d2mini's "Essential Focus" Mixed Reef Build - Page 15

CafeReef · 05/05/2016, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by d2mini

Ya I've seen that and thought about it briefly.
This was one instance where I felt like by the time I went out, bought the battery, bought the rivet gun and rivets and took the time to do it, I'm just gonna get a new one under warranty.

But maybe in the future when I have less going on.

if you feel like finding a home for one of your dead ones let me know

d2mini · 05/12/2016, 08:29 AM

UPDATE 5-12-16

It's been a while since the last update but I have been busy.

This build is taking a couple interesting turns and it hasn't even gotten wet yet.
For one, I decided to redo the equipment board... for a couple reasons.
The main thing though was there was just something about it that wasn't sitting right with me. I think it was the lack of access to behind it. This didn't bother me originally, but once I placed the sump in the tank, I realized how little room there was. The sump is very large, taking up most of the interior of the stand. The left end of the sump was mere inches from the equipment mounted on the board, particularly the GHL Power Bars.

I had mentioned earlier that I wasn't fond of the "Panduit" electrical raceways that many people use because they take up valuable space, and I also just wasn't particularly keen on looking at all those big bars running up, down and across.
I hope the owner doesn't mind, but here is just a random example from a google image search showing what I mean...

Now don't get me wrong, this is a very nice example of cable management and everything is nice and tidy and clean looking.
But I just don't have a lot of space to play with.
So after some thinking, it finally dawned on me... what if I just ran the raceways around the perimeter? They would almost disappear in comparison. I also realized I don't have all that much equipment that needs to be mounted, for instance... it's not like I have a bunch of Apex modules. Most everything I need for my Profilux is part of the Profilux computer itself, which is sitting on that shelf I made. So I went to the computer and started laying it out. After a little playing around, spec'ing 2"x2" raceways around the perimeter, everything fit! I found the plastic ones on amazon and ordered two 5' lengths. They arrived early this week.

And while I was waiting for the raceways to arrive, and needed to tear everything out. All the equipment had to be removed from the board, the board had to be removed from the supports, and I had to go out and buy another piece of wood that I could cut down, paint and remount.
So I'm walking around Home Depot and I come across something PERFECT that I didn't see last time. They had 2'x4' sheets of 3/4" particle board with white melamine laminate!!! I wasn't going to be drilling holes through this and the white melamine would match the stand perfectly! No painting required. And it was quite a bit cheaper than the plywood. Bonus!

Changing to this 3/4 material vs the 1/2" plywood had one downside... i was already tight on room in the stand. But since I wasn't going to be hiding all my wires behind the board this time, I removed the supports and cut them down, making up more than the 1/4" in space. Bonus again. Then I remounted the supports. By now the raceways had come in so I cut and mounted those around the perimeter, did a test fit/layout of all my equipment, and then mounted the board to the supports. Finally I was able to start mounting all the equipment and running the cables.

The pic below shows the almost final product.
I still have some stuff to mount in the middle area which I'll talk about in my next update, so the rear vertical raceway cover is not on yet.
And I won't be using the raceways for my sump items like skimmer, heaters, and carbon reactor.
I want to be able to unplug and remove these items easily for not if, but when the sump ever needs to be drained and removed. Again, I'm tight on space so any major work in the stand may require sump removal. These wires will still be neatly secured, just a lot more accessible.
The Vectra return pump is the only sump item going into the raceway.

Oh, and I also hung the refugium light.
As far as plumbing goes, I'm starting laying it out but waiting for a couple last minute little things to arrive from BRS today, and Elos next week.
But the plan is to have the tank wet by next weekend!

So here's where I am now.
There's still some exciting things to come, but that's for the next update.

jason2459 · 05/12/2016, 08:36 AM

That's clean. Great idea on the wire channels. I may incorporate that in my new sump room build out so I don't have the wire nightmare I have now.

CafeReef · 05/12/2016, 08:38 AM

looks great, battery backup isnt as bulky as I thought it was, tucks in nicely with the panduit. I am with you, not the biggest fan of the stuff, but you did a great job minimizing the footprint.

I have yet to find anything I REALLY like for cable management.

brownmarc · 05/12/2016, 08:59 AM

Looking good.

Sent from my SM-N920T using Tapatalk

zzl630 · 05/12/2016, 09:03 AM

I love how clean it looks like. Only concern with me it equipment facing sump side with all spill, moisture, salt.. And did you seal that particle board?it gets wet it goes to mush

d2mini · 05/12/2016, 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zzl630

I love how clean it looks like. Only concern with me it equipment facing sump side with all spill, moisture, salt.. And did you seal that particle board?it gets wet it goes to mush

Yes, the board is laminated and i sealed the edges with kilz paint.
The board is raised off the floor a few inches. So no worry about spills.
Every stand with equipment in it has to deal with salt creep and humidity.
The stand is ventilated and water doesn't randomly splash out of my sumps.

