Water Top Off
- Thread starter sparty059
- Start date
flower
Well-Known Member
Just before running out the door...You do need a unit...I rent mine friom Culligan because filters on a well will run into money..my water is very bad. Get water fom Wal-mat for 37 cents a gallon but don't use your house water even with a conditioner...unless you have like the best spring water ever..and most don't.
desertdawg
Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sparty059 http:///forum/thread/380828/water-top-off#post_3316556
As a side note, the constant top off has become such a bother for me that I am actually planning to use my brain in this hobby. I'm planning on jerry-rigging something up to possibly add RO/DI water to my tank automatically from another larger bucket/tank so then all I have to do is once every two weeks or so I just need to add some water into the new tank and allow it to do it's job again. We'll see how that goes and how motivated I am when I start on this little project.
Want to cheapy water topoff version.
I set one of these next to my stand (taller one)
The pick up one of these at the hardware store
put the float in your sump and run a small hose to the water jug, Keep an extra jug filled with RO/Di and your all set...
My tank needs a new 5 gallon jug about every 5 or 6 days....
Originally Posted by Sparty059 http:///forum/thread/380828/water-top-off#post_3316556
As a side note, the constant top off has become such a bother for me that I am actually planning to use my brain in this hobby. I'm planning on jerry-rigging something up to possibly add RO/DI water to my tank automatically from another larger bucket/tank so then all I have to do is once every two weeks or so I just need to add some water into the new tank and allow it to do it's job again. We'll see how that goes and how motivated I am when I start on this little project.
Want to cheapy water topoff version.
I set one of these next to my stand (taller one)
The pick up one of these at the hardware store
put the float in your sump and run a small hose to the water jug, Keep an extra jug filled with RO/Di and your all set...
My tank needs a new 5 gallon jug about every 5 or 6 days....
flower
Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Desertdawg http:///forum/thread/380828/water-top-off/40#post_3317205
Want to cheapy water topoff version.
I set one of these next to my stand (taller one)
The pick up one of these at the hardware store
put the float in your sump and run a small hose to the water jug, Keep an extra jug filled with RO/Di and your all set...
My tank needs a new 5 gallon jug about every 5 or 6 days....
Wait...I thought that was a sensor...is that a toilet float?
Originally Posted by Desertdawg http:///forum/thread/380828/water-top-off/40#post_3317205
Want to cheapy water topoff version.
I set one of these next to my stand (taller one)
The pick up one of these at the hardware store
put the float in your sump and run a small hose to the water jug, Keep an extra jug filled with RO/Di and your all set...
My tank needs a new 5 gallon jug about every 5 or 6 days....
Wait...I thought that was a sensor...is that a toilet float?
sparty059
Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Desertdawg http:///forum/thread/380828/water-top-off/40#post_3317205
Want to cheapy water topoff version.
I set one of these next to my stand (taller one)
The pick up one of these at the hardware store
put the float in your sump and run a small hose to the water jug, Keep an extra jug filled with RO/Di and your all set...
My tank needs a new 5 gallon jug about every 5 or 6 days....
You have intrigued me DesertDawg. I'll look into this. I don't know if this is going to be a possibility because I have my entertainment center set up right next to the fish tank so room is quite scares there. The whole auto water top off thing might be wishful thinking until I move into my new house next year when I reevaluate my living room setup. I will keep this in the back of my mind though should I decide to change any setups around here. Thanks!
Originally Posted by Desertdawg http:///forum/thread/380828/water-top-off/40#post_3317205
Want to cheapy water topoff version.
I set one of these next to my stand (taller one)
The pick up one of these at the hardware store
put the float in your sump and run a small hose to the water jug, Keep an extra jug filled with RO/Di and your all set...
My tank needs a new 5 gallon jug about every 5 or 6 days....
You have intrigued me DesertDawg. I'll look into this. I don't know if this is going to be a possibility because I have my entertainment center set up right next to the fish tank so room is quite scares there. The whole auto water top off thing might be wishful thinking until I move into my new house next year when I reevaluate my living room setup. I will keep this in the back of my mind though should I decide to change any setups around here. Thanks!
desertdawg
Member
It's actually from a swamp cooler, or evaporative cooler, we use them out west where humidity can dip into the single digits...
