hey all...
after lessons learned from my 10 gallon project, I'm ready to move to the next level. I had to shut down my fish tanks recently, so all of the sudden I'm left with a 20 long to play with. I've already cut a top for it out of 2 old glass tops that I had lying around. I have a good idea how to deal with lighting and humidity, So I feel pretty good about that. The thing I've been really thinking about is the input/outtake for the self watering function. What I have now is functional, and works flawlessly; but I'd like to make it a bit more elegant and less intrusive.
I have a stand for the tank that has an open top, So I'd like to work the plumbing through the bottom of the tank, with the reservoir sitting inside the stand. What I'm thinking about right now is to drill 2 holes in the bottom of the tank, on opposite sides. One for input/drainage, one for volume control. The input would be a 5/16(ish) hole with a bulkhead and coupler which would be hooked from underneath to a pump in the reservoir. While the pump is on, it will push water into the tank. When the pump shuts off, it ill act as a drain. The other hole will be attached to a standpipe type overflow system to ensure that the water level remains as a constant maximum. The standpipe will be attached underneath to a return going into the main reservoir.
I guess in short, that's where my idea stands. Any thoughts at all are festively encouraged since I'm running from total speculation here. Thanks in advance for any thoughts. I'm really excited to make this functional while still being a cool show piece.
after lessons learned from my 10 gallon project, I'm ready to move to the next level. I had to shut down my fish tanks recently, so all of the sudden I'm left with a 20 long to play with. I've already cut a top for it out of 2 old glass tops that I had lying around. I have a good idea how to deal with lighting and humidity, So I feel pretty good about that. The thing I've been really thinking about is the input/outtake for the self watering function. What I have now is functional, and works flawlessly; but I'd like to make it a bit more elegant and less intrusive.
I have a stand for the tank that has an open top, So I'd like to work the plumbing through the bottom of the tank, with the reservoir sitting inside the stand. What I'm thinking about right now is to drill 2 holes in the bottom of the tank, on opposite sides. One for input/drainage, one for volume control. The input would be a 5/16(ish) hole with a bulkhead and coupler which would be hooked from underneath to a pump in the reservoir. While the pump is on, it will push water into the tank. When the pump shuts off, it ill act as a drain. The other hole will be attached to a standpipe type overflow system to ensure that the water level remains as a constant maximum. The standpipe will be attached underneath to a return going into the main reservoir.
I guess in short, that's where my idea stands. Any thoughts at all are festively encouraged since I'm running from total speculation here. Thanks in advance for any thoughts. I'm really excited to make this functional while still being a cool show piece.