Auto Top off

Pickupman66 · #1 06/08/2006, 09:39 PM

Ok.. so the wifey was not happy this week in having to put water in the tank. she didnt watch me when I showed her how to turn on and off hte ro/di system. So.. because of my travels that can take me away from the tank for at most 5 to 7 days, I need to figure out some sort of auto top off system. I was thinking about placing a large container in the garage and then pumping the water from there down to the crawlspace, and then back up to the tank to keep me from drilling holes in the wall. if possible, I would like to avoid having to run electrical thru this, but will if that is the best choice. I have a maxijet 400 that would make a great pump, or I can do it gravity feed with just a float valve instead of a switch.

any suggestions?

gflat65 · #2 06/08/2006, 09:44 PM

You can build a float switch relatively cheap (or buy one from autotopoff.com). It is the best $30-50 you can spend on your tank. I run my ATO from a rubbermaid tub stored in a cabinet next to the tanks with a Rio 600. A MJ400 would be fine for short runs.

I think someone around here ran gravity fed ATO's, but I can't remember who it was...

Sk8r · #3 06/08/2006, 09:44 PM

If you're going to go a distance you need at least the maxijet 1200, I fear. My 400 will barely make it from a bucket to the tank next to it, though the maxijet is a good topoff pump, forgiving of start-stop.
I'd use a timer to turn the ro/di off/on every night for 10 minutes, and then run topoff from a collection bucket: reasoning? Undershoot your actual evap rate, figuring it will at least keep fairly well up with reality, but not overshoot, over a couple of weeks. And if you have a limited size topoff bucket, the size of the disaster that can be created by a malfunction that delivers all the ro/di at once is minimized. With the ro/di connected directly to your tank there's a) a lot of start/stop for a ro/di to handle and b) the size of the potential disaster is infinite.

loyalty · #4 06/08/2006, 09:55 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Sk8r
Undershoot your actual evap rate, figuring it will at least keep fairly well up with reality, but not overshoot, over a couple of weeks. And if you have a limited size topoff bucket, the size of the disaster that can be created by a malfunction that delivers all the ro/di at once is minimized. With the ro/di connected directly to your tank there's a) a lot of start/stop for a ro/di to handle and b) the size of the potential disaster is infinite.

i may go that route, seems like a good set up for my little 29

Pickupman66 · #5 06/08/2006, 10:02 PM

from the way the garage is situated in relation to the tank, I would maybe have like 6 foot of travel. I plan ot fill the holding tank up when I am home and keeping it at a minimal level to keep disaster chances small.

Gary.. so you said cheap ( my middle name), but you neglected to explain how.

I was thinking about gravity feed, but I am not 100% sure as to how I will do it.

btw, autotopoff.com didnt work...

charles6299 · #6 06/08/2006, 10:07 PM

MY TOP OFF IS GRAVITY FED TO A $15 FLOAT IN MY SUMP....I PUT THE PLASTIC CONTAINER IN THE CLOSET BEHIND MY TANK AND DRILLED A HOLE IN THE BOTTOM THAT GOES DOWN....GOOD LUCK, HOPE THIS HELPS OUT !

Pickupman66 · #7 06/08/2006, 10:21 PM

where did you get the float from?

Sk8r · #8 06/08/2006, 10:26 PM

autotopoff.com must be having server troubles. They're ordinarily a valid link. I use one of the early units, a nest of wires and a dual float switch, and it never misses (unless I've knocked the float switch down while fishing test water out of my minuscule sump!)

cee · #9 06/09/2006, 05:35 AM

Gravity fed using a Kent float valve is cheap and ultra-reliable (gravity has yet to fail in my lifetime, and I expect it will still be around in my grandkid's generation).

Dave

gflat65 · #10 06/09/2006, 07:24 AM

Oh no. The sky is falling... (Sorry, one of my previous engr managers favorite phrases-guess he wasn't too invested in gravity

).

I though you had a gravity top off, Dave.

To go the float switch avenue, you need a relay and a float switch (may be able to get both from Radio Shack). I'll see if I can hunt down a thread if you are still interested. I may actualy have a word doc somewhere. I bought a used DIY ATO from someone and never got it to work, but had several threads to guide through it (I think the relay is fried). I have the stuff to build another, so I may be playing with that soon...

charles6299 · #11 06/10/2006, 08:00 PM

WWW.MARINEDEPOT.COM
YOU CAN BUY THE FLOAT THERE...THEY ALSO SELL THE SOLINOID TO THAT YOU CAN HOOK UP TO IT...IF YOU DO, THEN THE FLOAT IS ACTUALLY A "BACK UP" IN CASE THE RELAY FAILS.....

fishdoc11 · #12 06/10/2006, 08:27 PM

I use a Tunze Osmolator...I like it so much I bought another

One of the best things I have ever purchased for my reef aquariums.

Chris

crumbletop · #13 06/10/2006, 10:30 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by fishdoc11
I use a Tunze Osmolator...I like it so much I bought another

One of the best things I have ever purchased for my reef aquariums.

Chris

I've heard the same thing from several people. I'm planning on getting an osmolator in the very near future...

Jack

fishdoc11 · #14 06/10/2006, 11:02 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by crumbletop
I've heard the same thing from several people. I'm planning on getting an osmolator in the very near future...

Jack

You won't dissapointed

Most people think $175 is a lot to pay for a topoff system but when you consider a malfunction of the topoff system is to blame for many reef crashes(not to mention ruined floors etc...) that's not much to pay for an ultra reliable triple redundant system IMO

Chris

bkv1997 · #15 06/11/2006, 12:13 PM

I put the tunze osmolator on my new setup and is great.

The first time the skimmer container filled up and all the water rushed to the sump an alarm started sounding... I have since risen the emergency shut off a bit more, but this unit works great.

Brandon

Pickupman66 · #16 06/11/2006, 10:18 PM

I have decided to go witha gravity feed system that way i can control the volume in case of emergency. I ordred a float valve ahich will be installed via bulkhead into the sump. will have to drill a 1/2" hole in the sump itself. glad it is acrylic! then a hole in the floor and then out to the garage. I plan on having a 15 gallon or so clear bin wiht aobut 8 gallons of water in it. this should last 1 week and then I can fill on the container on the weekend. I will also route my ro/di into it so all I ahve to do is flip the valve on it and set the timer.