opinions on my auto water changer design

[clekchau]

i recieved alot of great input and ideas from various threads here. with such a big bioload i got the equipment for setting up an automatic water changer (diluter) system:

this will run the water thru a filter guys chloramine filter thru four 2gph drip emittors. that translates to 8 gallons an hour, 192 gallons a day, 1344 gallons a week. I have a total system volume of 800 gallons so that translates to changing/diluting 168% of the water a week.

since the sump is three feet below the ground, i put a little giant vertical float switch, when the water level gets to a certain point in the sump and pushes the float to the trigger, a mag7 will pump the water to a drain.

Do you think this is too much gph? i can always lower the rate. The only thing I'm worried about is the temperature but with this large of a tank I don't see it as an issue, I'm going to set it up tonight and test it out.

 

[Arowanasc2]

The only concern would be if your float switch fails or if there is a prolonged power outage

 

[metlbrain]

Am I the only one that enjoys doing manual water changes!? Hahaha

 

[Clay]

I would hard plumb an emergency overflow in. If your mechanical switch fails and the pump is not activated. Also, you have no recourse in the event of a power outage.

 

[clekchau]

Crap , what is a failsafe for a power outage in my setup? I can't think of a way around it.

 

[clekchau]

Some kind of battery generated failsafe pump?

 

[frickr]

7876K5651.53


NSF-Certified Acetal Solenoid Valve Normally Closed, 1/4 NPT Female, 120 VAC

.





from mcmaster. its a normally closed valve, which means when the power goes out, the valve closes. so in the event of a power outage, this would just shut off the flow of water into your tank, so you dont risk flooding your tank.

 

[Clay]

7876K5651.53
NSF-Certified Acetal Solenoid Valve Normally Closed, 1/4 NPT Female, 120 VAC
from mcmaster. its a normally closed valve, which means when the power goes out, the valve closes. so in the event of a power outage, this would just shut off the flow of water into your tank, so you dont risk flooding your tank.

This ^

 

[jcardona1]

^ Yup, that's what I was going to suggest. Last thing you want is a power outage where you're still dumping water into the tank at a rate of 8gph. That will be a BIG flood if it happens while you're away from home. Or, figure out a way to plumb a secondary holding tank to catch more water in the event your drainage pump fails/power outage.

 

[clekchau]

Awesome ordering now! Thanks!