So awesome, I'd be keen on a project like this... Would be a nice opportunity for me to learn some arduino coding. What board are you using? what pump for the PB? is it like a small peristaltic pump kinda thing?
Make sure they're not getting too much sugar for their own good.
Get an auto programmable dosing pump. Its 67 dollars for 4 pumps on amazon. I think you can program it to do auto water topoff too. Get an auto feeder and your set. If you want you can install a webcam and watch your aquarium on your phone.
Source:
http://www.amazon.com/Jebao-Programmable-Auto-Dosing-DP-4/dp/B014KKCILE
Youtube video about it:
How far is the tank from a faucet?
So I actually took a piece of coarse sponge filter pad I had laying around and zip tied it around the pump to create a sort of prefilter. Hasn’t clogged once.
Also the pump I have doesn’t seem to be available anymore. I can edit this post with something similar if I find one.
E: here ya go on the pump: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07SJGKFT7/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_AI6fFb6C4GSZY
And the sponge filter pad I got; although it is currently out of stock: https://www.aquariumcoop.com/collections/filter-media/products/sponge-pad-coarse
1600 gph in 5 gal tank makes turnover 320x tank volume per hour, with an average for a planted tank 4x, and for high flow corals 50x.
QA on Amazon say that there will be around 660 gph at 40%. Still too much for not sps coral tank. See reviews there too, it's more suitable for fast flow coral tanks.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B083LP42WZ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_glt_fabc_AK0HK6676RDC1CJ3DABB
it's that - I ordered the larger one too a few days ago and it just came in, so I just wanted to check to make sure it was the right move before I switch them out
I have a sump pump https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07L54HB83 with 10' of silicone tubing attached. 3' piece of soft copper for the "wand".
Works GREAT. Cost about $50 total.
We also mix nutes in Trash cans, but had up to 3 recipes going at the same time (3 cans, of course).
Not siphoning but you can get a submersible pump and pump the water up and out. Doesn’t have to be this one but here’s an example https://www.amazon.com/VIVOSUN-Submersible-Fountain-Aquarium-Hydroponics/dp/B07L54HB83/ref=zg_bs_2975475011_1?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=S3KXYE0ZW9XNGZVN3J2B and actually looking at this one it says max lift height 10ft so you may have to find a stronger one but that’s the basic idea.
Honestly if you're looking for cheap two of these 425g/hr would probably do it. I've run these for quite a while. However you should def plan to upgrade.
I like growing my peace lilies in water because they’re so sensitive to underwatering. In order to grow them in water, you need to clean the soil off the roots completely then place them in a vase with water covering the roots but not the leaves. Eventually your plant will grow water roots. Replace the water once a week to keep it fresh and full of oxygen. You’ll also have to add a complete nutrition fertilizer because your plant won’t have soil to get nutrients from. I like liquidirt. Peace Lilies thrive in water!! Bonus points if you get an aquarium pump for one. This one is $10
This is another one I've gotten, and you can choose from various GPH models
Meant to say 800gph. This is the pump i use https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07L54HB83
but for 160 gal i would go bigger, maybe this one, but use it on its side: https://www.amazon.com/VIVOSUN-Submersible-Fountain-Aquarium-Hydroponics/dp/B086QJQK8N
PULACO 50GPH 3W Mini Submersible... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07SJGKFT7?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
This is what I use^^^ my bob doesnt give two fucks about it, but at least i know im doing whats best for him haha
this is the one i use. the spout is detatchable, so just use some aquarium silicone or super glue to make a seal for your drip setup
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https://www.amazon.com/Hydor-Koralia-Nano-Aquarium-Circulation/dp/B0036S4YZ0 two of the smaller 240gph pumps would be great. Down the road you can add a third if needed.
If you have money to burn, you can buy two AI Nero 3s. They are controllable from 200-2000 GPH and have wifi apps. You could create surge flows or a standing oscillating wave.
This is what I ordered from Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07SJGKFT7?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details
I'll report in when it arrives and I get it set up.
Yeah it'll be a watchman for me too if I add any other fish. I also read a lot about the GSP spreading like a weed so yeah that's why it's on the island. Still going to have to watch it and trim eventually I think.
The ATO is the AutoAqua Smart ATO Lite (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07X2HHX1G?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details) . I've been very happy with it so far and I don't have any safety concerns with it. The sensor and the refill hose are both positioned in chamber 3 with the return pump. I have the sensor about 3 inches below the top of the tank.
