RE: Aquarium automation

["Paul Gale" <groups@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Deep tanks can be a real problem - anything deeper than your
arm/reach.

My reef tank is just about an arm's depth (which is considered on the
talle=
r side or the norm) and this is manageable but any deeper and I'd run into
=
real problems.

Also depends what kind of d=E9cor and substrate is in there though -
gravel=
, rocks, wood etc all need cleaning/moving/maintenance every now and then
a=
nd doing this by only using long grabber type devices is fine but can be
fi=
ddly and frustrating.

I'd recommend keeping to a reasonable depth if possible. Tall tanks do
look=
stunning though :)

Alternatively, make it wide enough to get in and buy a snorkel! (although
I=
don't think I'd want to get in a tank unless there's very good filtration!=
)

If you still need help/advice - I'd recommend having a look at some of the
=
online fish forums if you haven't already - there are loads for marine
aqua=
riums and although I've never looked, there must be a similar number if
not=
more for fresh water!

Paul.



> -----Original Message-----
> From: ukha_d@xxxxxxx [mailto:ukha_d@xxxxxxx] On Behalf Of
> John Nye
> Sent: 02 May 2006 10:29
> To: ukha_d@xxxxxxx
> Subject: RE: [ukha_d] Aquarium automation
>=20
> Hi Mark,
>=20
> We did look at a narrow (4 or 5 inches) tank and discussed it with our
> local
> shop. Problem is they are very expensive and maintenance can be a pig
-
> you
> need very long thin arms for the times you need to get to the bottom
of
> the
> tank -:)
>=20
> I guess it can be done though, I found a few in the States by
googling.
>=20
> Our window is in an alcove so what I'm doing is building a false wall
to
> accommodate a more normal size tank.
>=20
> And before anyone asks - yes there will be pictures when finished!!
>=20
> John
>=20
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: ukha_d@xxxxxxx [mailto:ukha_d@xxxxxxx]
> > On Behalf Of Mark Golledge
> > Sent: 01 May 2006 22:01
> > To: ukha_d@xxxxxxx
> > Subject: Re: [ukha_d] Aquarium automation
> >
> >
> > John,
> >
> > I noticed that you planned to take out an internal window and
place it
> > with a tank.
> >
> > We've got a similar setup in that we'd like to remove a window
(really
> > strange window) between the kitchen and dining room (where a
hatch
> > would be) and replace it with a tank.
> >
> > Does anyone know whether there is a minimum depth for a tank?
> >
> >
> > Thanks
> >
> >
> >
> > On 01/05/06, Paul Gale <groups@xxxxxxx> wrote:
> > > Hi,
> > >
> > > No - unfortunately, there are no computerised tests for the
> > chemical testing like NH4, NO2 and NO3 :( Unless you get a
> > VERY expensive spectrometer type machine (even then, I'm not
> > sure they do that).
> > >
> > > Pics:
> > > www.siliconpixel.com/gallery
> > >
> > > Paul.
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > > -----Original Message-----
> > > > From: ukha_d@xxxxxxx
> > [mailto:ukha_d@xxxxxxx] On Behalf Of
> > > > John Nye
> > > > Sent: 01 May 2006 19:40
> > > > To: ukha_d@xxxxxxx
> > > > Subject: RE: [ukha_d] Aquarium automation
> > > >
> > > > Hi Paul,
> > > >
> > > > Like the look of the IKS computer - unfortunatly
doesn't
> > quite (at the
> > > > moment - but who knows....) fit the budget -:(
> > > >
> > > > For a tropical tank the key things I'm probably looking
> > to monitor are
> > > > ammonia and nitrite. Would the IKS do that? Not sure
how
> > I could do that
> > > > with HV though?
> > > >
> > > > Any pictures of your setup??
> > > >
> > > > John
> > > >
> > > > > -----Original Message-----
> > > > > From: ukha_d@xxxxxxx [mailto:ukha_d@xxxxxxx]
> > > > > On Behalf Of Paul Gale
> > > > > Sent: 30 April 2006 23:42
> > > > > To: ukha_d@xxxxxxx
> > > > > Subject: RE: [ukha_d] Aquarium automation
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > > I have a reef tank - all the gadgets you can think
of! My
> > > > > main controller is an IKS computer - monitors
temp, pH, water
> > > > > level etc and controls sump lighting, CO2 calcium
reactor,
> > > > > Calcium Hydroxide reactor etc. via RS232 I chart
these
> > > > > values. Fairly expensive controller though and all
of it
> > > > > could also be done with something like HV etc.
> > > > >
> > > > > James (mi4.biz)also wrote a xAP app to get these
values into
> > > > > floorplan etc.
> > > > >
> > > > > Paul.
> > > > >
> > > > > > -----Original Message-----
> > > > > > From: ukha_d@xxxxxxx
> > > > > [mailto:ukha_d@xxxxxxx] On Behalf Of
> > > > > > John Nye
> > > > > > Sent: 30 April 2006 20:56
> > > > > > To: ukha_d@xxxxxxx
> > > > > > Subject: [ukha_d] Aquarium automation
> > > > > >
> > > > > > After a gap of a few years we have just
bought an aquarium
> > > > > for tropical
> > > > > > fish
> > > > > > as SWMBO had this great idea that we could
take out an
> > > > > internal window
> > > > > > between the hall and kitchen and replace it
with a tank!
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Have had a look through the archives so I
know there are a
> > > > > few on the list
> > > > > > with aquariums but was wondering what level
of automation
> > > > > others had now
> > > > > > managed to achieve?
> > > > > >
> > > > > > At the moment looking at the normal things:
> > > > > >
> > > > > > - lights on and off at preset times (probably
looking at
> > > > > x10 but it can be
> > > > > > a
> > > > > > bit iffy round my place but seems better when
> > controlled by HV)
> > > > > > - auto feeder (have ordered a 'fishmate')
> > > > > > - temperature monitoring (no idea how to do
this, but will
> > > > > have 2 heaters
> > > > > > so
> > > > > > if one packs up there is still a chance that
the fish
> > will survive)
> > > > > > - water quality, I guess this could be a bit
ambitious?
> > > > > > - water changes: I suppose it will have to be
the
> > tube and bucket.
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > > John
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been
removed]
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Yahoo! Groups Links
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > > Yahoo! Groups Links
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > Yahoo! Groups Links
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > Yahoo! Groups Links
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > Yahoo! Groups Links
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
>=20
>=20
>=20
>=20
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>=20
>=20
>=20
>=20
>=20
>=20
>=20