Cheap DIY water top off

[larry broderic]

so my tank has an evaporation problem just like everyone else and putting in 1/2 a gallon of water everyday got annoying. so i created this little set up. Everything i got was at walmart. 1 air tight bucket $4, one air pump for aquariums $8, a bunch of Air line $3, one digital timer $9, and some 5 minute epoxy $2. i made two small holes in the top of the air tight bucket just big enough for the air lines to get through. one air line goes to the bottom of the container and the other one just passes through the lid. the one that just passes through the lid is connected to the air pump. the air line that goes to the bottom of the bucket goes into my sump. i then figured out the exact amount of water that i lose each day. i found a comparable container and plugged in the air pump. i then timed how long it took for the container to fill to the top. about 15 mins. then i took the timer and set it to go off at 7 am for 5 mins then again at 2pm for 5 mins and then one more time at 9 for 5 minutes. now through out the day my tank is getting automatically topped off and all i have to do is fill up the bucket with fresh water every once and a while. total cost was 26 dollars but lets face it im sure most of us have spare air pumps and air line laying around and possibly some epoxy. get cheap little project to keep you busy and save you some hassle in the long run.

 

[almostclueless]

The only problem would be that over long time of using it, if the calculation is off, even slightly, the water level, and this the SG, will change. Im sure its fine if your checking it regularly though. I might not trust it if you go on vacation?

 

[hurt]

Not trying to burst your bubble, but you will undoubtedly still have to adjust it. Evaporation rates vary in a system depending upon time of day/season of year/humidity etc. The evap. rate is not constant 24/7/365, it always changes to some degree. If you have fans that turn on when your lights come on evaporation will increase greatly for a few hours. All that said, all you need to have a full proof ATO that will always match your evaporation rate constantly is a simple adjustable float valve and a 5 or 10 gallon tank. Take the tank to a glass shop and have them drill a hole for the float valve at the bottom of this tank. Put the bottom of this tank at the top of your sump so the float valve sticks down into your sump. Works perfectly and matches evaporation in real time constantly, salinity will never fluctuate again. Costs around $30.

 

[larry broderic]

yea i understand its not exact but it will keep it close. im going to run it for a few weeks and see how it does. i mean lets face it who doesnt look at there tank everyday and play a little. i will monitor the level of my sump and see how it keeps up. i think it will be a great help on vacations. the most ill be gone is a week and so it will be fine for that short of a time period even if it is off a little when i get back it will be alot better than no top off at all

 

[renogaw]

better than nothing

 

[m0nk]

I like the one on Melev's reef site. It costs about the same and is a lot more accurate.

 

[fishjeep]

it's a helpful idea,thanks for posting it