240 Gallon Cube Tank Photo Diary - Page 21

thesaent14 · 03/21/2006, 05:05 PM

hey xtrstangx
this is what i am building i will post pic really soon

JazzMan · 03/21/2006, 08:51 PM

How are you doing with the acrylic and scratches? The tank looks very clean.

Bebo77 · 03/21/2006, 10:18 PM

yeah Sean.. stop holding out on us...

sonofgaladriel · 03/21/2006, 10:41 PM

Well, after tonight's fiasco, there may not be anything to show

This may be the proverbial 'straw'

NexDog · 03/22/2006, 12:18 AM

What happened??

melev · 03/22/2006, 01:13 AM

Oh no! What happened?!

hdtvguy · 03/22/2006, 01:20 AM

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...hreadid=806593

melev · 03/22/2006, 01:26 AM

Thanks for the link. Hopefully the vinegar will help.

That is the second time I've read someone added baking soda to lower pH tonight. I've not seen that be the case in my experience. It raises pH further, and a few hours later pH drops. In this case, he didn't have that option, and had to bring it down immediately - thus white vinegar would be the best option.

Psyire · 03/22/2006, 02:39 AM

Yikes!

I hope you pull through alright.

Care to explain how the Kalk Reactor 'malfunctioned'? Obviously it dumped a bunch of limewater into your system, but how?

sonofgaladriel · 03/22/2006, 07:42 AM

Actually, two things led to this problem. First was that my mixing pump on my DIY Kalk reactor did not switch off (timer malfuntion). Second, the water level in my sump was very low due to me turning off the RODI line to the sump in order to fill my water change barrel. So, the sump was allowed to evaporate about 5 gallons of water over that 24 hour period.
So, when I opened the line back to the sump, about 5 gallons of super saturated limewater was added to the sump too quickly.
PH is down to 8.3 this morning. Turned the lights on and I can find all but my Helfrichi firefish and my Bimac anthias

I completely lost three long term acro frags/small colonies, but most others appear to be okay, a little less color but at least they're not completed bleached like I expected.
Thanks again for all the help and well wishes last night.
Darn automation and human error!!!

chetm2 · 03/22/2006, 09:40 AM

sorry to hear that, hope the fish pull thru.

8BALL_99 · 03/22/2006, 09:57 AM

Wow that sux.. Something like that right there is exactly why I dont have a Kalk reactor!!.. Maybe get a PH controller for your reactor so if the ph is above say 8.4 the reactor shuts off?? I use my neptune for my Ca reactor so if the ph drops it cuts it off.. I also have it setup so a fan cuts on if temps get high then if they keep going up lights start cutting off! I'm scared to death of something going wrong when I'm not around..

Sounds like you might have gotten out ok could have been alot worse..

melev · 03/22/2006, 10:37 AM

I'm a huge proponent against a kalk reactor. Too many gorgeous reefs have been wiped out due to that device.

That being said, I'm still considering building a Kalk Stirrer. It would be set up in the fish room, and it would drip kalk via gravity by way of a needle valve, not to replace lost water but only to raise pH slightly during the summer and winter months when the fish room is sealed tight from fresh air. It might be better to just plumb some PVC from outside to the fish room and let the skimmer suck in the air instead.

Sorry you lost some livestock, but I'm really glad you were able to avoid disaster.

ReefWaters · 03/22/2006, 11:47 AM

When I was setting up my Kalk reactor, I turned the feed pump on manual control "ON" with my AquaController and forgot about it. Duh!

Luckily I caught it very quickly but it had raised my PH to 9.0 within about 20 minutes.

Here are some things I have done to my set up to avoid similar situations as yours. They are pretty simple and cheap.

First off, my absolute favorite piece of equipment now is my AquaController Jr. As 8BALL_99 mentioned, you can set alarms, turn things off or on when parameters go too high or too low, etc, etc. The possibilities are ALMOST endless. If you dont have one, I highly suggest it. I think you can still get the Jr for under $300 with an 8 way direct connect. This will control your CA reactor, Kalk reactor, lights, heater, etc, and if you ever decide to upgrade to the II, Pro, III, etc, all you have to replace is the brain, not all the components. Enough said, I LOVE mine and will never get rid of it or some other kind of computer control.

As for the auto top off. Is your RO unit directly connected to the sump with a float valve? The big black ones that mechanically pressurize the unit and shut off the water supply? If so, you can add another one of those valves to your SW make up container and split the RO product line with a "T" connector going to SW make up container. This way, if the sump valve is open, it will fill the sump AND the reservoir at the same time. When the reservoir is full, it wont overflow and you will still be able to have make up water going to the sump. Then you wont have the problem of having to add 4+ gallons of lime water at once.

