Auto Water Change

[Waters]

I also use the Neptune dose. As mentioned it does take a long time. I change out 2 gallons per day and it takes 2 hours. My big question is where to pull water from and where to return it. Right now I'm pulling from my skimmer area and returning it to my return pump area. The dose pumps are set to do this at the same time. Seems like you would be eventually pulling out the same water you're returning. Does that make sense???

The chance of you pulling out the same water you are changing is incredibly small.....you have water moving through your sump at all times. Somebody did an experiment with this (BRS maybe?) which proved this. I also pull from my skimmer section and return to my return pump section.

 

[ROBERT35]

The chance of you pulling out the same water you are changing is incredibly small.....you have water moving through your sump at all times. Somebody did an experiment with this (BRS maybe?) which proved this. I also pull from my skimmer section and return to my return pump section.

Thanks. Just wanted to make sure I was doing it correctly.

 

[Joe31415]

Same, looks like the versa pumps would work great, but it's so hard to find them in stock. Next up is the X2SR but it seems like people hate the interface of the app.

The trick to getting Versa pumps is to find them on BRS (and other sites) and hit the button to have them notify you when they're in stock. When you get that email get to a computer and buy them ASAP. That's how I got mine. The time between getting the email and checking out was less than 90 seconds and they were sold out a few minutes later.

 

[jsker]

I have been using the GHL Maxi for my AWC over three days. Very quiet, I use the My GHL app for settings. Works great. Did I say the Maxi is quiet?

 

[Daniel@R2R Verified Admin]

I use the AutoAqua Smart AWC DUO. I have 2 of these units. Great system IMO.

 

[Bada Bing]

I also use the Neptune Dos.....yes, you need to use the Apex controller. I use two of them....one to dos ALK/Ca and one to do AWCs throughout the week.

Exactly what I do for a WB X90. One to supply Kalk stirrer and Soda Ash, the other for AWC of 4L per day. No need for fast if you do daily water changes.

 

[blstravler]

I use 2 Versa’s and change a 1/2 gallon everyday - sometimes I go up to a gallon. I use Tropic Marin pro and smaller amounts lessen the impact of the ALK and CAL difference. As others have said they are very quite.

 

[Mikey-D]

I am not anywhere near this process but it is something I have on the next phase list of things to master. When it comes to pulling from the mixed station does anyone have issues with salt drying up in the dosing lines and becoming an issue overtime. Maintenance wise do you have to add flushing lines once a week or so to the chore list?

 

[Gtinnel]

I am not anywhere near this process but it is something I have on the next phase list of things to master. When it comes to pulling from the mixed station does anyone have issues with salt drying up in the dosing lines and becoming an issue overtime. Maintenance wise do you have to add flushing lines once a week or so to the chore list?

I have been running my AWC for about 2 years now and the lines have never needed rinsed out. I use reef crystals salt which causes a brown sludge in my mixing container and I’ve always wondered if it will eventually build up in my lines, but so far so good on mine.

 

[FoolishWizard]

I use the AutoAqua Smart AWC DUO. I have 2 of these units. Great system IMO.

Just doing my research... Looking to pick one of these up for my build, still working good for you?

 

[Daniel@R2R Verified Admin]

Just doing my research... Looking to pick one of these up for my build, still working good for you?

I'm not using mine currently because I'm between tanks, but it was working great when I took it down, and I plan to use it again on the new system.

 

[Arizona928]

I use these Booster Pumps on a recommendation from BRS. Same as what is used for an RODI System. I thought they were crazy so I called the manufacturer and he explained to me how these pumps actually work. I told him I need to push and pull water 60+ feet. He never heard of them being used for this application but said they should work just fine so I gave them a try.
These work great if you want to speed up your AWC. I AWC 3.5gal per day and the pull takes about 5min and the push takes approximately 4min. So a total of 7gal in less than 10min @ 60ft.

I know this is an old topic. But I see others asked and the question wasn't answered. And I'm interested in using booster pumps.

I know you need something to tell the one to turn on and monitor the time it's on then you need another to to turn on when your are ready to fill it back up.

What do you use to control them?

 

[Joe31415]

I know this is an old topic. But I see others asked and the question wasn't answered. And I'm interested in using booster pumps.

I know you need something to tell the one to turn on and monitor the time it's on then you need another to to turn on when your are ready to fill it back up.

What do you use to control them?

That's probably going to depend on which one you're looking at. I use the Smart Buddie. It does not have a timer, it turns on when it sensor pressure from the inlet and turns off when the inlet pressure drops (ie the water is shut off) or the outlet pressure spikes (ie a fill valve in the reservoir closed).

For my setup, I used a motorized ball valve. The one I have turns on when it's powered up and shuts off when power is removed. I have it plugged into a countdown timer so I can hit a button to open the valve and when the timer runs out it closes the valve. It works out perfectly for me since I know how long it takes to refill my RODI container or fresh saltwater bucket, so I can hit the appropriate button on the timer and walk away from it. Plus they both have float valves in case the motorized valve decides not to close.*

*And I've had that happen once, though I caught it. I rebuilt the valve and it seems fine, but I plan to put the RODI pump on the timer as well. That way if the valve doesn't close, the booster pump will still stop the water.