I was curious what type/s of units or setups that you guys use for automating the top-off process? I have been looking at them lately, but most seem to use a float valve. It just seems that a float valve would "stick" easily due to algae, equip. etc. lodging it in your sump. Is this really a concern or is something with a float valve the way to go?
Automatic Topoff for Evaporation
- Thread starter dwagner11
- Start date
The ATO is the one that I find most every where online, but a beeping noise when the pump activates?(you have to rip it off the circuit board from what I understand to make it stop), also it seems to use float valves. I'm a little concerned about that for the reasons previously stated in another post.
jknecht
Member
I went with twp RO/DI solenoids connected to the double sump mount float switch from autotopoff.com. I run the the solenoids in series so if one fails their is a backup. He has quite a few features to choose from depending on what you want to do.
You may also want to check out. www.oceanussystems.com they seem pretty nice.
You may also want to check out. www.oceanussystems.com they seem pretty nice.
funman1
Active member
My ATO unit can be seen in my gallery.
It uses 3 float switches and a big 1.3 gallon jug for ATO water..
I also use a pump called the Aqua Lifter to refill the tank.
Very cheap little pump $15 pumps, they pump water and air so if it runs dry no big deal..
This works awesome in my 12G Nano
It uses 3 float switches and a big 1.3 gallon jug for ATO water..
I also use a pump called the Aqua Lifter to refill the tank.
Very cheap little pump $15 pumps, they pump water and air so if it runs dry no big deal..
This works awesome in my 12G Nano
I use the one from autotopoff.com. It's very simple, but it's in my sump, which has no snails. The urge to float is pretty powerful, and it's easy to adjust. I keep a 5 gallon bucket with buffered ro/di water and a pump this autotopoff unit controls. It's sensitive and accurate to a fine degree.
For your top off, I have used a double switch controller from autotopoff.com for a while.
http://www.autotopoff.com/products.html
Knock on wood, never an issue with it. Even with my sump in my basement, snails make their way into my sump. One did get into the lower switch and when the water level reached the second one, it turned the pump off, as designed.
Connected to the controller is an AquaLifter pump.
http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merch...Category_Code=
For $10, it is a great little pump. I've used it for going on three years for kalk top off and again, knock on wood, never a problem.
HTH
http://www.autotopoff.com/products.html
Knock on wood, never an issue with it. Even with my sump in my basement, snails make their way into my sump. One did get into the lower switch and when the water level reached the second one, it turned the pump off, as designed.
Connected to the controller is an AquaLifter pump.
http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merch...Category_Code=
For $10, it is a great little pump. I've used it for going on three years for kalk top off and again, knock on wood, never a problem.
HTH
apparently i went the expensive route. i bought the jbj ato unit ($100). they fixed the issue with the beeper - there is no alarm at all when the pump is activated.
the bracket holding the float switch was pretty open, so i cut apart one of my fish nets and then tied it around the float switch box to keep snails, etc. out.
i also bought a pump that was way too big =/ the ato unit has a 3 minute saftey switch so that the pump cannot stay on longer than 3 minutes. however, i have a 10 gallon tank of RO water that the pump sits in and this pump can drain the 10 gallons in about 45 seconds.... so, that was probably dumb.
anyway, i'm very happy with the setup. i think i went the extremely expensive route though.
the bracket holding the float switch was pretty open, so i cut apart one of my fish nets and then tied it around the float switch box to keep snails, etc. out.
i also bought a pump that was way too big =/ the ato unit has a 3 minute saftey switch so that the pump cannot stay on longer than 3 minutes. however, i have a 10 gallon tank of RO water that the pump sits in and this pump can drain the 10 gallons in about 45 seconds.... so, that was probably dumb.
anyway, i'm very happy with the setup. i think i went the extremely expensive route though.
dark_stranger
New member
Tunze, all the way, espically with the optical water level control. Non of this nasty float switch controlling the water level.
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