popon: Yes, the LEDs seem to have improved plant growth. But that isn't to say the same amount of light from a PL or T5 light might produce the same growth levels, it's just the LEDs take up less space.
The strip of LEDs are some that I imported from Taiwan to test to see if they are suitable for fishtank use, unfortunately the brightness is a little too dim for my liking, so I just kept it there as additional light. That whole strip is about 1/3 - 1/2 the brightness of the 3 HO LEDs.
p.albert: Actually, I've not noticed any noticeable difference between going from full on to full off and using the sunrise/sunset simulation. The fishes still just go about their daily business. It's just cool to have.. haha..
limz_777: Ah yes, the oil. Quite irritating and I think it's because my autofeeder is over feeding a little. Right now I just remove it manually. I believe I've run out of space for more gadgets!!
Unintentional Algae Breeder :-(
Just wondering about your DIY CO2.. looks like it goes into the Inlet of your Eden 501.
Do you control the bubble count? Doesn't look like you have a solenoid or any regulator..
Just wondering cos it's impossible to control the amount with a DIY CO2...
Great job by the way. Impressive DIY everything.
Wow! Really impressed! Nicely done!
Nope, it's not possible (or advisable) to control the bubble count when using DIY CO2. Reason being if you constrict the CO2, the whole bottle might burst. Resulting in a very big mess to clean up!Originally Posted by neverwalkalone
And yes, it goes into the inlet of the Eden, saves me the trouble of having another reactor.
I keep an eye on the bubble count, it seems to me that it's pretty constant throughout most parts of the lifespan of a bottle of DIY CO2, as such there's no real need to control it. Once it seems like it's slowing down I swap it with another bottle.
I actually thought of DIY-ing something that could divert the excess CO2 into another bottle when the lights go off, but I think that's just overkill.
Very nice, hehe, how come you didn't go with a TEM module installed into your Eden 501 canister instead?
Would cut down on the evaporation rate and frequency of reservoir topup as well as provide more stability at the cost of a bit more electricity for your setup.
Did you consider integrating all your systems into a single system? or is that a project for a later date?
Could do an all in one timer/lighting/thermostat/topup/dosing/CO2 solenoid controller system like the incredibly expensive controllers they have for marine tanks.
For about $100 you could get a CO2 tank and solenoid valve for more consistency, and it would be way less hassle in the long run, a 2L CO2 tank could probably last you the entire year in a tank this size.
On a side note, your Betta doesn't try to eat your shrimp??
Very good points you have... I have in fact thought of all of them and decided against them. Here's why...
Firstly, thermoelectric cooler. Yes I thought of it, but didn't wish to sink in more money than I already had. To be honest I'm pretty sure the tank will do just fine with just a fan. I also don't have much space left on the table for anything that size (I'm assuming you referring to the table top models).
I even thought of DIYing it, but I had a failed attempt a few years back and have since not bothered with this technology. My tank at home has been without a chiller for 9yrs, so far so good.
Secondly, integration, yes that was the big picture but I ran out of programming space in the microchip that I know how to program. Haha!! POSSIBLE but I kind of wanted to put a stop to this as it was getting out of hand, I was spending waaaaaaay too much time and money on a small tiny tank and was neglecting work that paid the bills.
CO2 tank and solenoid, again, no space, no money, don't wish to have more wires, etc. DIY CO2 works just fine for me now. Swapping out a bottle once every 2-3 weeks is quite acceptable..
Anyway when I get my new place (hopefully in the near future) then I'll consider running an integrated system and doing up everything properly. This was more of a "testing" tank.
Oh I was thinking more of a just a Peltier element. Thermal epoxy an aluminium rod on the cold side, and CPU cooler on the hot side, then cut a hole and mount into your Eden 501 canister.
Peltier element and 12v power source shouldn't cost more than $50.00 bet you probably have the rest of the stuff laying around the house
There are some really compact and not too pricey CO2 tanks in the market!
*poison* *poison*
I've toyed with the idea of DIYing an integrated unit to do most of these functions but I'm just plain lazy, and I don't think I dare to tear apart my pH controller
I agree that its total overkill for a nano tank though, but isn't that the entire point of the excercise?!
Yup, I tried something like that before. Didn't work out too well for me..Oh I was thinking more of a just a Peltier element. Thermal epoxy an aluminium rod on the cold side, and CPU cooler on the hot side, then cut a hole and mount into your Eden 501 canister.
