Water level controller for sale

[ah wa!]

Hi,

I've built two extra sets of electronic water level controllers some times ago for future expansion and backup purposes. The water level controller uses electrical probes as sensors therefore it is unaffected by snails, algae and other floating debris...etc, therefore, it has a very high reliability.

Recently, I've DIYed another two sets of water level controllers that work by using Infrared ray instead to detect the water level. As such, I've decided to sell off the two using electronic probes because I don't need four sets for myself!

Both are DIYed unused sets and each comes with three titanium probes. Email me at lancemortar@yahoo.com if you're interested. Thanks.

[typrobin]

ah wa, how much u selling?? looks v cool....

[lightningstrike]

something like the tubby issit??

[ah wa!]

something like the tubby issit??

Ya, similar. But these one uses electronic probes as sensor instead of mechanical float switch. It will not be affected by snails, algae or other floating objects in the sump tank.

[Cookiemunster]

sorry to butt in to comment.

ah wa actually it will still be affected by snails etc. Cos as long as its wet, a short circuit will occur turning the pump on and killing/injuring the snail that shorted it.

Floating algae or debris trapped between the probe will also still cause it not to work as it becomes shorted. Even when water level drops, the debri if still stuck between the probes will render it useless....meaning water will not top up.

Electrolysis of the water will also occur due to electrical current released between the probes.

I've also thought of infra red and opto sensors but these are highly unreliable due to salt spray smudging the lenses over time.

There is always a reason why I build TUBBY the way it is. Alot of research was put into it. There is also a reason why I chose vertical float switches over horizontal ones.

Ah Wa, I would strongly recommend you use float switches as its the most effective and reliable.

Hope you don't get offended by my comments.

[ah wa!]

sorry to butt in to comment.

You're welcomed.

ah wa actually it will still be affected by snails etc. Cos as long as its wet, a short circuit will occur turning the pump on and killing/injuring the snail that shorted it.

The probes are supposed to activate the relay(pump) only when it is above the water surface. If it is submerged under water( the only time when a snail can make contact with it), it will not be activated. Of course, you can argue that the snail can still climb out of the water and make contact with the probes. To counter this possibility. You can place the probes further away. How about if 10 snails line up head to tail and try to short out the circuit? OK, that I have nothing to say. But it is easier to strike toto than to have 10 snails doing that simultaneously!

The circuit make use of very weak AC current to work so it will not hurt the critters in the sump. Nobody will be so foolish as to use high voltage or high current electricity for this purpose.

Floating algae or debris trapped between the probe will also still cause it not to work as it becomes shorted. Even when water level drops, the debri if still stuck between the probes will render it useless....meaning water will not top up.

The top up pump will be deactivated once the water level reached the bottom tip of the probes. I don't see how debris or algae can be trapped by a pointed tip( the remaining part of the probe is always above water level). Unless you have a hermit crab grabbing onto one of the probe, even so, it's ok because you need to short two probes in order to deactivate the pump. If you place the two probe far away, the hermit crab will not be able to short them out.

Electrolysis of the water will also occur due to electrical current released between the probes.

Electrolytic chemical reactions will occur only if DC current is used. If AC current is used( in this case), all electrolytic reactions will be nullify.

I've also thought of infra red and opto sensors but these are highly unreliable due to salt spray smudging the lenses over time.

Unless you have an air pump in your sump or your output from the skimmer is not properly buffered. Salt spray will be very insignificant. Systems using opto sensor can have the sensor placed way higher than the water surface. This will further negate the effects of salt spray. Worst come to worst, just use a piece of tissue to wipe off the salt spray once in a blue moon. If I'm not wrong, Tunze make use of infrared ray in their auto topup system as well and many many other industrial applications which require high precision and reliability.

There is always a reason why I build TUBBY the way it is. Alot of research was put into it. There is also a reason why I chose vertical float switches over horizontal ones.

No doubt that you've done a lot of research and came out with a good product. And yes, I know why you use vertical float instead of horizontal.

