Water changes with apex

Mikepl84 · 12/12/2017, 10:00 PM

my setup is about 350 gallons including sumps, i have a 160 norwesco tank wherei mix and heat the saltwater. My idea is to use apex DOS pumps to change water. Trying to see if anoyone tried this. i'm thinking of using 1 pump to pump out 5 gallons a day out of my tank and another pump to pump in 5 of pre mixed and headed water from my norwesco tank into the main tank.

Will i run into any issues trying to implement something like this.

any advice would help

iLLwiLL · 12/13/2017, 12:38 AM

I've been looking into something similar for a while using the DOS. As long as you remove and replace water at the same there shouldn't be any issues. I'm planning on pulling water from from the skimmer compartment and returning it to the return chamber of my sump. Might add in an optical sensor to let me know when the saltwater reservoir is getting low.

scuzy · 12/13/2017, 01:30 AM

I'm about to do this with a masterflex. Long as you remove and replace at same time it shouldn't affect the salinity or ato.

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Shamous113 · 12/13/2017, 07:15 AM

The Apex dose will do auto water changes, see this document. I highly recommend a doser that uses stepper motors such as the Apex DOS or GHL doser. Standard motors will burn out quickly and can be unreliable.

cincyjim · 12/13/2017, 07:39 AM

I have a continuous water change system that I'm using the Apex DOS to perform the water changes. I change 2 gallons of water a day and it is simultaneously removing old and adding new saltwater. My system starts at 12 noon and completes at 8pm. By performing the change over a large span of time the new saltwater doesn't need to be heated and it won't affect my ATO when the water is being removed and added. The only drawback to the DOS is that it's a little noisy... not quiet by any means. Fortunately for me though my tank and all is in the basement so the noise really doesn't become an issue upstairs however, when you are watching TV in the basement it is very evident when the DOS is on.

VoltzNSalt · 12/14/2017, 08:11 PM

I have a genesis renew and change 4 gals/day on my 210. They are a bit more expensive than the DOS and will require some plumbing if you cannot locate them near your sump and saltwater bin but once they are running, they are very nice.

thegrun · 12/15/2017, 09:58 AM

I doubt you will need to preheat the new saltwater if you use the DOS, the flow rate is so slow that your tank's heaters will be adequate to keep up.

12/12/2017, 10:00 PM	#1
Mikepl84 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: North NJ Posts: 19	Water changes with apex my setup is about 350 gallons including sumps, i have a 160 norwesco tank wherei mix and heat the saltwater. My idea is to use apex DOS pumps to change water. Trying to see if anoyone tried this. i'm thinking of using 1 pump to pump out 5 gallons a day out of my tank and another pump to pump in 5 of pre mixed and headed water from my norwesco tank into the main tank. Will i run into any issues trying to implement something like this. any advice would help

12/13/2017, 12:38 AM	#2
iLLwiLL Codename: Dutchess Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: the danger zone Posts: 933	I've been looking into something similar for a while using the DOS. As long as you remove and replace water at the same there shouldn't be any issues. I'm planning on pulling water from from the skimmer compartment and returning it to the return chamber of my sump. Might add in an optical sensor to let me know when the saltwater reservoir is getting low. __________________ Shallow 80 sps grow out and a Tech 70 softie / macro / gorg seahorse play pen.

12/13/2017, 07:15 AM	#4
Shamous113 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 81	The Apex dose will do auto water changes, see this document. I highly recommend a doser that uses stepper motors such as the Apex DOS or GHL doser. Standard motors will burn out quickly and can be unreliable. __________________ Current tank: 150gal mixed reef display w/120gal basement sump

12/13/2017, 07:39 AM	#5
cincyjim Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 1,147	I have a continuous water change system that I'm using the Apex DOS to perform the water changes. I change 2 gallons of water a day and it is simultaneously removing old and adding new saltwater. My system starts at 12 noon and completes at 8pm. By performing the change over a large span of time the new saltwater doesn't need to be heated and it won't affect my ATO when the water is being removed and added. The only drawback to the DOS is that it's a little noisy... not quiet by any means. Fortunately for me though my tank and all is in the basement so the noise really doesn't become an issue upstairs however, when you are watching TV in the basement it is very evident when the DOS is on. __________________ Jim Current Tank Info: SCA 150G, 5 inch sand bed, 2 Tunze 6095s, ReefBreeders v2+ 50" with 2 all Blue Reefbrites, and Continuous Water Change System

12/13/2017, 01:30 AM	#3
scuzy Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 6,499	I'm about to do this with a masterflex. Long as you remove and replace at same time it shouldn't affect the salinity or ato. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

12/14/2017, 08:11 PM	#6
VoltzNSalt In Memoriam Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: Higher than the Mile High City Posts: 137	I have a genesis renew and change 4 gals/day on my 210. They are a bit more expensive than the DOS and will require some plumbing if you cannot locate them near your sump and saltwater bin but once they are running, they are very nice.

12/15/2017, 09:58 AM	#7
thegrun Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Garden Grove, Ca Posts: 17,023	I doubt you will need to preheat the new saltwater if you use the DOS, the flow rate is so slow that your tank's heaters will be adequate to keep up.