DIY 24/7 water changer plan, how's it look?

[gangster]

good luck.....that would make the maintanance close to 0. That would be cool.

 

[Pharaoh]

ok i like the basic concept that pharaoh posted, using a pressure regulator and drip emitter. so now i have a few more questions

- where can i find the pressure regulator i need to use on a small water line? can i get this at any home improvement store? and how do i know what psi to set it at?

- these chloramine filters from filterguys, they dont do anything to chlorine right? which filter would i need for chlorine?

thanks guys!

Pressure Regulator:
I picked mine up at Lowes int eh irrigation/sprinkler section. You had to get a couple fittings to attach it, but they were only a couple of bucks and a few minutes of standing there designing on the fly. The one I bought was rated for 25psi. It has hose type threads, hence the need for an adapter.
http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=191774-74985-MLD-25PR&lpage=none

As far as fitting to the 1/4" line, just grab an adapter from the Filter Guys while your getting the filter. I think they are FTP to 1/4". It worked well.

Filter:
Look at the one at the very bottom. It filters for both chlorine and chloramine. The output is a minute trace of ammonia which will be picked up by the BB.
http://www.thefilterguys.biz/chloramine_filters.htm

Drip Emitters:
Found at Lowes as well in the irrigation and sprinkler section. Pretty much what is listed below. They can be bought with varying drip times. 1/2gph, 1gph, or 2gph. I am only seeing the 2gph one listed, but you can find them.
http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=208040-13598-PC8050B&lpage=none

 

[jcardona1]

thanks bro that was really helpful. i have a local hydroponics store that ill check out as well. im sure they have a bunch of stuff as well if i cant find it at lowes.

now the only thing i didnt see for these filters is, how long are they rated for? how often do i need to replace the cartridges?

 

[Pharaoh]

thanks bro that was really helpful. i have a local hydroponics store that ill check out as well. im sure they have a bunch of stuff as well if i cant find it at lowes.

now the only thing i didnt see for these filters is, how long are they rated for? how often do i need to replace the cartridges?

Per Filter Guys, One recharge is rated for 5,000 gallons. When you recharge you just swap out the catalytic activated carbon in the second filter, then swap them. The first fill will last you quite a bit longer than 5,000 gallons. The carbon is really cheap too. Speaking of which....time for me to order some.

 

[jcardona1]

interesting, so these filter out chloramine and chlorine with carbon only? and what's the purpose of swapping the cartridges? learn something everyday!

 

[jcardona1]

and have you had any issues with dumping cold water consistently into your tank?

 

[Pharaoh]

As with any other carbon, once it is full it will begin to leach. I'm sure it will pick up other minerals as well, just as any other carbon.

EDIT: Swapping the cartridges will get you into a cycle. I may have it backwards, but one will still have a bit of life left, while one is dead. It was listed in their instructions. I just order 5lbs of carbon. I will most likely just change out all of the carbon.

and have you had any issues with dumping cold water consistently into your tank?

No sir. It somewhat replicates the rainy season. I do a little every day, then a larger one every Saturday. A constant drip would just require you to make sure you are good to go with heaters, but other than that, you should be fine.

 

[jcardona1]

yeah i may need to upgrade the heating on the 400g. ive still been using little submersible heaters in the sump since it hasnt been that cold over here. i think its time to order the titanium heaters and controller

ill probably run a 2gph emitter for a weeks to get my nitrate levels down, then switch it over to 1gph. have you tested your tanks for nitrates since setting this up? any difference? as you can see from the test results i posted, even massive weekly water changes still result in high nitrates

 

[Pharaoh]

I never have any nitrates in my tank. I was running the WC kinda slim for a while and measured about 10. I kicked it up and they have been pretty much zero ever since. They key is finding that happy medium.

 

[jcardona1]

man id be stoked if i could get less than 40ppm in the 400 with all those cichla. zero nitrates would be sweet!!! i'm sure it will help improve their colors too