://sphotos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/735061_448404731904643_597864366_n.jpg

aqua_digital
20.03.2013, 22:46
One thing I would like to mention is the ATO and how it is direct feed from a solenoid.

BE VERY CAREFUL here, if you install them the wrong way round they will not work for long, jam open and flood your system, mine came with a red mark on the feed side, if your does not, please ask the supplier.

I will be fitting a secondary higher level mechanical ball cock supplied by Bubble Magus as a get out of jail card also.

AndreO
21.03.2013, 04:10
is your tank 36 inches across the front and 32 wide I notice that you hung the lite parrallel to the front. do you have good lite coverage accross the tank...Andre

aqua_digital
21.03.2013, 12:17
Yes 36 x32

The mitras has massive coverage 36 x32 is a walk in the park for one unit.

aqua_digital
22.03.2013, 19:54
The GHL Mitras LED coral test!

Photo uploaded is of a very sorry for itself looking chunk of what used to be green with purple edges plating Montipora. This is what is left from my huge colony. As you can see its not very colourful, yes it has some purple showing through just about, and yes the water is slightly cloudy thanks to Prodibio kicking up a nice bio bloom while the tank matures. But I think we all can agree my camera work does not get good enough for photoshop.

So lets wait a few weeks and see what colour this goes under GHL Mitras LED:) Place your bets please :)

https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/310511_449066755171774_894864522_n.jpg

aqua_digital
25.03.2013, 16:27
Tank update pictures. As you can see the Monti colour is coming on fast!

Ammonia = 0
Nitrite = 0
Nitrate = 0.005
P04 = 00.00
Phosphorous = 0.036PPB
Ca = 420
ALK = 7.5
Mg = 1260
Salinity = 52.7
tank temp = 26.6c (80f)
Redox = 345 and climbing
pH = between 7.95 - 8.01 depending on time of day

http://sphotos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-frc1/884403_450342521710864_794863478_o.jpg

http://sphotos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/882173_450342175044232_795834012_o.jpg

http://sphotos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/901399_450342475044202_1321906308_o.jpg

aqua_digital
25.03.2013, 23:38
Jobs done today

Balling system finally set up, just dialing it in now.

ProfiLux on the outside of the network and also Iphone APP set up.

aqua_digital
26.03.2013, 02:48
I now have email set up where the ProfiLux emails me directly (not via the PC) the Profilux has its own SMTP server.

I am getting an email every hour updating me of my sensor values. I will now look at adding more funky email notifications.

If anyone needs help setting email up using Outlook let me know.

JasonK
26.03.2013, 03:09
From experience you'll soon grow tired of hourly emails, they will lose relevance and you'll stop checking them :) I found it more beneficial to enable cyclic emails at 4-6 hour intervals so I wasn't overloaded with hourly emails. Also, as a suggestion copy your email alert and enable it to send on error also. :)

aqua_digital
26.03.2013, 03:10
Yes for sure, right now its like a new toy, but will get bored of it, I get over 200 emails a day, I dont need to add to the count ;)

Good advise will set it up in regards to alerts.

Next step AWC!

aqua_digital
27.03.2013, 00:56
So here is my auto water top off configuration for the aquarium, controlled by the GHL ProfiLux system.

The water is controlled by a solenoid valve seen in the photo, it is important to get these the right way round otherwise they will fail fast, note the red dot marks input.

The solenoid reacts to a low water signal from the optical sensor in the photo, the solenoid is plugged into controllable power bar which is programmed to react to the optical sensors state.

For added security should the solenoid fail open to stop fresh water being dumped constantly into the sump you will see a high level set float valve from Bubble Magus.

https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/529992_450864834991966_916856218_n.jpg

https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/733938_450864884991961_363429685_n.jpg

https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/580431_450864918325291_890476834_n.jpg

JasonK
27.03.2013, 04:21
Michael, do you flush your ATO prior to it feeding fresh from RODI machine on demand? I was thinking this through recently and came up with the following diagram for ATO and refilling the automatic water change tank.
4072

aqua_digital
27.03.2013, 12:33
Nope, there seems to be a myth about high TDS on start up, I personally after various tests never seen this and to be honest do not quite see how this can be, providing you maintain your unit and the membrane is of sound quality you wont get leach back from any test I have done over 20 years of using RO to direct refill my tanks.

Your diagram is really good

aqua_digital
01.04.2013, 16:50
well the losses became a bit more of a problem so we have set up a full QT which everything fish related goes through.

The system will be an invert/coral system for the next month or so while we build a good healthy fish stock in QT.

