king_neptune
Active Member
I just would like to learn a bit about an auto top off system, and how to incorporate it to my 125 gallon reef system.
Need a good DIY auto topoff thread.
- Thread starter king_neptune
- Start date
forcrz6
Member
Well you can do what I did.
1. Put a splitter on the RO/DI line coming from Reserve tank.
2.Run line to tank (If you have a basement Like I do, come up through the floor behind tank).
3. Go to Local hardware store
4. Get an all plastic Toilet bowl Tank Fill Valve ( got the 1 with the Float built on to the actual Body)
5. Cut with a hack saw to desired height.
6. Adapt a Water in let for your RO/DI tube
7. Cap off bottom that you cut.
8. Silicone the part to where you want it.
9. wait 24 to 48 hours.
10. Fill and test with water. (This is to adjust the height of the water)
Cost
$9 to $10 for the filler for a toilet bowl
$10 for the hack saw
$2 for the silicone.
¢30 for the end cap
$22 to $25 in the end
Here is a pic of the kind I got.
1. Put a splitter on the RO/DI line coming from Reserve tank.
2.Run line to tank (If you have a basement Like I do, come up through the floor behind tank).
3. Go to Local hardware store
4. Get an all plastic Toilet bowl Tank Fill Valve ( got the 1 with the Float built on to the actual Body)
5. Cut with a hack saw to desired height.
6. Adapt a Water in let for your RO/DI tube
7. Cap off bottom that you cut.
8. Silicone the part to where you want it.
9. wait 24 to 48 hours.
10. Fill and test with water. (This is to adjust the height of the water)
Cost
$9 to $10 for the filler for a toilet bowl
$10 for the hack saw
$2 for the silicone.
¢30 for the end cap
$22 to $25 in the end
Here is a pic of the kind I got.
whitebird
Member
here is what i built and use and had no problems with it and put it in last july
http://forums.saltwaterfish.com/t/326671/diy-topoff-switch
http://forums.saltwaterfish.com/t/326671/diy-topoff-switch
king_neptune
Active Member
Originally Posted by jpa0741
http:///forum/post/2938773
Little advise you should really be putting all this in one thread instead of having so many at once all pertaining to a new build.
But then I risk only a small hand full of people looking at my thread and answering...this way someone see's my question in the headline and is like "Oh, I know that answer"
When otherwise they would most likely pass me by, or skim so fast in my Diary that they miss it.
I try to slim it down by sticking to each specific section..rather than clouding the "New hobbyist" section. I hate useless spam too
http:///forum/post/2938773
Little advise you should really be putting all this in one thread instead of having so many at once all pertaining to a new build.
But then I risk only a small hand full of people looking at my thread and answering...this way someone see's my question in the headline and is like "Oh, I know that answer"
When otherwise they would most likely pass me by, or skim so fast in my Diary that they miss it.
I try to slim it down by sticking to each specific section..rather than clouding the "New hobbyist" section. I hate useless spam too
snakeblitz33
Well-Known Member
Mr. Neptune,
Go to airwaterice. Great customer service. They have a plastic float valve that you can put it in a piece of egg crate and silicone the egg crate into your sump. Then connect the line from your RO Unit to your sump.
OR, you can do the resevoir (sp?) method, where you connect your float valve to a water resevoir beside your tank that continuously fills your sump.
I personally don't like to use pumps and auto top off controllers. I've heard too many bad things happen to em'
Go to airwaterice. Great customer service. They have a plastic float valve that you can put it in a piece of egg crate and silicone the egg crate into your sump. Then connect the line from your RO Unit to your sump.
OR, you can do the resevoir (sp?) method, where you connect your float valve to a water resevoir beside your tank that continuously fills your sump.
I personally don't like to use pumps and auto top off controllers. I've heard too many bad things happen to em'
snakeblitz33
Well-Known Member
by the way, here's a pic of the float valve I am talking about:
jpa0741
Member
Originally Posted by SnakeBlitz33
http:///forum/post/2943603
Mr. Neptune,
Go to airwaterice. Great customer service. They have a plastic float valve that you can put it in a piece of egg crate and silicone the egg crate into your sump. Then connect the line from your RO Unit to your sump.
