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Tim_UK
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- May 2, 2010
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an update on things:
To help with the water changes I ran two lengths of 1/4" piping to the tank from outside to the tank. This is often sold as john guest pipe - you can get loads of fittings etc and is all push-fit together - I was a bit dubious of this push fit but had to use some when I replaced our kitchen last year and nothing has leaked so hopefully all ok - because its "trade" stuff rather than for fishes its also cheap - 20 metres of tube was a bit over ten pounds.
I put this tube inside some normal garden hose just to offer some extra protection.
TH3_1263 by tim-uk, on Flickr
To get the water out I bought a tiny 12v pump - adapted this to take a sponge filter:
TH3_3407.JPG by tim-uk, on Flickr
I had planned on using a float valve to control the water in (like one used on a toilet cistern) and even bought a mini one off ebay but when it arrived it didn't look great and I was also worried what if it got stuck - my tank doesn't have an overflow like a toilet does. I did some more looking and found some electrical float switches for just 99p and also a mini valve similar to one on a washing machine but with proper threaded inlets, worked on 12v and only £4 from ebay china ! As the float switches were so cheap I used two in series in case one got stuck.
TH3_3297 by tim-uk, on Flickr
I decided to get another of these valves to use on the outlet just in case water could siphon out via the mini pump.
You can see these in place here:
TH3_3400 by tim-uk, on Flickr
I wanted to have things so that the pump emptied the tank when a switch was on and then automatically stopped when a level reached, similarly for the input I wanted water to come in when a switch was on and then stop automatically when full. I wasn't sure what current the float switches could take so used a couple of car relays to be on safe side:
TH3_3288 by tim-uk, on Flickr
Wiring all this up was a nightmare as I hadn't planned on such complexity and so already short of space:
TH3_3301 by tim-uk, on Flickr
TH3_3303 by tim-uk, on Flickr
The extra switches are for the fans (mentioned in earlier posts) and a spare 12v which I will use for an air pump if needed. Everything has led's and I have flashing ones for when water is going out or in.
Unfortunately one of the led's blew - I don't know if it was a dodgy one but this reminded me about relays giving off a high voltage so I replaced the led and added a protector diode - had to make a wiring harness for this as space so tight:
TH3_3311-2 by tim-uk, on Flickr
If this lot works might rewire everything as all quite messy now !
I then put the power filter and extra canisters in the cupboard and piped in - thought this would take ten minutes but was so crammed took hours ! You can also see the sliding platform these sit in - I made this into a tray and lined with butyl to keep any leaks in:
TH3_3404 by tim-uk, on Flickr
I bought an HMA water filter - expensive - almost fifty pounds - but this would mean I wouldn't have to worry about adding water conditioners. At the moment I have this sitting outside connected to outside tap. Don't know what I will do long term as could freeze but its 30C at the moment so don't need to worry yet !
TH3_3406 by tim-uk, on Flickr
Today I hope to turn the water on and see what happens !!!
To help with the water changes I ran two lengths of 1/4" piping to the tank from outside to the tank. This is often sold as john guest pipe - you can get loads of fittings etc and is all push-fit together - I was a bit dubious of this push fit but had to use some when I replaced our kitchen last year and nothing has leaked so hopefully all ok - because its "trade" stuff rather than for fishes its also cheap - 20 metres of tube was a bit over ten pounds.
I put this tube inside some normal garden hose just to offer some extra protection.
TH3_1263 by tim-uk, on Flickr
To get the water out I bought a tiny 12v pump - adapted this to take a sponge filter:
TH3_3407.JPG by tim-uk, on Flickr
I had planned on using a float valve to control the water in (like one used on a toilet cistern) and even bought a mini one off ebay but when it arrived it didn't look great and I was also worried what if it got stuck - my tank doesn't have an overflow like a toilet does. I did some more looking and found some electrical float switches for just 99p and also a mini valve similar to one on a washing machine but with proper threaded inlets, worked on 12v and only £4 from ebay china ! As the float switches were so cheap I used two in series in case one got stuck.
TH3_3297 by tim-uk, on Flickr
I decided to get another of these valves to use on the outlet just in case water could siphon out via the mini pump.
You can see these in place here:
TH3_3400 by tim-uk, on Flickr
I wanted to have things so that the pump emptied the tank when a switch was on and then automatically stopped when a level reached, similarly for the input I wanted water to come in when a switch was on and then stop automatically when full. I wasn't sure what current the float switches could take so used a couple of car relays to be on safe side:
TH3_3288 by tim-uk, on Flickr
Wiring all this up was a nightmare as I hadn't planned on such complexity and so already short of space:
TH3_3301 by tim-uk, on Flickr
TH3_3303 by tim-uk, on Flickr
The extra switches are for the fans (mentioned in earlier posts) and a spare 12v which I will use for an air pump if needed. Everything has led's and I have flashing ones for when water is going out or in.
Unfortunately one of the led's blew - I don't know if it was a dodgy one but this reminded me about relays giving off a high voltage so I replaced the led and added a protector diode - had to make a wiring harness for this as space so tight:
TH3_3311-2 by tim-uk, on Flickr
If this lot works might rewire everything as all quite messy now !
I then put the power filter and extra canisters in the cupboard and piped in - thought this would take ten minutes but was so crammed took hours ! You can also see the sliding platform these sit in - I made this into a tray and lined with butyl to keep any leaks in:
TH3_3404 by tim-uk, on Flickr
I bought an HMA water filter - expensive - almost fifty pounds - but this would mean I wouldn't have to worry about adding water conditioners. At the moment I have this sitting outside connected to outside tap. Don't know what I will do long term as could freeze but its 30C at the moment so don't need to worry yet !
TH3_3406 by tim-uk, on Flickr
Today I hope to turn the water on and see what happens !!!
