Your Craziest Invention or Idea

[Aqua Pro Builder]

if all this water is evaporating into our homes why can't we reclaim it for top-off?

OK, now someone make me one.

I have been always dreaming to reclaim this water, so far no luck.

 

[jhale]

what does cost effective have to do with anything?

the cube could land in a little acrylic cube suspened in the water and melt into the water, that's the easy part.

I really want it lol, E send me an estimate. we can have them made in china

 

[Tonyscoots84]

J i see one problem with that... the cubes we buy are loaded with phosphates... so doing what has been mentioned really does no good for your tank...

for the design that ive been thinking about would need a small chilling compartment a heating compartment and a way for the cube to get to the tank something like a lil belt system, and a timer.... which would be effective other then dropping phosphates in the tank....

 

[Tonyscoots84]

with the humidifier thing, why couldn't u run a small pump that does the pressure required for the rodi and run it to it and call it a day ...

pretty much u could get a nice sized reservoir holding tank for the humidified water and have a reservoir for Rodi water and run a waste line to either outside or a drain

 

[digitalreefer]

J i see one problem with that... the cubes we buy are loaded with phosphates... so doing what has been mentioned really does no good for your tank...

for the design that ive been thinking about would need a small chilling compartment a heating compartment and a way for the cube to get to the tank something like a lil belt system, and a timer.... which would be effective other then dropping phosphates in the tank....

How exactly is that different and not putting phosphates into your tank. Plus, if you're going to put something like this together, you might as well make your own food.

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

1 piece sump insert, sized to fit standard tanks just buy the insert, buy the tank put insert in the tank and bam instant sump.

 

[digitalreefer]

I've considered a spray based system that would spray heated water over the cube to defrost it, but the work and expense involved is insane. It's much easier to make your own purified food.

 

[Tonyscoots84]

i agree.... the difference is if you use the system u would put a full cube of mysis from from the packaging... u no we get lazy most of the time ... when i feed mysis from the packaging i let it defrost on a napkin over a cup and when its defrosted i then rinse it in rodi water which you cant do with the auto frozen food feeder... (again thats if you dont make ur own food)...

 

[digitalreefer]

I've sort of designed a system... not on paper yet, but it would essentially raise the cube on a mesh screen and spray heated water over the cube for a minute. This water could be used continuously, then a second reservoir would spray RO/DI water on it briefly. Basically a dual spray injection system to defrost and rinse, but it would add significantly to the cost.

 

[jhale]

tony I make my own frozen food mix.

I was thinking a small chamber that would keep the food frozen and then send it down a chute into a little box sitting in the tank. some thing large enough to hold 100 1/2" cubes.

 

[Tonyscoots84]

i make my own food 2 (i only feed that food once a week though :shhh but i was thinking along the lines of the mysis cubes.... for the lazy reefers... (there are many of us out there :lol2

 

[digitalreefer]

If I built it it would have to be done with a mini-freezer... The freezer would have to be large enough to hold the cube reservoir and some of the mechanics.

 

[ellebelle]

That one piece sump insert would be awesome. I'd buy one!

 

[DRZL]

A siphon type overflow that doesn't use air to push water down, and with a check valve!

I thought of a roll out mat to fit certain common tanks such as 75, 120, 180 that is about an inch thick and hollow inside for water to pump through. Think of an air hockey table with spouts of water rising instead of air , for a BB system, no more crap bottom.

isclaimer: Take my idea and I will squirt palythoa in your eyes! :p

 

[Chongpark27]

Solar backup battery

Have small solar panels inside a canopy that would store power from ur lights to a rechargeable backup battery. This backup battery will power ur lights and powerheads during a blackout, and since ur own lights can recharge the battery it will give u more hrs of power.

 

[Tonyscoots84]

Solar backup battery

Have small solar panels inside a canopy that would store power from ur lights to a rechargeable backup battery. This backup battery will power ur lights and powerheads during a blackout, and since ur own lights can recharge the battery it will give u more hrs of power.

thats a great idea... might cost alot in the beginning but save u money in the long run ...

 

[digitalreefer]

An 8 amp 130 watt panel runs nearly $1000, though with the right setup, you could probably power almost your entire tank every night. Over time it would likely pay for itself, though it would be tough to rig properly, as these panels are a bit large.

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

Lissa I have been working on some prototypes for some time now, still trying to get it right. But alas unless I get someone good at acrylic work to help it will never come to pass.

 

[Harif87]

I think i could come up with a cheaper auto dispensing frozen food feeder. Gimme a day to draw it out, i have something in my head.....
If anyone sees someone on the B train tomorrow morning drawing plans for this, youll know its me :p

 

[jhale]

thanks harif, can't wait to see it.

I love the solar idea, so much I looked and found this site, http://www.siliconsolar.com/index.php
Like Eric said the panels are big, I'm not sure how you could make it work.
But you could get some smaller flexible panels to power a powerhead.

Leslie, I was thinking the chiller would have to be a drop in, in the sump section. otherwise it would have to be on a CL, but that would mean another pump, okay for saving space but not for my saving energy idea.