autotop off
- Thread starter Azazael13
- Start date
flyguy7150
New member
gravity fed...check out my build thread red house
jgoodrich71
Premium Member
I have the AquaMedic Auto top off, used to replace evaporated water with kalkwasser. I am happy with it. Cost less than $100. I have had it a little over a year. I had to replace the peristaltic tubing once (it comes with 1 replacement). The only negative I can say about it, is that it makes a loud clunking noise when it come on.
For less than $100 for a peristaltic pump with an attached float switch, I am happy with it.
For less than $100 for a peristaltic pump with an attached float switch, I am happy with it.
Eklikewhoa
New member
TUNZE
i have the reeffanatic top off controller (see reefgeek) and use an aqualifter on top of a 5 gallon bucket as the reservoir. under $100 for the lot, including tubing.
i don't think you want more than a 5 gallon reservoir anyways, so you can't flood the system with fresh water if a switch fails.
i have the controller setup with a high water and a low water float switch, so if the water level gets too high it will shut off the top off pump (safety first). you can alternatively set up the second switch in the reservoir to shut off the pump if the water level in that gets too low. the aqualifter can run dry, so no need for that.
i like the aqualifter because it's cheap, can run dry, it's reliable (i've run kalk through it for over a year without cleaning it), and it won't do more than 3 gallons an hour so it's hard to screw up your system if you have a switch failure.
i don't think you want more than a 5 gallon reservoir anyways, so you can't flood the system with fresh water if a switch fails.
i have the controller setup with a high water and a low water float switch, so if the water level gets too high it will shut off the top off pump (safety first). you can alternatively set up the second switch in the reservoir to shut off the pump if the water level in that gets too low. the aqualifter can run dry, so no need for that.
i like the aqualifter because it's cheap, can run dry, it's reliable (i've run kalk through it for over a year without cleaning it), and it won't do more than 3 gallons an hour so it's hard to screw up your system if you have a switch failure.
DamnPepShrimp
Moved On
drstupid, is this what you use?
http://www.reefgeek.com/equipment/F...troller_w!_Dual_Float_Sensors_by_Reef_Fanatic
It comes with everything you need, you just have to supply your own bucket? Doesn't need to be a 5g right? So no pumps I assume, it's just gravity fed to your sump, so it can run dry?
Azazael13, I'm in the same boat, I really can't have anything outside the stand, so I have to come up with a similar solution.
http://www.reefgeek.com/equipment/F...troller_w!_Dual_Float_Sensors_by_Reef_Fanatic
It comes with everything you need, you just have to supply your own bucket? Doesn't need to be a 5g right? So no pumps I assume, it's just gravity fed to your sump, so it can run dry?
Azazael13, I'm in the same boat, I really can't have anything outside the stand, so I have to come up with a similar solution.
Rosseau
New member
I just ordered something along these lines...
http://www.aquahub.com/store/diygaquarium.html
The JBJ ATO is pretty cheap also.
http://www.aquahub.com/store/diygaquarium.html
The JBJ ATO is pretty cheap also.
no, it's been fine with my system at least. i evaporate 2-5 gallons a day on maybe 150 gallons total volume, depending on the season. i add kalk about 4 tablespoons at a time, once a week, pretty much based on my PH, when it drops below 8 i add more. too much at once makes my skimmer go nuts. i do need to add sodium chloride occasionally, the kalk + calcium reactor can't keep my calcium up where i like it (430+ is my baseline). i'm considering making a kalk reactor, haven't decided it's worth the extra effort yet.
pepshrimp, that's the controller. you need your own bucket, and a pump (if you pay $10 for an aqualifter you're getting reamed). the aqualifter is basically a diaphram air pump that can draw water, it's very simple in design and can run dry. perfect if you don't have space for gravity fed, like azazael's situation.
i think that two float switches are more failsafe than one float valve, but that's me. others disagree. i rely on the facts that the pump can't dose quickly and the reservoir can't hold much.
they've gotten more expensive, but this is the pump:
http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewItem~idProduct~OE1137.html
http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewItem~idProduct~OE1137.html
DamnPepShrimp
Moved On
drstupid, do I need that air pump if I can run a gravity drain back into the sump? I may have room, so all I'd need is that auto top of kit? So it's best to put your 2 part in the auto top off so it's added that way?
the reeffanatic is an electronic controller, it typically drives a pump. i guess you could get a solenoid that it could open, but you're probably better off with a float switch if you want to use gravity.
i've never heard of adding two part to the top off. i add kalk, ganjero expressed a common opinion about that practice (rate of evaporation does not correspond to need for calcium).
i've never heard of adding two part to the top off. i add kalk, ganjero expressed a common opinion about that practice (rate of evaporation does not correspond to need for calcium).
This seems ok to me.
http://www.aquahub.com/store/product26.html I would just need a small powerhead or pump to go with it.
http://www.aquahub.com/store/product26.html I would just need a small powerhead or pump to go with it.
Husky_1
Premium Member
That is what I use, except I got the next version that has 3 float switches. I put the 3rd in my ATO reservoir which is a 5 gallon bucket with a MJ400 pushing it. To make the system a stand nice in the bucket I made a little pvc tripod so that the pump and sloshguard are at approppriate levels.
hyperfocal
Active member
I use the Spectrapure LLC-S. It's a bit more expensive, but I like the fact that it has no moving parts in contact with the salt water -- so no potential for salt creep to jam things up.
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