need water change system advice

michael grady · May 21, 2013

Hi Guys,
 I have my 225 reef up and running...now for the work. This thing is in my basement, so I have room for a separate work room and pump room. In fact, I have my sump and pumps in a closet and the chiller in another room in the basement. 
I'd like to design some sort of efficient water changing system, but i don’t want to re-invent the wheel. 
There must be some way to have my RODI water drip into a container (like a brute), get pumped into another container for salt mixing - with some sort of pump to get it mixed, then I should be able to open a valve...drain old water out and pump the new water in. 
Do any of you have a design I can take a peek at , or have photos you can send along? Is there something like this commercially available?
 I'd really appreciate the advice and help! 
Michael

cedzaquaddiction · May 21, 2013

I have my RO/DI system detailed here http://www.atlantareefclub.org/forums/showthread.php?t=79509&highlight=booster">http://www.atlantareefclub.org/forums/showthread.php?t=79509&highlight=booster</a> and my water change system here [IMG]http://www.atlantareefclub.org/forums/showthread.php?t=81442&page=2">http://www.atlantareefclub.org/forums/showthread.php?t=81442&page=2</a>. There's a 35 gallon container above my sump in the closet that gravity drains into my sump and is pumped back into my DT by the same return pump that runs the tank.

I have the same size tank in the build process. I'd love to see some pics.

Hope this helps...

Best of Luck!!!

jennm · May 21, 2013

You can mix new saltwater in the brute that the RO fills (via solenoid & float valve). Hook a hose up to the mixing pump to pump the new water into the system when you're ready for it.

We still vacuum the substrate the old-fashioned way, into another brute, and then pump the water out of it and down the drain.

I'm sure there are more "automated" ways, but without vacuuming the substrate. We believe that vacuuming is an important part of maintenance.

Jenn

cedzaquaddiction · May 21, 2013

Good point about vacuuming the substrate...

michael grady · May 21, 2013

Jen,

Do you have people that can set this up for me?

Michael

jennm · May 21, 2013

If you're in Oxford, you're a weeeeee bit outside our service area...

Jenn

michael grady · May 21, 2013

Jenn.. Can you recommend a system I can go look at?

Thanks!

jennm · May 21, 2013

Not really - the systems like that, that we have set up, are in people's homes.

It's not really very high-tech. I'm sure someone will chime in with a more automated system, I know of a couple who can literally "dial-a-water-change" from their smart phone.

Those automatic systems don't address substrate vacuuming either, however. There are trade-offs with everything, I suppose.

Jenn

enderg60 · May 21, 2013

Automating the mixing of new water is one thing, automating a water change is another.

I mix up 200g of saltwater at a time and let it sit. Then use two parastaltic pumps on on AC3 to pump out 2 gallons and pump in 2 gallons a day for a water change.

I still do a 100g water change every 3-6 months to vacuum stuff and clean the fuge though.

But with enough solenoid valves, float switches, pump and timers anything is possible.

darrrenjmartin · May 21, 2013

I love1/4 inch Float valves everywhere. 
I have a series of same vol. containers on a raised platform just above the sump water level. (I use pool powered chlorine containers. They are about ten gallons, very stout, tight fitting gasket screw on lids and mobile)
The locks system: Each container has a tap and valve at the bottom. A manifold daisy chains all the containers together including the gravity fed ATO float valve in the sump. 
There is a float valve at the top one of the daisy chained containers which is connected to the RO supply. Open all the bottom valves and all the containers fill to the same level. Shut the bottom valves off to isolate all the containers.
Additionally, I have one waste water container. This container also has a float valve at the top of the container. I pump water overboard using a ¼ line plumbed and valved from the main recir pump. thru the waste water container float valve. It can be fed gravity fed from the tank. Use the recovered waste water for rinse water, cleaning filter elements, emergency quarantine tank that can get easy water exchange.
The beauty of this system, (barring float valve failure). You can’t pump too much water overboard because the float valve shuts off draining. 
It is dependable, scalable up or to minimalistic, mobile and cheap. 
A container can be used for any purpose and water can be moved around between them with a turn of a valve. 
It can be set of for continuous drip exchange. 
The sump level never changes. As waste water is pump over board, new water enters the ATO at the same rate.

If you look at profile picture you can see the tank containers behind the couch. 2004

acroholic · May 21, 2013

Look through this thread here. It ought to give you some ideas.

skyking · May 21, 2013

Hey Michael Grady!
I'm also in Oxford. New to the area. I am currently setting up a 150 which is in my living room but plumbed to a sump in my basement. I sure would like to get together to exchange ideas. Not many of us out here.
Jeff

bigdatl5 · May 21, 2013

I have a 240 with the changing station in the basement.

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need water change system advice

michael grady

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cedzaquaddiction

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jennm

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cedzaquaddiction

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michael grady

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jennm

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michael grady

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jennm

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enderg60

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darrrenjmartin

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acroholic

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skyking

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bigdatl5

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