Reefer40b
New member
Probably shows what water level that tank up top is at..
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A Golden Reef Tank (v2)
- Thread starter halmus
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halmus
New member
Thanks reefer40B.
You're right, it's to indicate water level visually for now. I will be putting an electronic level sensor in that tube later that will allow me to make it "œsmart". Tie it into a microprocessor and do some magic. The level sensor isn't just a binary on/off like a float switch but provides an analog voltage out which I can map to water level/gallons remaining.
I'm not sure what you're seeing as a floating sphere. It might be a coil of wires that you're seeing? That picture was taken while still under construction. There is a single float switch installed now in the lid so that I don't overflow the tank (again) when filling it. I get distracted in that room and forget the pump is running.
You're right, it's to indicate water level visually for now. I will be putting an electronic level sensor in that tube later that will allow me to make it "œsmart". Tie it into a microprocessor and do some magic. The level sensor isn't just a binary on/off like a float switch but provides an analog voltage out which I can map to water level/gallons remaining.
I'm not sure what you're seeing as a floating sphere. It might be a coil of wires that you're seeing? That picture was taken while still under construction. There is a single float switch installed now in the lid so that I don't overflow the tank (again) when filling it. I get distracted in that room and forget the pump is running.
Sisterlimonpot
Premium Member
It could just be the picture, but it looks as if there's a white (pingpong) ball inside at the base of the tube.
halmus
New member
Ah....I didn't know I had put that in when the picture was taken.
Yes, it's essentially a ping pong ball. Floating water level indicator. Although a ping pong ball was too big so I ordered a plastic ball I found on amazon. Side benefit is that the ball is painted to look like an eyeball. Adds to the mad science theme in my lab with eyeballs floating in tubes.
Yes, it's essentially a ping pong ball. Floating water level indicator. Although a ping pong ball was too big so I ordered a plastic ball I found on amazon. Side benefit is that the ball is painted to look like an eyeball. Adds to the mad science theme in my lab with eyeballs floating in tubes.
halmus
New member
Thanks. How's your tank coming along? I remember reading through the thread as it was coming together. Absolutely beautiful the last time I saw it!
Mrs. Music
New member
I really need to see a picture of this eyeball! please!
yifan917
New member
It's doing quite alright, I guess it's time to post an update on my thread before it gets deleted lol [emoji23]
Still, your planning and construction skills just blew my mind! Keep the updates coming!
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Sisterlimonpot
Premium Member
I too have been eager to see new updates as well....
Please do! I take great inspiration by this build - my inner engineer is thrilled by it.
Have you found any sources of tank incremental level detectors? This is a big gap for us in this hobby! A float switch or optical sensor isn't enough for me! Your mechanical version was very clever. Love the eyeball.
halmus
New member
As far as an analog liquid level sensor there is a product called etape.
https://www.adafruit.com/product/464
There are some different lengths available. I happened to catch them when they were producing a custom line for another customer at 70" long. Since the machining was set up, I got a fairly reasonable tape that length. Otherwise lengths are limited to much shorter. You still have to find a way to map the analog voltage out to a meaningful value in terms of gallons or water depth. I haven't tested how well it works in saltwater. The salt creep might throw off measurements long term.
I wish Apex would open up their products to allow us to create custom graphs of analog voltage inputs. That would be a simple and awesome application for these etapes!
Otherwise, you're going to have to get creative with a microprocessor and your own displays. Web interface and/or digital outputs to tie into the Apex if that's the route you want to go. I haven't officially integrated any of them into my build yet. I've been sidetracked with other concerns like putting in my two weeks notice and starting my own business. So, who knows when I'll take the next step in completing all of the custom electronics projects I had originally planned. I'll make sure to post up the progress if that ever happens.
https://www.adafruit.com/product/464
There are some different lengths available. I happened to catch them when they were producing a custom line for another customer at 70" long. Since the machining was set up, I got a fairly reasonable tape that length. Otherwise lengths are limited to much shorter. You still have to find a way to map the analog voltage out to a meaningful value in terms of gallons or water depth. I haven't tested how well it works in saltwater. The salt creep might throw off measurements long term.
I wish Apex would open up their products to allow us to create custom graphs of analog voltage inputs. That would be a simple and awesome application for these etapes!
Otherwise, you're going to have to get creative with a microprocessor and your own displays. Web interface and/or digital outputs to tie into the Apex if that's the route you want to go. I haven't officially integrated any of them into my build yet. I've been sidetracked with other concerns like putting in my two weeks notice and starting my own business. So, who knows when I'll take the next step in completing all of the custom electronics projects I had originally planned. I'll make sure to post up the progress if that ever happens.
Sisterlimonpot
Premium Member
Taking the leap to be your own boss??? very nice! That will be a huge change that will put a lot of the hobby on the back burner.
Congratulations on that.
Congratulations on that.
halmus
New member
Thank you! Yes. I hear by boss is a bit demanding though, we'll see how he works out.
I've wanted to start the business for a while at least for side work and then see if it could turn into a full time thing. Instead, I'm doing it backwards and starting the business full time and see if I end up going back to a 9-5 sometime in the future.
I'm starting out with woodworking, trim, and custom cabinet work for the business since it's a skill in demand in my area and I know it well. We'll see if I can expand on that into more custom fabrication to justify all of the toys I hope to play with (CNC, laser etcher, 3D printing). Hopefully I can create my own Mythbusters style "œbuilder of weird things" business.
...back to work. I'm trying to learn adobe photoshop so that I can tweak aquarium photos and future business images. Hopefully I'll have some pictures worth posting here in the next few days.
halmus
New member
I'm away from home and only have DLSR images I took with AUTO settings. I'm still learning that camera. Also learning Lightroom. So, my disclaimer is that these are heavily processed images.
Also, the tank has a LOT of room to fill in. Plenty of bare rock to cover up. I do have a couple fist sized colonies but most are frags that are slowly growing in. Sorry it isn't a more impressive update after all this time.
Also, the tank has a LOT of room to fill in. Plenty of bare rock to cover up. I do have a couple fist sized colonies but most are frags that are slowly growing in. Sorry it isn't a more impressive update after all this time.
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