chrisyew

Hi Maxstar, How is your lights status, any changes? BTW, how is your tank temp?

Me too. Love the Nano wave but wonder the price??? Finally someone has done a cube somewhat right. Also the Nano Wave arrived very good, since ever more people are looking for small aquariums to enter saltwater. all outstanding ???- and cleanable They even thought of putting a light in the filter...hats off And the mainlight. Everythig very well thought out. Has us well pleased.

I always like to see your tank update. Personally I think, showing the tank progress or shots - it's not necessary to show the best shots onli. It's good to show flaws or whatever so that the rest can learn from it as well. That's why we are here to learn from mistakes and others experience. Nano cube is very difficult to maintain compare to bigger tank.

Thanks. The cost breakdown is in the thread APCI. Actually not much if you got all the parts right the first time. For me, it's a bit more as I got standby parts and some others to try out.

Basically the same components used as APC I except the Main Switch and Reset switch is best to change to the same like the Main Switch type (not the push switch type as it's easy to indentify the position). For the external monitor, get a small box ($1.20) with a 12Vdc RED light bulb, a 12V buzzer and a toggle switch. Here is the external monitor tied to the rack on the sump;

Step by step of setting up the APC II; - Connect the return pump, the 2 float switches and the external monitor to the main APC II unit. - Turn on the main switch of the APC II. Once the main switch is on, the return pump will turn on. - Now turn the Reset switch to on. This will not turn on the relay as the float switches still in the open position. - Should any of the float switches activate (in closed position), the relay will turn on causing the relay to turn on. The return pump will be turn off and the red light indicator and buzzer will turn on. - Ensure everything is alright in the main tank and sump tank before you turn off the Reset switch. - Once you turn off the Reset switch, the Return pump will be turn on again. Now you may arm the Reset switch again by turning it on.

How the APC II works; Float switches arrangement : - The top float switch for the main tank must be arranged in such a way that it is normal open when the water level is below it. When the main tank level is too high, the float switch will be closed position. If not, remove the C-clip below the float switch, take the float out and reverse it then put it back together with the C-clip. - The bottom float switch in the sump must be in such a way that it is normally open too when submerged in the water. When the water in the sump tank last chamber where the return pump is falls below the float switch - the float switch will be closed. If not, reverse the float switch position as above. The Circuit; Basically the same as APC I except that the float switches are arranged in parallel with one of the relay contact. In normal operation, the relay is in the normally closed position so there is a main supply to the return pump and turning the pump on. Once any of the float switch is activated, the 12V transformer will supply voltage to the bridge rectifier (the Reset switch must be on position) thus activating the relay coil. This will turn the relay on and cut off the main supply to the return pump. Even if there is a back siphon causing the float switch to open again, the relay will not be turn off as one of the relay contacts is connecting the 12V transformer supply to the bridge rectifier. The relay will be turn off when the Reset switch is turn off. Once the Relay switch is turn off, the return pump will turn on again. When any of the float switches is turn on causing the relay to activate, the External Monitor Red light indicator will turn on and the buzzer will sound.

Here is the External Monitor which is optional; you can do it or without it. Since the main unit is usually hidden behind the sump or tank, so I decided to have an external monitor so that it's easier for me - at least visually or with the buzzer on.

Before I proceed, it's best to refer to the APC I in this thread; APC I since most of the basic operation and construction is the same. Credit : Thanks to fellow hobbyist with the nick whoami for pointing out the miniature relay used is not solid state relay thus it can be connected in the normally closed position. The Auto Pump Cutoff II comes with an External Monitor - a 12V red bulb and an buzzer (with optional switch to turn it on or off). Advantages of APC II; - Relay is in the Normally Closed position when pump is running; i.e. the relay in not turn on. - If there is an power outage, the return pump will automatically turn on again when the power is restored compared to APC I. - APC II comes with external monitor - red light indicator and optional buzzer switch. - When any of the float switches is closed caused by either the main tank water level is too high, or the sump tank last chamber (where the return pump is) water is too low; the APC II will turn off the return pump. Once the pump is off and even if there is a back siphon, the float switch will not turn on the pump again even if the float switch is turn on. You need to turn off the Reset switch to turn on the pump.

Probably one with individual reflector while the other do not. Is Solite the one with individual reflector? Maybe those using it can confirm. Thnks.

But why they put AVAILABLE WORLDWIDE, EXCEPT SINGAPORE? Isn't Hyflux a S'pore company?

Thanks Max. I intent to keep some little fishes that my kids like, once out grown put them in my 2ft tank. Not much of a theme to think of any. Will keep updating.

My 2 little fish (less than the size of 5 cent coin). Any idea the names, is it some kind of butterflies? That's all for today.. No full tank shot yet as it's still bare.....waiting for more $$$ to come in.

Some left over zoos; My red mushies;

$10 for not juz the big green one but the whole piece of rock including those littles below hehe;

After the modification to the cube; Modification of my 12G Nano Cube here is the building up of it slowly. Guess the cycling is finishing soon too. My Lobo?;

Guess you are right. I'm using 16mm pipe with Ehiem 1250 (1200 l/hr).

OK, will pop by SL again to check it out. Will incorporate it in APC II. Think the APC II will have an external monitor with optional buzzer hehe. Thanks once again.

So what type of relay you use? I'm not too sure if the relay I used is not solid state. May try to reverse the order if there is chance. Anyway, it's not that difficult to have it the other way.

Hi, Thanks for pointing that out but I'm not too sure if this applies to solid state relay as well. This diy uses a solid state relay where there isn't any real mechanical contacts at all. I've not try to run the pump in it's NC contact and I wonder will it work as there is a difference between a solid state relay (SSR) and a electro magnet relay (EMR). When there is time, maybe will try that out. BTW, do you have any idea for a solid state relay, the NC contact can be used to run the pump - that means there is no power to the relay coil (Form C relay)?

I think I left out the Fuse holder and fuse (0.2A for my Ehiem 1250 pump).

Note : I got the idea and inspiration from; Credit : DIY with Jon Garner - Reef Keeping

Now it's all hook up and ready to test for the worst situation.... and it PASS! OK, it's all done now and ready for operation.

Now hook up the top float switch to the main tank; Another view;

Once tested that the float switches are working, now it's time to hook up to the sump and tank. Here is the bottom float switch hook to the sump;