DIY gravity fed or electronic ATO?

[Envy07]

Which is better?

A float valve attached to a container higher than the sump which gravity feeds the sump or a float switch (w/ relay) that powers a pump to pump water to sump?


Thanks

 

[Envy07]

anyone?

 

[datablitz]

much cheaper and less fail points with just a simple gravity fed system

 

[dzeadow]

I think they're both just as risky. There's always a chance that the valve on a gravity fed will stick open and flood, same chance on an electronic float to a pump. The nice thing about an electronic one is you can do 2 switches to have a back up system. Both have some risk involved though.

 

[datablitz]

if you size your topoff container to hold a weeks worth of evap water, even it it failed, it shouldnt kill off your tank. and realistily when float valves fail, they normally just drip slowly, so if you look at your sump much you would notice a slightly higher water level. they do fail completely sometimes, but if you only have limited water avail to it, there is less danger

 

[Envy07]

so electronic is better since you can put it on a timer and worry about only lets say for one minute every six hours

 

[dzeadow]

electronics work w/ powerheads so that when the level of water drops do a set point it kicks on a powerhead to pump water into the tank/sump. Gravity fed just opens up a valve and lets water "flow" in vs. being pumped in. If you're interested in electronic stuff try these websites:

http://www.autotopoff.com

http://www.aquahub.com

both have "kits" that you can use for electronic top off. I have the kit from aquahub, it works pretty good but some handy work to do w/ it. The autotopoff one looks more professional IMO and looks like less work to put together, but I don't have it so I can't really say for sure.

 

[datablitz]

even timers can fail....

 

[rick s]

If you are using just water for your top-off (no kalk), I personally prefer the gravity set-up with a simple manual float. Mine has worked fine for years.

 

[Envy07]

So i can't dose kalk with topoff if i do a gravity fed seetup

 

[rick s]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11214967#post11214967 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Envy07
So i can't dose kalk with topoff if i do a gravity fed seetup

Yes. You can, but. . .
I ran kalk with my manual float for 2 years. The problem is: At the point on the valve where the kalk meets air (or water for that matter), it will solidify, slowly over time. I had 2 times over those 2 years where the output closed off. My top-off wasn't topping off. Luckily, I was home and caught it before my sump ran too dry. If I wasn't home, . . .

 

[alecia.dooley]

I am not sure if ENVY07 is still looking for reviews...Unfortunately I have no experience with either as of yet. I wanted to do a gravity fed but do not have the room so I have to go with the electronic. The 1 I am looking @ is the aquahub delux (3 sensors). If you have the room I would definitely go with gravity. You can do the tube @ the correct height and use suction as opposed to a float. That way no jamming up. Again IMO.