How to Simulate Rainfall in you Aquarium (operation instructions)

This article will explain how to operate the rainmaker for your aquarium, fresh or saltwater. If you have not yet built one, please view my other article on how to simulate natural rainfall in your aquarium, listed below. The operation of this system is very easy. If you are viewing this article in order to test your unit, follow all of the steps below except for step 3, and make sure you check your seals for leaks.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• aquarium rainmaker system
• RO unit
• fresh or saltwater aquarium

1. Begin performing a weekly water change by removing 10% of the water volume in your aquarium. If you do monthly water changes, remove 25% percent of the water volume.

2. If you do not have your rainmaker permanently installed, hook it up now. Attach each end of your 1/4" tubing to each on/off control valve (on the RO unit and the at the aquarium). Be sure of two things: 1) that the line from the RO unit feeds into the bottom of the chemical reactor, and 2) that the on/off control valve at the aquarium is in the ON position.

3. Measure out the volume of chemicals and salts which you normally add to your aquarium during a water change: (aquarium salts, RO right, dKH buffer, water conditioner, and/or plant fertilizer). Place the appropriate amounts in your chemical reactor and tightly close the lid.

4. Turn on the contorl valve on the RO storage tank. If this is your first use of the system, turn the valve HALFWAY open. The spray heads have a radius of 5-7 feet at full power, so you need to find the right pressure by adjusting the valves. Your aquarium should be filled in about 10-15 minutes based on a 3 gallon storage tank at full capacity.

Tips & Warnings

• All of your chemicals and salts should dissolve immediately as water passes through the reactor. If they do not, you may have added too much or you may not have a large enough container.
• On first use, you will need to manually adjust the height and orientation of the sprayer heads until you find a setup that works best.
• With an antifungal agent in the tubing, this system does NOT need to be cleaned or removed from the aquarium.
• Improper setup may result in damage to your rainmaker system, your RO storage tank, or your person. Be careful when working with a pressurized system.
• NEVER add RO water directly to your aquarium without treating it first; RO water is PURE H20 and is incapable of supporting life on its own.

[acole]

on 5/29/2008 Neat idea! Thanks!