Automatic waterchange with top off design - please gimme some feedback

[Milad]

wouldnt it only be the amount of water thats in the pipe that is draining from the main display?

my SW mix should be big enough but if its going way over the wall i dont want the pump pulling in any refgium stuff.

[plutoniumJoe]

It depends. If you nozzles for your return are below water surface they will drain until air is let into the pipe to break the siphon. Unplug your return and see how much of your display drains to give yourself an idea.

[Atomikk]

This is a similar design that I have in mind for my setup. I also have a similar controller (RKE) which can be programmed like the Apex. What I would do is time how long it takes for all of your syphon to break. Program that time, plus about 1 to 2 minutes into the Apex just before the it starts your pump in the sump. This would prevent you from dumping out too much water from the sump.

[mark]

Seen a really simple automatic water change system (believe was on RC) that was just dual matched dosing pumps running at the same time, one to pull from a reservior, other from the sump. Pumps were on a timer with on times throughout the day to change about 15 litres.

No high flow pumps, no float switches or water level sensors to mess up. Being matched wouldn't confuse a ATO.

[Madreefer]

Good idea. Only hassle I think you will face until you get it totally figured out is salinity.

[DiverDude]

I don't see anything inherently wrong with the design but (and I don't know if the apex can accomodate this) I'd suggest that you have to push a button or something when you add the salt to your mix tank. That would preclude you forgetting to add salt and having a bunch of fresh water added to your tank by mistake.

The ATO wouldn't cycle again until the button had been pressed, confirming the water for the cahnge was in fact, salt water.

[monocus]

the only problem that i really see is the build up of deteris in your display tank-i do a 30-35 gallon change every week in my 220,and i have to do it manually just to get rid of the excess deterus

[kien]

The only comment I have add to all the other great comments is that I don't really see where you are going to put the plutonium rods.. You seem to have accounted for everything else

[banditpowdercoat]

That's how I am planning my Auto WC system. If I ever get time