JBJ Auto Top off with no sump... will this work?

[Newreeflady]

I have looked at the product, but not sure how it works. Anyone have it? Is it feasible for a nanocube with no sump, or does it need to be level with a tank to work? How unsightly are the water level sensors?

Considering this as one option for my vacation in June. It would be nice not to have to rely on people to come top off the tank when i'm gone. Thought i'd post here first since I have no sump and this seems to be the place to go when you have a question and no sump, lol!

Thanks,
Angela

 

[prugs]

Tunze Osmolator uses an optical sensor for topoff. It will maintain the water height to much closer tolerance.

 

[Newreeflady]

It is 3x as much money! $100 is do-able, $300 is not.

-A

 

[saltyESQ]

sorry for the hijack, but can a JBJ top off be run to a5 gallon water jug and have water pumped from there to the tank?

 

[chocolateblnt]

New Reef Lady!

My buddy has the JBJ Auto Top Off ... he got it for only $40 at Aquatic Gallery in Milpitas, Ca. Probably like 1.5 hr drive from Berkeley.

With the JBJ you need some sort of separate water container or sump in order to place your 2 float sensors and pump in it to transfer the water to your nano. It's a feasable idea however it's not very practical for a nano. Try using this idea ... you can use any water container size you want and it involves no float valves and it's do-able for about $50.

ChocolateBLNT DIY Top Off/Doser Help Thread
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=824767

ChocolateBLNT's 29 Gallon Mixed Reef Thread
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=711490

ChocolateBLNT's Universal Top Off Design

 

[chocolateblnt]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7180908#post7180908 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by bergamer
sorry for the hijack, but can a JBJ top off be run to a5 gallon water jug and have water pumped from there to the tank?

Ehhh you'd have to find a way to install the pump and sensors in the jug ... It's like building a ship in a bottle

The JBJ is good for large tanks with sumps ... otherwise it's not very practical for nano use.

 

[prugs]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7180667#post7180667 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Newreeflady
It is 3x as much money! $100 is do-able, $300 is not.

-A

Tunze osmolators at Premium Aquatics $174.99
Try to find one used, good luck. They are like gold. Best deal Tunze has going IMO.

 

[JHipkin]

I use the JBJ Auto top off controlling an air pump and a 64 oz cranberry juice bottle. The square kind. This is very similar to the ChocolateBLNT design described above.

I drilled two holes in the lid, one for the air supply and one for the water return. The air supply line is cut short so it stops above the water line. This eliminates the bubbles (noisy) and the chance for a siphon. The water return line is weighted w/ a lead plant anchor so that it sits at the bottom of the bottle. The JBJ controls the air pump.

W/ my 12 gal nano, I replace the bottle w/ a new one filled w/ RO every evening and it is good to go. This solution is simple and, while not as cheap as the ChocolateBLNT solution, it's still an inexpensive way to go. Good luck.

 

[Newreeflady]

chocolateblnt, that is an interesting idea. A few concerns:

Doesn't your evaporation vary with the temperature of the room? I do not run AC, so if i'm gone for 9 days and the temperature outside gets higher than "usual" might I get more evaporation, or worse, vice versa and have overflow from topping off too much water.

5g jug is rather large. It would'nt be something i'd be able to run normally, only for the vacation. And, in this case i'm not really comfortable with figuring out the whole thing on a whim then leaving it for 9 days.

I don't know what i'm going to do when i'm out of town. I am going to have to find someone willing to stop by here a few times while i'm gone.

Thanks, though.
Angela

 

[blacksh33p]

http://www.melevsreef.com/plumbing/auto_topoff.html

 

[chocolateblnt]

I wrote alot addressing your concerns and came to the realization that no matter what I say/explain/convince will comfort you the way you want ... the choice is undoubtedly your's. Seems to me you're just afraid of leaving your tank even though it's just 9 days ... understandable I've left my tank quite nervous for 1 month.

However I will answer your direct questions ... I do not have AC either and often keep my windows open for fresh air, in other words susceptible to weather yet the system works. Second, You can use what ever size container you want ... even a water bottle that's why it's "universal".

Another possible solution worth mentioning is a Kent Marine Doser ... I.V. style drip container ... you can find it on almost any RC sponsor store.

 

[JHipkin]

chocolateblnt's system will work quite well. It just takes some calibration. The system I posted also works. There are a number of other systems / ideas. Check out Steelheairââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢s DIY post on nanoreef.com, http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=63394.

I had two issue w/ my system, the suction cup that came w/ the JBJ float switch won't stick after a while, a little super glue fixed that, and the annoying buzzer that goes off when the water level is low, some pliers and a little persuasion fixed that.

When I was away for a week skiing (sitting in a cabin w/ my wife and our two teenagers while it rained in Tahoe) this past Christmas I had the girl who was feeding the cat and the fish replace the 64 oz water bottle each day. She also had a phone number for a fellow Bay Area Reefer in case there was an emergency. No problem.

Good luck.

 

[Newreeflady]

chocolateblnt, you are right, my decision and I did pretty good at indicating I was uncomfortable. I do appreciate your efforts and am going to think it over. I might try it, I might not. I have to think it over. I'm not really a DIY person, although the air pump thing seems pretty foolproof as long as you get the evaporation rate right.

JHipkin, works out you had a cat sitter. I have a problem trusting people to come into my home who I barely know.

thx,
-A