DIY Aquarium Controller not $6-800

[wanareef]

Just wanted to share this, it's an aquarium controller and this guy has designed it and will be writting the code for it soon http://compudoc97.com/SaltwaterNewbie.shtml scroll abut 1/2 way down.

I can't afford the big bucks for a controller , My wife would kill me. :razz: I can wait to get to work on this and have it up and running.

 

[Katchupoy]

wanareef, are you familiar with electronics or something. I really want to do this and have been following his work and website but I think its way too much for me.

If you are going to make one, what are your plans? is it the same like that one? or r u going to use schematics and everything?

o r u going to do one part at a time? like wavemaker for now and then temp controller next? or something...

thanks

 

[big t]

That looks pretty cool! I am going to add that to my useful links post.

 

[Gordo]

It is pretty cool and it is DIY, BUT you would have to the uber DIY nut to make one of these things. It seems to me by the time your done with it, it would have been easier to buy one. I guess there are two reasons for a DIY project. 1. Save money 2. Telling people you built that....

~Gordo~

 

[RobD]

I read through it, and my two cents worth are that it is very much in the prototype phase. So it seems like there would be a lot of observation and adjustment to get everything satisfactory. One thing that really stood out was using the hot glue to waterproof the temperature sensor. To me, it's not worth the potential risk of being the one to discover what leaches out and what it will kill in your tank (or even cause the entire tank to collapse) to "save" money.

Also, It's not clear to me what the synergy is of the design that gives it the advantage over individual parts. With individual parts I can upgrade them incrementally to meet my needs.

Hey, not to hijack the thread, but isn't there a DIY meeting coming up for PSAS? Does anyone know the details of what is planned for that?

 

[mojoreef]

LOL thier was another such project doen on RC. I believe it was call the rca3 project. it had a bunch of tech type guys all collaborating on it, but it hit to many bugs and went know where. Its a pretty important peice of equipment, I would make sure it run real well and with out bugs before putting your reef in its hands.


Mike

 

[wanareef]

katchupoy - I will be ordering one of the "PC Boards" and stuff it myself kind of like a "radio shack" kit. I used to design Printed Circuit Boards after the engineer designed the circuit.

The controller is a stand alone unit. The other "stuff" that is on there is pre "Aquarium Controller". Yea that hot glue is a little unnerving, hope fully he would have intergrated a real probe when he is finished writing the code.

The problem with all those "engineers" getting together - they can't agree to agree or disagree either :lol: :lol:

 

[DonW]

If someone is interested. Applied didital ocelot and modules are inexpensive. Can be stand alone after pc programming. Uses standard if,then,else and variable logic with timers. Can use both digital and analog inputs. The relay module will handle pumps and heaters. Best of all a complete idiot can program and connect them to just about any thing. With a bit creativity you can automate and control any function or process.

Don

 

[Katchupoy]

Ok, Heres a link that maybe can help some of those DIY'ers...

http://www.rainbowkits.com/kits/kits1.html

I am eyeing on TG-2... on this link...

http://www.rainbowkits.com/kits/tg-2p.html