Automatic Water Changes

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T

Twicksisted

Feeder Fish
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Jul 13, 2007
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I was wondering if its possible to automate the water change process.
Obviously vacuuming is going to get rid of anything on the bottom, but if there was a method of ebing able to fit a device like in a toilet cistern that will fill the tank with water and perhaps have a siphon going out into the garden with a tap on.... open the tap and viola.

As you have probably read in my other posts, am planning a 7ft build in my basement and fortunately have the watermains pipe in that room so adding a faucet is easy. I would obviously need a reverse osmosis unit on the tap going into the tank to get rid of the chlorine (as far as I know).

Anyone else done anything like this before? Are they ready manufactured parts that I can buy online mainstream that can be used for this function?

I have heard that the FX5 (which I am planning to get) has a built in water changer of sorts but dont have a clue how this would work or if this would be easier than what im planning.

Any thoughts?
 
hey....if you are planning on using the water for your garden....shouldn't your tank be above ground level?

how will the water travel up when the tap is opened?

:confused:


i like the idea alot... keep us posted.
 
The complication is of course that your fish tank is in your basement.

It's easy enough to create the drip system with inline filter to add the water but getting rid of the overflowed water is a bit more problematic.

The most reliable method will be to overflow into a bucket and then use a dedicated drain pump with a float switch.

Edited to add: This kind of thing.
http://www.ekmpowershop3.com/ekmps/shops/pumpsets/index.asp?function=DISPLAYPRODUCT&productid=8

And this is the inline chlorine/chloramine filter you might consider: (half way down the page; no RO needed)
http://www.ultimateaquatics.co.uk/acatalog/Water_Purifiers__eg_Metalex_.html

Then just add an adjustable dripper, a pressure regulator a couple of syphonic overflows (or drill the tank or sump if you have one), oh and a large bucket thing for the waste water to collect in to save the drain pump running too often.
 
Hey guys,
thanks for the reply's :) ... Our house is a 3 floor terraced house with the bottom floor & basement being on ground floor (same level as garden) so siphoning into the garden is not a problem.

I will just need to fit a pipe through the kitchen and into the garden (from the basement) And I could run this behind all the kitchen cupboards and drill a hole in the wall for neatness.

I like the look of that chloramine filter you posted.... and the price is not bad either considering the amount it can treat.

If I ran water straight from a tap through the dechlorinator into the tank, is there a fitting that I can buy that will turn the waterflow on when the water dips past a certain level (and stop again once the top level is reached?).
If so could you post me some links or let me know what its called.

This would mean that all I would have to do is start the siphon out in the garden and it would top the waterup as I go. Once the siphon is started, If I put a tap on that, then to start the siphon again I could just open the tap and the weight of the water in the hose would pull it outside into the garden.

Obviously this wouldnt be used for massive waterchanges as it would be cold water from the tap, and too big a change would affect the tank temperatures drastically. But I think for small changes, every couple of days to prolong the tanks water life, its going to be a good Idea.
 
Is there a reason you dont like the idea of just continually dripping the water in and then using a pair (2 for redundancy) of siphonic overflows to drain excess water into a bucket?

A siphonic overflow allows you to set a water height. There's a few articles on this site showing you how to construct them. (If you go down this method I could send you one I made but didnt use and is now redunant.)

Then as more water drips in the excess simply over flows.

The reason to do water changes like this is that the process is gradual so the chlorine filter does not run too fast and is most effective, but also so there is no temperature shock as the couple of drips a second do not cause a temperature change so do not need to be preheated.

Actually my water filter is in my airing cupboard so the water gets pre warmed even on the coldest days before it drips into the tank.
 
My tank is in my basement as well.
Here is my current setup.
A DIY "intake" with integrated ball valve that drains to a condensate pump (for air conditioners). The intake length is equal to 60% of the tank depth.
I originally started the siphon, and closed the valve before the intake was exposed (now I only have to open the valve to drain).
I only drain 50% so the intake is never exposed to air, maintaing the siphon.
Once I reach the 50% mark I close the valve, add conditioner to the tank and re-fill via an "ice maker" line that I've installed in the cold water supply line convenient to the tank location.
I don't run hoses, carry buckets, etc.
I even made and adapter for my vac. to attach to this intake (1/2" PVC)
All the tank water gets pumped outside to the flowers and shrubs, so it's not a total waste of water.
It's not "automatic" as I actually have to get up off my arse three times or so, but is close enough to be virtually no hassle.
I can even still hold a beer in the one hand and do a water change with the other.
 
I suppose I could just add a siphon overflow, set the water valve to the amount of feed I wanted and not have to get up at all, making it truely automatic, but then I'd drink more beer. :) :) :) .............................
I actually don't see a problem with that now that I mention it. :D :D
 
ercnan;1008087; said:
All the tank water gets pumped outside to the flowers and shrubs, so it's not a total waste of water.
Click to expand...
I ran my output to one of two buddleia bushes and the improvement in growth for the aquarium 'fed' tree was fantastic. Fish waste is fantastic fertiliser.

ercnan;1008087; said:
... arse ...
Click to expand...
Shouldn't that be ass ? ;)
 
aropal;1008158; said:
I ran my output to one of two buddleia bushes and the improvement in growth for the aquarium 'fed' tree was fantastic. Fish waste is fantastic fertiliser.


Shouldn't that be ass ? ;)
Click to expand...
Hey, Hey, HEY !!!!!!.......................... No need for name callin' here !!!!
:ROFL: :ROFL: :ROFL: :ROFL: j/k

Yeah, it is great fert., The wife's roses are "exploding" with blooms.
Now instead of uummmmmm ........"asking" ,yeah that's it, asking, about the water usage, she always wants to know when the next water change is gonna be. :) :) :)
As long as the flowers didn't rot, I could do 100% w/c's daily and be OK. :) :) :)
 
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