continuous water changes

sowellj · 11/11/2009, 02:30 PM

Like the post says, for those of you who are employing a continuous water change type system, what equipment are you using? Litermeter, etc. I am in the process of setting up a 180 and want to automate as much of the water changing process as possible. Thanks for your help.

Randy Holmes-Farley · 11/11/2009, 02:43 PM

I use a 30 gpd dual head Reef Filler on a timer for several 15 minute periods each 24 h.

buffalo123 · 11/11/2009, 06:03 PM

How does this system work? Timer pumps water to the drain for 15 minutes then salt water from barrel or bucket pumped in for 15 minutes or until level reached? How big a water change would that be % wise per day?

arredondojason · 11/11/2009, 06:35 PM

i have a float valve installed in my sump with my line run from my RODI unit to the tank and it has a automatic shutoff valve installed once it feels back pressure.

Randy Holmes-Farley · 11/11/2009, 06:39 PM

How does this system work? Timer pumps water to the drain for 15 minutes then salt water from barrel or bucket pumped in for 15 minutes or until level reached? How big a water change would that be % wise per day?

You can do as much or as little as you want, and faster or slower if you want, but I do about 1% daily.

It pumps in and out at the same time (the "dual" heads), so there's no level change in the tank.

wil611 · 11/11/2009, 06:54 PM

Randy

How do you compensate for evaporation if you always fill the tank with saltwater until the desired level is reached?

Randy Holmes-Farley · 11/11/2009, 07:50 PM

I have auto top off based on a float switch. The water changes are slow and steady in and out at the same time and cause no level changes (unless I want them to by unbalancing the flows).

sowellj · 11/12/2009, 08:08 AM

Thanks for the info Randy. That unit is much cheaper than a litermeter. While I can locate the unit is such a way to minimze the draw height in both directions, the 'waste line' (old salt water to waste) will have to be pumped up ~8 feet, then travel a distance of ~20 feet. Do you see any issues with this?

Randy Holmes-Farley · 11/12/2009, 08:53 AM

A Reef Filler has no problem pumping long distances, up levels in a home, etc .

bennkrys01 · 11/12/2009, 10:43 AM

I've been wanting to do this as well. Will definitely take a look at that system. How long have you been using it? Does it seem fail proof?

Randy Holmes-Farley · 11/12/2009, 11:44 AM

I've used it many years. It is not "fail proof", but it has lasted well.

One thing that can happen is a bit of something can get caught in the pump mechanism, stopping pumping. That is especially likely on the tank water part where a bit of detritus can get into it. So just check it once in a while to make sure it is still pumping. At 1% per day, any bad effects are slow to develop.

nanojg · 12/03/2009, 02:19 PM

How can I connect a reef filler to a float switch if the water is a long distance from the tank? Can you put the reef filler next to the tank (can it pull water from a great distance) or would you have to run an extention cord from the float switch to the reef filler in the remote location?

Randy Holmes-Farley · 12/03/2009, 02:37 PM

You can do either. I do both, one for top off (pumps are remote, near limewater storage) and one where the water supply and drain are remote (water changes).

nanojg · 12/03/2009, 02:47 PM

Great, so I can put the reef filler by my tank, connected to a float switch, then run the 3/8" tubing up to the attic then down to the garage into the brute. Thats a powerful pump. Do you have any problems with the limewater tubing getting clogged up?

Randy Holmes-Farley · 12/03/2009, 02:52 PM

It needs an acid rinse once in awhile (6 months?), but as long as you do not suck in the mud, it is generally OK. Sucking in particles can mess with the diaphragm part and stop the pumping action.

11/11/2009, 02:30 PM	#1
sowellj Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: greenwood, sc Posts: 712	continuous water changes Like the post says, for those of you who are employing a continuous water change type system, what equipment are you using? Litermeter, etc. I am in the process of setting up a 180 and want to automate as much of the water changing process as possible. Thanks for your help.

