Is a salinity probe non-negotiable when doing Auto water changes?

[Schulks]

I am setting up a AWC on my hydros system and am wondering if a salinity probe is necessary. I have heard they can be unreliable anyway but some people seem to like them. This must be one of their optimal applications though.

 

[apb03]

I would recommend a salinity probe if you are doing an AWC. If one end of the awc goes out of sync you'll want to be able to notice it quickly.

I this case, you are more concerned with trends rather than the probe accuracy.

 

[PopBot16]

FYI if you're looking for non-Hydros solution, there is the Reef Factory salinity probe now too.

 

[Schulks]

FYI if you're looking for non-Hydros solution, there is the Reef Factory salinity probe now too.

I have a Hydros Launch and available salinity port already. I like keeping it all in the controllers ecosystem too. This way it can automatically control things based on the readings.

 

[Schulks]

I would recommend a salinity probe if you are doing an AWC. If one end of the awc goes out of sync you'll want to be able to notice it quickly.

I this case, you are more concerned with trends rather than the probe accuracy.

I think youre right, I'll be picking up a probe I guess.

 

[rtparty]

With how unreliable all of them are, I’d never trust one to “make decisions” for me

 

[apb03]

I think youre right, I'll be picking up a probe I guess.

Ya might as well since you have the port anyway. Sucks to add the cost but it's one of those things that bites you when you least expect it when things are humming along and your frequency of testing isn't what it used to be as trust grows.

Money well spent for the peace of mind.

 

[Schulks]

With how unreliable all of them are, I’d never trust one to “make decisions” for me

It will just turn off the ATO and AWC then I will get a notification. Both of these the system can live without for half a day until I'd inspect it.

 

[n2585722]

If it helps any I have my ATO controlled with the Hydros and have the maximum on time and maximum off times setup and the run past max on time set to off. I also have it set to send alerts if either is exceeded. I also have a sump low level sensor and a sump high level sensor but the Maximum on time or maximum off time usually catches any issues with the AWC or ATO well before the low level or high level sensors. I also have a minimum off time setup also for this to work. I also use a dosing pump for ATO set to 55ml a minute flow rate.

 

[PopBot16]

I have a Hydros Launch and available salinity port already. I like keeping it all in the controllers ecosystem too. This way it can automatically control things based on the readings.

Ah, okay. Yeah I just have a Hydros X3. Didn't seem worth it for the price to get the larger Hydros for me if I would just use it for the salinity probe. It does look cool though.

 

[slythy]

I havent ever truely trusted my salinity probe. My Dos changes 2gpd on my 280 so not much but if its well calibrated and I dont see a change on my level sensors its fine.

 

[Schulks]

Ah, okay. Yeah I just have a Hydros X3. Didn't seem worth it for the price to get the larger Hydros for me if I would just use it for the salinity probe. It does look cool though.

I just wanted the Launch so I could see what a controller has to offer. I am super happy with it. I wanted the ac outlets because I don't trust the wifi plugs. My UV is inline on my return pump so it needs to turn off whenever the pump is off so it won't overheat. I use another outlet to run a simple doser for soda ash. A wifi outlet with a doser could stick on. Then skimmer and return pump.

I'll be using all the drive ports soon. ATO pump, 43 ml/min doser for All-For-Reef, then 2 pumps for draining and filling salt water.

All the sense ports will filled with 3 level sensors for the AWC/ATO + temp sensor.
I am going to max this thing out...

I'd like to add a rope leak sensor, flow sensor for the UV output, and skimmer overflow sensor even.

Oh, and the salinity probe now too.. lol

 

[Schulks]

If it helps any I have my ATO controlled with the Hydros and have the maximum on time and maximum off times setup and the run past max on time set to off. I also have it set to send alerts if either is exceeded. I also have a sump low level sensor and a sump high level sensor but the Maximum on time or maximum off time usually catches any issues with the AWC or ATO well before the low level or high level sensors. I also have a minimum off time setup also for this to work. I also use a dosing pump for ATO set to 55ml a minute flow rate.

