Banner image

Water change eureka Simple changes that make reef life easier (1 Viewer)

Jake

Jake

I contributed!
Lifetime Member
Event Committee
TCMAS Supporter
Joined
Feb 27, 2018
Messages
2,216
Location
Cokato, MN, USA
Well since 2017 I have been carting up buckets of saltwater from the basement to my tank. About 4-5 months ago I figured out if I put a lid on the buckets my spill ratio went way down :D Now a couple of weeks ago I got the idea of just running the syphon hose to the toilet where I dump my water anyway and eureka water changes do not suck nearly as bad as they used to. I can even enjoy a longneck refreshment while the water goes down. Also started using a Red Sea pump to pump the water out of the buckets into the tank. Now if I could just figure out how to pump the saltwater up from the basement and do away with the buckets all together without making anymore holes in my floor I would really be set. Ill admit I am slow at making changes.

Does anyone else have something simple that they have changed over the years that has made their reef keeping easier I'm sure there are many great ideas out there. I also discovered from RtR that a simple squirt toy used during pool parties makes a much better rock cleaner than a turkey baster :p
 
I use a core 20 return pump with a python hose and a remote outlet. The pump is a little on the slow side but it beats hauling buckets.
 
With as many saltwater tanks as I have at home no way you'll catch me lifting a bucket 😂
I have a vectra M2 with a 50 foot python screwed on on my mixing station. My 200 gallon is upstairs and this does the trick. Pythons have 3/4" female threads on them so it's easy to hook up. I like to use unions to make different attachments too.
I'm sure a cheaper pump would work, but I was paranoid about leaks having it external, and trust how reliable they are.
1000007403.jpg

I've built a few mixing stations like this now, same thing at the shop on a bigger scale as well.

I'm all for making things as easy as possible 😂
 
I may look into having a dedicated outlet with a switch that I can turn on a pump to pump saltwater up from the basement next
 
I have one of those python syphon kits that hook directly to the sink faucet. I usually have it empty into a filter sock. The water pressure creates a good syphon though I rarely use it at this point since I have auto water changes set up.

You can also invest in a retractable hose reel. If you want to fill your tank with the same reel, you will want to replace the hose with some poly tube. If just used for syphoning, you can just attach to the end of the included hose. This just makes the storage of the hose less bulky.
 
I run this.. and am working on perm plumbing to the room my tank is in which should be pretty slick. Never using buckets again!
 

Attachments

  • mixing.jpg
    mixing.jpg
    84.8 KB · Views: 11
Ha! Yeah a bit overkill.. each of these Norwesco containers holds more gallons than my tank. LOL But I do plan to upgrade tank eventually.
 
Jjdurrant said:
Ha! Yeah a bit overkill.. each of these Norwesco containers holds more gallons than my tank. LOL But I do plan to upgrade tank eventually.
Click to expand...
There is always a upgrade in our minds
 
2 AWC lines are pretty easy to snake through furnace cold air return vent. That does the heavy lifting and then I have a super long hose from my mag 1800 on my mixing station that will pump up to my tank when needed.
 
My setup is very simple and I do a 30 gallon water change in about 20 minutes with almost no effort, with just a long python hose. The drain and new water are in the basement and the tank is on the main floor. I can post pictures of my setup if anyone is interested.
 
zoolan70 said:
My setup is very simple and I do a 30 gallon water change in about 20 minutes with almost no effort, with just a long python hose. The drain and new water are in the basement and the tank is on the main floor. I can post pictures of my setup if anyone is interested.
Click to expand...

I would be interested in seeing this to give me some ideas on my new system


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Putting in the work and money to setup AWC was my big game changer. Before I would have to prep and plan to do a water change, but putting some money into a Apex DOS and running some 1/4" lines to my tank was a game changer for me. You can make it as simple or as automated as you wish, and of course I went FULLY automated. So more $$$ involved than python and buckets. But in the end all I have to do is put in 12 cups of salt into mixing station and the rest happens automatically. RODI, is created on its own, RODI is connected to tank for ATO, and DOS performs AWC overnight while every ones asleep. Would never go back, zero issues, and should have done long ago. Biggest pain was getting lines run with fully finished home.
 
HouseofStark said:
Putting in the work and money to setup AWC was my big game changer. Before I would have to prep and plan to do a water change, but putting some money into a Apex DOS and running some 1/4" lines to my tank was a game changer for me. You can make it as simple or as automated as you wish, and of course I went FULLY automated. So more $$$ involved than python and buckets. But in the end all I have to do is put in 12 cups of salt into mixing station and the rest happens automatically. RODI, is created on its own, RODI is connected to tank for ATO, and DOS performs AWC overnight while every ones asleep. Would never go back, zero issues, and should have done long ago. Biggest pain was getting lines run with fully finished home.
Click to expand...
How are you automating the mixing part? Or do you still need to monitor the saltwater tank and mix up more manually once it gets low?

At one time, I considered designing a fully automatic mixing system with an auger and weight sensors but it ended up too complicated and prone to error. That was also 20 years ago, so maybe things have changed now.
 
I guess it's all a matter of how much you're willing to pay. I use a bunch of gravimetric powder feeders at work. They're way more than accurate enough for an automatic mixing station, but would also cost several thousand. So....

I think Ben's comment about running the lines in a furnace duct are very intriguing to me. Based on how my house was built and added onto, it's really difficult for me to get from my fish room to the tank. BUT there are heating ducts in the ceiling just above the tank. Maybe I need to make this happen. AWC would be so amazing....
 
spsick said:
2 AWC lines are pretty easy to snake through furnace cold air return vent. That does the heavy lifting and then I have a super long hose from my mag 1800 on my mixing station that will pump up to my tank when needed.
Click to expand...
This is what I did with my system. Ran the RO lines and Apex cables through the air duct and to a vent right beside the tank. I only used it for ATO, but was a neat idea by @zoolan70
 
Varig said:
I guess it's all a matter of how much you're willing to pay. I use a bunch of gravimetric powder feeders at work. They're way more than accurate enough for an automatic mixing station, but would also cost several thousand. So....

I think Ben's comment about running the lines in a furnace duct are very intriguing to me. Based on how my house was built and added onto, it's really difficult for me to get from my fish room to the tank. BUT there are heating ducts in the ceiling just above the tank. Maybe I need to make this happen. AWC would be so amazing....
Click to expand...
Let me know when they have a sale of used gear!
 
Varig said:
I guess it's all a matter of how much you're willing to pay. I use a bunch of gravimetric powder feeders at work. They're way more than accurate enough for an automatic mixing station, but would also cost several thousand. So....

I think Ben's comment about running the lines in a furnace duct are very intriguing to me. Based on how my house was built and added onto, it's really difficult for me to get from my fish room to the tank. BUT there are heating ducts in the ceiling just above the tank. Maybe I need to make this happen. AWC would be so amazing....
Click to expand...
Keep in mind I am using the cold air return.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Users who are viewing this thread

Total: 2 (members: 0, guests: 2)
Back
Top