Automatic Water Changes ;)

[AndrewH]

(pictures start at post # 50)

I will update as soon as possible.

Parts still needed:
Water Filters and Housings - $10 each
1/4" tubing (ridged) - $1.70 for 25'
$110 total so far (including parts and shipping)

Update:
$121.70 running total.

I now have everything needed and will be putting up the test system soon.

[AndrewH]

Top system is the fill

Bottom system is the drain

Both are separate and independent.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v463/Andrew_H/fishy/AUTO-TOPOFF_AUTODRAIN.jpg

[AndrewH]

Keep forgetting to update.

The test system has been on my tank for a while now. I haven't gone brave enough for the auto drain, but the auto fill has been working flawlessly. I simply do my normal gravel vac and the tank magically fills itself back up :D.

I'll work on the autodrain part soon (probably after I get some other tank(s) situated).

[bra8ndy8]

Awesome!!! I might have to get those plans from you for my hubby!! Being the :queen: of overflowing my tanks!! It would reduce the fights with me and the hubby!!

[kewlkatdady]

or you could just pay more attention like he told you...:poke:

[bra8ndy8]

LMAO yes you are right....HUNNY IS THAT YOU??? hehe

[biggin]

Maybe hold off getting smashed until after water changes....

[bra8ndy8]

LMAO!!! ohh yeah that too...WHATEVER!! I have 4 kids....someone ALWAYS needs something while I am doing them!! lol

[biggin]

LMAO!!! ohh yeah that too...WHATEVER!! I have 4 kids....someone ALWAYS needs something while I am doing them!! lol

Huh? Does this need to go the the NSFW room....

[AndrewH]

I understand 100% brandy (well maybe 85%+).

My ultimate goal is to make it so I have constant incoming water to simulate a natural water sourse (lake, river, etc.) as I think it'd be best for the fish.

Now certain fish might not do so well with the constant incoming water (swamp fish for example), but still having the auto fill would be handy (as it already has been for me).

[AndrewH]

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl:
:rofl: :rofl: :rofl:
:rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

[biggin]

Glad I could amuse you....

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl:
:rofl: :rofl: :rofl:
:rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

[bra8ndy8]

:brandy::brandy::brandy::brandy::brandy:You amuse me as well!! You knew what I meant!!! hehe
Kids always need something while DOING WATER CHANGES!!!
BLAH!! hehe

[biggin]

But it was just to easy....

:brandy::brandy::brandy::brandy::brandy:You amuse me as well!! You knew what I meant!!! hehe
Kids always need something while DOING WATER CHANGES!!!
BLAH!! hehe

[EAST_TX_RN]

That would be so awesome, Andrew! By the way, is there some kind of adapter I can buy for my DIY Python? George installed a new faucet on my kitchen sink, and now my fill/drain kit won't fit!!!!!!!! Grrrr! We are thinking about just trying to hook it up to an outside faucet, but sure will be cold in a few weeks! Any ideas? I got spoiled quickly on the fill/drain kit!

[biggin]

I started thinking about that this morning. I need to do water changes tonight and was thinking about the water temp difference...

[EAST_TX_RN]

Shoot! You are right! If I hook it up to the outside faucet, it would be way too cold for my fishies!

[bra8ndy8]

Yeah It will be.....but I am a very rustic person....so my downstairs sink My hubby made into a well...so it has a outside faucet hook up....with warm water!!!

[biggin]

Your 300 would take a little cold water. I think my smaller tanks would be in trouble.

[bra8ndy8]

They still dont like it!! I ASKED THEM!!!

[fatfutures]

I use my hose to drain and attach to the kitchen faucet to fill. The hose water just wasn't warm enough for my tanks. Sorry Sharon, I know that doesn't help you. I think you poor, long suffering hubby is gonna have to install yet another kitchen faucet. Poor guy.

[AndrewH]

Glad I could amuse you....

That was good. I didn't even see it the first time through (until you pointed it out). Very funny, I definitely needed a good laugh today!

