Automatic Water Change System

[Ric878]

Hi Hydros Family,

I'm considering setting up an AWC system. Currently, I have an X4 and an XS controller in a collective with three wifi power strips. I already have an ATO setup but would like to add an AWC to the mix. As I understand it, I would need two additional pumps, two additional water level sensors (one for low water level in the sump and one for low water level in the saltwater reservoir), and some tubing to make this happen.

Here is what the setup would look like. The saltwater reservoir would be about 7 feet away from the display tank and sump. I would like to drain water out to my basement anout 25 feet down from the tank. Here are the details on what ports I have available on my collective

Used Inputs
2 x Temp sensors
1 x Skimmer sensor
1 x Water level sensor (high water level used for ATO setup)
1 x Water level sensor (in ATO reservoir)
1 x Leak detector
1 x PH Probe

Available inputs
2 Sense ports on my XS

Available outputs
1 drive port on my X4
2 outlet plugs on my wifi power strips

Needs (I think):
2 x pumps
2 x water level sensors
tubing

• So, the first question is, am I missing any equipment?
• The second question is, what kind of pumps should I use? I'm concerned about creating a siphon, especially for the pump that drains the sump as it will go to a lower level than my tank.
• Any other considerations?

Thanks in advance for any feedback.

 

[Danny]

I use the drive ports and dosing pumps for AWC. The low level sensor is optional. You will need the full sensor and the ATO setup on the AWC output for it to work. You can set a drain time and have it be fairly accurate with dosing pumps. Also dosing pump are less likely to siphon as long as the pump is higher than either water level. My ATO and AWC pumps are in the garage 35ft from the tank. The drain pump also empties into the kitchen sink drain. I use 1/4" tubing like that used for RODI systems and the push to connect connectors other than the tubing used in the pump heads. I also have check valves on the output side of all three of those pumps. I do have low level and full sensors in my reservoirs but I also have them setup to auto fill from either RODI unit or from the mix tank if it is ready to use. Since I already had float switches in use for these from my previous controller I just made the cables to hook them to the sense ports of the Hydros.

 

[drew18088]

My AWC is pretty simple. I use Kamoer peristaltic DC pumps meant for labs or other environments. Small peristaltic Pump 12V dc Motor 1240ml/min Kamoer high Flow Liquid dosing Pump for Viscous and Non-Viscous Liquid Transfer: Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific This pump is supposed to pump 1240mL per minute, and I checked that with a scale and it definitely does. The key is to make sure you use the proper tubing sizes (inner diameter is critical) to make sure you're getting that flow rate.

So based on that, I created a routine in Hydros that with the push of a button, my XS shuts off the return pump, ATO pump and heaters (my heaters are in an "all in one" sump chamber and get exposed when the water level drops, so I don't want them on) and then kicks on the "Drain" pump to run for the proper amount of time to empty the amount of water I want. Then, when that shuts off automatically, the second pump near my fresh saltwater reservoir kicks on and will fill the chamber until it reaches another hydros water sensor and then shuts off. Once that happens, I put the hydros back in to "Normal" mode and everything turns back on.

Supplies needed:

- 2x Peristaltic pumps of your choosing (DC pumps seem to be the easiest to use, I can't figure out their stepper motor pumps)
- silicone tubing of the correct inner diameter (Kamoer specifies this with all of their pumps including the ones not specifically designed for aquariums)
- Hydros unit (I use XS)
- a single Hydros water sensor
- Hydros wifi power strip
- Hydros wifi power outlet

I love this system and it works flawlessly for me. This is for a 50 gallon tank and it can do a full 10% water change in about 24 minutes. I am about to set up a 120G tank and I am intending to set up the same thing and i even found a Kamoer pump like the one i listed above, but with double heads on aliexpress that should be able to change 10% of the water in the same amount of time give or take.

