AUTO TOP UP SCHEMATIC

[mv3i]

I have decided to upload this DIY schematic ( fm a fellow reefer on the previous SRC ver) for all those who want to DIY their own top up controller ( cookie ... hope u understand ... )

[mv3i]

DC circuit :

[mv3i]

this is the finished DIY product ...

[mv3i]

here's the finished product with the kalk top up tank

[Achilles Tang]

Interesting... how much did it cost you to build this unit and the time to shop for the parts?

I heard the TUBBY unit by Cookiemunster was discussed amongst a few of you DIYers before he decided to commercialize it with a few more improvements regarding not just cosmetic but safety features.

I understand his unit has much more thought placed for the reefer's safety and he has spent a lot of time sourcing for quality parts and have them manufactured to lower the cost.

Surprisingly, his profit margin is extremely low and is thus an affordable yet quality product which impresses me.

As he is a sponsor of this site, I hope that those without the technical, handicrafting and electrical knowledge and skills or the lack of time and money to experiment to build your own top up unit, to support the TUBBY product instead.

AT

[ervine]

Hi mv3i.. those schematics were drawn by me actually.. glad to know someone kept it...

And YES.. this method is dangerous.. I repeat.. this method is dangerous... I did not seal some of the wires very carefully.. (still a bit newbie at electronics) and I used some lousier parts than cookie's..

Again, cookie DID NOT follow my schematics nor did he copy, he was doing his concurrently when I was doing mine... in fact we did discuss some parts about it and he did raise safety concerns which I totally agree on... but since I made this for myself, the only one I can kill is me should something go wrong (touch wood)... but cookie has his for sale and it would make sense to ensure that it not only works but is relatively safe for the reefer..

As for me, even when I was working on the project I got electric shocked not once but TWICE due to carelessness... while my young heart can still take the jolt, I rather not take the chance again...

So like I said before, it's either you get your hands dirty and DIY, or spend a few more dollars, save the trouble, probably reduce the risks at the same time and get the Tubby instead...

[mv3i]

AT n all the guys interested in the DIY,

the cost of this DIY is relatively cheap. ( only made use of 1 float switch though but if u 1 to add a 2nd one for safety purposes ... it's possible ... ) All the stuff can be bought at SIM LIM TOWER . The float switch is the most x of the lot .. cost $18 each. The rest of the stuff are like a few dollars each ...

Ervine ,

I have made some slight changes to the diagram .... Basically , all the devices i use are 12V . That's y i chose the car wiper pump instead of a PH .... . So that i will not get a real ELECTRICAL shock . 12 V compare to 240V

IMO, the DIY is decent enough to do the job. If u r the sought that likes to get your hands dirty n enjoy creating something that work EVENTUALLY ... go ahead n try the DIY !!! . But if u know nuts about the circuit diagram above , pls pls pls spend the money n get cookie's TUBBY !!! I'm sure it's a better version of this DIY, n it's worth every cent of it as i have seen it at aquarama too !!!

PS: Cookie , I hope that this thread will not affect your Tubby too much , as i think that there are pple who like to DIY ( like myself) n i reckon that this is useful info.

[BarraCudaTM]

I dont see whats wrong with the diagram except that you may be using a cheap 12V relay which may not be designed for 240V applications. I would choose a solid state relay or spend more on a decent contactor.

I'm going to do a topup system soon after my tank arrive but those float switches found on the top floor of sim lim tower have a relatively short range. I wonder if there is a wider range type sold cheaply?

[terryansimon]

where on earth did you get your car wiper pump? from a scrapyard?

[Cookiemunster]

Hi mv3i,

it is very thoughtful of you to provide ervine's schemetics once again. This would be the third time already?

Don't worry, even if you were not the one who posted it someone else using his own nick or a unknown nick would have done it.

The auto top up idea is not original and I was never the one who invented it in the first place. It was already available on the net if you do a search. I merely improved it in terms of safety and functionality.

