Auto top off for the summer??

GPhiAce

GPhiAce

New member
I am leaving for the summer to do some externships in Missouri, Portland, East Lansing and a visit to New Orleans. I am planning to leave May 11 and return finally on August 19. I am coming back for the frag swap, and moving into another house the same weekend. I am planning on running an auto top off while I am gone. My tank parameters are pretty much stablefor now- 29g with a low sps load. What all do I need for an auto top off??? I was looking at a kent marine float valve at the aquarium. I have an extra maxi-jet 1200, and a large rubbermaid. What else do I need?? Any Suggestions??
 
I have a question about these too. It seems that not many people use a float valve that is directly connected to an elevated reservoir, which would allow you to do-away with pumps and electronics. Is it the inconvenience of placing the top-off water higher than the sump?

We use the kent float valves as auto-fills for the rotifer cultures, which makes maintenance easier. I just wondered why we don't see it more in reefs.
 
I don't use them because It would be hard for me to have the top-off higher than the sump... You also have to drill a hole for the float valve in the sump.. And when I go out of town I like to use trash cans (higher volume of H2O) for the resevoirs...
 
I have used a Tunze osmolator for years and love it. It is a bit more expensive than most others but it is extremely reliable and has a triple redundancy. I would still be wary of leaving any reef tank for that period of time without someone around that knows at least a little about it. Even autotopoffs need to be checked on from time to time. I'm sure you have thought of that though.
Chris
 
I have thought of tat, but my roomates are not that reliable. Aaron did say he would check on it once a week for me-- not that hard right??
Randy-- what do you mean use trash cans as resevoirs?? Make them into a sump? i thought of that, but think that the evaporation would lead to the salinity to be to high after a while. I only have about .5 gallons evaporation a day, but that would add up over roughly 30 days. I am considering the tsunami ATO, but just saw the Kent Marine today.
 
I use float switches.net they are about 5 bucks a piece....
Put them in an old pill bottle and drill holes in it (no snails to hang on it), then wire tie it to left over plexiglass I have laying around. I heat the pelxiglass in the oven first so I can bend it around the top lip of my sump....

Cut one side of the maxi jet wire....then hook up the switch...Works like a champ to me......

IF this dosn't make sense just let me know. I will try and explain it alittle better
 
I use a system of dual float switches tied into a low voltage relay. This turns off/on two Aqualifters that are in series to be able to pump up to my HOB sump. It works extremely well and only needs to have the float switches cleaned about every 4-6 months.
This is controlled by a ACjr. I use the pH as a sensor to energize the ATO. I top off with Mrs Wages limewater.
 
I use gravity. It has never failed in my lifetime and is, IMO, one of the most reliable things available :)
 
Gravity is great if you have that option.
I did not. I do think that most people that use some type of powered ATO usually use too large of a pump. Then you get a surge of top off water and they are noisey. If you go the powered route use the Aqualifters. They are silent, low volume, are fairly maintence free.
 
Goreefer, I suck at the homemade stuff. I would rather not talk about my most previous attempt. Give me some suture and a scapel and I am brilliant. Wire+ anything plastic + my tank + me= a very bad decision/ border line disaster.
 
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