DIY : 24/7 New Water Drip System

[neoprodigy]

Water Changes... do you love doing them? Well I'm tired of the doing water changes every other day on 18+ tanks...

The 24/7 drip system is a constant drip of "new" water and any excess water will overflow out the tank through the drains. Similar to an Overflow filter except it has a much slower flow rate.

Here's how my system works:

Water -> (filter) -> Aged Water Barrel -> Tank -> Overflow -> Drain/Sink/Lawn

----- Aged Water Barrel----

I tap into the cold water pipe :



The aged water barrel :



You have to get Float Valve !! or your place will be flooded !



The pump that pumps water into the tanks :




To age the water you must aerate the water 24/7.

I have an air stone in the barrel but I didn't think it was enough, so I added a pump to circulate the water even more.



Circulated back in to the barrel :



Spray bar helps spread the water around :



You see the yellow quick disconnect ? Why the quick disconnect ?
It's just incase I need to do a quick water change




----- DRILL TANK----



If you want the water level to be higher, all you have to do is add an extention to allow the water level to rise.



----- NON DRILL TANK----

here is how the overflow works



Here is a DIY version. Its much cheaper and works the same way.




----- How to build a Neoprodigy DIY overflow----

Im using a 1-1/4 pvc pipe :



PVC primer and cement :



Primer the ends :





When its all cemented :




----- Installing the drip----

New water to the tanks :



The flow valve :



The drip :



----- Install the over flow----

I use zip ties to secure it to the pole :







The level of the PVC pipe to the right controls the level of water in the tank. Make sure you line up the pipe with the desired water level in the tank correctly :



You see the vinyl pipe from the tank to the overflow?



If you have time you can use pvc piping instead :





To start the siphon process I use a pump to quick start it. Pump the water until it starts to flow out of the tube.



This Setup Drains to the Sink :



My other setup is set to drain to the AC draining system :

[aquaholic]

Good idea. Might I respectfully add that unless you need to change your water chemistry you can bypass the water aging barrel. No need for float valves, extra water pump, aging barrel etc.

Water drip -> Overflow -> Drain. I usually put the overflow drain on the central sump.

I change about 10% total tank volume per week so per day the amount of water incoming doesnt need dechlorinating and the slow water change is good in winter as I dont have to prewarm the water. I also dont use proper taps but plastic micro irrigation pipe (polyipe) and fittings. The dripping water is really low pressure so theres no need for PVC or pressure fittings. The irrigation water drippers have their own adjustable flowrates which are surprisingly accurate.

[neoprodigy]

Good idea. Might I respectfully add that unless you need to change your water chemistry you can bypass the water aging barrel. No need for float valves, extra water pump, aging barrel etc.

Water drip -> Overflow -> Drain. I usually put the overflow drain on the central sump.

I change about 10% total tank volume per week so per day the amount of water incoming doesnt need dechlorinating and the slow water change is good in winter as I dont have to prewarm the water. I also dont use proper taps but plastic micro irrigation pipe (polyipe) and fittings. The dripping water is really low pressure so theres no need for PVC or pressure fittings. The irrigation water drippers have their own adjustable flowrates which are surprisingly accurate.

tap water pH high 8s
aged water barrel pH low 8s

i like the aged water barrel because sometimes i need to do a quick massive water change... and the aged water barrel is heated to about 82F...