auto water change suggestions

[Defiant Arms]

thinking of setting up a auto water change when i set my tank up.

ghl profilux controller on tank with a hl doser2

have a 50 gallon pre mixed salt water tank and a 50 gallon waste tank.

1.5 gallons a day

is it best to pull 1.5 gallons out in the morning than slowly add the 1.5 back throughout the day or back to back?

[mcgyvr]

ATO water should be fresh water as the salt does not evaporate..

Best to not have a large ATO storage container in case the pump gets stuck on then it can't flood too much of the tank..

Not sure what you are saying about pulling some out in the morning and then adding it back..

[Defiant Arms]

Originally Posted by mcgyvr

ATO water should be fresh water as the salt does not evaporate..

Best to not have a large ATO storage container in case the pump gets stuck on then it can't flood too much of the tank..

Not sure what you are saying about pulling some out in the morning and then adding it back..

not auto top off but a continuous water change 1.5 gallons a day is almost 10% weekly

[SFish]

He wants to run one of those flow through systems like what they use on very large aquariums. You over flow the tank continuously.

[texdoc77]

Back to back or simultaneously with a two head pump. Look at this thread:
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=2349824

I went with the liter meter because I actually wanted to be able to calibrate. Let us know what you decide.

[mcgyvr]

Oops.. Since this is the newbie forum I read ATO instead of AWC..

"IF" I was to run a system like that I would not even attempt dual head pumps,etc...
I would setup the system to have a controlled overflow
Like this.. So you just need to pump water into it and it will drain by itself..
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects...uarium-for-bet

[SFish]

Originally Posted by mcgyvr

Oops.. Since this is the newbie forum I read ATO instead of AWC..

"IF" I was to run a system like that I would not even attempt dual head pumps,etc...
I would setup the system to have a controlled overflow
Like this.. So you just need to pump water into it and it will drain by itself..
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects...uarium-for-bet

I would think this would be the better way to do it.

[texdoc77]

Originally Posted by mcgyvr

Oops.. Since this is the newbie forum I read ATO instead of AWC..

"IF" I was to run a system like that I would not even attempt dual head pumps,etc...
I would setup the system to have a controlled overflow
Like this.. So you just need to pump water into it and it will drain by itself..
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects...uarium-for-bet

There are a couple of high dollar lab grade pumps a few on here have had good success with. They are worth a look.

[texdoc77]

Originally Posted by SFish

I would think this would be the better way to do it.

That's a neat concept, I wonder how it would translate to saltwater? Also what happens when the overflow if it stops up? Has anyone used that system here on RC that you know of?

[bfoleyiii]

I would think adding the water back ASAP is the best bet. If you slowly add it over the day I would think there is a chance of your ATO kicking on and adding more fresh water than would be needed and dropping salinity over time.

[cincyjim]

Originally Posted by Defiant Arms

not auto top off but a continuous water change 1.5 gallons a day is almost 10% weekly

For a continuous water change you'll need a dual head pump and a controller or some real reliable timers. You can do the water change at any time of the day but if you are dosing mag, calc, or other elements then I would have the water change take place about 12 hours after the last one was dosed. Just my two cents.

[hkgar]

Too bad you don't have Apex. I do AWC with this dual pump.

https://www.neptunesystems.com/dos/

3.5 gallons per day

[Defiant Arms]

thanks for the tips and I'm sure the profile can do it just as easy as the apex

[CStrickland]

Since it's a planning thing, I thought I'd mention that this is not really a substitute for regular water changes IMO. People who set up an awc seem to really like them, and I don't doubt that they have all those benefits especially for keeping trace elements in a steady range. But while they are no doubt a help to the system, I don't think it is a replacement for regular maintenance. Like, for nutrient reduction, the math for a few gallons every day vs. 10% every week is a significant difference over time. And that's if you're just changing the water, and not blowing detritus off the rocks or vacuuming the sand, both of which are extremely helpful in new tanks as the denitrifying bacteria settle in and the algae uglies run their course.

So I would say go for it if you like to tinker, with realistic expectations. Good luck!

[SFish]

Originally Posted by texdoc77

That's a neat concept, I wonder how it would translate to saltwater? Also what happens when the overflow if it stops up? Has anyone used that system here on RC that you know of?

The systems I've seen use an overflow not two pumps. Just like the overflow to get water to the sump. I think two pumps can work but would add more things that can go wrong. I don't know anyone that runs this type of system on a small salt water tank. I've only seen it used on public aquariums where it isn't realistic to do a water change or on fresh water tanks. Also the systems i've seen run water all the time they don't stop. I'm sure something along these lines could be set up small scale.

[SFish]

This might be helpful to OP

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=1179927

[Breadman03]

I'm using 3 DOS heads to go from new to DT, DT to QT, and QT to waste, though I will probably set up a Masterflex with 3 heads at some point in the future.

[SFish]

Originally Posted by Breadman03

I'm using 3 DOS heads to go from new to DT, DT to QT, and QT to waste, though I will probably set up a Masterflex with 3 heads at some point in the future.

How do you deal with water evaporation?

[urbanknight]

+1 on the Neptune DOS! Works perfectly

[Breadman03]

Originally Posted by SFish

How do you deal with water evaporation?

The new water is in a covered Brute and my ATO's keep the salinity constant. I'm sure there's some variation in each run cycle, but it seems to average out because I haven't seen any drift. Mind you, the DOS are all running at the same time.

[SFish]

Originally Posted by Breadman03

The new water is in a covered Brute and my ATO's keep the salinity constant. I'm sure there's some variation in each run cycle, but it seems to average out because I haven't seen any drift. Mind you, the DOS are all running at the same time.

I suppose even though the water is constantly overflowing the evaporation would still lower the water level in the sump or container.

[JaySchulz]

I was planning on setting up a Genesis Renew for daily 4-5 gallon water changes

[hkgar]

Originally Posted by CStrickland

Since it's a planning thing, I thought I'd mention that this is not really a substitute for regular water changes IMO. People who set up an awc seem to really like them, and I don't doubt that they have all those benefits especially for keeping trace elements in a steady range. But while they are no doubt a help to the system, I don't think it is a replacement for regular maintenance. Like, for nutrient reduction, the math for a few gallons every day vs. 10% every week is a significant difference over time. And that's if you're just changing the water, and not blowing detritus off the rocks or vacuuming the sand, both of which are extremely helpful in new tanks as the denitrifying bacteria settle in and the algae uglies run their course.

So I would say go for it if you like to tinker, with realistic expectations. Good luck!

I have a 165 total volume system. I do AWC of 3.5 gallons/day over 6 days. That is 21 total gallons and if I did it all on one day it would be a 12.7% change. Over 6 days the percent changed is 12.1% Not much different.