Push Button Water Change Anyone?

ok i am working on a push button water change system for my reef tank. it seem to be pretty straight forward in my head, but often get ahead of myself. the system involves two pumps, two momentary switches, 1/4" water line, and two electric Polypropylene Solenoid Valves.

one switch will be yellow and one will be red, red being the waste water and yellow being new SW. when red button is depressed the valve will open allowing pump one to drain sump into plumbing under house. then depressnig the yellow would open valve#2 allowing the SW storage tank to fill the sump with new SW.


I am still waiting on all pieces to arrive , so the build hasnt been completed as of yet. This is mainly to toss this idea around to see if i am missing anything. If you see room for improvment or an error in my thinking, please let me know. Thanks in advance. Bryan

 

Sweet idea. What pumps will you be using? Size plumbing? I'd like to do this too. How much volume will be able to be replaced with this system(dependent upon what level the waste water will exit from.)?


What size tank will this be done on?

 

So what you are saying is the pumps will always run but pushing the button will open a valve. If you are going to push a button, what is the point of automating it from there. Why not just turn on one pump then two pump?

I made a automated daily water change with my Apex and ATO. I didn't have to do anything except change my water bottles once a week.

If your pumps are running.... and the valve fails or malfunctions.... what is to stop it from pumping your dry? What is to stop your reservoir from overflowing it?

 

mabe the valve goes to his return pump and just opens up to pump out of the sump instead of returning it it the tank?

 

to resolve the pump that could suck your tank dry you could run a float in line with your power to the pump and wire it to when its up it kills the power to the circuit when the float lifts in to position in it will turn the pump off. and you can do the same with your refill side just wire it to when the float is in the up position it has power and when it gets down to a level it will shut the pump off so it doesnt run with no water.

 

Very innovative idea... I really want to see pics of this DIY!

 

I don't know what the setup actually los like, but what about avoiding siphons? I accidentally moved my topoff hose into the water in my sump and when my top off kicked off it siphoned off till the top off kicked on and kept with that vicious cycle.

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Ok, looks like i have a lot of questions to answer so if i forget one i apologize. The main purpose for this is to eliminate having to carry buckets throught my house. I have back problems and I have to go from the garage - into the laundry room - up a few steps into the kitchen - down the hall - and into the tank room. then reverse it for all waste water, I do 15gallon changes twice a month. so that is 12 trips/ month if i only ues 1 bucket. (it kills my back)

Now for the question :
SEANO
*tank size = 40b with 20L sump/fuge
*pumps are just cheap 500gph pumps from ebay can provide link if needed
*plumbing is 1/4" tubing like that on an RO unit
*valves run about $25 each
*volume is determined on how much water you need to change 0-100% or how much water you have made for the change

POWERMAN
*valve opens and pump is activated when the button is depressed,when the button is released the valve closes and the pump shuts off .there is a button/valve/pump for each function , and that eliminates the flooding fear,
*this can be ran by a controller by replacing the button with a lead to the controller. however i currently do not have a controller so this is how i will operate it for now. when the controller is added (and it will be) i will have to incorperate float switches as well.
*i worry about a fully automated system due to the fact i am using very small water lines and i fear a clog on either line could be disasterous

malac0da13
*the only line that could ever cause a siphon is the waste drain, which would be a bad thing since thats the purpose of the line to begin with. but due to the valves closing when you release the button the siphon would be stopped anyway.
*all other lines will be out of the water.

keep in mind you still have to be present for the water change on this setup, but if and when the controller is added it will happen on its own. The only down fall to the automated setup is you do not have the ability to siphon the sand and rocks. if using the manual method all that is need is to add a longer line to the drain side and you can siphon where needed.

here is a picture of a similar setup, he is using a controller on this one.

 

I've got a system that is similar to what you're looking at. Here's how I'm set up:

Pushbutton on my ato that disables the run timer and off delay that usually provide an additional safety margin in case of float switch failure. 1/4" line is moved from RO/DI reservoir to my new salt water bucket. 1/4" line running from DT to an empty bucket with needle valve to control flow. The flow from the siphon line is always less than the ATO pump can put out. Changes normally take around two hours. I do have to stick around to cut off the siphon when the new water has run out. Your proposed system is a few steps up. I'm interested to see how it turns out.

Oh and I'd love a link to the solenoids that you are looking at using. ;D

 

New stuff

dosing pump for 2 part

momentary switches for WC system

solenoid valves for WC system