Reef nutrition

Patrick's 81G - the last dance

Alright....hopefully this is my last dry post for this build..seeing the year is coming to the end, it's only fitting I document where I'm at with it..

Since I couldn't fit the simplicity dosing container behind the ecoflow I hit up John from Advanced Acrylics to work his magic..
20241223_141933.jpg

I picked up a dosing container to match the ATO reservoir I had built a while back. Quality is spot on and built solid.
20241223_141952.jpg

I had concerns over fixing it to the wall with how much it weighed when full, but once it was all mounted up I knew it wasn't going anywhere.
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Fired up the Apex and attempted to dive in with some coding...man was that a mistake...not something I'll be learning overnight..but with the holidays nearing the end, should allow some time for me to get acclimated to it.
20241225_191450.jpg

All that's left is to affix the MP40s, level the stand out, and install a couple brackets and she's ready to go.

The plan was to finish before year end, but when doing a dry run with the equipment and simulating servicing, I found that too much wire management when the tank is fixed was a bad thing..things were just a PITA to get to and remove in case of cleaning or repair..so I had to tone it back some
 
finalphaze987 said:
Alright....hopefully this is my last dry post for this build..seeing the year is coming to the end, it's only fitting I document where I'm at with it..

Since I couldn't fit the simplicity dosing container behind the ecoflow I hit up John from Advanced Acrylics to work his magic..
View attachment 64225
I picked up a dosing container to match the ATO reservoir I had built a while back. Quality is spot on and built solid.
View attachment 64226
I had concerns over fixing it to the wall with how much it weighed when full, but once it was all mounted up I knew it wasn't going anywhere.
View attachment 64227
Fired up the Apex and attempted to dive in with some coding...man was that a mistake...not something I'll be learning overnight..but with the holidays nearing the end, should allow some time for me to get acclimated to it.
View attachment 64228
All that's left is to affix the MP40s, level the stand out, and install a couple brackets and she's ready to go.

The plan was to finish before year end, but when doing a dry run with the equipment and simulating servicing, I found that too much wire management when the tank is fixed was a bad thing..things were just a PITA to get to and remove in case of cleaning or repair..so I had to tone it back some
Click to expand...
John does some great work! How long did that take you to get after ordering?
 
MarcosDelgado0 said:
John does some great work! How long did that take you to get after ordering?
Click to expand...
He had it at my door in a week. Considering the dimentions weren't his standard size, the request for tabs to hang it on, and the time of the year I ordered, I was thoroughly impressed..I ordered a lid on BF that's still a couple weeks out from reaching here. His turnaround and communication has been spot on.Even sent me the production pics.
IMG_20241220_110649.jpg
IMG_20241220_110640.jpg
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finalphaze987 said:
Alright....hopefully this is my last dry post for this build..seeing the year is coming to the end, it's only fitting I document where I'm at with it..

Since I couldn't fit the simplicity dosing container behind the ecoflow I hit up John from Advanced Acrylics to work his magic..
View attachment 64225
I picked up a dosing container to match the ATO reservoir I had built a while back. Quality is spot on and built solid.
View attachment 64226
I had concerns over fixing it to the wall with how much it weighed when full, but once it was all mounted up I knew it wasn't going anywhere.
View attachment 64227
Fired up the Apex and attempted to dive in with some coding...man was that a mistake...not something I'll be learning overnight..but with the holidays nearing the end, should allow some time for me to get acclimated to it.
View attachment 64228
All that's left is to affix the MP40s, level the stand out, and install a couple brackets and she's ready to go.

The plan was to finish before year end, but when doing a dry run with the equipment and simulating servicing, I found that too much wire management when the tank is fixed was a bad thing..things were just a PITA to get to and remove in case of cleaning or repair..so I had to tone it back some
Click to expand...
Looks like it belongs on the International space station it's so clean.
 
The day has come! With a little help from two of my younger kids, the first of the water is in.
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I was glad to find the tank itself had no leaks and held up just fine. I filled enough to get the sump 75% full and fired up the pump fir the first time. Sucker was loud as all hell and I knew it needed some tuning, but alas, what would our hobby be if everything went smooth.

Upon grabbing the gate valve I noticed water on my UV...I initially thought it was a union I didn't tighten..boy was I wrong..

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My dumb ash forgot to glue a piece. Luckily I went crazy with unions and it was easy enough to disassemble the plumbing section and get it glued up. I think I counted 28 total unions used..I found that the spears ones suck...they get stuck and have the least grip...Charlotte unions are robust, easy to turn, and don't sieze once water hits them..good to know for future builds.

Upon combing for any other traces of leaks at every point, I noticed the sump was wet on top.
The pipes leading into the bulkhead for the sump wasn't glued...I figured, it's gravity fed...pipes in all the way..itll be fine right? Hell naw...that could have been a mess within an hour...time to glue some more. I'm hoping the glue I used works for ABS ->PVC
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At this point, I'm rushing to leave to the airport to drop my daughter back on her way to college and had to pick up some more glue.

I've had my fare share of messed up glue jobs, so I take my sweet time when plumbing...measure 20 times cut once kinda caution...

Now at 3am its all glued up and drying...going to fire it up again tomorrow to check for more leaks...I threw the sand in it before I was aware of the leaks, so it looks like I got a tank full of horchata..
20250104_214028.jpg

Will update as things unfold.
 
Kensington Reefer said:
IMHO
I recommend a brute can on wheels with a pump and hose to add water.
Pouring water….high potential for mishap
Looking very clean thus far
Click to expand...
The water jug for the first pour was only commemoratory...all subsequent water was filled by a sicce ultrazero..I don't have the back to lift a jug anymore...lol

Got all the plumbing in order and fired up the pump again...still looking like a kalk holding tank...maybe in a couple days it'll clear up.

20250105_214342.jpg

I did notice some moisture from where the tank meets the external overflow....Ill be monitoring it for now, but plan on disassembling it to make sure the bulkheads are in good order...the ones sent from fiji cube suck to say the least..
 
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