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Old 02-10-2010, 01:30 PM
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banditpowdercoat banditpowdercoat is offline
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Hmm, totally interesting concept. They are growing it on Galvanized steel? No leeching effects I wonder? I am interested in this, but my tank is probibally not the best for you to experiment on. Not yet anyways.
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Umm, a tank or 5
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Old 02-10-2010, 01:37 PM
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do you need an established tank or new set-up?
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Old 02-10-2010, 04:41 PM
ScubaSteve ScubaSteve is offline
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The galvanized steel would be electrochemically protected (any rust and corrosion would actually be reversed in these conditions) and would not leach. I will not build something I wouldn't put into my own tank.

I am going to finish reading a few of the published biorock scientific papers and do a few designs over the next two weeks. I have the Olympics off basically as I can't get to work (my lab is right next to the hockey venue). After that I'll build it and give it a test in my lab on my potentiostat to make sure the materials are safe, how much power it needs, etc.

I'd prefer an established set-up for a whole laundry list of reasons. The big one being stability; also someone with a good knowledge of SPS is a benefit too (not saying that anyone here isn't). My SPS tank is stable but small (20G) and young... That is too many variables as it is without adding a gizmo to it and trying to determine results.
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Old 02-11-2010, 04:27 AM
ScubaSteve ScubaSteve is offline
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It turns out that ReefHQ, an aquarium in Australia, has been experimenting with the process for a couple years now in their tanks, so it is reef safe. They have a few nifty tricks in their system that could make this possible in small aquariums like the ones we deal with. I have contacted them for more info and results.

Anybody in Vancouver interested?

Also, comments, ideas and input are appreciated!
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Old 02-11-2010, 06:06 AM
wolf_bluejay wolf_bluejay is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ScubaSteve View Post
It turns out that ReefHQ, an aquarium in Australia, has been experimenting with the process for a couple years now in their tanks, so it is reef safe. They have a few nifty tricks in their system that could make this possible in small aquariums like the ones we deal with. I have contacted them for more info and results.

Anybody in Vancouver interested?

Also, comments, ideas and input are appreciated!
What about those of us not in Vancouver area?

I've been tempted to play with something like this, but just haven't had the time to play much. I'm in Kamloops with a 220gal SPS tank, automated dosing for calc and alk.

Seems they are only using about 12VDC which doesn't worry me about the stray voltage.

I could probably slap something together and do it myself, but I don't have any specs on what they are running for current

Last edited by wolf_bluejay; 02-11-2010 at 06:30 AM.
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Old 02-11-2010, 07:04 AM
ScubaSteve ScubaSteve is offline
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Ha! You're not the first out of towner to say that today . Only reason I was looking for someone around here is that I could troubleshoot it and measure the results. I do want to actually make some scientific claim to either prove or refute this thing. Sometimes certain procedures in aquaria get a fairly subjectiveIf I don't find anyone around here I'll gladly work with people out of town.

I'm going to do a little more footwork and put together some plans and the materials needed. I will gladly build a few of them or pass the plans on. You need to be careful with the selection of you anode material so that you don't get anodic corrosion and poison your tank. Today I did a few experiments and was able to form limestone on the cathode. It actually happens really fast!
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Old 02-11-2010, 07:52 AM
wolf_bluejay wolf_bluejay is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ScubaSteve View Post
Ha! You're not the first out of towner to say that today . Only reason I was looking for someone around here is that I could troubleshoot it and measure the results. I do want to actually make some scientific claim to either prove or refute this thing. Sometimes certain procedures in aquaria get a fairly subjectiveIf I don't find anyone around here I'll gladly work with people out of town.

I'm going to do a little more footwork and put together some plans and the materials needed. I will gladly build a few of them or pass the plans on. You need to be careful with the selection of you anode material so that you don't get anodic corrosion and poison your tank. Today I did a few experiments and was able to form limestone on the cathode. It actually happens really fast!

The happening fast part is where I was worried. I was thinking that with unregulated current you would pretty much be electroplating the medium.
If you have some plans I would love it, (B.Sc in Comp Sci and Physics) so my tank is more toy than hobby.

Of course I wish there was a way to make the metal mesh removable, as I was thinking of attempting to "grow" the shapes I want for aquascaping. But as soon as the current is removed the metal will be a problem.

It would be neat to see how fast you could grow limestone with lots of power and really, really high dosing rates.
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