Reef Discussion

Sam Parker · Jul 12, 2015

Sure is Servet, local cost is dependent on the components you chose.

@Buddy is putting one together right now and could advise of his costs.

For two tanks, you'd want two units. If your wanting out of the box setup, spectrapure so have a sale on at the moment for the litremeter unit?

Buddy · Jul 12, 2015

I should have mine up to a point to test it out today. I can give you a run down of costs if you like?

Oak Park-VIC · Jul 13, 2015

Buddy said:
I should have mine up to a point to test it out today. I can give you a run down of costs if you like?

Yes plse @Buddy.

@Sam Parker i have seen throughout the post small amounts been quoted and sounds like $15-20 a set up. Am i missing some components or pumps etc?

Sam Parker · Jul 13, 2015

Pumps are going to be the main expense. The electronics are only $15-$25, but if you have pumps already - your set!

Buddy · Jul 13, 2015

The Arduino, RTC, relays and other bits and pieces come in under $20.
The pumps are the expensive part. I went with some excellent quality pumps from Spectrapure which were $360 including shipping from the US. (two pumps)
I split my shipping with @Sam Parker so it might be closer to $400 for the two pumps if you order them alone.

ajs · Jul 14, 2015

I set the water changer up today (finally had time) seems to be working as it should i will keep an eye on salinity and let everyone know how i go :)
Thanks again to the guys that put it together @MagicJ and @Sam Parker you guys a legends ;-)

Sam Parker · Jul 14, 2015

Good luck our guinea pig!!!

MagicJ · Jul 14, 2015

There wasn't a lot of work done today at the @Buddy and @MagicJ workplaces - but I think another water changer should be in operation soon :)

@ajs - let us know how it goes.

Buddy · Jul 14, 2015

MagicJ said:
There wasn't a lot of work done today at the @Buddy and @MagicJ workplaces - but I think another water changer should be in operation soon :)

Very true, but it was still a very productive day for the aquarium :p
I have done a bench test with the pumps plugged in and its all working after @MagicJ made a slight change to the Arduino code. Next job is to get the tubing from the IBC to the tank and calibrate the pumps.
Further along we might try and get it working with motor ICs instead of the relays.
Big thanks to @MagicJ and @Sam Parker :D:worship:worship:worship

Sam Parker · Jul 14, 2015

Keen to see how you go with the IC's. I'll set a system up for my work pico with cheap dosing pun heads

Buddy · Jul 19, 2015

@MagicJ would it be possible to add some code for a larger one-off water change? 100L for example.
I am thinking something along the lines of setting a date, time and amount. The normal water changes would then automatically resume once the one-off change has completed.

MagicJ · Jul 19, 2015

Anything is possible, but by adding more than the basic timing schedule without some sort of feedback and/or fail safe system is, in my opinion, asking for trouble.

@Buddy, you might know what you are doing but someone else might think they are programming it for 100 litres, but actually do it for 1000 litres - think what the consequences might be :eek.

An option for a manual override would be impossible without some type of input/output system.

The next step up is adding some type of screen and input system which adds to the cost and complexity - not necessarily difficult to do but probably not what most people would be prepared to pay for, unless it could be incorporated with some other functions.

For example, a water changer together with a set of dosing pumps and maybe a PH monitor??

Sam Parker · Jul 19, 2015

For larger changes you will run into trouble with ATO plus the time required for each pump to run.

I think if you want to do a large monthly/quarterly change your still best off doing that the way you did before.

I am keen for additional features to be added, but I keep giving Magic leads on other projects. My bad!!

Buddy · Jul 19, 2015

Sounds complcated @MagicJ , thanks for the run down :) I am extremely happy with the water changer how it is now, but if there are any future expansions I would use them too.

Sam Parker said:
For larger changes you will run into trouble with ATO plus the time required for each pump to run.

I think if you want to do a large monthly/quarterly change your still best off doing that the way you did before.

I am keen for additional features to be added, but I keep giving Magic leads on other projects. My bad!!

With the larger changes, I was thinking that both pumps could be on at the same time. You would lose a small % of the new water but it wouldn't be much to worry about.
(How cool would it be to set up a one-off water change over bluetooth :p)

All good- I am very grateful for the help on getting this changer up and running and it wouldn't worry me at all if nothing else was added to it. It makes life easier as is!

Sam Parker · Jul 19, 2015

You can just plug your two pumps into a constant power supply once a month perhaps with a timer so you don't forget, but yeah - wifi/bluetooth "emergency" large water change would be bloody cool!

Buddy · Jul 19, 2015

Very true! Not a bad idea at all! I think ill add in a switch on the box so I can do this :)

Sam Parker · Jul 19, 2015

you've got me thinking now, might do it myself with the litre meter!

MagicJ · Jul 19, 2015

How do you set the flow rates etc with the Litre Meter?

Sam Parker · Jul 19, 2015

LCD display with buttons. Calibration is a simple timed 500ml pump event, then you just set the flow requirements for each pump on the display. You only have the option of setting the litres per day though, it is set at 140 pump events per 24 hours.

On my versions though, the power in and pumps in are just headphone jacks. So I could essentially just get a single to double headphone jack, plug power into one side and both pumps into the other and leave her go for a big constant change. Not sure if I need to do it at all, but you know me....

Buddy · Jul 19, 2015

Sam Parker said:
LCD display with buttons. Calibration is a simple timed 500ml pump event, then you just set the flow requirements for each pump on the display. You only have the option of setting the litres per day though, it is set at 140 pump events per 24 hours.

On my versions though, the power in and pumps in are just headphone jacks. So I could essentially just get a single to double headphone jack, plug power into one side and both pumps into the other and leave her go for a big constant change. Not sure if I need to do it at all, but you know me....

Yeah mine are 3.5mm mono jacks too. I was thinking of running some wires from the jacks to a switch and will power both pumps when the switch is on. Achieves the same thing you are thinking of anyway :)
Is it going to make any difference to the Arduino if it wants to turn on a pump if they are already on?