Auto-Top-Off System ????
- Thread starter meowzer
- Start date
meowzer
Moderator
Originally Posted by Posiden
http:///forum/post/2947681
How much room do you have in your sump? How much top off do you go through?
In my sump? I have attached a pic....Since I added MH lights, took off glass tops and use egg crate, and now added my sump/refug....I am using 1 1/2 - 2 gallons a day.....
I have 3 1g containers (need more) and I add the water a gallon at a time each day. i just thought eventually I might get something that would hold 5g or so and that would do it on it's own..
http:///forum/post/2947681
How much room do you have in your sump? How much top off do you go through?
In my sump? I have attached a pic....Since I added MH lights, took off glass tops and use egg crate, and now added my sump/refug....I am using 1 1/2 - 2 gallons a day.....
I have 3 1g containers (need more) and I add the water a gallon at a time each day. i just thought eventually I might get something that would hold 5g or so and that would do it on it's own..
posiden
Active Member
Well I don't think my idea will work for you. My idea was to use a jug or bottle (5 gallons) in your case and put it in the sump upside down. Putting the opening at the level you want to maintain. You need a jug and some way (rack) to hold the jug at the desired level. Real simple, this is how I do mine.
naclh2o nut
Member
Originally Posted by Posiden
http:///forum/post/2947712
Well I don't think my idea will work for you. My idea was to use a jug or bottle (5 gallons) in your case and put it in the sump upside down. Putting the opening at the level you want to maintain. You need a jug and some way (rack) to hold the jug at the desired level. Real simple, this is how I do mine.
pics, explain. this sounds to easy for a top off. Not to doubt, just that would be awesome a old h20 jug turned upside down. I have a 5 gal for drinking h20 that would buy a couple of days.
http:///forum/post/2947712
Well I don't think my idea will work for you. My idea was to use a jug or bottle (5 gallons) in your case and put it in the sump upside down. Putting the opening at the level you want to maintain. You need a jug and some way (rack) to hold the jug at the desired level. Real simple, this is how I do mine.
pics, explain. this sounds to easy for a top off. Not to doubt, just that would be awesome a old h20 jug turned upside down. I have a 5 gal for drinking h20 that would buy a couple of days.
marcb
Member
Originally Posted by meowzer
http:///forum/post/2947480
OK, I think my next item of purchase is an auto-top-off system...anyone have any suggestions on one?
Don't know if it is right for you, but I have the JBJ A.T.O. unit and its great.
http:///forum/post/2947480
OK, I think my next item of purchase is an auto-top-off system...anyone have any suggestions on one?
Don't know if it is right for you, but I have the JBJ A.T.O. unit and its great.
spanko
Active Member
I have a Reef Ranatic ATO and it works just fine.
I always thought this looked promising also.
"Construction
First of all, you need a food safe container with a "snap-on" lid.
I then drilled a hole on one side to take a 90 degree tank connector. This was siliconed in place to ensure a water tight seal (VERY important!).
I then measured the distance from the connector to the surface of the water in the sump and cut a piece of plastic pipe. This pipe is inserted into the tank connector. The pipe is sufficiently tight fit to be waterproof, so is not glued into place. This means that the pipe can be removed and shortened if needed.
Before you use it, you need to make sure that air cannot enter the container by any route other than the end of the pipe. Otherwise the water will just leak into the tank.
How to use
The container is then filled with RO water. By placing my finger on the end of the pipe and carefully lowering it into the sump I can ensure that the pipe is below the surface of the water before removing my finger. The container rests on the edge of the sump. When the water level drops, air enters the container and water fills the sump!
Parts list
Parts required:
* Container
* Tank connector
* 22mm pipe
* Silicone sealant
Improvements
A valve on the pipe would mean that I wouldn't need to place my finger on the end of the pipe. A valve would also mean that I wouldn't have to wait until the container is empty before I refilled it!
You could also connect multiple containers together by using tank connectors between them. This would increase the water holding capacity.
I always thought this looked promising also.
"Construction
First of all, you need a food safe container with a "snap-on" lid.
I then drilled a hole on one side to take a 90 degree tank connector. This was siliconed in place to ensure a water tight seal (VERY important!).
