Is it possible to make a gravity fed top off unit?

[fast57]

I was wondering if you could make a gravity fed top off unit. I have a small fuge and I have to top it off often so can I possibly invert a seald bottle of new water that wouldnt require any power but if the water dipped below a certain point the water from the bottle would drain and fill it up back to the correct point?

 

[danferd2002]

you could use a float valve.

 

[sherm71tank]

Second the float valve. Simple and works great.

 

[HippieSmell]

Gravity feeds are awesome. Mine is a 5 gal "water cooler" style jug with 3/4" pvc (with a ball valve) as the drain. The pvc is connected to the jug by a uniseal. It's essentially foolproof. The trick is to use a container that is air tight and is also easy to fill with water. Let me know if there are questions.

 

[alde]

I have been using a float valve for years with no problems. My make-up tank is in another room. You just can't run kalk through it because the valve will freeze either open or closed. Both could be bad news. Just run RO water and you will be fine.

 

[JPMagyar]

Worlds simplest top off unit.

Worlds simplest top off unit.

I use a 40 gallon garbage can with a float valve connected to my RO unit. When the garbage can is full the RO shuts off. When it falls 4 inches it refills. The top off water is connected to a valve over the sump which I set to drip at roughly the same as my evaporation rate. Since the water is only RO water the valve stays clean and never needs adjusting. If my water level starts to drop slightly I simply add a small amount of additional RO water by hand, and that happens about once a month.

Here's an old picture, but you'll get the idea.

Viszlat,


Joe

 

[fast57]

ok thanks for the replies....but...i forgot to mention that my space is limited and my fuge is only a 10 gallon tank on a 45gallon tank. I need to think small. Where can I get a float valve or can I just make one?

 

[fast57]

bump

 

[cfarrow2]

check dr. fosters and smith: www.liveaquaria.com
they have float valves fairly cheap. Or you can just google it and get what comes up. Or you can ask in the diy forum. Somebody will point you in the right direction. Good luck!

 

[arowanadream]

Float valve. Simple and works great.