Auto Water Changes
- Thread starter Reab
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I use and like this piece of equipment. Have had no issues with the sensor thus far. If a large tank might need larger pumps and the outlets auto aqua sells
joe berkman
Active Member
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Ive been using the dos for 3 mo 3 month's now and its been reliable but in my small apartment the pumps are just too loud. So ive been considering 2 paristoulic continuous duty pumps.
They are fine for my 40b with trigger sump. ~50 gallons
smellytunic
Active Member
I have one. Only set up for about 2 weeks but no complaints. Some things to consider with this one. Using it stock as it comes you will need 2-3 containers pretty close to the tank. 3 if you are collecting waste water and dumping out manually or 2 if you are sending waste water to a drain. The pumps that it comes with are pretty small and would not be able to push water from a basement etc. They do sell adapters that let you use other pumps but then you need to factor total cost and is it worth it. Another factor is it will pretty much only change the volume of water between where you set the high and low water sensor at a time.
DarthSimon
Team R2R
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So I use one Apex Dos. I have my salt water mixing station setup with 2 optical sensors. One on top of container and one close to bottom. As salt water loweres and bottom sensor goes dry, the Dos shuts off and a selenoid valve opens and starts filling container with RODI water. When water fills to top and top sensor closes ( wet) selenoid closes. I scope salt and turn the Dos back on... Nice and easy.
* Note I have a float ball valve higher up from the top sensor as a fail safe in case selenoid doesn’t close, preventing overflow.
* Note I have a float ball valve higher up from the top sensor as a fail safe in case selenoid doesn’t close, preventing overflow.
Alexreefer
Coral, Coral, Coral!!!
I have been using the auto aqua awc. It's great using it on a 75 plus 15 sump so about 84 gals in total with rocks and sand. I was scared that at first, the pumps were not strong enough to push water from my sump to my drain which is about 2 feet away, But this is with only 1 vertical foot raise. It takes out 2 gas every day and constantly fills water to an exact point. I have my pumps in a 50 and 32 gal brute trash cans. 50 for SW and 32 for fresh water. both have a float valve so I don't move them and just add salt when the 50 gets low. The only downside is the pumps are quite small and you need to be really good at wire organization.
OP
OP
Reab
Well-Known Member
Wow, lots of good information! Thank you all. I know the auto aqua is a no go since my tank is far away from my water storage I don’t think it would be able to pump everything properly.
I like the idea of the DOS as I have an apex set up and running the lines would probably be the easiest and most rental friendly. The genesis looks awesome and possibly an end game item but for now it’s definitely outside my budget and I don’t think I would have it set up in time.
I had though of just getting a set of pumps as mentioned before but I think with the distance I need to cover. I’m looking in the same price range as the DOS for a system that is larger and takes up more sump space.
Once again I appreciate y’all coming together and sharing your experiences and ideas!
I like the idea of the DOS as I have an apex set up and running the lines would probably be the easiest and most rental friendly. The genesis looks awesome and possibly an end game item but for now it’s definitely outside my budget and I don’t think I would have it set up in time.
I had though of just getting a set of pumps as mentioned before but I think with the distance I need to cover. I’m looking in the same price range as the DOS for a system that is larger and takes up more sump space.
Once again I appreciate y’all coming together and sharing your experiences and ideas!
BOWHUNTER4250
Active Member
i do approx. 30 gallons a week automatic water changes .... i simply use 2 maxi jet1200 pumps plugged into my Apex ... every Sunday morning at 8:55 my ATO shuts off , 9:00 -9:18 my waste pump goes on and empties approx. 30 gallons , 9:20 - 9:33 my fresh salt mix gets pumped back into the sump , 9:45 my ATO goes back on and i have just done a 30 gallon water change , my main pump never shut off and i didnt need to be home !! now it helps that i have a basement sump that i can fit a 75 gallon tank and a 55 under it so my 75 is for freshly mixed , heated salt water and the 55 is for my top off of the display .... quite simple actually
You can use stronger pumps.
Buy 2 of these and use whatever pump you like.
https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/smart-ac-socket-autoaqua.html
If the water storage is out of sight i would do mag drive pumps as will last forever and handle a great deal of head pressure. A bit loud for at the tank. But that’s opinion [emoji23]
BOWHUNTER4250
Active Member
No , my sump is a 225 gallon 8 foot long tank , i just make sure my ATO is off while im draining the 30 gallons , the main pump never has to shut off as there is enough water volume in the sump to not affect anything during this time
sabeypets
Active Member
I run 3 Apex DO
UtahReefer
Active Member
I have a 45 gallon cube with a sump, about 58 to 60 total gallons in volume. I use the AutoAqua Smart ATO system. Both sensors are in my pump chamber. I have is set to change out about 1.5 gallons a day. This gives me my weekly water change automatically. I don't have to stop the system to do it and by changing smaller amounts frequently it has less of an effect on my parameters. In my experience auto water changes are the way to go.
