This is gonna be sweet. I'm really interested in the auto-water change system as I am currently trying to piece together a tank in this size range. May I ask which system you are going to be using?
Jeffrey's "Big Boy"---120g Planted
- Thread starter jmhart
- Start date
it's a DIY system, using three irrigation solenoids, controlled by my DIY controller, and with a mini float switch from Fishbowl Inovations.
I'm dedicating the last week of Jan and/or first week of Feb to getting this tank up and running.
Ok, here we go.
Here's my first pass at a plumbing design.....ok, not my first pass, but my first "final draft". Image first"
To fill in some holes:
Now, to head off what I think will be a few questions/immediate thoughts:
I really welcome all thoughts/suggestions because I'll be building soon.
Here's my first pass at a plumbing design.....ok, not my first pass, but my first "final draft". Image first"
To fill in some holes:
- T M means Top Macros, B m means Bottom Micros, T R is Top Refill, B CO2 is, well, you get the idea
- Spray bar is substrate level, and points up and slightly towards back glass
Now, to head off what I think will be a few questions/immediate thoughts:
- Tank is corner drilled. Intake/output must enter the tank in that corner
- Almost every ball valve is actually a ball valve/true union connection, except the pH probe
- Eheims don't have ball valves because they have their own disconnects
- Mag Drive 7, 700gph, is there for added circulation/co2 diffusion. Probably overkill at 700 gph, but I already have it, so no added expense. *Might* downgrade it to a Danner 5 @ 500 gph if necessary. Additionally, it runs the tank drain. Because of the design of my house, I need to pump the water up 7'. @ 7' of head, Danner 7 still gets 350 gph.
- The 700 gph is almost definitely an issue for the UV. I'm going to measure acutal flow, and if it is indeed an issue(as I beileve it will be) that will force the downgrade to the Danner 5
I really welcome all thoughts/suggestions because I'll be building soon.
wow so i got most of it but when i get to the canisters i'm confused could you maybe make it more clear witch way the water is being drawn into the filters because to me it looks like it's getting pulled in at the bottom but also the top if that makes sense.
MD means the mag drive right? if so then it all makes sense if not then i'm really confused.
ether way i would worry slightly of there be to much suction in of the the motor and one of the filter not getting ehought what if that makes sense
ether way i would worry slightly of there be to much suction in of the the motor and one of the filter not getting ehought what if that makes sense
Yes, MD is Mag Drive.
The entire thing is made out of 1" PVC, so there should be plenty of water supply. However, that's a good comment and something I will definitely have to monitor. If that's the case, a Mag 500 would definitely even it out.
I got to thinking about the energy cost of a tank like this. This is my estimated cost:
I forgot to note my summer rate above, @ $.0787/kwh.
I forgot to note my summer rate above, @ $.0787/kwh.