Peltier element and 12v power source shouldn't cost more than $50.00 bet you probably have the rest of the stuff laying around the house
There are some really compact and not too pricey CO2 tanks in the market!
*poison* *poison*
I've toyed with the idea of DIYing an integrated unit to do most of these functions but I'm just plain lazy, and I don't think I dare to tear apart my pH controller
I agree that its total overkill for a nano tank though, but isn't that the entire point of the excercise?!
Haha yes, there are some affordable CO2 tanks, but again I rather not.
Oh yes forgot to answer your other question, I believe my betta has eaten the baby shrimps, I've seen him look like he's hunting for them amongst the hairgrass but never actually caught him in the act, but in general he leaves the adults alone as far as I can see.
Nevertheless your skills in DIYing stuff left a deep impression on me.kudos bro!Yup, I tried something like that before. Didn't work out too well for me..
Haha yes, there are some affordable CO2 tanks, but again I rather not.
Oh yes forgot to answer your other question, I believe my betta has eaten the baby shrimps, I've seen him look like he's hunting for them amongst the hairgrass but never actually caught him in the act, but in general he leaves the adults alone as far as I can see.
Hi, thx for the answer on my questions.Nope, it's not possible (or advisable) to control the bubble count when using DIY CO2. Reason being if you constrict the CO2, the whole bottle might burst. Resulting in a very big mess to clean up!
And yes, it goes into the inlet of the Eden, saves me the trouble of having another reactor.
I keep an eye on the bubble count, it seems to me that it's pretty constant throughout most parts of the lifespan of a bottle of DIY CO2, as such there's no real need to control it. Once it seems like it's slowing down I swap it with another bottle.
I actually thought of DIY-ing something that could divert the excess CO2 into another bottle when the lights go off, but I think that's just overkill.
I was wondering why you can not use buble counter for DIY?
As far as i Know bubble counter won't hold the flow of CO2 like diffuser. Bubble counter for DIY CO2 is also good to prefent the liquid in the bottle goes into your tank.
Not sure what do you mean, that is a bubble counter. I'm not using a diffuser, the CO2 goes from the 1.5l bottle to the bubble counter to the inlet of the Eden 501.Hi, thx for the answer on my questions.
I was wondering why you can not use buble counter for DIY?
As far as i Know bubble counter won't hold the flow of CO2 like diffuser. Bubble counter for DIY CO2 is also good to prefent the liquid in the bottle goes into your tank.
haha... sorry i mistakenly understand what you mean about "controlling bubble" from DIY CO2.Not sure what do you mean, that is a bubble counter. I'm not using a diffuser, the CO2 goes from the 1.5l bottle to the bubble counter to the inlet of the Eden 501.
my mistake
That's one happy betta and really creative DIY-ing!
Wish I had the knowledge to do something like thisSeems like the initial start-up would cost a lot? Though I think the reduced need for maintenance is a huge factor for me. Lovely pictures though.
Ironically these DIY jobs usually cost as much if not more as storebought solutions.
But you can do much more interesting / customized things, but the process is really the fun part.
If you don't seriously enjoy fiddling with electronics or programming, I would not recommend trying a project like this, heh.
Yes often if you don't have the right tools and resources to begin with, the DIY will cost more. The thing is some of the things I DIYed there isn't anything exactly like it on the market at the time. Haha..
I agree, definitely not recommended if you are not into electronics and stuff.
If you DIY and it work, the feeling of accomplishment is priceless ...
Yippie!! Reptiles and Fishies!
Your betta is very lucky...haha..
Great work! being a person that likes to tinker with things myself, i really really enjoy this post.
Haha yes.. but the problem is it takes A LOT of time to get it to a point where it works.If you DIY and it work, the feeling of accomplishment is priceless ...
Some of my DIY stuff have broken down or needed tweaking, or don't really really work 100% all the time. I also too tired to go and iron out all the bugs already haha!
Oh yeah, a bit spoilt this betta. Hardly scared by anything, I can even touch it with my fingers!Your betta is very lucky...haha..
Great work! being a person that likes to tinker with things myself, i really really enjoy this post.
Hi,
How did you submerge the probe in the water? From the picture, it seems that you placed the probe in a rubber tube, sealed at the end by something which looks like a cap. How was it done?
Thanks in advance
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