Help me semi automate water changes.

[Eder]

So here’s the situation. I want help to see how I could semi automate water changes. Our previous tank I did no water changes and things actually went great although it took some time. I want to consider water changes on this tank but I NEED to make it relatively easy otherwise I’m going back to the old way of me doing things.

Please don’t use this post to debate over whether or not one should perform water changes or not.

So here’s the deal.

I can drill through floor and can actually stand in between rafters on craw space which is temp controlled but it doesn’t seem ideal as it’s not a very “clean” place in my opinion. Our plumbing is accessible so I could easily plumb but it just doesn’t seem ideal to me.

I can’t use the garage for auto changes because the tank is a hallway away from wall leading to garage.

I can’t use the wall behind tank because it’s a hallway to powder room.

There is no sink in garage although we’re planning on potentially getting one plumbed in especially for tank stuff. So we can assume I’ll get a sink for now. But suggestions without would work well too.

I just can’t personally think of a good way to do this that won’t be incredibly taxing. I’m sure regardless it’ll be work but I want to enjoy it.

Then I’m not sure how to take water out and replace it without simple siphoning and spilling everywhere which is not what I want to do.

I’ll post a few pics for reference and ideas. Thanks gang!

You can see hallway to right and garage is on the other side and powder room hallway behind it.

Tank is located in that front room with the windows.

 

[Jake_the_reefer]

I'm not a huge diy person but there is a product I've heard really good things about you can set this to do scheduled water changes for premixed salt water. It can pull dirty water into a drain pipe that you install then it pumps in the new water, you can set it to do an exact percent water change weekly or have it manual where you press a button and it starts its thing. It's also and ato. If this isn't an option I'm sure someone else will chime in

 

[Eder]

Not a bad idea. Now the trick is how do I neatly get the water there. Reservoirs? I could potentially I could drill through wall and place a John guest valve very discreetly leading into garage. But I would have to make sure looked good otherwise wife would not have it.

 

[reefwiser]

This is pretty simple thing to do.
The non complicated way is to use a python water change hose to remove the water easy.
25 Foot - Python No Spill Clean and Fill Aquarium Maintenance System
These work great I have one that will suck water out of a tank 100 feet way from the sink.
It just attaches to your faucet then you turn the water on and the Venturi effect sucks the water out of the tank an down the drain.

Now to make up a Rubbermaid trash can with salt water on wheels and install a power head with a hose on it to pump into the tank.

Now if it was me I would get a GHL MAXI dosing pump and install it in the garage then run the lines thru the crawl space or basement up to where the tank is. Then set up your water change automatically with it.

GHL Doser Maxi Standalone, White - GHL USA

Meet GHL Doser Maxi. As with all GHL products, the GHL Doser Maxi is built on the proven framework that earned GHL its global recognition for ultimate reliability and performance. GHL Doser Maxi was designed for hobbyists and professionals who look for a reliable way to transport larger volumes...

www.aquariumcomputer.com

 

[BeejReef]

A lot of things you could have done before filling the tank... lol.

If the tank had 4-6" of clearance to the wall behind it, you may be able to put a drain pipe out of sight behind a corner of the tank. You're kind of boxed in. It's such a nice, finished room an the tank isn't near a corner. Short of moving the tank or doing some serious diy or contractor work, I'd suspect you may be best off just going full auto-wc and fishing RODI line into and through the crawl space.

 

[Eder]

A lot of things you could have done before filling the tank... lol.

If the tank had 4-6" of clearance to the wall behind it, you may be able to put a drain pipe out of sight behind a corner of the tank. You're kind of boxed in. It's such a nice, finished room an the tank isn't near a corner. Short of moving the tank or doing some serious diy or contractor work, I'd suspect you may be best off just going full auto-wc and fishing RODI line into and through the crawl space.

I’m with you on this. But caveat for the wife is neat etc.

