Is there a timer that is programmable down to the second??
Does such a beast exist? If so - where can I find one?
You'd think there would be some demand for such a thing... But I cannot find one.
I've googled till I am blue in the face!
Z
Hey Dave,
something like this if so CTC has them
Noma Outdoor Programmable Timer
$24.99
Product #52-8822-2
Program lighting on/off times
Up to 20 programs (on/off functions)
Large LCD display
Clock display in 12 or 24 hour format
LCD digital display
Daylight savings time function
To-the-second programmable count-down timer
Master/Individual override for preset programs
Manual on/off
Built-in batteries automatically recharge
what are you using this for as I may know of something that may work
the noma timer will not work because it only has 20 programs in a 24 hour cycle.
Quote from: FishPassion on February 18, 2009, 06:43:28 PM
Noma Outdoor Programmable Timer
$24.99
Product #52-8822-2
Program lighting on/off times
Up to 20 programs (on/off functions)
Large LCD display
Clock display in 12 or 24 hour format
LCD digital display
Daylight savings time function
To-the-second programmable count-down timer
Master/Individual override for preset programs
Manual on/off
Built-in batteries automatically recharge
Yeah, these are not actually programmable down to the second. Only the count-down timer works to the second. Not what I need. Thanks anyway.
What I am actually looking for is a timer that can be programmed to switch on for a duration of 1 to 20 seconds, and do so every 6 to 12 hours.
I want to hook two of them up to two Aqualifters and use them to automatically dose 2 part (Calcium and Alk).
Z
Quote from: Zzippper on February 18, 2009, 07:56:21 PM
What I am actually looking for is a timer that can be programmed to switch on for a duration of 1 to 20 seconds, and do so every 6 to 12 hours.
I want to hook two of them up to two Aqualifters and use them to automatically dose 2 part (Calcium and Alk).
How about this: let the aqualifter run for a minute and dilute the liquids accordingly?
Easy!!!
All you need is a GHL stand-alone dosing unit. That will maintain Cal, Alk, Mag perfectly!
http://progressivereef.com/proddetail.php?prod=PL-0506
I'm not sure if any of these ideas will work, just stuff I've been pondering for the future of my sons tank.
If you look at some of the timer circuits people are using for DIY wave machines, you would have to make modifications to the circuit so it only trigures once when the power comes one. That combined with a normal timer might work?
The other option might be to use somthing like a 1GPH dripper and dilute the solution so it is slowly dripped into tank over a longer time period under presure. You could increase or deacrese the concenteation or the time to get the effect you want as all solutions would have to go in in the same time or multiples of time as they do have 1,2, etc gph drippers.
Bruce
Quote from: fischkopp on February 18, 2009, 11:13:47 PM
How about this: let the aqualifter run for a minute and dilute the liquids accordingly?
I considered this - but the volumes involved would be too great.
Quote from: xenon on February 18, 2009, 11:47:35 PM
All you need is a GHL stand-alone dosing unit. That will maintain Cal, Alk, Mag perfectly!
http://progressivereef.com/proddetail.php?prod=PL-0506
Ummmm... Did you happen to notice the price tag?! I'm looking for a cheaper solution that will let me stay married.
I've got another idea I am pondering - but a 'programmable to the second' timer would be ideal.
Z
The GHL ProfiLux is the way to go :D
other options is the LiterMeter but if you go for that you might as well just get the ProfiLux.
Quote from: xiaan on February 19, 2009, 11:29:27 AM
The GHL ProfiLux is the way to go :D
other options is the LiterMeter but if you go for that you might as well just get the ProfiLux.
I agree.
Keeping Calcium, Alkalinity and Magnesium 100% stable is the most important requirement for a reef tank.
If you find it expensive, you are in the wrong hobby.
Here is a kewl one I just found http://www.biomatixsystems.com/
Quote from: xenon on February 19, 2009, 01:50:41 PM
I agree.
Keeping Calcium, Alkalinity and Magnesium 100% stable is the most important requirement for a reef tank.
If you find it expensive, you are in the wrong hobby.
Thanks for the opinion. I've seen many more people express that same sentiment about lighting.
With all due respect, I've been following your posts. You spend money like water dude. That's all well and fine if it works for you. You are obviously some combination of rich, single (or have a
very understanding wife) and.. sorry to say it - a tad gullible.
You don't need to spend thousands of dollars on LED lighting, fancy dosing pumps and overpriced, hyped-up products to have a successful reef tank. If you want to - that's great. That doesn't mean the rest of us have to also to win your approval.
I'm sorry if I am insulting you. I don't mean to. I am just a firm believer that there is always more than one way to get the job done right... And frankly, your suggestion that I am in the wrong hobby if I don't want to spend top-dollar to buy top-of-the-line products (like you do) is a bit insulting to me.
Z
I am sorry that my comment insulted you. That was not my intent. Your opinion of my methods are valid and I have thick enough skin to laugh it off so no worries. ;)
I was simply offering you a solution to your question. A couple hundred bucks to me is nothing but I can understand it might be alot to others. You might save money getting cheap dosing pumps and timers but the chances of things going wrong will increase.
Good luck.
