Automatic Waterchanger TROUBLESHOOTING?

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X3R0X

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Sep 18, 2005
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Charlotte, NC
OK after reading over chompers idea. I decided to do it... here's where I am at currently...




I just can't get the valve to open enough so the siphon can flow enough. Any ideas guys?? My knowledge in fluid dynamics isn't that substantial I am an electrical engineer, lol...
 
i'm not quite sure what your problem is.. Which valve cant you get to open enough? The input or the output? Surely if the valve isn't open enuff there is somehting faulty with the valve? BTW do you mind me asking where you got those valves that can be controlled via a switch.. been looking for them... Can u take pics?
 
sqratch said:
i'm not quite sure what your problem is.. Which valve cant you get to open enough? The input or the output? Surely if the valve isn't open enuff there is somehting faulty with the valve? BTW do you mind me asking where you got those valves that can be controlled via a switch.. been looking for them... Can u take pics?
Click to expand...


The drain valve (#1) is the valve i'm having problems with that opens to start siphoning the water out of the tank. I think the siphon doesnt produce enough PSI to push through the valve properly or the valve is defective. I need to do some testing and figure out some solutions, but if anyone has knowledge behind sprinkler and irrigation systems they might be able to help me.


Also those electronic valves are just common sprinkler valves you can purchase from home depot or lowes for $11 each. The irrigation timer will also be right next to the timers.


I'm at work right now, but when I get home tonight I will take pictures.
 
ok well I think I have figured out a solution to my problems.....

1st problem (Siphoning the water out automatically)....
Sprinkler valves do not work like normal valves (DUH!!!)... When they are off they are not completely closed and when they are on they need a decent PSI to get some decent flow. With 2-3 psi you're looking at around 3-5 gallons a minute....which really isn't that bad but it's hard to get a decent PSI off a siphon.

Solution two...
Make sure to buy valves that have a flow control. Use an external pump hooked up to the drain line to increase the pressure in the line to make the draining part of the process quicker and more efficient or you can just deal with it and let it take 10-20 minutes to drain the tank to the level you desire.


2nd problem (Controlling the water from flowing in places it shouldn't be)
Like I said when sprinkler valves are off they are not completely closed allowing water into places it shouldn't be going. So when you try to pump that water from the bottom new fill tank into the main tank with normal sprinkler valves it will still push the water through the valve that is supposed to be closed, making a mess....


Solution...
Buy anti-siphon sprinkler valves!! or buy seperate inline anti-siphon breakers. Trust me you are going to need them with this project.


So far I have made my mistakes with this project, but I am learning and figuring out how to solve them. I am going to home depot tonight to get new valves! Wish me luck!!
 
Does the water get Dechlorinated. Or am i missing it? Looks like a very cool idea and would be very beneficial for somone with multiple tanks.
 
johno27 said:
Does the water get Dechlorinated. Or am i missing it? Looks like a very cool idea and would be very beneficial for somone with multiple tanks.
Click to expand...

You have to add the decholirnator to the fill tank every time before it gets added. I know many people who never even use dechlorinator and all their fish are healthy and very colorful.
 
thats like the hard way lol...

have the water comming in spill into tank... and in your sump drill a hole slightly above your water line and make that go to the drain..
 
WOW! Talk about a posting mess; we really have three threads on two boards all for the same gadget (not including the private messages and emails). I thought my last post got eaten by the board but it is in the other thread. That and it is going on three in the morning. I am awake but my brain isn't.

In a nut shell, I didn't get a chance to play with the sprinkler valves that I have. I will do that Sunday and post the results. Tomorrow (today) I am going fishing over on the coast and then watching the Space Shuttle blow up on the pad. Actually I hope it doesn't because I will be in the splash zone. That and Mark Kelly will be piloting this time (it's a twin thing).
 
CHOMPERS said:
WOW! Talk about a posting mess; we really have three threads on two boards all for the same gadget (not including the private messages and emails). I thought my last post got eaten by the board but it is in the other thread. That and it is going on three in the morning. I am awake but my brain isn't.

In a nut shell, I didn't get a chance to play with the sprinkler valves that I have. I will do that Sunday and post the results. Tomorrow (today) I am going fishing over on the coast and then watching the Space Shuttle blow up on the pad. Actually I hope it doesn't because I will be in the splash zone. That and Mark Kelly will be piloting this time (it's a twin thing).
Click to expand...

Yea it is a mess... SO i made another thread with pics I took of my setup....

I'm thinking I need to get an external pump to pump the water out.... just a thought
 
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