MMcDonald 285 gallon Plywood Build Thread

Discussion in 'I made this!' started by NASAGeek, Feb 16, 2010.

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Maximum Water Depth (Surface to Sand)

  1. 15-17"

    1.8%
  2. 18-20"

    5.5%
  3. 21-23"

    7.3%
  4. 24-26"

    32.7%
  5. 27-29"

    25.5%
  6. 30-32"

    18.2%
  7. 33-35"

    9.1%
  1. NASAGeek

    NASAGeek Eyelash Blennie

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    10 gallons per inch in the DT. So, I can reverse syphon an inch in the DT and hold it in the sump. Maybe I'll do syphon breaks and a one-way flap valve of somekind for redundancy.

    M
     
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  3. NASAGeek

    NASAGeek Eyelash Blennie

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    By the way, why does drip versus switch "real" ATO make a difference on the ATO keeping up??

    What I was worrying about was the volume of the reservior not being big enough. My 55 gal uses just under 1 gallon per day. The surface area of the 285 is much larger... roughly 3 times the surface area. Thus, I am estimating 3 times the evaporation. So, if I only want to refill my ATO reservior one a week, I need a 20+ gallon reservior.

    It would be much better if I could directly plumb in my RO/DI and a water source, but that really isn't 'doable'.

    M
     
  4. NASAGeek

    NASAGeek Eyelash Blennie

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    Way cool.... I was joking with my wife that I needed to knock a hole in the wall and create an Aquarium equipment room in our bedroom to make room for the ATO reservior... I WAS JOKING. As we joked around about it, she ended up agreeing to let me run a water supply line to the aquarium so I wouldn't need a reservior!!! Too cool!

    I love my wife!.... but she does think I am crazy.... She just corrected me, she says that SHE KNOWS I AM CRAZY.

    Mark
     
  5. Powerman

    Powerman Giant Squid

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    I don't have personal experience.... but have heard of others have ATO problems. I will never directly hook up a RO/DI to my tank. If it goes wrong, not only will you have an overflow, but most things will die on the drop in salinity.

    I do have to change my 7 gal jug on my tank every 3 days or so. However, even if my ATO does malfunction, My sump still has the space to hold the 7 gallons. Plus, 7 gallons of fresh in my 110g SW volume will not be the end of the world. Even in the future.... I still want the same type buffer... even with a RO/DI automated to fill a resivior and maybe a pump line to transfer to the ATO.

    Now my ATO has a high level switch... and I do operate it periodically to see that it still works... but we all know mechanical devices fail... and usually you do not find that out until you need it. I know you have a mind for safety.... don't forget to engineer some in.
     
  6. horkn

    horkn Giant Squid

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    Yeah, I am not a fan of the float switch ATO from the RO/DI filter. It's too risky IMHO.

    I currently have a 12g tub that is my ATO reservoir and when filled about 10g, it lasts about 4-5 days in winter time here. That is the worst it gets as most folks use a humidifier in winter in WI. I just use the tank to add humidity to the house. I think your estimates sound good on paper for evap amounts, but in practice you should use a bit less.

    As far as 2/3 part dosing on bigger tanks, you can do it. I know a few that do. But I also know that these few people have to constantly test their parameters and adjust dosing as the tank grows out. One of these guys has a 180 and has been thinking of getting a reactor to make it easy on him. granted he hand doses and does not use peristaltic dosers but he has to add so much 2/3 part per day to keep up with demand.

    When you weight the up front costs, a doser (peristaltic type)is only slightly less expensive than a reactor, but once time goes on, the 2/3 part is far more expensive and much more work than a calcium reactor.
     
  7. NASAGeek

    NASAGeek Eyelash Blennie

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    But Calcium reactors require CO2 tanks right??.... I don't think I have room for that... it's all gotta go under the tank. I think I'll stick with 3-part dosing Ca/Alk/Mg until I am driven away by demand or something.

    For the ATO, I do some thinking. I definitely don't want to have to refilling the ATO constantly. Once a week is hard enough. I should be able to design in some features to prevent the possible issues. Solenoid valves on timers, etc.

    More to come.

    Mark
     
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  9. horkn

    horkn Giant Squid

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    Yes, a calcium reactor does need a C)2 tank, but if you get a reactor that is very efficient with it's use of CO2, you won't need anything bigger than the 5lb tank I have. It is shorter than the 75g sump I have. See it on the left of my sump?

    You can definitely engineer in some safety checks like solenoid valves run by timers, but I would try to find non metal (plastic) solenoids for the water line, even if it is the fresh top off water.
     
  10. NASAGeek

    NASAGeek Eyelash Blennie

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    Updated Sump Design

    Added Bubble Boxes in refugium and skimmer side.
    Added drain plumbing. Two drain lines from tank, interconnected, valves to control flow to refugium/skimmer.

    Question... under the skimmer stand... just water?? thrown some LR rubble???

    Next step is to add pH and Temp Sensors and heaters and then start routing wires.

    M
     
  11. horkn

    horkn Giant Squid

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    LR rubble or bigger pieces of LR are a benefit to the tank, so yeah, put some in there.
     
  12. GuitarMan89

    GuitarMan89 Giant Squid

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    Totally agree. I have my ATO hooked to a 5 gallon bucket. I would never have it hooked directly to an unlimited supply of water.