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Unread 09/08/2008, 09:03 PM   #276
unbreakable
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i used to use that eggcrate to grow my sps frags on. works great as long as you pegs on the frag plugs


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Unread 09/08/2008, 09:22 PM   #277
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wow you have modded the crap out of the tiny tank


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Unread 09/08/2008, 10:02 PM   #278
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Quote:
Originally posted by SOLANA34
wow you have modded the crap out of the tiny tank



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Unread 09/09/2008, 02:40 PM   #279
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The piece of eggcrate shown on the previous page came off of my sump. It holds the bioballs up above the water surface and I'm reluctant to cut it up in case I can't find anymore eggcrate. There's none in this town anyway.


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Unread 09/09/2008, 08:42 PM   #280
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Quote:
Originally posted by unbreakable
i used to use that eggcrate to grow my sps frags on. works great as long as you pegs on the frag plugs
Eggcrate with what size squares? Do the frag plug pegs come in a standard size?


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Unread 09/10/2008, 10:45 AM   #281
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I'm looking at this float switch found at aquahub.com




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Unread 09/10/2008, 05:08 PM   #282
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Quote:
Originally posted by cherubfish pair
I'm looking at this float switch found at aquahub.com

Good idea.. I went with this sort of system from them.


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Unread 09/10/2008, 09:42 PM   #283
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Quote:
Originally posted by Rosseau
Good idea.. I went with this sort of system from them.
I came across diy plans on melev's website. Here it is:

http://www.melevsreef.com/plumbing/auto_topoff.html

This picture is an example of a kit that can be purchased for just a few bucks. I would only use one float switch though. Rosseau, could you provide a pic of yours?




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Unread 09/11/2008, 07:56 AM   #284
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Currently, Here's my sump and ATO.
Firstly, it's a mess. Secondly, I haven't set the ATO up yet on this tank.



When I do get around to it (so much going on...), the ATO reservoir will be the 2.5G tank on the left. The tangle of wires is the ATO. The switches will go into the far right chamber where the return pump is.

I will use some acrylic to make a mounting system for the switches - I have 2 of them.

I used to have the switches on an older tank of mine. I had to set it up in a rush (I left the tank for 2 weeks alone) and fortunately it worked like a dream.




I didn't have the socket for the 12V relay so I had to do this... It looks crazy, but I had to use what I had around. I'll fix it up this time around.




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Unread 09/11/2008, 07:58 AM   #285
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I was told that the full voltage from the wall socket had the potential to overload a float switch and thus it might fail completely or worse, get stuck in the on position and flood the tank/empty the ATO reservoir. I suppose if your reservoir is small enough you can maybe avoid the 12V relay, but you run the risk of ruining the switch and needing to get a new one.


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Unread 09/11/2008, 06:53 PM   #286
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Quote:
Originally posted by cherubfish pair
I'm using an ammonia neutralizer to bring down the spike, but only when it's very high. The book I'm reading now suggests to use chemicals instead of w/c, but just during cycling. This is because the various species of bacteria that are populating the filter need these surges to get established properly.
Quote:
Originally posted by unbreakable
hm ive never used any chemicals or water changes and thats because ive had ammonia get up to 2.0-4.0 on the chart. i always just let it do its own thing
Ammonia is between 1.0 and 2.0 ppm as of this morning. unbreakable lets his get high so I'll trust his advice and let it creep up more and do its own thing.


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Unread 09/11/2008, 09:37 PM   #287
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Sorry to change the subject away from the ato's, but wanted to mention the ammonia while it is fresh on my mind.

Rosseau, what is a 12 volt relay and what do you think of melev's diy plans for ato's on his website?


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Unread 09/12/2008, 09:41 AM   #288
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I'm glad that the ammonia is coming down. I would just let it be as well. The ammonia will feed bacteria which converts it to nitrite and then that nitrite is converted to nitrate. You'll need those bacteria around so let them have their food (ammonia)!


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Unread 09/12/2008, 10:07 AM   #289
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I understand the Relay as this:

It is a switch.