 

[Ric878]

My AWC is pretty simple. I use Kamoer peristaltic DC pumps meant for labs or other environments. Small peristaltic Pump 12V dc Motor 1240ml/min Kamoer high Flow Liquid dosing Pump for Viscous and Non-Viscous Liquid Transfer: Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific This pump is supposed to pump 1240mL per minute, and I checked that with a scale and it definitely does. The key is to make sure you use the proper tubing sizes (inner diameter is critical) to make sure you're getting that flow rate.

So based on that, I created a routine in Hydros that with the push of a button, my XS shuts off the return pump, ATO pump and heaters (my heaters are in an "all in one" sump chamber and get exposed when the water level drops, so I don't want them on) and then kicks on the "Drain" pump to run for the proper amount of time to empty the amount of water I want. Then, when that shuts off automatically, the second pump near my fresh saltwater reservoir kicks on and will fill the chamber until it reaches another hydros water sensor and then shuts off. Once that happens, I put the hydros back in to "Normal" mode and everything turns back on.

Supplies needed:

- 2x Peristaltic pumps of your choosing (DC pumps seem to be the easiest to use, I can't figure out their stepper motor pumps)
- silicone tubing of the correct inner diameter (Kamoer specifies this with all of their pumps including the ones not specifically designed for aquariums)
- Hydros unit (I use XS)
- a single Hydros water sensor
- Hydros wifi power strip
- Hydros wifi power outlet

I love this system and it works flawlessly for me. This is for a 50 gallon tank and it can do a full 10% water change in about 24 minutes. I am about to set up a 120G tank and I am intending to set up the same thing and i even found a Kamoer pump like the one i listed above, but with double heads on aliexpress that should be able to change 10% of the water in the same amount of time give or take.

This is exactly what I was looking for! Thanks for the info. Do you mind sharing the dual head pump you are looking into on AliExpress?

 

[drew18088]

This is exactly what I was looking for! Thanks for the info. Do you mind sharing the dual head pump you are looking into on AliExpress?

Here you go! This page is a little confusing, so the exact pump I purchased is:

12V-Straight-Double, S18 (selecting these options gets you to the right pump even if the picture doesn't update)

A couple more supplies you'll need and have worked well for me:

- https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07VQHYGRD/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&th=1 (chop off the end and wire it to alligator clamps, see below) this is your plug for whatever kamoer pump you choose
- copper alligator clamps to connect to the DC pump terminals

 

[drew18088]

Just be warned, these pumps are loud lol. But i chalk it up to normal tank maintenance and it's only for 20-30 minutes per week

 

[Danny]

When I was using dual head pumps for AWC I used a dosing schedule to run it like a dosing pump. I had it set to run three times a day for 11 minutes each time. That was around 1000ml a day. I did not turn any other pumps or devices off since I was adding as much as I was removing at the same time. I went to the auto water change regimen and I still run the drain for 11 minutes and that is not enough that would require me to stop any other pumps. If fact it would not work right if you did since the fill pump uses the same sensor as the ATO uses to top off. Below is a photo of my pumps for ATO, AWC and dosing. The lower left pump is AWC and has veen modified to dual head. The upper left pump is a spare but now that position has the fill pump in that location. The lower right pump is the ATO. The upper right is dosing All For Reef. These pumps are in my garage and the tank is 35 feet away from the garage. I switched out the ATO pump for a hydros last year but this photo was taken before that. I also had to build a different shelf unit since the Hydros pump was too tall to fit in this shelf unit. All 4 pumps are connected to drive ports and not AC outlets.I have a couple of spare pumps that are ready to use if something happens to one in use. These Intllab pump have a pot where you can change the flow rate. The Hydros pumps are a set flow rate of 43ml a minute. The tubing last a lot longer on the Hydros pump. I started using it in October last year and it is still on the original tubing and it pumps the water from a storage tank under my work bench up through the attic and down the wall through a wall plate to the over flow box at the tank. I got three spare replacement tubes for it so I would have one when needed. I think I may change it after a year of use regardless. The Intllab pumps last about 6 months before needing the tubing changed.

