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As I contemplate options for modifying the sump on my 65G display tank, I'm also faced with question about plumbing and lighting. My existing setup includes a separate submersible pump that feeds a Teco T20 (1/3 HP) Chiller. It runs pretty frequently, but does a good job of keeping temperature in a nice tight range. I've noticed very few people on this site even mention chillers, which made me wonder how common they are (especially here in TX).

Something in my system imparts significant ...

So I need an electronic solenoid valves for a tank project and wondering if a sprinkler valve would work in its place, cause a true PVC solenoid is like $200 and a sprinkler is around $20.

Please correct me if I'm wrong, but for the valve to be "aquarium safe" it:

• Can't have any water come in contact to metal
• Would type of plastic play a role?

Anything I could be missing?
Here is a link to the valve I'm thinking about using.
http://www.homedepot.com/Plumbing-Ir...atalogId=10053

OK reaching out to smarter people. My tank is now two months old and yes I may have added some corals at 4 weeks which is too fast. My tests at that time showed 5 or less nitrates so figured i was cool. i got this set up used with all the rock and sand and even moved about 40 gallons of the original water. I never really got the ammonia spike or the brown algae but I have lots of green algae now. I figured since I moved so much stuff that I may have skipped that stage. i test for ammonia Nitrates, ...

I ordered a Majano Zapper from PaulB last week. This is a device that was cleaned up from the version I posted about last January / February when a buddy of mine let me watch his DIY handiwork in Seattle take out some pest anemones. PaulB decided he could make a better mousetrap and fabricated something I was willing to hold -- after all, it is an electrical device we submerge in our saltwater system!

Before you ask, I don't know if he's going to make any more of these at the moment ...

Just a couple more drawings of the system.

Display




Sump from the back


Sump from the front


I have a pile of work to do in the basement ...