Push Button Water Change Anyone?

ok i am working on a push button water change system for my reef tank. it seem to be pretty straight forward in my head, but often get ahead of myself. the system involves two pumps, two momentary switches, 1/4" water line, and two electric Polypropylene Solenoid Valves.

one switch will be yellow and one will be red, red being the waste water and yellow being new SW. when red button is depressed the valve will open allowing pump one to drain sump into plumbing under house. then depressnig the yellow would open valve#2 allowing the SW storage tank to fill the sump with new SW.


I am still waiting on all pieces to arrive , so the build hasnt been completed as of yet. This is mainly to toss this idea around to see if i am missing anything. If you see room for improvment or an error in my thinking, please let me know. Thanks in advance. Bryan

 

the only extra work is making sure your SW is at the right SG and thats it. total change in less than 5 minutes.

 

I love the idea of auto water changes. I plan on installing one in my next house.

I havent figured it out yet, but will be following along here to see how you do.

Doesnt spectrapure or some sponser here make a device for this?

 

this one looks pretty cool.

 

good luck. hope all goes well for you

 

Genesis Reef Systems
Kinda like what you're talking about.

 

Sounds like a great idea. Only thing I'd add, is that if you have a controller, why not use a feed cycle to time the actuation of each solenoid, one at a time? If I'm confusing anyone, controllers have feed cycles, and you can program items to be on or off during these cycles. If you select Feed D, for example, have the drain solenoid actuate when the feed cycle is initiated, and have the fill solenoid actuate for the same length of time--but after the drain solenoid has finished. It will make it truly hands free, and if the tubing is the same diameter to/from both solenoids, it would be a cinch to figure out how long ON will drain/fill the desired amount.

Good luck.

 

This system has the ability to be ran by a controller , but my fear is say for example the drain line becomes clogged and the supply is still flowing free, you will end up with a SG swing that could be damaging to the livestock, or possibly flood the house. I know this risk is present with an ATO, but most ATO setups are on a much smaller scale. this will be fed by a 55 gallon storage tank so i like having more control on how much leaves and gets replaced. Also with a fully hands off system you dont get to siphon the rocks or sand for solids.


As far as the Genesis system, WAY TOO MUCH for what is does. when a controller will do the same thing. I'm looking at around $100.00 total for the whole setup, so more money for me