Help with a top off system

[Wolfren696]

Hello Reef central forum

I want to create a 5 gallons top off system for my son's aquarium, where the jug sits outside on the floor. The problem is that I don't know how to create one. Would u guys point me a way where I can find information. I'm looking for links, videos, ideas, tips, forum links that can help me. I looked around but I came empty handed. Thanks in advance.

 

[Reefvet]

You can top off by using an in tank (or sump) float valve or sensor that triggers a pump to add water from a reservoir. Examples of this would be the Tunze Osmolator or similar.

If evaporation is consistent you can just put an old power head in a reservoir and run it off a timer.

How big is you son's tank ?

 

[sublime9182]

Hello Reef central forum

I want to create a 5 gallons top off system for my son's aquarium, where the jug sits outside on the floor. The problem is that I don't know how to create one. Would u guys point me a way where I can find information. I'm looking for links, videos, ideas, tips, forum links that can help me. I looked around but I came empty handed. Thanks in advance.

Buy a Madison float switch ($12) and a small water pump the float switch has two wires just cut the pump cord and splice the float switch in use wire nuts and a plastic junction box to keep water away. YouTube float switch auto top off more more specifics.

 

[sublime9182]

As far as the wiring goes you would cut the pump cord in the middle ( once you splice you want to leave enough room to plug it in easy) there will be three wires inside peel back some of the outside black shield you should see a green white and black wire you want to take the two ends of the float switch and splice them into the black wire so now the float switch is in line with the black wire to the pump. Use wire nuts to but the green and white wires back together (white to white and green to green) now mount the float switch at the preferred water level and you are good to go.

 

[Mark Bianco]

Although there is nothing wrong with a DIY ATO. I think we need to mention a few things here.

1. Electricity and water do not play well together!

2. Some of the float switches we use are not capable of handling the wattage required to run some pumps.

3. Most if not all commercially purchased ATO systems do not use the 120vac to supply the float switch. They use a lower control voltage like 12 or 24 volts to switch a relay that turns on the pump. Why see number 1..

IMHO I would not stick any 120 vac component in my tank unless it was UL and Ca approved.

If you still want to do a DIY just make sure you understand all involved especially the risks.

Mark

 

[sublime9182]

Although there is nothing wrong with a DIY ATO. I think we need to mention a few things here.

1. Electricity and water do not play well together!

2. Some of the float switches we use are not capable of handling the wattage required to run some pumps.

3. Most if not all commercially purchased ATO systems do not use the 120vac to supply the float switch. They use a lower control voltage like 12 or 24 volts to switch a relay that turns on the pump. Why see number 1..

IMHO I would not stick any 120 vac component in my tank unless it was UL and Ca approved.

If you still want to do a DIY just make sure you understand all involved especially the risks.

Mark

Yea my bad I should have put a little warning in there. Thanks for following up on that.

Quick question would it make a difference pricing the switch into the nuetral? That's how I have always done it I remember being worried about the 120vac when I first built this but that was so long ago I can't remember why I went ahead and did it. It has held up for over a year now. Best 20 buck si ever spent.

 

[Mark Bianco]

It makes no difference as to what leg you use for the switch being as it is an ac circuit there is always a potential of electrocution due to the sine wave of ac power.. Now in a dc circuit there are advantages and disadvantages of either switching the positive or the common negative. In the states we break the hot leg whereas in most European circuits they break the common leg.

Mark

 

[Mrramsey]

Autotopoff.com will have everything you would need. I built my gravity fed ATO from a single float switch, a normally closed solenoid valve and paid a few bucks fore for the 12v float switch relay so I kept the 120v power out of the sump. Mine was gravity fed so I did not need a pump but they have the pumps as well.

 

[aaronpentz]

Buy a Madison float switch ($12) and a small water pump the float switch has two wires just cut the pump cord and splice the float switch in use wire nuts and a plastic junction box to keep water away. YouTube float switch auto top off more more specifics.

I wouldn't ever think about doing this. The current draw from any pump you would use will be too much for the cheaper float switches. The switch will arc when the reeds close and stay closed or they could arc and no longer work or it could melt the switch and expose the tank and you when you put your hand in next time to line voltage. There are plenty of safer ways of doing this. At least use a relay and 12vdc power supply for the float and relay coil then use the relay contacts to switch the 120vac. Or better yet buy a ready made kit. Much safer especially if it is a kids tank.

 

[aaronpentz]

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2411443

Look through this