Auto Water Change ideas???

[msobon]

Originally Posted by Doo

This is my small brain in action and I think it should work - don't know??



http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/pic...pictureid=1043

Where is the salt coming from? so far I see drain then water topped off with fresh water, I'm assuming that's what you mean by the auto top off.

[banditpowdercoat]

www.fishbowl-innovations.com has solenoids, As well as a couple on ebay. Search ebay user valves4projects I think he's still got all plastic solenoids

[sphelps]

I'm not sure how any solenoid valves will hold up in saltwater, but for fresh water top off you can use Rainbird sprinkler valves which run on 24VAC so you'll need an adapter. These valves come with a 5 year warranty and are guaranteed to fail in the off position. They also don't leak at low pressure like some other types are suppose to. Been using them for years with no problems and the only part you'll ever have to replace is the solenoid itself which is easy to get and replace. I never liked the look of those smaller solenoid valves made for the hobby, I'd rather use a well known proven product.

[banditpowdercoat]

Originally Posted by sphelps

I'm not sure how any solenoid valves will hold up in saltwater, but for fresh water top off you can use Rainbird sprinkler valves which run on 24VAC so you'll need an adapter. These valves come with a 5 year warranty and are guaranteed to fail in the off position. They also don't leak at low pressure like some other types are suppose to. Been using them for years with no problems and the only part you'll ever have to replace is the solenoid itself which is easy to get and replace. I never liked the look of those smaller solenoid valves made for the hobby, I'd rather use a well known proven product.

There's lots of all plastic valves working in industry, with alot worse substances than SW. There is a few classes of material's. But on average, they will be just fine with SW applications.

[titus]

Hello,

www.fishbowl-innovations.com has solenoids, As well as a couple on ebay. Search ebay user valves4projects I think he's still got all plastic solenoids

This float switch looks nice with the John Guest fitting already pre-installed. Are you using them or have you used them before? Considering of order two to do auto water change (one to drain water, one to let water come in) with one of the basic controllers from Digital Aquatics for my brother's turtle tank.

Titus

[andestang]

I'm using a couple identical as those for my auto top off and have been in service for over 4 yrs with no problems and they are exposed to a salty environment. They get fairly warm when they are cycled on so you have to watch where you mount them.

[banditpowdercoat]

We tried to do an order form Fishbowl-innovations. He didn't seem to want to sell any to us. That's why I had a bunch imported Pretty much the exact same valve he is using. He puts 2 JG fittings on and wires on a plug.

[SpateD]

Automatic fish feeder. Minus the fish food and plus the salt?

[martinmcnally]

My idea isn't completely automated but I am in the process of building it to help with water changes because I rarely do them with the hassle of buckets and mixing salt and such.





I am plumbing a garbage bin between my overflow and my sump. During everyday operation valves 3 and 4 are closed, R/O is closed heater and pump are off. Water will flow in and out of the garbage can and it ads more water volume to my system.

When I want to do a water change I open 3, close 1 and 2 and the container is now cut off from the system water. I drain the container with valve 4 and once empty open up the R/O line, it will fill with the float valve, I dump in the salt and turn on pump and heater. I will have it plumped into my R/O unit and my house waste line so I don't have to handle the water or pipes at all. Once the salt mix is to my satisfaction I open up 1 and 2 and close 3. The container is now back in the loop and I had just completed about a 30% water change.

An added bonus I think is I can gradually open the valves to introduce the new water slowly back into the loop.

I know this is no 100% automated process but its going to make my water changes a lot easier and free up my time to stare at tank inhabitants more lol.

I haven't figured out the overflow for the container yet, I dont want to hear a SSHHHLLLLUUSHHHHHHHH from inside the container haha.

[Doo]

Originally Posted by msobon

Where is the salt coming from? so far I see drain then water topped off with fresh water, I'm assuming that's what you mean by the auto top off.

I am not mixing the salt at the time of the water change!

I am going to have it pre-mixed. Auto top off is the system I am going to be using...