Help me design an auto top off

[iaJim]

First off, realize that I am gone for 8 weeks in the winter. I have wonderful neighbors that do top off and feeding and make sure all is well. I want to make the job a little easier. I would like to put a 50 gallon barrel in the basement and fill it up w/ RODI water. They could refill the barrel as needed. My tank is on the first floor, so we are talking about a nine foot lift from the bottom of the barrel to the sump under my tank, a 58 gallon RR. I would have about a 25' lateral run.

Right now I buy 100 gallons of distilled water (to get the bottles mostly) and they replenish the water with that daily. I lose about a gallon and a half a day.

What would you use? I could cut the lateral run down considerably if I have to, but I can't see where that part makes a lot of difference.

I can't spend a fortune on this, but I want reliability too. I have 10 months to get this built, so I can spread the expense over several months.

What would you do?

 

[vikubz]

I purchased an ATO from autotopoff.com. Then you'd just need a pump big enough to get the water upstairs and a drop cord to run to the upstairs. Very reliable unit and simple to install.

 

[buy_baff]

If you want to go cheap you can take a extention cord split the wires but don't cut into them.Then take one of the wires and cut it in half and strip a inch of the plastic off.Then take a float valve and conect the wires to the two ends of the wire you split on the one side of the extention cord and insulate them with black tape or wire nuts.Put the float in your sump at desired heighth.Then plug your pump into extention cord and place in your reserve barrel.Then plug it in.When the float drops the pump will come on when it rises back up it will shut off. Cheap and works great!
-Bill

 

[Fig]

Litermeter 3. Best piece of equipment I've bought.

 

[iaJim]

How far are you moving the water with your Litermeter III?

 

[Fig]

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/Liter...III-Peristaltic-Dosing-Pump/product_info.html

I'm only moving water about 5 feet. Read the above link, it will be able to move your distance.

 

[83ironhead]

Just buy an rodi unit with a 4 gallon holding tank and float switch and run it to your sump.

 

[billbigsbe1]

Jim I agree w/vikubz, A ATO brand is very reliable and inexpensive!
http://autotopoff.com/?gclid=CJKz58i5yJkCFSbxDAodXDaotQ

 

[iaJim]

Thanks for all of the input. I decided to go with the Litermeter III. I'm going to put in a big reservoir and pump it up to the sump. I figure what I spend on distilled water just to get the storage jugs for my neighbor to use when I'm gone will pay for it all in about three years. Not a bad return, and in the meantime, I don't have to carry water upstairs everyday either. Win/Win!

Thanks for all of the input. I'm sure all of you have made decisions that work for your situation.

 

[sgrosenb]

Not sure if you've actually purchased yet, but another option is an RO/DI and the Liquid Level Controller, also by SpectraPure.

 

[iaJim]

Yes, I've made the purchase.

Thanks for all of the suggestions!