Auto Topoff System....

roadrunner1659 · #1 07/01/2006, 11:11 PM

Currently, i have about 1 gallon of evaporation per day and i just take a gallon jug and fill it with my ro/di water and pour in...i have no problum with this but in a little over a month i will be going on vacation for a week so i am beginning to looking over everything...

...i figure that if im happy with auto topoff system i will just continue to use it as my evaporation water with kalkwasser mixed in...

so i am looking for suggestions on a good auto topoff system that is safe and accurate, so that i dont have to worry about it over flowing my tank or anything like that...i will probably be using a 5 gallon salt bucket (no salt anymore)...haha

thanks for the help!

Sk8r · #2 07/01/2006, 11:14 PM

Try www.autotopoff.com and do better than I did the first time---plug it in before you leave the house.

Seriously, start using it now so you get accustomed to it and know you can rely on it. They're a little futzy [about 10 min to set up, but a little more to figure it all out.]

I lace it with enough buffer [10 tsps] that at a gallon a day it equals the buffer demand of my tank.

roadrunner1659 · #3 07/01/2006, 11:15 PM

i went to that website but i am completly unsure as to what i am looking at...

Try www.autotopoff.com and do better than I did the first time---plug it in before you leave the house.

...that last part is funny...

crustin · #4 07/01/2006, 11:15 PM

how much money are you willing to spend??

markandkristen · #5 07/01/2006, 11:16 PM

i use a tunze osmolator a bit pricey buy accurate.

roadrunner1659 · #6 07/01/2006, 11:17 PM

i dont want to spend a fortune...how much does a decent auto topoff system generally cost?

Reefrus2003 · #7 07/01/2006, 11:19 PM

If you have a sump, you can install a float and get a rubbermaid container and let gravity take care of it, works on mine 18 gallon reserve lasts 4 to 5 days, maintains a constant level in the sump and no more worries about neighbor checking the levels and adding water or letting the pumps run dry.

crustin · #8 07/01/2006, 11:19 PM

$10 - $300

Sk8r · #9 07/01/2006, 11:21 PM

Ah: re what you're looking at: you need a dual float [cuts pump on and off], connected to the little unit with a red light on it [pump working at the moment] and a green one [water level in sump is ok] which runs one cord to the wall [for power] and one to let you plug the topoff pump in [I just used an old maxijet]. A hose runs from the topoff pump in your bucket and the sump.
My whole rig ran 75.00 and has worked immaculately [when I plug it in.] You set your float at the right level, and it turns the pump on to deliver more water whenever it gets a cup below what you set as the level. To adjust said level, just physically push the float a little lower in its harness. The actual floatswitch is inside the little chamber. It's also pretty snail proof: this is important, to prevent a flood.

crustin · #10 07/01/2006, 11:25 PM

http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewIt...roduct=KM2521, driil a hole in the side of the container and drip it in or your daddy http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merch...ry_Code=Dosers

roadrunner1659 · #11 07/01/2006, 11:26 PM

i do have a sump/fuge combination and if i get an auto topoff i would like to have it pour into the return chamber...i guess i need a system that sk8r was talking about something that will turn on and off as when water is needed...

...as i said i dont need a big container being that i only lose about 1 gallon a day...

on another note, lets just say that the water level in the topoff bucket runs out...does that mean from that point on when water is needed the pump would run dry...

roadrunner1659 · #12 07/01/2006, 11:29 PM

o yea and i would like this system to be quiet being that my tank is in my bedroom otherwise i would just pull the plug when i go to bed...

crustin · #13 07/01/2006, 11:29 PM

there are always diy stuff heres a cheap pump, but you have to put it on timers or restrict the flow http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewIt...product=OE1137

Nabob89 · #14 07/01/2006, 11:30 PM

are there any pumps that could get the water from a container on the floor up to the top of the tank?

roadrunner1659 · #15 07/01/2006, 11:33 PM

it wont have to go up very high...the height of the bucket is about as high as it will need to go...my sump is only 12" high so i wont need much in the power department for moving the water...maybe like 24" head height at the most...

Reefrus2003 · #16 07/01/2006, 11:34 PM

The one I am using does not require any pumps or electrical to operate it, less than $30.00 total might not be as fancy as the ones at Auto top off, but works great, Kent float in the sump, 1/4" tubing, DIY bulkhead on make-up supply, gravity takes care of the rest... Just got back from being gone for 5 days still had make up water for another day left.

roadrunner1659 · #17 07/01/2006, 11:37 PM

i dont care about looks considering that i DIY my sump/fuge and everything else envolved witht that...

reefrus would you mind giving my more information on your setup...and have you ever had any problems with it?

roadrunner1659 · #18 07/01/2006, 11:38 PM

o well reading over your thread again i wont be able to have gravity feed my water so i will def need some sort of pump or somthing...

roadrunner1659 · #19 07/01/2006, 11:40 PM

ok here is what i think i will need...

small pump able to move water 24" head...some sort of divice that will turn on and off the pump when water is needed due to evaporation...and i also guess something like a float switch which will make everything else know when to run...

crustin · #20 07/01/2006, 11:44 PM

http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewIt...product=OE1137

Reefrus2003 · #21 07/02/2006, 12:01 AM

No problems simple system, just have the make up water above the sump so gravity will let it drain into the sump, this is the type of float I used in the sump, here is where I got the float.
http://stores.ebay.com/H2O-Science. You just have to have the make up supply higher than your sump, do a search on DIY bulkheads, I used 3/4" and reduced it down to 1/4" also installed a 1/4" shut off ball valve on the bulkhead before I went with the tubing. Mount the float in the sump at the water level you want to maintain, hook it up and let it go, Gravity Fed no pumps to worry about. I sit mine on a cabinet beside the tank. Worked great, the float takes care of the level just as it suppose to.

roadrunner1659 · #22 07/02/2006, 12:12 AM

well guys i was looking at autotopoff.com and i like the looks of the double switch sump setup...i could use an older 10 gal tank that we dont use anymore and i'll go out and get some small pump...

anything else i need?

guzz64 · #23 07/02/2006, 07:32 AM

Is your water supply close? No pump necessary. Use two float switches and a solenoid valve in your sump. will work fine.

McMaster Carr #'s

1 Polypropylene solenoid valve Part no. 7877K53
2 Polypropylene float switch Part no. 50195K65

This and some plastic tubing from your RO system and you don't have to touch it again.

I use 2 switches for redundancy. They break the circuit on a rise in the sump level. I set them up one slightly higher than the other so the second one is a backup. I personally wired all of this through a time-delay relay so when the switch is calling for water it waits 1 hour before topping off. It cuts down on the rapid on off cycle if you have any surface rippling where you mount the switches.

guzz64 · #24 07/02/2006, 07:33 AM

You could use a Kent Float valve as your final delivery and yet another safety if you feel the need.

roadrunner1659 · #25 07/02/2006, 09:41 AM

no my water supply is in the basement and my tank is 2 floors up in my bedroom...