I’m considering setting up a saltwater mixing station and automated water change for my Red Sea Reefer 250 (65g), and would appreciate any thoughts you have on my proposed design.
My RSR is in our dining room and I have an RODI station about 7` away on the other side of the external wall. I run an Apex and my RSR ATO is kept topped up from the external RODI reservoir via a PMUP and ATK. My Apex is housed in the sump of the RSR. The RODI station is outside in an enclosure to protect it from the elements. My reservoir is currently 80L (20g) but I have scope to double that if I need - I am allowing myself scope to install a second tank, maybe 120g or so later on.
My plan is to install another reservoir next to the RODI station (SW reservoir). This would be exposed to the elements but the area is a narrow side and quite protected. My reservoir will have a lid to prevent water and other pollutant ingress. I would provide power to the RODI station, and in that mount a DOS head and FMM. These would be connected back to the Apex base unit via a long Aquabus cable. Inside the SW reservoir would be a small powerhead to continuously move the water.
The FMM would control a PMUP in the RODI reservoir pumping to the SW reservoir. The DOS would be configured for AWC to pump from the SW reservoir to the DT and waste into the sewer (conveniently I have an entry next to the RODI station). The SW Reservoir would have an optical sensor (SWHigh) to detect when it is full.
I would have two new Apex outlets.
[SWCycle]
# Virtual outlet to trigger a saltwater fill cycle
#
Set ON
[SWFill]
# Outlet for the PMUP used to fill the SW reservoir
#
Set OFF
If Outlet SWCycle = ON Then ON
Min Time 120:00 Then ON
If SWHigh CLOSED Then OFF
Normally SWCycle would be manually set OFF. I would trigger a fill cycle by turning it ON temporarily and then back OFF.
I would calibrate the SW Reservoir with markings inside, so I know how much water it holds vs what it holds when it is full. After triggering a SWCycle I would add sufficient salt for the amount of water required to fill it.
The DOS configuration for AWC would allow for a fill Cycle, pausing AWC whilst a cycle takes place (sorry, haven’t looked into the DOS program yet):
IF Outlet SWCycle = ON Then OFF
Min Time 120:00 Then OFF
The concept is that the AWC would operate 24x7 draining the SW Reservoir. I would periodically add salt to the reservoir and trigger a fill cycle. As a failsafe I could add a second optical sensor to detect a low level in the SW Reservoir and disable the AWC.
Specific questions I have are:
1. How long can I keep pre-mixed salt in this configuration?
I use Aquaforest Reef salt currently.
2. How much water should I change daily?
I currently do a 27L/7g every 4 weeks (10% of total volume) so on this basis I would want to change ~1L/day (0.25g/day).
I would appreciate any thoughts the community has!
Thanks in advance, Brad.
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