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Thread: I've been told I'm insane...

  1. #1
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    I've been told I'm insane...

    I figured I should stop in and say hi. I pulled the plug after much debate and am using a pretty neat assortment of modules and whatnot to make my 900 gallon vivarium system a big remote controlled toy!



    To my knowledge, its the first of its kind in many respects.

    Tomorrow I begin attaching all of the components to form the central nervous system and then PNS for the tank. I figure I'll be coming to this website pretty often in the future!

    I hate to cross-link to the other forum, but the backstory of the project is very detailed on the dendroboard forum so I'll just post this link for now and tomorrow have all the install pictures and everything to post here!

    http://www.dendroboard.com/forum/mem...-insanity.html

    ad37ec8dcb369118d66bdeabcce5096c.jpg

    2fe6fd45f899ec4f42fef552d16f66f5.jpg

    Ok, so I posted a few photos!
    -Andrew

  2. #2
    Frequent Contributor zombie's Avatar
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    Very cool indeed. We're always here to help if you have questions.

  3. #3
    Fish Whisperer cypherljk's Avatar
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    Awesome application.... Can't wait to see the controller side as well...

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    Frequent Contributor Alain B's Avatar
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    How many modules and outlets on this system ?
    Alain

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    I have...
    1.lunar sim with 5 lunar LED.
    2. Energy bar 8s
    2. ALD with 3 normal and 3 flat probes.
    2. Pm1
    1. Apex controller
    1. Display
    3. Temp probe
    1. Ph probe (lab grade)
    1. Orp (lab grade)
    2. Breakout boxes.

    Also,
    5. Sunlight supply 6inch axel fans
    3. 360w tuna blue Kessils
    1. 360w tuna sun kessil
    1. Mistking Ultimate system
    1. 12 port manifuld that will split the misting system lines for each tank. Eventually will have all controlled with solenoids.
    2. Peristolic dosing pumps by spectre pure.
    1. 5 stage RODI unit by spectre pure.
    5. Float valves for the drain reservoir and RODI reservoir.



    So, a couple things

    I'm hoping to see if I can rig all my condo's lights and the ac system to it somehow over time and use the system for home automation, on top of tank automation.

    -Andrew

  7. #7
    Frequent Contributor Alain B's Avatar
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    Nice system , but not extremely complex .
    Alain

  8. #8
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    Well. To me it is.

    I hope it becomes super simple in time .

  9. #9
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    Also I mean it as a thank goodness type of deal. Hopefully my problems as they occur will be easy to fix!

    Do you know of anyone running a home thermostat with the system opposed to aquarium heaters and chillers?

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    ImageUploadedByTapatalk1431292535.586612.jpg

    Soon nothing but plants will be seen!
    -Andrew

  11. #11
    Frequent Contributor Alain B's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by a hill View Post
    Also I mean it as a thank goodness type of deal. Hopefully my problems as they occur will be easy to fix!

    Do you know of anyone running a home thermostat with the system opposed to aquarium heaters and chillers?
    Do you want to run your setup out of a home thermostat ? Plz explain your intentions ?
    Alain

  12. #12
    Frequent Contributor zombie's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by a hill View Post
    Also I mean it as a thank goodness type of deal. Hopefully my problems as they occur will be easy to fix!

    Do you know of anyone running a home thermostat with the system opposed to aquarium heaters and chillers?
    It is possible if your HVAC supports 0-10V heating and cooling triggers. if it does, you can tie the varspd ports V1 into the heat trigger and V2 into the cooling trigger. You would place the temp probe in a convenient measurement location and program each to run how you would like (making sure there is at least 1 degree of hysteresis and some separation between the high heating limit and the lower cooling limit)

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    Quote Originally Posted by zombie View Post
    It is possible if your HVAC supports 0-10V heating and cooling triggers. if it does, you can tie the varspd ports V1 into the heat trigger and V2 into the cooling trigger. You would place the temp probe in a convenient measurement location and program each to run how you would like (making sure there is at least 1 degree of hysteresis and some separation between the high heating limit and the lower cooling limit)
    That is an interesting idea. I can't remember off hand what type of hvac system I have. I think it's a dual pump or something? I know it's a simple type and relatively old being in Arizona.

  14. #14
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    I've been told I'm insane...

    Quote Originally Posted by Alain B View Post
    Do you want to run your setup out of a home thermostat ? Plz explain your intentions ?
    ImageUploadedByTapatalk1431293846.066571.jpg

    Basically remove the need for this thermostat. Yet not have to get a nest or train.


    I've been told people run greenhouses with this system so I'm sure it can be done.

    -Andrew

  15. #15
    Frequent Contributor Alain B's Avatar
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    Yes it can by using the Apex temp probe or using an external thermostat with a normally closed or normally open switch and wiring it to a BOB .
    Alain

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    Quote Originally Posted by Alain B View Post
    Yes it can by using the Apex temp probe or using an external thermostat with a normally closed or normally open switch and wiring it to a BOB .
    Perfect. Are there any good threads about people doing this?

    I know much about electronics and technology, just never ventured into this aspect before now, so if the things to read are on the technical side I should be fine.

    This in the thermostat.

    ImageUploadedByTapatalk1431301154.091774.jpg
    ImageUploadedByTapatalk1431301212.502643.jpg
    ImageUploadedByTapatalk1431301232.479833.jpg

    I assume I could also use the breakout box to hypothetically control vents in the duct system to open or close based on temp probes in those rooms so I could create multiple zones without needing to upgrade my hvac system?

    For context I have a two bed two bath condo with a main living space shaped like an L and two bedrooms and bathrooms on each side of the space, so I could technically make each room respond to a temp probe?

    -Andrew

  17. #17
    Frequent Contributor Alain B's Avatar
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    Your thermostat must have a non-powered switched output ( closed-open ) to be used with a BOB . Applying any kind of power to a BOB terminal will surely damaged it . A BOB will not not control directly those vents ( or anything else ), Apex used outlets for that ( EBx ) that can be controlled with programming and those outlets can be tied to a BOB terminal state ( open-closed ) .
    Alain

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    I see, that makes sense I think.

  19. #19
    Regular Vistor coral101's Avatar
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    Very nice set up. Following!!!

  20. #20
    Frequent Visitor bigjim's Avatar
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    Next people will want to use their apex to turn their house lights on and off and to start their coffee maker in the morning. Hmm...

    Sent from my SM-G920P using Tapatalk

  21. #21
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    I've been told I'm insane...

    Quote Originally Posted by bigjim View Post
    Next people will want to use their apex to turn their house lights on and off and to start their coffee maker in the morning. Hmm...

    Sent from my SM-G920P using Tapatalk
    I plan to do my house lights. In time.

    Also potentially use probes in kitchen for real time temperature monitor and stuff I bet could be figured out!

    I go out to breakfast though.

    -Andrew

  22. #22
    Frequent Visitor bigjim's Avatar
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    Can someone from Neptune please contact Kurig.....

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  23. #23
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    Just think, hydroponics on the side via Neptune to feed the family!

    A dozen quail for the morning omelet...

  24. #24
    Frequent Visitor jasonandsarah's Avatar
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    Update?

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