However, as I mentioned before in my TUBBY section when someone by the nick of 'noor' (with 1 post) came in to try to tear me down by saying the cost of my parts are so and so cheap.

The reason I decided to commercialise and sell this item is because when I myself wanted one, it was not available. And it was because my friends, Rumor and Bawater needed it urgently due to overseas trips and reservist that I decided to dirty my hands and start building it myself, 6 months ago.

I always support DIY, infact I always like to DIY stuff myself.

However, after my experience with selling the TUBBY and Kalkreactor, I realise that it is a totally different experience when you commercialise a product to sell.

There are many people who like to bring down a commercial person for various reasons. After going through these experiences and various types of customers who think I make millions of dollars and smoke cigars, wear branded stuff or drive a sports car all because they buy the TUBBY, I realise I am quite reluctant to develop anymore products for sales.

Don't misunderstand me mv3i, I am not pin pointing about you but I am just voicing out the opinions of myself and as well as a few DIYers who embarked to sell their work, such as Ian and alvy. Among them is my good friend Alvy who was totally disgusted and decided to wash hands completely. He now only DIYs for his close friends.

I feel that there is a lack of support for such people. Instead, there is alot of criticism, condemnation, many attempts at trying to reveal the actual cost of the item, many more attempts at duplicating it and selling it to others as well as undercutting.

I am not a proud person neither am I a businessman. Alot of reefers here know me and I think I can safely say I am a sincere and trustworthy person and friend. I'm simply a reefer who tries to make extra cash to support this expensive hobby. So please do not feel that I am an evil commercial businessman trying to scrape your last dollar from your wallet.

For those who seriously want to DIY any electrical item, please consult the ones who know about electrical stuff and safety.

Building the TUBBY is an extremely simple thing to me as well as other reefers who have had experience with electrical knowledge....because they know what to becareful of. However, if someone who doesn't know and comes along and reads about this and the comments, he will think why not? Its so simple, might as well do it himself. But I cannot stress enough the electrical safety and dangers....and even when it works, the safety precautions in the design to prevent accidents from becoming fatal....such as not heat shrinking voltage points, not ensuring contacts do not have any chances of shorting, using reliable transformers, planning for current leakage etc.

Happy reefing.

[BarraCudaTM]

Not to bring you down cookiemunster but having a detailed circuit drawn have a very heavy impact on yr product. Pple can guess and find out whats exactly needed and the possible cost.

People will always make comments on how cheap and simple it is to manufacture unless you made it impossible to duplicate in terms of quality, appearance and cost. A good example is Alvy's products .. not cheap to buy but impossible to manufacture without specialised tools.

[CalciumReef]

I'm behind cookie!

[ah^siao]

i believe the tubby is more safe than most DIY top up..

for a product to be able to me manfuactured..alot of process is done.. like the detail drawings and stuff.. if the product is not safe.. it wun be manfuactured... yeah..

i support cookie all the way...

[terryansimon]

I second Cookie. the only thing that is to his disadvantage now is the easy availability of schematics to such devices.

but at the end of the day, many people would rather pay the money to such a product to know that it works. not many people would want to get their hands dirty. people like me for example. (=

three cheers for Cookie who has good intentions for us on his mind. and yes. expect to see me getting the Tubby from you next year. (=

[ervine]

I repeat once again... DO NOT TRY THIS IF YOU DON'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT BASIC ELECTRONICS!!!

We are not talking about a simple DIY moonlight where the most harm that could happen is a blown LED...

DON'T DO IT IF YOU ARE NOT SURE OF WHAT TO DO!!!!

Even if it saves you some money..

[Cookiemunster]

Thanks guys for the kind words.

However I wish to stress that I am not trying to stop people from DIYing the TUBBY. In fact as long as you know what you are doing and need to clarify some doubts, you can pm me and ask me nicely too.

I am just a fellow reefer who turned part time salesman. But I still wish to know more reefers as friends rather than customers. Many who bought things from me or pmed me will know that I try to help out as far as I can.

