DIY Wavebox Tutorial from start to finish!
- Thread starter xtm
- Start date
d0ughb0y
Active member
just built one (no box) and works fine. I used it on my 6055.
at first the 6055 clicks, but after running it overnight the clicking stopped.
any ideas on how to add a photocell? I'm thinking of wiring it to pin 4 reset, but I think it will work the reverse, that is, turn off the pump when there is light. perhaps the photocell should be connected to pin 2 trigger pin.
at first the 6055 clicks, but after running it overnight the clicking stopped.
any ideas on how to add a photocell? I'm thinking of wiring it to pin 4 reset, but I think it will work the reverse, that is, turn off the pump when there is light. perhaps the photocell should be connected to pin 2 trigger pin.
simply connect it to a relay, If you use a small enough relay you can simply use a small solar panel to power the relay and forgo a photocell and wall wart.
d0ughb0y
Active member
There is no wallwart involved in this project, the tunze powers the circuit.I figured it out, I just connect the photocell to V+ then a pull down resistor and connect that to pin 4. Its a standard light detector 555 circuit. I was thinking of a pull up resistor then the photocell, which is a standard dark detector 555 circuit. just need to add a switch to bypass the light sensor in case one wants to run it 24/7.
I figured it out, I just connect the photocell to V+ then a pull down resistor and connect that to pin 4. Its a standard light detector 555 circuit. I was thinking of a pull up resistor then the photocell, which is a standard dark detector 555 circuit. just need to add a switch to bypass the light sensor in case one wants to run it 24/7.
I was talking about using the relay, it needs a power source. But I totally forgot about the skill level of most people performing this project. I also forgot that photocells work both ways.
d0ughb0y
Active member
anyone built the box for a 6055? what is the dimension of the box?
I am using the 6055 without the box, and if I place the pump a few inches from the surface, it can generate quite a big wave, maybe 2-3 inches. good thing I have euro brace, keeps the water in. but it is not the same wave as in the videos, as I do not see any swaying below the pump. If I move the pump halfway down, I only get maybe half inch wave, so I think a box is definitely needed.
I think in the original circuit, the 500k potentiometer can be replaced by a 100k potentiometer in series with 400k resistor in order to get a finer tuning.
mistaflicksta
New member
suscribed
d0ughb0y
Active member
you don't need a separate AC adapter.
"controllable" tunze pumps come with a power supply.
the controller takes its power from the tunze pump via pins 2 and 5 of the din5 connector.
as far as controlling two pumps with the same on/off, then I suppose you can just wire pin 3 and ground to the second pump (maybe add a signal diode and a resistor?). or if you want them opposite, use a 556 instead to get opposite signals (one is on while the other is off, etc)
"controllable" tunze pumps come with a power supply.
the controller takes its power from the tunze pump via pins 2 and 5 of the din5 connector.
as far as controlling two pumps with the same on/off, then I suppose you can just wire pin 3 and ground to the second pump (maybe add a signal diode and a resistor?). or if you want them opposite, use a 556 instead to get opposite signals (one is on while the other is off, etc)
d0ughb0y
Active member
ok, I think I realize now why relays, power supply is in the topic.
I suppose those questions are from people who want to use this for other powerheads like hydor, etc.
for non controllable powerheads like the normal koralia, you can get one of those DJ running lights boxes cheap to control on and off of the powerhead. I think it was mentioned on the earlier pages of this thread that controllable koralias use AC and not DC like the tunze to control speed.
I suppose those questions are from people who want to use this for other powerheads like hydor, etc.
for non controllable powerheads like the normal koralia, you can get one of those DJ running lights boxes cheap to control on and off of the powerhead. I think it was mentioned on the earlier pages of this thread that controllable koralias use AC and not DC like the tunze to control speed.
Hey everyone, I'm going to be building a wavebox using the electrical design at the beginning of this thread, but with a few modifications to the box. Would love it if you could jump over to my wavebox thread for a second and give me your 2 cents. 
Thanks!
Thread located here: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1947585
-Scott
Thanks!
Thread located here: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1947585
-Scott
d0ughb0y
Active member
this is how I did mine. I used a DIN5 connector, so I do not have to cut up the DIN5 cable that came with my tunze controler. I also used a trimmer resistor instead of a potentiometer and added the LED. Just use any solid wire that will go into the holes. you can use paper clips if you want as long as you do not short the wires.
Fish_wiz2
Mangroves are kool.
Its easy with the breadboard, the only main thing is you would probably need jumper cables for the board to use it easier. With the jumper cables, you do not need to solder it nor ghetto your own jumpers. Just search how to use a breadboard and it should be fair easy to understand. I finished my breadboard and it works great! Wiz
saltyreefguy
New member
doughboy, where did you add the led in line?
d0ughb0y
Active member
Connect the LED anode to the 555 output line, then connect the cathode to a resistor to ground.
saltyreefguy
New member
thanks. and yours works exactly the same as xtm? i should order myself a breadboard as well, instead of using a time consuming blank pcb board.
I heard these diy wavebox are not too great on making waves on a cube, i have a 135g cube hopefully its big enough, anyone has one working on a cube? thanks.
I heard these diy wavebox are not too great on making waves on a cube, i have a 135g cube hopefully its big enough, anyone has one working on a cube? thanks.
Last edited:
saltyreefguy
New member
doughboy, what size bb is that you're using?
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