Auto top off

N

nitroxdiver009

In Memoriam
I have heard about puttin a float valve in your sump to top off tanks but what if the prefilter is cloged causing water to drop in sump ... wouldent your tank overflow
 
Float valves in sumps have killed hundreds of tanks, including several RC tanks of the month. DOn't do it.
 
There is always a way.* I have a tiny float switch in my main tank that turns off the pump if the water rises at all, so it is impossible for the water level in my sump to fall, it will only rise if the power goes out.
 
i was going to use 3 seperate floatswitches on a solinoit and also a float valve in sump( 1 float switch for each area of tank sump refu and tank
 
IMO the important thing with autotopoff is to setup as many safeties as possible. multiple float valves, timers, limited topoff water,.....

i personally use an osmolator and absolutely love it.
 
I got the Osmolator about 2 weeks ago, It is one of the best investments I've made for my tank. It virtually fail proof. If your going to setup 4 float switchs I'd recommend spending extra money and setup the osmolator.
 
I agree that the Osmolator is great (have one myself), but even it won't prevent the situation described by Nitrox in the first post. Although the 10 minutes cut-off feature will help to mediate the situation.

I think the best "backup" is like Matt mentioned, limit the amount of top-off water available to the system. As a practical solution I would (do) use a reservior with no more than three days top-off to pull from, and enough volume in the sump to handle the extra water in case of a problem. You'll still have to deal with the sudden drop in salinity if something happens, but atleast you'll have dry feet while you're doing it.
 
I use a dosing pump hooked up to a float valve in my sump. The key here is the dosing pump is set to pump just under my daily evaporation rate (per day) and cannot create a suction when it shuts off due to the type of pump.

I think it's the best of both worlds.
 
That's a good option. I use a peristalic pump. That with or without a float valve is about the safest one can be.
 
I use a simple Kent Marine float valve with the 1/4' line valve turned down to "drip".

Anything can fail in the marine aquarium...

I have had floatswitches that stuck all the time...
 
I use a spectrapure Power Liquid Level Controller in my sump. It turns off and on based on airpressue. I have a container that is about 4 gallons that I use as a resevior this way even if the whole thing got pumped in the tank would have no chance to over flow but will last me 2 to 3 days.
 
where did you guys get your osmolator pumps?

Peabody - where did you get your peristalic pump? I've looked at some on ebay but just wasn't sure which one to get.
 
I have my top off pump plugged into a float switch in my sump. I have the float switch plugged into a timer. I have the timer set to never come on except when I flip the switch for the "outlet on" position on the timer. This GUARANTEES that the tank/sump will NEVER overfill from my float switch malfunctioning or sticking because if it doesn't have current to it then it can't operate. The only time the pump is on is when I am there flipping the switch to the on position. I then flip it to the off position when the pump shuts off. Easiest top off I have ever had. I used to use 5 gallon buckets that I kept in the basement that I had to carry upstairs all the time. PITA so I ran PVC.
 
yes but having 3 or more switches that are links so if one is triped they all trip ... what about a system that mesures SG that would probobly be the best( one that can control something not just display a mesurment)
 
Ruminari - I got mine from reefaquarium.com It's a K324. I set it up to a fresh water reservoir and does 120ml/hr. Every two weeks I fill up my reservoir and every few months I replace the drip set just for safe keeping. I think I paid about $70 for it on Ebay,

That being said, if I had the money I'd get a Litermeter III. But, the price difference didn't justify it for me.
 
i am hooking it up directly to ro ( 24 gpd) and additinaol restricitons to lower it even farther

an audible alarm ( leak detector to tell me the second it goes half inch tohigh
 
What happens when you're gone though? That's still playing with fire if you ask me. Hooking it up to RO is also highly not-reccomended by many people.....that's killed some really nice tanks on here, even with safety precautions.
 
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