AutoAqua Smart AWC Duo

[JayM]

I'm ready to take the automatic water change plunge, but I want to verify that the AutoAqua won't work before I disregard it.
The way I understand it, the above mentioned unit pumps water out of the tank until it hits the low level sensor, then shuts off the waste pump, turns on the fill pump until it hits the high level sensor, then shuts off. Simple.

But the confusion comes in when using on DT that utilizes a sump. The water level in the sump isn't going to get to the low sensor until after the DT level is below the lowest drain pipe, and then the sump level will begin to drop. Unless I'm missing something, this particular AWC cannot be used for small daily changes if you're running a sump unless you shut off the drain and the return while the water change is taking place (which kinda defeats the purpose of an AWC).

Am I right? Or I am I stupid and completely glossing over something?

The Kamoer X2SR is on the list as well, but $500 bucks for a product that uses a buggy app is kinda worrisome.
Any other options out there that are reasonable? DIY?

 

[Tuan’s Reef]

I've only used the Ecotech's Versa for auto water changes. Zero noise with extremely accurate results. I've seen them go for $150 used each. You won't look back

 

[BHFP]

I've only used the Ecotech's Versa for auto water changes. Zero noise with extremely accurate results. I've seen them go for $150 used each. You won't look back

I’m considering dual versa or the autoAqua. Are you running the versa via smart outlet scheduling for a fixed duration instead of using level sensors?

 

[Tuan’s Reef]

The Versa has settings for auto water changes , its pretty intuitive .

 

[AUTOAQUA]

Hello, @JayM

Both our AWCs are suitable for the tank which is with the sump, the down sensor shouldn't be installed lower than your return pump, otherwise it might blow the air to your tank when AWC is progressing, thought the amount of water changed each time is the same, but you can control the time gap between each AWC progress, happy reefing!

 

[gbroadbridge]

I'm ready to take the automatic water change plunge, but I want to verify that the AutoAqua won't work before I disregard it.
The way I understand it, the above mentioned unit pumps water out of the tank until it hits the low level sensor, then shuts off the waste pump, turns on the fill pump until it hits the high level sensor, then shuts off. Simple.

But the confusion comes in when using on DT that utilizes a sump. The water level in the sump isn't going to get to the low sensor until after the DT level is below the lowest drain pipe, and then the sump level will begin to drop. Unless I'm missing something, this particular AWC cannot be used for small daily changes if you're running a sump unless you shut off the drain and the return while the water change is taking place (which kinda defeats the purpose of an AWC).

Am I right? Or I am I stupid and completely glossing over something?

The Kamoer X2SR is on the list as well, but $500 bucks for a product that uses a buggy app is kinda worrisome.
Any other options out there that are reasonable? DIY?

If you pump water out of the sump, the sump level will drop. That's how an ATO knows how much to top up.

The Autoaqua includes the ATO which is automatically disabled during AWC operation.

It disables the ATO, then pumps water out of the sump until it reaches the lower level, then tops up with salt water to the upper level - then it re enables the ATO function.

So it works fine as long as you do not have any other APEX or other function that turns off your return pump during an AWC operation.