automating mixing station with apex?

[pgravis]

I am building a saltwater mixing station and was wondering if anyone had written any code to run the pump for the mixing station? I am hoping to have it run maybe like 10-15 minutes every hour to keep the water from getting stagnant. I can open and close the valves, just looking for some help with how to write the code for the apex. Thanks

 

[MounteeFrag]

I run my pump in my ro/di storage barrel for 10 seconds every hour using my apex

 

[MounteeFrag]

OSC 000:00/000:20/059:50 Then ON

 

[MounteeFrag]

Sorry 20 seconds

 

[pgravis]

Thanks. Does that frequency seem to keep everything mixed well?

 

[MounteeFrag]

I have a 1000gph pump attached so it does a great job.

 

[ThePriceSeliger]

OSC 000:00/000:20/059:40 Then ON (I think that's what you meant)

Turning a pump off and on 24 times a day for 20 seconds seems a bit repetitive and (maybe) cause premature wear on the pump, that's 12,410 cycles a year. You can set up an If Time statement to limit the amount of times it cycles a day. Maybe only mixing the station for 5 minutes twice a day, once at noon and once at midnight. Just an idea.

 

[ThePriceSeliger]

I am hoping to have it run maybe like 10-15 minutes every hour to keep the water from getting stagnant.

With that being said, properly mixed fresh saltwater will remain homogeneous and not settle out, and will not become stagnant unless there is something contaminating the water, i.e. chloramines, physical contaminants, etc... Some salts even recommend not mixing for any longer than four hours initially, such as Red Sea salts, and will not need a further mixting unless it needs to be heated before adding to the tank. If you're setting up an automatic water change system, heating the FSW isn't necessary.

 

[pgravis]

With that being said, properly mixed fresh saltwater will remain homogeneous and not settle out, and will not become stagnant unless there is something contaminating the water, i.e. chloramines, physical contaminants, etc... Some salts even recommend not mixing for any longer than four hours initially, such as Red Sea salts, and will not need a further mixting unless it needs to be heated before adding to the tank. If you're setting up an automatic water change system, heating the FSW isn't necessary.

So, how often would you recommend agitating the water?

 

[ThePriceSeliger]

So, how often would you recommend agitating the water?

Depends what you're trying to achieve. I run an automated water change and I don't mix my water after the initial mix and I never heat the water. If you're doing traditional water changes, you'll need to heat and agitate the water before adding it to the tank which you could control manually through your Apex or with the use of a series of optical sensors or float switches. Give me some more information on your system goals.

 

[pgravis]

I'm setting up a Dos to run my automatic water changes. I picked up a couple brute trash cans, kind of the classic mixing station set up. The cans are the 30-35 gallon size. I was thinking of dosing a couple gallons a day and refreshing the can of saltwater on weekends and running my ato off the Rodi can. I always assumed I needed to occasionally agitate the saltwater, but it sounds like you don't do this?

 

[ThePriceSeliger]

I'm running an identical system with the DOS now. Nope, I don't agitate or heat the water, never have. Your system will work fine, the Apex programming for the DOS takes care of the entire process. Just remember to periodically calibrate your pumps.

 

[pgravis]

How are you liking the system? What percentage are you changing daily?

 

[ThePriceSeliger]

I'm exchanging 1% daily. It does this automatically with roughly 180 exchanges of 25ish mL daily. I've been using the DOS now for about two months and it's been running well, no real complaints.

 

[Sabellafella]

dang i just bought 2 doses yesterday for both my tanks never for water changes tho, i took 2 pumps threw one in sump and in saltwater can,have my apex take 15 gal and give 15 gal threw float switches nd advanced settings