Automatic water changes!!!

[Reefing.with.Rich]

Was hoping some reefers had a similar set up and could give me what they did or even just opinions..
My mixing station is in my basement and I’m tired of doing WC day to roll around and have to lug buckets of water around so I decided to start an auto WC system so I picked up two versa pumps
I plan to have one pump in my stand to pull water out and to send it straight down through the floor into my basement and into the drain to dispose of water and then plan to have the second pump down stairs right at my mixing station to then pump water up the wall and back into my tank. Is this how you would set it up? Pics or videos of your set up would be helpful. THANKS!!!

 

[Pistondog]

I do exactly this. Versa in basement next to new sw pumping up to tank. Versa at tank to pump out tank water. Both versas set for constant speed, 16.6 ml per min. Calibrated volume at tank using versa utility.
Both run at the same time. Mine are apex controlled. 20 minutes every 2 hours, 1gallon daily.
Get spare replacement pump tubing, they must be replaced every 6 months or so. Some buy tygon tubing and diy. Looking for that.

 

[Reefing.with.Rich]

I do exactly this. Versa in basement next to new sw pumping up to tank. Versa at tank to pump out tank water. Both versas set for constant speed, 16.6 ml per min. Calibrated volume at tank using versa utility.
Both run at the same time. Mine are apex controlled. 20 minutes every 2 hours, 1gallon daily.
Get spare replacement pump tubing, they must be replaced every 6 months or so. Some buy tygon tubing and diy. Looking for that.

Fantastic
Thank you!!

 

[findingsimple]

Same here. Use 2 Versa. I have both of mine in my cabinet with fresh and dirty water containers outside. I do a few hours each evening totaling to about 10% a week.

Fresh salt water is going into my return area and dirty is being pulled from drain / filter area.

I’ve been doing it for a bit over a month and no complaints.

 

[mcashatt01]

What's the max head height on those?

 

[Reefing.with.Rich]

What's the max head height on those?

15-20ft

 

[rudyshafa]

I know this is an older post but I am trying to do the same thing. My only concern is the head height. If you are pumping air initially to the the tank from the pump won't that throw off the volume? I was thinking of a sensor or float switch in the sump. Turn off the ATO, pump out a measured volume of water from the sump to the drain. The saltwater pump in the mixing station kicks on and fills the sump until the float switch kicks on to shut the fresh saltwater off. The ATO turns back on. Small chase in the wall with 3 lines from the sump to the basement. ATO to RO reserve, line for waste water to drain and line from salt water to tank.

 

[Pistondog]

I know this is an older post but I am trying to do the same thing. My only concern is the head height. If you are pumping air initially to the the tank from the pump won't that throw off the volume? I was thinking of a sensor or float switch in the sump. Turn off the ATO, pump out a measured volume of water from the sump to the drain. The saltwater pump in the mixing station kicks on and fills the sump until the float switch kicks on to shut the fresh saltwater off. The ATO turns back on. Small chase in the wall with 3 lines from the sump to the basement. ATO to RO reserve, line for waste water to drain and line from salt water to tank.

Assuming versa pump or equivalent, once you fill the lines, they stay filled. No air is initially pumped as the lines are primed.

 

[KC2020]

A peristaltic pump will hold the line full of water so no issue with pumping air as @Pistondog said.

I set up my Apex to turn off the Tunze Osmolator and then run the DOS for 20 minutes changing water 5 to 10 times a day depending on the tanks size. After the DOS shut off the Osmolator was turned back on. Worked like a charm.