calvin415 Posted September 8, 2005 Author Share Posted September 8, 2005 Thanks Freak and Mark, It should ship on Monday if all goes to schedule and it's only 1 state away so hopefully it will only take 2-3 days to get it. I'm very stoked! Link to comment
calvin415 Posted September 9, 2005 Author Share Posted September 9, 2005 Okay, I just got done building a kalk reactor... It took less than an hour including testing, installing, and keeping my son under control. Here it is step by step... Installing the 3/4x1/2 Threaded Bushing Installing the JG fitting 1/4 OD x 1/2 MIP Another angle Tightened down with teflon tape All the pieces layed out ready for assembly... 3/4" PVC which runs top to bottom through the middle and drilled at the bottom for water to enter the reactor and mix the kalk powder at the same time. Link to comment
calvin415 Posted September 9, 2005 Author Share Posted September 9, 2005 Assembled With Kalk Powder Closer And here's me and my buddy! Cost break down... Water Filter Canister ebay for 8.99 + Shipping 3/4x1/2 Threaded Bushing 1.04 (for 2) JG Fittings 5.40 (for 2) Teflon tape (everyone already has) 3/4" PVC already had, but I'll guess it's 2.50??? 1/4" tubing 1.82 So that's less than 20 bucks plus the shipping for the canister! Just add a water source and run it to the tank either on a drip or float valve. Link to comment
jafoca Posted September 9, 2005 Share Posted September 9, 2005 so the water coming in filters down through the kalk power then out to the tank? Link to comment
calvin415 Posted September 9, 2005 Author Share Posted September 9, 2005 The water comes in and goes down the pipe, through the kalk powder then up into the reactor and sits until the float switch pumps the water in. When it's not pumping the remaining kalk powder settles and waits to mix again with fresh ro/di water. Link to comment
FishFreak Posted September 9, 2005 Share Posted September 9, 2005 That is sweet! Nicely done. Make me one Link to comment
calvin415 Posted September 9, 2005 Author Share Posted September 9, 2005 What, you can't cut a pipe and screw in a couple fittings? Link to comment
calvin415 Posted September 9, 2005 Author Share Posted September 9, 2005 Here's the latest tank pics... Link to comment
Maeda Posted September 9, 2005 Share Posted September 9, 2005 Wow. Makes me want to build a tank... Oh yah I already do. I can't wait to see water in that bad boy. Link to comment
calvin415 Posted September 9, 2005 Author Share Posted September 9, 2005 Thanks Maeda! Link to comment
calvin415 Posted September 10, 2005 Author Share Posted September 10, 2005 Slight change of plans... Ordered my pumps and due to the pricing I was able to find, I went with a QuietOne 3000 for my return and a QuietOne 5000 for my closed loop. I've heard they are nearly silent, and I've heard horror stories. I hope they are silent. Just as an FYI, I haven't seen these this cheap anywhere else... http://www.petsolutions.com/Quiet+One+Pump...-I-C-49-C-.aspx Link to comment
calvin415 Posted September 10, 2005 Author Share Posted September 10, 2005 Scratch that, I still overspent... http://www.bigalsonline.com/catalog/catego...ategory_id=3867 Link to comment
Maeda Posted September 10, 2005 Share Posted September 10, 2005 Originally posted by calvin415 Scratch that, I still overspent... http://www.bigalsonline.com/catalog/catego...ategory_id=3867 Don't we all... After seeing this the other day I started collecting quotes for how much my 'super 5' will cost. I'm just going to state here and now there is no budget a reef tank cannot bulldoze through. I think i'm getting a quiet one as well. Link to comment
calvin415 Posted September 10, 2005 Author Share Posted September 10, 2005 Sweet Maeda, be sure to let us know what you plan. Link to comment
Maeda Posted September 11, 2005 Share Posted September 11, 2005 I will. I setup my current tank as a reef tank 'trial period.' Now the no-visible-equiptment bug has bit me again so the next tank will have a similar solution like your FBH tank. I have provisions for a sump too but I really wanted to keep my nano as a desktop tank unlike my other tank. Now I got a question... Is there a benefit to having the closed loop on top of the tank? I wanted to try and hide a closed loop under my sand with just the nozzles poking out(I know it'll be fighting gravity but aside from that). I noticed most people have the outputs much higher up... Link to comment
calvin415 Posted September 11, 2005 Author Share Posted September 11, 2005 I had it in the top of the tank because I just don't think seeing something sticking out of the sand looks any better. My original plan was to have an enormous overflow to hide all the plumbing and have it flow from within the walls. Change my mind when I realized just how much realestate it took up in an already small tank, not to mention the cost to get it fabricated. I guess it's just preference, but I don't tend to look at the water surface when I admire my tanks. On the other hand I do look at the sand and bottom of the tank for my gobies or blennies; hence I decided a top flow closed loop worked better for me. Just something to consider on the self contained tanks is heat, even my 23 gallon with 4 powerheads in the overflow, I don't need to run a heater and my two fans are still struggling to keep the tank at a steady temperature. I have to keep the front of the canopy open to allow better air flow and the tank still varies about 3 sometimes 4 degrees... Link to comment
calvin415 Posted September 12, 2005 Author Share Posted September 12, 2005 Tank is paid for, and will ship tomorrow! Should be here Wednesday. Link to comment
EnFuego Posted September 12, 2005 Share Posted September 12, 2005 Looking good Eric. I think I might go for that Kalc reactor idea as well. For that price, you can't afford not to at least try it out. I don't see any reason why it wouldn't work. Tank is looking great. -Mark Link to comment
proraptor Posted September 12, 2005 Share Posted September 12, 2005 Sounds like you got everything going pretty smoothly...Cant wait to see this thing set up... Im just waiting for my uncle to build my stand now and my 60 cube should be up and running. Link to comment
calvin415 Posted September 14, 2005 Author Share Posted September 14, 2005 Just an update, my light came in yesterday, the return pump comes in today, the tank and closed loop pump will be tomorrow! Stand construction should begin this weekend. Link to comment
proraptor Posted September 15, 2005 Share Posted September 15, 2005 Did you get the tank? Im anxious to see it! Link to comment
calvin415 Posted September 15, 2005 Author Share Posted September 15, 2005 I checked the tracking number on FedEx and it's still showing it in transit... ??? It better come tonight, it's showing in-state so I'll pic it up if I have to. Left Denver (about an hour North of me) at 1am this morning but no other updates... Link to comment
proraptor Posted September 15, 2005 Share Posted September 15, 2005 I hope you get it I cant wait to see it... Link to comment
calvin415 Posted September 15, 2005 Author Share Posted September 15, 2005 You can't wait? I can't wait! I'm so anxious, I've been refreshing the FedEx site every 10 minutes since 7:00 this morning. Link to comment
proraptor Posted September 15, 2005 Share Posted September 15, 2005 Haha! Thats so funny...I should ( hopefully) have my 60 cube setup this weekend... Link to comment
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