let's make some topoffs

[manderx]

who wants to do some autotopoffs? i am going to be helping vetdog make one based off of 2 float switches and a dosing pump to refill from a small reservoir that is plumbed into his ro 24/7.

i'd like to order float switches by tomorrow afternoon so say something if you want in.

i expect the switches to be ~8 bucks each (1 will work but 2 is better). if you don't have a pump to use, i'd say use an aqualifter (~12) and then it'll also need a relay (~5) and an old ac/dc power adapter (usually free). i have plenty of free scrap acrylic to make the mounting brackets.

 

[coolfish5]

I'd like to get probably 2 switches. Let me know when you'd like the money I'll just bring it by.

 

[turbois300]

I would like one (2 switch setup). I need an aqualifter though.. where can I get one? or can I just pay you for everything?

 

[manderx]

i believe UA or maybe even Z keeps aqualifters in stock. otherwise just order one from Premium Aquatics. maybe wait a day to see who else needs one if you want to pool with them. all i am ordering are the switches and relays.

also consider a peristaltic pump off ebay instead of an aqualifter.

 

[turbois300]

Ok. Cool. The I'll be good for 2 switches and a relay.

 

[reefdadx2]

Matt, please put me down for 6 switches and 3 relays. To those of you that don't have one of these, they are sweet. Michael R

 

[vtminter]

Can this system you are making be used as a gravity fed auto topoff?

 

[Doc's69]

I'd like the dual switch one and realy, just let me know when and where

 

[REEFY1]

i have an extra aqualifter

 

[fishbait07]

ill take 2 switches and a relay

 

[manderx]

Can this system you are making be used as a gravity fed auto topoff?

not really. for a gravity fed, i guess you could use the floats to activate a solenoid on the drip line, but i think most solenoids need a certain amount of pressure to open up after being closed, which gravity might not give you. also it can be tough to find a solenoid that is 100% reefsafe.

i'd probably just go with a float valve for a gravity topoff. unless you are going to feed kalk with it, in which case any gravity system will clog on you.

another option for the gravity feed would be to dose from a sealed container, where there is a water line that goes to the tank and an airline that goes to the tank's water level. when the water level drops, it lets air in, which then lets water out of the topoff jug. i'd never trust this though, since the slightest air leak will dump the entire topoff into your tank at once.

 

[fazio92]

put me down!!

 

[manderx]

the switches are already in, but relays won't be here until thursday (ground from cali). the places selling relays also had really cheap 12v power adapters so i picked up a bunch of them too.

 

[manderx]

relays came in. i had also tacked on some 12v power supplies since they were really cheap. but i got the wrong ones (my fault), got 12v AC instead of 12v DC so i gotta send them back. i can't even imagine what 12v AC would be good for.