Auto Water Changes worth the cost?

[Sdbuehler1]

You are lucky that the heater if it was glass had somewhere to transfer heat and did not shatter. and kill you when you inadvertently filled your container back up . Guess where that story comes from not a fairy tale

Yeah I was lucky it didn’t catch on fire. The heater was supposed to shut off when exposed to air but that also failed so it just cooked itself and melted miraculously without damaging anything else.

 

[TheNative192]

Can I ask why ? Is it just a time saver or suits your situation ? Other benefits ? I am just thinking of my situation where to do my one tank takes about 2 hours including in my case cleaning the Skimmer , cleaning or replacing filter media, and most importantly turning off the main display return pump that is set up anti siphon , pumping out the sump with a self made filter incorporated in it that catches debris that can only be seen by eye . Then filling it up again with pre mixed salt water using a different pump and dedicated hose. So is it just attitude of what some see as an aggravation ? Or because they are still working and don't have the time ? Or am I missing something ? Another thing is with some of the complicated set ups I have seen don't they ie dosing ect have to be shut off during and maybe after recalibrated ? Not trying to start a lengthy discussion or tennis match just need a response so I can decide on its value

Dosing does not need to be changed or shut off as long as it’s located in a different section than the AWC system. It also doesn’t need to be recalibrated, provided that the total volume of water changed remains consistent with what you would normally replace during a weekly water change. The main drawback, as you mentioned, is that it won’t help remove accumulated debris — but that can usually be managed by performing occasional manual clean-outs, such as every six months or so.

For me, the biggest benefit is workload and peace of mind. After work I’m often tired, and if I still have to do a water change, there’s a real chance I’ll put it off, forget, or let the tank go longer than it should if I had a rough day — which ultimately hurts the system. With automated changes, I no longer have to worry about that, even when I’m busy or have plans. Plus, performing smaller daily water changes helps maintain more stable parameters, which is another major advantage.

If I had to break it down the main benefits would be:

1: Time
2: Stability
3: Convenience

 

[robbous]

I just started this AWC On my 400 gallon system doing 6 gallons a day I ll see the effects it has on my ICP tests as I dose the Moonshiners Method, I use the DOS and so far so good I have very BAD Shoulders from multiple rotator cuff surgeries so not having to lug around buckets of water is awesome all my waste water i have running outside.

 

[Freenow54]

Dosing does not need to be changed or shut off as long as it’s located in a different section than the AWC system. It also doesn’t need to be recalibrated, provided that the total volume of water changed remains consistent with what you would normally replace during a weekly water change. The main drawback, as you mentioned, is that it won’t help remove accumulated debris — but that can usually be managed by performing occasional manual clean-outs, such as every six months or so.

For me, the biggest benefit is workload and peace of mind. After work I’m often tired, and if I still have to do a water change, there’s a real chance I’ll put it off, forget, or let the tank go longer than it should if I had a rough day — which ultimately hurts the system. With automated changes, I no longer have to worry about that, even when I’m busy or have plans. Plus, performing smaller daily water changes helps maintain more stable parameters, which is another major advantage.

If I had to break it down the main benefits would be:

1: Time
2: Stability
3: Convenience

The dosing issue was that I was wondering if the contents of the new water no longer had to be supplemented by the dosing. The context of dosing is something I regard as a targeted application and has more than one aspect . But Thanks it makes everything much easier to make a decision for my situation

 

[USN74NMCB]

I currently have a 360 gallon display with 140 gallon sump thats an island tank can walk all the way atound it. I spent the money on a komera x2sr awc system with ato pump. It was a little pricey but works well for me. My mixing station is roughly 20 feet away and the unit is under my stand it pulls the fresh salt water up out of 100 gallon mixing tank into the ceiling then over to tank through unit and outputs the fresh saltwater into the return chambet while the discharhe pulls from the sump fill chamber and through the ubit to the emergency sump overflow that is plumbed directly into my sewer pipes down the drain. I have it set to do 10 gallons a week for my 20% monthly. I will be converting a 180 gallon freshwater tank over this coming year and will be getting another X2SR for that tank to run AWC as well. This has been a great system to help with maintenance and keeping tank toped off

 

[platinummonkey]

I have a 390g and the convenience is worth it for me. You literally can’t forget to do it or get too busy to do it. It takes a whopping 30min every 5 weeks to refill it for me.

But depends on what you value and how automated you want to go. You will need to maintain those pumps, calibrate every 6 mo or so and deal with replacements. I will also say this is a new failure mode so be sure you have an overflow and empty sensor if you don’t want to run dry or overflow water. It’s easy for one pump to stop working without warning.

My reef thread has my setup.

 

[BillyW]

I can afford cigarettes, but they are not worth any cost to me.

I just spit my pop out all over the chair, I don’t know why but this is the funniest thing I’ve read in a very long time!

 

[daikaijureefer]

I have AWC set up on my system. My elderly father had been in the hospital for the past two weeks (he came home today, Yay!) but I have had zero time for any maintenance since I’ve been visiting the hospital every day. I feel like it’s kept my tank stable over the past few weeks. I have an auto feeder That’s been slightly overfeeding on purpose since I am not around. I set up my bin three weeks ago and do 1.35 gals per day with no other maintenance on my tank and everything is thriving. I have a cyano outbreak but that’s a diff story. Anyway, just having the AWC gave me peace of mind for my tank while I really couldn’t be there or do much about it. So for me, totally worth it.

 

[Laith]

Yes.