My top off system is fairly elaborate to explain. Its more simple in theory. Ill try for the short, short version. I have a SW make bucket and a FW holding bucket next to each other. They both have shut off valves in them and are Td off of the product line from my RO unit. I can cut off the SW make up if Im not using it via a ball valve. In order to avoid cycling my RO unit on and off all day, I have a solenoid valve on the product side connected to a multi-day digital timer which turns it on only 3 times a week. On top of the FW reservoir, I have 2 Aqualifter Vacuum pumps. One is connected to a float "switch" in the sump and provides the main evaporation top off for the tank. The second is connected to a timer on the AC Jr which runs fresh water through the Kalk reactor and into the sump every 30 minutes for 1 minute at a time. I do all this so that when the evaporation rate changes, the amount of lime water being added to the tank will not change. That will always stay constant. I also avoid situations like yours in case a large amount of water needs to be replaced at one time.

Sorry for being so long winded. I hope this helps. Let me know if you have any questions. I think your tank will be fine but it may take a few weeks or longer to get back to normal.

Good Luck and keep us posted.

deansreef · 06/11/2006, 02:09 PM

any picture updates? where did you have the cube built?

sonofgaladriel · 06/11/2006, 05:11 PM

Hello,
I posted this video of my tank as it looked about a few months ago: http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y90...funder20Ks.flv
The tank was built by Scott at Aquatics Systems Designs:
http://www.aquaticsystemsdesign.com./
Actually, I will be selling this cube setup within the next few months. I'm going to be replacing it with a 600 gallon tank, 96"x48"x30". Scott will be building this one for me too.
I'll be building a similar style stand but with a 6 to 8 inch shelf around the edge to act as a snack/drink table AND a platform to kneel on when accessing the tank.
Here is what I have envisioned:

melev · 06/11/2006, 09:44 PM

Awesome. I'm sure you'll have a great setup once done. Time to start a new thread, eh?

sonofgaladriel · 06/13/2006, 11:04 AM

I'll start another thread when the new tank begins construction. I've gotten the price quotes for the 72"x72"x30" and the 96"x 48"x 30". I thought I had committed myself to the 96" but the 72" square is about $800 cheaper. Its time for a decision

swellsearcher · 06/13/2006, 11:32 AM

What a bummer.... sorry to hear about the tank

tomkb · 06/13/2006, 11:54 AM

Save your pennies a while longer and get the bigger one. Only than will you be happy.

Wade2185 · 06/13/2006, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by sonofgaladriel
I'll start another thread when the new tank begins construction. I've gotten the price quotes for the 72"x72"x30" and the 96"x 48"x 30". I thought I had committed myself to the 96" but the 72" square is about $800 cheaper. Its time for a decision

One thing to think about as well is aquascaping and reach. With the 72" square tank there will be about 24"X24" in the middle that will be very hard/impossible to reach.

ReefWaters · 06/13/2006, 12:42 PM

Im surprised there is that much difference in price. Oh well.

Dont worry about not being able to make up your mind. Im in the process of making my mind up on my next tank and just cant decide on what Im going to do. Ive changed my mind on tank dimensions alone probably 15 times in the past year.

I like the shelf idea. I would definitely incorporate a granite or Corian type top so that if/when it gets messed up from you standing on it, you can sand it down and it will look like new. Id also go with 12 inches or so so you can stand on it.

sonofgaladriel · 06/13/2006, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by swellsearcher
What a bummer.... sorry to hear about the tank

Dudester · 06/13/2006, 03:48 PM

I think swellsearcher is referring to the impending sale of your cube.

xtrstangx · 06/13/2006, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by sonofgaladriel

From when the kalk reactor failed.

03/21/2006, 08:51 PM	#502
JazzMan Reef Keeper Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: New Jersey Posts: 1,346	How are you doing with the acrylic and scratches? The tank looks very clean. __________________ - Jim

03/21/2006, 10:18 PM	#503
Bebo77 Premium Nonpaying Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Lost Posts: 14,377	yeah Sean.. stop holding out on us... __________________ Gabriel Current Tank Info: 300 Gal Envision Tank(98Lx30Wx26T) 120 Gal SoCalCreations Sump, Deltec TC2560, 2 LumenarcsMini 1 Reg on a light mover W Radiums 250& 400, Gallaxy ballasts, Red Dragon 10m3 return W/ 2 WavySeas, 2 6155 Tunze streams

03/21/2006, 10:41 PM	#504
sonofgaladriel Shiny! Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 1,670	Well, after tonight's fiasco, there may not be anything to show This may be the proverbial 'straw' __________________ Its not who you are, but what you do that defines you.

