Question on auto top off systems
- Thread starter flower
- Start date
dschwartz
Member
I know it sure would be convenient for something like that (i don't have a sump either) but my concern (no matter where it where placed) would be it sticking or malfunctioning and flooding? I'm currently adding about .5-1 gallon a day, so not too bad. I'm sure those with larger tanks (mine is only 29G) are adding alot more and might have more ideas.
David.
David.
flower
Well-Known Member
Originally Posted by dschwartz
http:///forum/post/2994463
I know it sure would be convenient for something like that (i don't have a sump either) but my concern (no matter where it where placed) would be it sticking or malfunctioning and flooding? I'm currently adding about .5-1 gallon a day, so not too bad. I'm sure those with larger tanks (mine is only 29G) are adding alot more and might have more ideas.
David.
No kidding...
I have a 90g and using 5g of store bought RO water a day!
I have very bad well water so an RO unit is not an option. I ask about the top off system because I splashed a tiny drop of water and it got past the glass, hit my MH light and the bulb burst!
Another $70.00 to replace a two day old bulb!
http:///forum/post/2994463
I know it sure would be convenient for something like that (i don't have a sump either) but my concern (no matter where it where placed) would be it sticking or malfunctioning and flooding? I'm currently adding about .5-1 gallon a day, so not too bad. I'm sure those with larger tanks (mine is only 29G) are adding alot more and might have more ideas.
David.
No kidding...
I have a 90g and using 5g of store bought RO water a day!
I have very bad well water so an RO unit is not an option. I ask about the top off system because I splashed a tiny drop of water and it got past the glass, hit my MH light and the bulb burst!
jackri
Active Member
Originally Posted by Flower
http:///forum/post/2994467
No kidding...
I have a 90g and using 5g of store bought RO water a day!
I have very bad well water so an RO unit is not an option. I ask about the top off system because I splashed a tiny drop of water and it got past the glass, hit my MH light and the bulb burst!
Another $70.00 to replace a two day old bulb!
Your well water may not be as bad as you think, my city water is HORRIBLE and my RO/DI is just fine --- I think there'd be a point where hauling 5 gallon buckets everyday would just be crazy -- plus you don't know when the last time they changed their filters.
On the original post.. you can set the float valve switch in your main tank for auto top off -- just not that pretty to look at but very doable.
http:///forum/post/2994467
No kidding...
I have a 90g and using 5g of store bought RO water a day!
I have very bad well water so an RO unit is not an option. I ask about the top off system because I splashed a tiny drop of water and it got past the glass, hit my MH light and the bulb burst!
Your well water may not be as bad as you think, my city water is HORRIBLE and my RO/DI is just fine --- I think there'd be a point where hauling 5 gallon buckets everyday would just be crazy -- plus you don't know when the last time they changed their filters.
On the original post.. you can set the float valve switch in your main tank for auto top off -- just not that pretty to look at but very doable.
flower
Well-Known Member
Originally Posted by jackri
http:///forum/post/2994612
Your well water may not be as bad as you think, my city water is HORRIBLE and my RO/DI is just fine --- I think there'd be a point where hauling 5 gallon buckets everyday would just be crazy -- plus you don't know when the last time they changed their filters.
On the original post.. you can set the float valve switch in your main tank for auto top off -- just not that pretty to look at but very doable.
My well water is so bad..
Voice saying how bad is it?...
It is sooo bad that we have a water softener, a separate water filter on the pipe system, and another under the kitchen sink and I still can't drink it.
The toilets, the tub, the dishwasher (now unusable because of this), my $900.00 front loader washing machine are covered with rust stains.
We have a water cooler we bought from Home Depot for our personal drinking and cooking water. I have 4, 5g jugs + 2, 3g jugs for FISH ONLY, we have 4, 5g jugs for us.
We get our water from Wal-mart, for 65 cents a gallon.
My father died, I had gotten a divorce...I moved to my mother’s house with horrible ceiling to floor mirrors everywhere, with my 90g tank.
My X husband got the 75g.
Now on the original post...you wrote:
you can set the float valve switch in your main tank for auto top off
I am so sorry, but you are talking Chinese to me. I do not understand what a float valve is, or where it would be on my main tank?????
jackri
Active Member
To use the automatic top off it has a float sensor that when it goes low enough, it trips a sensor to kick on a pump to add water until the float goes back into the acceptable range then turning the pump off. No reason not to use it on your main tank -- I just have mine in my sump which gets filled from a 5 gallon bucket that I keep filled.
jackri
Active Member
I think it's a JBJ or JBO auto top off system (just do a google, theyre like 100 bucks) and there is a certain pump that goes great with them, I'd go look it up and link it but a) I'm too lazy right now and b) the links would be removed.
The only problem I had with mine is sometimes it would go to it's "default" setting and not fill my sump with water. I had to take an airline and make a bubbler under it so it would keep tripping the sensor and thus "reset" the unit out of default. Since I added the bubbler it has worked flawlessly.
And now yes, I just keep my 5 gallon bucket full of water and it can last up to around 2 days... I also add Mrs. Wage's Pickling Lime to my 5 gallon bucket so my top off water adds kalk for a boost in calcium/alk at a very cheap price.
The only problem I had with mine is sometimes it would go to it's "default" setting and not fill my sump with water. I had to take an airline and make a bubbler under it so it would keep tripping the sensor and thus "reset" the unit out of default. Since I added the bubbler it has worked flawlessly.
And now yes, I just keep my 5 gallon bucket full of water and it can last up to around 2 days... I also add Mrs. Wage's Pickling Lime to my 5 gallon bucket so my top off water adds kalk for a boost in calcium/alk at a very cheap price.
flower
Well-Known Member
You lost me on this...
The only problem I had with mine is sometimes it would go to it's "default" setting and not fill my sump with water. I had to take an airline and make a bubbler under it so it would keep tripping the sensor and thus "reset" the unit out of default. Since I added the bubbler it has worked flawlessly.
How would I do this and how do I know I need to? You are being very helpful! Thank you.
The only problem I had with mine is sometimes it would go to it's "default" setting and not fill my sump with water. I had to take an airline and make a bubbler under it so it would keep tripping the sensor and thus "reset" the unit out of default. Since I added the bubbler it has worked flawlessly.
How would I do this and how do I know I need to? You are being very helpful! Thank you.
jackri
Active Member
The topoffs will only run so long before they just shut off automatically -- which keeps them from overflowing your tank in case of something going wrong. Well this same mechanism is "supposedly" on a timer setting from like 3 - 14 minutes. I've heard of others that have a problem when the water goes so low to trip the sensor it goes straight to that default instead of pumping water..... like once a day to once a week (mine being more on the once or more a day).
With having air bubblers constantly bubbling under the sensor -- if it went into default the bubbles would then lift the sensor, drop the sensor (back and forth) and would reset the sensor OUT of default to pump water again. The sensor comes on in short intervals and adds a bit, shuts off, and adds a bit, etc.
Doesn't work EXACTLY as advertised and I got frustrated until a local person told me what they did with the airline... unfortunately still the best option I've seen for an ATO
With having air bubblers constantly bubbling under the sensor -- if it went into default the bubbles would then lift the sensor, drop the sensor (back and forth) and would reset the sensor OUT of default to pump water again. The sensor comes on in short intervals and adds a bit, shuts off, and adds a bit, etc.
Doesn't work EXACTLY as advertised and I got frustrated until a local person told me what they did with the airline... unfortunately still the best option I've seen for an ATO
flower
Well-Known Member
I found one! $79.99 digital, everything but the pump which I already have for when I do water changes. It has 2 floating sensors, one for the top off water tub and another for the aquarium.
You hang the one sensor where you want the water to stay in the fish tank, and the other you put near the bottom of the fill tub. As soon as water drops the digital thing turns on the pump, if the fill tank gets too low it won't come on at all, so the pump does not get damaged.
I just bought a skimmer. So I have to wait, so my mother won't go into shock for the top off thing. I already gave her a heads up that I need it.
She asked me when I can quit spending on the fish tank, when it will be all done...I just don't have the heart to tell her the truth....
You hang the one sensor where you want the water to stay in the fish tank, and the other you put near the bottom of the fill tub. As soon as water drops the digital thing turns on the pump, if the fill tank gets too low it won't come on at all, so the pump does not get damaged.
I just bought a skimmer. So I have to wait, so my mother won't go into shock for the top off thing. I already gave her a heads up that I need it.
She asked me when I can quit spending on the fish tank, when it will be all done...I just don't have the heart to tell her the truth....
chevyrulzs2010
Member
any possibility you could email me the link? my email is chevyrulzs2010@yahoo.com