Automatic water change

[lubeck]

I bought a DOS QD along with two 57 gallon tanks. I will be putting the tanks behind my couch and running the lines to the first compartment of my sump and then the last compartment of the sump for the fresh saltwater line. Does this sound good so far?

Where I need some help - I will be refilling the fresh saltwater by way of brute cans and hose line.

Im wondering how I should get the dirty saltwater out of the reservoir tank? I want to be able to pump the dirty water using hose line to an outside brute cans which is about 10-15’ away. I’m assuming I would need to cut a hole big enough to either put the entire pump in or at least a hose line. If I did just the hose line what would be best pump ?

The container will be on its side so the 25” will be the height

 

[TX_REEF]

cool setup idea. for getting dirty saltwater out, you could cut a hole in the top and put a pump inside that is plugged into a smart outlet (such as this: https://amzn.to/3Lf6lYB ) so you can drain it at the touch of a button. Just have to make sure you have small vent holes in the tanks so air can get in and a vacuum is not created inside which can restrict flow or cause backflow.

Also, on your clean water tank, make sure you take steps to prevent siphoning into your sump. You can do this by ensuring the outlet is higher than the clean water tank, or by adding a siphon break that is higher than the water line. You can also use a check valve, but these can fail over time.

 

[lubeck]

cool setup idea. for getting dirty saltwater out, you could cut a hole in the top and put a pump inside that is plugged into a smart outlet (such as this: https://amzn.to/3Lf6lYB ) so you can drain it at the touch of a button. Just have to make sure you have small vent holes in the tanks so air can get in and a vacuum is not created inside which can restrict flow or cause backflow.

Also, on your clean water tank, make sure you take steps to prevent siphoning into your sump. You can do this by ensuring the outlet is higher than the clean water tank, or by adding a siphon break that is higher than the water line. You can also use a check valve, but these can fail over time.

Thanks for the reply. I’m focused on the cutting a hole in the top part. I want to minimize the size of home to ensure it’s still sealed as much as possible to avoid smell or sound.

I’m going to use Apex DOS so there won’t be a siphon either way.

 

[Reef Jedi]

I have some good knowledge on how to help but first I have a question and then I can dive into it.

The DOS is capable of pushing water a very far distance, what is the reasoning or why do you want to store the dirty water in a bin to then transfer it to another bin outside? I think for ease of use and to really help make the AWC system effective, I would run an RO line (dirty water) to a drain in the house. This eliminates the need to dump dirty water and makes it simpler to just re fill the fresh salt res.

 

[UncommonSense]

Thanks for the reply. I’m focused on the cutting a hole in the top part. I want to minimize the size of home to ensure it’s still sealed as much as possible to avoid smell or sound.

I’m going to use Apex DOS so there won’t be a siphon either way.

What about one of these handy 4”-8” diameter flush access ports for boats/RVs?

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[lubeck]

I have some good knowledge on how to help but first I have a question and then I can dive into it.

The DOS is capable of pushing water a very far distance, what is the reasoning or why do you want to store the dirty water in a bin to then transfer it to another bin outside? I think for ease of use and to really help make the AWC system effective, I would run an RO line (dirty water) to a drain in the house. This eliminates the need to dump dirty water and makes it simpler to just re fill the fresh salt res.

Hey thanks. I’m not a opposed to it but my kitchen sink is the closest and not sure how I would even run it and how to make it look clean and where the DOS line would terminate?

 

[lubeck]

@Reef Jedi If you look through the tank you can see the kitchen sink on the left side. However there is a large patio door First you can see the curtains

 

[lubeck]

What about one of these handy 4”-8” diameter flush access ports for boats/RVs?

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That would make it clean and sealed. Need to find one large enough for a decent sized pump

 

[Reef Jedi]

@Reef Jedi If you look through the tank you can see the kitchen sink on the left side. However there is a large patio door First you can see the curtains

Nice peninsula! I also run a peninsula and love it!

Do you have a basement or crawl space? And is it finished or open?

 

[lubeck]

Nice peninsula! I also run a peninsula and love it!

Do you have a basement or crawl space?

I wish, , California

 

[Reef Jedi]

I wish, , California

I see why you want to go the bin routes.

