Post by aaron on Feb 12, 2012 14:39:39 GMT -6
I've been working on a refill system. Except I wanted something that uses little to no power.
I'll try and get some design sketches on here later. Basically it follows the concept of a toilet... lol.
When the water level goes too low the lever goes down and causes water to refill (in a water refill tank, I'll be using a 55g drum). Then using physics (sorry was in college for this) have water refill tank top off the sump tank based on the water level of the sump. Adding chemicals isn't difficult if it's needed. Pumps that inject chemicals can have water flows through and disperse the chemicals. Which would take care of that. Used to have one, works quite nicely.
Safety is important... The tank by default will overflow into the sump if something happens, example if a calcium build up causes the air hole on the pump line to become clogged it will turn into a siphon if the power is cut. First step use a battery pack surge strip for first defense, then a sump overflow box would be drilled. Put a bulkhead with tubing back to the secondary box. This would be near the top of the sump, so it would just shoot on over to the empty tank.
My system would only need power on the pump pushing water back to the aquarium and possibly the secondary chemical pump if used. Which I don't like chemicals myself, so I wouldn't have one.
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Water removal, I would drill the tank put a bulk head that allows for fast draining. use a double valve system to turn on/off water that is exiting the tank. Pending the size of the hole you can empty quite quickly. The above water refill system would kick in and take over at that point.
If the tank can't be drilled, I'd put a modified siphon box on the back that would allow you to drain fast. have it suck water up to say 25 or 40% of the tank, but cut off after that. Apply a double valve system cut them on and out it goes.
Dunno, I have to draw it up, any thoughts?
I'll try and get some design sketches on here later. Basically it follows the concept of a toilet... lol.
When the water level goes too low the lever goes down and causes water to refill (in a water refill tank, I'll be using a 55g drum). Then using physics (sorry was in college for this) have water refill tank top off the sump tank based on the water level of the sump. Adding chemicals isn't difficult if it's needed. Pumps that inject chemicals can have water flows through and disperse the chemicals. Which would take care of that. Used to have one, works quite nicely.
Safety is important... The tank by default will overflow into the sump if something happens, example if a calcium build up causes the air hole on the pump line to become clogged it will turn into a siphon if the power is cut. First step use a battery pack surge strip for first defense, then a sump overflow box would be drilled. Put a bulkhead with tubing back to the secondary box. This would be near the top of the sump, so it would just shoot on over to the empty tank.
My system would only need power on the pump pushing water back to the aquarium and possibly the secondary chemical pump if used. Which I don't like chemicals myself, so I wouldn't have one.
---
Water removal, I would drill the tank put a bulk head that allows for fast draining. use a double valve system to turn on/off water that is exiting the tank. Pending the size of the hole you can empty quite quickly. The above water refill system would kick in and take over at that point.
If the tank can't be drilled, I'd put a modified siphon box on the back that would allow you to drain fast. have it suck water up to say 25 or 40% of the tank, but cut off after that. Apply a double valve system cut them on and out it goes.
Dunno, I have to draw it up, any thoughts?