Plumbing top-off container

[john1979]

I'm setting up an auto top-off system, and I'm wondering what is the best way to plumb the container to my aqualifter pump. I could just drill a hole and feed in some flexible airline tubing, but I'd prefer something more permanent. The container will be next to the tank and stand, and I don't want a loose piece of tubing that one of my kids could pull out. Do they make bulkheads or something similar that fits airline tubing?

Thanks in advance for your help!

John

 

[SquidwardTentacles]

I have always used "time" as my ATO. I make my RODI in a 35g can 50' away and out of sight. Hook an internal pump and put it on a multi timer that runs twice per day (or whatever you want) and run a line of 1/8" tubing to your sump through the walls of your house. It's simple, cheap, and invisible. Once you get the timing to match your evaporation, you are good to go.

 

[roblk]

I used a piece of rigid air line tube in my top off, drilled the lid the same size as the OD and cut the tube so it could go about 1/2 inch from the bottom and stick out of the lid enough to attach flexible airline to, friction fit makes it stay in place.

 

[john1979]

Thanks Squidward, but I'm interested in how you plumb the tubing out of the top off container. Is there a mini bulkhead that I can use, or do I just have to drill a hole high in the container and run airline tubing through it?

 

[SquidwardTentacles]

You could probably find something at a plumbing store but I'd go with roblk's recommendation. Make a really clean hole and stuff that line in there. I've overdrilled the hole to use a piece of flex tubing that fits the diameter of the hole on the OD and holds the tubing I want to run on the ID really tight. I had one for a gravity ATO I designed run for years without a drop leaking that way.

 

[byronsands]

question about the methods described above: what stops your ATO system from continuing to move water by siphon after you have shut off your pump? I'm probably miss-reading something.

 

[cardiffgiant]

You can get 1/4 rigid tubing to connect to a Tom Aquatics lift pump, and then do something creative with John Guest fittings to keep it secure to your top off vessel.

 

[roblk]

My Tom Aquatics pump is on top of my ATO bin which is below the tank, the tube going into the tank is not submerged s there is no danger of siphon, I believe but am not sure the flapper valve in the Tom aquatics pump would prevent the water from siphoning from the tank if the the top off tube were submerged just wanted to be safe and kept it from being submerged in tank.

 

[SquidwardTentacles]

question about the methods described above: what stops your ATO system from continuing to move water by siphon after you have shut off your pump? I'm probably miss-reading something.

I keep my pump at floor level and lift to sump level (for me, now a nano tank), which is higher. Once I get the timing right, it's Ronco -- "set & forget." It can't back siphon anyway if you don't put the feed end in the water in the sump or tank.

 

[byronsands]

I keep my pump at floor level and lift to sump level (for me, now a nano tank), which is higher. Once I get the timing right, it's Ronco -- "set & forget." It can't back siphon anyway if you don't put the feed end in the water in the sump or tank.

thanks... I was assuming the feed end was in the tank. Been trying to decide what to do, I like your designs.

 

[john1979]

So I should be able to use something like this:

http://www.marinedepot.com/JG_1_4_i...lter_Systems-John_Guest-RO5411-FIROJG-vi.html

I could put this fitting down at the bottom of the top-off container, and then plumb everything with 1/4' tubing? Does anyone have experience with that type of bulkhead? Will it leak?

 

[reefscape15]

I've never used a bulkhead, but have played with them numerous time at work running pneumatic lines for a glass furnace. The fittings hold very well, with enough force it is possible to rip the tubing out. It's only a compression style fitting. Should work great for what you want tho!

 

[cardiffgiant]

So I should be able to use something like this:

http://www.marinedepot.com/JG_1_4_i...lter_Systems-John_Guest-RO5411-FIROJG-vi.html

I could put this fitting down at the bottom of the top-off container, and then plumb everything with 1/4' tubing? Does anyone have experience with that type of bulkhead? Will it leak?

That should do the trick. If you're concerned with leaking, you could always put it at the top of the vessel, with a small extension of 1/4 tubing connected on the inside.