Automatic Water Changes - What's Your Setup

[offshored]

Thinking of having an automatic water change system setup on my new tank to change our 3-5 gallons a day.

Wondering how everyone else set there's up?

Was thinking using the Reef Angel and the Water Level Expansion for measuring the water level in the sump to remove and replace the correct amount of water with small pumps. Having a 50 gallon drum I just need to keep fresh saltwater in.

Thanks guys

 

[Sacohen]

Dual head pump.
Removes and replace the exact same amount of water simultaneously.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2349824

 

[offshored]

Dual head pump.
Removes and replace the exact same amount of water simultaneously.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2349824

That's freaking awesome

Where do you buy them?

Which one would you recommend for 3-5 gpd?

Now I don't have to buy a Reef Angel, I can pick between RA or Apex for other reasons

 

[Sacohen]

The Stenners are more expensive, but easier to set up.

I went with the ThermoFisher D3138-13 w/Masterflex 7024-20 Pump Multichannel Clear Polycarbonate they are about $200 less expensive, but a little more work to get going.

 

[offshored]

Steve, what is the model/url link of the pump I should use?

Looks like they make a ton...

 

[kaskiles]

I do 1/3 gallon per day in my 28 gal JBJ. Using an Arduino with a high and low float, power plug relays and 3 powerheads. Arduino turn on mixing powerhead in salt water reservoir for 30 minutes, then it turns on the drain powerhead in sump area for 2 minutes or until the low float flips. Then it runs the filling pump for 2 minutes or until the high float flips.

The high float is also my top off. I do a top off 4 times per day, and one is right before the water change routine begins.

The sump drain powerhead needs to outlet up and into a funnel type thing to avoid siphon. I do this with a flipped over gravel cleaning tube as funnel, it drains down to a jerry can I dump weekly.

 

[Sacohen]

Steve, what is the model/url link of the pump I should use?

Looks like they make a ton...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/200971277518?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649

These are used and came from an ink refilling machine so you MUST replace the tubing.

You can get that from McMaster part # 51075K28 (Black Neoprene) or 5155T27 (Clear).

I got the black, but it may be to stiff to spin 2 pumps.

That's something I'm trying to work out now.

You;ll need 8 32 threaded rod and wing nuts to replace the screws that hold the pumps to the motor and extend them for two pumps.

 

[offshored]

Thanks guys

Really liking the Stenners. Seems like they are a little more expensive, but can be picked up under $300. Looks like a pretty straight forward solution as well.

 

[Sacohen]

Yes the Stenners are straight foward.

 

[offshored]

Yes the Stenners are straight foward.

One thing though...

If it pulls and pushes water at the same time... would you lose a little bit of the effectiveness of the water change than if you just drained first, then replaced with new water?

Maybe just drain water from the front of the sump and replace water near the returns in the sump? To reduce the chance of draining new salt water? It's on an 8 foot sump.

 

[Sacohen]

On an 8 foot sump that would be perfect, in reality the amount of new salt water that you lose is minimal. I think I read in another thread it was 5% over a month of 2 gallon a day water change.

The difference between 1% per day and 30% per month is about a 5% loss overall. If you want to compensate you could do a little more than 1%; generally it is insignificant.

 

[Fishnthecorner]

ATO Top off here

 

[offshored]

Yeah maybe the returns will suck the new water right up

I don't get Stenner's pricing through. Their 10 gpd pump is the same price as the 170 gpd pump... maybe people that use these pumps don't think the more gpd the better, maybe just what their application calls for. Might be more precision in the 10 gpd pumps.

 

[Fishnthecorner]