In this tank, there is no solenoid, that's full automation(can even be done remotely via the cell phone). Instead, I prefer semi automation, it's what is on all the client's tank's I do now.
A large ball valve for refilling and and another for draining, this way I can drain 50-80% etc of the tank in a few minutes, then refill in about 45-60 minutes. I work on the tank while it drains and refills inside, then turn it back on.
So a typical service time frame is 2 hours or a little less per week.
For an overflow system(no other holes- this tank and the others I have all have holes elsewhere for fast draining), you may use the sump and a small solenoid, say 1/4" valve, this will drain only a small volume/gph rate.
As that rains, you have a flat switch refill the sump, there's some mixing between refill and old tank water as this slower process occurs, but you can make up for it by doing daily or several small water changes per day, or run it for a few hours during the week a couple of times.
That method waste more water, but can be used as irrigation water in Davis where it is very hot and dry most of the year, or ground recharge.
Since you only change say 50gal daily vs say 200gal for your 450 gal, you can irrigate pretty easy with lower flow rates. You may also do both methods, a fast semi automated and a slow fully automated.
The issue is when you do large fast water changes, if anything goes wrong, it goes really really wrong, same with fully automated.
So for safety reasons, the semi automated methods works best for me.
I'm in Davis BTW, are you a member of SAPS? The local plant group?
You may know Roxanne. Jim Kelly use to be at UCD as well, I'm out at the USDA's aquatic weed lab on Levy Rd.
Regards,
Tom Barr
thanks!
