Car wash parts for an aquarium?

jmccomb420 · 04/03/2008, 10:16 PM

I work at a car wash and the more I learn about the equipment the more it acts like a huge aquarium. Theres timers, controllers, regulators, dosing pumps, and much more. They are easily hooked into computer systems for programing and monitoring plus most of the components come ready for wet locations. Anyone ever used this type of equipment before?

jmccomb420 · 04/04/2008, 06:54 PM

Bump

das75 · 04/04/2008, 08:45 PM

not used but would be concerned about metal parts in a SW aquarium.

jmccomb420 · 04/05/2008, 09:37 AM

I am more looking at the control aspect. Allan bradly makes a touch screen computer system that could be neat to impliment.

MrSandman · 04/05/2008, 12:46 PM

I'm sure it would work but......to control something based on external conditions, you need to be able to monitor things such as pH, temperature, ORP, conductivity, etc. Are these conditions monitored in a car wash?

jmccomb420 · 04/06/2008, 07:43 PM

I know we monitor these items, not sure about actualy changing them. Many of the chemicals we use are mixed in certin ratios to achive proper levels. I will look into this more and post my findings.

Big_D · 04/06/2008, 07:59 PM

Ask your employer how much a system like that costs... then you'll most likely see why the control systems available in the aquarium industry make more sense. Most likely they are using some type of PLC controller.

Big D

jmccomb420 · 04/07/2008, 09:37 AM

Yah, Big D raises a good point. Some of the systems can be quite pricey I know. I realy apreciate all the feed back (based on it I WON'T be using one for my tank). But some people on this site also have multiple systems which could all be controlled from a single unit so after a certin number it could be cost efective. I was more just picking brains and trying to get people thinking outside the box (we DIYers do alot of that

)

notenoughtanks · 04/07/2008, 11:25 AM

I also run a carwash, and I see nothing that could be useful to an aquarium. Are you talking about hydrominders and tunnelcontrollers?

jmccomb420 · 04/09/2008, 05:34 PM

thanks for posting notenough. Hydrominders are mostly metal and would not be good for a tank, Im sure you agree. The few pieces I was looking at when the idea hit me were Blue and White metering pumps, low level shut offs, and our allan bradley control center. I was looking more at the conroll aspect (pulse based timing). This would allow for unlimited control of wavemaking, photo periods, and other aspects like chemical dosing. Our system supports about 100 outputs, much more than any aquarium controller I have seen. These outputs could easily controll any number of things. The system would need to be titrated but after that they are fairly stable. Thanks again for the input. Even if the idea wasn't so good it all comes from my (and everyone elses) constant mental state of being a reef keeper.

seakwon · 04/09/2008, 09:48 PM

i manage a car wash and often thought about things to use at home but never really came up with anything, too much hydrolic oil and rust worthy metals.

notenoughtanks · 04/18/2008, 09:03 AM

Carwash manager/ reefer club!

Jeremy Blaze · 04/18/2008, 10:02 AM

I often go to car washes!

jmccomb420 · 04/27/2008, 07:46 PM

Carwash manager/reefer club eh? Hmmm sounds interesting. Wonder if we could get the owners to put up a 1000 gallon plus display for "customer appeal"

04/03/2008, 10:16 PM	#1
jmccomb420 Registered Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Grand Rapids, MI Posts: 113	Car wash parts for an aquarium? I work at a car wash and the more I learn about the equipment the more it acts like a huge aquarium. Theres timers, controllers, regulators, dosing pumps, and much more. They are easily hooked into computer systems for programing and monitoring plus most of the components come ready for wet locations. Anyone ever used this type of equipment before?

04/05/2008, 12:46 PM	#5
MrSandman Team RC Member Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: South Bay, So. Cal. Posts: 5,408 Blog Entries: 6	I'm sure it would work but......to control something based on external conditions, you need to be able to monitor things such as pH, temperature, ORP, conductivity, etc. Are these conditions monitored in a car wash? __________________ June 2001 Tank of the Month. Yes, i said 2001. Current Tank Info: 112G 36"x36"x20" Lee-mar rimless. Build Thread: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2293182.

