Inventing for the fun

[Paul B]

The beauty of this hobby, for me anyway, is that it lends itself to a wide variety of inventions and tinkerings. My workshop is filled with built and half built devices from decades ago. Many years ago I shocked mojanos and thought nothing about it. I remember getting into wet drys, they were fun because there is so many ways to make that spray bar go around. Brine shrimp hatcheries? I have probably 5 of them. Protein skimmers? I have parts all over the place. Leak detectors? one of my favorits. Forget blackworm keepers, fish traps, fish feeders, dosers, auto fills, and resin reactors.
I have been working on a chiller that looks promising, uses no power and hopefully will cool the tank about 5 degrees.
It is another thing that I have numerous sketches of and every summer I plan to build it but never quite got around to. Now winter is coming and I have no need for it.
I guess I just like to build things.

 

[rkaragozler]

I like your thinking, i'm constantly hearing the wife about all the junk I have laying around. Why not, I would rather spend $40 in parts to make something that works then spend $300 that does the same thing that is prefabbed. This way I now how it works. I made a wavemaker with a $40 relay, and they charge a lot more for a prefabed one. it's been running for 4 months now with no problem, and to add to it I can control time intervals of off and on, on each head

 

[Paul B]

I also like the way you think. I didn't buy anything for my tank except the tank itself. I even collected or built the rocks, the lights I had extra from lighting up the Plaza Hotel, the stand, skimmer, RUGF, auto top off, RO/DI and everything including most of the house around it I built.
Thats why my workshop looks like this :tongue1:

 

[rkaragozler]

At least you shop is very neat (compared to mine) and lit very well, I fiddle in the basement.

 

[Paul B]

It's lit well because I was an electrician :tongue1:

 

[rkaragozler]

The gray panel under the window is that for a generator switch over, or a solar panel box, or whatever.

 

[rkaragozler]

Ohh since you were an electrician maybe you can help me run a 220 line for my halides

 

[Paul B]

That graybox is the inverter for the solar panels on the roof.
Luckily, I don't install 220 lines any longer. :tongue1:

No fun any more

 

[rkaragozler]

Solar huh, that's on my list, meet with a person the other day. Paying way too much on electric here.

 

[Paul B]

I know what you pay for electric and we pay more here on Long Island. I put those 22 panels up there 2 years ago, with the rebates and taxes it was almost free and in the two years since, it paid for itself.
I get much more savings from the new condensing boiler I installed last year.
I used to pay about $4,000.00 a year for heat alone, last year it cost me $976.00 to heat the house, supply hot water and cooking gas for the entire year.
I don't like paying utilities. Hopefully the Electric cars will be out this year.

 

[rkaragozler]

nice, you did the install

 

[Paul B]

Yes, I installed the boiler and solar panels, (I was an electrician for 40 years)
I have never hired anyone for anything including my house, car or boat in my life. Except dentists, and if I could see in there, I would do that. :shhh: