Auto Water Changes

[Reab]

Hi all, just curious how many of you are using an auto water change system and how you like it. I'm currently looking into one as I am scheduled for surgery that will make it so I can't lift more than 15lbs for a minimum of 6 weeks.

 

[NY_Caveman]

Not using one but have been seriously thinking about it. On a general note I would suggest if you go this route to get it up and running to test well before you have surgery.

BUMP!

 

[Dr. Reef Verified Sponsor]

Been using reef genesis system for 10 yrs now. Love it I dont have to do anything.
It monitors rodi bin and refills when low. Works as ATO and does saltwater automatic water change as many gal per day you set it to.

 

[Reab]

Been using reef genesis system for 10 yrs now. Love it I dont have to do anything.
It monitors rodi bin and refills when low. Works as ATO and does saltwater automatic water change as many gal per day you set it to.

Do you have any references to this? Place to purchase? Etc

 

[Dr. Reef Verified Sponsor]

https://genesisreefsystems.com

I am not sure if they are in business or not. I purchased it 10 yrs ago never needed to contact them for anything. I sent them an email few days back regarding some questions but never heard back from them.
They were sponsored members on another forum which they dont reply to either anymore.

 

[Reab]

Thanks for the info! I’ll look into it for sure.

 

[Dr. Reef Verified Sponsor]

I know it's a bit pricey system. I paid $1100 for their pro version Which has so many fail safe features. I never had an issue of overflowing or malfunctioning etc. No gear ever broke etc.
I saw on their website they almost half the price but I hope they didnt go out of business as it was a very reliable system for me and still is as of 10 yrs now.
I looked into a cheaper one that does ato and water change it's called AquaAuto AWC
No personal experience

 

[Jim Fox]

I use the Apex DOS for my continuous water changes to change 2 gallons a day. I have been using it for about 3 plus years now. Love it! For the Genesis water change system, Google that and look for slief's (lafishguy reviews) U-tube videos. He did a great series of videos on it.

 

[Ditto]

I use a GHL stand alone Maxi Doser with two float switches (optical) in one of my tanks and works great.

You do not need to use the sensors and program it based on timers but I did the sensors to always pull the same amount and put the same amount in.

Depending on how much water you plan to pull you could also go right s GHL stand alone doser. You could do a two head for AWC, or 3 head for AWC/ATO, and use sensors.

You could later add them to a GHL Profilux controller if you wish but not necessary.

You can program the devices from the phone app, or the cloud service or bulit in web server.

 

[Waters]

I just started using an Apex Dos to do daily 3 gallon water a couple of weeks ago. So far, I absolutely love it. None of my numbers were affected going from weekly 15 gallon changes to daily 3 gallon changes. My only fear is one of the pumps failing causing water to be introduced while none is taken out, or vice versa. I do have checks in place via the Apex regarding salinity changes or leak detection but that is it. It has definitely freed up my Saturday mornings .

 

[Jstn]

I’ve been using the dos for awc for the past 6 months and I love it! I do 2 gal/day vs my weekly 10-15 for my 120. I have found however I still need to do a 20 gal once a month to vacuum sand and get ditritis out of my sump. Despite this it’s nice to take three weeks off. My next step is a python and a pump in my basement to refill from my brute (soon to be 75 gal poly tank) so I never have to lift a bucket again.

 

[Waters]

I’ve been using the dos for awc for the past 6 months and I love it! I do 2 gal/day vs my weekly 10-15 for my 120. I have found however I still need to do a 20 gal once a month to vacuum sand and get ditritis out of my sump. Despite this it’s nice to take three weeks off. My next step is a python and a pump in my basement to refill from my brute (soon to be 75 gal poly tank) so I never have to lift a bucket again.

I had that same concern.....so I removed all of my sand lol.

 

[lapin]

Mine is not a fancy system. It is semi automatic. I have a pump in the sump and a hose connected to it. The hose can go in the sink or where ever you want to dump the water. Since Im on a gravel /dirt road I pump it into brute cans in the back of the pickum up truck and dump it on the road to keep the dust down. Ok back to the system.
To empty; I turn off my return pump. I activate the outlet for the pump in the sump with my apex. Pump out 60 gallons of water.
To fill; I have a pump that will mix my salt and water and with a turn of a valve will pump water from my saltwater barrel to the sump.
Once the sump is up to the proper level I turn the return pump back on and Im done.
I dont have to lift anything.

 

[Marco S]

For those using the Neptune DOS for years, how often do you need to change the heads? I saw a review that it was every 6 months or so if you do AWC since it was meant for dosing ML and not the gallons used when doing a WC.

 

[Jim Fox]

I think that is really based upon the quality of the DOS heads to be honest. I too have seen where someone had to replace one of the heads after a few months use. I haven't replaced any myself (knock on wood) and it's 3 plus years old.

 

[Jstn]

I had that same concern.....so I removed all of my sand lol.

I would love too except i have 4 different leopard wrasse, so that's a deal breaker for me.

For those using the Neptune DOS for years, how often do you need to change the heads? I saw a review that it was every 6 months or so if you do AWC since it was meant for dosing ML and not the gallons used when doing a WC.

This was the dose I was using for ~2 years to dose 60 mL of vinegar before switching over to AWC, so far they seem good. And if they die once a year still worth the 60 to replace them both IMO.

 

[Waters]

For those using the Neptune DOS for years, how often do you need to change the heads? I saw a review that it was every 6 months or so if you do AWC since it was meant for dosing ML and not the gallons used when doing a WC.

I am actually using two separate Dos units.....one for 2part and one for water changes. The one running the 2part has been going for almost two years and I just replaced the heads.....and that is only because I was getting air bubbles in the lines. I ended up switching out the connectors and using RO/DI line instead of the Neptune tubing. The one running the water changes has only been going for a couple of weeks so not sure yet.

 

[Marco S]

This was the dose I was using for ~2 years to dose 60 mL of vinegar before switching over to AWC, so far they seem good. And if they die once a year still worth the 60 to replace them both IMO.

That is the route I will probably go, but currently I blew my hobby budget for a couple months. I will probably purchase the Neptune DOS in a few months though. Just wanted to know what to expect with it, but for the price it seems like a solid option even if I need to replace the heads more often.

@Reab Sorry if I hijacked this thread for a bit...I'll shut up now.

 

[Jstn]

That is the route I will probably go, but currently I blew my hobby budget for a couple months. I will probably purchase the Neptune DOS in a few months though. Just wanted to know what to expect with it, but for the price it seems like a solid option even if I need to replace the heads more often.

@Reab Sorry if I hijacked this thread for a bit...I'll shut up now.

At first I was Leary of them, but they are solid. Word to the wise, run them in your basement cause the noise can be quite loud during AWC (pump spins faster than for 2 part dosing).

Also I used 1/4 RODI tubing and these fitting shown.

 

[Jim Fox]

I agree they are a bit noisy but if you are doing a slow 2-3 gallon continuous water change a day throughout the course of a day, the heads move slow and keeps the noise down. My water changing starts at 12:00 noon and stops at 8:00pm daily. As such I really don't notice the noise they make. But for sure if you can place them in the basement or a good solid cabinet that will help mitigate the noise.