I am glad too to have known many new reef hobbyists and some are now whom I consider good friends. I was even very surprised when a fellow reefer coming to my place actually bought me prata and mutton curry. hehehe you know who you are.

However I have to say that as with all things in the business world, I too have seen the ugly side of the reefing community. And frankly speaking, if I could afford it, I would rather not have gone towards the part time salesman. I guess I am not built to be a businessman.

[terryansimon]

do not let such words discourage you Cookie.

it takes all sorts to make the world and unfortunately you have met with the darker side. oh well. shit happens I suppose.

and yes. this January. I hope you remember me. (= I will not give you prata and mutton curry. I will just take the product and say thank you. maybe even ask you to help me set up the thing. then I'll say goodbye and good riddance and bad mouth you. kidding. (=

you'll be duely rewarded for the amount of hard work you have put into the product. do not worry. and as for what reward you'll get from me. lets see come this January okay? MUST REMEMBER ME HOR!

[bwilly]

do not let such words discourage you Cookie.

it takes all sorts to make the world and unfortunately you have met with the darker side. oh well. shit happens I suppose.

and yes. this January. I hope you remember me. (= I will not give you prata and mutton curry. I will just take the product and say thank you. maybe even ask you to help me set up the thing. then I'll say goodbye and good riddance and bad mouth you. kidding. (=

you'll be duely rewarded for the amount of hard work you have put into the product. do not worry. and as for what reward you'll get from me. lets see come this January okay? MUST REMEMBER ME HOR!

not a gay r u..? hmm..

[Cookiemunster]

do not let such words discourage you Cookie.

it takes all sorts to make the world and unfortunately you have met with the darker side. oh well. shit happens I suppose.

and yes. this January. I hope you remember me. (= I will not give you prata and mutton curry. I will just take the product and say thank you. maybe even ask you to help me set up the thing. then I'll say goodbye and good riddance and bad mouth you. kidding. (=

you'll be duely rewarded for the amount of hard work you have put into the product. do not worry. and as for what reward you'll get from me. lets see come this January okay? MUST REMEMBER ME HOR!

hahaha yeah sure. Already reserved for you in a dusty corner of my house. hahaha.

I accept famous amos cookies or freshly baked pizzas too.

I'll just take your last dollar and squeeze you of every drop of your money. STICK EM UP!

Yours Sincerely,

$$$monster

[terryansimon]

you're in luck. I have a bag of famous amos dating back three years ago. don't want to imagine the condition of the cookies.

[AlfaRomeo]

Cookie, i would like to have 2 sets of the TUBBY in January as soon as my tank is up and running. You see, i am very very lazy and will like to make my life easier whenever possible.. hehehe

also , would love to get the kalkreactor from you too... when will that product be available? i bet a lot of reefers is patiently waiting for it to be launched.. hehe

and bwilly, i am definately not gay!... thanks for the Blue Planet DVDs! have been watching it every nite!

[CalciumReef]

why need 2 sets?

[AlfaRomeo]

Calciumreef, need 1 to auto-top from freshwater tank to sump thru the kalwasser potentially.

Need the other to maintain water level in the freshwater tank. this is connected to a valve which is attached to the mains pipe.

Pls have a look at the attached sump design in my thread for the complete system i am intending to implement:

http://www.sgreefclub.com/forum/index.php?...opic=8474&st=15

and while you are at it, comments on the design?

Cheers!

[CalciumReef]

wah what a rainbow....will take a look nxt itme...now its coming to one am! Need to catch some sleep... But freshwater tanks will not have high evaporation rate IMO.What kind of freshwater tank?

[CalciumReef]

My 1st comment...seperate the refugium if possible.Should there be any problem for example a melt down,the refugium can be bypassed.Other than that i do not foresee any design flaws. Thumbs up for linking the output of calcium reactor into skimmer to reduce co2 in the effluent from calcium reactor.