KrazyKuch's & Michika's 180Gal Tank Build

[michika]

Its not actually on. Its been off since the sea hare went in the tank. It just hasn't been removed. Kevin wants to keep it in the tank for water movement behind the rocks. I hate powerheads in the tank, and would prefer it comes out permanently.

[fencer]

Okay Kevin's controller is pretty cool. Where did he buy the parts and is ethernet capable. In other words I want to build one too. PM me I would like to talk to him on the phone

[michika]

The kit came from ECROS, www.ecrostech.com, and it can be ethernet capable if you want it to be. Apparently everything is modular about it. Per Kevin, "its just a development tool, you can add anything you want, you just have to make it. E.g. for pH, or ORP you just need to make high impedence amplifiers.

I'll send you a PM as well.

[Trigger Man]

Maybe Kevin is going to have to start making more controllers to sell. Food from you, controllers from Kevin, it will soon be a one stop shop.

[Pan]

Originally Posted by michika

The kit came from ECROS, www.ecrostech.com, and it can be ethernet capable if you want it to be. Apparently everything is modular about it. Per Kevin, "its just a development tool, you can add anything you want, you just have to make it. E.g. for pH, or ORP you just need to make high impedence amplifiers.

I'll send you a PM as well.

What happened to your RKE?

[michika]

Nothing, its running the 180g. Kevin is making his own because that was the deal, I got the RKE, and he gets to build one to try out on the big tank.

I'm looking for an electronic float switch, maybe two, to look at a continuous feeding model for the 180g for clams and SPS>

I was also browsing the forums on RC today and came across this, Kuramura's solution to adding more lighting to his system without adding more wattage.
I think its really ingenious, and innovative. Its making me revisit my ideas on light movers for the big system.

[michika]

So we taped out some options today for the big tank.

Option 1: 13ft (156") Long x 3.5ft (42") Deep x 2ft (24") Tall = 680.7g
This tank would be 3ft above the ground for optimal viewing when standing or seated.



Some buckets for perspective


Pros:
- 13ft is a lovely length
- 3ft or 3.5ft of depth is easy for me to reach

Cons:
- Giving up the only window in the basement
- Loose approximately 6ft from the current room for the tank and a walkway behind

Option 2: 10ft (120") to 15ft (180") Long x 4ft (48") Deep x 2ft (24") Tall = 598.4g to 897.7g

Pros:
- In-wall design, means we only loose about 1ft of space from the entire room
- Length can be expanded up to 15ft
- Get to keep the window
- More spare for a moveable light rack
- Sump could be under the display and accessible from both sides

This shows a 10ft length


Where the back of the tank would go


Under the stairs where the tank some of the tank would be.


I'm leaning towards option 2. It just has so many more pros then the original design. It would also allow us the added benefit of more space for entertaining in our basement.

And a lovely little winter suprise....you know your cold air intake is really bringing in cold air when:

[Rbacchiega]

***jealous!****

and I thought my 8X3X2 tank was big

[Pan]

Originally Posted by michika

Nothing, its running the 180g. Kevin is making his own because that was the deal, I got the RKE, and he gets to build one to try out on the big tank.

I'm looking for an electronic float switch, maybe two, to look at a continuous feeding model for the 180g for clams and SPS>

I was also browsing the forums on RC today and came across this, Kuramura's solution to adding more lighting to his system without adding more wattage.
I think its really ingenious, and innovative. Its making me revisit my ideas on light movers for the big system.

So Kevins controller is sort of like this ?
http://www.appdig.com/adicon_new/ocelot.htm

[GreenSpottedPuffer]

Sounds like you are planning this very well and it will be a great build!

The only thing that I would think isn't such a good idea is building the tank yourself...600G + is kind of a lot of water