Auto Water Change

[dubkie]

Just wondering what everyone thought of an auto water change setup... I just set one up over the weekend that will do a 2.5 gal water change daily on my 180 gallon reef tank. I set it up through my Apex using the following settings:

1) Turn off return pump
Fallback ON
Set ON
If Time 19:00 to 19:11 Then OFF
If FeedA 000 Then OFF

2) Turn off skimmer
Fallback ON
Set ON
If Time 19:00 to 19:11 Then OFF
If FeedA 000 Then OFF
Defer 002:00 Then ON

3) Turn on water out pump
Fallback OFF
Set OFF
If Time 19:02 to 19:05 Then ON
If FeedA 000 Then OFF

4) Turn on water in pump
Fallback OFF
Set OFF
If Time 19:06 to 19:10 Then ON
If FeedA 000 Then OFF

Let me know what you all think or if you have any suggestions on my programming.

Thanks!

 

[grouper therapy]

What type of ATO do you have?

 

[dubkie]

grouper therapy;803663 wrote: What type of ATO do you have?

I have a JBJ, but I have plumed my RODI to a float switch in the sump. The auto water change I have running through the APEX

 

[grouper therapy]

I'm lost as last years Easter egg on the programming but I would have the ATO perform a top off just before the water change event and shut it down during as well. that would help to prevent drift of your salinity. Are you using 2 different pumps for the water change ?

Edit: Using 2 pumps based on time will not be accurate enough to insure equal volumes of water during removal and replacement. I think limit float switches would be needed.

 

[enderg60]

Yup just timing pumps without monitoring salinity will not end well. No pump is ever the same.

If you want to maintain salinity then float switches will be needed or change your pumps out for peristaltic pumps.

I use peristaltic pumps to do 2g water changes on a 480g system and I still need to tweek my salinity every month or so.

 

[ff337]

Also make sure you switch off your ato until the float switches are closed.