AC Motor Help and a Howdy

[Shadowbearwv]

I probably should put this in the DIY forums but this is also a howdy I just joined thread.

A little info on the tanks I have and then the question. I currently have a 75g/20g Display/Sump system mostly a mixed reef with TBS rock and some corals and just a few fish. I also have a 29g Biocube that I won at MACNA in AC last year that I have setup up with mostly soft coral. A 12 aquapod that has been setup for about 5 months now with just some Marco Rock and a clean-up crew. Lastly this past weekend I setup a 4g Finnex picotank with the Aquaclear 70 modded as a fuge.

 

So on to my question, I'm currently designing a redo of my QT 20g high aquarium, I'm drilling the tank and using the Glass-holes Super nano overflow with a 5 gallon sump. I have 3 Vortechs that I plan to use for added flow. I'd like to be able to control the the speed at which they run. Most wavemakers use a totally on and totally off system to control those pumps, however if you've tried this you know the rattling is quite insane. What I'm look at doing is using an Ardiuno to control a current/voltage limiting device, haven't dug too deep into it yet, to slow the pumps down at different intervals. Any ideas on how to do this will help alot.

 

So again Howdy from WV, and it was nice meeting a few of you at the Pet Expo.

 

Tony

[Coral Hind]

Welcome to the club!

 

What model of Vortech are you planning to use? I would think 3 of them may be overkill. For a QT I would just use an MJ900.

[ctenophore]

Welcome to WAMAS, Tony!

 

Have you tried simply using the vortech controller to vary the speeds? They can ramp the prop speed up and down smoothly. 3 vortechs in a 20gal QT seems a bit excessive though. Are these the small MP-10s?

 

Funny you ask about the arduino board. I have one on the way right now that I am going to start programming for, but to control dosing pumps rather than circulation pumps. It will be nice to share tips with someone local if you decide to go this route.

 

Justin

[Shadowbearwv]

Geesh where is my brain, I have Vortechs in the 75 and 29 but I have 3 Koralia Nano pumps that I was going to use on the 20. I should have reread that more carefully.

 

I've been wanting to play with the Arduino board this just gives me an excuse. I'm thinking that I can switch a resistor in parallel to reduce the current going to the Koralias and will give me a high and low cycle. I still have to do more research but I'm thinking it should work.

 

Sorry for the confusion.

 

Thanks

 

Tony

Edited April 19, 2010 by Shadowbearwv

[Shadowbearwv]

Did some research it looks like I will need to vary the frequency of the incoming AC voltage to control the pumps. I can use the PWM from the arduino it's just find the circuits for controlling the motors will be alot more complex. I'll move this to the DIY forums if and when I get into this.

 

Tony