DIY Raining ATO idea

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

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  1. Thatgrimguy

    Thatgrimguy Flying Squid

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    That would actually save me money!.. I wonder if salt would clog it up... If so, how quickly. (obviously it would, just to what degree and how fast)
     
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  3. bioreefdude

    bioreefdude Fu Manchu Lion Fish

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    i dont think it would and to make it work a pump just has to come on in ur sump and rain water on the dt
     
  4. Mr. Bill

    Mr. Bill Native Floridian

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    I've been wondering about that, regardless how you set up this system. Each time it runs, there will be salt left inside; and each time an old layer get wet, it becomes even more solidified. (Yeah, I've had to chisel salt creep before).

    If designed and operated properly, a top-off with RO/DI only would last long enough for some enjoyment without any negative effects on your livestock. Getting the right size holes in the proper size pipe and regulating the pressure is key.
     
  5. Magnus

    Magnus Sharknado

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    Those are sexy! I would look into that!

    Sent from my phone using my two opposable digits
     
  6. Owentl

    Owentl Spanish Shawl Nudibranch

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    You can get these at home depot as well in the irrigation section. The ones HD sells is by rain bird, I have them in my garden and they work real good.
     
  7. Thatgrimguy

    Thatgrimguy Flying Squid

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    Nice! I'm planning to work on this project next weekend. Got to get my apex up and running first (having networking issues)... I may put it on a variable speed pump controlled by the apex to allow me to change the intensity of the rain.. We'll see. First I just need to get some sort of rain going then i'll tweek out details like that.

    I'm thinking I may need to run some RO/DI after every use to be on the safe side. I'm going to have to spend sometime learning the Apex programming language and possibilities before figuring out how I will use the system.

    Thanks for all the help everyone!! I really appreciate it! Love me some 3reef!
     
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  9. Magnus

    Magnus Sharknado

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    Awesome! Keep us posted!
    3reef loves you too!
     
  10. Peredhil

    Peredhil Giant Squid

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    nice find


    For the salt thing. I'm thinking do the SW so you can control it like has been discussed.

    But why couldn't you also route your ATO through it? You won't be 'raining' very often (once you get over the novelty) and the ATO may not be enough to get the effect but maybe enough to flush the system as it will probably kick on multiple times a day 24/7.
     
  11. malac0da13

    malac0da13 Torch Coral

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    How large is you system and how much evaporation a day? You could potentially set it to just top off like twice a day and get the rain effect and avoid the whole saltwater thing all together. Topping off twice a day shouldn't cause to much of a swing unless your evapping crazy amounts of water.

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  12. norg.

    norg. Kole Tang

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    That was what I was thinking as well. I dont see a real reason for salt water to be pumped as rain if thats what you are getting at... If this is on a system big enough to even consider this Im sure it could withstand the very slight change in salinity. Either way you choose to go sounds sweet. Best of luck!