Thanks Danny! I actually already setup my ATO advanced settings thanks to you!
I have them all set and it is interesting what you can do with these min/max times.

I think I need to use a doser for my ATO pump like you. I guess a doser would make these time settings more reliable and hopefully let me use the overflow sensor on the triple optical. Right now the pump moves too much water and sets it off every time.

 

[n2585722]

I just wanted the Launch so I could see what a controller has to offer. I am super happy with it. I wanted the ac outlets because I don't trust the wifi plugs. My UV is inline on my return pump so it needs to turn off whenever the pump is off so it won't overheat. I use another outlet to run a simple doser for soda ash. A wifi out-let with a doser could stick on. Then skimmer and return pump.

I'll be using all the drive ports soon. ATO pump, 43 ml/min doser for All-For-Reef, then 2 pumps for draining and filling salt water.

All the sense ports will filled with 3 level sensors for the AWC/ATO + temp sensor.
I am going to max this thing out...

I'd like to add a rope leak sensor, flow sensor for the UV output, and skimmer overflow sensor even.

Oh, and the salinity probe now too.. lol

You can get a XS for 4 more sense ports but you will need a command bus cable and a couple of terminators. You would then create a collective with you Launch. Then power it down and connect the XS to the launch with a command bus cable. Then add the terminators to the open command bus ports. Then power back up and add your XS to your account and setup wifi credentials. then check the firmware on the new controller to make sure it is up to date with what is on the launch. then access the collective and select devices in the left menu. There is a + sign in the lower right of the devices screen. click on that to add your new controller to the collective. Once it is added and you upload changes you can start using the new sense ports. It would the same when adding a second controller regardless of which one you choose.

 

[Schulks]

You can get a XS for 4 more sense ports but you will need a command bus cable and a couple of terminators. You would then create a collective with you Launch. Then power it down and connect the XS to the launch with a command bus cable. Then add the terminators to the open command bus ports. Then power back up and add your XS to your account and setup wifi credentials. then check the firmware on the new controller to make sure it is up to date with what is on the launch. then access the collective and select devices in the left menu. There is a + sign in the lower right of the devices screen. click on that to add your new controller to the collective. Once it is added and you upload changes you can start using the new sense ports. It would the same when adding a second controller regardless of which one you choose.

I am trying to decide what I will need in the future. I might need a minnow at some point or more drive ports. Money is tight right now so I need to hold off on most things. I really want this AWC setup though xP

 

[n2585722]

I am trying to decide what I will need in the future. I might need a minnow at some point or more drive ports. Money is tight right now so I need to hold off on most things. I really want this AWC setup though xP

I actually use a minnow for my AWC but my tank is just 42 gallons and I split the daily change amount into 4 times a day.

 

[Schulks]

I actually use a minnow for my AWC but my tank is just 42 gallons and I split the daily change amount into 4 times a day.

How much do you change each time? I think the minnow would be too slow for the amounts I want. I have about 50 gallons total and want to change between 6-12 gallons a week.

 

[n2585722]

How much do you change each time? I think the minnow would be too slow for the amounts I want. I have about 50 gallons total and want to change between 6-12 gallons a week.

Right now each time is 625ml but I have been up to 750ml each time. That would be 2500ml and 3000ml a day.

 

[Schulks]

Right now each time is 625ml but I have been up to 750ml each time. That would be 2500ml and 3000ml a day.

Does it takes your system about 22 minutes to complete 1 water change? That seems like a long time. I am thinking about using kamoers from amazon with flow between either 600 or 900 mL/min so I can change up to 2 liters at a time and keep it under 10 minutes.

 

[n2585722]

Does it takes your system about 22 minutes to complete 1 water change? That seems like a long time. I am thinking about using kamoers from amazon with flow between either 600 or 900 mL/min so I can change up to 2 liters at a time and keep it under 10 minutes.

It takes a little over 22 minutes each time to complete the drain and fill sequence. The Sole has started shipping it will run up to 300ml a minute but you would need two of them.