 

[Eder]

This is pretty simple thing to do.
The non complicated way is to use a python water change hose to remove the water easy.
25 Foot - Python No Spill Clean and Fill Aquarium Maintenance System
These work great I have one that will suck water out of a tank 100 feet way from the sink.
It just attaches to your faucet then you turn the water on and the Venturi effect sucks the water out of the tank an down the drain.

Now to make up a Rubbermaid trash can with salt water on wheels and install a power head with a hose on it to pump into the tank.

Now if it was me I would get a GHL MAXI dosing pump and install it in the garage then run the lines thru the crawl space or basement up to where the tank is. Then set up your water change automatically with it.

GHL Doser Maxi Standalone, White - GHL USA

Meet GHL Doser Maxi. As with all GHL products, the GHL Doser Maxi is built on the proven framework that earned GHL its global recognition for ultimate reliability and performance. GHL Doser Maxi was designed for hobbyists and professionals who look for a reliable way to transport larger volumes...

www.aquariumcomputer.com

I’ve used a python before. But they can still be messy. And if I fill a Rubbermaid with water and wheels there’s no moving it anywhere to be honest.

I could try to drill from garage to crawlspace but it’s concrete....

What if...I set up a Tun against the left wall of the garage. Plumbed a sink in garage.

Used that water to make salt water in the tub. Then drill through wall in hallway and use some of those TV hiding grommets where I can “hide” two RODI lines with John guest valves and just fish them out when I want to do a change.

I could use a liter meter or the above recommendation and just plug lines into tank when doing a water change. If they are only across the hallway for a few hours a month wife won’t freak.

Thoughts?

 

[A. Ocellaris]

I second the Python for water removal and then rig a long hose attached to a sump pump to fill the tank back up. I use a DIY python to do this. Takes a little more time each fill, but worth it for a clean setup.

 

[LARedstickreefer]

I'm not a huge diy person but there is a product I've heard really good things about you can set this to do scheduled water changes for premixed salt water. It can pull dirty water into a drain pipe that you install then it pumps in the new water, you can set it to do an exact percent water change weekly or have it manual where you press a button and it starts its thing. It's also and ato. If this isn't an option I'm sure someone else will chime in

I’ve got this. Works good. I manually move buckets from one room to tank room and let this do the rest. That’s a true semi auto water change!

 

[Eder]

I’ve got this. Works good. I manually move buckets from one room to tank room and let this do the rest. That’s a true semi auto water change!

Do you just move the unit with you or is it installed in the stand or something?

 

[LARedstickreefer]

Do you just move the unit with you or is it installed in the stand or something?

Installed in my stand, sensors in the sump.

 

[Eder]

Installed in my stand, sensors in the sump.

I’m definitely going to look into it more tonight

 

[reefwiser]

The auto aqua is really small and is not for large water changes.
I have use a stenner dual head pump for years. Now building a fish room where I use valves to auto change water. That is on a timer.

 

[Eder]

Which would be ideal but is not something I can do unfortunately. If anyone has any other ideas please chime in. I appreciate y’all.

 

[Tastee]

I am planning an AWC myself so perhaps my ideas will help. In my case I have an RODI station just outside the house near the tank with access through the floor. I already have an ATO fed from the external RODI reservoir via RO line through the floor. I use an Apex controller.

I plan to install a second reservoir outside in the RODI station for SW. I will install a DOS unit in the outside station and connect it to the Apex head inside via a long Aquabus cable through the floor. I will setup automation to help fill the SW reservoir with RODI and put in a small pump in the bottom to mix. I will then program an AWC manually triggered so the outside DOS pumps in SW and takes out DT water into the waste.

I have a design ready to post for others to critique in the next week or so.

 

[Biokabe]

I think the first thing you need to define is what you mean by semi-automatic water changes. If magically everything worked out with your house's layout, what would you be doing every time you changed the water? Once you have that "ideal" water change in mind, we can help you work backwards to achieve it, but we need to know what shape your 'perfect' water change would take.

 

[Katrina71]

Are you wanting small daily water changes or something more significant less often?