DIY Raining ATO idea

Discussion in 'I made this!' started by Thatgrimguy, Jun 16, 2011.

to remove this notice and enjoy 3reef content with less ads. 3reef membership is free.

Page 5 of 10
  1. clarkkey594

    clarkkey594 Aiptasia Anemone

    Joined:
    Feb 20, 2011
    Messages:
    552
    Location:
    Boulder, CO
    Wow this is looking like a pretty cool idea/project.
     
    clarkkey594, Jun 20, 2011
    clarkkey594, Jun 20, 2011
    #41

    2. Click Here!

  2. kornaco40B

    kornaco40B Spaghetti Worm

    Joined:
    Apr 11, 2011
    Messages:
    187
    Location:
    Wylie, TX.
    :-/ .....confused now. I thought you wanted to do something that imitated "raining."
     
    kornaco40B, Jun 20, 2011
    kornaco40B, Jun 20, 2011
    #42
  3. Thatgrimguy

    Thatgrimguy Flying Squid

    Joined:
    May 15, 2011
    Messages:
    3,026
    Location:
    North Biloxi, MS
    Just slow down the flow and straighten up the holes. Should work out great.
     
    Thatgrimguy, Jun 20, 2011
    Thatgrimguy, Jun 20, 2011
    #43
    1 person likes this.
  4. kornaco40B

    kornaco40B Spaghetti Worm

    Joined:
    Apr 11, 2011
    Messages:
    187
    Location:
    Wylie, TX.
    I guess... I was hoping for BIG TIME raining from your project. :p
     
    kornaco40B, Jun 20, 2011
    kornaco40B, Jun 20, 2011
    #44
  5. Seano Hermano

    Seano Hermano Giant Squid

    Joined:
    Apr 7, 2010
    Messages:
    10,056
    Location:
    Northwest Ohio
    If ComputerJohn's example was multiplied, to say 12 lines(or more) running long-ways across the tank, then this could easily have enough water flow to cover, creating a realistic-looking rainfall.

    I'm definitely following along. This is pretty interesting.
     
    Seano Hermano, Jun 20, 2011
    Seano Hermano, Jun 20, 2011
    #45
  6. Thatgrimguy

    Thatgrimguy Flying Squid

    Joined:
    May 15, 2011
    Messages:
    3,026
    Location:
    North Biloxi, MS
    To produce that much rain I'm going to have to go with a salty system and only run it on demand (probably a smarter option anyhow)... I could pump warm ro/di through it once a month or so to keep it clean.
     
    Thatgrimguy, Jun 20, 2011
    Thatgrimguy, Jun 20, 2011
    #46

    7. Click Here!

  7. Seano Hermano

    Seano Hermano Giant Squid

    Joined:
    Apr 7, 2010
    Messages:
    10,056
    Location:
    Northwest Ohio
    yes, you will definitely have to use saltwater as your rain. if you didn't you would have some crazy salinity swings, for sure. You could probably have it on a controller to turn the "rain pump" on maybe 3 or 4 times a month(or however often you desire)?
     
    Seano Hermano, Jun 20, 2011
    Seano Hermano, Jun 20, 2011
    #47
  8. Thatgrimguy

    Thatgrimguy Flying Squid

    Joined:
    May 15, 2011
    Messages:
    3,026
    Location:
    North Biloxi, MS
    I'm hoping to be able to program a rain button on my APEX that will change the lighting and start the rain and run for a set amount of time like feed mode. Should be pretty easy. No need for it it run and make a mess when there isn't anyone around to see the show...

    The LEDs should make the rain glow something serious. With plenty of viewing space!!

    [​IMG]
     
    Thatgrimguy, Jun 20, 2011
    Thatgrimguy, Jun 20, 2011
    #48
  9. Peredhil

    Peredhil Giant Squid

    Joined:
    Aug 20, 2008
    Messages:
    5,176
    Location:
    Texas
    Been following this thread too.

    My ATO is straight to my DT. It's just a tube that sits maybe 2 inches over the water.

    It runs for like 10 seconds at a time. While I like the 'rain sound' it made, I didn't like hearing it for 10 seconds randomly throughout the day and ended up moving it so it washes over an HOB appliance I run and this way you can't hear it.


    As you can't see the top of my tank anyway, what the "rain" looks like is irrelevant - it only comes down to sound for my situation. Since the ATO pump (Tunze) isn't huge, the ATO flow is low. It doesn't sound like pouring, it sounds like rain... (but only being one tube and only 2 inches up, it wasn't particularly loud, so it's not the same effect)

    Just my two cents on similar experience.
     
    Peredhil, Jun 21, 2011
    Peredhil, Jun 21, 2011
    #49
  10. elwolfe

    elwolfe Coral Banded Shrimp

    Joined:
    Jun 6, 2011
    Messages:
    398
    Location:
    Castle Rock,Colorado
    This is a cool idea. Will this provide any benefit or is it simply a wow factor type thing?
     
    elwolfe, Jun 22, 2011
    elwolfe, Jun 22, 2011
    #50
Page 5 of 10