Mini Water changing system TOTW 3-21-05

[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

[Reefland]

Hi Greg, Welcome to Reefland!

This looks very interesting however from the image I can't seem to understand the operation. Could you try to explain it for me?

[The R/C Man]

Hey! Thanks!

The bucket on the left is filled with RO/DI water and a salt mix. By opening the valve coming from the bottom of the left bucket and the one leaving the pump I can circulate that water mixing the solution over night. That bucket also contains a heater to bring the temp to 78. To do a change I drain the water from the tank into the right bucket. Then I close the valve returning to the mixing bucket and open the one with the flexible hose. I insert that into the tank and plug in the pump. I minute later all the fresh salt water is in the tank. I then roll the unit to the sink and open the valve from the right bucket and the valve to the hose, turn on the pump and the waste water goes to the sink. No lifting of buckets and no mess.... I hope that helped.....

[Reefland]

That definitely helped, I was just trying to uderstand the ball valve configurations for operation. That is an excellent DIY project my friend!

[The R/C Man]

Thanks!


I have a few more that I will be posting in the near future......

[Reefland]

I have thought for a long time that I couldn't beleive someone has never come up with a "water changing device"...looks like someone has. Need to run to the patent office, although something other than HD buckets.

[The R/C Man]

I can't take the credit for that idea.... I borrowed it from someone else and tailored it to fit my needs... I guess it pays to be a member on a few different boards.....

[Reefland]

Glad you decided to share with us on our board.

[kevinpo]

I really like that you can mix the exact amount of water that you need by being able to measure the amount you are removing. I think this would work well up to about 45gal water change (which covers most tanks).

Regards,
Kevin

[scubadude]

Sweet idea and even better engineering Greg! I totally love it.
Couple of questions though if you dont mind sir

The 5g new SW bucket that you have your RO/DI water coming into does it have a float of some sort?

Also I see that the unit is laid on carpet, I know this would be inconvenient for you but could you possibly get a picture of it when its empty and us looking at the bottom where you have the plumbing to the buckets. The reason I ask this is that if the unit was on a surface such as tile or hardwood floor do you suppose you could put some heavy duty casters on it and even make it on wheels? That way you could cart it out of the way and put it in a closet or something when its not in use?

Here is a picture of the W/C unit I made for my greenhouse....a bit more rudementary but its main purpose was your #5 of "what it does"

[The R/C Man]

Hey Rocky!

I didn't bother to use a float switch on this project because of the small bucket size. I am sure by not adding one I will be cleaning up the floor a couple times in the near future... The older you get the easier you forget things..... They say that it is the second thing to go....


I will get a pic of the bottom shortly...

[The R/C Man]

I am going to put this thing into practice for the first time this weekend.......Ok here is a pic of the underside of the system....

[The R/C Man]

Hey Everyone!

I just did a water change using the above system. This thing is great!!! It took 10 minute to do a water change and not a drop ended up on the floor..... I definitaly recommend building one. You won't put those water changes off any longer...

[Reefland]

When Michelle decides she wants her new "big tank", I'll be sure to do something like this but with rubbermaid cans that are stationary.

[Hint Hint]

[Poseidon]

Boy Scott, that is a pretty subtle hint!!!


LOL looks great! I will have to build one on wheels for my 2 rubbermaids....

[orion25]

Grreat system, I cannot wait until we get a house (and out of this apartment). Then we can have the RO/DI & a Water change system...........

Your plans will be kept in mind. Thanks!!