I then measured the distance from the connector to the surface of the water in the sump and cut a piece of plastic pipe. This pipe is inserted into the tank connector. The pipe is sufficiently tight fit to be waterproof, so is not glued into place. This means that the pipe can be removed and shortened if needed.
Before you use it, you need to make sure that air cannot enter the container by any route other than the end of the pipe. Otherwise the water will just leak into the tank.
How to use
The container is then filled with RO water. By placing my finger on the end of the pipe and carefully lowering it into the sump I can ensure that the pipe is below the surface of the water before removing my finger. The container rests on the edge of the sump. When the water level drops, air enters the container and water fills the sump!
Parts list
Parts required:
* Container
* Tank connector
* 22mm pipe
* Silicone sealant
Improvements
A valve on the pipe would mean that I wouldn't need to place my finger on the end of the pipe. A valve would also mean that I wouldn't have to wait until the container is empty before I refilled it!
You could also connect multiple containers together by using tank connectors between them. This would increase the water holding capacity.
spanko
Active Member
Nope, total gravity. Just need to ensure that there is absolutely no air lead into the container other than the end of the pipe. Easy way to check for your self is build one out of a pop bottle. Drill a hose in the cap and insert a pc. of airline. Silicone around the hose and the cap. Fill er up with water. Fill the sink with some water. Put the end of the hose in the water in the sink and turn the pop bottle upside down. Now lift the pop bottle up just so the hose comes out of the water a bit. Hold it there until the water lever reaches the end of the hose again.
Pretty cool thing.
But like said even the smallest amount of air lead into the container could cause a drip of water into the sump. Depending on the drip rate you could empty the reservoir before you know it.
Pretty cool thing.
But like said even the smallest amount of air lead into the container could cause a drip of water into the sump. Depending on the drip rate you could empty the reservoir before you know it.
spanko
Active Member
Originally Posted by meowzer
http:///forum/post/2948898
Do you have one? You mention you have a Reef Ranatic ATO...What is that? This seems like it may work for a small amount, maybe a gallon at most...IDK if I would want to try it with more than that?
I do not have it. I have a 29 biocube without a sump so no good way to have it because it would need to be above the display.
I have the Reef Fanatic ATO. Two floats, a controller, a Tom;s Aqualifter pump and a 5 gallon water jug.
The Controller was around $90, google it if interested. The Tom's Aqualifter was around $15.
http:///forum/post/2948898
Do you have one? You mention you have a Reef Ranatic ATO...What is that? This seems like it may work for a small amount, maybe a gallon at most...IDK if I would want to try it with more than that?
I do not have it. I have a 29 biocube without a sump so no good way to have it because it would need to be above the display.
I have the Reef Fanatic ATO. Two floats, a controller, a Tom;s Aqualifter pump and a 5 gallon water jug.
The Controller was around $90, google it if interested. The Tom's Aqualifter was around $15.
meowzer
Moderator
Originally Posted by spanko
http:///forum/post/2948912
I do not have it. I have a 29 biocube without a sump so no good way to have it because it would need to be above the display.
I have the Reef Fanatic ATO. Two floats, a controller, a Tom;s Aqualifter pump and a 5 gallon water jug.
The Controller was around $90, google it if interested. The Tom's Aqualifter was around $15.
I tried looking up reef fanatic ato and got nothing??? Do they sell an all inclusive system, or do you have to buy a bunch of parts?
http:///forum/post/2948912
I do not have it. I have a 29 biocube without a sump so no good way to have it because it would need to be above the display.
I have the Reef Fanatic ATO. Two floats, a controller, a Tom;s Aqualifter pump and a 5 gallon water jug.
The Controller was around $90, google it if interested. The Tom's Aqualifter was around $15.
I tried looking up reef fanatic ato and got nothing??? Do they sell an all inclusive system, or do you have to buy a bunch of parts?
meowzer
Moderator
So you need a hose to go from 5 gal jug to aqualifter..then a hose from aqualifter to sump...The 2 float switches come with controller and I am guessing get placed at your minimum and maximum water level requirements...
What is coming from controller to aqualifter? (is it a power line)
What is coming from controller to aqualifter? (is it a power line)
paulyd1978
Member
This is the one I want -- pretty inexpensive and simple...
http://www.aquacave.com/detail.aspx?ID=254
http://www.aquacave.com/detail.aspx?ID=254