Options for a Nano Auto Top Off

WarEagleNR88

WarEagleNR88

Premium Member
I'm getting tired of the top off routine. And when I find myself out of town for a while or too busy with work to replenish the evaporated H2O, the salinity grows gradually. Although I've got a fairly stable tank, I think an Auto Top Off is in order. I'll be moving to Phoenix next week and I will definitely need one in the dry weather.

JBJ Auto Top Off for hassle free operation? Or Floatswitches.com? Or LiterMeter? I'm looking for opinions on any and all ATOs that nano-users have and that are available.

After this is decided, then I'll finally be able to look into that little JBJ K-2 Viper 70W HQI. :D
 
There's an auto topoff in the nano diy thread stuck to the top of this forum.
 
Yeah I looked at that post by UTR. Are they fairly reliable? I have some battery back-up Hagen air pumps, but no float switches. I may have to order one and play around with it.

Does anyone have the JBJ and if so, what are your thoughts?

I'd like to be able to have my 32G brute trashcan full of RO/DI water and just pump it from that into the tank. Otherwise I'll need an airtight container--maybe a 5G water container from Culligan?
 
I had heard good things from a couple people in my local reef club and so just recently ordered one from this place:

http://www.topdose.net/

It arrived today so I can't offer any first hand experience yet. Its for my NC 12DX.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8261939#post8261939 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Jocko
I had heard good things from a couple people in my local reef club and so just recently ordered one from this place:

http://www.topdose.net/

It arrived today so I can't offer any first hand experience yet. Its for my NC 12DX.
Click to expand...

I really like that float switch setup. Please let me know how it goes for you. That's almost exactly what I was looking for. Something you plug in and watch it work its magic.

What are you going to use for a snail guard? Regardless of the float switch I get, I'd like to see some setups for snail guards.
 
the real problem is that no float switch operated system is 100% reliable. there's always a chance one will get stuck, and the backup on top of that. granted, it's a small chance, but still there.

the JBJ can be run at a timed ATO, which if you can figure out your normal rate of evaporation, is good solution.

i have the top off kit from floatswitches, but haven't installed it yet (no room for a reservoir). they use a bottle with holes in it as a snail guard.

also, i'd watch 32 g of RODI sitting for that small of a tank... RODI can develop slime on it after a while, if it's not being agitated. :) if you find a perfect soltion, share! :)
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8263108#post8263108 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Charlie97L
the real problem is that no float switch operated system is 100% reliable. there's always a chance one will get stuck, and the backup on top of that. granted, it's a small chance, but still there.

the JBJ can be run at a timed ATO, which if you can figure out your normal rate of evaporation, is good solution.

i have the top off kit from floatswitches, but haven't installed it yet (no room for a reservoir). they use a bottle with holes in it as a snail guard.

also, i'd watch 32 g of RODI sitting for that small of a tank... RODI can develop slime on it after a while, if it's not being agitated. :) if you find a perfect soltion, share! :)
Click to expand...

Yeah I agree with what you're saying about the 100% reliability. One of those TopDose switches has an option that counts in the fact if the float switch is active for too long it automatically cuts off. It is $15 more for that option. But that $15 could save your animals if it does get stuck open. Decisions, decisions!

My routine for the 32G has been fairly, well, routine. I thoroughly washed out a brand new 32G Brute (NSF qual) with tap then RODI water. After that I've kept the lid on the Brute all the time except when I'm getting water. For water collection/container/transport I use a dedicated clear container with a handle that only gets touched by three things: Brute handle/handle contact, my freshly washed hands, RODI H2O. The only thing I've noticed with the water is the plastic smell from the brute. No real problems except the fact my RODI filter needs its filters replaced.

When you say "a while", how long do you mean? And what is this slime? I've never thought of having bacteria in the RODI water, since whatever bacteria is in there would have to be nearly the same that is in the tank, correct?
 
I wonder if they can put black shrink wrap around the unit? They have a good price and even build a ATO mini just for smaller tanks. Interesting...

Thanks for the post dmazyn!
 
I sent the guys at the Top-Off.com online store an email and this is their reply on the black plastic.

--------------------------------------------------------------

>> COMMENT?QUESTION:
>> Could you put black plastic on the floatswitch instead of blue plastic on
>> an order for one?
>>


Hello,

Thanks for your inquiry. I am currently trying to source black wrap, but
I have had no luck thus far. I have, and can again, produce a unit in
black using plastic paint. I soaked the dried unit in saltwater for
several days prior to use to be sure that no hydrocarbons remained on the
surface. I will be happy to do the same for you if you would like. It
will require a couple of extra days on the order to soak the chamber prior
to sending it out to you.

--------------------------------------------------------------

So it appears more options may be available if when they get a good source for the black wrap. Or maybe black pvc could be an option? Savko has black PVC! Well I'm rambling now. Just thought I'd post an update on my ATO progress. I'm sure someone can benefit from my research.
 
oh btw ... my friend had one of those float switches in his sump and his strawberry urchin chewed through the plastic cover on the wires ... huge potential disaster ... did you see my version of the top-off?

I'm suprised I haven't ever read anything about urchins chewing through these float switch wire covers ...
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8270252#post8270252 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by chocolateblnt
oh btw ... my friend had one of those float switches in his sump and his strawberry urchin chewed through the plastic cover on the wires ... huge potential disaster ... did you see my version of the top-off?

I'm suprised I haven't ever read anything about urchins chewing through these float switch wire covers ...
Click to expand...

Ahhhh well no strawberry urchins in my tank! No way!

Yes I have followed your thread for a while now and am very familiar with it. Do you have any quirks about it that bother you? Post the page with your design here to compile Top Off ideas if you would please.
 
Sure ...

Topoffjug.jpg


topofffinish.jpg


UniversalTopOffDoserwithRO.jpg
 
Cool, thanks guys. And rljlll, thanks for the gravity/pressure ATO thread.

Chocolateblnt, what exactly is that white container in the top left corner of your designs? I've wondered this from the very beginning and I don't remember you really explaining it much.

But if my eyes serve me right is that a three prong outlet that the air pump is plugged into on that white container (even if it is using two prongs)? I could incorporate the professional looking TopDose floatswitch with an airpump and do the exact thing but let the float switch control the airpump instead of the white container you are using.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8273961#post8273961 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by DiverDownBrian
I've been using the JBJ one for about year on my NanoCube ... no problems so far
Click to expand...

Can you go into detail on its setup, what the float switches look like, and any other quirks that you don't like about it?

And do you have any pictures of it?
 
The ehh container ;) is actually not a container it's a digital timer you can pick up at osh ... however I have to make a note on the sticky thread ... I actually went through 2 of those timers in a 6 month period and both burnt out the same capacitor inside ... :( I simply kept my receipt and whenever it broke just took it back to osh for another one. Oh and yes the digital timer is meant for heavy duty equipment so it is three pronged ... to bad they manufactur it so poorly.
 
hmm OSH is a Cali based hardware/garden store correct? I do like your setup is an air driven system.

Anyone else with a ATO that is different than the methods already mentioned?
 
I just bought a Litermeter III for my 30 cube. Best money I've spent on my reef tank in 20 years of being in the hobby.
 
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