Automatic water change VS manual

[Jakepen]

I perform a 5% water change daily using a Neptune DOS as pictured and have been struggling lately with the logic behind this method as I don't believe it has the same benefits of performing less frequent but larger % water changes. I know someone has done the math recently and so I won't reproduce it but I believe, after some period of time, a larger water change will still need to be performed to reset the aquarium back to optimal levels as the smaller daily water changes can not effectively replace the elements being utilized.

That’s no biggie, I can do a large water change every so often. So alk dropping is a major concern? How do you really plan for that? I mean, would I have to adjust the amount of alk I dose throughout the month?

 

[bgoldb]

That’s no biggie, I can do a large water change every so often. So alk dropping is a major concern? How do you really plan for that? I mean, would I have to adjust the amount of alk I dose throughout the month?

The small daily water changes don’t impact alk levels whatsoever for me. I keep my parameters constant through 2-part dosing.

 

[udsmkh]

Anyone using the Jebao dosing pump for automatic water changes?

 

[KenO]

I use a Spectrapure litermeter system for my AWC. I use a 1/4" bulkhead fitting I got from BRS, that goes through the lid of my brute can. To keep the 1/4" line submerged, I used a 1.5" PVC cap. The PVC cap sinks. I drilled a hole just large enough to push the 1/4" tubing through it. See picture. Works great.

 

[rioreef]

I am using a Neptune DOS for daily changes that I do at night. NSW is in garage and I run lines under the house to my tank. While running the lines I also put in a couple of wires for float switches. Now when the container level get to about 5 gal left (40 gal total) I get a notification to make more. This will also shut down AWCs until I reset DOS.

The drain line goes under house too and up into kitchen sink cabinet where the drain line is tapped. This way I have easy access for calibration of DOS lines. Drain line has a 1lb check valve to prevent sink drain water going into DOS old tank water drain line.

 

[Newb73]

Mine runs from the RODI in the garage to a 40g mixer sitting next to the tank and then back out and down to the city sewage tapout.

I have a few extra water lines and exit lines for extras and because i have more than one tank.

They are located where a leak will only result in water on the ground outside my house....not in.... (important to me) and they can be accessed quickly for replacement
All controlled by a DOS

 

[Newb73]

Having done auto water changes for a while I can say this it does one thing the act of changing water only. It will not remove the need to actually clean your tank's rock work and bottom of waste that builds up during the coarse of a week. It only does the actual water change.

Maybe but the AWC combined with this and i really have a hard time finding any nuisance algae or even biofilm.

It nearly started depleting my tank but i just started feeding about 4 to 6 times a day to compensate.

 

[Newb73]

I would love to know what brand that is. There was another thread a while back and I don't remember any brand not dropping. I think people were trying to get BRS to do a comparison test.

Well i used to dose ca, mg and alk.

Now that i do 10% per week i find i am only dosing alk.

Maybe when my corals grow in more meeds will change.

I use about Fritz about 70% of the time and IO about 30% of the time.

 

[Jeffdstafford]

Does anyone use the Genesis system for AWC?

I recently setup the Genesis Renew, and I highly recommend it!! If it works for your setup, it's awesome. I previous did AWC with the Neptune DOS, but ended up with salinity drift because there will always be a slight difference in the amounts changed with a peristaltic pump due to different motors, and different tubing lengths. The Renew pretty well ensures a perfect 1:1 swap everytime due to the design.

Check out the recent install video I did in my fish room:

 

[luis carreiro]

Thanks for the video. Like the system.

 

[Tobbe]

genesis renew system is great

 

[Jeffdstafford]

genesis renew system is great

Amen!

 

[DarthSimon]

Great thread and would like to follow up with a question. I do a 20 Gallon Water Change on my Red Sea Reefer 250 every 2 weeks.
I have an RODI and Salt Water Setup in my crawl space going. All Apex Setup... My Rodi pumps up to tank via Apex ATO, and my Salt I just pump up with a Power On Switch Via Apex. I have a brand new Apex DOS, and want to do Automatic Water change, all day. I understand plumbing, in and out, programming Ect .

My Question is what volumes should I be removing and adding. Should I do the same 20 Gallons every 2 weeks with DOS, or increase it because it not a bulk water change? What are the effects of doing the same volume daily (continuous) as opposed to bi weekly?

I have 2 other Apex Dos pumps going Alk, Calcium, Mag, and Nopox. Not that this should interfere....

 

[DarthSimon]

Amyone?

 

[LoneStarReef]

For a simple auto water change solution, I use 2 Apex PMUP’s attached to 1/4” tubing. One pulls water from my sump and drains in to my bathroom sink. The other pulls saltwater (Instant Ocean) from the SW reservoir. Change about 3-5 gallons per time. No problems and works every time. Had a problem with the drain pump priming but solved it with a back flow valve that doesn’t allow air to creep in to the pump.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Great thread and would like to follow up with a question. I do a 20 Gallon Water Change on my Red Sea Reefer 250 every 2 weeks.
I have an RODI and Salt Water Setup in my crawl space going. All Apex Setup... My Rodi pumps up to tank via Apex ATO, and my Salt I just pump up with a Power On Switch Via Apex. I have a brand new Apex DOS, and want to do Automatic Water change, all day. I understand plumbing, in and out, programming Ect .

My Question is what volumes should I be removing and adding. Should I do the same 20 Gallons every 2 weeks with DOS, or increase it because it not a bulk water change? What are the effects of doing the same volume daily (continuous) as opposed to bi weekly?

I have 2 other Apex Dos pumps going Alk, Calcium, Mag, and Nopox. Not that this should interfere....

I generally recommend 1% daily for automatic water changes. More can be beneficial, but is also increasing the cost. Less is cheaper, but doesn't accomplish as much.

I show what different change scenarios accomplish here:

Water Changes in Reef Aquaria by Randy Holmes-Farley - Reefkeeping.com
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-10/rhf/index.php

 

[LoneStarReef]

Amyone?

I personally like the more frequent but less volume water changes. Instead of flooding your tank with a large water change, these smaller ones don’t create a huge flux with your parameters (especially alk). Read this if you have time:

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-10/rhf/index.php

@Randy Holmes-Farley does a great job of describing what happens with water changes and unless I’ve read it wrong, it doesn’t seem to make a difference whether you do one large or smaller more frequent changes. I just personally prefer smaller more frequent because it works with my system and I suspect that it keeps the parameters a bit more stable....which is a huge goal of mine.

 

[LoneStarReef]

I generally recommend 1% daily for automatic water changes. More can be beneficial, but is also increasing the cost. Less is cheaper, but doesn't accomplish as much.

I show what different change scenarios accomplish here:

Water Changes in Reef Aquaria by Randy Holmes-Farley - Reefkeeping.com
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-10/rhf/index.php

Ha! Too funny Randy. I just posted your article as well.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

lol

Thanks!

 

[Sea MunnKey]

Was talking about acquiring a Reef Filler pump and my lfs buddy told me that he knows of only one person who does what Randy Holmes-Farley does in regards to daily water changes.

My lfs buddy told me it'll cost slightly over Cdn$400++ to get a decent pump ....