DIY LEd waterfall build for 75 mixed reef w/ marine plants...

[Devaji108]

just thought I would start a build thread.
my system is a RR 75 with 40br reef octopus skimmer mid light to bio-load but still stocking. up and running 7 months now. went on vacation cam back to GHA yuck

some pics b/c thread needs eye candy ...
tank before:
http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/g480/devaji108/GOPR0826.jpg
http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/g480/devaji108/GOPR0825.jpg
http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/g480/devaji108/IMG_0538.jpg

[Devaji108]

quick video of tank after GHA:
http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/g480/devaji108/th_IMG_0001.jpg (http://s1103.photobucket.com/albums/g480/devaji108/?action=view&current=IMG_0001.mp4)
it has gotten worse :(

[Devaji108]

oops lets try again for the video:
<embed width="600" height="361" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowFullscreen="true" allowNetworking="all" wmode="transparent" src="http://static.photobucket.com/player.swf" flashvars="file=http%3A%2F%2Fvid1103.photobucket.com%2Falbums %2Fg480%2Fdevaji108%2FIMG_0001.mp4">

[Devaji108]

humm maybe site can't do video? how about a direct link to video then.;
http://s1103.photobucket.com/albums/g480/devaji108/?action=view&current=IMG_0001.mp4

[Devaji108]

ok back to the build.
tested my flow and was @ 400 GpH
http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/g480/devaji108/IMG_0021.jpg
a mock up of were my screen is going to go:
http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/g480/devaji108/IMG_0020.jpg
but decided to made all new pluming for the ATS...

for lights I am doing to Osram red on each side on screen that is 8 x 5"
my heat sinks:
http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/g480/devaji108/IMG_0013.jpg
got the led's on:
http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/g480/devaji108/IMG_0014.jpg
quick test to make sure they still work after attacking them to the heat sink:
http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/g480/devaji108/IMG_0015.jpg

wiring them up to a mean well LPC 35- 700
http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/g480/devaji108/IMG_0018.jpg
http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/g480/devaji108/IMG_0017.jpg

[Devaji108]

next i drilled to 4x4" pice of acrylic for the splash guard:
http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/g480/devaji108/IMG_0033.jpg
http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/g480/devaji108/IMG_0032.jpg
the trick is to start out small and slowly go bigger I used 4-6 drill bits getting these hole the size for my bolts.

the cover w/ the guard on :
http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/g480/devaji108/IMG_0035.jpg
http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/g480/devaji108/IMG_0034.jpg
as you can see the ligts are pretty small and streamed lined. I think they will look nice in my sump/fuge :)

[Devaji108]

ok now for the pluming.. i'll post pics when I get that part done. but I decided to go with the hole method instead of the cut b/c I did not have the tools to try it.
info come soon feedback and thoughts are very welcome as this is my 1st ATS build.

[Devaji108]

here is the link to a thread on here all about drilling the PVC instead on the cut.
http://algaescrubber.net/forums/showthread.php?1771-No-slot-alternative-for-vertical-scrubber
cheers

[Devaji108]

here is a pic of the PVC pipe with the holes drilled in. there not 100% straight but I was thinking the loop along with the black garbage bag cover would help it out...
http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/g480/devaji108/IMG_0036.jpg

[Devaji108]

hummmmm....here is a quick video of my 1st test run I think the holes are to small as I was getting alot of spray so I added a bag. it's pretty noisy :( thinking about making bigger holes.
thoughts?
http://s1103.photobucket.com/albums/g480/devaji108/?action=view&current=IMG_0037.mp4

[SantaMonica]

Nice details.

You might be happier with a slot instead of the holes, however, if it's 2-sided.

[Devaji108]

yeah I just don't have the tools to cut the slot. :( wanna make one for me :) lol

[Garf]

yeah I just don't have the tools to cut the slot. :( wanna make one for me :) lol

Cant you get your hands on one of these ?

http://algaescrubber.net/forums/showthread.php?1823-howdy-from-the-uk-day-one&p=18988&viewfull=1#post18988

[MorganAtlanta]

Holes are fine, just do it this way:

http://algaescrubber.net/forums/showthread.php?1771-No-slot-alternative-for-vertical-scrubber

[Devaji108]

^ yeah that's the thread I linked to a few post ago. I think i might need to widen my hole there are 3/16" and it's pretty loud.

[MorganAtlanta]

I found 3/16" worked at 35GPH per inch, but if you have more flow than that, you would need bigger holes, or you would want to throttle back your flow a bit. I think you said you have 400 GPH total. The folded-over screen would help even out the flow a lot.

[Devaji108]

OK I made the holes bigger went from 3/16 to 7/16" I think it helped but not 100% satisfied.
here the video I made to get your feedback:
http://s1103.photobucket.com/albums/g480/devaji108/?action=view&current=IMG_0038.mp4

yes i have 400 GPH I was thinking a gate valve ( like the kind on skimmers but I would have to mail order it.) would help dial it in. still might try that, it would be nice to see what it looks like it i let out about 100 GPH that would give me 37.5 per inch. as you can see in the video there is quite alot of pressure on the end cap end.

[MorganAtlanta]

The loop of plastic canvas that goes over the top of the pipe to hang the screen is critical in the system I put together. It serves to slow and even out the flow, otherwise water shoots straight down from the holes, as you can see. I'd run a quick test with the loop and see if it makes a difference.

[Devaji108]

^ yeah I just think i might have to much flow still. did you have a change to watch the video? how far from the holes is your loop? i think if I have a bit slower flow I would be better. If I have time today I am gonna try adding a air line to the end cap so some of the flow can get out might help before I go making bigger holes...

[MorganAtlanta]

It's about a inch from the bottom of pipe to the top of the screen, and the loop covers the first half or 3/4" of the screen. I put the black plastic over the top such that it covers the loop.

[Ace25]

Those look like Cree Red LEDs (620-630nm) and not the OSRAM (or Phillips) Far Red LEDs (660nm). From my experience, you won't get as much growth with Cree LEDs due to not being the correct spectrum.

[Floyd R Turbo]

Philips 660nm Deep Reds now available from Rapid LED (they dropped Osram)

[simo2004]

How you finding the heat sink ?
have you got enough LEDS there i mean is there enough spread ?

[Floyd R Turbo]

www.heatsinkusa.com is where I get mine