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chrisfowler99 
Build shelving.
This thing is probably over-engineered, but if that top tank is full it's 350ish lbs. Better over-engineered than under-engineered.
My time this weekend was somewhat limited due to watching my daughter while the wife was at work...and watching football, but I did get the shelving built.
It's slightly oversized length-wise so I can get the bottom tank in and out. I wanted the width as narrow as possible.
Next step...plumbing. Hopefully I can get through that in the next week.
2/18/10 update:
Finished!
It was actually (mostly) complete a few weeks ago, but I finally got the ATO setup working the other day.
A few pictures and a description of what's going on.
The tanks are 50 gallons each.
The top tank is RO/DI and will fill to about 40 gallons with a float switch to cut it off.
The bottom tank is for mixing. I mix up about 30 gallons at a time. My water changes are 10-15 gallons, but having spare salt water makes me feel better.
Using a Mag 9.5 pump for mixing and sending saltwater to the tank for water changes.
The "gift wrap" container is an idea stolen from Melev's Reef. It holds about 8-10 gallons of water for ATO.
Each function requires only one ball-valve to be opened.
The ball-valves, left to right, top to bottom perform the following functions:
Top row:
1) Fill ATO
2) Fill mixing tank
3) Fill "container" - allows me to get RO/DI for "other" uses...like thawing food
Bottom row:
4) Fill tank
5) Mix saltwater
This is actually two lines. One PVC for water changes and a 1/4" line running to an Aqualifter pump for ATO.
My tank is in a room on the other side of that wall.
This thing is probably over-engineered, but if that top tank is full it's 350ish lbs. Better over-engineered than under-engineered.
My time this weekend was somewhat limited due to watching my daughter while the wife was at work...and watching football, but I did get the shelving built.
It's slightly oversized length-wise so I can get the bottom tank in and out. I wanted the width as narrow as possible.
Next step...plumbing. Hopefully I can get through that in the next week.
2/18/10 update:
Finished!
It was actually (mostly) complete a few weeks ago, but I finally got the ATO setup working the other day.
A few pictures and a description of what's going on.
The tanks are 50 gallons each.
The top tank is RO/DI and will fill to about 40 gallons with a float switch to cut it off.
The bottom tank is for mixing. I mix up about 30 gallons at a time. My water changes are 10-15 gallons, but having spare salt water makes me feel better.
Using a Mag 9.5 pump for mixing and sending saltwater to the tank for water changes.
The "gift wrap" container is an idea stolen from Melev's Reef. It holds about 8-10 gallons of water for ATO.
Each function requires only one ball-valve to be opened.
The ball-valves, left to right, top to bottom perform the following functions:
Top row:
1) Fill ATO
2) Fill mixing tank
3) Fill "container" - allows me to get RO/DI for "other" uses...like thawing food
Bottom row:
4) Fill tank
5) Mix saltwater
This is actually two lines. One PVC for water changes and a 1/4" line running to an Aqualifter pump for ATO.
My tank is in a room on the other side of that wall.
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chrisfowler99
17 February 2010 - 04:09 PM
50 gallon.
I need some new pictures. It's finished up and working, finally.
I need some new pictures. It's finished up and working, finally.
DaJMasta
18 February 2010 - 10:33 AM
Very nice! An elegant solution to an otherwise complicated problem. Now I want to see an automated water changer come out of this 
chrisfowler99
18 February 2010 - 10:39 AM
At this point I have no solution to automate the draining for water changes. 
I need a larger sump with a 15 gallon return area so I can pump out 10-15 gallons and then fill it right back up.
But this has greatly simplified the issue of running a hose out the garage, through the front door and to the tank or ATO container...especially the ATO container...
I need a larger sump with a 15 gallon return area so I can pump out 10-15 gallons and then fill it right back up.
But this has greatly simplified the issue of running a hose out the garage, through the front door and to the tank or ATO container...especially the ATO container...
chrisfowler99
18 February 2010 - 10:58 AM
http://plastic-mart....ss.php?item=912
More expensive than the barrels...but translucent and only 19" wide, which means I could keep them closer to the wall.
(and they look cool)
More expensive than the barrels...but translucent and only 19" wide, which means I could keep them closer to the wall.
(and they look cool)
mcallahan
19 February 2010 - 11:03 AM
makes me want to move to a house where the tank backs up to the garage
chrisfowler99
19 February 2010 - 11:08 AM
Does simplify things a bit.
Otherwise you're looking at having to plumb through the attic.
I'm just glad my wife didn't scream when I cut a hole in the wall.
Otherwise you're looking at having to plumb through the attic.
I'm just glad my wife didn't scream when I cut a hole in the wall.
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