03/22/2006, 12:18 AM	#505
NexDog Snail Killer Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Kyushu, Japan Posts: 4,804	What happened?? __________________ Laurence Flynn 340g In-Wall Envision Tank and 150g Sump. Current Tank Info: Deltec 902, PFO hood with 3x400w Radium 20k and 4x96w PC's. Hammerhead closed loop - and 2 x Tunze 6105 (and Vortech still sucks).

03/22/2006, 07:42 AM	#510
sonofgaladriel Shiny! Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 1,670	Actually, two things led to this problem. First was that my mixing pump on my DIY Kalk reactor did not switch off (timer malfuntion). Second, the water level in my sump was very low due to me turning off the RODI line to the sump in order to fill my water change barrel. So, the sump was allowed to evaporate about 5 gallons of water over that 24 hour period. So, when I opened the line back to the sump, about 5 gallons of super saturated limewater was added to the sump too quickly. PH is down to 8.3 this morning. Turned the lights on and I can find all but my Helfrichi firefish and my Bimac anthias I completely lost three long term acro frags/small colonies, but most others appear to be okay, a little less color but at least they're not completed bleached like I expected. Thanks again for all the help and well wishes last night. Darn automation and human error!!! __________________ Its not who you are, but what you do that defines you.

03/21/2006, 05:05 PM	#501
thesaent14 Moved On Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: miami lakes florida Posts: 1,591	hey xtrstangx this is what i am building i will post pic really soon

03/22/2006, 01:13 AM	#506
melev Moved On Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Ft Worth, Tx Posts: 43,217	Oh no! What happened?!

03/22/2006, 01:20 AM	#507
hdtvguy Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Winnipeg,Canada Posts: 1,287	http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...hreadid=806593

03/22/2006, 01:26 AM	#508
melev Moved On Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Ft Worth, Tx Posts: 43,217	Thanks for the link. Hopefully the vinegar will help. That is the second time I've read someone added baking soda to lower pH tonight. I've not seen that be the case in my experience. It raises pH further, and a few hours later pH drops. In this case, he didn't have that option, and had to bring it down immediately - thus white vinegar would be the best option.

03/22/2006, 02:39 AM	#509
Psyire Premium Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Alberta, Canada Posts: 1,870	Yikes! I hope you pull through alright. Care to explain how the Kalk Reactor 'malfunctioned'? Obviously it dumped a bunch of limewater into your system, but how?

03/22/2006, 09:40 AM	#511
chetm2 Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Arizona Posts: 1,089	sorry to hear that, hope the fish pull thru.

03/22/2006, 09:57 AM	#512
8BALL_99 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Toney, AL Posts: 3,724	Wow that sux.. Something like that right there is exactly why I dont have a Kalk reactor!!.. Maybe get a PH controller for your reactor so if the ph is above say 8.4 the reactor shuts off?? I use my neptune for my Ca reactor so if the ph drops it cuts it off.. I also have it setup so a fan cuts on if temps get high then if they keep going up lights start cutting off! I'm scared to death of something going wrong when I'm not around.. Sounds like you might have gotten out ok could have been alot worse.. __________________ The problem with political jokes is they get elected. OK, so what's the speed of dark? Why do we drive on the parkway and park in the driveway? Isn't is it a bit unnerving that doctors call what they do "practice"? Current Tank Info: Custom Starfire 300,92Gallon,35 Gallon Hex,Two 40Gallons,125Gallon,

03/22/2006, 10:37 AM	#513
melev Moved On Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Ft Worth, Tx Posts: 43,217	I'm a huge proponent against a kalk reactor. Too many gorgeous reefs have been wiped out due to that device. That being said, I'm still considering building a Kalk Stirrer. It would be set up in the fish room, and it would drip kalk via gravity by way of a needle valve, not to replace lost water but only to raise pH slightly during the summer and winter months when the fish room is sealed tight from fresh air. It might be better to just plumb some PVC from outside to the fish room and let the skimmer suck in the air instead. Sorry you lost some livestock, but I'm really glad you were able to avoid disaster.

