rogersjw
Aquarium Advice Apprentice
OK, so I've been reading for a month or two and have been acruing equipment slowly as I see good deals (mostly craigslist)
Here's what I have so far:
AquaC Remora Pro (Rio 1400 pump)
20 Gallon Tall tank
40 Gallon Tall tank
Hydor Nano Powerhead
Eclipse hood w/ Filter (40 Gallon Tank)
Coralife light fixture w/ T5 lights (20 Gallon)
Hydrometers (2)
Thermometers (2)
RODI Unit (20 GPD)
that's the basics. I've got a lot so far.
I'll be building my stand tomorrow... simple design: Base/Top made from 2x3's and legs made from notched 4x4's... nothing fancy but I know my way around a workshop so It will be sturdy. Nothing to take away from the tanks. (Google Sketchup photo attached)
I plan to do a linked system, with the 20 Gallon as a semi-refugium (pair of small clowns, and some plants). It will also house the heater and remora.
The 40 gallon as the main display (flame angel and maybe 1-2 other fish, but i haven't decided yet) with the filter that is inside the eclipse hood as extra filtration.
Question 1: The current plan is to drill two holes, one in each side of the back glass of the 40 gallon near the top (1 in diameter) as overflows. Run PVC straight down from there, connect them, and then drop it into the 20 gallon below. (I can post a drawing if needed). Then I'll have the other pump (250 GPH) running from the 20 up and drop into the 40 (placed near the top to make sure a reverse siphon won't overflow my 20 in case of a power outage). DOes this all sound correct? Just want to make sure I didn't miss anything.
Now the reason for the two holes in the 40 is so I can be sure 1) to get enough gravity fed overflow back into the 20 and 2) make sure I'm collecting water from both sides so it all gets filtered properly. It may be overkill but I just like to be safe... especially since it is my first SW build.
Question 2: I'm an engineer (mechanical) and have programmed a lot of micro-controllers in my day so I want to make something interesting. As I frequently leave for weekends and holidays (to visit fam), I am going to make a data logging system that will record temperature data and upload it online so I can check in while away... as well as link a video to my extra webcam that will be running alongside it. Any other ideas of things to do with it? Is there a way to use some sensors to log specific gravity (perhaps by logging some other values and then doing some calculations?). Any other ideas? I'm a bit of a tinkerer and really enjoy the challenge of making something outrageously complicated.
Question 3: I've seen a couple DIY ATO's... has anyone done one that they think is more efficient than others? Or have an idea for a cool way to accomplish it?
Question 4: I've seen a couple different glues/epoxy's that people say to use... when buying what should I be looking for to make sure it is safe for my fish?
Sorry, I know there is a lot here, but I'm bored and want to have everything planned before I start cycling the tank (1-2 weeks from now). Thanks for any and all advice! I appreciate it!
Jon
Here's what I have so far:
AquaC Remora Pro (Rio 1400 pump)
20 Gallon Tall tank
40 Gallon Tall tank
Hydor Nano Powerhead
Eclipse hood w/ Filter (40 Gallon Tank)
Coralife light fixture w/ T5 lights (20 Gallon)
Hydrometers (2)
Thermometers (2)
RODI Unit (20 GPD)
that's the basics. I've got a lot so far.
I'll be building my stand tomorrow... simple design: Base/Top made from 2x3's and legs made from notched 4x4's... nothing fancy but I know my way around a workshop so It will be sturdy. Nothing to take away from the tanks. (Google Sketchup photo attached)
I plan to do a linked system, with the 20 Gallon as a semi-refugium (pair of small clowns, and some plants). It will also house the heater and remora.
The 40 gallon as the main display (flame angel and maybe 1-2 other fish, but i haven't decided yet) with the filter that is inside the eclipse hood as extra filtration.
Question 1: The current plan is to drill two holes, one in each side of the back glass of the 40 gallon near the top (1 in diameter) as overflows. Run PVC straight down from there, connect them, and then drop it into the 20 gallon below. (I can post a drawing if needed). Then I'll have the other pump (250 GPH) running from the 20 up and drop into the 40 (placed near the top to make sure a reverse siphon won't overflow my 20 in case of a power outage). DOes this all sound correct? Just want to make sure I didn't miss anything.
Now the reason for the two holes in the 40 is so I can be sure 1) to get enough gravity fed overflow back into the 20 and 2) make sure I'm collecting water from both sides so it all gets filtered properly. It may be overkill but I just like to be safe... especially since it is my first SW build.
Question 2: I'm an engineer (mechanical) and have programmed a lot of micro-controllers in my day so I want to make something interesting. As I frequently leave for weekends and holidays (to visit fam), I am going to make a data logging system that will record temperature data and upload it online so I can check in while away... as well as link a video to my extra webcam that will be running alongside it. Any other ideas of things to do with it? Is there a way to use some sensors to log specific gravity (perhaps by logging some other values and then doing some calculations?). Any other ideas? I'm a bit of a tinkerer and really enjoy the challenge of making something outrageously complicated.
Question 3: I've seen a couple DIY ATO's... has anyone done one that they think is more efficient than others? Or have an idea for a cool way to accomplish it?
Question 4: I've seen a couple different glues/epoxy's that people say to use... when buying what should I be looking for to make sure it is safe for my fish?
Sorry, I know there is a lot here, but I'm bored and want to have everything planned before I start cycling the tank (1-2 weeks from now). Thanks for any and all advice! I appreciate it!
Jon