 

[Ric878]

When I was using dual head pumps for AWC I used a dosing schedule to run it like a dosing pump. I had it set to run three times a day for 11 minutes each time. That was around 1000ml a day. I did not turn any other pumps or devices off since I was adding as much as I was removing at the same time. I went to the auto water change regimen and I still run the drain for 11 minutes and that is not enough that would require me to stop any other pumps. If fact it would not work right if you did since the fill pump uses the same sensor as the ATO uses to top off. Below is a photo of my pumps for ATO, AWC and dosing. The lower left pump is AWC and has veen modified to dual head. The upper left pump is a spare but now that position has the fill pump in that location. The lower right pump is the ATO. The upper right is dosing All For Reef. These pumps are in my garage and the tank is 35 feet away from the garage. I switched out the ATO pump for a hydros last year but this photo was taken before that. I also had to build a different shelf unit since the Hydros pump was too tall to fit in this shelf unit. All 4 pumps are connected to drive ports and not AC outlets.I have a couple of spare pumps that are ready to use if something happens to one in use. These Intllab pump have a pot where you can change the flow rate. The Hydros pumps are a set flow rate of 43ml a minute. The tubing last a lot longer on the Hydros pump. I started using it in October last year and it is still on the original tubing and it pumps the water from a storage tank under my work bench up through the attic and down the wall through a wall plate to the over flow box at the tank. I got three spare replacement tubes for it so I would have one when needed. I think I may change it after a year of use regardless. The Intllab pumps last about 6 months before needing the tubing changed.

View attachment 2685

Thanks for the info and pics. Much appreciated.

 

[Capsaicin]

I implemented a slightly different solution for my AWC drain pump. I have an RV Water pump connected (via transformer) to the Wifi single plug. The Wifi plug allowed me to place the pump far away from the tank without needing to invest in another controller. I also chose the RV pump because it operates at higher pressures and flows. The pressure allows me to do long runs uphill quickly. The additional pressure also allows me to use the entire system as drips for my garden outside. (Freshwater tank) The pump and transformer are in a waterproof box that chills outside. No noise inside the house.

 

[drew18088]

I implemented a slightly different solution for my AWC drain pump. I have an RV Water pump connected (via transformer) to the Wifi single plug. The Wifi plug allowed me to place the pump far away from the tank without needing to invest in another controller. I also chose the RV pump because it operates at higher pressures and flows. The pressure allows me to do long runs uphill quickly. The additional pressure also allows me to use the entire system as drips for my garden outside. (Freshwater tank) The pump and transformer are in a waterproof box that chills outside. No noise inside the house.

I like this idea!!! It's basically the same as what I did with the peristaltic pumps. I looked up RV water pumps and they can move a lot of water very fast. I may switch out these peristaltic for those lol! They are cheap too. 3.3GPM? You can do a water change super fast.

 

[Ric878]

Hello Everyone,

Just wanted to do a follow-up post on my finished system. I ended up going with the Kamoer pumps that @drew18088 recommended. They are indeed loud as warned but I have them running at a time that is we are usually not in the vicinity of the tank. I change out two gallons a day for a total of 15 gallons a week on my 90-gallon tank (total water volume is 105 gallons).

It's been running for a week now and it is working great! I took the opportunity to make a "controller board" to organize my setup. Here is the final(ish) outcome.


Thanks for all the advice guys!

 

[JeffB418]

Hello Everyone,

Just wanted to do a follow-up post on my finished system. I ended up going with the Kamoer pumps that @drew18088 recommended. They are indeed loud as warned but I have them running at a time that is we are usually not in the vicinity of the tank. I change out two gallons a day for a total of 15 gallons a week on my 90-gallon tank (total water volume is 105 gallons).

It's been running for a week now and it is working great! I took the opportunity to make a "controller board" to organize my setup. Here is the final(ish) outcome.

View attachment 2840
Thanks for all the advice guys!

Very nice! Might want to consider adding a leak detector or rope along the bottom to alert you in the case the pumps ever do leak.