+Capt. Obvious Posted January 15, 2013 Share Posted January 15, 2013 Here is the start of my build.Self assembled acrylic pico drop-off tank7 pieces of acrylic cut @ binswanger glass for a total of $70Rendered in sketchup before to ensure proper measurements, etcIt will be monitored by a self assembled reef controller based upon arduino and will utilize a 3.2" touch screen LCD monitor (based on NKD5024's build on Reef Central) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aggieMEDIC Posted January 15, 2013 Share Posted January 15, 2013 i havent stopped thinking about this tank since i saw that pic. I want to copy it but maybe a little larger. 15 gal or so. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Capt. Obvious Posted January 15, 2013 Author Share Posted January 15, 2013 Aggie...I'd love to assist you with it man, if you decide to do it let me know Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Capt. Obvious Posted January 15, 2013 Author Share Posted January 15, 2013 After reading a few threads I decided to go with gu10 led lighting for a few reasons (the main being cheap, can be wired with lamp cord, no driver necessary, and dim able with a common household dimmer switch) I was able to find an eBay source from china that sold 3x1 watt in white and blue and a 2blue 1 white configuration as well as sockets for near dirt pricing. I am pretty impressed with the output as seen here: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Capt. Obvious Posted January 15, 2013 Author Share Posted January 15, 2013 Here are a few more teaser pics including the arduino controller based on the NKD5024's sketch Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scubasteve92 Posted January 15, 2013 Share Posted January 15, 2013 This is sweet!! Can't wait to see it with water! How are you handling flow? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
(Bio)³ Posted January 15, 2013 Share Posted January 15, 2013 nice touch with the controller! I'll have to research that, I'll add it after the contest so I dont steal your idea Looks sweet though, if you ever feel like helping me through it for my first time let me know I can bring beer! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Capt. Obvious Posted January 15, 2013 Author Share Posted January 15, 2013 This is sweet!! Can't wait to see it with water! How are you handling flow? Thanks! For flow I will be going with a used maxijet 1200 or a rio for a return pump and I am thinking a used maxijet 900 for a closed loop, or a koralia... I haven't fully decided. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Capt. Obvious Posted January 15, 2013 Author Share Posted January 15, 2013 nice touch with the controller! I'll have to research that, I'll add it after the contest so I dont steal your idea Looks sweet though, if you ever feel like helping me through it for my first time let me know I can bring beer! Sure thing, I have spent the past 2-3 months researching arduino based diy controllers before choosing this one, obviously it will have a limited scope due to budget, but there is a ton you can do with them (automated water changes ) You can snag an arduino+LCD shield+touchscreen LCD with sd card reader on eBay from sainsoft for ~35...you just have to wait a while on the shipping Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jestep Posted January 15, 2013 Share Posted January 15, 2013 Nice. I was going to go with GU10 bulbs, but I finally decided on some DIY cree's. Having a bit of an issue figuring out how to hang the heatsink though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen Posted January 15, 2013 Share Posted January 15, 2013 Wow! Lol this is awesome. Definitely want to learn more about the controller too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Capt. Obvious Posted January 15, 2013 Author Share Posted January 15, 2013 the controller will control 8 outlets and read temperature...if budget allows...ph as well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Capt. Obvious Posted January 15, 2013 Author Share Posted January 15, 2013 Here is the google sketchup initial rendering: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Capt. Obvious Posted January 15, 2013 Author Share Posted January 15, 2013 here is a bit of the budget thus far: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Capt. Obvious Posted January 15, 2013 Author Share Posted January 15, 2013 I acquired a 2.5 gallon aga at the dollar per gallon sale.. and partitioned it off with home depot acrylic...stand is in the works Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Capt. Obvious Posted January 15, 2013 Author Share Posted January 15, 2013 And this is what my desk currently looks like... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jestep Posted January 15, 2013 Share Posted January 15, 2013 And this is what my desk currently looks like... Whew. So I'm not the only one! I think mine's worse right now though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
victoly Posted January 15, 2013 Share Posted January 15, 2013 And this is what my desk currently looks like... Do you even solder bro? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
victoly Posted January 15, 2013 Share Posted January 15, 2013 I thought I saw it somewhere, but is your controller based off of open reefs or one of the other open standards? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Capt. Obvious Posted January 15, 2013 Author Share Posted January 15, 2013 It is based on Nick's build from reefcentral (he has dubbed it "new life reef controller" I believe) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Capt. Obvious Posted January 17, 2013 Author Share Posted January 17, 2013 I skeleton of a stand is beginning to take shape, rock purchased and my 2-part supplement arrived in the mail. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Capt. Obvious Posted January 18, 2013 Author Share Posted January 18, 2013 Not much to report, I have the controller keeping time and reading temperature now, will work on controlling outlets and ph if time permits Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen Posted January 18, 2013 Share Posted January 18, 2013 Man, I'm really diggin the design on this. Stand looks to be coming together nicely. I was wondering how big your display/sump is? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Capt. Obvious Posted January 18, 2013 Author Share Posted January 18, 2013 the sump is an aga 2.5 gallon. the display dimensions are 5" tall x 12"wide x 7" long for the upper section (so 420 in3) and 8" tall 12" wide and 7" long for the lower section (so 672 in3) for a total of 1092 in3 or ~ 4.73 US Gallons Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DerrickH Posted January 18, 2013 Share Posted January 18, 2013 I wish I had the time to do these types of projects.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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