03/22/2006, 11:47 AM	#514
ReefWaters Premium Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Savannah, GA Posts: 1,521	When I was setting up my Kalk reactor, I turned the feed pump on manual control "ON" with my AquaController and forgot about it. Duh! Luckily I caught it very quickly but it had raised my PH to 9.0 within about 20 minutes. Here are some things I have done to my set up to avoid similar situations as yours. They are pretty simple and cheap. First off, my absolute favorite piece of equipment now is my AquaController Jr. As 8BALL_99 mentioned, you can set alarms, turn things off or on when parameters go too high or too low, etc, etc. The possibilities are ALMOST endless. If you dont have one, I highly suggest it. I think you can still get the Jr for under $300 with an 8 way direct connect. This will control your CA reactor, Kalk reactor, lights, heater, etc, and if you ever decide to upgrade to the II, Pro, III, etc, all you have to replace is the brain, not all the components. Enough said, I LOVE mine and will never get rid of it or some other kind of computer control. As for the auto top off. Is your RO unit directly connected to the sump with a float valve? The big black ones that mechanically pressurize the unit and shut off the water supply? If so, you can add another one of those valves to your SW make up container and split the RO product line with a "T" connector going to SW make up container. This way, if the sump valve is open, it will fill the sump AND the reservoir at the same time. When the reservoir is full, it wont overflow and you will still be able to have make up water going to the sump. Then you wont have the problem of having to add 4+ gallons of lime water at once. My top off system is fairly elaborate to explain. Its more simple in theory. Ill try for the short, short version. I have a SW make bucket and a FW holding bucket next to each other. They both have shut off valves in them and are Td off of the product line from my RO unit. I can cut off the SW make up if Im not using it via a ball valve. In order to avoid cycling my RO unit on and off all day, I have a solenoid valve on the product side connected to a multi-day digital timer which turns it on only 3 times a week. On top of the FW reservoir, I have 2 Aqualifter Vacuum pumps. One is connected to a float "switch" in the sump and provides the main evaporation top off for the tank. The second is connected to a timer on the AC Jr which runs fresh water through the Kalk reactor and into the sump every 30 minutes for 1 minute at a time. I do all this so that when the evaporation rate changes, the amount of lime water being added to the tank will not change. That will always stay constant. I also avoid situations like yours in case a large amount of water needs to be replaced at one time. Sorry for being so long winded. I hope this helps. Let me know if you have any questions. I think your tank will be fine but it may take a few weeks or longer to get back to normal. Good Luck and keep us posted. __________________ "No, No, No, Lightspeed is too slow... We're gonna have to go right to LUDICROUSspeed" Current Tank Info: Taking a break for a while. Still Reading and Researching every day though.

06/11/2006, 02:09 PM	#515
deansreef Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: north carolina Posts: 3,234	any picture updates? where did you have the cube built? __________________ the only dumb question, is the one not asked... Current Tank Info: 225 gallon peninsula

06/11/2006, 05:11 PM	#516
sonofgaladriel Shiny! Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 1,670	Hello, I posted this video of my tank as it looked about a few months ago: http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y90...funder20Ks.flv The tank was built by Scott at Aquatics Systems Designs: http://www.aquaticsystemsdesign.com./ Actually, I will be selling this cube setup within the next few months. I'm going to be replacing it with a 600 gallon tank, 96"x48"x30". Scott will be building this one for me too. I'll be building a similar style stand but with a 6 to 8 inch shelf around the edge to act as a snack/drink table AND a platform to kneel on when accessing the tank. Here is what I have envisioned: __________________ Its not who you are, but what you do that defines you.

06/11/2006, 09:44 PM	#517
melev Moved On Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Ft Worth, Tx Posts: 43,217	Awesome. I'm sure you'll have a great setup once done. Time to start a new thread, eh?

06/13/2006, 11:04 AM	#518
sonofgaladriel Shiny! Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 1,670	I'll start another thread when the new tank begins construction. I've gotten the price quotes for the 72"x72"x30" and the 96"x 48"x 30". I thought I had committed myself to the 96" but the 72" square is about $800 cheaper. Its time for a decision __________________ Its not who you are, but what you do that defines you.

06/13/2006, 11:32 AM	#519
swellsearcher Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: socal Posts: 57	What a bummer.... sorry to hear about the tank __________________ If your going to do it... do it right ! Current Tank Info: 240g,100g,75g hex (puffer tank)

06/13/2006, 11:54 AM	#520
tomkb Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 35	Save your pennies a while longer and get the bigger one. Only than will you be happy.

06/13/2006, 12:42 PM	#522
ReefWaters Premium Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Savannah, GA Posts: 1,521	Im surprised there is that much difference in price. Oh well. Dont worry about not being able to make up your mind. Im in the process of making my mind up on my next tank and just cant decide on what Im going to do. Ive changed my mind on tank dimensions alone probably 15 times in the past year. I like the shelf idea. I would definitely incorporate a granite or Corian type top so that if/when it gets messed up from you standing on it, you can sand it down and it will look like new. Id also go with 12 inches or so so you can stand on it. __________________ "No, No, No, Lightspeed is too slow... We're gonna have to go right to LUDICROUSspeed" Current Tank Info: Taking a break for a while. Still Reading and Researching every day though.

06/13/2006, 03:48 PM	#524
Dudester Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 2,218	I think swellsearcher is referring to the impending sale of your cube. __________________ The Dude abides Current Tank Info: building a new home tank l 450g office tank with Deltec everything