You have two electrical circuits. The first will be your 120V wall plug which will run the pump used to top off the water, The second will be 12V or less (use a power adapter) and is attached to the float switch. The Relay is a switch between these two circuits.


When the float switch is activated it completes the 12V circuit and sends power to the relay. This input of power causes the relay to switche "on" and complete the 120V circuit causing the pump to turn on.

Once the float switch turns off so does the relay and thus so does the pump.

----

It's a little confusing... I hope I explained it decently well. Try this http://www.aquahub.com/store/diygaquarium.html

You need the switch if your pump requires more than 12V of power to operate... The float switch can only handle 12V so you can't just put it into the 120V wall-pump-circuit or it could fail.

Alternatively, you can find a pump which runs on 12V or less and you can skip the 12V relay.
i.e. This Pump --> http://www.aquahub.com/store/product31.html
With this pump you might still need a 12V wall adapter to make sure that there is only 12V of power in the circuit... I'm not sure if it comes with one or not.

I hope that helps a bit!


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Unread 09/12/2008, 05:57 PM   #290
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nice tank


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Unread 09/12/2008, 06:05 PM   #291
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Rosseau, my first question is: will a half-*** job create a fire potential?


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Unread 09/12/2008, 08:29 PM   #292
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Quote:
Originally posted by dtf
nice tank
How many more posts until you can get your own avatar? You must be getting close.


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Unread 09/12/2008, 09:33 PM   #293
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I believe it's a hundred, but don't quote me on this.


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Unread 09/12/2008, 10:00 PM   #294
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Unread 09/13/2008, 05:10 PM   #295
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A project for this weekend: all the supplies together for a frag rack.




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Unread 09/13/2008, 10:42 PM   #296
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Quote:
Originally posted by Rosseau
I understand the Relay as this:

It is a switch.

You have two electrical circuits. The first will be your 120V wall plug which will run the pump used to top off the water, The second will be 12V or less (use a power adapter) and is attached to the float switch. The Relay is a switch between these two circuits.


When the float switch is activated it completes the 12V circuit and sends power to the relay. This input of power causes the relay to switche "on" and complete the 120V circuit causing the pump to turn on.

Once the float switch turns off so does the relay and thus so does the pump.

----

It's a little confusing... I hope I explained it decently well. Try this http://www.aquahub.com/store/diygaquarium.html

You need the switch if your pump requires more than 12V of power to operate... The float switch can only handle 12V so you can't just put it into the 120V wall-pump-circuit or it could fail.

Alternatively, you can find a pump which runs on 12V or less and you can skip the 12V relay.
i.e. This Pump --> http://www.aquahub.com/store/product31.html
With this pump you might still need a 12V wall adapter to make sure that there is only 12V of power in the circuit... I'm not sure if it comes with one or not.

I hope that helps a bit!
So if I used the two circuits with a relay, how many power cords would there be to plug into a power source? I'd like to get by with one power cord for the whole thing if I could and still use the relay.


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Unread 09/14/2008, 11:51 AM   #297
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This the supplies for the frag rack: eggcrate, magfloat, epoxy, and wire clippers.


Here's the eggcrate cut in half with the clippers down to the right size.

I drilled holes in the magfloat and sanded the magfloat and the eggcrate to make the epoxy "stick" to it.

I used cloth gloves and baby powder to protect my hands from the caustic stuff in the epoxy. I pinched off a little piece of it and worked it in my fingers until in was "activated".

Then I molded into the holes on the magnet and stuck the eggcrate into it and now I'm letting it harden while it's propped up.



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Unread 09/14/2008, 10:15 PM   #298
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The finished project in action. Just needs corals now.




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Unread 09/15/2008, 06:45 AM   #299
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Quote:
Originally posted by cherubfish pair
I believe it's a hundred, but don't quote me on this.
This guy was just trying to push the link in his red house. Check out his list of posts "nice tank", "nice tank", "nice tank".


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Unread 09/15/2008, 06:46 AM   #300
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Quote:
Originally posted by cherubfish pair
So if I used the two circuits with a relay, how many power cords would there be to plug into a power source? I'd like to get by with one power cord for the whole thing if I could and still use the relay.
I believe you can do this. Mine only ran off of one.


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