One Touch / Automatic Water Changer

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CHOMPERS

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Apr 28, 2006
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Here is a design that I posted on Bichir World:
http://z4.invisionfree.com/bichir_world/index.php?showtopic=118&st=0#entry1478156

I had to put some legal mumbo jumbo on the top, but the design is at the bottom of the first post. The description is long and drawn out in fine detail (I hope). If you have questions about it, just ask here or there.

Suggestions, peer review, and constructive criticism is welcome.

I hope someone can use this. A drip system is simpler so consider that before diving into this one.
 
nice.. i'm making something similar. But its for toping off the tank between water changes. I was bored one day and had stuff lying around so my brain got ticking. Will post pictures of the construction.

BTW what are you studying
 
sqratch said:
BTW what are you studying
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I went back to school to work towards a masters in mechanical engineering and an MBA. It is for a position in nuclear power. Maybe I'll get one of those three eyed fish like on the Simpsons.

I can't wait to see your set up. If you want some peer review, just post some pics or a diagram of what you have. I have already scrounged up most of the parts but my to-do list has a multi-tank stand on it first.
 
Interesting,My mind has been churning with easier waterchange ideas lately as my fishroom is getting bigger and waterchange day gets longer and longer,thanks for the extra ideas.
Your setup sounds better than most of the systems Ive seen that rely on a standpipe cause your taking the old water out before putting the new in,sounds more effiecent at getting waste products out.If I do it my setup wont use a dechlor tank cause I have private well water.I want to get the first step done this summer,which involves digging a trench outside my house to to an existing drain pipe in the floor of my basement fishroom.It already goes to a drywell but im concerned if I keep dumping water into it it will backup eventually.:WHOA:
 
gomezladdams said:
...If I do it my setup wont use a dechlor tank cause I have private well water.I want to get the first step done this summer,which involves digging a trench outside my house to to an existing drain pipe in the floor of my basement fishroom.It already goes to a drywell but im concerned if I keep dumping water into it it will backup eventually.:WHOA:
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Hi, I am glad you can use something from my design. The first tank doubles as a safety factor so that the main tank does not overflow. The toilet fill valve fills it and then the water supply is shut off by the irrigation valve so that too much water isn't added to the main tank. This should not be a problem since you can add an overflow that goes directly to your drain. Add a ball valve to the fill side to fine tune your fill rate and volume.

Also, fish tank water should not clog a dry well. There isn't enough solids to worry about. If that dry well is used on your septic system instead of a leach field, then yes, it is a concern. If your basement has a sump with an automatic pump, then you can use that for your fish tank waste water. Basement sumps are usually plumged independently from the house septic system.
 
davo said:
looks really good chompers
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Thanks man, yer all right :thumbsup:

By the way everyone, the idea in the first tank can be used in your sumps (if you have them) to maintain your water levels between water changes. Stick a toilet valve in the sump filter to keep the water level correct down there. If you have an overflow going to the sump filter, your main tank will of course always have the same amount of water...unless evaporation gets away from you and your sump goes dry.

The waste tank works on the same principle as a lift station or basement sump. If you already have a basement sump with a working automatic pump (in good working order), then you really do not need two as long as the extra water will not cause a septic problem. (see the above posts)

The whole system is designed with power outages in mind (always thinking of worse case senarios). If the power does go out in the middle of a water change, no component will allow water to overflow onto the floor.
 
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