F. Tietzsch · 05/12/2016, 10:35 AM

That looks very neat!!!!

hreef · 05/12/2016, 11:04 AM

Neat n Klean Dennis

Noknock · 05/12/2016, 11:08 AM

What are the power strips above the backup? Are they part of a controller or something you purchased separate?

d2mini · 05/12/2016, 11:21 AM

Thanks for the comments, everyone.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Noknock

What are the power strips above the backup? Are they part of a controller or something you purchased separate?

Those are the PowerBars for my Profilux controller.

Vinny Kreyling · 05/12/2016, 12:34 PM

Looks nice Dennis-- I have used a lot of white board for shelving in closets,
however mine is a solid composite, don't know if it comes in larger sheets.

BrklynArch · 05/12/2016, 12:43 PM

[QUOTE=d2mini;24521364]UPDATE 5-12-16

"I also realized I don't have all that much equipment that needs to be mounted, for instance... it's not like I have a bunch of Apex modules. Most everything I need for my Profilux is part of the Profilux computer itself"

Neptune Apex users should apply some water to that sick Burn! lol

CafeReef · 05/12/2016, 12:47 PM

d2mini · 05/12/2016, 01:12 PM

AHAHAHA!!!

You guys are funny... i totally didn't mean it like that.

That said.... i've got some aloe vera for Penny.

brownmarc · 05/12/2016, 03:36 PM

I don't want to start a debate. But I would like to know how you feel about the quality of the Profilux? I'm diving deeper into the reef hobby and am looking more options to have success.

Sent from my SM-N920T using Tapatalk

d2mini · 05/12/2016, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brownmarc

I don't want to start a debate. But I would like to know how you feel about the quality of the Profilux? I'm diving deeper into the reef hobby and am looking more options to have success.

Sent from my SM-N920T using Tapatalk

IMO, it's the most reliable, robust, best engineered (software and hardware) controller available.

And this is my thread, so no one is allowed to say otherwise.

brownmarc · 05/12/2016, 04:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by d2mini

IMO, it's the most reliable, robust, best engineered (software and hardware) controller available.

And this is my thread, so no one is allowed to say otherwise.

Roger that. I was reading up on it a little and it seems to be awesome all the way around. And the saving begins

lol

Sent from my SM-N920T using Tapatalk

ReefCowboy · 05/12/2016, 08:19 PM

What are your thoughts on the GHL doser? Im aware you do not have the Apex,but would you mind pointing your thoughts on the DOS? Im currently evaluating a purchase and would like to consider as much info on the top two options available out there..
Thank you for any info

d2mini · 05/12/2016, 08:42 PM

I had the old doser and it worked great.
Haven't tried that new one yet but it seems like it will be fantastic.
The DOS I don't get. Only two pumps, it's huge and from what I keep hearing on the forums, it's loud.

ReefCowboy · 05/12/2016, 09:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by d2mini

I had the old doser and it worked great.
Haven't tried that new one yet but it seems like it will be fantastic.
The DOS I don't get. Only two pumps, it's huge and from what I keep hearing on the forums, it's loud.

Thank you for your input. I do see these concerns about the DOS, but one thing that makes me second guess the GHl are the pump motors? I suspect that is a selling pitch from Neptune, but would you know if the quality of the motors on the DOS would indeed result in longer life/be any different than the ghl's?

txdragonslayer · 05/12/2016, 09:18 PM

[QUOTE=BrklynArch;24521861]

Quote:

Originally Posted by d2mini

UPDATE 5-12-16

"I also realized I don't have all that much equipment that needs to be mounted, for instance... it's not like I have a bunch of Apex modules. Most everything I need for my Profilux is part of the Profilux computer itself"

Neptune Apex users should apply some water to that sick Burn! lol

Lol I actually agree.

Mrs. Music · 05/13/2016, 04:57 AM

Dennis, you have issues. LOL.

d2mini · 05/13/2016, 06:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ReefCowboy

Thank you for your input. I do see these concerns about the DOS, but one thing that makes me second guess the GHl are the pump motors? I suspect that is a selling pitch from Neptune, but would you know if the quality of the motors on the DOS would indeed result in longer life/be any different than the ghl's?

