Jimbo’s CDA 250

[Jimbo327]

Almost done with the RO water shed. At first, I thought my used RO unit was defective, but had to replace a leaky low pressure switch…and it is now working. I’m setting up the RO “waste” water cistern to catch the rejected water so that I can use that for watering plants.

My electrician is MIA, so I need him fix my outlet first before I can move on. It’s crazy hard to find good help these days. They all want the big jobs to install car chargers or re-wire the house.

 

[Jimbo327]

I hooked up the rainwater cistern to collect RO “waste” water, and this cistern is already full. Hoping to find another similar one.

 

[Smite]

That's a pretty cool idea!

 

[Smite]

What's wrong with your receptacle?

 

[Jimbo327]

What's wrong with your receptacle?

I think the receptacle is wired incorrectly, the GFCI pops every time.

Update: Electricians quoted me $125/hr labor, and they can squeeze me in between their big jobs. So I just decided to watch Youtube & fix the wiring myself. That's the good thing about reefing, you get to learn a lot on DIY and helps if you are handy. So I have it wired for GFCI outlet outside and regular outlet inside (in series) to its own 20A breaker.

 

[Jimbo327]

Using dry Caribsea aragonite special grade sand, about 120 lbs. Rinsed in buckets and leave to dry for a few days.

 

[Jimbo327]

I wanted to keep the Tunze Osmolator ATO controller in the cabinet and sensors at the other end of the sump, but the existing wire lengths were too short...so I extended the optical and mechanical wires by soldering additional ~6 feet of wire. (The mechanical float was 2 small wires, and the optical sensor was 4 small wires...it can be a pain in the butt to solder such fine wires...but it can be done)

Just tested all of the sensors after wire extension/soldering, everything works as intended.

Update: Extended the pump wire as well with some speaker wires since I have the freshwater barrel in the outdoor shed. So I’m all done with the ATO.

 

[Jimbo327]

I have never used an APEX controller before. I tried to connect the APEX using the Fusion app, but that wasn't happening. I finally figured out how to use the computer browser to log in directly with the IP address, and then I was about to link it to the Fusion account. Cool!

Since all of my APEX equipment are purchased second-hand, I spent the rest of the night updating the firmware and operating system. Lesson learned: you cannot update the operating system using wireless...it has to be done when wired. So that means bringing the ethernet cable to your base unit and performing the AOS update.

So far, I've only been able to set up the APEX base unit to Fusion and update the EB832's. I'll save the other APEX modules for another night.

I think APEX will be my biggest weakness as I'm doing a lot of trial and error on setting it up. But I can already see the awesome potential in having this to control and monitor your tank.

 

[Jimbo327]

Busted up my right shoulder and dislocated the collarbone a few months ago. Took awhile to recover and slowly get back to lifting my right arm without pain.

The tank is still empty, but it is mostly done, at least enough to get wet. Here are final empty photos.

 

[Smite]

Nice clean build Jimbo. I'm looking forward to seeing this system get wet.

Hopefully you start to get some range of motion back pain free soon. Shoulders can be tricky. I had a couple dislocations when I was younger, no fun.

 

[drexel]

Looks nice and clean, good work!

 

[DanK.Reefer]

Dude that is one very clean DIY setup. I also just got back into the hobby after a long hiatus (18years) and am just getting up and running again. I am not a hoarder I am a collector/saver LOL. Its time to put all of that stored aquatic equipment and put it to work. I fully understand the need for tidiness were the wifey is concerned. Though I guess with out her input I would just have a tank sitting on top of a steel frame with fully exposed plumbing, sump, and dosing LOL.

I also have an outdoor RODI setup and use my RO brine to water the yard. I don't even bother with the cistern, I just ran a drip line with dozens of .5 gph drippers in my bamboo hedges and the potted plants on the patio. There are enough drippers to not create extra back pressure on the flow regulator and no need to store any more water than what is needed for the tank. I figured with a 35 gallon RO barrel and 3-5 gallons of brine to 1 gallon of RO that would be like 90-175 gallons of water in just 1 fill of the barrel, the cistern would be overflowing. I usually only need 5-10 gallons a week for top off but if I ever need to do a large water change there won't be enough volume in a cistern to collect all of the brine. I like the insulated shed idea and will probably set one up just like yours later as my barrels are just out on the patio under the patio cover and it would be nice to reclaim that space. I live only .5 mile to the coast and the temp rarely get more than 85° here so just sitting on the patio in the shade is not a big deal for now.

I also dig the race track for the cords. It always impresses me how many power cords are involved in running the reef.

Keep up the good work I look forward to seeing it running.

 

[Jimbo327]

Thanks for the kind words.

Honestly, I underestimated the time and cost needed to setup a tank this size and to keep the build clean. I had to really slow down to read and learn how to set up each equipment correctly. And more reading on how others keep their builds clean and try to emulate it. Almost all of my equipment were purchased used to conserve funds, so I don’t know if they are working as intended. I will find out when I get this tank wet.

 

[Jimbo327]

Trying to make a ton of RODI water to fill the tank, and my DI resin is just getting exhausted too quickly. The water going into RO is 350 TDS, and coming out of the RO at around 15 TDS (prior going into the DI). I was hoping it would be closer to <5 TDS coming out of the RO membrane. Looking for why this is not lower.

In the meantime, my son is filling the tank with sand. It is about an inch deep.

 

[DanK.Reefer]

hey Jimbo, the tank is looking good. I have noticed that with my RODI that as the RO membrane ages it will start to filter better as it clogs. Just think as the filter catches more there will be less passage. My DI resin seems to burn pretty fast for the first 50-100 gallons then after that the color change really seems to slow down. Maybe it's just me but that has been my experience. Also make sure you have the right flow restrictor on the brine(discharge)line for your particular membrane too much restiction will cause the water to push through the membrane too quick.

Sent from my SM-G973U using Tapatalk

 

[Jimbo327]

I ordered a new flow restrictor matched to RO flows, and will replace the old restrictor just in case. Yeah, I need to buy more DI resin too. I really hope this helps a bit on the TDS. I have about 100 gallons through the RO.

I have a 55 gallon drum full of filtered water at 5 TDS. Is this okay to use for SPS tank? Or is everyone using 0 TDS water?

In the meantime, I added all of my rocks. My 1st attempt at stacking rock. I also need to glue some pieces together.

 

[joseserrano]

Under 10ths is ok

 

[Jimbo327]

I’m going to call it the USA rock.

 

[Jimbo327]

So I got the RO effluent down to 10 TDS. I'm now waiting for some DI resin to come in from BRS, so I can swap out the exhausted DI.

I plan on just running the fresh RODI directly into the display tank, and fill the tank completely. Then add salt into tank to bring it up to salinity. Seems much easier this way...But not sure if this is wise.

 

[Two_Nano_Reefs]

Going to look great once it's wet! I am liking the aquascape too. Any idea where you might get your SPS from?