Automatic Watch Change System

[jones57742]

Originally Posted by RSidetrack I found one flaw while running tests a couple times. Residual water on the contacts.

RTs: Think "Stainless Steel"!

One: The surface tension required to retain the water on Stainless Steel is much less than that of Copper.

Two: Corrosion of and the decrease of solidification of electrolytes on the plates will be beneficial.

TR

[RSidetrack]

Originally Posted by jones57742 RTs: Think "Stainless Steel"! One: The surface tension required to retain the water on Stainless Steel is much less than that of Copper. Two: Corrosion of and the decrease of solidification of electrolytes on the plates will be beneficial. TR

Great Idea! Thanks!

[RSidetrack]

Just an update - the system is still in progress. Everything has been functioning fine so far, so now it is time to work on the fail safe system and a better method of electrodes. I will keep everyone posted

[overallgal]

Hi RS,

How's your system doing? I would really love an automated water change system. I'm on well water so I don't need to add any checmicals but the water changes are wearing me out. LOL

Thank you for posting your project, so when are you to market?

Darlene

[Tolak]

I've seen racks of tanks with automated water change systems. Setups with a centralized filtration system are easy, auto fill the sump which has an overflow, water source on a timer. Carbon filter to remove chlorine & chloramine.

A buddy of mine has this set up for individual tanks, self starting siphon in each tank, water line run across the top, inline carbon filter for the source. Valve on a timer, he had it set up with a remote control bypass at one point, click the remote & change water.

I'm in the process of setting up something similar for my tanks. I don't like the lower flow rate of the overflows, so I have most of my tanks drilled. These run into a bin with a pump that I'm using for a sump, this summer while putting in a bathroom downstairs I also plan on putting a sump in the fishroom. Water is already run to the room, just need to run water feeds to the tanks, inline filter & timer, & let it rip.

If you could get your project built into one small unit with a supply & drain line that folks could just plug & play you might see a market. What I and others go through is worth the time for many tanks, but is a bit overboard for the aquarist with a tank or three. An easy set up & use unit might be attractive to these sort of folks.