automatic water change
- Thread starter DRThompson
- Start date
I like the concept, just don't see how to do it in practice. The only way I see is redirecting the drain line back to my fresh sw which I'm not that keen on.
I can see doing something with valves but I think I that could mess with the performance of the pump.
The only way that i would have to refill the ato reservoir (btw its a gravity fed ato) would be if I let the bins empty and then let the ATO go empty. At that point it would have been close to a week with no WC so doing a 4.5g WC wouldn't be a terrible idea..
As far as programming, I have the ReefAngel water level sensor so I could program it to turn on when I hit 80% in the reservoir and fill it to 90% or whatever percents I need.
The other problem I just realized is that I couldn't do a big WC this because the ATO would be my limiting factor. So either I need a way to disengage heads in these rare occasions or I'll just need a separate pump.
Anyway, I'm at the point I think its doable just need to work out the minor details. Anyone have a good source for tubing for the long runs?
I can see doing something with valves but I think I that could mess with the performance of the pump.
The only way that i would have to refill the ato reservoir (btw its a gravity fed ato) would be if I let the bins empty and then let the ATO go empty. At that point it would have been close to a week with no WC so doing a 4.5g WC wouldn't be a terrible idea..
As far as programming, I have the ReefAngel water level sensor so I could program it to turn on when I hit 80% in the reservoir and fill it to 90% or whatever percents I need.
The other problem I just realized is that I couldn't do a big WC this because the ATO would be my limiting factor. So either I need a way to disengage heads in these rare occasions or I'll just need a separate pump.
Anyway, I'm at the point I think its doable just need to work out the minor details. Anyone have a good source for tubing for the long runs?
For all my northern friends.
We are getting hit by the cold too.
Had to turn the heat on last night.
Oh no! Do you even have a heater on your tank??? Lol
Sacohen
New member
You know I don't.
The house is 75.2°
The tank is 77°
and the sump it 76.6°
Perfect temps.
The chiller is not even set up yet. I still haven't gotten to it.
I'm waiting on my DC-6000 pump and when I move the tank across the room.
you could use some three way solenoid valves on float swithces to loop water back when the swith trips on which ever head needs it, the ATO I suppose from your description? that way the water is always moving when the pump is on and you just switch where it's going.
I didn't think it was a good idea to put a valve on these pumps and restricty flow. wont they just keep pumping and put pressure on the output side while creating a vacume on the intake eventiall causing someting to leak. Even normal water pumps don't like to be completely shut off (usually that's due to overheating though).
Sacohen
New member
I was just asking on another forum where I could find a 3 way 1/4" solenoid valve for a different situation. zachts do you know where I can find them. I've seem them for 1/2" but they are super expensive.
I'm not sure about that. It could be a problem.
I don't need solenoids. I can use a manual valves. I have a 3 way 1/4" that I have on my RO/DI container that I got at US plastics. I could use those to create the loop.
You don't think that it would have an impact though on the vacuum? These are also going to be long like 100' long runs...
You don't think that it would have an impact though on the vacuum? These are also going to be long like 100' long runs...
Sacohen
New member
I found a 3 way 2 position divertor valve for $33. Pretty inexpensive
http://www.automationdirect.com/adc...port_(3-way),_2-pos.,_Pipeline/DVP-3DC2E-120A
So if my saltwater bin is empty I can trigger it to divert the water to that bin and if the regular RO/DI bin is empty it will stay in that position to fill that bin.
http://www.automationdirect.com/adc...port_(3-way),_2-pos.,_Pipeline/DVP-3DC2E-120A
So if my saltwater bin is empty I can trigger it to divert the water to that bin and if the regular RO/DI bin is empty it will stay in that position to fill that bin.
Ok, I pulled the plug and hopped on this crazy train. 3 head ametek on the way... Got a while before I can get this hooked up anyway...
I'm not gonna try not over-complicate it (yet) with trying to run things independently. If I need to do a large water change, I'll do it the old fashioned way. If I'm doing that I probably need to do it quickly anyway.
Same for refilling the ATO, it should not ever get to that point so I'm not gonna worry. One bucket in a real blue moon is not too bad anyway.
So with that said, anyone see an issue driving this based on ATO usage? My evap is a pretty consistent 5g per 5-7days. Just want to figure out any potential pitfalls I might be overlooking.
I'm not gonna try not over-complicate it (yet) with trying to run things independently. If I need to do a large water change, I'll do it the old fashioned way. If I'm doing that I probably need to do it quickly anyway.
Same for refilling the ATO, it should not ever get to that point so I'm not gonna worry. One bucket in a real blue moon is not too bad anyway.
So with that said, anyone see an issue driving this based on ATO usage? My evap is a pretty consistent 5g per 5-7days. Just want to figure out any potential pitfalls I might be overlooking.
My tank is a 65g, with sump I calculate it as 70g. I currently do a one-time continuous ~18g every week and trying to move to bi-weekly.
The ATO loses about 1-1.3g/day. So we're talking 35g per month. So thats like 50%.
My 20g brute makes 18g of water for me so mixing salt 2x a month. Think the numbers should work out well.
The ATO loses about 1-1.3g/day. So we're talking 35g per month. So thats like 50%.
My 20g brute makes 18g of water for me so mixing salt 2x a month. Think the numbers should work out well.
The point about evaporation is that I'll use the water level sensor to dictate the water change schedule.. The ATO will operate normally. But let's say every 6 hours I run the pump which drains, fills the tank, and replenishes the ATO at the same time. So whatever evaporates will be replaced in the reservoir and then also be the amount of water changed.
AquamanE
Active member
No. The pump I bought is 3 heads. It will just refill my ATO reservoir while it drains and fills from my sump.
I have a ReefAngel with the water level sensor so I can very accurately measure how much water is in that reservoir.
The ATO would operate completely independently, but once it hits lets say 70% I'll turn the pumps on till it gets to lets say 80%. 1/2 gallon of water changed.
I'm not sure why Inevo is making it so much more complicated. I'm assuming they want to use one motor to do three things. He wants it to do auto water changes and fill his top off.
If you ask me... why? Get another pump and connect it to the float switch for top off. Automatic water change system is not magic, it won't solve your water changes or top off. You still have to do work.
If you ask me... why? Get another pump and connect it to the float switch for top off. Automatic water change system is not magic, it won't solve your water changes or top off. You still have to do work.
