Habitat - Indoor :: water change schedule

[robind]

I have a 140g tank for which I am constructing an automatic water changer. It will work using some float switches, a feed from the house water supply, and a drain to the outside.

What would be an 'ideal' water change schedule? I would think that doing much smaller water changes once or multiple times a day would be better. Something like 1% 3 times a day everyday. Does anyone have any experience with something like this?

[BullDog]

1% 3 times a day sounds like a lot! Maybe 1% once a day...

I have no experience with automatic water changers, but many people judge when to do a water change by checking the water chemical levels (especially nitrate).

I would think maybe setting it up to do slightly lesser to start, then monitor the chems, and if you find they are getting to high, then up the amount it changes... Just a thought though...

[robind]

I suppose it sounds like a lot, but 1% of 140 gallons is a mere 1.4 gallons. Only changing 10 gallons a week does not sound like enough to me. I suppose I'll have to experiment.

[BullDog]

I don't know... That seems like a heck of a lot to me... I do a 25%-50% water change every month or so. But when it's gradual, I suppose it's a lot different. Just seems like a lot of water going in and out too (if you're on water restrictions or anything...)

[untsmurf]

I'm unsure at how automatic water changers work. I'd worry that your turt might get caught in the suction.

Anyhow, I think you should spend a few months monitoring your water, then you can go by your measurements as to how often you should change it. I don't think doing a 3% water change everyday will really do anything. If you can schedule it to do a larger water change, maybe 10% every two weeks, I think that will work better.

Make sure when it does change the water out that you continue to add your conditioner to the new water.

[Chrisbarnett]

I think what you have planned out right now is actually pretty good. I mean, 1.4gal everyday is not that much. 9.8gal per week is not too much imo.

I would try out what you got, you can always change it later.

[robind]

Okay, thanks for the input guys.
Untsmurf: to alleviate your concerns, the drain siphon will feed from the sump tank, so the turtles are in no danger.
BullDog: I don't pay for water! So that's not really an issue.
As it is now I do 10% a week, and though my ammonia and nitrite levels are always minimal, nitrate levels have been getting steadily higher and higher (old tank syndrome, I guess). That's part of my motivation for the auto-changer.

Also, someone else brought up the issue of chlorine and chloramines. My tap isn't too bad in that respect, but to help I'm gonna add a small doser full of ammolock.

[Chrisbarnett]

Robin,
here's a guys system that he built to incorporate chemicals to treat his water.
http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forum ... hp?t=74275

[robind]

That's a neat device, but unfortunately the dosmatic is well out of my price range.
I'm going to build a doser represented by this diagram:



Construction:
Airtight container A is supplied with water to be dosed via a siphon in tube B from reservoir C (not shown). Pressurized air is supplied via tube D into container A, from an air pump controlled by a PC(not shown). Tube E is tee'd into tube B and leads to the tank. Checkvalves F and G prevent water from going up tube B or down tube E.

Function:
To prime the device, start the siphon. The water will fill the container until it reaches the bottom of tube D, at which point it will flow up tubes D and E until the water level matches reservoir C. When the airpump is turned on, it will push out the water and air will fill the chamber and push the water up tube E into the tank. When the airpump is turned off, the siphon will resume and refill the doser.

[Chrisbarnett]

That sounds pretty good if I am following that correctly.

When are you planning on setting this up?

[robind]

I'm still missing some parts. I'm going to place an order at santa cruz electronics pretty soon, they get awesome deals from jameco. But within the next couple weeks.