remote Water change system?

[dweebiii]

I'm moving into a new house, and want to set up a system to do salt water changes remotely (i.e. not wheeling a big trashcan in front of the display tank).

I am already running a 1/4" line from my RODI system to the display tank/sump for my Automatic Top Off system. I estimate that line will be 60-70 feet horizontally, where it drops 7-10 feet into the basement then comes back up to the tank.

My question: if I'm already running that 1/4" line, should I run a second (or even third) to pump water out into a drain and pump the new saltwater back into the DT/sump?

I had a friend say that 1/4 may not work since it would be slow. But, slow is good when changing water, right?

Anyone else done a system like this?

 

[L8Braker]

Genesis Renew...look it up

 

[dweebiii]

I've seen those.

I don't really want a system that does it automatically, as my display tank/sump don't really have room for the gravity feed portions of the Genesis Renew system.

What I'm trying to find out is some plumbing issues, more than anything else.

Is a 1/4" line able to flow enough water?

 

[n2585722]

I use 1/4" line with mine. My top off tank and fresh salt water tank are in my garage. I run the auto water change 3 times a day for about 40 minutes. I use peristaltic pumps. I have 3 1/4" tubes one for topoff, one for salt water fill and one for saltwater drain. All three pumps are in the garage. the tubes run through the attic in 3/4" conduit that has been insulated. The room with the tank is about 35ft from the tank. The drain pump has 1/4" tubing going another 25ft through the attic to the kitchen sink drain. The top of tank is a 10 gallon tank that is filled once the low sensor is tripped from the RODI. The RODI is turned off once the tank is full. This is all comtrolled with my controller.

 

[Goatonfly]

Are ypu limited to 1/4" or just want to use it because that's what you are using for your RO/DI?

 

[JohnnyBoyPerth]

I use 1/4" tube for my auto water change using the Litremeter system.

You need the litremetre unit plus a secondary slave pump.

Mine pumps from outside, up into roof space (approx 15ft), across roof (approx 60ft), down to tank sump in a zig zag fashion (20ft). Works well for me.

I am changing 8l/day but you can set it up to 99l/day.

Pumps are pretty quite

 

[luvreefs23]

You need a Neptune DOS, just put a unit on a second tank I maintain for someone. I'm there once a week..that's how reliable it's been

 

[dweebiii]

You need a Neptune DOS, just put a unit on a second tank I maintain for someone. I'm there once a week..that's how reliable it's been

The problem is any reservoir of mixed saltwater has to be 70 feet away. I don't know how far the DOS system can pump.

 

[dweebiii]

I guess I'm looking for someone who understands the hydraulics involved.

Neptune gives these specs about the DOS system (I already have one, but was going to use it for dosing two-part):

Lift Height: 24 feet (minimum at MSL)
Suction Height: 24 feet
Flow Rate: Variable (0.1ml – 250ml/min)

 

[Optionman]

my RODI is 40 feet horizontally and 10 feet vertically below my tank and i use a 1/4 inch line attached to a float in my sump as an ATO. have no problem with water pressure at this distance.

i also have a 33 gal trash can same distance from my tank that i use to mix and stir fresh salt water. i run 2 inch PVC from the back of my tank to a utility sink in my basement to drain water via syphon, and then have a second 2 inch PVC line running from the 33 gal trash can to the back of my tank to bring fresh salt water into the system. i can do a 30 gal water change in approximately 10 minutes with this setup without having to drag any water across my living room carpet.

hope this helps.

 

[luvreefs23]

The problem is any reservoir of mixed saltwater has to be 70 feet away. I don't know how far the DOS system can pump.

Depends on if it's horizontal or vertical. I was researching this months ago & read something like if it's horizontal you need something like 100 feet to lose what a foot of vertical loses. I'll try to find the link.

 

[meegwell]

My setup runs 3/4 pvc outside to a drain. I need to swap the main circulation pump via pvc valves to go out instead of back to the display tank. Then my mix tank refills to the water level before I started the "exit". Note before the exit I shut off the recirc pump and let it break suction a the designed point from output pupe.

Its not rocket science - its not expensive relatively speaking - but I do need to walk in my fish room and turn some valves and unplug/plug the pumps for maybe 5-10 minutes. Bamn. 20 gallon water change on a 90 gallon DT.

 

[gus6464]

Dual head Stenner.


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