That would be so awesome, Andrew! By the way, is there some kind of adapter I can buy for my DIY Python? George installed a new faucet on my kitchen sink, and now my fill/drain kit won't fit!!!!!!!! Grrrr! We are thinking about just trying to hook it up to an outside faucet, but sure will be cold in a few weeks! Any ideas? I got spoiled quickly on the fill/drain kit!

Due to the current expense I don't see this being too economical for smaller tanks (as 30 gallons or less), but the larger the tank the more it'll benefit; however, for say 55 to 75 gallon tanks you'll see a great improvement in water quality as you'll have a larger "total" water system.

That faucet problem is the same that I have in my kitchen (which is the closest faucet to my tank). For now I'm using the outside water to only drain the tank (gravel vac) and the auto fill, from the house water supply, to fill the tank. I'll see about getting some updated pics for my all my DIY threads.

Shoot! You are right! If I hook it up to the outside faucet, it would be way too cold for my fishies!

Do a little prep work might help (will still be a pain). Gravel vac with the outdoor hose, then fill with a faucet somewhere in the house. The fill hose can be as long as necessary, clean garden hose which will fit the stuff you already have, as you're not trying to create a vaccum, you're just filling.

Yeah It will be.....but I am a very rustic person....so my downstairs sink My hubby made into a well...so it has a outside faucet hook up....with warm water!!!

Cheater, cheater, pumpkin eater :brandy:

[bra8ndy8]

Hey Andrew....did you get that big tank for 50 bucks that bud let you in on?

[AndrewH]

Shhhh... j/k it hasn't been approved just yet!!!

[bra8ndy8]

Well then I GET IT!!! you said you didn't have to ask!!! SOOOO I WON!!!!!!!

[greeneyed]

Are you going to have a RO filter on it, or just put in the dechlorinator in the tank as it is filling?

[EAST_TX_RN]

Thanks for tips, Andrew! I haven't even checked my bathroom faucets! Will try it out this weekend! For some dumb reason, I was thinking it had to be a short hose, but like you said, I don't need it for vacuuming, just for filling.

[AndrewH]

Well then I GET IT!!! you said you didn't have to ask!!! SOOOO I WON!!!!!!!

You don't scare me, I know you won't drive down from Sherman to South Fort Worth :brandy:

Are you going to have a RO filter on it, or just put in the dechlorinator in the tank as it is filling?

Well for now (until I get my lazy butt around to testing), I'm just using 2 inline frig filters and adding dechlorinator when gravel vacing... but the system could easily be hooked up to an RO(/DI) or entire house filter system.

My plan is to put enough filters inline (maybe even a UV filter, if needed) to make it not necessary for any dechlorinator, but that brings me back to getting my lazy butt up to testing the water (pre and post filtering).

[AndrewH]

Thanks for tips, Andrew! I haven't even checked my bathroom faucets! Will try it out this weekend! For some dumb reason, I was thinking it had to be a short hose, but like you said, I don't need it for vacuuming, just for filling.

Yup, the pain in the butt will come with having 2 hoses, one for drain and one for fill; but still no buckets.

fatfutures... do you use a normal water hose?

If I remember correctly there's something to be careful about the materials used in a normal garden hose (anti rot or something) that might not be safe for fishes. Simply use the same clear hose and extend the clear hose for the drain... (make sense?)

[bra8ndy8]

yeah and water hoses aren't safe to drink from.....

[biggin]

*yawn*.....

Do you know how dead I would be if this were the case? As a kid growing up.... hell even now if I am mowing and have run out of beer I will drink from the hose....

yeah and water hoses aren't safe to drink from.....

[mrsbiggin]

hell even now if I am mowing...

You mow?...*looks outside at our 3 foot tall grass*....

[EAST_TX_RN]

Me too! Water just tastes better coming out of a garden hose! Blake? You need to mow? George beats me and makes me get on my John Deere Zero and mow an acre of yard while he sucks down a Bud! Imagine a whole acre to mow every week! Now if I can find someone to come mow the other 9 acres....

