Auto Top Off- Recommendations?

[drgabe]

When I got home tonight, I saw that I had a catastrophic failure of my Life Reef Auto Top Off. Apparently it got stuck "on" and dumped around 30g of water on the basement floor. My salinity dropped a good bit.

Well, I am done with that one. Any suggestions on which one is least likely to cause problems? For the next few weeks, I'll top off by hand. The catch is that in a few weeks, I'll be going on two one week vacations. If this had happened with I was away, it would be game over.


Tunze Osmolator Universal 3155
http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewI...altwater_Aquarium_Supplies~vendor~~tab~2.html

Reef Fanatic Level Control Kit
http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewI...iew~idProduct~RC1311~idCategory~FIDPETPU.html

JBJ Automatic Top Off (A.T.O.) System Water Level Controller
http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewI..._Off-Saltwater_Aquarium_Supplies~vendor~.html

Other recs?

 

[7faces]

i use the one from spectrapure for multiple tanks (one for WC water and one to top off)...
It has a nice safety set up....
http://www.spectrapure.com/St_alc_p2.htm

 

[frenchie]

i use jbj

 

[kirby_32]

Personally I'm not a big fan of the suction cup mount so I wouldn't be to interested in the reef fanatic. When I was looking for mine I don't believe I ever heard anyone say anything bad about the JBJ or the tunze. I ended up getting a used one (not sure of the brand) but it has double floats switches and I added a float valve as a safety.

 

[smoothdog]

Sorry to hear you're having more problems. Look at the up side, this should have helped bring your calcium back in line right!? :hmm2: Sorry, don't have an ato to recommend mine is a big pretzel jug that I fill once a day and dump in the sump. :lol: Sort of a pain but at least it can't over flow.

 

[reefer96]

I've had the tunze osomolater since may and its been perfect.

 

[reefer96]

I've had the tunze osomolater since may and its been perfect.

 

[Letmegrow]

I have a jbj. It works. Thats about all I can say about it. 3 years with out fail.

 

[Nanook]

If cleaned regularly and maintained, the Lifereef float switch is tough to beat. Did it get calcifications or a snail trapped in it?

 

[Grace's Dad]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14375680#post14375680 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by reefer96
I've had the tunze osomolater since may and its been perfect.

Same here.

 

[logiktest]

If I were to buy one, Tunze would be at the top of my list. I like that it uses an optical($$) sensor.

There are a lot of "kits" to be had with comparable performance if your inclined to assemble them yourself.

 

[gbecker]

DIY with two float switches in series, one for low water one for high water. I've had no problems for 6 years... (knock on wood)

 

[Ocean View]

I use the Tunze Osmolator.
Level never moves more than a 1/16.
I was worried about bubbles causing problems so I put a siphon tube around it, problem solved.
If you decide on a JBJ I have a brand new one. It's been out of the box so I could get ideals on how I was going to set it up.

 

[kraash]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14375814#post14375814 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Letmegrow
I have a jbj. It works. Thats about all I can say about it. 3 years with out fail.

ditto

 

[drgabe]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14375889#post14375889 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Nanook
If cleaned regularly and maintained, the Lifereef float switch is tough to beat. Did it get calcifications or a snail trapped in it?

NO calcifications or snails in the Lifereef swith.
The switch does stick- despite cleaning. Its had a couple of near misses in the last couple of months.

This time, there wasn't a miss.

Thanks all for the advice... I'll probably go with the Tunze or JBJ... Ocean View, I'll PM you later today.

 

[Nanook]

Sorry to hear that! I think this is the first incidence of a Lifereef float switch failing that I have seen or heard about on Reef Central.

I think the Tunze that Hershel is using is the best option out there.

 

[7faces]

The thing I like about the spectrapure that I did'nt mention is that it lets the water level drop about an inch, then fills it up, to let your RO/DI run for a longer period of time. Wich is better for your membrane.....

 

[drgabe]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14381730#post14381730 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by 7faces
The thing I like about the spectrapure that I did'nt mention is that it lets the water level drop about an inch, then fills it up, to let your RO/DI run for a longer period of time. Wich is better for your membrane.....

I've seen a few of those systems and I am against it for several reasons.
I like to fill up a secondary receptor once a week or so and let the top off fill from there. You are supposed to let your membrane 'flush' for a 'few' minutes before putting it into the tank. I've never been satisfied about this setup letting you maintain good low (or 0) TDS in your tank without killing you membrane twice as fast.

 

[P_Nuter]

I use a Tsunami TS1. Works great...