Mini Water changing system....

[The R/C Man]

Hey Everyone!

This was a weekend project that will make doing water changes much easier. It is precurser to the one that will be built for my 375 which will use 38 gallon Rubbermaid garbage pales....

What it does...
1. Mixes the water and salt for a change
2. Heats the water to 78 degrees
3. Pumps new water into the tank
4. Pumps waste water into a sink/drain
5. Saves my my back from having to lift heavy containers
6. Most important NO WATER ON THE FLOOR

 

[wrightme43]

How does it work? It looks like a great idea, I just dont understand how it takes the water out of the tank.

 

[The R/C Man]

I have to siphon the water from the tank into the waste side of the system. The good thing is that the pump will pump it from that container into a drain.... Keeps me from making messes and having to lift those things.....

 

[wrightme43]

Cool. I make my fresh salt in a 44 gallon rubbermaid on wheels. I have a powerstrip attached and it runs a heater and 802 powerhead. I have a hose attached and just pump it in. Since I live in KY and there is no risk of invasive species survival from saltwater I just siphon water out the front door with a hose and let it kill the grass that tries to grow up thru the riverrock next to the front door. LOL Thats even cooler. I am guessing its going to have two rubbermaid cans and be huge for your big tank. I like it. I wonder if you could use a python no spill clean and fill water powered pump to siphon out while your filling. The only thing about them I dont like is I dont think they are as effective as removing 20 gallon and putting 20 in. I would think they dilute the fresh water coming in and remove some of it at the end as well. Good Idea you had there. Steve

 

[bc_slc]

do the two pvc pieces with ball valves in the front of the picture go underneith the plywood and into the bottom of the two buckets?

 

[The R/C Man]

Yes... That way I can choose either bucket for the pump to draw from.

 

[NaH2O]

Wow! I love it! I will pass this on to my other half, in hope he will make it for me. Although, I think he enjoys watching me struggle with the rubbermaid garbage cans. LOL

I'm linking to this thread from the Guide to Lazy Reefkeeping thread. Not saying you're lazy....just saying that looks like it would make life alot easier.

 

[Scooterman]

Cool Idea, wonder If I could find some heavy duty 30g cans to make me one.

 

[The R/C Man]

Scooterman,

Rubbermaid makes 38 gallon "Brute" garbage cans that are pretty stout and are fairly inexpensive.....

 

[kevinpo]

Looks good Greg! Rubbermaid also makes a 45 gal can that wheels can be attached to.

Regards,
Kevin

 

[Maxx]

RC man,
could you please post pics of the mini waterchanger plumbing...I'm looking for different angles...specifically the back and underside if you can. I'm assuming you just used bulkheads for the bottoms of the buckets?

Nick

 

[Beeba]

I'm with you Nikki. This setup is definitely being printed and displayed in various places in my home for viewing by the engineer of the family. I'm guessing for my 72 gallon that a 25 gallon would be nice. That would be enough to do it all in one quick step.

One question for R/C Man... Do you roll this thing out and use it then put it back? I'm wondering if I could finagle this so that it sets in my basement and put a pump on it to pump the water up to the tank. Then I could put in a permanent water line to that same area of the basement and connect the RO/DI. My mind is working over time now. :idea: The worst part about water changes is carrying the water back and forth and mixing five gallons at a time.

 

[The R/C Man]

Nick,

I will post some more pics when I get home tonight. But yes there are bulkheads in the bottom of the bucket that extend through the plywood to hold the buckets in place.

Beeba,

I just put it away in the garage until I need it. If I had a permanent address this system would be permantly mounted as you suggested.... It is all about making things easier.

 

[bc_slc]

I have one more question. Why do you have the PVC connecting back to the RO/DI mixing container on the left of the picture? Is there any reason to pump stuff into the left container....unless you have the left loop of ballvalves open and use the pump to circulate and mix the water?

 

[The R/C Man]

Hey!

Yes I use it to mix the water over night. That way it is well mixed and heated to 78 degrees before I add it to the tank.... Previously I had to shake up the 5 gallon container I was using. Then I added an air stone and let it sit to help with the mixing. What a pain in the butt.

Oh, on the 375 gallon tank there will be a valve on the suction side of my CL. When I need to drain water I will just turn off the pump and attach a hose, and lay it out the front door and open it up. That will do away with a second container. Of course I will need to mark the water level on the tank to ensure I drain the same amount I will be adding back in. Also on the larger system I will put a float valve on the RO/DI in. Just a couple of ideas....

 

[Beeba]

If I decided to do this in the basement with a permanent setup then I would need to drill holes in my floor (which my husband may not appreciate). Anyone have any ideas what would be the smallest diameter hose that I could use effectively?

 

[The R/C Man]

That would all depend on the output of the pump. Pumps will shut off at a certian amount of head pressure.... Maybe a MAG18 would be a good choice. They use 3/4" line and will pump 420gph at 15'.....

 

[Ugla]

Nice idea!

 

[Snowboarda42]

wow this thread is OLD...

 

[The R/C Man]

LOL and my 375 is still not done yet. However we just moved into a new house and when I return from this deployment in Sept it will be getting set up. Finally!