[kewlkatdady]

George beats me and makes me get on my John Deere Zero and mow an acre of yard while he sucks down a Bud!

Nice...WTG George:tease::tease::tease:

[AndrewH]

I'm sure the water hose thing is like the GE silicone (cover their butts incase your fish die because you don't know what you're doing).

Simple clear hose was $0.25 per foot the other day.

[kewlkatdady]

everything that I've heard about water hoses, is when the water sits in the hose for a long period of time...it can get stagnet (SP.) and can also break down the rubber.

I've been told that if you run the water long enough to clear any old water out of the hose...it is fine.


I've used a water hose in this manner to do maintence at a fish store for 3 years when I was younger...never had an issue.

Take it for what its worth...:02:

[bra8ndy8]

OK I READ THEY WEREN'T SAFE!!! hehe And here is MY PROOF....Google is your friend!!!

http://www.health.com/health/qanda/0,23514,1076976,00.html

[biggin]

I think I said it before...but lead it the hose... I am not buying it.... someone needs to sell that one to me. If my paint can not have lead I think my hose can not....

OK I READ THEY WEREN'T SAFE!!! hehe And here is MY PROOF....Google is your friend!!!

http://www.health.com/health/qanda/0,23514,1076976,00.html

[AndrewH]

My water hoses come from China, so I'm definitely not drinking out of them any more...:twitch:

[bra8ndy8]

LMAO andrew!!!

[AndrewH]

:D I was hoping someone would get that!

Brandy you're the best!

[bra8ndy8]

(bows) yes I KNOW!!! hehe!! And I am SUPER SPECHYALL!!

[biggin]

When I was little the GI Joes did not come from the US and those things were heavy as hell.... I am still kicking...

My water hoses come from China, so I'm definitely not drinking out of them any more...:twitch:

[bra8ndy8]

DID you eat them??? I use to bite on their guns...and poor Barbie's hands and feet!!! hehehe

[biggin]

I do not remember eating any of them... My parents fed me.....

[bra8ndy8]

hehehe!!! Well good for you......lol!! But I know you ate play dough....and glue!! MAN what a highjack!

[biggin]

I think I am the king of hi jacks today....

I did not eat glue that did not taste good.... play doh was pretty foul as well....

[rolloffhill]

roflmao:threadjack: x3

[AndrewH]

DID you eat them??? I use to bite on their guns...and poor Barbie's hands and feet!!! hehehe

Brandy biting all the China made toys, :eek: wow that really explains a lot!

[AndrewH]

Here we go, updates at last...

Start out with the 1/4 hose coming outta the wall into the first water filter (available at Lowes for $10 each) then into the second filter (same as the first). Then into a 1/4" Tee which one goes to the frig (ice and water).
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v463/Andrew_H/fishy/Automatic%20Water%20Changes/1_FiltersbehindtheFrig.jpg


The other side of the Tee goes up my wall, behind my frig, across the top of the cabinets, and over the door where I have a 1/4" ball valve installed.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v463/Andrew_H/fishy/Automatic%20Water%20Changes/2_Plumbingoverthedoor.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v463/Andrew_H/fishy/Automatic%20Water%20Changes/3_BallValveControl.jpg


From the ball valve it then goes into a solenoid valve (electronically controlled valve) which it then runs into the tank.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v463/Andrew_H/fishy/Automatic%20Water%20Changes/4_SolinoidValve.jpg


I currently have a lot of slack in the lines and everything is just up temporarily as the tank will be moved from it's current spot to directly on the other side of the wall behind the frig (in the first picture) at which point I'll drill a 5/16" hole behind the base boards and run the lines. The end of the line is then attached to the float switch inside the tank. The float switch turns on and off the solenoid valve (the manual ball valve is always on unless I'm doing maintainence to the system).
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v463/Andrew_H/fishy/Automatic%20Water%20Changes/5_FloatSwitch.jpg

View from inside the tank. The company also has sump mounts if you want to mount the float switch inside a wet/dry instead of in the tank.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v463/Andrew_H/fishy/Automatic%20Water%20Changes/6_FloatSwitch.jpg

This system could easily be connected to a RO unit, or any other filtering system.