 

[SimbaAnto]

I just recently setup 3 pumps versa one for Fresh Saltwater, Waster Saltwater and Freshwater for ATO. Have a 160 gallon and I used to do Water changes once in a while as I am on Moonshiner. But always I get crash once every two years due to Organic buildup . So wanted to go back weekly water change and simultaneously dose moonshiner based on ICP.

Moving buckets , or running hose for ATO seems too much and sometimes I am lazy. So thought of running pipes through Side walls where I have my Saltwater , Freshwater in garage And ran RO pipes through attic and brought it again to the fish room . It's clean now and versa pumps effortlessly worked. Ran vertically 9 ft and horizontally 50ft and again bring RO down 9ft .

For the Drain, ran the drain to My Drain pipe by laying sideways of the home. So doesn't get spilled and direct to drain .

Used snake to run RO pipes through sidewalls, and attic. but took some elbow grease to get this completed. Attached a pic showing the same

Now everything is automated and perfect and it's all concealed.No more picking up bucket.

My wife is happy that I Am not going to spill water and making it crazy on a Saturday morning .

 

[menos_el_oso]

I have a 230g and it is well worth it. I run RO, Salt and waste lines from the basement to the tank at a fairly significant distance. I have started to vacuum the sand bed with an xl python and a rigged RO canister to supplement the daily change. I am currently using a DOS pump and replace 8 gallons nightly. The cost was honestly fairly low besides the Apex and DOS. I think worth it though for the consistency and very low maintenance. I have a fairly hectic work/family life so this definitely helps balance everything and allows for more enjoyable watching.

 

[bob88884]

Is it worth the cost: is the aquarium going to be better off spending the money to automate the water change or would the $600 be better spent on other items.

I was going to say that $600 would cover the equipment needed. That is a relatively small sum, compared to the cost of everything else in this hobby.

 

[areefer01]

The question was asked if it is worth the extra cost of equipment to perform the task. Simple answer is by asking another question unfortunately.

How much is your time worth?

That pretty much sums it up as everything else you can calculate run and maintain costs. You can also use a water change calculator to see how much a daily change handles old water vs new over time. Really simple when you look at the larger picture.

Feed the data into the salt cost and Bob's your Uncle. Target sales, buy in bulk, easy peasy. But if it is worth it, only you can answer that.

 

[landlubber]

Its more of a matter of making things easier for you than a "worth it to everyone" type situation.
That being said, out of curiosity, why a water change a week? no skimmer? fighting nutrients?

 

[mak5487]

I ended up using a PMUP to run RO water to the tank as an "auto top off". I run it for a set amount of time 2 times a day. It does a good enough job to keep the salinity correct between weekly water changes.

I have went a couple years trying to run a fuge instead of a protein skimmer. Needless to say I was not successful and ended up with really high phosphates and an algae problem. Last summer I purchased a skimmer and have been doing ~ 25% weekly water changes. I am slowly winning and getting everything under control.

I was trying to convince myself it was worth the $600 to not have to do the 1hr process of water changes each week. Thinking about it now, it would maybe cut the time down to 30 minutes with the other 30 minutes cleaning gyres, glass, filter socks, and skimmer.

I am using this year to prove to myself I can get this tank cleaned up and hitting the correct parameter ranges. If I do, I will be upgrading to a WB Infinia 230.6. When changing out the aquariums I will probably run fresh saltwater and waste water through the floor along with the RO water.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Not sure where that $600 came from. My AWC costs far less. Two BRS 50 mL/min pumps on a single timer.

 

[mak5487]

I was looking at the versa 4 pack when it was on sale. Now reading a bunch of the reviews, glad I didn't pull the trigger.

If I went with the BRS 50 mL/min it would take 5.5hrs per day to hit the 30 gallons per week. Once the parameters within range, I could back down from 30 gallons. How long would these pumps last if they are running for nearly 25% of the day. Obviously would cycle on and off to not run for 5.5hrs continuously.

Anyone had luck switching from airline tubing that comes with the BRS pumps to RO line?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I was looking at the versa 4 pack when it was on sale. Now reading a bunch of the reviews, glad I didn't pull the trigger.

If I went with the BRS 50 mL/min it would take 5.5hrs per day to hit the 30 gallons per week. Once the parameters within range, I could back down from 30 gallons. How long would these pumps last if they are running for nearly 25% of the day. Obviously would cycle on and off to not run for 5.5hrs continuously.

Anyone had luck switching from airline tubing that comes with the BRS pumps to RO line?

What size tank is this? I would not use water changes as a good way to deal with many parameter issues.

I use the pumps to change about 2-3 gallons per day. The first ones I bought failed during the warranty period, so if you are hoping to use pumps 5.5 h per day, they may not be the best choice.

 

[mak5487]

What size tank is this? I would not use water changes as a good way to deal with many parameter issues.

I use the pumps to change about 2-3 gallons per day. The first ones I bought failed during the warranty period, so if you are hoping to use pumps 5.5 h per day, they may not be the best choice.

The tank is ~120gallons.
I was wanting to avoid GFO etc and try to bring it down more "naturally". Once I get it within range, I will back down the % weekly water change.

If I reduce the water change by half, the pumps would be on for ~2.5 hours per day. If I run them in intervals throughout the day, the pumps would probably last longer. I also thought about using PMUPs for this, but not sure how to handle the siphoning of the waste water line.

 

[Idech]

I just bought a Kamoer X2SR and it’s 649$ CAD. I can’t wait to have it running.