125 Gallon 8 Month Birthday

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I use the same ones, and have for years. An AquaLifter works well for my needs, and PremiumAquatics has them for $10.25 when we ordered ours.
 
Do those aqualifters prevent a siphon when they are off? I've been thinking about an autotopoff system and was worried about having a siphon if I don't use a float valve, and I don't trust those float valves very well. I was planning on some type of dosing pump. But an aqualifter on a timer might be another option for me.
 
So to use the aqualifter all that I would need would be a float switch in the sump connected to the aqualifter?
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6511914#post6511914 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by GregM779
So to use the aqualifter all that I would need would be a float switch in the sump connected to the aqualifter?
Click to expand...

Greg...

FWIW, here's my setup:

I bought one of those electric float swtches from MarineDepot that controls a water pump... Glued the suction cup for the float switch to the inside of the sump so it would not move... I ran PVC over the top of the sump angled in ( see pics ) and have the pipe running up the back of the stand about 3' up and attached to the stand with a bracket to hold it in place... The FW fill tank is just a cheap rubbermaid and I use a Maxjet1200 for the pump ( also glues to the bottom of the holding tank so it won't move... the fill up tubing is reinforced nylon type so no kinking and it travels "up" and into the PVC so when it shuts off, it won't syphon out... I've been running this config since the start of Dec. and it's worked out great for me... It's actually Marc's design using a pre-made rather than home made float switch... A little more money but it's piece of mind for me... All electrical connections are far away from any water source..

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Bob
 
nice setup, so the powerhead plugs directly into this float siwtch and when the valve on the switch is lowered, it turns on the pump?
Do you have a link to it?
 
I tried but could not get it to work for me .... Go to MarineDepot's site and search on "float switch" It's made by Ultralife and is the only one they sell. It's under the catagory "Dosing Pumps/Top-Off"

And yes... The switch comes with a controler which has a plug that goes to an outlet and a cord coming off that you plug your pump into... It's got plenty of slack to put it well away from your sump.. The float switch has enough cord length too... IMO, it's very well made and very sturdy...

Bob
 
On my site, I have page explaining how I hooked up my auto top off system (under the 280g tank section of Hidden Treasures). Using a float switch from floatswitches.net, an extension cord and the Aqua Lifter, it is working out great. I've used a maxijet as well in the past, but the lifter is quiet and does burn up if it has no water to draw up.

I've not had it siphoning out of my container, perhaps because of my configuration. If a siphon were to occur, you just need to lift the tubing up slightly higher than the water level in the holding container, so that it can drip into your sump from a higher altitude.

Here's how it is set up currently, and this is detailed in my Personal Log on my site (Dec 05):

top_off2.jpg


top_off4.jpg


This set up holds 20g of water, and tops off the tank for several days.
 
That is a good idea having the maxijet pump into the pvc - no siphon. I just realized I could also have a tee at the highest point in the tubing, with the stem pointed up and a short open piece of tubing on it. As long as the pump wasn't too powerful, that would serve to break the siphon when the pump shuts off. I have to get this thing automated. I'm topping off 2+ gallons / day right now.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6513551#post6513551 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rdmpe
I have to get this thing automated. I'm topping off 2+ gallons / day right now.
Click to expand...


So was I and going out of town like I was, I could not rely ( or would not rely ) on someone being here to do it for me.... It's great not having to tote 5gal jugs back and forth everyday....

Bob
 
I just can't keep up with the Jones' here... Just when I though my plain gravity fed top off system was going great... Now I have add pumps and power it:D
 
Greg,
I've been looking at auto top off and I was thinking I would do the exact same thing. I am going to have to plumb mine thru the wall into my garage though.
 
Just saw the auto top, nice set up!! I think I'll copy ya for my 58g I'm putting together, only on a slightly smaller scale.
Zac
 
Gregg I have a similar set up that has worked so far without failing. I use the wrapping paper container with a maxijet inside. I also use an electronic float switch that is conected to an extension cord. It was real easy to set up and cheap.
 
hey Bill, where did you get the stuff from? Royal is out of stock and nobody has it local, I may have to place an order to premium aquatics.
 
Alright, I got good news and bad news.
Good news is that I picked up a very nice green slimer frag, I'll get a pic soon.
Bad news is that I have red bugs again, I have some interceptor on the way to treat and I'm going back to trating any new sps pieces
 
OK, couple of updates. I had bought an orange back wrasse last Thursday and had thought he was a goner because I had yet to see him again until yesterday, he's out and about all of the time now. I also found a very pretty Lubbock's Wrasse yesterday, I've never seen one in these colors. I'm trying a new form of acclimation so that the wrasses have a better chance of survival, I'll go into that more later.
Also, I treated for red bugs once again, I may have lost one of my first SPS pieces that was grown from a frag but that may be the only piece. I'm going back to dipping every piece I put into the tank now.
I did pick up 4 new SPS pieces to make up for it though, I'll try and get soem good pics later.

Here's the Lubbocks in the container and the orange back is in the bottom of the pic
Lubbocks-and-Orange-Back[852].jpg


Lubbocks-Wrasse[853].jpg
 
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