I'll update as the project continues. But the basic plan is to drill a second hole next to the filtered water line for a drain line as the wall directly to the left of the frig (in pic one) has my washer on the other side and will plumb the drain into the washer's drain.

I don't see getting around the main expenses for additional tanks as you have 2 solenoid valves @ $30 each (one inlet and one drain) and the float switch @ $40 per tank. But you could use the same filtered water source.

The system has several "fail safes". The solenoid valves are closed when there is no electricity, so if your electricity goes out... the system is deactivated. And if your water goes out, you can implement several ways to prevent a siphon (leave the end of the hose slightly above the normal waterline, inline check valve, etc.).

Like I mentioned at the first of the thread, I have about $120 in my system and besides a couple of fittings to connect the 1/4" tubing to my existing canister and roughing it to my drain location it's complete.

Let me know if you have any questions :D

[AndrewH]

Here's maybe a little better explanation of what's going on.

There are two independent systems in place. Auto Fill and Auto Drain. The Auto Drain will be set to drain the tank on a 24 hour timer. I'll plan on starting out at the equivalent to a 20%-25% weekly water change spread out over each day of that week. So day one I'll drain 5 gallons of water and fill 5 gallons of water, day two through 7 will be the same and by the time a week is up I will have done a 25% water change on the tank. I'm not sure yet if more or less is needed with this system, but that's what I'll start with and work from there on adjustments.

The Auto Fill system will fill the tank whenever the water leave drops below the float switch setting. So it'll automatically fill for evaporation and the Auto Drain system, but additionally when I gravel vac it'll refill that water as well.

Both systems are dependant on electricity, so if the electricity goes out, both systems are deactivated. Electricity comes back on, both systems come back on.

[greeneyed]

Did you say where you purchased your solenoid?
I have bought some from local appliance repair shops (for filling washer)
for ~ $10.
Seems like they should have some kind of fill sensor or float as well.

[bra8ndy8]

Ok let me get this right....you have a line going on your cabinets, around your door, and down the wall??? WOW you have a good wife!! BUT I see why she isn't letting you get a bigger tank!! :p:

[AndrewH]

Did you say where you purchased your solenoid?
I have bought some from local appliance repair shops (for filling washer)
for ~ $10.
Seems like they should have some kind of fill sensor or float as well.

www.autotopoff.com (http://www.autotopoff.com) is where I got mine. I tried to source all the parts locally and individually, but to get the float switch to handle the power of the solenoid valve you have to run a relay (relay = electriconically controlled switch) was gonna be a pain in my ars and that website already has everything in one nice neat package (their float switch has a relay and water proof housing already attached).

Ok let me get this right....you have a line going on your cabinets, around your door, and down the wall??? WOW you have a good wife!! BUT I see why she isn't letting you get a bigger tank!! :p:

:blahblah: She know's it temporary. As soon as we paint behind where the tank is gonna end up, all the tubing will be completely hidden.

[bra8ndy8]

How can you hide it?? You lost me....it's going over a door frame, paint doesn't hide that!

[biggin]

I actually did not notice it when I was at Andrews house. He pointed it out.
How can you hide it?? You lost me....it's going over a door frame, paint doesn't hide that!

[bra8ndy8]

Hummm ok.....but you're a guy...yall don't notice much.....UNLESS IT'S POINTED OUT!!:p:

[greeneyed]

I currently have a lot of slack in the lines and everything is just up temporarily as the tank will be moved from it's current spot to directly on the other side of the wall behind the frig (in the first picture) at which point I'll drill a 5/16" hole behind the base boards and run the lines. The end of the line is then attached to the float switch inside the tank. The float switch turns on and off the solenoid valve (the manual ball valve is always on unless I'm doing maintainence to the system).
:quote:

[AndrewH]

Here you go. <pats Super Speshyall on head>
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v463/Andrew_H/fishy/forbrandy-1.png

[biggin]

Does that say "Water Well" as in not city water?

