Son of Kahuna (56K!)

[scolley]

Originally Posted by ryoken

Did you leave the tank basically barebottom so you can siphon out detritus?

Exactly!

Nornicle - I don't print money. But I do work for people that print money. They share a little... but not as much as I would like.


Thanks Sam!

[fish man 101]

its a reef without saltwater.

seriously though that is absolutely awesome mate. ingenious work with the plumbing . When Kahuna 1 died i was extremely saddened that was a sweet setup . but now i think you new one will be even better.!

Nice work with the AC III too. I have the Jnr. so i dont have the web server function which would be sweet to have as i like to know what my tank is doing when i am away. oh well next tank
awesome work i am very jealous.
P.S. watever job you are in, change it to a plumber

[original kuhli]

Scolley,

Great work. About the Aquacontroller, what functions are you utilizing that required you to go to the III model vs the Jr? I'm guessing web serving but there must also be something else... Also, did you consider any other controllers?

[BlueRam]

Originally Posted by nornicle

i think this puts the cost per fish in terms of equipment about on par with marine.. which is pretty serious for freshwater!

Sadly I think he is only running ~1/2 the equipment of a reef tank.

Additional expense:
2X lighting plus supplemental actinics ($$$)
Sump with skimmer ($-$$$)
Calcium reactor ($$$)
Pumps to get closer to 3000 GPH ($$)
Reworked WC system with large storage vat in basement ($$$)

A quick estimate for a "basic equipment" reef in upfront costs is ~$1k per foot of tank.

[Raul-7]

Originally Posted by original kuhli

Scolley,

Great work. About the Aquacontroller, what functions are you utilizing that required you to go to the III model vs the Jr? I'm guessing web serving but there must also be something else... Also, did you consider any other controllers?

Don't mean to bud in, but here's a start: http://www.marinedepot.com/aquarium_...rt.asp?CartId=

[original kuhli]

No problem, you're not butting in whatsoever, the link is dead though...

[2wheelsx2]

Originally Posted by original kuhli

No problem, you're not butting in whatsoever, the link is dead though...

Link worked for me...

[Beancurd]

I had to right click the link and "open in new window" to get it to work for me.

I love the Kahuna series of threads on this forum.

[original kuhli]

so...it comes down to:

Aquacontroller 3 has these features the junior doesn't:

ORP control/monitor (don't care)
Conductivity control/monitor (don't care)
Dissolved Oxygen monitor/control (could be used to estimate growth - don't care)
Communications (RS232, Ethernet,Web Server, Telnet Server, email alarms
Power failure indicator
20 plugs controlled (vs 12 for jr)
external modem support.

For me, the junior would do the job...

[scolley]

Wow! Too much to comment on it all... thanks again for the comps. But to answer a few questions:

I had (still have and need to sell) a perfectly good AC Jr. So buying the AC III was an agonizing decision. It all boiled down to the 12 plug vs. 20 plug control, plus the web server, and the Aquanotes access over a network. AC Jr has Aquanotes access, but only over a serial port, or RS-232 or some such (if you have the serial port - and I do). But no way was was running a long PC line to the tank and keeping a PC near it. And the 12 AC plug limit was a killer.

And I wanted to completely lose all dependence on X10. I had a DC8 (covering 8 plugs) but the other 4 were X10 controlled. I wanted to get out from under that, and get them all direct connected. Plus I have more than 12 plugs. Plus I craved that web access. I LOVE my AC Jr. But that little finger pad for making changes s*cks. Had to have the web control and monitoring.

So it kinda came down to my "no corners cut" philosophy on building this tank. Could I have spent more? Sure. But not much on a planted tank. And BTW, I'm past that $1K/ft Blueram mentioned... way past it if you include fish, driftwood, and plants. Kinda makes it shameful that the aquascape doesn't look better.

PS - My Posiedon pump, Eheim Pro II pump, air pump, and fill solenoid are all on right now. My lights, 3 hearters, 2 peristaltic pumps, UV, CO2 solenoid and drain solenoid are all off. And my pH 6.65, temp 84.8, and my fill depth sensor says the tank is not full, so the fill solenoid can keep on filling. And I didn't get up from my chair to check that out.

[fish man 101]

Originally Posted by scolley

And I wanted to completely lose all dependence on X10. I had a DC8 (covering 8 plugs) but the other 4 were X10 controlled. I wanted to get out from under that, and get them all direct connected. Plus I have more than 12 plugs. Plus I craved that web access. I LOVE my AC Jr. But that little finger pad for making changes s*cks. Had to have the web control and monitoring.

PS - My Posiedon pump, Eheim Pro II pump, air pump, and fill solenoid are all on right now. My lights, 3 hearters, 2 peristaltic pumps, UV, CO2 solenoid and drain solenoid are all off. And my pH 6.65, temp 84.8, and my fill depth sensor says the tank is not full, so the fill solenoid can keep on filling. And I didn't get up from my chair to check that out.

That is so cool that you can check that without leaving your computer chair. I should have spent the extra cash and bought the AC III i think

Also i would love to have use Direct Connect boxes over X10 too bu they sont have the DC that run on 240V and have our Aus plugs awesome work Steve

[A Hill]

Originally Posted by nornicle

Scolley what is it you do in real life (i.e. print money?! )

Hey one of my friends did that... Worked well until he had to go to court!

Scolley, this tank is amazing and the thread has gotten too long already, I'll have to finish reading it tomorrow... but amazing work Steve, The scape rivals most members here, and this is Without substrate.

I like those new fish!!

-Andrew

[scolley]

Originally Posted by Fish Newb

... and the thread has gotten too long already, I'll have to finish reading it tomorrow...

Yeah, I know. Thanks Andrew.

I'll try to take some more pics this weekend. That's what the thread needs - more pics!

That way, at least, we'll all have some good memories before I go on a three week vacation in a couple of weeks, and it all turns to cr*p.

Hope not... but the pictures will tell the tale. <<< needs fingers-crossed icon>>>

[Yzmxer99]

Scolley....wow. You have raised the bar for aquatic system planning and implementation in the planted tank community. ( I just described your tank set up as "sexy" to my fiance! lol)

There is a great foundation here and I can't wait for it to develope.

[Hop]

Looking great scolley! Now your starting to get the big tank syndrome Want to come to the darkside? JJ.

Really like the attention to detail, next you have that AC hooked up to do your waterchanges and dosing while on the road