Dons diy project and Introduction TOTW 8-25-07

DonW · 08-21-2007, 04:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reefland

I am looking for a decent way (safe, affordable) to set up an ATO straight from our RO/DI unit.

Affordable is subjective. I have used opticals for their reliability for a few years. I think if they can conrol my skimmer they cant be beat in normal SW. I also run mine straight off the ato since my evap is close to 10g per day. IMO redundancy is the key. Two opticals, two solenoid valves, solid state relay and a 12vdc power supply is what I have found to be the most reliable. The draw back to opticals is the mounting. You have to drill the sump or mount them in a tube so the wire cant get wet just like a float.
You can add one more step of redundancy by using a timed solid state relay that will only allow the ato to run for a specific period of time once triggered. They look much like the one I posted above for my light timer only smaller.

Don

DonW · 08-23-2007, 01:14 PM

I needed to go ahead and make a quick decision on a fuge lamp so I just to take the advice from Melev's web sight and ran with it so that I can finish the electrical and stand. I got a fair start on the light fixture and will finish it up in the next two night.

Samper · 08-23-2007, 01:31 PM

Don this stuff that you're building is top notch. I can't wait to see everything finished and in place. It looks great.

***Reefland*** · 08-23-2007, 02:55 PM

Don is Norm of the reef world.

**Poseidon** · 08-23-2007, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reefland

I am looking for a decent way (safe, affordable) to set up an ATO straight from our RO/DI unit.

Don and I have been talking about this very same thing Scott, he has given me a great idea, and as soon as I finish my current DIY (Calcium Reactor) I will be building one to Don's specs! I have the perfect sump for it, as I can drill holes wherever I need too!

**Poseidon** · 08-23-2007, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Samper

Don this stuff that you're building is top notch. I can't wait to see everything finished and in place. It looks great.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reefland

Don is Norm of the reef world.

I agree with YOU GUYS!!! This is GREAT STUFF!

DonW · 08-24-2007, 09:54 AM

Last pics of fuge light.

**kevinpo** · 08-24-2007, 11:20 AM

Hi Don,
Great project! Nice to see you here

Cheers,
Kevin

**charlie** · 08-24-2007, 08:00 PM

Don, you are a credit to the DIY world. I hope you stick around here for a while, your contributions will help out alot of folks.

Is that enough butter???????????????

DonW · 08-24-2007, 09:24 PM

This is the ranco temp controller. I know everyone has seen a ranco at one point in time. This one is a little different that what is normally seen. Notice the hole in the side and connectors. This is a analog output this gives a linear dc voltage. This will be used to back up the chillers built in controller and will trigger a high temp alarm.

Don

**scubadude** · 08-25-2007, 07:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by charlie

Don, you are a credit to the DIY world. I hope you stick around here for a while, your contributions will help out alot of folks.

Is that enough butter???????????????

Totally agreed Charlie! This thread is definately worthy of TOTW! Thanx for contributing your efforts Don!

DonW · 08-25-2007, 11:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scubadude

Totally agreed Charlie! This thread is definately worthy of TOTW! Thanx for contributing your efforts Don!

Thank you, hopefully all will enjoy and maybe pick up an idea or two.

Don

DonW · 08-26-2007, 04:28 PM

Fuge light with base. Just mounts flush in a hole in the back of the stand. The stub tenon holds it into place with room for wire and wire nut.

CubsFan · 08-30-2007, 07:14 PM

Did you make your fuge light on a lathe? Everything looks great so far.

DonW · 08-30-2007, 07:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CubsFan

Did you make your fuge light on a lathe? Everything looks great so far.

Yup, turned it out of a maple log.

Don

DonW · 09-04-2007, 12:03 PM

A little more. Everything is finally done ready for shaping and assembly.

DonW · 09-05-2007, 09:38 PM

This is the tanks switches. These will switch on/off pretty much everything. It will be counter sank and hidden from view but easily reached.

**charlie** · 09-06-2007, 07:32 AM

Looking good Don, I can't wait to see the finished product up and running.

scooterman · 09-06-2007, 07:44 AM

This tank build will be like no other I've seen, It sorta looks like a something you would keep under glass

but I say that in a complementary way because It is going to be so beautiful I'd be scared to get it dirty!

