Planning: auto water change system

[der_wille_zur_macht]

I like the new design. Having the float switch in the waste tank leaves you in a position to make it more automated once you get things nailed down. For instance, you could have a separate powerhead/pump in the sump that was wired to that switch, and use that separate pump only for emptying water during water changes - you turn it on manually, and the float switch shuts if off once it's filled the waste tank. You could even have the same float switch trigger the "new saltwater" pump (Mag 9) to dump new saltwater into the sump, though then we're back close to where we started with "too much" automation.

This is probably a silly question, but is your sump big enough to handle being drained down by your entire water change volume without any equipment getting upset (heaters above water, pumps sucking air, etc)? Or will you shut the sump down during each water change?

 

[jeremyjoslin]

This is probably a silly question, but is your sump big enough to handle being drained down by your entire water change volume without any equipment getting upset (heaters above water, pumps sucking air, etc)? Or will you shut the sump down during each water change?

Good thoughts on using the floats.

As for the sump, it's a 100g stock tank so I should be good on the water drop. I'll have to check whether I need to turn off the main pump or not when I run it for the first time. The heaters are stationed near the bottom, but standing up so I'll have to keep an eye on that. I'm pretty sure it won't get that low though.

 

[pascal32]

second nate on a pump to empty the sump - ball valves wear out after a year, and gat valves are a pain for something like this,

watch the water heights - as drawn the left bin will empty into the cent sump via the pump. you need to push water up, siphon break and let it into the sump

 

[jeremyjoslin]

second nate on a pump to empty the sump - ball valves wear out after a year, and gat valves are a pain for something like this,

watch the water heights - as drawn the left bin will empty into the cent sump via the pump. you need to push water up, siphon break and let it into the sump

Roger that.