WMAS Discussion Forum : automated tank systems?

automated tank systems? : We have a Hach DR/2000. Hach (www.hach.com)...

Fri, 03 Jun 2005 08:46:39 +0000

Author: jfinch
Subject: 6781
Posted: June 03 2005 at 8:46am

We have a Hach DR/2000. Hach (www.hach.com) has all the procedures on-line somewhere on their website. Search for "Water Analysis Handbook". I've got a hardcopy here at work, but I know it's also on their website. Typically, Hach sells the test kit to use with the spectrophotometer, but they are likely the same as the hobbiest kits with the exception that the spectrophotometer needs a 25 ml sample size. But as you are probably aware, there are usually more then one method to analyse a particular contaminate so you'd have to know which method the hobbyist kit uses. For example, in the Hach book there are 3 different methods of testing for ortho phosphates and each of those methods has a different adsorption waveband.

automated tank systems? : jfinch, I use a spectrophotometer...

Thu, 02 Jun 2005 22:53:16 +0000

Author: deedo
Subject: 6781
Posted: June 02 2005 at 10:53pm

jfinch,

I use a spectrophotometer all the time. Never thought of doing water tests with one.

Can you just use any hobby test kit for this? How do you find out what absorbances=what concentrations? And what wavelengths to use for different tests? Would the test kit manufacturer be able/willing to tell me?

Sorry 'bout the hijack.

Edited by deedo

automated tank systems? : spectrophotometer We have one...

Thu, 02 Jun 2005 18:54:00 +0000

Author: jfinch
Subject: 6781
Posted: June 02 2005 at 6:54pm

spectrophotometer

We have one at work and I use it to test my water. Basically what it is is a machine with a sensor that will detect a very narrow band of light. Then you can dial in a specific light band and it will tell you how intense that color is. So you do essensially the same test as your test kit but the machine reads the color results. It's not automatic, you still have to catch the sample and run the test. But it's a very cool machine and takes out all the guessing when the color doesn't exactly match the color on the chart in your test kit

automated tank systems? : LOL sure but then I'd have...

Thu, 02 Jun 2005 18:24:42 +0000

Author: Skyetone
Subject: 6781
Posted: June 02 2005 at 6:24pm

LOL

sure but then I'd have to have people like eric in picking my tank apart. like I need that.

spectrophotometer .... .. spectro whosits whatsit? why does that scream lights to me?

automated tank systems? : Skyetone wrote:sounds like...

Wed, 01 Jun 2005 23:55:08 +0000

Author: Xacttech
Subject: 6781
Posted: June 01 2005 at 11:55pm

Skyetone wrote:

sounds like if I could have some machine do a test
setup once a week and display the results it would be a million dollar
idea.....

I was hoping that someone had already done that.

Wait a second... this is all ready available... and for way less than a
million dollars... hmmm... Oh yeah... you can get one at MSM, and
Aquatic Dreams, I even think Marine Aqautics has one!!

It even does the water change!!

They call it... I think... that's right, a service contract!!

automated tank systems? : It's been done,only $2,065.00 For...

Wed, 01 Jun 2005 17:49:54 +0000

Author: meterman
Subject: 6781
Posted: June 01 2005 at 5:49pm

It's been done, only $2,065.00

For some reason, I can't get the hyperlink to function. Anyway at hach.com try a search for the DR2400 spectrophotometer. It has almost all of the tests we would ever desire.

Edited by meterman

automated tank systems? : it would be a million dollar idea........

Wed, 01 Jun 2005 16:31:12 +0000

Author: jfinch
Subject: 6781
Posted: June 01 2005 at 4:31pm

it would be a million dollar idea.....

And I could build that for you for a million dollars

automated tank systems? : sounds like if I could have some...

Wed, 01 Jun 2005 16:24:13 +0000

Author: Skyetone
Subject: 6781
Posted: June 01 2005 at 4:24pm

sounds like if I could have some machine do a test setup once a week and display the results it would be a million dollar idea.....

I was hoping that someone had already done that.

automated tank systems? : There is also Calcium monitors,...

Wed, 01 Jun 2005 10:10:03 +0000

Author: Xacttech
Subject: 6781
Posted: June 01 2005 at 10:10am

There is also Calcium monitors, but their accuracy I don't think is quite up
to snuff (an article I read on the pinpoint, can't think of the reference)
They also have salinity monitors, but I'll stick with a refractometer.

And the main tank maintanence... Water Changes...

If you can figure out a reasonable, and affordable system for doing water
changes, and still be able to be lazy you'll be rich.

automated tank systems? : There are no automated ways to...

Wed, 01 Jun 2005 09:12:17 +0000

Author: jfinch
Subject: 6781
Posted: June 01 2005 at 9:12am

There are no automated ways to monitor parameters such as alkalinity and nitrate. pH and ORP are really the only two continuous monitors out there (oh, and temperature). Everything else you'll still have to test for manually.

What controllers do is shut off or turn on systems to maintain pH and ORP (and temperature). They are just switches... if the pH gets high shut off the kalk pump, if the pH gets low shut off the calcium reactor, it the ORP gets high shut off the ozone, if the temperature gets high turn on a fan, etc. They just make decisions for you when you're not around.