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11/14/2013, 04:01 PM | #1 |
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automatic water change
Thought I would document this and encourage questions/comments/suggestions.
I'm working on setting up an automated water change at 1% per day (for me about 2 gallons) Ref: I'm referencing "Water Changes in Reef Aquaria" by Randy Holmes-Farley see link here http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-10/rhf/ Since my display tank is not on an exterior wall I've laid 3 lines of 1/4" tubing from my garage to my display tank thru the attic (each run is about 35 feet) Two of these lines go up to the top of my canopy (one carries ATO and the other carries the fresh saltwater). The 3rd line goes to my sump and will be the suction line for old DT water.The continuous water change will be implemented using a double-head Stenner pump (100DM4 model). It has an adjustable output of up to 35gal/day/head. I'll be running this thru my apex and figured I would stagger it 6 times a day for 14 min/run.
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dave Current Tank Info: 180gal mixed reef, asm g4xx, LED lights, apex, 65gal sump, 2x mp40's, methanol denitrator |
11/14/2013, 04:04 PM | #2 |
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Here are some pics
This is the double head Stenner pump.. Top head is freshwater from barrel to the top of the canopy bottom head is old water pulled from tank and then sent to a drain pipe in my attic
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dave Current Tank Info: 180gal mixed reef, asm g4xx, LED lights, apex, 65gal sump, 2x mp40's, methanol denitrator |
11/14/2013, 04:05 PM | #3 |
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Nice looking forward too your changes ....same way I set up my Litermeter III with the exception for the moment of the ato which will soon be incorporated and also ran from the same device.....
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Nano with a few dozen tangs. Life is the slowest form of suicide! Last edited by mrx66699; 11/14/2013 at 04:11 PM. |
11/14/2013, 04:09 PM | #4 |
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Water comes in at the top of my canopy to a 1/2" pvc pipe. Then gravity feeds from the top of the pipe to the top of my display tank. This prevents me from dumping the entire contents of the raised barrel in my garage into my tank if the pump fails.
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dave Current Tank Info: 180gal mixed reef, asm g4xx, LED lights, apex, 65gal sump, 2x mp40's, methanol denitrator |
11/14/2013, 04:09 PM | #5 |
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Very nice. Hope it woks out long term.
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Eddie Soler FMAS BOD Member MACNA 2013 Chairman "I'd rather die living than live to die" Current Tank Info: 200G mixed reef with 60G sump, Radion LED’s , Bubble King skimmer, blah blah blah. |
11/14/2013, 04:14 PM | #6 |
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Question- Water evaporation is usually ~1% as well. Thats being addressed also right?
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Eddie Soler FMAS BOD Member MACNA 2013 Chairman "I'd rather die living than live to die" Current Tank Info: 200G mixed reef with 60G sump, Radion LED’s , Bubble King skimmer, blah blah blah. |
11/14/2013, 05:53 PM | #7 | |
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Quote:
Just to be clear, the ATO is completely seperate and has nothing to do with this setup.
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dave Current Tank Info: 180gal mixed reef, asm g4xx, LED lights, apex, 65gal sump, 2x mp40's, methanol denitrator |
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11/14/2013, 05:58 PM | #8 |
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Excellent setup.
ide recomend fail switch methods for instances where either feedin or feedout of WC system would fail causing either too much or too little feed. Im sure Apex could handle this task. And im sure youve already thought of this Just a heads up
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Eddie Soler FMAS BOD Member MACNA 2013 Chairman "I'd rather die living than live to die" Current Tank Info: 200G mixed reef with 60G sump, Radion LED’s , Bubble King skimmer, blah blah blah. |
11/14/2013, 11:18 PM | #9 |
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Great setup. Does each head of the pump pull precisely the same amount of water? Theoretically they should but in practice do they?
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11/15/2013, 03:34 PM | #10 |
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this looks awesome Dave, i'm doing the same thing as you but with a Cole Parmer Masterflex pump with 2 heads
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11/15/2013, 04:58 PM | #11 |
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Nice pumps guys.
Curious though: Why use these $$ pumps? Cant a LiterMeter do the same thing? Dont they also have the ability to add extra heads? Considering something like this myself so curious.
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Eddie Soler FMAS BOD Member MACNA 2013 Chairman "I'd rather die living than live to die" Current Tank Info: 200G mixed reef with 60G sump, Radion LED’s , Bubble King skimmer, blah blah blah. |
11/15/2013, 05:31 PM | #12 |
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Found the brand new stenner pump on a close out sale for $200 deliv incl. the liter meter would be more than that and would not be as consistent. The liter meter has to be calibrated periodically, the stenner and masterflex do not. The stenner pumps are much more robust, these are industrial pumps used to add chemicals to irrigation systems and pools. The masterflex pumps are similar but are used in labs and hospitals.
