Extream Long distance ATO and water changes

[Steven Rish]

i have a unique situation. I have a 100 gallon tank in a School library. Currently I have a Apex ATO (I absolutely hate) a GHL ProfiLux 4. I have my mixing station 150’ away from my tank. I would love to not drag my hoses through the library anymore so what I want to do is run (3) 1/4 tubing up 25’ across 150’ and down 10’ is there a pump that can do this? I was going to control these pumps with the GHL.

 

[jsker]

#reefsquad

 

[Brew12]

i have a unique situation. I have a 100 gallon tank in a School library. Currently I have a Apex ATO (I absolutely hate) a GHL ProfiLux 4. I have my mixing station 150’ away from my tank. I would love to not drag my hoses through the library anymore so what I want to do is run (3) 1/4 tubing up 25’ across 150’ and down 10’ is there a pump that can do this? I was going to control these pumps with the GHL.

Its not as bad as it sounds once you get the tubing filled. The 10' down makes it a total lift of 15' which many pumps will do. For low flow applications like this the horizontal run doesn't matter much.

I believe the GHL Doser Maxi would work well for the application but you should reach out to them and make sure it will. I think that would make a clean install with the Profilux 4.

 

[dbl]

Wow...I don't know of a pump suitable for 1/4" tubing that will handle a 25' head height. The BRS 1.1 dosing pumps are rated at 20' if memory serves. Now I'm curious if someone knows of one.

 

[redfishbluefish]

180 feet of 1/4 inch tubing!!!!! Head loss would be enormous. Realize the smaller the diameter, the greater the cross sectional frictional loss. I think this would be a better solution - Brutes on Dollies:

 

[MaddyP]

I would recommend a Stenner dual head pump considering this length of tube. The length of tube will create some friction the entire length, which will equate to pressure. The Stenner pumps are rated to 100 psi and should handle this with ease. Also, the dual head doesn’t require calibration as it removes and adds water with the same motor. I’ve used the dual and single head pumps for both water change and Ato over longer than usual lengths with great success.

https://www.lockewell.com/index.php...id=177&zenid=43cf95882adb74bfe17a68c984817c90

 

[reeferfoxx]

Maybe the Avast pump?

https://www.avastmarine.com/products/peristaltic-pump-for-auto-top-off

 

[Breadman03]

I'd look at stepping the tubing size to 3/8 once out of the pump.

 

[reefwiser]

I use a Stenner and It is rated for long distances. Getting the lines full of fluid would be the task. Once full of fluid a Stenner could push it for sure. Its Noisy thou even more so than the pumps used in the Maxi doser which is the same as the Apex DOS.

 

[Steven Rish]

Its not as bad as it sounds once you get the tubing filled. The 10' down makes it a total lift of 15' which many pumps will do. For low flow applications like this the horizontal run doesn't matter much.

I believe the GHL Doser Maxi would work well for the application but you should reach out to them and make sure it will. I think that would make a clean install with the Profilux 4.

This is what I am hoping.

 

[Steven Rish]

180 feet of 1/4 inch tubing!!!!! Head loss would be enormous. Realize the smaller the diameter, the greater the cross sectional frictional loss. I think this would be a better solution - Brutes on Dollies:

I have tried the brute trash can on wheels. Because of the door seals I end up making a mess.

 

[Steven Rish]

I would recommend a Stenner dual head pump considering this length of tube. The length of tube will create some friction the entire length, which will equate to pressure. The Stenner pumps are rated to 100 psi and should handle this with ease. Also, the dual head doesn’t require calibration as it removes and adds water with the same motor. I’ve used the dual and single head pumps for both water change and Ato over longer than usual lengths with great success.

https://www.lockewell.com/index.php...id=177&zenid=43cf95882adb74bfe17a68c984817c90

I like this I will definitely look into this one.

 

[Steven Rish]

I'd look at stepping the tubing size to 3/8 once out of the pump.

What does stepping the tubing do? Less head pressure?

 

[foxt]

You could also look at Cole Parmer / Masterflex peristaltic pumps also. Similar to the Stenner, but seems like they are easier to find used. You don’t need a fancy variable speed model; single speed with a head that will take larger tubing will work fine over that distance. I also agree with the 3/8 tubing, it reduces head pressure in the line.

 

[Ranjib]

I think it will be simpler and safer, if you use a return pump to send water to a reservoir located nearby the tank (may be a five or ten gallon jug) and hook up a common ato.

 

[rcpalmer1]

I have built a lot of my own gear including a couple of ATO. ATO do not have to fill quick. There are two forces you have to overcome. Friction loss and head pressure. Friction loss is due to fluid rubbing the side of a hose. The bigger the hose the less loss. Then head pressure is the weight of the fluid pressing down. A column of saltwater 33 feet high and one square inch weighs 14.7lb. 25 foot 1/4 would be less about 1/2 lb. Most any pump would be able to over come that. Even if the pump lost 90% efficiency a 200 gph pump would pump a gallon in about 4 minutes. I am sure you can spend a lot and get something fancy but I have a hydroponic system I built about 4 years ago that runs twice a day and pumps water over 20 feet. It is still running on a $15 I got off of ebay.

 

[redfishbluefish]

I have tried the brute trash can on wheels. Because of the door seals I end up making a mess.

Here's proposal number 2.....a Brute on a pneumatic wheeled wagon. This should easily pass over the door threshold. Harbor Freight carries these wagons, regular price $70, but frequently on sale.

 

[Fishfinder]

Could you put an ATO container under the tank? Then just use a return pump for that long distance to fill the ATO and do your water changes

 

[Fishfinder]

Could you put an ATO container under the tank? Then just use a return pump for that long distance to fill the ATO and do your water changes

 

[Steven Rish]

Could you put an ATO container under the tank? Then just use a return pump for that long distance to fill the ATO and do your water changes

I currently have a 20gal ATO tank behind the display tank. But I have to fill it once a week. I currently use a 150’ clear 3/4 hose to fill this. Problem is most of my maintenance has to be done before or after work. I’m just trying to lessen my work.