Dual screens CFL ATS design

[SantaMonica]

I like the spray guard and the reflector boxes...

[RandyAce]

is a mirror a good reflector? maybe i will put some to my ats as well.. nice job by the way!

[hobbyist]

Thanks all for the compliments.

is a mirror a good reflector? maybe i will put some to my ats as well.

Mirror is a good reflector. I think any reflector, mirror or aluminium, would be a worthwhile addition to an ATS.

I would still add a cross brace along the top edge of the screen box.

Added cross brace to avoid warping.

[attachment=2:2c6l2k6o]Brace.jpg[/attachment:2c6l2k6o]

Here is what the growth looks like after 3 days and 6 days. First cleaning was done after 6 days.

[attachment=1:2c6l2k6o]After 3 days.jpg[/attachment:2c6l2k6o]

[attachment=0:2c6l2k6o]After 6 days.jpg[/attachment:2c6l2k6o]

When trying to increase flow the drain noise became quite loud. Any ideas how to deal with it? I could only increase the flow slightly, while still keeping the drain noise acceptable.

[Floyd R Turbo]

Really nice job!!!!

As for the drain noise, I hear ya. If it's like mine, noise is a function of the vertical drop of the water from the top level in the box to the top level of the sump below, and flow rate. Mine (top of tank, temporary setup tank) had the PVC male/female coupler type drain that was always noisy on the original (sump setup) tank, but on the TOT it was unbearable. I took the PVC out and rigged up a pop bottle to route the water from the hole in the bottom of the box directly to the tank, then eventually rigged up a bubble stop/silencer.

I think there may be some way to help silence the noise by sticking a piece of airline tubing into the drain. I saw this done on a youtube video to silence a noisy open standpipe. Try that, I never did. Leave one end open and stick the other in the drain and see what happens. It provides a smoother source of air or something versus the cavitation of water pulling air into the pipe as it falls.

[hobbyist]

Found a solution for the drain noise. I reduced the drain from 1" to 3/4", and increased the flow to just enough to create a siphon. This increased the depth of water at the bottom of the screen box slightly, but still less than 2". Just like the herbie overflow, it is now bubble and noise free.


This is what the screen looks like before 2nd cleaning.

[attachment=0:c7zuenfx]5 days after 1st cleaning.jpg[/attachment:c7zuenfx]

[hobbyist]

Quick update.

[attachment=1:fgyorc7k]3rd cleaning.jpg[/attachment:fgyorc7k]

[attachment=0:fgyorc7k]3rd cleaning 2.jpg[/attachment:fgyorc7k]

[hobbyist]

[attachment=1:2b5zu57o]4th cleaning.jpg[/attachment:2b5zu57o]

[attachment=0:2b5zu57o]4th cleaning 2.jpg[/attachment:2b5zu57o]

[hobbyist]

[attachment=1:t8peh0eo]5th cleaning.jpg[/attachment:t8peh0eo]

[attachment=0:t8peh0eo]5th cleaning 2.jpg[/attachment:t8peh0eo]ing 2.jpg[/attachment]

[Floyd R Turbo]

Great screen progression sequence. I might have to use those pics in my summary.

[hobbyist]

Floyd, you are welcomed to use them.

Another update.

[attachment=0:3l4dna1t]6th cleaning_no flash.jpg[/attachment:3l4dna1t]

[attachment=1:3l4dna1t]6th cleaning_flash.jpg[/attachment:3l4dna1t]

I have been using my phone camera and has never been able to get the white balance right. The one taken with flash is closer to the real color (at least to my eyes).

At the bottom of the screen (top of the photo, screen is upside down in the photo) are few more long GHA.