New 75gal Reef Tank Step-By-Step Setup DIY

[Geoff]

looking good!!

G~

[PowerManJ316]

Made lots of progress today. I have cut all the pieces of 3/8 polycarb and have started glueing them together. I have the back and two sides on as of right now. I am running an inside bead along these joints and then will add the inserts for the refuge, skimmer inlet and three baffels. Then I am going to put the back pane on and let her dry for a while. Thanks Tom and Geoff for the advice on the bubbles. I had already used Weld-On 16 so I am going to go over the bubbly part with weld-on 3 and continue to use weld-on 3 for the new parts I am going to glue tomorrow. Being my first time ever working with this stuff, I think it turned out pretty good. I have a couple of small gaps between some of the baffles and the two outer walls, but I will use a "generous" amount of #16 here to help seal these gaps since they are not going to cause any leaks.

[PowerManJ316]

Oh, I almost forgot the other good news! I got a PLC today. A PLC is pretty much an industrialized computer made for control for those unfamiliar with the term. I plan to hook nearly everything electrical up to the PLC. As of right now I am planning on creating several different routines that will vary the water flow. I.E. with a selector switch, I will be able to have high current (all pumps running full speed), choppy water (alternating pumps at full speed for short durations), etc. I can also attach any inputs (float sensor or better yet photoeyes), as well as analog inputs for measuring salinity, pH, etc. Since I am an Electrical Engineer and work with PLCs every day, keep your eyes on this thread in the next couple of months if you're interested in aquarium automation. These are only a few of the ideas I have, but this tank is going to be pretty high tech on the electrical side of things.

[Geoff]

is that all of the acrylic shaving you got on ya. man, i am usually covered from head to toe when i am cutting the stuff.

G~

[tdwyatt]

pls grsdp gst. niy zo ws, like Geoff on the shavings thing, you must have cleaned up a bit before the photos!

Very interested in the PLC info, especially in realistic costs for the applications. I have a lot of stuff that could benefit from this type of automation if it is RELIABLE.


I will be watchingwith interest!

[whatevva]

Very interested in the PLC info, especially in realistic costs for the applications. I have a lot of stuff that could benefit from this type of automation if it is RELIABLE.


I will be watchingwith interest!

I have PLC controllers running my home, and I use them all day at work, but a decent PLC controller costs me about $1300 . That's why I chose to go with a dedicated controller that's primarily set up for aquarium use. I've found the Neptune program logic very simple and quite flexible. I too will be watching. Please keep us informed as soon as you have a SOO. Thanx!

[PowerManJ316]

Originally Posted by tdwyatt

Very interested in the PLC info, especially in realistic costs for the applications. I have a lot of stuff that could benefit from this type of automation if it is RELIABLE.


I will be watchingwith interest!

PLC's are built with the single purpose to be reliable...I would say they are easily 10x - 100x more reliable than a computer or even a dedicated controller. They are built for an industrialized climate, i.e. made to be never shut off and deal with less than ideal surroundings.
The problem is that this doesn't come cheap. As whatteva mentioned, they are expensive. It will be difficult to find a normal one for under $1000. However, nowadays they are producing "nano" and "micro" PLCs and are becoming cheaper. I have a Modicon/Telemeqanique Twido controller. For the whole starter kit you are prolly looking at a couple hundred bucks. This included the software (ladder logic-very simple), the controller and an I/O module (10 24VDC inputs and 8 24VDC outputs). The other option you may look into is finding a local automation distributor and see if they have anything real old they may part with. I also know they sell PLC equipment on ebay as well. It may be worth looking into, but i think your best best is looking for a starter kit.
Right now I am trying to get my tank and everything running with freshwater and once I get this I will start working heavily on the automation of it. I am glad to see interest here.

[PowerManJ316]

The sump is about 85% done now. I think its looking pretty good. I messed up one of the baffles, I had to pull it out after I had glued it for about 30 seconds. That did not make me very happy . I sanded down the glue and fit a piece back in there good, but you can tell I fudged it a little bit. Oh well. I need to go over all the joints with weld on #3 yet, and then put the middle baffle and back wall on. Then I get to test her out and hopefully find no leaks.

[steve414]

looks really good

[PowerManJ316]

Originally Posted by steve414

looks really good

Thanks Steve, it was alot of work. But it was fun and rewarding now that I am almost done.

[Brent Cone]

Look very! Good! nice job.
Brent.

[PowerManJ316]

Originally Posted by Brent Cone

Look very! Good! nice job.
Brent.

Thanks Brent, I am waiting for the hole saw yet, I wanna get some water in this puppy!

[PowerManJ316]

Looking for a bit of advice.
For my CLS return from the overflow. How high off the bottom do I want this? Does it make much difference. I would like to have a very thin, black sand bottom (pretty fine). To keep from blowing the sand all over the place I was going to put the return about 6 inches off the bottom and use a spraybar. Is that pretty sufficient or will it blow the sand away. I am looking at ~700gph coming out of the return.

[three90s&125sump]

700 GPH will not be enough for your CLS. I have a mag 18 and I am very disatisfied with it on my 90.

[three90s&125sump]

Oh yeah, make your pipe way bigger than you think you need.