Question 1 - recommendations for water reservoir. Hoping to hold 2 weeks or so, e.g. about 15 gallons
Question 2 - signal to tell me that water reservoir is low/empty.
Details -
I bought a JBJ-like ATO (about $100) 3 years ago and never set it up right. I had in a 5 gallon water barrel with kalk and a Tom's aqua lifter. I had it set up to operate for only about 30 minutes a day; and the sensors in the sump to stop if a high water mark was reached. The other sensor turned the pump on an off as needed. Worked well when it worked, but the lifter lost its power after about 2 months. I bought another and it lasted about 2 months too. Installed air intact too, but it didn't suck at all. I thought the intake was sucking in kalk and gumming up the pump so I raised the intake up 3 inches, cleaned everything out, but it only worked for a week or so. Also, the barrel was in a cabinet, so it was a pain to check whether it was empty or not. It is possible I was burning it out because it would run on empty, but aqua lifters aren't supposed to burn up. Now I need a new design...
While the new ATOs have magnets on them, mine uses suction cups. I may modify to add magnets if suction fails. the Tunze ATO is cool, but $200 bucks is a lot. For water reservoir, I was thinking of using a Slim Jim 23 Gal. Blue Recycling next to the tank ($35). http://www.homedepot.com/p/Rubberma...-with-Venting-Channels-FG354007BLUE/100674188. I plan to build a wooden case around it so it is visually pleasing and still be next to display tank. It can serve as a counter of sorts. Anyone have an idea of a container next to the display but concealed so it doesn't look bad?
With a container this big, I can use a maxi jet to pump the water should the aqualifters fail.
Next, since the reservoir will hold about 2 weeks worth of water, I want to make some sort of system that tells me when it needs more water. Fool proof and cheap, and looks fine are the major considerations.
I was thinking something like the following:
ping pong ball in a tube in the reservoir tied to a string tied to a lever. When the water level goes down, the ball sinks, and one side of the lever goes down, but with the other side going up. And on that side, I could put some sort of wire/flag that could be calibrated to indicate more or less how much water is in the reservoir.
I have no idea whether this will work or not. Any ideas?
DAG
Question 2 - signal to tell me that water reservoir is low/empty.
Details -
I bought a JBJ-like ATO (about $100) 3 years ago and never set it up right. I had in a 5 gallon water barrel with kalk and a Tom's aqua lifter. I had it set up to operate for only about 30 minutes a day; and the sensors in the sump to stop if a high water mark was reached. The other sensor turned the pump on an off as needed. Worked well when it worked, but the lifter lost its power after about 2 months. I bought another and it lasted about 2 months too. Installed air intact too, but it didn't suck at all. I thought the intake was sucking in kalk and gumming up the pump so I raised the intake up 3 inches, cleaned everything out, but it only worked for a week or so. Also, the barrel was in a cabinet, so it was a pain to check whether it was empty or not. It is possible I was burning it out because it would run on empty, but aqua lifters aren't supposed to burn up. Now I need a new design...
While the new ATOs have magnets on them, mine uses suction cups. I may modify to add magnets if suction fails. the Tunze ATO is cool, but $200 bucks is a lot. For water reservoir, I was thinking of using a Slim Jim 23 Gal. Blue Recycling next to the tank ($35). http://www.homedepot.com/p/Rubberma...-with-Venting-Channels-FG354007BLUE/100674188. I plan to build a wooden case around it so it is visually pleasing and still be next to display tank. It can serve as a counter of sorts. Anyone have an idea of a container next to the display but concealed so it doesn't look bad?
With a container this big, I can use a maxi jet to pump the water should the aqualifters fail.
Next, since the reservoir will hold about 2 weeks worth of water, I want to make some sort of system that tells me when it needs more water. Fool proof and cheap, and looks fine are the major considerations.
I was thinking something like the following:
ping pong ball in a tube in the reservoir tied to a string tied to a lever. When the water level goes down, the ball sinks, and one side of the lever goes down, but with the other side going up. And on that side, I could put some sort of wire/flag that could be calibrated to indicate more or less how much water is in the reservoir.
I have no idea whether this will work or not. Any ideas?
DAG