Personally if it was me, i would still find a way to run that dirty ro tube to a drain line. It could be connected to any sink drain in the house with appropriate routing. RO tubing is very small and can be hidden behind and under baseboards and or under carpet edges. Take a 1 ft sample ro tube and play with it to maybe find a path?

If it’s truly not possible I get it, I just know that if you can solve a constant drain line and make it easy on your self, you’ll enjoy it so much more.

 

[lubeck]

I see why you want to go the bin routes.

Personally if it was me, i would still find a way to run that dirty ro tube to a drain line. It could be connected to any sink drain in the house with appropriate routing. RO tubing is very small and can be hidden behind and under baseboards and or under carpet edges. Take a 1 ft sample ro tube and play with it to maybe find a path?

If it’s truly not possible I get it, I just know that if you can solve a constant drain line and make it easy on your self, you’ll enjoy it so much more.

I’m sure it’s possible. I wonder if drilling outside is an option.

 

[Reef Jedi]

I’m sure it’s possible. I wonder if drilling outside is an option.

Being in California I’m sure it is since freezing isn’t a worry.

 

[UncommonSense]

I wish, , California

could you go through an attic to an eaves vent?

Alternatively, drilling a wall isn’t really that ridiculously hard, an outdoor electrical box with blank cover can be used to hide the plumbing, too!

That would make it clean and sealed. Need to find one large enough for a decent sized pump

I just measured my 1/2HP Ridgid sump pump; 6.5” diameter less the discharge, which is ~8.5”!

I think a 8” access port would work for you if you choose to go that route!

 

[lubeck]

could you go through an attic to an eaves vent?

Alternatively, drilling a wall isn’t really that ridiculously hard, an outdoor electrical box with blank cover can be used to hide the plumbing, too!


I just measured my 1/2HP Ridgid sump pump; 6.5” diameter less the discharge, which is ~8.5”!

I think a 8” access port would work for you if you choose to go that route!

If I went up, I’m not sure how I would run it and if I got the attic where would it go? And could a DOS go up 20+ feet?

I think an 8” port is a good option.

Another idea someone had is raise the container and add a valve and let gravity run it outside into the drain.

 

[bobnicaragua]

I still have the lines set up from when I was doing auto water changes. I kept a reservoir of salt water under the tank for fresh saltwater.

The old water was pumped about 40 feet using a versa. I ran 1/4” RODI hose along the wall above the baseboard, under the kitchen cabinets, behind the fridge, through the wall into the pantry, through the wall into the utility room, behind the dryer and down the washing machine drain.
That’s the easy way I do it!

Here are the pics I could get without pulling out appliances or clearing out the pantry.

 

[lubeck]

I still have the lines set up from when I was doing auto water changes. I kept a reservoir of salt water under the tank for fresh saltwater.

The old water was pumped about 40 feet using a versa. I ran 1/4” RODI hose along the wall above the baseboard, under the kitchen cabinets, behind the fridge, through the wall into the pantry, through the wall into the utility room, behind the dryer and down the washing machine drain.
That’s the easy way I do it!

Here are the pics I could get without pulling out appliances or clearing out the pantry.

that’s commitment!

I would consider running it under my sink but don’t know what the connection would look like so there is no syphon

 

[Reef Jedi]

If I went up, I’m not sure how I would run it and if I got the attic where would it go? And could a DOS go up 20+ feet?

I think an 8” port is a good option.

Another idea someone had is raise the container and add a valve and let gravity run it outside into the drain.

Just fyi a DOS can push water 24 vertical feet and 100 horizontal feet.

Mine are in the basement. It runs about 50 horizontal feet before going upstairs through the wall and into the tank stand. They can move water some serious distance for their size.

 

[Reef Jedi]

I still have the lines set up from when I was doing auto water changes. I kept a reservoir of salt water under the tank for fresh saltwater.

The old water was pumped about 40 feet using a versa. I ran 1/4” RODI hose along the wall above the baseboard, under the kitchen cabinets, behind the fridge, through the wall into the pantry, through the wall into the utility room, behind the dryer and down the washing machine drain.
That’s the easy way I do it!

Here are the pics I could get without pulling out appliances or clearing out the pantry.

I swear the lengths we reefers go through to get it done is amazing. Friends come over and see Nemo but have no idea lol

 

[UncommonSense]

if I got the attic where would it go?

look around the eaves of the house for attic vents, one might be in a spot where you could tap directly into a gutter downspout!