perpetual waterchange

J

jadefoodog

AC Members
Dec 15, 2005
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has anyone ever considered trying to create something that would create a perpetual waterchange . like a dripline that goes into a sump like tank that dechlorinates it then pumps it into the tank.

then another pump that pushes old water into a drain or a storage tank


well preferbaly the tank would pump into the drain first then new water pumped in

i was thinking of maybe doing something like this. i used to be a master landscaper and i think a sprinkler timer would work as the master computer for the whole operation.

it would take precise timing and tuneups 2 times a year but i think it might be a workable idea.

i know i dont have the money for it right now but hey if i ever win the lottery and have a tnk big enuff that it would be worth doing ill tell you how it works out.


ALSO before i get attacked i know gravel vacking is very important. but just think of your water quality if you had a rig like this.

later i may make a diagram and show you what im talkign about
 
Yes thats actually a well known idea. There have been some threads about this on AC and a search should find them.

Its actually easier to have an overflow for the "old" water - and just have fresh water drip into your tank at a certain rate per minute/ hour etc.
That way you dont have to synchronise pumps and minimise potental problems (like flooding your house lol).
 
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Check some the Discus breeder boards that is a common practice for people that breed Discus.
 
If you have alot of time, and or money (lots of money) and or lots of plumbing knowledge. (Neither of wich I have) you can automate everything. I read a post on a plant forum. The guy built a 300 gallon tank. He DIY everything, and automated everything you could think of. He had a automated water changer. Was set on a weekly timer to go off at certain times on certain days. Controlled by sensors that read the water levels. He had automatic fertilization also on timers. He also had autofill. That sensed that a certain amount of water has evaporated and auto filled it. Considering I think he quoted his 300 gallon tank probably evaporated about 10 gallons or more a week. This stuff is a must. All I could say was wow. I'm not sure that he forgot about anything. Very talented person. who also had alot of money to set up his tank. But I guess hes rich for a reason. I think posting a link to another forum would be taboo so i won't post it. But it's simply an amazing tank.
 
I've always wanted to do something like this but never worked out the bugs :(

Tbone oh come on you can't do that to us! tell us about this great setup then tell us we can't see it :sad: :eek:
 
tbone said:
The guy built a 300 gallon tank. He DIY everything, and automated everything you could think of. He had a automated water changer. Was set on a weekly timer to go off at certain times on certain days. Controlled by sensors that read the water levels. He had automatic fertilization also on timers. He also had autofill. That sensed that a certain amount of water has evaporated and auto filled it.
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Sounds handy, but for me it would take away something from the whole point of keeping a tank. Although I agree that building something like that is an achievement in itself.
 
I feed tubifex worms to my fish. To keep these stinkers alive, you need to change their water 3-4 times a day bacause they mess up the water too quickly. I just set a plastic jar outside the house with a dripping line on top and a overflow line in the middle.

I was thinking the other day about a simple method for automatizing water changes with no hassle. I considered putting a barrel (normally 55 gl) on the roof and create two plumbing lines. One, to take the water from the tap to the barrel (upline). The other, will lead water from the barrel to the tank (downline). If you manage to regulate the downline to a flow rate that matches your normal water change schedule, you'r done.

Consider a 50 gallon tank. With a barrel this size, you will only need to refill the barrel every 15 days to match a weekly 50% water change routine. No hoses nor syphons spilling water in the house.

I know it require a lot of work to begin, but in the long run it'd reduce your mainteinance schedule.

Just my 2¢.
 
Automated tank upkeep is nothing new. Engineering it is not as simple as manual changes, but long term the payoff is great. The best water quality I have had has been with automated systems.
 
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