Administrator fixed the Gallery Issue.. So I can post more photos.
I prepared the 5th Display Aquarium for the Fish Nook. It will go on the top shelf, left side. I have everything for it, so it will be deployed soon.... Turned out nice.
I will hold off on the 6th Display Tank that is to go on the top shelf, right side.. as I'm still trying to obtain another two of the Stunner Strips that I described above (plus, I need to procure another 20L... and de-rim / de-base it).
I did a big water change which almost emptied the R.O. Water Storage in the front bodega... So, I took advanatage of that to prepare it for the level sensors.
First, needed to get that last 5 gallons out of it. I'll use that last 5 gallons for the 10 gallon quarantine tank I'm putting on line.
With the Tank empty.. I started drilling. I put the first level switch at 5 gallons, which fell just above the discharge bulkhead. I had to remove the bulkhead to fit the sensor and wire through that first hole. 5 gallons is the point where I want the pump and heater to shut off so no damage occurs.
I then did another at the 35 gallons.. That is the height I need for the 33% water change on 4 tanks and some top off space. A 3rd at 45 gallons as that is the height I need for 33% water change on 6 tanks and some top off space. The final is at 55 gallons, and that's just about full as the RO water float is installed at about 58 gallons. The tank is rated for 65 gallons, but that is filling right up to the very top, which is not practical... somewhere between 58-60 gallons is the useable capacity.
On the inside, you can see all four level sensors. Note that I installed them upside down... That is becuase the tank will most often be FULL.... so all of those level sensors will be 'met'... I decided I would like them to send NO VOLTS when they are met (swing up)... it saves a bit of energy... The contacts only close when the water level is below each of the switches...
Prior to wiring everything up permanently.. I conducted a tests in the FishNook. A few days ago I received a new piece of hardware.. an NCD 8 Channel Digital I/O Expansion Board that communicates over i2c... So the Sump level switches will occupy four channels.. and the RO Storage level switches will occupy four channels.
Nice small board:
Here's it mounted up... I wanted to test with 3 extra switches that I had first...
You can see the dimunitive size of the digital i/o board next to the relay board... and the 3 level switches terminated to 3 channels. I also relocated the Flow Transmitter (EZO-FLO circuit) for the Flow Meter... it's below and left of the LCD touch screen. So yeah, I got that working too (more on that later).
Here is a closeup of the graphic showing the Flow and the level switches working properly. Ready to wire it all up now... and automate the water changes and redevelop the auto-top off function.
What was wrong with the FLO? 3 things:
1. I followed the flow meter specs wrong.. which meant I configured the flow transmitter incorrectly.. as well as programmed Node-RED code incorrectly.
2. I had a loose ground pin on the transmitter... So I had to re-solder it... my bad..
3. I had some excess flux from soldering the other pins.. So I had to clean that up with acetone.
Note. This is not Total Flow.. This FlowMeter is only 1/2".. so it chokes off the flow too much when I install it directly after the pump in series with everything... So, as a temporary measure... It is installed in a parallel branch to the UVFilter and the CO2 Reactor. So, flow is split 3 ways at that point... and then rejoins before going to all of the display tanks... So, at best.. 15.8 l/min probably represents just 1/3 to 1/4 of the actual flow. I have a 1" Flow Meter on order... when I receive that.. I will install it in series with the pump and before the UVFilter/CO2Reactor parallel brances. Then I will have Total Flow. For the time being... I know that water is moving.. and I can set alarm trip points so that I'm notified if the system stops circulating water... (I'll use a Node-RED email function to handle the event / alarm notifications).
I also decided to build a simple History Graph for Temp and pH.... it's a 24hr FIFO Trend. You can see that I need to tighten up the hysterisis a bit to diminish the amplitude (swings) on the pH. You can also see where I turned off the pump momentarily the day before... see the blip....
Anyway, lots of tidying up to do with the installation and the programming.
Meanwhile, here is an updated photo of the plant growth from yesterday. it's coming along... Definitely is in need of a real aquascaping. On Thursday I am getting some guppy grass and java fern... so that will give me more fill in the lower areas... I might be motivated to trim and neaten up the scape a little.
Oh, yeah.. In my Den/Office/Lab on the opposite side of the FishNook is my tiny stand that houses a 10 gallon Quarantine tank (new introductions), a 5 gallon hosptial/nursery tank, and an empty 2 gallon egg/fry tank. I store the food, meds, fertilizers here too.
Okay.. next posts will be more of the Level Switch installation (sump area)...