I generally have pretty thick skin myself. I have to as I work in sales. I guess you caught me at a vunerable moment :-[ :D
As you said - no worries. In fact I've already forgotten about it.
Your point about increased chances of things going wrong is also valid.
The way I look at it is that it adds an exhilarating element of uncertainty to the hobby! ;D (like I need that)
Z
Quote from: xenon on February 19, 2009, 01:50:41 PM
I agree.
Keeping Calcium, Alkalinity and Magnesium 100% stable is the most important requirement for a reef tank.
If you find it expensive, you are in the wrong hobby.
You might be on the wrong site. This may be more your speed.
http://www.reefcentral.com/
Quote from: FocusFin on February 20, 2009, 12:40:39 PM
You might be on the wrong site. This may be more your speed.
http://www.reefcentral.com/
Thanks I never seen that site before.
I never knew the fish world was full of this much Drama LOL
Quote from: FocusFin on February 20, 2009, 06:07:50 PM
No problem.
Do you honestly think I will stop posting on OVAS because I am afraid what the people might think? ::)
I get lots of positive comments in my build threads so I am pretty sure people enjoy them otherwise I wouldn't bother.
Don't be mad at me because your broke, it's your own fault.
I enjoy your threads Dan, I also enjoy buying your old equipment when you upgrade lol. Ignore them, not worth the headaches.
I made the sun shine bright again. Please take it easy, there was a comment and an apologies, and the understanding that his hobby has many faces. There is no need for drama. :)
Quote from: fischkopp on February 21, 2009, 01:26:34 AM
I made the sun shine bright again. Please take it easy, there was a comment and an apologies, and the understanding that his hobby has many faces. There is no need for drama. :)
Sorry dad :-[ ;) Zzipper's my OVAS bud.
Quote from: xenon on February 21, 2009, 12:37:05 AM
Do you honestly think I will stop posting on OVAS because I am afraid what the people might think? ::)
I get lots of positive comments in my build threads so I am pretty sure people enjoy them otherwise I wouldn't bother.
Don't be mad at me because your broke, it's your own fault.
You know, I had accepted Xenon's apology - and then I read this.
I would like to point out something to Xenon... As he seems to have confused two distinctly different concepts.
Just because some of us don't
want to spend top dolllar for top-of-the-line products doesn't mean that we
cannot afford to. Some us us (with or without money) have sloppy impulse control whereas others do not. I have more than enough green to afford all the best toys for my aquarium. I can't speak for others, but I personally derive great satisfaction from engineering my own solutions to common reef related challenges. Throwing money at everything is the easy way out - the lazy man's solution. Definitely not the mindset that leads to innovations in this hobby.
Xenon, in my opinion, you are guilty of 'conspicuois consumption'. I am quite familiar with this as my own brother suffers from the same malady. It's not enough for you to just do your own thing, spend lots of money and 'live and let live'. You feel it necessary to advertise your high-flying spending habits - which is fine, I guess - but you take it a step further by implying that if others don't follow your lead - they should get out of the hobby. This, in my opinion, is the ultimate snobbery. Get over yourself.
Z
Dave...uh..could you lend me a few bucks till payday ;)
Quote from: FocusFin on February 21, 2009, 12:18:53 PM
Dave...uh..could you lend me a few bucks till payday ;)
LOL! I just peed myself!
;D
I have never seen a timer that is programmable down to the second but here is a thought.
You can get the timers that are down to the min.
What if you use a small pump and just dilute your additive solution down. Then to adjust your levels you just increase or decrease the concentration of your additive solution.
this one will do 30s of on time, every 6 hours
http://www.edenindoororganicgardens.com/art3adti.html
Quote from: fender316 on February 21, 2009, 04:04:44 PM
this one will do 30s of on time, every 6 hours
http://www.edenindoororganicgardens.com/art3adti.html
For that price plus the pumps you are better off with the Profilux.
Quote from: fender316 on February 21, 2009, 04:04:44 PM
this one will do 30s of on time, every 6 hours
http://www.edenindoororganicgardens.com/art3adti.html
Thanks for the effort. It's appreciated. :)
It can actually do 30 seconds on-time every 8 hours - which amouts to 1.5 minutes per day.
I can actually accomplish 1 minute per day with a standard timer for a lot cheaper though
You were on the right track though... :)
Z
There are lots of timers here, programmable well down to what you need, you will need to trigger them.
http://www.airotronics.com/site/home.php
I have used these and found them very reliable.
http://www.airotronics.com/site/category-products_solidstate.php this might be just what you want.
I too derive great satisfaction when I make something myself instead of buying something premade.
As for the timer, I'd suggest the minute method. Diluting the solution will give you more control over how much goes in due to pumps losing efficiency and the fact that a few seconds is really a tiny amount of time and there is a lot of variability unless you hook it up to a dosing pump and not an aquarium pump. A little more or a little less of a diluted solution is much less variable than a little more or less of concentrated solution.
Have you checked out this:
http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/Two-Part-Kits/c52/p272/Drew&%2339;s-Doser-Peristaltic-Dosing-Pump/product_info.html
It is a pump that has a flow rate of 1.5ml a minute you could then hook it up to a timer with a 1min resolution. that should be good for any application.
Here is another "cheap" option.
http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=187889&hl=