Ah Wa, I would strongly recommend you use float switches as its the most effective and reliable.

Thanks for your kind advise. As a hard core DIYer, I know how it feel if something that I've put in a lot of time and effects into dosen't work as intended. Therefore, I always do lots of research and brain storming before deciding on the design. Most of the time, there won't be a "fit all" solution. Different designs have their pros and cons. In this case, I think that mechanical switch may not be as reliable due to several factors. Firstly, floating debris and snail may jam the device. Secondly, it lose out on precision. Thirdly, moving parts are more prone to failure and lastly, as you mentioned above, salt spray will accumulate around the pivot point and jam up the device. At least, it is easier to clean the lens of the opto sensor than to remove salt spray around the pivot point.

Hope you don't get offended by my comments.

I will not get offended if geniune disadvantage/mistakes are highlighted. We all learn by pointing out each other's mistakes.. But it won't be very nice if somebody start to discredit another when they haven't even fully understand the functioning of their product.

Not to worry, I'm not trying to say that tubby is not a good product. I'm making this post only because I have to come out to defence my design.

[Cookiemunster]

erhm bro actually I got some replies to your answers but I think I better pm you instead. Not so nice for me to hijack your sales.

Cheers

[wedgee]

I also think it is much much better to use electronic sensors instead of the traditional float switches, as the chances of mechanical parts failing is sooo much higher than that of non-moving ones...

And besides, I tink it is not very graceful for a permanent seller of a water top-up system to critic a normal DIY guy's stuff...it makes u look bad, like u are scared of it affecting yr business??? Of cos if Ah wa were to sell large amounts of this system, then u would have a case desinitely...

Just my tots....

[BarraCudaTM]

It means this 2 probes are transmitting electrical current in the water and a NO relay will close the switch when the electrical current is broken.

You are introducing electrical current in yr water which is not recommended.

[ben]

It means this 2 probes are transmitting electrical current in the water and a NO relay will close the switch when the electrical current is broken.

You are introducing electrical current in yr water which is not recommended.

I agree on this too. BTW I have thought of this long ago but ....... (I should not say why).

Im thinking of another type of sensor but its really expensive. $150+++ just for the sensor. But I will sure to buy them but in just matter of time.

[terryansimon]

I also think it is much much better to use electronic sensors instead of the traditional float switches, as the chances of mechanical parts failing is sooo much higher than that of non-moving ones...

I don't know about this. I'd rather use mechanical parts. cheaper to replace. unless it works differently for fish equipment.

And besides, I tink it is not very graceful for a permanent seller of a water top-up system to critic a normal DIY guy's stuff...it makes u look bad, like u are scared of it affecting yr business??? Of cos if Ah wa were to sell large amounts of this system, then u would have a case desinitely...

I didn't detect a tinge of malice/jealousy in Cookie's tone. I think its just a friendly exchange of information to two genuine DIYers. (=

[ah wa!]

It means this 2 probes are transmitting electrical current in the water and a NO relay will close the switch when the electrical current is broken.

You are introducing electrical current in yr water which is not recommended.

Ok, low voltage DC are converted into low voltage AC. Because of the vey high sensitivity of the circuit, only a very very low power sensing current is send to the probes. As it is an AC current, all electrolytic chemical reactions at the probes will be nullify.

I'm still using this type of system on two tanks. One have been running for 5yrs with the sensors and the other have been running for 2.5yrs. Both of the tanks have done well during these period and no abnormal behaviour is observed. It is so reliable that one of the tanks is plumbed directly to the tap. No false activation, no flood etc.

[FuEl]

One word.. "Wow!" Just a concerned question..by plugging it directly to the tap are'nt you afraid of any chlorine or chloramine?

[RAV-65]

Bro,

can PM me the price for one controller? Me interested... Thanxs!

Vincent Ho

[ah wa!]

One word.. "Wow!" Just a concerned question..by plugging it directly to the tap are'nt you afraid of any chlorine or chloramine? 

