which pump for auto top off?

[antjtc]

reliable float switch???

reliable float switch???

Thanks everyone for the great info.

Now, what is a good reliable float switch which I can use with my aqualifter or maxi flow pump? I need something very reliable because I suppose if the float switch malfunctions I can flood my sump and kill my fish due to change in salinity. Again, thanks everyone for your helpful suggestions!!!

 

[Lynnmw1208]

Some have optic eyes and float switches which gives you double the coverage for mishaps. I just have the one float switch that came with my JBJ auto top off and I make sure it's clean from time to time.

 

[Raggamuffin]

the JBJ comes with 2 ports for float switches, buy a second and use it. 1 will turn it on the other shuts it down. and has been said but I use a MJ1200 with mine

 

[Reverend Reefer]

aqualifter. also like that it can run dry and doesn't break if i forget to fill my auto-top off resevoir, it happens.

 

[Reverend Reefer]

they're also inexpensive considering how much reef stuff costs, you can easily buy two of these and have one as backup without putting a hole in yer wallet.

 

[radicaltimes]

the JBJ comes with 2 ports for float switches, buy a second and use it. 1 will turn it on the other shuts it down. and has been said but I use a MJ1200 with mine

The other way to set it up is I think Mode B. The lower float when it drops will turn on the ATO. When it rises it will shut off the ATO. The upper Float will shut off the ATO as a safety.

 

[radicaltimes]

Also the Aqulaife will only push the water or Kalk about 3 feet above it. Some will put two in tanden to lift the water higher.

 

[LSUtiger]

I'll add another vote for the aqualifter. They aren't terribly expensive. Get two so that you have a backup. To hold the airline tubing at the bottom of my reservoir, I superglue the air line tubing into a zoomed mag clip, and use the magnet to keep it positioned at the bottom. It works great.

 

[f3honda4me]

I decided to go with a rubbermaid container with bulkhead fitting and use gravity feeding and a floater switch from BRS. All in all cost me about 20 bucks.

 

[zigzag1]

I use the aqualifter. Its a great dependable pump. Also, it has no problem running dry indefinately if you forget to fill your topoff reservoir. Aqualifter all the way.

+1 well said. Would hate to run my tanks without one of these little dudes. Cheap and effective. I have about 4 of them around. 2 in use and a couple spares.

 

[ipv6freely]

Sorry for the thread necro. I googled "auto topoff pumps" and this thread came right up. Made more sense to reply than to post a new thread

I see many of you are saying aqualifter. I'm confused though. I bought one, and it wasn't able to push water high enough to get from the bucket in my stand up into my tank.

I have a red sea max, so no sump. Is the maxijet the best option for me, then?

 

[Subw00er]

FWIW, the Grey beard peristaltic pumps are awesome and very strong/fast. I use two of them - I have one pushing up about 11' for ato from my basement, through the floor, to the tank and one pushes up about 5'. It does both scenarios effortlessly. I needed a pump that would self prime so thats why I went peristaltic. I draw water from standard 5 gallon water jugs.

I tried the toms aqualifter, but its very weak - doesnt push past 3' or so and I had one leak on me from the casing and flood my stand.

I just bought that little blue and white tunze osmolator pump for a new build for ato and push about 6'. I think it will work, but havent set it up yet.

 

[Westone]

I use a 18$ pump from home depot along with jbj ATO. I didn't see the need to spend any real money on a pump that will get very little use per day. I've had it running for about 6 months now and I'm pleased with the purchase. I've never had an issue with the pump or the jbj ATO. It makes my life a lot easier as it's 1 less thing I have to worry about in the tank.

Here is the pump I use
http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc...splay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053

This is the setup I'm using. The aqualifter works for fine for topping off evaporation, but two of them can't keep up with the constant water change setup I'm using. This pump dmglakewood suggested is less than the aqualifter.

 

[TokiHacker]

My issue I have found with the TOMS was that it would not pump enough in and the ATO with cut itself off after 14mins to prevent a flood (which is nice). That is why I hade to switch to a MJ.