Drip line method for water changes and/or top ups

[Sprae]

Here's a very simple 10-steps drip lining method I use every time there's substantial amount of water (300ml or more) added to my nano tank

1. Get any long airline tubing and an empty clean plastic water bottle
   
2. Make a hole on the plastic cap just big enough to fit the tubing tightly (use a big nail or small knife).
   
3. Push one end opening pass the cap hole and tie a loose knot before the cap
   
4. Place new water container near tank, preferably water level is above tank level
   
5. Put the tubing into the new water and the knotted cap end screwed close onto the bottle
   
6. Lower the bottle below container and compress the bottle and expand it, until the bottle starts to suck/pull water into the bottle
   
7. Once you have a water flow, tighten the knot until you get a slow but consistent drip (2-3 drops per second)
   
8. Unscrew and place the dripping line in place for topping up.
   
9. Loosen or tighten knot to manage the drip rate over the duration to your preference.
   
10. Remove it when tank water level is where you want it.
    

Open for feedback and different ideas from the experts. Hope that helps :)

[Triggs]

Good write up!

Constructive feedback;

Pictures would be awesome, It just helps people to visualize what they're reading.

Also rather than tying a knot in the hose I find flow control valves to be easier to control the water drip flow.

A peg also works well to keep the airline intake tube in the fish tank without slipping out.

And a cheap soldering iron works well to melt small holes in plastic, This works well for DIY co2 also.

Great work on the write up.

[Sprae]

Nice additions Triggs!

[northboy]

Being a drip feed there is NO need for declaration, as there is never enough new water at any one time to be a problem.

A constant no messing around way to do it is to set up a pressure reducer on a near by tap and use 25m PVC and fittings, all glued together and you can use stop cocks to slow the main line flow and there is screw in drippers that you can screw into a 25 x25 slip joint T piece that has a reduced 13mm thread to adapt the dripper to. 25mm is the best to use as it acts like a reserve so there is even preasure all over.

Sorry i never took photos of it, if you are worried you can put the drippers on a irrigation timer so you have total control.

Yep I have built lots of different systems, maybe there is one in a LFS near you.

Bob

If ever you set up a fish room air system, please use a 40mm waste pipe, it seams like an over kill, but there is even pressure all the way around and you air pump will work WAY better.

[Foxpuppet]

I use gravity and a small flow control valve like this [ATTACH]793[/ATTACH]

Or this

[ATTACH]794[/ATTACH]

But now I just got this little baby and set it up

Very simple float valve works with gravity feed or RO unit.

[Triggs]

Very simple float valve works with gravity feed or RO unit.

The only thing that worries me with float valves is when they decide to stick

[Trav80]

I use a 2L Sudo box. Nice slow drip and leave them be for 24-48 hours. Make sure the WP are the same as the tank, and then remove the small grill that stops them escaping and they leave when they want.

I have also used a very similar drip method in the past or when my Sudo is in use.

[northboy]

The one thing I failed to mention is, you need to put over flows in the tank as it is a water change system, not a top up one.

Fox where did you get the small float valves from? I have not seen them for years

Bob

[Sprae]

Wow guys! Thanks for the all different ideas. :encouragement:

I'm interested in the small float valve too. Nice idea for auto-top system.

[blindfisherman]

The one thing I failed to mention is' date=' you need to put over flows in the tank as it is a water change system, not a top up one.

Fox where did you get the small float valves from? I have not seen them for years

Bob[/quote']

I purchased a very similar float valve for my ATO in the shed from ebay for about 6 bucks.

Edit: they are as far as I can see identical

[Foxpuppet]

hey where did my post go?

[Gbang]

nice post! yeah trav i use the sudo box system too. very very easy and you can monitor the shrimp the whole time