For water changes, yes, I would be worried. But for water top up. This tank has a vol of 1000L. The top up water will be like 0.01% or less of the total vol, the chlorine will be so diluted that it dosen't cause any effect. Strong circulations in the tank will dispel the chlorine so that it won't accumulate to a dangerous level. At least, this is what I've observed. Anyway, I will be DIYing a kalkwasser reactor and adding it to the top up system when I have the time.

[Anemone]

hmm, did u encounter any problems with your DIY within your 5 yrs of usage/testing?

if its reliable then some bros here may be tempted to try it out.

[Cookiemunster]

I also think it is much much better to use electronic sensors instead of the traditional float switches, as the chances of mechanical parts failing is sooo much higher than that of non-moving ones...

And besides, I tink it is not very graceful for a permanent seller of a water top-up system to critic a normal DIY guy's stuff...it makes u look bad, like u are scared of it affecting yr business??? Of cos if Ah wa were to sell large amounts of this system, then u would have a case desinitely...

Just my tots....

Wedgee,

please..... selling TUBBY and KR is not my main job. I certainly do not rely on it for a living. The amount of money I make from it is too insignificant for me to feel threatened by anyone. I was talking with respects to DIYing.

I only commented because Ah Wa said float switches are not as good as probes. I already told him the reasons privately because I do not want to spoil his sales. I think I was already very gentlemanly in this.

Perhaps you have some hidden agenda against me? Did I do anything wrong to you?

I even know of people who bought my TUBBY and reversed engineered it and duplicated my TUBBY to the exact detail and selling it in the forum with their own sticker and name. Yet I never voiced out publicly although I know his name and facts. What Ah Wa does has totally no relation to me and certainly does not affect me in any way.

I have nothing against Ah wa but if you guys feel commenting on basic DIY facts as not graceful then I shall keep quiet and not contribute anymore ideas or facts. At least not in this thread.

In fact I've already taken it out and settled it privately via pm with Ah Wa, I do not understand why you are raking things up and pouring oil in.

Signing out.

[lightningstrike]

sigh...... poor cookie......... always kena from other reefers. :

dun worry bro cookie, i will always support u!!!

[rainbowdarter]

I like the positive explaination from Cookies, it up to you guy which top up system you wanna try...as long the system works well and less or maintainance free...

In top up system the only differences that I can see is the equipment used......some prefer mechanical other prefer electronic and each has their weakness and strength.....that depend on the end user too.

There bound to be a copycat, not only from TUBBY but many more items ....sump/skimmer/.....etc. and we call it DIY.......(Me too doing DIY on some of my equipment)

End of the day.....we're the one who choose.......

Just my 2 cents.....

[ah wa!]

hmm, did u encounter any problems with your DIY within your 5 yrs of usage/testing?

if its reliable then some bros here may be tempted to try it out.

Yah, no observable ill effect from both tanks. The sensing AC voltage is so weak that I think you have more to worry about stray voltage from your pumps, filter etc...

[nutx]

sigh...... poor cookie......... always kena from other reefers. :

dun worry bro cookie, i will always support u!!!

Aiya...people just clearing some 2nd hand DIYed stuff, and now being forced to attend some technical lesson!

where is this forum heading man...

[nutx]

There bound to be a copycat, not only from TUBBY but many more items ....sump/skimmer/.....etc. and we call it DIY.......(Me too doing DIY on some of my equipment)

you mean TUBBY is the very first top-up system in the world that all others are copying him?

It should be just a proprietary Design of the topup system.

[lightningstrike]

Aiya...people just clearing some 2nd hand DIYed stuff, and now being forced to attend some technical lesson!

where is this forum heading man...

me bad....... bad bad doggie!!!

[nutx]

me bad....... bad bad doggie!!!

not meant to hit you...you already kanne so jialat in the bulk order issue....

[rainbowdarter]

you mean TUBBY is the very first top-up system in the world that all others are copying him?

It should be just a proprietary Design of the topup system.

Agreed with you, it a proprietary design

but I not sure under a patent or not......

Anyway we have the freedom to choose.....