Another 6 gallon Eclipse in constuction

[WaveFanatic]

Recognition from non-moderators, cool !!! Thanks for the compliments, all. We did kinda post this thing a bit early cause we wanted to everyone to form ideas from our designs.

As far as the stand pipe, we are changing that to more of a durso style with some "screening" to guard against livestock exploration.

Construction is rather slow going right now. Just to update you all, we got bulb clips installed (special ordered metal ones from a LFS), and we have the hood fan installed. We were shocked at the flow of the fans we ordered (Y.S. Tech 60X60X25mm High speed fan) which gives 40 CFM. It was so strong, we decided to mount just one fan and do an overnight heat test. With all the lights and water temp of 84 to start, it bought the temp down to 75 by morning (in the garage with the current California heat). I highly recommend them if you need a small but powerful fan, but be prepared for the loud buzzing sound.

We are trying out some bubble trap designs in our sump. Instead of using the common overlapping pane design across the overall sump flow, we are setting up the panes inside a 4" pipe at the sump bulkhead. I'll post detailed pics it works.

BTW, I'd like to apologize to the moderators, cause I think I'm kinda turning my posts into DIY discussion. :wink:

Robert

 

[WaveFanatic]

killing the dupe...

 

[skylsdale]

Updates?

 

[WaveFanatic]

Tank is currently cycling. As some of you might have guess, the flow is kinda strong and is causing small sand storms. Will take pics tonite so I can post them up.

Thanks for the interest, sky

Robert

 

[WaveFanatic]

We finally got the flow problem fixed by drilling about 9 small holes on the plastic tubing that we use as directional nozzles. The current still strong as ever but managable. Our evap on this thing is about 2 liters a day, so we have to top off in the morning and at night. But temp is very stable from 78-80. Is a salinity return swing of 1.027 to 1.024 really bad?

Anyways, here are some updated pics for you all after 2 weeks.

Robert

 

[LA-Lawman]

i dunno if i missed this in a post. but the drain in the tank should be changed to an overflow if possible. bad juju on the check valves..

i am tired.. long day at work

 

[LA-Lawman]

disreg. my browser did load the next page....

i am a lame this evening!

 

[brandon4291]

Hey Wave,

I thought this would be an ideal thread to highlight in our next go-around. Your designs and custom-fittings make this a great example of retrofitting an entire reef setup, the plumbing looks sound and the ecosystem is balancing out getting ready to take on some coral loading. Over the next several days, maybe we can get a few shots of any new organisms you might decide to install. Id suggest a nice zoanthid rock or something soft to get things planted.

Really a nice setup, heres your turn bro!

Brandon M.

 

[WaveFanatic]

I was totally shocked when we got picked for the sticky of the week. Thank you very much, this is such an honour for a tank that is so young.

Well, we finally got the money to get some livestock. We have just added a very nice acropora (colony?) and montipora frag. The xenia has been in the tank for about 3 weeks now, and has now encrusted fully on the branch we super glued him to. Heres some updated pics, just taken tonite. The last pic sorta illustrates how much flow we are getting in the tank, so check out that ripple at the water line. We also have 2 peppermint shimps and the acro had a small crab hosting in it, they were all hiding though.

We still have a big evap problem, for now. We have just recieved some float switches today, so now we can finish our DIY top off, hopefully this week. We will post it when its done.

Thanks again,
Robert

 

[WaveFanatic]

Heres a 3 more.. enjoy

 

[brandon4291]

Rob you earned it with your setup! Even though its new, I felt it was thoroughly well-built and researched before the construction. Theres no going wrong with a design plan like that.

It will be neat for people to see the well-built system from start to finish, and the pics are coming along great. The fuge bucket is fine as is, if it serves the purpose. Actually that would be a very easy shape to install a float/topoff valve in, and if its hidden no one will know. I like the extra volume it gives, a light fish bioload should be no problem for you even if you choose not to skim. You can drill holes in the top area to mount things, practice gluing items or mechanisms to the walls of the bucket, if something doesnt work its easy to find another bucket. I can think of about 5 different things to try with it offhand...

 

[skylsdale]

How's this beauty coming along?

 

[christssoldiers]

Pretty cool set up. One possible suggestion. I'm sure you have enough flow to where you could toss a 90 degree turn straight down out from the back on the returns. The only benefit would be to make the back plumming look a little more tidy. I also agree you should lose the valve on the overflow. A valve on the pump, is all you need since the drain is either going to keep up or not the valve there is really redundant. I like the lights. What fish if any do you have in mind?

 

[quandary_23]

That was absolutely flawless. Wow, now that is good. I really believe you will be, hopefully anyways, one of the select few that has 0 losses! Wish I could say that, lost a mosaic star fish back in the day. Nice job, does it bother you to keep refilling the water that often?

 

[WaveFanatic]

Just wanted to update you guys on this. We took this tank offline about 6 months ago. I had 3 major overflows due to the stand pipe clogging. Both SPS died a cruel death but the rest are surviving well in my 55 gal. Plus, the wife could not handle the mess it created while I was at work.

I am open to suggestions on how to prevent an overflow in the main tank. I will revisit this tank in a few months with a better overflow protection.

Thanks everyone and it will be back!!!!