Project Log - Semiautomated Maintenance System

[jsullins]

when you drain all 4 at the same time and then shut the pumps off wont that possibly create a cross contamination situation? If all 4 tanks are pumped out at the same time they will mix in the gutter, then when the pumps are turned off any water left in the line will come back down into the tanks or am i missing something?

Never mind I see it now, I was definately missing something! looks great.

[kris2341]

Its official, with this system, i am able to give my fish fast 100% water changes of the highest quality without using a siphon.

As a final tweak, I fitted the pumps with elbows and low profile strainers to get them as close to the bottom as possible to siphon as much water out.

I then run clean water into the tank as the tank nearly empties and the fresh water cleans off the entire bottom of the tank and the debris are sucked away.

The tanks are cleaned better using this system than i ever could using a mere siphon and hose.



In about 5 minutes, a single tank is drained, cleaned, and refilled... and this operation can be comfortably done on 2-3 tanks at once.

[Cosgrovb]

Post a video


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[kris2341]

will do as soon as I can get a tripod or something lol, phone camera video is awful.

[dozercrew]

I am only about 3 hours from you. if you are ever in san diego and have time. it would be awesome to set this up on my 15 tanks in my fish room

[alron2]

Gave the system a run today, and it was amazing...

However, putting away a 100ft 2 inch diameter spiral hose, not so amazing.... my hands are still cramping.



that should tell you everything you need to know.

Why do the individual drains have the two 90's above the T's?
Thanks
Ron

[kris2341]

hey guys, thanks for the comments, in class right now and have been busy lately.

the two 90s are there as a sort of peace of mind measure with this system. the idea was to make it so that it was impossible for gutter water (that is a mixture of all water from these otherwise isolated tanks) to be unable to splash back upwards into the vinyl tubing under any circumstances. so basically this is to prevent cross contamination between tanks as the pumps only drain water out of the tanks.

as a note to myself though, i found that this system has trouble clearing out debris that float and get stuck to the sides of the tank walls (freezedried blackworms), those need to be rinsed off to be removed.

[kris2341]

oh and as far as going over to SD and helping build a system like this, as much as id love to, my schedule is somewhat tight lately.... and im awful driving long distances as i rarely drive for the sake of driving!

if i could secure a means over however, id gladly take discus as payment!