Auto water change

[nlutfi]

I am looking to replace my old Auto Aqua AWC auto water change system that has been on my tank for around 5 years. The touch screen finally went out and I can no longer control it. I have a 81g tank with a 30g frag tank plumbed in, I want to set up a new auto water change system, but looking for some option on the best route. My current awc also is my ato so I will have to add a new ato as well. What has everyone had the best success with, I like that my current awc system changes water twice a day, around 1.5 gals, instead of changing water all day, but I am open to all options. Thanks in advance!

 

[edsbeaker]

I use a Neptune DOS, but you would need their controller to use it.

 

[nlutfi]

I use a Neptune DOS, but you would need their controller to use it.

Thanks! I do have a Neptune system so a DOS is one of my options. Anyone have any with the kamoer X2SR? It looks like it comes with an ATO and some float sensors.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I plan to use 2 x 50 mL per min BRS dosers on a timer.

 

[nlutfi]

I plan to use 2 x 50 mL per min BRS dosers on a timer.

Thanks Randy! That is a very slow water change through out the day correct? Is it better to do it slowly all day or quickly once or twice a day. My old changer changed around a gallon of water, once every 12 hours.

 

[Amstar]

curious as well -- 1.5 gallons over the period of 24 hours -- or 1.5 gallons in a short window (1-2 hours)

also do you recommend the drain first then refill or them simultaneously - Im leaning simultaneously to keep my water levels more consistent and not having to have the ATO programmed to turn off as well

 

[Amstar]

I plan to use 2 x 50 mL per min BRS dosers on a timer.

what are your thoughts on water changes (especially auto water changes that are daily) stripping away nutrients that being dosed (2 part with additives) - is there benefit to dosing and water changes? or are you wasting money on salt (for water changes) if you are dosing or the other side wasting money on 2 part with additives if you are doing water changes

to me there is benefit to both -- -- water changes for heavy feeding and heavy bio load -- then dosing 2 part with additives to keep the big three inline (taking into consideration the water changes) along with additives that maybe your salt doesn't have?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Thanks Randy! That is a very slow water change through out the day correct? Is it better to do it slowly all day or quickly once or twice a day. My old changer changed around a gallon of water, once every 12 hours.

I don’t think it matters much, but my plan is to use BRS 50 mL/min dosers to change about 2 gallons a day, spread through the day and night.

 

[Lex_510]

I am looking to replace my old Auto Aqua AWC auto water change system that has been on my tank for around 5 years. The touch screen finally went out and I can no longer control it. I have a 81g tank with a 30g frag tank plumbed in, I want to set up a new auto water change system, but looking for some option on the best route. My current awc also is my ato so I will have to add a new ato as well. What has everyone had the best success with, I like that my current awc system changes water twice a day, around 1.5 gals, instead of changing water all day, but I am open to all options. Thanks in advance!

Hello, what did you end up going with. I’m in the thinking process of trying to find the best way

 

[bobnicaragua]

I used to do 1 gal a day auto water change on my 135 gal SPS tank. I used a versa pump to drain 1 gallon. The other versa would start refilling after about 1/2 the water was drained so the sump level didn’t drop too low.

I did this everyday at a time I was usually home to keep an eye on things.

 

[JonoH]

I used to do 1 gal a day auto water change on my 135 gal SPS tank. I used a versa pump to drain 1 gallon. The other versa would start refilling after about 1/2 the water was drained so the sump level didn’t drop too low.

I did this everyday at a time I was usually home to keep an eye on things.

Wouldnt this mess up the ATO though? Or did you have this on a timer also?

 

[bobnicaragua]

Wouldnt this mess up the ATO though? Or did you have this on a timer also?

My ATO is just a float switch and timer with an aqua lifter style pump. The timer is only on for a few minutes every 3 hours.

 

[KStatefan]

I use a Litermeter and change 5 liters per day divided into 96 times.