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  1. #1
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    Making water changes a bit easier . . .

    Anyone who has fish in a tank has come up with various schemes to make water changes easier, but I have always wanted an automatic (or as close to automatic as I can get) water changer.

    Running just a 90 gallon tank for the past seven months I've come to dread the weekly water changes, but that now is a thing of the past:
    [attachment=2:18e3l0mn]100_2544.jpg[/attachment:18e3l0mn]

    This is a temporary switch for the hot and cold water valves installed today on my water heater <g>:
    [attachment=1:18e3l0mn]100_2551.jpg[/attachment:18e3l0mn]
    Hot and cold running water right to the tanks, and what a luxury it is!
    Of course, I couldn't just stop with a few switches and lights:
    [attachment=0:18e3l0mn]100_2545a.jpg[/attachment:18e3l0mn]
    This microcontrolled device has been in the works for quite a while, but haven't had the time to finish the project, but now with the valves installed on the water heater, maybe soon?
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  2. #2
    Moderator davidstcldfl's Avatar
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    Re: Making water changes a bit easier . . .

    ....cool !
    "Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same." - President Ronald Reagan

  3. #3
    Moderator badflash's Avatar
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    Re: Making water changes a bit easier . . .

    Make sure there is an overflow alarm if the valves don't close.
    The best fertilizer is the farmer's shadow

  4. #4
    Moderator JCO's Avatar
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    Re: Making water changes a bit easier . . .

    Wish I had thought of that....OH I did many times...I just don't know anything about electronics and not a whole lot about other things either Great job ....but if you smell fish boiling...you'll know the switch malfunctioned and only let HOT water through.
    JCO
    Irish eyes are always smiling but
    • "In the eyes of the world, you are only as good as your last success"
    so never forget
    • "MAN IS ONLY LIMITED BY HIS IMAGINATION"

  5. #5
    Moderator wolfracer's Avatar
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    Re: Making water changes a bit easier . . .

    Very Cool, Got a schematic you might share? Nicely done.

  6. #6
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    Re: Making water changes a bit easier . . .

    Quote Originally Posted by davidstcldfl
    ....cool !
    thanks!
    Quote Originally Posted by badflash
    Make sure there is an overflow alarm if the valves don't close.
    badflash, there's a water level sensor in the basement anyway, so I'm covered there; since I'm only using this while I am at the tanks, if the valve sticks I'll know right away.
    Quote Originally Posted by JCO
    ....but if you smell fish boiling...you'll know the switch malfunctioned and only let HOT water through.
    JCO- Really! I want to fry the fish, not boil them! But when I get the controller done the incoming water's temp will be measured as to match the existing temp of the sump;
    Quote Originally Posted by wolfracer
    Very Cool, Got a schematic you might share? Nicely done.
    wolfracer- Sure, of the manual switch assy or the microcontroller?

  7. #7
    Moderator wolfracer's Avatar
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    Re: Making water changes a bit easier . . .

    Quote Originally Posted by Riverside
    wolfracer- Sure, of the manual switch assy or the microcontroller?
    How about both?

  8. #8
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    Re: Making water changes a bit easier . . .

    Here's the manual switch schematic:
    [attachment=0:3iu2txt9]manual water switchsm.gif[/attachment:3iu2txt9]
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  9. #9
    Moderator wolfracer's Avatar
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    Re: Making water changes a bit easier . . .

    Thanks! Very cool.

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