automatic water change
- Thread starter DRThompson
- Start date
the strainer in sump is a very good idea to keep those pesky snails, debris, etc from possibly plugging the small 1/4" inlet. I just used a JG push fit connector threaded into a pvc coupling with some additional holes drilled into the sides, and zip tied some netting over the end to make a simple strainer, works great.
I did simmilar on my water station (only two brutes) 5 floats and a relay with lamp timer based controller to automate ATO bin refil when empty and high/low on the SW bin to measure how much water gets pumped in for new batch and to shut things off when low. third low float on the ATO bin so I don't run my transfer pump dry when moving water over to mix new salt water if I walk away and don't come back in time, or plain forget about it...... (never did a proper write up but I think I posted pics and schematics way, way, back in the thread somewhere)
As mentioned look at Randy's article to answer part of your question. the way I'd plumb things is all in the sump, suction line draining water out placed where your tank overflow drains down to the sump, and place the new saltwater outlet line right next to your return pump intake so the new water goes more or less right to the display. that keeps fewer lines cluttering up the display above the sump and stand and as Randy's article explains the loss of new saltwater is negligible whether you run larger manual changes with the system or set up automated daily changes in smaller increments. I'd leave the return pump running.
Personally I like smaller daily changes to increase the overall stability of the tanks water parameters.
....and by the way this was the best thing I ever set up on my system as well! never again do I have to lug buckets of water around the house! Been up and running over a year now.
machodik
Active member
+1 , Set up my AWC for just about a month and I agree, no more buckets , Jars, Pumps and not to mentioned wet floors all over.....huh, My hobbies life never as happy as I am now with my AWC.
Cheers,
MD
Biggar
New member
Guess who is joining the club! This guy------> Mike Biggar. Finally!
List of products incoming:
1. Dual Head Stenner
2. 100 meters RO line- ebay
3. Tank Depot 100g mixing tank with Iwaki Pump/float swtich for incoming water
4. EB-8
5. 90 feet USB cable- 3- 25 foot extensions(no repeater), one male to male 15 foot- ebay
6. Neptune Systems break out box
7. Break out box cable
8. 4- 1/4" RO line check valves- ebay (china)
9. 10 RO 90 degree elbows
10. 2 Mur-lok RO Inline Ball Valve Push Connect 1/4" - BRS
11. 3 1/4" T fittings
12. DIY ro line holder w/ pvc
13. 2 Encapsuled magnetic float switches for ro and saltwater low water notifications
Ok, lets do this ( ;
List of products incoming:
1. Dual Head Stenner
2. 100 meters RO line- ebay
3. Tank Depot 100g mixing tank with Iwaki Pump/float swtich for incoming water
4. EB-8
5. 90 feet USB cable- 3- 25 foot extensions(no repeater), one male to male 15 foot- ebay
6. Neptune Systems break out box
7. Break out box cable
8. 4- 1/4" RO line check valves- ebay (china)
9. 10 RO 90 degree elbows
10. 2 Mur-lok RO Inline Ball Valve Push Connect 1/4" - BRS
11. 3 1/4" T fittings
12. DIY ro line holder w/ pvc
13. 2 Encapsuled magnetic float switches for ro and saltwater low water notifications
Ok, lets do this ( ;
reelredfish
Member
I to am joining the club...... I had run the plumbing in the attic when I did my in wall build. Just picked up a DOS unit this week. Now I just need to get it installed and figure out how it works.
shellsea
Member
Welcome Biggar and Realred! You will love it. Have had my Stenner hooked up couple of months now. Loving it and the improvements to my tank. All coral seems very happy with the small incremental (1 gallon) change per night. Biggar, is that Plantation Florida? Lived there several years back myself.
Biggar
New member
cant wait. yes. plantation,fl
AquamanE
Active member
Whats the eb8 and long USB for? I think I can guess, but curious.
Biggar
New member
using apex to control the stenner in garage, along with few other pumps, float switches, etc.
AquamanE
Active member
Very nice, congrats. Its about time you join the club.
I was lucky to be able to place the Stenner next to the Apex, but ran a breakout box wire to the float switch at bottom of fresh SW bin in case it gets low. This will kill the stenner. Other wise you can have water being pumped out with no new water coming in. In my case this would be not be very nice since then the ATO will dump Kalk into the system.
Biggar
New member
Very good idea.
Also put an alert if your PH raises above certain level to kill your ATO pump supplying kalk(and alk if you do 2 part). Apex is a must
reelredfish
Member
Have my DOS now all setup on my 180 gallon. However right now the old water is going into a jug. I must of had a dumb moment 6 months ago when i pre ran my lines from mixing station in the garage through the attic.
I ran a blue line from my RODI tank to top of my RODI tank in fish room. Ran a red line from the salt tank to the fish room. Did not run a red line for the old saltwater to a drain. This was a real pain in the butt running these and now i have to run one more.
Cause i ran these lines inside of PVC pipe in case it leaked it would drip in the garage or the fish room and not through the ceiling.
I ran a blue line from my RODI tank to top of my RODI tank in fish room. Ran a red line from the salt tank to the fish room. Did not run a red line for the old saltwater to a drain. This was a real pain in the butt running these and now i have to run one more.
Cause i ran these lines inside of PVC pipe in case it leaked it would drip in the garage or the fish room and not through the ceiling.
SpectraPure
.Registered Member
FYI liter meter stuff is on sale now, and we have a 4th of july sale going on this weekend. I do know that a couple of you thought that our stuff was higher priced, so perhaps now is an opportunity to jump on! If anyone has any questions about AWC I will be happy to help.
Jeremy
Jeremy
AquamanE
Active member
I didnt even know they amde them that small, you sure? You would need to contact Stenner for info that or where you bought it from. Ide return it. You can get a 100gpd for that approximate price. ALSO Remember 10gpd pump= 5 gpd PER HEAD, so max WC you can do in a day is 5gal.
Evn if 5 gpd is OK for you, you would need to run that thing 12 hours a day to get 2.5G WC (I do 1.5 twice a day at 50 minutes each time).
bawla47
Premium Member
ya def a 10gpd unit. thanks for chiming in. gonna just see if i can exchange it now.
<----------------:hammer:
might be crazy but ill be running this on a 20gallon tank. i think im gonna exchange 2 maybe 3% since its soo little water anyhow.
If could help to understand math, if i made any mistakes please. then could just modify and be good to go when i get a bigger pump.
my 20g tank, would need to do .4gallons for my 2% change?
doing math the 5gpd heads would pump .2g an hour, is that right? so id need to run 2 hours a day?
sorry if already in thread, havent read it all, but good stuff so far!
DRThompson
2018 FMAS President
Math looks right. Two hours per day isnt bad; mine runs for about 75min/day to change out about 2 gallons.
You could also check the tubing size. I think yours comes with the #1 tubing. If I'm not mistaken, the only difference between yours and the other pumps is the tubing size. If you changed to #3 tubing you would be at 80gpd. You might want to call them to confirm.
