DIY Wavebox!

[smcnally]

Ever give any thought of using float switches instead of a timer?

Float switches wouldn't work. The timing needs to match the frequecy of your tank. Each size tank will need a different timing depending on water volume. It al has to do with how long it takes for the wave to swell and then come back down.

 

[Reef55]

Put a floatswitch at the point you want the wavebox to fill back up to. That is the trigger for when the next "wave" should start. Then you only need to vary the duration of the powerhead being on for timing. (this is how Tunze does it)

 

[BrianMac]

My thought was similair to the Eheim wet/dry filter. Have a pair of float switched. Position them so that when the water level reaches a certain height the pump turns on and when the water level drops to a certain level the pump shuts off. There just needs to be a way to adjust the float switch positions.

 

[scavdog]

http://ealex.aqua-web.org/kuvat/videot/wb.avi

This one uses a float switch.

 

[smcnally]

Are you sure? I can't find one on this part of their webpage http://ealex.aqua-web.org/wavebox/index.htm . It only says it uses an oscilator with adjustable frequency.

 

[scavdog]

Here check out the attached pic.

 

[smcnally]

Here check out the attached pic.

Huh, interesting...

I built a smaller one today (4" x 6" x 12") and it seemed to work just as well as the larger box. I'll post the video tonight. I'm off to work for a few hours.

 

[Calciumbuf]

>After 2 years of reading I think I know a lot, and I know nothing!<

I feel the same way after 10 years of reading! I know I know very little. Or as Rummy likes to say: I've learned that the known unknowns are now better known!

Question:

>Crestron is good for many things, Daire
But, I'm not going to use it to control it because the relays aren't realy meant for that<

Is the Creston the timer mentioned here:

http://www.exoticfish.com/details.cfm?cat=0|1978|1963|1908|0&id=42463&

Is that timer from the Exoticfish site likely to work long term with this device? I was thinking I could convert one of my large overflow boxes on my 400 gallon system by just drilling a hole for the powerhead. Any problems anyone would see with this idea? The overflow has stand pipes, so the tank would not be able to drain in case of power failure.

Greg two problems I could see with that one being the powerhead should face the long axis of the tank to be more effective ( assuming your overflow box is in the back of the tank ), you would also not want rock work to block the flow of the pump also I believe once you get past a 6' tank you would need a larger unit ( hence this is why Tunze sells the extension box ) so some experimenting would definetly be needed.

 

[muddskipper]

Hmmm wonder if I wire a blinking Xmas light into a powerhead if I could make it work that way.. LOL .. sorry thinking out loud to many blinking lights this season..

 

[smcnally]

Hmmm wonder if I wire a blinking Xmas light into a powerhead if I could make it work that way.. LOL .. sorry thinking out loud to many blinking lights this season..

Blinkin Christmas lights are just a little bi-metallic strip. It would "blink" before the pump even did anything

Here's the link to the video of the unit I built today. It's pixelated as hell for some reason though...must have been an issue with the upload. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dCfdVDEWVak

 

[delta]

Look like your getting a better wave , little faster little taller?

Did you think about making it shorter? Then it would be closer to the middle of the tank? And it would fill the box, you could just lift it to see how it works.

Looks like flipping the pump helped?

When do I get my Crestron

 

[smcnally]

Look like your getting a better wave , little faster little taller?

Did you think about making it shorter? Then it would be closer to the middle of the tank? And it would fill the box, you could just lift it to see how it works.

Looks like flipping the pump helped?

Yeah, I was thinking about seeing how short I could go with it, but haven't tried it yet. I can't tell if it is filling faster, or if it just appears that way since there is less area to fill. I'm hoping these maxijets will be able to take this beating full time because I'm really digging this little box!

 

[NateHanson]

Looks great. I love the polyp sway you're getting.

Pretty cool that YouTube put two of Moe's movies on the "related movies" menu to the right of your movie!

 

[smcnally]

When do I get my Crestron

LOL...the Crestron relay I'm using isn't really holding up to the task well. It isn't meant to though. I told my new boss tonight what I was doing with it and first question was whether or not I burned it out yet

What happens is after awhile of running it the relay just sticks in the on state until I unplug it and then plug it back in.

 

[Reef55]

put a diode across the relay coil in reverse to offset the turn-off bounce on the crestron.

 

[delta]

Look like it is working great.

 

[smcnally]

Looks great. I love the polyp sway you're getting.

Pretty cool that YouTube put two of Moe's movies on the "related movies" menu to the right of your movie!

That's cool...I didn't even notice they put Moe's videos there!

put a diode across the relay coil in reverse to offset the turn-off bounce on the crestron.

I really just need to stop using it. The relay device I'm using is actually kind of expensive, and the fact that I'm taking a risk at damaging it instead of just getting a $35 wave timer is kind of dumb. I'll just by the wave timer this week.

 

[~Flighty~]

Tank is looking fantastic by the way!

 

[smcnally]

Tank is looking fantastic by the way!

Thanks Cindy!

 

[naturebatslast]

Wow! Elegant and simple.