The GHL has 24v Stepper Motors, accurate to .1ml
I don't know how long they will last in comparison to neptune's. I'd say only time will tell.
Other features of the GHL...
- WiFi for programming options MyGHL cloud service and compatibility with apps/smartphones
- ports for connecting magnet stirrers! (stirs before dosing)
- port for connecting an upcoming external GHL Control Pad (4.3" capactive touch screen)
- port for temperature measurement with alarm
- port for ATO and AWC (with 2 optional level sensors)
- expandable, up to 16 pumps with slave-dosers

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mrs. Music

Dennis, you have issues. LOL.

sde1500 · 05/13/2016, 08:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by d2mini

The GHL has 24v Stepper Motors, accurate to .1ml
I don't know how long they will last in comparison to neptune's. I'd say only time will tell.
Other features of the GHL...
- WiFi for programming options MyGHL cloud service and compatibility with apps/smartphones
- ports for connecting magnet stirrers! (stirs before dosing)
- port for connecting an upcoming external GHL Control Pad (4.3" capactive touch screen)
- port for temperature measurement with alarm
- port for ATO and AWC (with 2 optional level sensors)
- expandable, up to 16 pumps with slave-dosers

16 pumps, man thats a lot of dosing.

05/12/2016, 08:29 AM	#352
d2mini Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 10,344	UPDATE 5-12-16 It's been a while since the last update but I have been busy. This build is taking a couple interesting turns and it hasn't even gotten wet yet. For one, I decided to redo the equipment board... for a couple reasons. The main thing though was there was just something about it that wasn't sitting right with me. I think it was the lack of access to behind it. This didn't bother me originally, but once I placed the sump in the tank, I realized how little room there was. The sump is very large, taking up most of the interior of the stand. The left end of the sump was mere inches from the equipment mounted on the board, particularly the GHL Power Bars. I had mentioned earlier that I wasn't fond of the "Panduit" electrical raceways that many people use because they take up valuable space, and I also just wasn't particularly keen on looking at all those big bars running up, down and across. I hope the owner doesn't mind, but here is just a random example from a google image search showing what I mean... Now don't get me wrong, this is a very nice example of cable management and everything is nice and tidy and clean looking. But I just don't have a lot of space to play with. So after some thinking, it finally dawned on me... what if I just ran the raceways around the perimeter? They would almost disappear in comparison. I also realized I don't have all that much equipment that needs to be mounted, for instance... it's not like I have a bunch of Apex modules. Most everything I need for my Profilux is part of the Profilux computer itself, which is sitting on that shelf I made. So I went to the computer and started laying it out. After a little playing around, spec'ing 2"x2" raceways around the perimeter, everything fit! I found the plastic ones on amazon and ordered two 5' lengths. They arrived early this week. And while I was waiting for the raceways to arrive, and needed to tear everything out. All the equipment had to be removed from the board, the board had to be removed from the supports, and I had to go out and buy another piece of wood that I could cut down, paint and remount. So I'm walking around Home Depot and I come across something PERFECT that I didn't see last time. They had 2'x4' sheets of 3/4" particle board with white melamine laminate!!! I wasn't going to be drilling holes through this and the white melamine would match the stand perfectly! No painting required. And it was quite a bit cheaper than the plywood. Bonus! Changing to this 3/4 material vs the 1/2" plywood had one downside... i was already tight on room in the stand. But since I wasn't going to be hiding all my wires behind the board this time, I removed the supports and cut them down, making up more than the 1/4" in space. Bonus again. Then I remounted the supports. By now the raceways had come in so I cut and mounted those around the perimeter, did a test fit/layout of all my equipment, and then mounted the board to the supports. Finally I was able to start mounting all the equipment and running the cables. The pic below shows the almost final product. I still have some stuff to mount in the middle area which I'll talk about in my next update, so the rear vertical raceway cover is not on yet. And I won't be using the raceways for my sump items like skimmer, heaters, and carbon reactor. I want to be able to unplug and remove these items easily for not if, but when the sump ever needs to be drained and removed. Again, I'm tight on space so any major work in the stand may require sump removal. These wires will still be neatly secured, just a lot more accessible. The Vectra return pump is the only sump item going into the raceway. Oh, and I also hung the refugium light. As far as plumbing goes, I'm starting laying it out but waiting for a couple last minute little things to arrive from BRS today, and Elos next week. But the plan is to have the tank wet by next weekend! So here's where I am now. There's still some exciting things to come, but that's for the next update. __________________ -dennis Elos Diamond 120xl \| Elos Stand \| Radion G4 Pros \| GHL Profilux Controller \| LifeReef Skimmer \| LifeReef Sump Photos taken with a Nikon D750 or Leica M.