I know it's not a $100 dollar setup, but if your on a budget you have to get creative, and this has worked for me for the last 6 months without a hitch!
I know it's not a $100 dollar setup, but if your on a budget you have to get creative, and this has worked for me for the last 6 months without a hitch!
meowzer
Moderator
Quote:
Originally Posted by Desertdawg http:///forum/thread/380828/water-top-off/40#post_3317205
Want to cheapy water topoff version.
I set one of these next to my stand (taller one)
The pick up one of these at the hardware store
put the float in your sump and run a small hose to the water jug, Keep an extra jug filled with RO/Di and your all set...
My tank needs a new 5 gallon jug about every 5 or 6 days....
I am sure that would work with the floats I already have...just out of curiosity...where in the water jug did you put the other end of the hose???
Originally Posted by Desertdawg http:///forum/thread/380828/water-top-off/40#post_3317205
Want to cheapy water topoff version.
I set one of these next to my stand (taller one)
The pick up one of these at the hardware store
put the float in your sump and run a small hose to the water jug, Keep an extra jug filled with RO/Di and your all set...
My tank needs a new 5 gallon jug about every 5 or 6 days....
I am sure that would work with the floats I already have...just out of curiosity...where in the water jug did you put the other end of the hose???
desertdawg
Member
I took the spigot off of the porcelain base and made a PVC fitting with a barbed end to slip the 1/2 inch clear plastic tube on.
If you look at the center tall stand you can see the spigot (blue) on it.
I would take a picture of my setup, but its still apart waiting on the tank to cycle.
edit: I also put a ball cock valve inline to stop the water when needed...
If you look at the center tall stand you can see the spigot (blue) on it.
I would take a picture of my setup, but its still apart waiting on the tank to cycle.
edit: I also put a ball cock valve inline to stop the water when needed...
meowzer
Moderator
That's very interesting...right now I have my 225G hooked directly up to the ro/di....A lot of people claim it is an accident waiting to happen..LOL....BUT, that is the way it is for now. I really DO NOT want to have to run any more pumps or equipment...that is why I like my set up....and yours looks like it works w/o added equip
J
jstdv8
Guest
So in either of those cases wouldnt you have water overflowing the DT if the sump was low on water and it wasnt due to evaporation.
I mean if the water isnt in the sump and it isnt in the air then it has to be somewhere.
I think you're reaching on this one
I dunno about the fitration thing that joe is talking about becuase i don't use one, but the overflow pipe can alos get bubbles in it (so I've ehard, never had a single one in mine) that can build up to a bubble big enough to slow the water considerably.
This is going to happen over a long period of time bit by bit so the easy way to tell is to
A.) Watch the overflow pipe for buildup of algae or bubbles
and
B.) watch the teeth on your overflow box on the inside of the tank to make sure that the water is not going OVER the box but rather going THROUGH the teeth on the box.
B also helps keep turbo snails out that would like very much to get to the algae in the tube from A.) and being that they are about the same size as an overflow U-tube you can probbaly guess the result when they get there.
I have had this scenario play out on my tank once becuase I'm an idiot and have a return pump that is larger than my overflow can overflow, so if you don't have it equal or less, up over the teeth the water goes and in goes the turbo and out comes the water and out goes the power.
I mean if the water isnt in the sump and it isnt in the air then it has to be somewhere.
I think you're reaching on this one
I dunno about the fitration thing that joe is talking about becuase i don't use one, but the overflow pipe can alos get bubbles in it (so I've ehard, never had a single one in mine) that can build up to a bubble big enough to slow the water considerably.
This is going to happen over a long period of time bit by bit so the easy way to tell is to
A.) Watch the overflow pipe for buildup of algae or bubbles
and
B.) watch the teeth on your overflow box on the inside of the tank to make sure that the water is not going OVER the box but rather going THROUGH the teeth on the box.
B also helps keep turbo snails out that would like very much to get to the algae in the tube from A.) and being that they are about the same size as an overflow U-tube you can probbaly guess the result when they get there.
I have had this scenario play out on my tank once becuase I'm an idiot and have a return pump that is larger than my overflow can overflow, so if you don't have it equal or less, up over the teeth the water goes and in goes the turbo and out comes the water and out goes the power.
sparty059
Active Member
Who is this directed to?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jstdv8 http:///forum/thread/380828/water-top-off/40#post_3317332
So in either of those cases wouldnt you have water overflowing the DT if the sump was low on water and it wasnt due to evaporation.
I mean if the water isnt in the sump and it isnt in the air then it has to be somewhere.
I think you're reaching on this one
I dunno about the fitration thing that joe is talking about becuase i don't use one, but the overflow pipe can alos get bubbles in it (so I've ehard, never had a single one in mine) that can build up to a bubble big enough to slow the water considerably.
This is going to happen over a long period of time bit by bit so the easy way to tell is to
A.) Watch the overflow pipe for buildup of algae or bubbles
and
B.) watch the teeth on your overflow box on the inside of the tank to make sure that the water is not going OVER the box but rather going THROUGH the teeth on the box.
B also helps keep turbo snails out that would like very much to get to the algae in the tube from A.) and being that they are about the same size as an overflow U-tube you can probbaly guess the result when they get there.
I have had this scenario play out on my tank once becuase I'm an idiot and have a return pump that is larger than my overflow can overflow, so if you don't have it equal or less, up over the teeth the water goes and in goes the turbo and out comes the water and out goes the power.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jstdv8 http:///forum/thread/380828/water-top-off/40#post_3317332
So in either of those cases wouldnt you have water overflowing the DT if the sump was low on water and it wasnt due to evaporation.
I mean if the water isnt in the sump and it isnt in the air then it has to be somewhere.
I think you're reaching on this one
I dunno about the fitration thing that joe is talking about becuase i don't use one, but the overflow pipe can alos get bubbles in it (so I've ehard, never had a single one in mine) that can build up to a bubble big enough to slow the water considerably.
This is going to happen over a long period of time bit by bit so the easy way to tell is to
A.) Watch the overflow pipe for buildup of algae or bubbles
and
B.) watch the teeth on your overflow box on the inside of the tank to make sure that the water is not going OVER the box but rather going THROUGH the teeth on the box.
B also helps keep turbo snails out that would like very much to get to the algae in the tube from A.) and being that they are about the same size as an overflow U-tube you can probbaly guess the result when they get there.
I have had this scenario play out on my tank once becuase I'm an idiot and have a return pump that is larger than my overflow can overflow, so if you don't have it equal or less, up over the teeth the water goes and in goes the turbo and out comes the water and out goes the power.
meowzer
Moderator
EXCELLENT points.....I have a small brush that I use to clean the overflow teeth....algae WILL grow in them and YES it will slow the flow rate to sump
I have a dual overflow (not a cpr)....periodically one of my iverflow tubes will get an air bubble....and yes...that slows the flow rate...I just take it out, and re-start the siphon....
I'm not gonna buy a $200 cpr overflow just for that LOL
I have a dual overflow (not a cpr)....periodically one of my iverflow tubes will get an air bubble....and yes...that slows the flow rate...I just take it out, and re-start the siphon....
I'm not gonna buy a $200 cpr overflow just for that LOL
flower
Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by meowzer http:///forum/thread/380828/water-top-off/40#post_3317308
I am sure that would work with the floats I already have...just out of curiosity...where in the water jug did you put the other end of the hose???
I just noticed something...metal parts. Please tell me you found an ALL plastic one.
Originally Posted by meowzer http:///forum/thread/380828/water-top-off/40#post_3317308
I am sure that would work with the floats I already have...just out of curiosity...where in the water jug did you put the other end of the hose???
I just noticed something...metal parts. Please tell me you found an ALL plastic one.
meowzer
Moderator
Quote:
Originally Posted by Flower http:///forum/thread/380828/water-top-off/40#post_3317346
I just noticed something...metal parts. Please tell me you found an ALL plastic one.
My float looks like this....It does have a wing nut, but that is not in the water
Originally Posted by Flower http:///forum/thread/380828/water-top-off/40#post_3317346
I just noticed something...metal parts. Please tell me you found an ALL plastic one.
My float looks like this....It does have a wing nut, but that is not in the water
desertdawg
Member
Mine too, the top off (NON-SALT) water touches metal, but I checked to make sure it never touched salt water.... Is this ok ???
desertdawg
Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jstdv8 http:///forum/thread/380828/water-top-off/40#post_3317332
So in either of those cases wouldnt you have water overflowing the DT if the sump was low on water and it wasnt due to evaporation.
I mean if the water isnt in the sump and it isnt in the air then it has to be somewhere.
I think you're reaching on this one
I dunno about the fitration thing that joe is talking about becuase i don't use one, but the overflow pipe can alos get bubbles in it (so I've ehard, never had a single one in mine) that can build up to a bubble big enough to slow the water considerably.
This is going to happen over a long period of time bit by bit so the easy way to tell is to
A.) Watch the overflow pipe for buildup of algae or bubbles
and
B.) watch the teeth on your overflow box on the inside of the tank to make sure that the water is not going OVER the box but rather going THROUGH the teeth on the box.
B also helps keep turbo snails out that would like very much to get to the algae in the tube from A.) and being that they are about the same size as an overflow U-tube you can probbaly guess the result when they get there.
I have had this scenario play out on my tank once becuase I'm an idiot and have a return pump that is larger than my overflow can overflow, so if you don't have it equal or less, up over the teeth the water goes and in goes the turbo and out comes the water and out goes the power.
I have tried these scenarios to flood, The worst case is:
stop overflow, sump siphons into DT and include the top off 5 gallons, it will reach the top of the DT tank and maybe dribble a little out on the ground....
stop sump pump, DT siphons into sump, no extra top off water will flow. sump will hold 3 gallons more to flood.
Originally Posted by Jstdv8 http:///forum/thread/380828/water-top-off/40#post_3317332
So in either of those cases wouldnt you have water overflowing the DT if the sump was low on water and it wasnt due to evaporation.
I mean if the water isnt in the sump and it isnt in the air then it has to be somewhere.
I think you're reaching on this one
I dunno about the fitration thing that joe is talking about becuase i don't use one, but the overflow pipe can alos get bubbles in it (so I've ehard, never had a single one in mine) that can build up to a bubble big enough to slow the water considerably.
This is going to happen over a long period of time bit by bit so the easy way to tell is to
A.) Watch the overflow pipe for buildup of algae or bubbles
and
B.) watch the teeth on your overflow box on the inside of the tank to make sure that the water is not going OVER the box but rather going THROUGH the teeth on the box.
B also helps keep turbo snails out that would like very much to get to the algae in the tube from A.) and being that they are about the same size as an overflow U-tube you can probbaly guess the result when they get there.
I have had this scenario play out on my tank once becuase I'm an idiot and have a return pump that is larger than my overflow can overflow, so if you don't have it equal or less, up over the teeth the water goes and in goes the turbo and out comes the water and out goes the power.
I have tried these scenarios to flood, The worst case is:
stop overflow, sump siphons into DT and include the top off 5 gallons, it will reach the top of the DT tank and maybe dribble a little out on the ground....
stop sump pump, DT siphons into sump, no extra top off water will flow. sump will hold 3 gallons more to flood.
flower
Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by meowzer http:///forum/thread/380828/water-top-off/40#post_3317352
My float looks like this....It does have a wing nut, but that is not in the water
Oh I see now what you are saying...LOL..the one in my tolilet touches water.
Doesn't the metal area still corrode from saltwater splashing up on it?
Originally Posted by meowzer http:///forum/thread/380828/water-top-off/40#post_3317352
My float looks like this....It does have a wing nut, but that is not in the water
Oh I see now what you are saying...LOL..the one in my tolilet touches water.
Doesn't the metal area still corrode from saltwater splashing up on it?
meowzer
Moderator
Quote:
Originally Posted by Flower http:///forum/thread/380828/water-top-off/40#post_3317357
Oh I see now what you are saying...LOL..the one in my tolilet touches water.
Doesn't the metal area still corrode from saltwater splashing up on it?
It hasn't yet
and I have had them over 18 months now
Originally Posted by Flower http:///forum/thread/380828/water-top-off/40#post_3317357
Oh I see now what you are saying...LOL..the one in my tolilet touches water.
Doesn't the metal area still corrode from saltwater splashing up on it?
It hasn't yet
desertdawg
Member
Not yet it hasn't, remember for now I'm still using a large rubbermaid tub and an algea scrubber screen for all of my filteration needs, there is now a little layer of sand and some rubble rock in the tub but I get almost zero splash/spray
flower
Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jstdv8 http:///forum/thread/380828/water-top-off/40#post_3317332
So in either of those cases wouldnt you have water overflowing the DT if the sump was low on water and it wasnt due to evaporation.
I mean if the water isnt in the sump and it isnt in the air then it has to be somewhere.
I think you're reaching on this one
I dunno about the fitration thing that joe is talking about becuase i don't use one, but the overflow pipe can alos get bubbles in it (so I've ehard, never had a single one in mine) that can build up to a bubble big enough to slow the water considerably.
This is going to happen over a long period of time bit by bit so the easy way to tell is to
A.) Watch the overflow pipe for buildup of algae or bubbles
and
B.) watch the teeth on your overflow box on the inside of the tank to make sure that the water is not going OVER the box but rather going THROUGH the teeth on the box.
B also helps keep turbo snails out that would like very much to get to the algae in the tube from A.) and being that they are about the same size as an overflow U-tube you can probbaly guess the result when they get there.
I have had this scenario play out on my tank once becuase I'm an idiot and have a return pump that is larger than my overflow can overflow, so if you don't have it equal or less, up over the teeth the water goes and in goes the turbo and out comes the water and out goes the power.
Between the ATO talk and the flood talk I got lost...I have no idea what the above situation is talking about. I have to watch for snails, algae buildup and bubbles? A toothy overflow box?
Anyway I have an ATO that works with no metal at all, Fail safe to not even burn up a pump and I trust Shawn, Corey, AL and Monsinour to figure out all the hard stuff so my tank won't flood. meowzer knows the equipment (maybe because she tried them all..LOL) So I give up trying to explain what I THOUGHT I unsderstood, before I start a panic attack...LOL
Originally Posted by Jstdv8 http:///forum/thread/380828/water-top-off/40#post_3317332
So in either of those cases wouldnt you have water overflowing the DT if the sump was low on water and it wasnt due to evaporation.
I mean if the water isnt in the sump and it isnt in the air then it has to be somewhere.
I think you're reaching on this one
I dunno about the fitration thing that joe is talking about becuase i don't use one, but the overflow pipe can alos get bubbles in it (so I've ehard, never had a single one in mine) that can build up to a bubble big enough to slow the water considerably.
This is going to happen over a long period of time bit by bit so the easy way to tell is to
A.) Watch the overflow pipe for buildup of algae or bubbles
and
B.) watch the teeth on your overflow box on the inside of the tank to make sure that the water is not going OVER the box but rather going THROUGH the teeth on the box.
B also helps keep turbo snails out that would like very much to get to the algae in the tube from A.) and being that they are about the same size as an overflow U-tube you can probbaly guess the result when they get there.
I have had this scenario play out on my tank once becuase I'm an idiot and have a return pump that is larger than my overflow can overflow, so if you don't have it equal or less, up over the teeth the water goes and in goes the turbo and out comes the water and out goes the power.
Between the ATO talk and the flood talk I got lost...I have no idea what the above situation is talking about. I have to watch for snails, algae buildup and bubbles? A toothy overflow box?
Anyway I have an ATO that works with no metal at all, Fail safe to not even burn up a pump and I trust Shawn, Corey, AL and Monsinour to figure out all the hard stuff so my tank won't flood. meowzer knows the equipment (maybe because she tried them all..LOL) So I give up trying to explain what I THOUGHT I unsderstood, before I start a panic attack...LOL