1% automatic waterchanges... DOS a no brainer?

[Velcro]

Hi,
I'm looking to setup a 1% automatic water change system on my 100 gallon system. I DO have an apex and I've been leaning towards using a DOS and some float switches. I will be storing the fresh saltwater and old saltwater near the tank on the same level. Is a DOS a no brainer or should I be thinking about using something like the avast 25mL/min peristalic pumps for this?

I feel like the DOS is a no brainer since I already have the apex and it won't take up more outlets, but I wanted to make sure before I drop $300.

 

[ebushrow]

I am not sure a dos or any peristaltic pump can run as many continuous hours as you would want...I think they would burn out pretty quickly. You would also need some way of being sure that the rubber hoses inside the dos wouldn't be rubbed through causing either a back flow event or a burning rubber mess.


There is also another cheaper option that is sold through coralvue if I'm not mistaken....say it at MACNA last year.

 

[MaddyP]

In my opinion, you have two options for continual water changes if you are running an Apex:

Stenner Dual Head Pump - one pump rotates both heads at the same time, no worry about calibration and can handle long runs of tubing without issue. This will take up an outlet on your Apex. This is my choice for large tanks.

http://www.lockewell.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1_6_30_35&products_id=163

DOS - only downside is calibration and noise. Running at highest speed, the DOS is by far the loudest thing in my house. It does integrate seemlessly with my Apex, so its great for smaller tanks and smaller quantity changes. This is my choice for small tanks with an Apex.

 

[Velcro]

In my opinion, you have two options for continual water changes if you are running an Apex:

Stenner Dual Head Pump - one pump rotates both heads at the same time, no worry about calibration and can handle long runs of tubing without issue. This will take up an outlet on your Apex. This is my choice for large tanks.

http://www.lockewell.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1_6_30_35&products_id=163

DOS - only downside is calibration and noise. Running at highest speed, the DOS is by far the loudest thing in my house. It does integrate seemlessly with my Apex, so its great for smaller tanks and smaller quantity changes. This is my choice for small tanks with an Apex.

Thanks, I'll keep that in mind.

 

[mcarroll]

@Velcro how much volume per day (gallons) are you trying to change?

 

[fishyguy7]

I run a DöS to change 2 gallons daily. It has been running for over a year and it's still running strong. As was stated the thing is not silent by any means. Some of the heads made a clicking noise that was irritating. I'm not sure if they addressed that or not.

 

[Velcro]

@Velcro how much volume per day (gallons) are you trying to change?

1 gallon

 

[Sabellafella]

In my opinion, you have two options for continual water changes if you are running an Apex:

Stenner Dual Head Pump - one pump rotates both heads at the same time, no worry about calibration and can handle long runs of tubing without issue. This will take up an outlet on your Apex. This is my choice for large tanks.

http://www.lockewell.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1_6_30_35&products_id=163

DOS - only downside is calibration and noise. Running at highest speed, the DOS is by far the loudest thing in my house. It does integrate seemlessly with my Apex, so its great for smaller tanks and smaller quantity changes. This is my choice for small tanks with an Apex.

Bingo! Or avast marine makes some wonderful pumps for this as well. You may want to go with a pump designed for it. I have the dos, you could use it. But its a 300 dollar dosing pump lol im sure after some miles it wont be happy.

 

[reefwiser]

I use a Stenner the pump and water are in the garage. While a water change is nice you still need to do house cleaning. I use a battery posted cleaning wand that I modded to clean all the fish waste and food waste.

I found that a 1/2 pvc electric conduit the coupling end fits on the end and I cut it so that the pump is at the water line. Works great and keeps the tank clean I choose the stenner because I Can service it and can get parts for it easily. An it is made for this exact task.

 

[andrew james]

I run continuous auto water changes with a DOS I've been changing out 7 gallons a day for over a year with my DOS. I have a set of replacement heads but haven't needed them yet.

 

[mcarroll]

1 gallon

Check out the APT Instruments SP300 as another option to consider. Fixed-speed, variable-speed and brushless options....any of them would work well and none are all that expensive.

 

[powdertang05]

The DOS seems very solid to me. I think a daily water change with DOS is completely doable.