Automatic Tank changes? Timers for pumps that go on again?

[michaelp]

So I've had my tank now for about 2 years and the two annoying things as far as maintenance are
#1 - tank changes
#2 - unplugging my pumps for feeding

Does anyone have any ideas on setting up a barrel for mixing fresh salt water that is plumbed to go right into your tank (I saw pictures of something like that before, but cannot remember where). I've been making my water in 30g trash cans (2 of them) and then dragging the can from the RO/DI to the tank and using buckets to dump the water in. I'd like to plan something out for my new 180g so it's all just semi-automatic with plumbing.

Also, my tunze controller has a fun button you can push which turns it off for just a few minutes. Do they sell something that does this for an outlet? A button that just shuts the outlet off for 2 or 5 minutes?

 

[Deanos]

Most aquarium controllers and some wavemakers have a "FEED" button/feature

 

[Domboski]

You can get an outlet accessory from Lowe's or Home Depot that uses a remote control. I use one on my seahorse tank. It comes with a small push button remote to turn the current on and off. I think it was like $10-$15. It looks something like this: http://www.kewlgoods.com/images/ge21021.jpg. There is many kinds though.

Of course, you could always get the clapper

 

[meschaefer]

As Deanos said, most controllers have a "feed" mode, that will shut down desired devices for a specified period of time.

As far as water changes, I drilled my sump and put a ball valve on it and then a hose plumbed into a floor drain. I open it up and drain out a measured amount of water.

I have a garbage can that I have hooked up to my RO/DI unit that I mix saltwater in. I have a Mag 9.5 in there with a length of hose attached to it. I use the Mag to mix saltwater up, and when it comes time to do a water change, I move the hose into the sump and just pump the water into the sump. When it comes time to do the water change it takes me about 10 minutes from start to finish.

 

[michaelp]

The Clapper!

The only problem is that method still requires me to remember to turn it on again.

I'd like to push the button, drop in the food and then be able to forget about it and not worry about the tank.

Also, re: water changes... is that how everyone else is doing it? With trash cans?

 

[jay1335]

If money is no concern there is this unit:
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+4685+12683&pcatid=12683

 

[michaelp]

What's your normal water change size?

Your method would work for 10-15% changes, but requires a big sump (because you can only drain from the sump, not the main tank)

I usually am doing 30-40% changes.

 

[meschaefer]

What's your normal water change size?

Your method would work for 10-15% changes, but requires a big sump (because you can only drain from the sump, not the main tank)

I usually am doing 30-40% changes.

Big tank = Big Sump.

I have a 120 gallon sump. If I cut the return pump and allow it to backfill, I can easily remove 60 gallons from my system. My current regiment is 10% weekly, which does not require me to turn off the return pump or anything else except my ATO. The ease of doing a water change, makes it very easy to do frequent small changes.

 

[ming]

The Clapper!

The only problem is that method still requires me to remember to turn it on again.

I'd like to push the button, drop in the food and then be able to forget about it and not worry about the tank.

Vortech has a feed button which turns the powerheads on low for about 10 minutes and turns it back on automatically after that

 

[fritz]

I was doing something like you suggest, inspired by Calireef's old setup.

I have a basement sump of 75 gallons. My return pump is plumbed not only to my display tank upstairs but also to my slop sink 15 feet away. With the turn of a ball valve I can pump water into my house drain instead of my display tank. Once the water gets about 20 gallons lower in my sump I turn the ball valve back to open and my sump water goes back to my display.

I then had two 30 gallon tanks on a stand next to my sump. The top was to be for RO/DI and the bottom was salt water. The salt had a Mag 7 plumbed to both circulate the water at certain intervals via a timer and with the help of another ball valve(s) would pump the mixed salt water to my sump to replace what went down the drain.

The Ro/DI is direct fed via a float and solenoid so that it is always full.

Once the makeup water has left the bottom tank, I turn another ball valve and let the RO/DI drain to the salt tank via gravity. Once the salt mixing tank is full I close the valve.

The entire 10% water change should have taken a few minutes and could be done as often as twice-three times a day if I so chose.

And yes, almost every controller offers a "feed" button. The "poor man's" option is to use a separate power strip for your pumps. Simply click the power strip off and then turn it back on when you're done feeding.

 

[rookie07]

I lovde this thread....
Keep describing your systems...I am planing a new big tank, so these are great ideas.

 

[ECFENCING]

fritz

any pics?

 

[Wes]

you can get a litermeter III and a water exchange module and have a constant slow water change....you would need room to store a storage tank w/ freshly mixed saltwater and a drain

 

[fritz]

you could buy a dialyseas and let it take care of everything for you. I think Chris at one point had his doing a 20% per day water change.

 

[Wes]

you could buy a dialyseas and let it take care of everything for you. I think Chris at one point had his doing a 20% per day water change.

yes but wasnt his tank crash because caused by the dialyseas going haywire?