Today the stenner pump ran for 15 min every 4 hours and changed out 2 gal. Easiest water change I've ever made. I'll keep watching the salinity to make sure it is as consistent as it looks, but so far I'm very happy with it
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dave Current Tank Info: 180gal mixed reef, asm g4xx, LED lights, apex, 65gal sump, 2x mp40's, methanol denitrator |
11/15/2013, 07:07 PM | #13 | |
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Quote:
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Eddie Soler FMAS BOD Member MACNA 2013 Chairman "I'd rather die living than live to die" Current Tank Info: 200G mixed reef with 60G sump, Radion LED’s , Bubble King skimmer, blah blah blah. |
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11/15/2013, 08:59 PM | #14 | |
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Quote:
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11/16/2013, 02:54 PM | #15 | |
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Quote:
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dave Current Tank Info: 180gal mixed reef, asm g4xx, LED lights, apex, 65gal sump, 2x mp40's, methanol denitrator |
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11/16/2013, 03:02 PM | #16 | |
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Quote:
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dave Current Tank Info: 180gal mixed reef, asm g4xx, LED lights, apex, 65gal sump, 2x mp40's, methanol denitrator Last edited by DRThompson; 11/16/2013 at 03:30 PM. |
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11/16/2013, 06:12 PM | #17 | |
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I checked out the liter meter, masterflex pumps and Stenner pumps for this project. Here's My thoughts on them LiterMeter PRO's: easiest to setup designed for auto water changes Best peristaltic pump in the industry (aquarium) excellent customer service - read comments, blogs, recommendations from friends, Reef Central forum messages Quietest of the 3 choicesLiterMeter Cons: -more expensive new, though readily avail used at lower prices -not apex compatible -require periodic calibration for accuracy -not designed for continuous use Masterflex/Cole parmer PRO's Would work with my apex Would get the job done Lab grade peristaltic pump! Top quality Rated for continuous duty My number 1 choice, money aside no calibration needed, very accurate, consistant dosingMasterflex/Cole Parmer Cons: -The pumps that are available in the used market are OLD! Hard to find one that isnt at least 10 years old -NO parts avail to repair the pump other than tubing and replacement heads -Expensive! These pumps sell for thousands new, even the used ones can get to the $500 range for a double head variable speed -Even the replacement tubing is expensive! -noisy pumps Stenner Pump PRO's: Would work with my apex Price Rated for Continuous duty Industrial pump, very robust, used for irrigation, pools and other water treatment applications No calibration - Accurate, consistent dosing Made in USA - ALL parts are completely replaceable!Stenner Pump Cons: -LOUD, probably the loudest of the 3 pumps -bulky, heavy pump. would be hard to mount/use in tight space -Hard to find a used pump The Stenner pumps work best for my application. Apex compatibility was paramount, I'm an apex junky All three pumps would get the job done and do what I wanted though. Special thanks to Marvin for putting this project in my head
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dave Current Tank Info: 180gal mixed reef, asm g4xx, LED lights, apex, 65gal sump, 2x mp40's, methanol denitrator Last edited by DRThompson; 11/16/2013 at 06:36 PM. |
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11/16/2013, 06:47 PM | #18 |
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Dr- thanks for clarifying your choice, but how is it Apex compatible? Apex allows each plug on or off, thats it.
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Eddie Soler FMAS BOD Member MACNA 2013 Chairman "I'd rather die living than live to die" Current Tank Info: 200G mixed reef with 60G sump, Radion LED’s , Bubble King skimmer, blah blah blah. |
11/16/2013, 06:50 PM | #19 | |
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Quote:
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dave Current Tank Info: 180gal mixed reef, asm g4xx, LED lights, apex, 65gal sump, 2x mp40's, methanol denitrator |
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11/16/2013, 07:03 PM | #20 |
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lol nice Dave .....I like the writeup its very well looked at....
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11/16/2013, 08:14 PM | #21 |
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Interesting. I'm thinking of doing something similar. Tagging along.
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Steve Current Tank Info: 55 Gallon Mixed Reef |
11/16/2013, 08:22 PM | #22 |
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Just ordered a Stenner. Not concerned about the noise since it will be in a separate sump room. What did it for me us that it takes out exactly the same amount of water it puts back in. No calibration necessary. Simple, and effective. And cheaper than the Renew system which was my other choice. I don't like the liter meter because of the necessity to calibrate the two separate pumps to be sure you are pulling out as much as you put in.
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11/16/2013, 08:27 PM | #23 | |
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dave Current Tank Info: 180gal mixed reef, asm g4xx, LED lights, apex, 65gal sump, 2x mp40's, methanol denitrator |
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11/17/2013, 09:42 AM | #24 |
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Dr, now you and Matt have drawn me in. Im going to start planning this myself also.
Ide like to know more about pump options. My Apex sits in a closet behind my tank, many of you have seen it. I already have the plumbing to discard the water outside. So the pump will need to draw clean water from my garage, maybe 30 feet away, the waste will go from sump a few feet away and out my outdoor plumbing. Pump options please.
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Eddie Soler FMAS BOD Member MACNA 2013 Chairman "I'd rather die living than live to die" Current Tank Info: 200G mixed reef with 60G sump, Radion LED’s , Bubble King skimmer, blah blah blah. |
11/17/2013, 12:53 PM | #25 | |
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dave Current Tank Info: 180gal mixed reef, asm g4xx, LED lights, apex, 65gal sump, 2x mp40's, methanol denitrator |
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automated, continuous water changes, daily water changes, stenner pump, water changes |
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