Auto top off HELP!

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osiris4evr

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Hey i have been toying with the idea of getting an auto top off system for a while now and was wondering if you guys had any suggestions.... Was considering purchasing an electric one but am not sure if its worth the money, it seems like if i can configure the water reservoir to be higher than the sump i could save over $100 by going with a Float valve like the http://www.kentmarine.com/naturepond/accessories/float-valve-kit.htm ! I'd appreciate any suggestions, advise, info on the pros and cons of both types.
Thanks in advance!!
Matt
 
Bah, I'm officially done with topics that start with "HELP". IMO your inhabitants should be at immediate risk if you put HELP in your title
 
Most of the time, when there is a problem with an auto top off system, it seems it is due to a stuck float valve from what I read on RC. But with a resevoir, at least your risk is limited. Running a float valve straight off an RODI is more risky.

You could use an ATO that has a pressure activated electric switch and that also has a float valve outlet. So if the pressure switch failed somehow, the water would only rise a little bit "extra" before the float valve would close.
 
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I currently run two set-ups with a float valve style auto top off connected to RODI systems, I do make sure I visually inspect each float daily to insure no obstructions and tap them with my hand to make sure that they are free and not binding. There have been lots of horror stories about sticking valves and salinity dilution, hence that is why I look and touch. Electrical systems bother me in the fact that a failed open or closed switch, pump failing to start, etc.. may not be found as quickly and it is harder to detect and issue while inspecting. The idea of a resevoir is a good one as if there is a float failure of some sorts then there would be less of an issue, that is if it is not directly connected to an RODI system.
Hope this helps.
G
 
Hey CheekMonkey God forbid I use the word help! to describe a thread about asking for help! I must be a moron for thinking that i should use words that describe the topic of the post in the thread title!!!! I guess the next time i have a question i would like some insight on i will make sure to put my fish in extreme danger before i post a question about improving my tank!!!!!! Hey RDMPE & GWRENCH Thanks for the help i will do some more research o both types before i make my final decision.
 
Anytime you have a question I'm sure we can find an answer for you between all the members here onthe ORCA forums.
I think Josh's point was that a Help! post is an indicator that there is there is some immediate danger to the livestock in someones tank, not to defend his post but a cry for help versus an inquiry for information is vastly different and tends to be responded to differently. That said feel free to post any questions you have accordingly and you should receive several opinions.
Regards
George
 
Gwrench hid the nail on the head with what I was talking about. I am NOT one of the most knowledgable people on here, but I have a fair amount of practical experience and I like to help people out.

If someone asks a questions I am happy to answer, but myself and many others will actually put aside what we are doing to help someone out that is having an emergency that could cause harm to someones livestock, many of us don't take the life of these animals lightly and we will volunteer any help we can give including driving to someones house and holding their livestock while they figure out an issue.

So I apologize for being blunt, but please save the "HELP" for when your inhabitants are in danger, of course this is not a rule, but a courtesy.
 
I understand what you are trying to say but YOU WERE RUDE!! If you dont wanna help you dont have to!!! Just hit the X on the top of the page and move on!!! I have always thought of ORCA as a place where the members were friendly, knowledgeable and always willing to HELP each other. Oh man i said HELP AGAIN! I have been to many event and met many of the members and have had nothing but good experiences!!! I have been using this forum for a long time, Ive seen people ask for help without having their fish be in danger, without someone chewing them out ( a prime example is ID HELP! has been here many times) and i have never seen a list of terms that were of EMERGENCY ONLY! If one does exist it would make a great sticky!!!! You say that if someone has a question you would be happy to answer it from your first response this is obviously not the truth! You mother must have never told you if you have nothing nice to say you should just say nothing at all! Ill make sure the next time i try to gather info about an idea to improve my fish tank inhabitance quality of life i put them in life threatening DANGER before i use the word HELP to describe the thread title in which i am asking for help! Thanks again! ;)
 
Osiris, don't know if you noticed but I apologized to you. So no need to continue the fight. And ORCA IS a bunch of friendly people looking to help.
 
If you were really looking to help Mr. Solomon, why didn't you just answer his question in your original post? Though I guess you did teach us a valuable lesson in diction.
Kelly
 
I dont know anything about auto top offs, but I read the original post because I saw the title of the thread, and I was like, "Holy crap, dont tell me his auto top off is dumping gallons of water into his display! That would totally suck!"

This is the internet...the land of misinterpretation where you can not completely gauge a person's tone or intent.

Let's just let this one go and get back on topic.
 
welcome to friendly reef central...not what it used to be.

my old topoff was a tunze osmolator. kinda pricey, but worked great-and i felt the peace of mind was worth the price. don't think i've EVER heard of one of those things failing.

currently i run a peristaltic pump. i've dialed in the flow rate to match evaporation. i'm only using this pump type now, because the topoff resorvoir is quite a distance from the tank.
with this type of pump, there is no way to add too much topoff water. you can find the pump online for around 100 bucks. search ebay for a masterflex.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12485162#post12485162 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by orb
welcome to friendly reef central...not what it used to be.

my old topoff was a tunze osmolator. kinda pricey, but worked great-and i felt the peace of mind was worth the price. don't think i've EVER heard of one of those things failing.

currently i run a peristaltic pump. i've dialed in the flow rate to match evaporation. i'm only using this pump type now, because the topoff resorvoir is quite a distance from the tank.
with this type of pump, there is no way to add too much topoff water. you can find the pump online for around 100 bucks. search ebay for a masterflex.
Click to expand...

Two great ideas...either one would work...I personally run float and pump setups on my tanks however I like the idea of running peristaltic pumps from a larger single source....
 
I have to agree on the perstaltic pumps but they are kinda pricey for top off. One issue I have with dialing in a pump/timer method is the changing atmospheric conditions can vary and cause additional salinity swings. This is JMO, but can be an issue.
The resevoir set-up such as a five gallon bucket and float switch are probably the most economical method and consistant one as well as demand is delivered as required. The size of the resevoir really limits the amount dilution that can happen if a failure occurs.
G
 
I'm kind of amazed, you called me rude when I was blunt, but you seem to want to continue bashing me. I won't be addressing your posts any longer.
 
I woulkd think that after an apology was given that this kind of behavior would have stopped, unfortunatley is hasn't.
Osiris I urge you to hold back on the bashing as there are some people willing to help out, but bashing someone after they have publicly apologized is rather childlike.
Please act more like an adult and keep the bashing off the threads. I came back to this thread expecting to see that more questions were asked or advice needed and behold, flaming. I am disappointed.
G
 
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