[biggin]

Where is the rat cage? I think that is an important feature left off....

[AndrewH]

Does that say "Water Well" as in not city water?

Yes, sir. As soon as I can get the water tested (very shallow well) and then winter proofed, I'll use it as my tank water source.

Where is the rat cage? I think that is an important feature left off....

There you go and my wife would agree.

[AndrewH]

Better view maybe.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v463/Andrew_H/fishy/Forbrandy2.png

[EAST_TX_RN]

What if you get a leak in the walls? Will it just be tubing with no connections inside the walls? If you have that covered, you have a great plan! Imagine not having to do water-changes! You da man, Andrew!

[biggin]

Interesting.... Depending on the water it could be really good for you or a big head ache.

You had the unofficial 125 in there....figured the current cage with animals in it should be included....

Yes, sir. As soon as I can get the water tested (very shallow well) and then winter proofed, I'll use it as my tank water source.

There you go and my wife would agree.

[bra8ndy8]

What if the rats get out....or invite their outside friends.....and eat the tube in the wall??? Looks like a BIG mess you might have!

[EAST_TX_RN]

You raise rats? For food or? I raised rats when I was a kid. I loved them, but my parents did not like the smell!

[AndrewH]

What if you get a leak in the walls? Will it just be tubing with no connections inside the walls? If you have that covered, you have a great plan! Imagine not having to do water-changes! You da man, Andrew!

Nope, just tubing through the walls to get from one room to the next (and to hide the tubing, as well as, minimize the length of tubing needed). I also found a little tubing connector that would work for going from my washer water lines (:D hot and cold) to 1/4" tubing!

The tubing running through the wall will not be any different than the pipes you already have running through the wall. This tubing will end up being about 5-6" long to get from one side of the wall (kitchen where the ice maker connection supplies the frig and the tank auto-fill system), to the tank in the Living Room.

Interesting.... Depending on the water it could be really good for you or a big head ache.

You had the unofficial 125 in there....figured the current cage with animals in it should be included....

You're right about the water. That's why I want to have it tested before I even try to use it.

Nope, you're right. Very good point and it might help "sale" the idea :cool:

[bra8ndy8]

He has cute rats!!! SHOW THE RATS...SHOW THE RATS!!! hehehe

[biggin]

I think I have :threadjack: this thread twice.... Sorry Andrew. It is a good thread, I am thinking how I could work it out in my office....

[AndrewH]

What if the rats get out....or invite their outside friends.....and eat the tube in the wall??? Looks like a BIG mess you might have!

The rats get out all the time (I have a 2 yo and 4 yo that love to play with 'em). We already have water lines in the wall at that location (feeding the frig and washing machine), so a couple more won't hurt. Plus I have a solid foundation, so if I do spring a leak it's merely a hair dryer and a drywall patch (and some rat traps) and I'm back in business.

You raise rats? For food or? I raised rats when I was a kid. I loved them, but my parents did not like the smell!

Hmmmm rat burgers :hehe:. (my wife would kill me if she saw that, lol). My wife has them as pets. We have 4 males at the moment and no females (which is the way I like it!!!). The smell isnt' too bad a long as you find interesting ways around it. My wife has junk towels which she just tosses into the washer and give the rats baths every once in a while which makes 'em smell like babies (she uses baby shampoo).

[AndrewH]

He has cute rats!!! SHOW THE RATS...SHOW THE RATS!!! hehehe
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v463/Andrew_H/P6020088.jpg
I think I have :threadjack: this thread twice.... Sorry Andrew. It is a good thread, I am thinking how I could work it out in my office....

Oh anyone is welcome to hijack any of my threads... not a problem at all! :D

[bra8ndy8]

LOL!! Braylen saw the pic....and she now wants a rat! she likes the DUMBO like me!!

[AndrewH]

:D, he's a little stinker. When she puts food into the cage he'll grab as much as he can and take it to he's secret hiding place (of course it's in plain site) and pack it in.