OR, you can do the resevoir (sp?) method, where you connect your float valve to a water resevoir beside your tank that continuously fills your sump.
I personally don't like to use pumps and auto top off controllers. I've heard too many bad things happen to em'
I wouldn't rely on just a float hooked to your ro. If you go the route of hooking to a ro unit more steps should be taken not to flood your system with fresh water. Most people will say don't hook directly to your ro but I am and have been using it for years. I have a double float switch (redundent if one sticks) in the sump hooked to 2 solenoid valves (also redundent). I also have it on a timer so it comes on 4 time a day for x amount of time. A lot of things would have to fail to flood. You can also use the float switches to turn on a pump and pump water from a storage vessle. This is how most of the units sold work.
http:///forum/post/2943603
Mr. Neptune,
Go to airwaterice. Great customer service. They have a plastic float valve that you can put it in a piece of egg crate and silicone the egg crate into your sump. Then connect the line from your RO Unit to your sump.
OR, you can do the resevoir (sp?) method, where you connect your float valve to a water resevoir beside your tank that continuously fills your sump.
I personally don't like to use pumps and auto top off controllers. I've heard too many bad things happen to em'
I wouldn't rely on just a float hooked to your ro. If you go the route of hooking to a ro unit more steps should be taken not to flood your system with fresh water. Most people will say don't hook directly to your ro but I am and have been using it for years. I have a double float switch (redundent if one sticks) in the sump hooked to 2 solenoid valves (also redundent). I also have it on a timer so it comes on 4 time a day for x amount of time. A lot of things would have to fail to flood. You can also use the float switches to turn on a pump and pump water from a storage vessle. This is how most of the units sold work.
snakeblitz33
Well-Known Member
I have used float valves for years without problems. I've never had one "stick" on me. They work fine, IMO. All the solonoids and double floats and stuff is just extra work. JMO. As long as you are diligent with aquarium maintenance and cleaning, occasionally check the float to make sure it works and wha-la, done.
jpa0741
Member
Originally Posted by SnakeBlitz33
http:///forum/post/2943688
I have used float valves for years without problems. I've never had one "stick" on me. They work fine, IMO. All the solonoids and double floats and stuff is just extra work. JMO. As long as you are diligent with aquarium maintenance and cleaning, occasionally check the float to make sure it works and wha-la, done.
That is just too risky IMO. Floats are notorius for sticking. It is a fact. You can clean all you want but to only have one line of defense to wiping out thousands worth of livestock is crazy. Many people use them to fill their their top off water containers including me. If it sticks not the end of the world. As it being extra work. I have not touched it once since I have been using for over 2 years now.
http:///forum/post/2943688
I have used float valves for years without problems. I've never had one "stick" on me. They work fine, IMO. All the solonoids and double floats and stuff is just extra work. JMO. As long as you are diligent with aquarium maintenance and cleaning, occasionally check the float to make sure it works and wha-la, done.
That is just too risky IMO. Floats are notorius for sticking. It is a fact. You can clean all you want but to only have one line of defense to wiping out thousands worth of livestock is crazy. Many people use them to fill their their top off water containers including me. If it sticks not the end of the world. As it being extra work. I have not touched it once since I have been using for over 2 years now.
scsinet
Active Member
I've never had a problem with float valves either, just clean them once in a while.
That said, I'm designing a microprocessor controlled super-ATO system as we speak that includes double redundancy, because I'm sure I'll extol the virtues of float valves right up until I flood.
BTW... I do 100% agree that a float switch (or any ATO) connected to an infinite supply of water such as directly to an RODI is asking for trouble. I use float switches, but to control the water coming from a 5 gallon holding tank. Even if it sticks, it won't flood or catastrophically drop SG.
That said, I'm designing a microprocessor controlled super-ATO system as we speak that includes double redundancy, because I'm sure I'll extol the virtues of float valves right up until I flood.
BTW... I do 100% agree that a float switch (or any ATO) connected to an infinite supply of water such as directly to an RODI is asking for trouble. I use float switches, but to control the water coming from a 5 gallon holding tank. Even if it sticks, it won't flood or catastrophically drop SG.