In designing and planning for my purchase of a large tank I've decided it is essential, given my erratic work schedule, that water changes be automated. I would prefer something like 10% a night for a total of 70% a week. This keeps the volume of waste water low on a per day basis (which I will use to irrigate my yard) and the replacement volume low so that in the winter it wont be as much of a temperature burden.
My question is, what is the most reliable way to do this.
Here's what I'm thinking.
First, will use a controller, probably an ACIII.
Will have a float switch in the tank to keep it topped off. Will be hooked up to the fill solenoid. This will always be on except for during the water change.
Will have another float switch mounted upside down in the sump at the level of a 10% change that the ACIII will keep off until the schedule water change time. This float switch will control a solenoid that opens the drain. I'm not sure if I could use my return pump to pump water out or if I would need a dedicated pump?
So basically it would go like this.
4 AM. ACIII deactivates top off float switch and activates drain float switch. Water is pumped into drip irrigation system outside until upside down (drain float switch) reaches 10% level. Then, I would have the ACIII turn the top off solenoid on. Maybe time it and have the ACIII keep the top off turned off for 10 minutes longer than it takes to drain the tank unless I can have the ACIII recognize when the drain float switch is done with its thing then turn on the other one. Never played with an ACIII so not sure what they are capable of.
Sounds pretty easy so I figure there's something I'm not getting.
My question is, what is the most reliable way to do this.
Here's what I'm thinking.
First, will use a controller, probably an ACIII.
Will have a float switch in the tank to keep it topped off. Will be hooked up to the fill solenoid. This will always be on except for during the water change.
Will have another float switch mounted upside down in the sump at the level of a 10% change that the ACIII will keep off until the schedule water change time. This float switch will control a solenoid that opens the drain. I'm not sure if I could use my return pump to pump water out or if I would need a dedicated pump?
So basically it would go like this.
4 AM. ACIII deactivates top off float switch and activates drain float switch. Water is pumped into drip irrigation system outside until upside down (drain float switch) reaches 10% level. Then, I would have the ACIII turn the top off solenoid on. Maybe time it and have the ACIII keep the top off turned off for 10 minutes longer than it takes to drain the tank unless I can have the ACIII recognize when the drain float switch is done with its thing then turn on the other one. Never played with an ACIII so not sure what they are capable of.
Sounds pretty easy so I figure there's something I'm not getting.