Tank Bypass ?

[fishheadfred]

Does anyone else use a bypass when feeding the tank ? I installed two ball valves so I can leave the pump running and recirculate the refugium water during feeding.

[ellisz]

engineer much? My pump flows way to much to bypass completely. I don't normally do anything special when feeding.

[steamer51]

Do you feed your refugium separately or do your poor pods just get the leftovers when you turn the pumps back on? Actually it sounds like a good idea. I know I'll be turning my skimmer off to feed when I get it hooked up and I turn off the HOB filter that I use for carbon.

[coreyz]

I have heard that turning on and turning off pumps maybe be hazardous due to human forget fullness. A podcast once spoke of using "Spa Timers" with in the circuit to assist those whom may be prone to forgetting to turn the pumps back on. I think it is a great idea. (In a busy moment)

Yet like Steamer51 says, the entire ecosystem does require feeding... so should it be feed seperatley, or all at once flowing through the circulation system with various amounts along the way? I assume that it would vary depending on how you are moving your water through out your system, and what coral's, fish, and everything else you are feeding at the time.

I would like to simply dial a few knobs and call it good, one for skimmer pump, main display return, etc. any ideas on how to keep it simple?

[JimDantin]

I'd be happy to help anyone with the design and build of a circuit that would provide a timed "off" period. The parts would be under $30. Enclosures would be more if you can't mount it in a cabinet.

It would use a spring-wound fan timer iihe this
http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/sto ... 0003+90401

and a relay from Radio Shack -- it woould be normally "ON", and would stay off for whatever you set the timer to (up to 60 minutes).

[fishheadfred]

Corey - I do not feed my refugium directly. I installed the bypass to prevent this years ago. The fuge is full of critters and the with volume of detritus that collects there I can't imagine adding anything else.
I do feed the tank heavy though!

Jim - I design and install controls at work but I want to keep the tank simple and use as little electric as possible.

Mike - "engineer much" Yup, You should sit in on one of my meetings and listen how the Architects and Engineers can't agree on how things should be. Throw in Admin and infection control and you have a real party. It's then left to people like me to make it all work.

[ellisz]

I was just never sure what you did. I only see you on occasion and there is the big mystery of your house

Jim,

I might be a good topic of things we could build that would benefit the hobbiest. I know I did my own top off float system. I have alway wanted to do a low side pump shut off.

[fishheadfred]

No real Mystery here! i am trying to renovate the basement and I am about 3/4 of the way renovating the 1/2 bath. I promised I would not have my fishey friends over to play until the place is presentable.

[ellisz]

come to my house this week then. bring ruben too. PArty!

[RWillieK]

To keep from loosing a lot of food.....when I feed, I hit the feed button on my Aquacontroller Jr.

It turns off my Koralias for the preset time. It has four Feed Modes, fully programmable (they don't have to be feed programs either).

Feed Mode A (2 x daily use): Power heads off for 5 minutes.

Feed Mode B (Weekend use): Power heads off for 30 Minutes.
I use this to feed the coral...the food doesn't get blown off so quickly.

Feed Mode C (rare use): Keeps the power heads on, and the Lights on for an extra 45 minutes. This lets guests see my tank, or for me to do a later than usual feeding, or maintenance.

Most everything controlled by the AC Jr. is based on the light timer....so when the lights go off so does the Ca Reactor, the Fuge Light Turns on, and a power head turns off.......

And the beauty of it all is...............I touch one button on the controller to feed the fish, and don't touch it the rest of the day......it controls everything.

Robbie