Automatic dosing - DIY Aquarium Projects

**IUnknown** · 08-18-2004, 04:08 PM

http://www.aptinstruments.com/pdf/SP100FOPS.pdf
I've been looking into things, and might make this my next project. I would get a sprinkler system timer ($20) that would send a 24 volt signal for one or more minutes (depending on dose) to up to 4 pumps (with the model I picked). I would use a transformer to convert the 24v to 110v to drive the Peristaltic Pump listed above (I think, don't know to much about electronics)? I think the sprinkler controller uses standard plugs on the 24 volt side (I've never touched a sprinkler controller)? Total system would cost under $100 (depending on number of pumps). Compared to what these guys are doing,
http://www.automatedaquariums.com/
Greg

pineapple · 08-18-2004, 04:22 PM

Ingenious devices meant mostly for steady, long-term delivery of solutions. I had many a chance to see them in action this summer during visits to a friend in hospital on a ventilator. It strikes me that there should be some device that fits the gap between the Eheim Liquidoser (a once or more times daily delivery system) and a peristaltic pump plus controller/timer. Therein lies the chance to invent something....

Given a choice between an auto-doser or an automatic water changer, I would take the latter. Usually, I can program family members to deliver vials of chemicals on a once- or twice-a-week basis

Andrew Cribb

bharada · 08-18-2004, 05:39 PM

My limited electrical knowledge makes me think you'd need to add in some form of relay that would be triggered by the 24v sprinkler timer to switch on a 110v power source.

I have something (home made from RadioShack parts) in that vein hooked up in my home theater that uses a 12v trigger signal from my receiver to trip a relay that sends power to my power amp. Essentially it's a black box that plugs into a wall outlet. On it is an outlet (that my amp plugs into) that only gets power when the 12v trigger signal from my receiver trips the relay. Powering off the receiver opens the relay and cuts the power to the amp.

**IUnknown** · 08-18-2004, 06:31 PM

I guess for an extra $6 bucks the pump listed earlier comes with the power plug. You could then just get a simple electronic timer at home depo to control it,
http://www.reefgeek.com/products/cat...ng/104174.html
Tom, so which two? A bottle of Po4 and No3 mixed together, and then one for the micros (alternating days)? That wouldn't cause any problems with chemicals interacting?
Greg

Quote:

Thomas Barr <tcbiii@earthlink.net> wrote:
The automatic level controller that cost 59$ is a great addition for anyone wanting to do the automatic water changes with the sump or without one. A timer can drain a tank once or twice weekly and refill, run the tap water supply for the refills through a carbon filter(20$) prior to entering the tank.

You can use a float switch also, but this method can use remote pumps, reserviors etc.

A two pump system is about all you need for dosing. X-10 controllers can do a lot also.
Eventually I'll get the set up set the way I want.
Once I do that, things will run pretty smooth and I'll just garden and procrastinate that instead.

Light
CO2
Dosing
Water changes

Not much left then except pruning and fish feeding which can easily be automated also.
It would be nice to have it all intregrated and data logging also. But for each nutrient that would get expensive and tough. pH, Temp etc, I'm not concerned about, NO3, NH4, Ca, Mg, PO4, DO etc I am.

Now for an "automated gardener"....hehe.
Interesting site though.

Regards,
Tom Barr

discusdave · 10-02-2004, 07:45 PM

IUnknown,
Thanks so much for the link to APT Instruments. I have wanted to automate the liquid ferts dosing in my 240 and my 30 cube tank for some time, but the only alternatives seemed to be really expensive dosing pumps ($300+) or the refurbished IV pumps (expensive as well) or the Aqua Medic fixed rate dosing pump, which has too high a flow rate (3 liter/hr) for dosing my micros/macros.

The SP100 pumps are just the ticket. I only dose 2 ml/day in the 30 gallon and that pump in the lowest cycle/min with the 1/32" ID tubing allows me to dose that 2 ml over a period of about 30 minutes, which is great.

That is the problem with automating liquid ferts for smaller planted tanks. Most dosing pumps available are too high flow or just too expensive.

Anyways, I ordered two of the SP100s, with the case and the US power cord. The one for the 240 gallon has larger ID tubing than the other. I should have them next week. Hook each one up to a digi timer and I'm all set.

Thanks again for the link. A low cost, accurate, low volume delivery peristaltic pump. Fantastic!

Dave

Laith · 10-03-2004, 02:35 PM

Dave, would be very interested in knowing how it goes... I'm also looking around for a way of automating fert dosing.

chrisl · 10-04-2004, 07:45 AM

I also have set up the exact same pump, along w. that digital timer, dosing NO3 and PO4. works great.

Chris

gpodio · 10-04-2004, 08:38 AM

I agree with using a relay rather than a voltage converter. You can also get digital timers that don't have any "minimum" ON time, you have to read the box but some you can turn on and off for just a minute. Some of the appliance timers have a minimum of 5-10 minute intervals. But you can pick up used IV pumps with built in timers on ebay for around $50, these have worked well for me in the past.

Giancarlo Podio

Laith · 10-04-2004, 09:44 AM

Just so I'm sure I understand how these work

:

There are two tubes that come out of the pump, one goes into the container of a liquid you want to dose and the other goes into the aquarium. When the pump is on, it will "drip" x ml/minute of the liquid into the aquarium. Therefore, using a timer, you turn it on and then off after it doses the amount you want. For example, if the pump is rated at 1ml/minute and you want to dose 3ml per day, you just use the timer to turn the pump on for 3 minutes once a day?

Is the above about right? If so, how does one "prime" the pump? I mean in order for it to start dosing, the liquid must be drawn up from the holding container and then into the aquarium no?

Also, because of the way the pump works, it can actually be under the aquarium, in the stand?

Thanks!

bharada · 10-04-2004, 10:37 AM

Laith,
These pumps self-prime. Technically there is only a single tube with one end going into the solution bottle and the other into the aquarium. The pump actually works by having a series of spindle mounted rollers create a vacuum in the tube which pulls the liquid out of the bottle.