They're very fun to watch, but not my cup of tea ;) I like 'em fishes.

[bra8ndy8]

LOL I like everything BUT SPIDERS!

[EAST_TX_RN]

OMG! They are soo cute! I love rats! Brings back good memories(mostly)! We had a two-story when I had mine, but it was just one huge game-room upstairs for us kids. Well, I was about 11 at the time and thought that if I let the rats out at night, they would stay upstairs??? I woke up to my father and mother screaming in terror one night, and did I have hell to pay when they found out what I did! There was rats everywhere! I think I had about 10-12 hooded rats at the time! Great photo!

[AndrewH]

Yeah, we've woke up to rats in the house (with the dog running around) a couple times. We now have pad locks on the cage doors :D

[bra8ndy8]

I had a poodle lick one of my hamsters to death! It was VERY traumatizing! He was running up and down the hallway....and I guess the poor little guy had a heart attack!!

[blueskybetta]

The rats are cuties..... still prefer the fish. Can't do the rodent smell.

[AndrewH]

Biggin, you figure out a way to make it work in your office?

The only way I can get it to work out in my mind is to have one common wet/dry which has the system installed and then all the tanks use it. I dunno if that'd work for your tank configuration, but it might?

[biggin]

No, I have been thinking about doing something for a while now.... I think I can run a water line into my office. The drain is the big issue I have right now.

I do not really want to do a sump.... I am still researching....I am slow so it takes me longer to do it....

Actually I have to clean out the office and that is what has been holding me back....

[greeneyed]

What about using a canister filter with a "T" in the return line to do the draining?

[biggin]

That is something else I have been thinking about, or atleast thinking of a way to use a canister.

What about using a canister filter with a "T" in the return line to do the draining?

[AndrewH]

What about using a canister filter with a "T" in the return line to do the draining?

Yeah, that's what I'm planning to use on my system. Have a solenoid which is controlled by a 24 hour timer and then will have a ball valve to conotrol how much is releasted.

I think biggin's problem is getting it to a draining location, right?

Well, I guess if you can run a supply line across the house you could do the same with the drain line (just make sure there's a check valve inline).

[biggin]

I think I can get a water line through my garage and thought about running the drain out there also. Just have not got it all worked through yet.

Maybe one of these days I will get back to looking at it.

Easy way would be to just run hoses in the window but I think Christine would kill me…. She has already threatened…

[mrsbiggin]

I think I can get a water line through my garage and thought about running the drain out there also. Just have not got it all worked through yet.

Maybe one of these days I will get back to looking at it.

Easy way would be to just run hoses in the window but I think Christine would kill me…. She has already threatened…

I would kill you for running lines through the garage too....:threaten:

Be lucky I love you buddy!:twitch:

[greeneyed]

lol, that wink looks more like a nervous twitch.

But you really should let him go through the backside......

[rolloffhill]

It is, mouse over it and look at the name...;)

[EAST_TX_RN]

OMG! Love that avatar, Christine! http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff171/SHARONKS/5430.gif

[mrsbiggin]

OMG! Love that avatar, Christine! http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff171/SHARONKS/5430.gif

Did you just notice it? Skipp bestowed it on my out of love and devotion a couple of days ago! :D

[EAST_TX_RN]

Skipp is loving like that. I think he was the one that helped bestow 'wienie tickle' on me, lol!

[rolloffhill]

Hey, where is weenie tickle!!!! :(:mad:

[EAST_TX_RN]

I got tired of explaining that I wasn't some perv and removed it, lol!

[biggin]

I got tired of explaining that I wasn't some perv and removed it, lol!

Not some kinda perv? Have you read your post? :poke:

[kewlkatdady]

Hey, where is weenie tickle!!!! :(:mad:
I'm with Skipp...
I'm always looking for a good weenie tickle...

Skipp, let me know what you find...








:flipa:

[EAST_TX_RN]

Okay, so I am a perv, just wanted it to be a secret! Sshh! :twitch:

[blueskybetta]

Dirty minded people :wha: hehe