Power Siphon Wave Box

[RandyStacyE]

I was reading the thread below and it made me wonder whether or not an expensive ‘controller’ was necessary.
DIY Wavebox
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=905087

I’m not much of an electrician and have no idea how this should be wired, but how about the concept? Those magnetic float switches may be a bit on the expensive side:

They could probably be replaced with much cheaper ones like these:
http://www.floatswitches.net/

 

[CoolUsername]

Looks Promising. So you are depending on the tube to siphon water back into the external box after the pump shuts off. So that this isn't a one shot.

The only drawback is the way you have this setup, you will also need some circuitry that will latch when the top sensor triggers so that the pump stays on until the bottom sensor is triggered. At this point you would release the latch. Latch circuits aren't complex, but they would require some soldering, pretty cheap parts, etc. Sounds like DIY to me!

It might be cool to figure out how to do this with just switches. I will think about that one. Good idea.

 

[RandyStacyE]

Oh yeah, definitely not just switches. I haven’t the slightest clue how it should be wired. I have an uncle who is a retired electrician, I may ask him.

I imagine first I would have to choose a decent size pump and the float switches.

Once the pump kicks off, it should begin to back siphon. I highly doubt that this could ever loose siphon and if it ever did, nothing would happen. It should just sit there and do nothing at all.

I’m thinking it would take longer to back-siphon than it will to empty to box. Hopefully this could create a decent wave motion. If it doesn’t I could always just make a decent auto top off and no harm done!

 

[aaronpentz]

Just use a regular old 12v relay. Thats all thats needed. I wouldnt run 120v AC through those switches. I can supply a Diagram if needed

 

[RandyStacyE]

aaronpentz that would be great! IThat may speed things allong a great deal. With a diagram, I may be able to run out and get everything I need.

I have a WP-4 pump from aquatic eco just lying arround. I was thinking of using it. It should empty that box in no time. I do hesitate to use that one though because those pumps sometimes stick on startup. It could be used for testing though.

 

[aaronpentz]

Here you go

 

[RandyStacyE]

aaronpentz you're the man! Thank you!

If the basic design works, I imagine all kinds of bells and whistles could tweak it bit more.

 

[aaronpentz]

Did you understand the drawing? How the Latch part Works?

 

[BeanAnimal]

No soldering needed.. just a DPDT relay.

The problem I see is the wear and tear on the pump. The discharge rate will be fast and the flow back somewhat slow.

I don't think you will achieve the desired "wave box" effect. You may however achieve a surge tank type of effect. You could take it step further and incorporate a drip late and light to get the benefits of a turf scrubber.

Finding a suitable pump is going to be the hardest part.

Bean

 

[RandyStacyE]

Aaronpentz

Not entirely, but I didn’t quite understand my ‘booster pump with auto shut off’ instructions for my RO/DI at first either. Once I study it a while and check out the components it should make more sense. I really appreciate the diagram.

BeanAnimal
I agree about the pump thing. It may tear it up quick. That WP-4 pump is just collecting dust right now, but it pumps like a mad Russian!

I thought about the lag time with the back-siphon. I thought maybe a ¾” or 1” U tube could help with that (if necessary). If something like that could help the box equalize fast enough, maybe that would work.

I just hope it doesn't act like a simple powerhead that clicks on and off.

All the parts seem cheap enough, I think I’m gonna try it.

 

[CoolUsername]

Good work aaronpentz. Just thought I'd post a pic of your attachment for other's convenience.

I thought this was possible without too much trouble. I had started dreaming about a simple logic latch. Yes I spend 5 years as an elecrical technician. Your design is nice. Simple and easy to implement.

design courtesy of user aaronpentz

I'm curious as well to see how well the wave action works. If you try it out, please post back and let us know.

Thanks

 

[PrivateJoker64]

Is the idea to raise and lower the water level in the tank?

 

[RandyStacyE]

This is a Tunze Wavebox
http://www.korallenriff.de/28interzoo/TunzeBox.mpeg

This is the link to a DIY Tunze Wavebox which inspired me to give this a try:
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/s...threadid=905087

I hope this does something similar.

 

[BeanAnimal]

Randy it will likely not do what you expect.

The very simply reason is that those wave boxes work by tuning them into the length of the tank and the time it takes the wave to propogate to one side, then back.

Think of how you gain speed on a swingset. You have to be in perfect time... if not your legs just flail about and you go nowhere.

You can of course TRY to get this to work by raising and lowering the top and/or bottom floats to change the intervale between cycles. You would also have to use a big enough u-tube (and possibly a valve on it to adjust the "off" portion of the cycle (assuming you can even get it to move fast enough).

Let us know how it works out.

 

[RandyStacyE]

I'm sure you're right. I think that if the float switches are in a ‘fixed position’ its versatility would be severely limited. The box could be on the back of a tank but the plumbing could go over and off to one side (lengthening the plumbing ~ ouch).

Once the basic unit is in operation, some tweaks may be necessary. Sounds like this thread should be renamed to “DIY Wave Controller’. I’m sure there is a way to make the pump hesitate with adjustable increments; basically a ‘pulse adjustment’. How original right?

I was once referred to a great online electronics store www.allelectronics.com they charge at least $7.00 to ship.

Something similar may be promising I’m sure something exists:
http://www.allelectronics.com/cgi-bin/item/MK-111/search/ADJ._INTERVAL_TIMER_KIT_.html