04/06/2008, 07:59 PM	#7
Big_D Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Newnan, GA Posts: 493	Ask your employer how much a system like that costs... then you'll most likely see why the control systems available in the aquarium industry make more sense. Most likely they are using some type of PLC controller. Big D __________________ To see my 180gal build, click my user name and select "Visit Big_D's Homepage"! Current Tank Info: 180g SPS dominant mixed reef, 6x80W T-5's on IceCap 660's and 2x54W T-5's on a spec ballast, Alpha 250 Cone Skimmer, Dual Compat Medical Dosers, Deltec KM500S Kalk Stirrer, 2-VorTech MP40W's, 4-Tunze 6055's, APEX Controller... and an empty wallet!

04/09/2008, 09:48 PM	#11
seakwon Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Michigan Posts: 127	i manage a car wash and often thought about things to use at home but never really came up with anything, too much hydrolic oil and rust worthy metals. __________________ steve Current Tank Info: 29bc

04/18/2008, 10:02 AM	#13
Jeremy Blaze Former Reef Addict Join Date: May 2003 Location: New Washington, IN Posts: 5,864	I often go to car washes! __________________ Trust me my friend, the names are not important at all. I've own hundreds of different zoas and palys and don't know the name of a single one. In my opinion, they are a waste of valuable time. Mucho Reef

04/04/2008, 06:54 PM	#2
jmccomb420 Registered Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Grand Rapids, MI Posts: 113	Bump

04/04/2008, 08:45 PM	#3
das75 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Edmonton AB Posts: 2,269	not used but would be concerned about metal parts in a SW aquarium.

04/05/2008, 09:37 AM	#4
jmccomb420 Registered Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Grand Rapids, MI Posts: 113	I am more looking at the control aspect. Allan bradly makes a touch screen computer system that could be neat to impliment.

04/06/2008, 07:43 PM	#6
jmccomb420 Registered Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Grand Rapids, MI Posts: 113	I know we monitor these items, not sure about actualy changing them. Many of the chemicals we use are mixed in certin ratios to achive proper levels. I will look into this more and post my findings.

04/07/2008, 09:37 AM	#8
jmccomb420 Registered Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Grand Rapids, MI Posts: 113	Yah, Big D raises a good point. Some of the systems can be quite pricey I know. I realy apreciate all the feed back (based on it I WON'T be using one for my tank). But some people on this site also have multiple systems which could all be controlled from a single unit so after a certin number it could be cost efective. I was more just picking brains and trying to get people thinking outside the box (we DIYers do alot of that )

04/07/2008, 11:25 AM	#9
notenoughtanks Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Minneapolis MN Posts: 330	I also run a carwash, and I see nothing that could be useful to an aquarium. Are you talking about hydrominders and tunnelcontrollers?

04/09/2008, 05:34 PM	#10
jmccomb420 Registered Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Grand Rapids, MI Posts: 113	thanks for posting notenough. Hydrominders are mostly metal and would not be good for a tank, Im sure you agree. The few pieces I was looking at when the idea hit me were Blue and White metering pumps, low level shut offs, and our allan bradley control center. I was looking more at the conroll aspect (pulse based timing). This would allow for unlimited control of wavemaking, photo periods, and other aspects like chemical dosing. Our system supports about 100 outputs, much more than any aquarium controller I have seen. These outputs could easily controll any number of things. The system would need to be titrated but after that they are fairly stable. Thanks again for the input. Even if the idea wasn't so good it all comes from my (and everyone elses) constant mental state of being a reef keeper.

04/18/2008, 09:03 AM	#12
notenoughtanks Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Minneapolis MN Posts: 330	Carwash manager/ reefer club!

04/27/2008, 07:46 PM	#14
jmccomb420 Registered Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Grand Rapids, MI Posts: 113	Carwash manager/reefer club eh? Hmmm sounds interesting. Wonder if we could get the owners to put up a 1000 gallon plus display for "customer appeal"