Help Make My Water Quality and Change Life Easier!

[JuicyJJuice]

Hello!

I started my first reef tank a few years ago, but it has not been a very rewarding experience which I believe largely relates to my water changes (or lack thereof). I was previously renting a small condo and while I had a RO/DI, I found myself doing water changes less and less frequently because it was a total nightmare in my space and using tap water for top ups. This, understandably, led to water quality issues and various forms of algae etc becoming prevalent in my tank.

I have now purchased my own, slightly larger condo, and there is hot and cold water shutoffs in the office where I plan to place my tank. SO, my question to all of you fine folks is: What equipment do I require to make water changes and tank maintenance as simple and hands off as possible by tying into the cold water shutoff line?

I have a RO/DI, ATO, and a commercial garbage can for water mixing. I am assuming I will need a sump, but not sure what else! I have attached my tank specs as well as a very rough diagram of the room.

To sum my problem up - it really comes down to space. I have to move the garbage can into the only bathroom, slowly fill it with RO/DI, blend salt overnight, then move it into the living room, run a python hose from the kitchen sink across, etc. If something comes up I end up with a garbage can of water sitting in my bathroom for a week, and sometimes it forms residue and I end up dumping it out and starting again. I really just want to be able to open some valves and do it on demand.


Tank: Innovative Marine Nuvo Fusion Lagoon 25
Stand: Innovative Marine APS
Lighting: Aqua Illumination Prime HD and Aqua Gadget ChaetoMax
Aquascape: Approx. 20lbs Marco Rock
Sand: CaribSea Arag Alive Fiji Pink
Pump: Sicce Syncra 1.5
Flow: Aqua Illumination Nero 5 and VCA RFG Nozzles.
Heater: Eheim Jager 75w x 2
Tank Filtration: inTank Media Basket w/ Chemi Pure Blue, Fuge Basket, and Filter Floss Holder
Water Filtration: Reef Crest Pure RO/DI 100gpd
Salt: Red Sea Blue Bucket
Additives: MicroBacter 7 or Seacham Stability
Testing: API Saltwater Master/ Hanna Phos. ULR/Hanna Alk Colorimeter/Hanna Salinity tester

Thanks in advance,

 

[lapin]

My thinking is you change 4 to 5 gallons a week.
Get 2 containers or buckets with a large opening, that a small pump will fit in.
Use the pump to mix the salt water in 1 container.
In the other, use the same pump to pump out 5 gallons of water from your tank.
Then place the pump in the salt water and fill your tank back up.
I think both should fit tucked away in the closet until you need them.
For top off you could make a small amount of rodi water and leave it in a pitcher in the fridge or cabinet until needed.

 

[_sludgefactory]

I bought an 11 gallon black storage bin from Lowe's and that's my RO/DI. Connected to that is a RO/DI Flood Guardian. As i take water out i run the Flood Guardian to keep the bin filled. When I do a water change I transfer 5 gallons into a bucket then toss a pump in to mix. When it's ready i syphon out 5 gallons then a have another pump with tubing on it to pump the water out of the bucket into the tank.

 

[Lost in the Sauce]

If you know that you aren't going to do regularly scheduled top offs and water changes, automating them is the way to go.

Personally I think you will need as least two containers. First being rodi 0 tds water for your top offs. Your ATO pump will live here. My tunze pump easily pumps up 8' of vertical head pressure with some pressure left over.

Second container is your mixed SW. I'll defer to others that have set up AWC (auto water change) system on specifics.

 

[JuicyJJuice]

Thanks, no benefit to plumbing the tank to the water supply and putting a drain line in also? Those shutoff valves just seem too convenient.