The Sicce pump is either as quiet or maybe even slightly louder than the stock pump for me actually. It's got a slight hum to it if you're listening for it that I tune out at this point. It only gets loud if it's touching the side of the tank and needs to be adjusted though.
I'm using a small subsersible pump with some sponge over the intake. For a shrimp tank with plants I've found you don't actually need a filter. I had a hang on back big ole filter but this here is more asthetically minimal and quiet and power efficient (something like this) https://www.amazon.com/PULACO-Submersible-Aquarium-Fountain-Hydroponics/dp/B07SLKDW5J/ref=mp_s_a_1_8?keywords=mini+water+pump&qid=1660274497&sr=8-8
Your basic Peristaltic pump, of various sizes, doesn't seem to be horribly expensive.
Figuring out the size you want is definitely a thing, as would be making sure that the tubing wasn't going to leach something unpleasant into your body.
On the cleaning angle, I'd probably be inclined to make the tubing an easily replaceable part if I could. The mechanism never comes into contact with the fluid.
Now, you still need to figure out a good trigger mechanism, and, well, going for an automatic system with a pump and all makes for something that is... Less easy to move around enthusiastically.
Sure, you can go for longer tubing, and maybe even a stand, but that's more bulk to deal with when it's not in use, including for cleaning and setup.
Hm, actually, on the trigger mechanism, an Arduino or Raspberri Pi Pico with a suitable bluetooth module should let you use, well, pretty much any cheap remote camera trigger or 'tictok control ring' for go time.
But even I have a hard time figuring out how to make the setup and all anything except a giant mood killer.
(I mean, for the people going for full on machines, I can see it being practical. But otherwise?)
i actually got it on amazon! i was so excited i couldn’t wait and got same day shipping lol.
here’s the link <3
PULACO 50GPH 3W Mini Submersible... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07SJGKFT7?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
I dose excel using a Jebao dosing pump:
https://www.amazon.ca/Jebao-Programmable-Auto-Dosing-DP-4/dp/B014KKCILE
You can schedule it to run daily or every other day in small volumes (ml). It's amazing and works well with fert dosing as well! :)
Just search aeroponic mister on amazon, they're pretty cheap. As for a pump, something like this would probably work OK.
I have purchased this atomultiple times with great results, When I have to run it in a main tank I just set it up in an acclimation box so the water is relatively still and the ato functions properly, If that doesn’t make sense I can show you what I mean when I get home later and I’m by the tanks.
My old sink sprayer had a removable aerator. I could then use a fairly standard adaptor piece that you can get at most hardware stores.
I have a different sprayer now and I ended up switching over to use a cheap submersible pump (this one listed for $25 at Amazon). That pump has a few hose fittings. I connected a short piece of a 1/2" hose to the pump and connect my chiller to that. I start off by pumping cool tap water through the chiller. Towards the end of chilling, I then pump ice water through the chiller so I can get down to pitching temps. It has been working great for me.
I am a bit surprised there are not standard adaptors to attach a garden hose to a sprayer. One issue is this wide range of different threads used across manufacturers.
This would do what you need...just need to step down the voltage.
Gikfun 12V DC Dosing Pump Peristaltic Dosing Head with Connector For Arduino Aquarium Lab Analytic Diy AE1207 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01IUVHB8E/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_i_QTR2PTSMWVB9YW1760S0
This is the powerhead btw, 80GPH: AQUANEAT Aquarium Water Pump 80GPH, Adjustable, Submersible Pump, Power Head, Small Fountain Pump, for Statuary, Fish Tank, Hydroponics https://www.amazon.com/dp/B077955YC2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_VDGAFWNM36FZF9TYJCA7?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
An ATO is basically required equipment for small tanks, I have no idea why salinity isn’t mentioned more when people talk about stability, but salinity swings will hold you back tremendously if you’re trying to grow anything other than easy corals and in a small lidless cube evaporates off a lot of water in most households, especially if you have good surface agitation. I have a BioCube in my bedroom and my ATO tops off about every 45 mins. My 5 gallon reservoir lasts about 2 weeks. https://www.amazon.com/AutoAQUA-SATO-260P-Automatic-Refiller-Controller/dp/B07X2HHX1G/ref=mp_s_a_1_1_sspa?crid=76NAWB8QV75Q&keywords=ATO&qid=1650580421&sprefix=ato%2Caps%2C166&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1&smid=A2NFM1CXCGKTD8&spLa...