11/11/2009, 02:43 PM	#2
Randy Holmes-Farley Reef Chemist Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Arlington, Massachusetts Posts: 86,233	I use a 30 gpd dual head Reef Filler on a timer for several 15 minute periods each 24 h. __________________ Randy Holmes-Farley Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef

11/11/2009, 06:39 PM	#5
Randy Holmes-Farley Reef Chemist Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Arlington, Massachusetts Posts: 86,233	How does this system work? Timer pumps water to the drain for 15 minutes then salt water from barrel or bucket pumped in for 15 minutes or until level reached? How big a water change would that be % wise per day? You can do as much or as little as you want, and faster or slower if you want, but I do about 1% daily. It pumps in and out at the same time (the "dual" heads), so there's no level change in the tank. __________________ Randy Holmes-Farley Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef

11/11/2009, 07:50 PM	#7
Randy Holmes-Farley Reef Chemist Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Arlington, Massachusetts Posts: 86,233	I have auto top off based on a float switch. The water changes are slow and steady in and out at the same time and cause no level changes (unless I want them to by unbalancing the flows). __________________ Randy Holmes-Farley Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef

11/12/2009, 08:53 AM	#9
Randy Holmes-Farley Reef Chemist Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Arlington, Massachusetts Posts: 86,233	A Reef Filler has no problem pumping long distances, up levels in a home, etc . __________________ Randy Holmes-Farley Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef

11/11/2009, 06:03 PM	#3
buffalo123 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Cambridge, Ontario Canada Posts: 1,092	How does this system work? Timer pumps water to the drain for 15 minutes then salt water from barrel or bucket pumped in for 15 minutes or until level reached? How big a water change would that be % wise per day?

11/11/2009, 06:35 PM	#4
arredondojason Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 988	i have a float valve installed in my sump with my line run from my RODI unit to the tank and it has a automatic shutoff valve installed once it feels back pressure.

11/11/2009, 06:54 PM	#6
wil611 Premium Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Wynnewood, PA Posts: 224	Randy How do you compensate for evaporation if you always fill the tank with saltwater until the desired level is reached?

11/12/2009, 08:08 AM	#8
sowellj Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: greenwood, sc Posts: 712	Thanks for the info Randy. That unit is much cheaper than a litermeter. While I can locate the unit is such a way to minimze the draw height in both directions, the 'waste line' (old salt water to waste) will have to be pumped up ~8 feet, then travel a distance of ~20 feet. Do you see any issues with this?

11/12/2009, 10:43 AM	#10
bennkrys01 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Pensacola Fl Posts: 98	I've been wanting to do this as well. Will definitely take a look at that system. How long have you been using it? Does it seem fail proof?

11/12/2009, 11:44 AM	#11
Randy Holmes-Farley Reef Chemist Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Arlington, Massachusetts Posts: 86,233	I've used it many years. It is not "fail proof", but it has lasted well. One thing that can happen is a bit of something can get caught in the pump mechanism, stopping pumping. That is especially likely on the tank water part where a bit of detritus can get into it. So just check it once in a while to make sure it is still pumping. At 1% per day, any bad effects are slow to develop. __________________ Randy Holmes-Farley Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef

12/03/2009, 02:19 PM	#12
nanojg Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Lubbock, Texas Posts: 2,174	How can I connect a reef filler to a float switch if the water is a long distance from the tank? Can you put the reef filler next to the tank (can it pull water from a great distance) or would you have to run an extention cord from the float switch to the reef filler in the remote location?

12/03/2009, 02:37 PM	#13
Randy Holmes-Farley Reef Chemist Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Arlington, Massachusetts Posts: 86,233	You can do either. I do both, one for top off (pumps are remote, near limewater storage) and one where the water supply and drain are remote (water changes). __________________ Randy Holmes-Farley Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef

12/03/2009, 02:47 PM	#14
nanojg Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Lubbock, Texas Posts: 2,174	Great, so I can put the reef filler by my tank, connected to a float switch, then run the 3/8" tubing up to the attic then down to the garage into the brute. Thats a powerful pump. Do you have any problems with the limewater tubing getting clogged up?

12/03/2009, 02:52 PM	#15
Randy Holmes-Farley Reef Chemist Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Arlington, Massachusetts Posts: 86,233	It needs an acid rinse once in awhile (6 months?), but as long as you do not suck in the mud, it is generally OK. Sucking in particles can mess with the diaphragm part and stop the pumping action. __________________ Randy Holmes-Farley Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef