Water top off system.
- Thread starter pbuck
- Start date
scubamedic
Member
I have one that I built my self. It uses a float switch in the tank (I don't have a sump yet) that turns on a relay that activates the pump. I have the pump in a bucket of top off water with a piece of tubing going up to the tank. I have a valve on the pump to slow the flow down so I don't dump fresh water in the tank to fast. I think that is just a matter of preference though.
It holds the level within a tight range. Overall I'm very happy with it. I never thought it was a big deal to top off by hand until I made this thing. Now I would hate to go back to doing it by hand.
If you need more info just ask.
ScubaMedic@intothefog.us
It holds the level within a tight range. Overall I'm very happy with it. I never thought it was a big deal to top off by hand until I made this thing. Now I would hate to go back to doing it by hand.
If you need more info just ask.
ScubaMedic@intothefog.us
scubamedic
Member
I have my float switch inside of a tube that is covered on both ends and has small holes drilled in it. It keeps the snails out of it so they don't climb on the float.
melbournefl
Member
Great Idea Scuba! I'm going to steal it in fact 
About how often do you take it apart and clean it?
Thanks,
Paul
About how often do you take it apart and clean it? Thanks,
Paul
scubamedic
Member
Clean it? Actually I have not cleaned it. I know, I'm lazy. I'll clean it when it stops working. The tube is actually a 35mm film can with a hole in the top for the stem of the float switch. I then got a large suction cup from Target and took the metal thing off. I drilled a hole through the part that sticks out and put an all plastic wire tie through it and around the film can. I guess if I wanted to clean it, I would just pull it out and pop the lid off the film can. You can reach it all that way.
The only problem is that you have to be careful not to get the wire tie to tight and squeeze the film can.
The tube is actually a 35mm film can with a hole in the top for the stem of the float switch. I then got a large suction cup from Target and took the metal thing off. I drilled a hole through the part that sticks out and put an all plastic wire tie through it and around the film can. I guess if I wanted to clean it, I would just pull it out and pop the lid off the film can. You can reach it all that way.The only problem is that you have to be careful not to get the wire tie to tight and squeeze the film can.
scubamedic
Member
No I'm not running it wide open. I stated in the first post that I have a valve to slow the flow down. I use a little ViaAqua 480 pump for it and it comes with a little control valve. I have it set to where it just trickles out.
It would be real easy to add another float switch in series with the one I'm using now. That way if the level got to high it would shut the pump off before it flooded.
I'm only using a 2 1/2 gallon container for my top off water. I probably only keep about 2 gallons in it anyway, so even if it did stick I'm not even sure if it would flood.
It would be real easy to add another float switch in series with the one I'm using now. That way if the level got to high it would shut the pump off before it flooded.
I'm only using a 2 1/2 gallon container for my top off water. I probably only keep about 2 gallons in it anyway, so even if it did stick I'm not even sure if it would flood.
marinerock
Member
HI PBUCK....
DO A SEARCH FOR THE FOLLOWING....
TOP-OFF SYSTEM FOR EVAPORATION...BY MARINEROCK
I ASKED THE SAME QUESTION AND ALL THE REPLIES WERE
GREAT...LOTS OF INFO IN THAT THREAD....
HOPE THIS HELPS...
REGARDS...
MARINEROCK
DO A SEARCH FOR THE FOLLOWING....
TOP-OFF SYSTEM FOR EVAPORATION...BY MARINEROCK
I ASKED THE SAME QUESTION AND ALL THE REPLIES WERE
GREAT...LOTS OF INFO IN THAT THREAD....
HOPE THIS HELPS...
REGARDS...
MARINEROCK