05/12/2016, 08:36 AM	#353
jason2459 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Iowa Posts: 9,671	That's clean. Great idea on the wire channels. I may incorporate that in my new sump room build out so I don't have the wire nightmare I have now. __________________ rebuild and recovery log: No more red house, you'll have to click on my name and visit my homepage! You can check out my parameters at reeftronics dot net website and look for my username. Current Tank Info: 180g mixed reef w/ a beananimal overflow to a dolomite RRUGF. \| 20g long G. Smithii Mantis Tank

05/12/2016, 08:38 AM	#354
CafeReef Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Elkhorn, NE Posts: 1,405	looks great, battery backup isnt as bulky as I thought it was, tucks in nicely with the panduit. I am with you, not the biggest fan of the stuff, but you did a great job minimizing the footprint. I have yet to find anything I REALLY like for cable management. __________________ 50 Gallon cube

05/12/2016, 12:34 PM	#362
Vinny Kreyling Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Miller Place, NY Posts: 7,206	Looks nice Dennis-- I have used a lot of white board for shelving in closets, however mine is a solid composite, don't know if it comes in larger sheets. __________________ 250 gallon mixed reef, 2 Reefbreeder's Photon V 2, Deepwater BLDC 12, DAS EX-3 Skimmer, MTC mini cal, 2-3/4" Sea Swirls, Aquacontroller & 6 Tunze pumps.

05/12/2016, 12:43 PM	#363
BrklynArch Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: brooklyn NY Posts: 529	[QUOTE=d2mini;24521364]UPDATE 5-12-16 "I also realized I don't have all that much equipment that needs to be mounted, for instance... it's not like I have a bunch of Apex modules. Most everything I need for my Profilux is part of the Profilux computer itself" Neptune Apex users should apply some water to that sick Burn! lol __________________ Tank- 48x24x20, Rimless. Sump- DIY 40G Breeder w Fuge (2) Ecotech MP40QD, (2) Radion XR30w (Gen3 Pro upgrade path from Gen1) Reef Octopus XP 2000 Cone. Return Pump-Vectra L1

05/12/2016, 08:59 AM	#355
brownmarc Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Posts: 9	Looking good. Sent from my SM-N920T using Tapatalk

05/12/2016, 09:03 AM	#356
zzl630 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: League City,TX Posts: 132	I love how clean it looks like. Only concern with me it equipment facing sump side with all spill, moisture, salt.. And did you seal that particle board?it gets wet it goes to mush

05/12/2016, 10:35 AM	#358
F. Tietzsch Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Posts: 21	That looks very neat!!!!

05/12/2016, 11:04 AM	#359
hreef Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Richmond Texas Posts: 162	Neat n Klean Dennis

05/12/2016, 11:08 AM	#360
Noknock Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Posts: 41	What are the power strips above the backup? Are they part of a controller or something you purchased separate?

05/12/2016, 12:47 PM	#364
CafeReef Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Elkhorn, NE Posts: 1,405	__________________ 50 Gallon cube

05/12/2016, 01:12 PM	#365
d2mini Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 10,344	AHAHAHA!!! You guys are funny... i totally didn't mean it like that. That said.... i've got some aloe vera for Penny. __________________ -dennis Elos Diamond 120xl \| Elos Stand \| Radion G4 Pros \| GHL Profilux Controller \| LifeReef Skimmer \| LifeReef Sump Photos taken with a Nikon D750 or Leica M.

05/12/2016, 03:36 PM	#366
brownmarc Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Posts: 9	I don't want to start a debate. But I would like to know how you feel about the quality of the Profilux? I'm diving deeper into the reef hobby and am looking more options to have success. Sent from my SM-N920T using Tapatalk

05/12/2016, 08:19 PM	#369
ReefCowboy Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Long Island, New York Posts: 1,742	What are your thoughts on the GHL doser? Im aware you do not have the Apex,but would you mind pointing your thoughts on the DOS? Im currently evaluating a purchase and would like to consider as much info on the top two options available out there.. Thank you for any info

05/12/2016, 08:42 PM	#370
d2mini Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 10,344	I had the old doser and it worked great. Haven't tried that new one yet but it seems like it will be fantastic. The DOS I don't get. Only two pumps, it's huge and from what I keep hearing on the forums, it's loud. __________________ -dennis Elos Diamond 120xl \| Elos Stand \| Radion G4 Pros \| GHL Profilux Controller \| LifeReef Skimmer \| LifeReef Sump Photos taken with a Nikon D750 or Leica M.

05/13/2016, 04:57 AM	#373
Mrs. Music Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Sylvania, OH Posts: 636	Dennis, you have issues. LOL.