Auto top off pump suggestions?

[P.Kelly]

I have a JBJ ATO that I've been using with an aqua lifter, with mixed results. I ALREADY adjusted the dial to allow it to run the full 14 minutes before shutting down the pump. This is not enough time in the middle of the day to keep up with the evaporation, as the aqua lifter only pumps 3GPH.

I need something that I can run an inlet and outlet tube from, and preferable mount externally of my sump. I cannot put the pump in my RO/DI water container, as the mouth is too small, and I'm trying to avoid putting another pump in my sump.

Thanks in advance.

 

[jkreefer]

you could use a small MJ pump like a MJ400 and use clear tubing and hose clamps. They use the mj's on alot of kalk and calcium reactors.

 

[Mikey Donuts]

I use a Tunze Osmolator. The pump is only an inch and a half or so in diameter so it may fit in your topoff container. The hose to the tank is about four feet long or so. It has a sensor for sump level and a float switch as well which acts as a safety to prevent an overflow. I set it up the first day I got it and I haven't touched it since. Keeps my SG right at 1.025. Hope this helps.
Mike

 

[P.Kelly]

Mike, thanks for the suggestion. It looks like I can order a replacement osmolator pump for $20, attach an electrical plug to the cord and give it a shot. 13gph is going to be enough to keep ahead of the 14 minute shutoff on my JBJ ATO.

 

[funman1]

Or dump the JBJ and go with your own controller with some float switches. This is what I have on all 3 of my tanks.

I really doubt you are evaping 3Gs an hour, so sounds like you just need a controller that's, not so controlling with what you want it to do.

 

[P.Kelly]

funman1, I really don't see tossing an $80 controller when a $20 pump will do the trick. Plus, I need the aqua lifter for my Ca reactor.

 

[funman1]

A) Holy Cow I had NO idea they were that expensive!!!!
B) I meant sell it, not toss it.

C)Ok then I'll try to be more helpful with this link then


Don't know how small your RO opening is but this is pretty small?
Check out this pump...
http://www.autotopoff.com/products/FT70/index.htm

Here's the data sheet for it (PDF)
http://www.autotopoff.com/products/FT70/FT70.pdf

 

[P.Kelly]

Cool man... good info, I'll check it out.

I'll sell the JBJ once I upgrade from my AC Jr to an AC III.

 

[KMP]

i have a minijet 606. not in service yet, but will do the job. you can get them at O street for $16.

 

[wpnorton]

I'm using a MJ 600...Works like a champ. Been handling my evaporation since I set it up a few weeks ago.

 

[MrMikeB]

Do you all just add a large vat of top off water sitting next to your system for the ATO? Anybody connect directly to the RO source (like an always attached RO/DI unit to a pressured water line)? Thoughts?

 

[P.Kelly]

Not me... I've got a 5 gallon container under my tank. I'm scared of coming home to a flooded house on the off chance that my float valve fails.

This is why I like the JBJ ATO, it has a timer you can set to turn off the pump (between 3-14 minutes). In case the float fails, you can tune the system so that you maybe only end up with a few gallons on the floor.

 

[funman1]

That and when you hook upto a RODI system, they put out high TDS when they first start up so....
Every time your tank called for water it would get high TDS for the first min or so..

It's called TDS creep.

 

[bored4long]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10670287#post10670287 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by funman1
That and when you hook upto a RODI system, they put out high TDS when they first start up so....
Every time your tank called for water it would get high TDS for the first min or so..

It's called TDS creep.

I have also read about this problem. That is the main reason I would not hook an RO/DI filter directly to my sump. The constant on/off use of it would introduce excessive TDS in the cycling of the filter.

 

[P.Kelly]

The reality of TDS creep is that you're getting it anyway if you're letting your RO/DI system run every time you pull a few gallons out of the holding tank. But, to be fair, the first 2 minutes of high TDS should be removed by your DI resin. You're just using up your DI resin that much faster. I monitor my RO and DI output each time I make a batch of water. I get TDS that starts at about 60 or 70 and tapers to 4-6 over the first 2 minutes, but I still see a TDS of 0 coming out of the DI regardless.

I turn mine off until at least 15 gallons or so is drained before turning the RO/DI back on. I'm looking to make a mechanical device to address this issue. I know of at least 1 commercial storage container with a built in unit that does the same, making sure at least 5 gallons is drained before releasing the float valve.

 

[wpnorton]

My float valve failed yesterday. I came home to a waterfilled sump cabinet. I built it to hold about 5 gallons before it overflows onto the floor. I also put a drain that runs the excess out to the backyard. Had I not have built the sump area like that, I'd have about $3k worth of wood floor damage right now. Whewww!