I have been wanting to get a new tank for a while now i have had a 55 gallon for about 3 years. I would want to get preferably a 120 gallon just because it would be easier to maintain, so anywhere from 120 to 200. I wanted to ask for some advice because if I do get a larger system i want it to be easy to maintain. What I was wondering is that if I can set up a new tank with direct plumbing so that I do not have to pour water in or pour water out with buckets. I was wondering if there are systems out there where you can just open up a valve to let water out and let water in as well. I just want something thats very simple to maintain. Thanks in advance for your input!
wanting to upgrade to a larger setup, I need some advice
- Thread starter vinx
- Start date
cr500_af;606599 wrote: You mean automated water changes? It can be done, fairly simply. You will need some room for containers. Are you going to have an equipment/sump room? Barrels or Brutes in the living room will get old fast!
no actually i was not planing on having a sump room. I thought that you could get a direct water flow from the faucet to pass it through different filters so that it would make it safe. I would definitely want to have a sump room. I would rather get a 120 gallon and do what im doing now with the water changes
that makes sense automated top off, i thought it was a water change. It makes sense now that you could not to direct flow from the faucet for water changes as you cant put salt in it. I guess i could still make a valve to release the water easier so that I would just need to add clean water. What would you recommend for me?
To do water changes, you will absolutely have to have a vessel to hold the new saltwater, as it needs to age before being used... it is caustic when fresh.
The exact setup would depend on what you have to work with. If you have a free bulkhead low on your sump, you could plumb a drain to that, but you need it to gravity feed down, to a basement for disposal or something like that. If it has to go uphill it will have to be pump-driven. You would also need a pump in the vessel, to pump the new water out of that and back into your system. You would basically drain (or run the drain pump) to draw down the sump, then run the other pump to replace the water.
To do auto top off, all you need is an RO/DI filter and a commercially available ATO unit (the JBJ ATO is very popular). If you do this, I would highly recommend making redundant safety part of your plan. For example, the JBJ has two float switches. One signals the unit to turn on when the level drops, and to turn off when the level is back to normal. The second switch can be placed just above the water level. Its function is a backup in case the first switch malfunctions. That way, you can only add maybe 1" too much fresh water to the system before the backup switch shuts it down, and this isn't enough to hurt anything.
This will also require a holding vessel for fresh RO water, but it can be very discreet. I use a small plastic garbage can. That container can be automatically kept filled by a simple float valve which is at the connection of your filtration to this container.
You CAN use an electric solenoid inline from the RO unit, controlled via float switch, to top off without that holding container, but I personally would not recommend it since it doesn't have a backup. A bad solenoid could allow freshwater to flow into your tank all the way up until you notice it overflowing.
The exact setup would depend on what you have to work with. If you have a free bulkhead low on your sump, you could plumb a drain to that, but you need it to gravity feed down, to a basement for disposal or something like that. If it has to go uphill it will have to be pump-driven. You would also need a pump in the vessel, to pump the new water out of that and back into your system. You would basically drain (or run the drain pump) to draw down the sump, then run the other pump to replace the water.
To do auto top off, all you need is an RO/DI filter and a commercially available ATO unit (the JBJ ATO is very popular). If you do this, I would highly recommend making redundant safety part of your plan. For example, the JBJ has two float switches. One signals the unit to turn on when the level drops, and to turn off when the level is back to normal. The second switch can be placed just above the water level. Its function is a backup in case the first switch malfunctions. That way, you can only add maybe 1" too much fresh water to the system before the backup switch shuts it down, and this isn't enough to hurt anything.
This will also require a holding vessel for fresh RO water, but it can be very discreet. I use a small plastic garbage can. That container can be automatically kept filled by a simple float valve which is at the connection of your filtration to this container.
You CAN use an electric solenoid inline from the RO unit, controlled via float switch, to top off without that holding container, but I personally would not recommend it since it doesn't have a backup. A bad solenoid could allow freshwater to flow into your tank all the way up until you notice it overflowing.
Thanks for all the advice, but this just seems a little bit too much for me to handle. I was wondering if you could recommend someone that does set ups like you described. I would not be comfortable doing any of this my self. I have heard good things about two sponsors in my area, Rit and Jenn were recommended to me for a few different things and Ive only heard nice things about them. If they cant do it Im sure you know someone that could. tx again cr, and off the topic are you racing any series this year?
I don't know if Rit does any in-home work, but I know Jenn and her crew could set up an ATO for you.
As to the other question, I haven't raced a series in several years unfortunately... being 40 and having a family bit into my racing a bit. I still hit a race every now and then. I usually practice at Bremen Race Park or Amp MX. My avatar was my 250 before I cut it up and put the 500 in it.
As to the other question, I haven't raced a series in several years unfortunately... being 40 and having a family bit into my racing a bit. I still hit a race every now and then. I usually practice at Bremen Race Park or Amp MX. My avatar was my 250 before I cut it up and put the 500 in it.