CSeaSee · 09-07-2007, 08:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DonW

Yup, turned it out of a maple log.

Don

The only thing I've ever done with a maple log is make firewood... or sit on one while camping.
:slap:

Looks spectacular!

08-23-2007, 01:14 PM	#22
DonW Citizen Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Tacoma, WA Posts: 132	Re: Dons diy project and Introduction I needed to go ahead and make a quick decision on a fuge lamp so I just to take the advice from Melev's web sight and ran with it so that I can finish the electrical and stand. I got a fair start on the light fixture and will finish it up in the next two night.

08-23-2007, 01:31 PM	#23
Samper Contributing Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Arkansas Posts: 3,761	Re: Dons diy project and Introduction Don this stuff that you're building is top notch. I can't wait to see everything finished and in place. It looks great. __________________ Keep your heart pure conceive your own dreams Respect your fellow man the earth and the trees.

08-23-2007, 02:55 PM	#24
*Reefland* Owner Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Bardstown, KY Posts: 13,027	Re: Dons diy project and Introduction Don is Norm of the reef world. __________________ Scott Z. 75 Gallon Reef Log Powered by Reefland's Personal Online Aquarium Log

08-24-2007, 09:54 AM	#27
DonW Citizen Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Tacoma, WA Posts: 132	Re: Dons diy project and Introduction Last pics of fuge light. Attached Thumbnails

08-24-2007, 11:20 AM	#28
kevinpo Moderator Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Spokane Valley WA Posts: 2,424	Re: Dons diy project and Introduction Hi Don, Great project! Nice to see you here Cheers, Kevin __________________ SPSguy On - On

08-24-2007, 08:00 PM	#29
charlie Keeper of Willis Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: NW Montana Posts: 5,668	Re: Dons diy project and Introduction Don, you are a credit to the DIY world. I hope you stick around here for a while, your contributions will help out alot of folks. Is that enough butter??????????????? __________________ 400 Gallon Reef Log Rome wasn't built in a day---neither is a reef

08-24-2007, 09:24 PM	#30
DonW Citizen Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Tacoma, WA Posts: 132	Re: Dons diy project and Introduction This is the ranco temp controller. I know everyone has seen a ranco at one point in time. This one is a little different that what is normally seen. Notice the hole in the side and connectors. This is a analog output this gives a linear dc voltage. This will be used to back up the chillers built in controller and will trigger a high temp alarm. Don Attached Thumbnails

08-26-2007, 04:28 PM	#33
DonW Citizen Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Tacoma, WA Posts: 132	Re: Dons diy project and Introduction TOTW 8-25-07 Fuge light with base. Just mounts flush in a hole in the back of the stand. The stub tenon holds it into place with room for wire and wire nut. Attached Thumbnails

08-30-2007, 07:14 PM	#34
CubsFan Tenant Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Southern Illinois Posts: 70	Re: Dons diy project and Introduction TOTW 8-25-07 Did you make your fuge light on a lathe? Everything looks great so far.

09-04-2007, 12:03 PM	#36
DonW Citizen Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Tacoma, WA Posts: 132	Re: Dons diy project and Introduction TOTW 8-25-07 A little more. Everything is finally done ready for shaping and assembly.

09-05-2007, 09:38 PM	#37
DonW Citizen Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Tacoma, WA Posts: 132	Re: Dons diy project and Introduction TOTW 8-25-07 This is the tanks switches. These will switch on/off pretty much everything. It will be counter sank and hidden from view but easily reached. Attached Thumbnails

09-06-2007, 07:32 AM	#38
charlie Keeper of Willis Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: NW Montana Posts: 5,668	Re: Dons diy project and Introduction TOTW 8-25-07 Looking good Don, I can't wait to see the finished product up and running. __________________ 400 Gallon Reef Log Rome wasn't built in a day---neither is a reef

09-06-2007, 07:44 AM	#39
scooterman Tenant Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Lafayette, La. Posts: 86	Re: Dons diy project and Introduction TOTW 8-25-07 This tank build will be like no other I've seen, It sorta looks like a something you would keep under glass but I say that in a complementary way because It is going to be so beautiful I'd be scared to get it dirty!

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