We have a few corals coming down from Colby at Bayside on Thursday, and looking forward to acclimatizing them while the fish go through 6 week QT cycle.

All initial fish will be QT'd at once and further additions for the same period

AndreO
03.04.2013, 08:05
could you send me or point me in the right direction to set up email from the P3

aqua_digital
03.04.2013, 12:08
There is a sticky at the top of the software forum ;)

aqua_digital
13.04.2013, 15:04
Big switch out this week!

Decided to dump the dry rock and go with some very well cured bali left over that Reef Aquatica has, this was a way too good find not to take up. So I am having 70LB delivered on Tuesday.

I believe dry rock has its uses in this hobby, but its insane cure rates and various reports of leeching are not really what i want in my system, I have seen some strange happenings that in 20 years of using Live rock i have never had before.

I know there will be many here that will come out and say that DR is the best and the way to go, but personally for me, it is not for me, so moving on and going back to old school tactics.

On a plus side the fish are doing really well, the QT system is great, my stock are looking healthy and feeding on New Era Aegis food due to its medical properties.

3 weeks today i can introduce the fish to the system providing the parameters have stabilized with the new rock.

If anyone wants some Bali please let me know, it came in 3 years ago and is sitting in dark vats and pest free.

"Bali Kuta PREMIUM LR is very porous and light and have alot of room for bacteria to colonize, it is almost 50% lighter than the typical Fiji Live Rock used in reef tank.

On top of that Reef Aquatica's price is HALF the price of what is being offered in some national retail chains, making it much more attractive price for setting up that dream tank of yours.

All pieces are hand picked for light weight & shapes; most are medium to large sizes and have some really nice flat pieces for bridges and table top. This whole batch of live rock is CURED and also APTASIA-FREE, we actually employed an army of peppermint shrimp to ensure that there is no aptasia in these rocks, so you can have that piece of mind."

http://www.reefaquatica.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=415

http://www.reefaquatica.com/store/images/rIMG_7770.JPG

My Naso in QT - taken before the daily bottom clean!
https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/546082_457938457617937_765059491_n.jpg

aqua_digital
13.04.2013, 22:11
So for my next trick ;)

1 x

http://www.valtorc.com/images/automation/dm-07/e.png

+

1 x

http://ghlna.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/FlowSensorWithCable_450x218-300x145.png

Automated shut off of return line to tank when return pump is stopped or in the event of failure, thus stopping sump from rasining too high, this also allows for accurate auto water changes.

Only thing missing is the availability of the metric fittings required for the flow sensor, you cant buy them in the USA or Canada :( So when i go to the UK I will pick myself up a set.

aqua_digital
16.04.2013, 20:12
So today I changed from Marco rock to well cured Bali rock! I did not think I would see immediate results. I might add I also did a 50% water change and used IO reef crystals.

Well since setting thank up, my new flow pot would not come out, I thought it was toast, however within 3 hours off doing the switch out check this out! Also sharing my elegance which is stunning

http://sphotos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/522035_459150300830086_1548579776_n.jpg

http://sphotos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/148997_459150320830084_462699797_n.jpg

aqua_digital
11.05.2013, 23:12
Quick photo update under Mitras @ 14k around 40%

https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/321341_468537286558054_822868842_n.jpg

https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/931330_468537436558039_473382241_n.jpg

https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/923396_468537629891353_951524375_n.jpg

https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/936266_468537743224675_101887861_n.jpg

https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/485605_468537783224671_10443948_n.jpg

https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc1/485642_468537809891335_1534408171_n.jpg

https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc1/295376_468537869891329_1026628812_n.jpg

JasonK
11.05.2013, 23:53
Coming along nicely Michael!

aqua_digital
25.05.2013, 22:39
My tank under Mitras

http://marcphoto.ca/AquaDigital/content/images/large/DSC_0661.jpg

http://marcphoto.ca/AquaDigital/content/images/large/DSC_0666.jpg

http://marcphoto.ca/AquaDigital/content/images/large/DSC_0649.jpg

http://marcphoto.ca/AquaDigital/content/images/large/DSC_0652.jpg

http://marcphoto.ca/AquaDigital/content/images/large/DSC_0655.jpg

http://marcphoto.ca/AquaDigital/content/images/large/DSC_0672.jpg

http://marcphoto.ca/AquaDigital/content/images/large/DSC_0678.jpg

http://marcphoto.ca/AquaDigital/content/images/large/DSC_0683.jpg

http://marcphoto.ca/AquaDigital/content/images/large/DSC_0689.jpg