japicka Posted February 20, 2006 Share Posted February 20, 2006 I am think about getting a auto top off system going, as during these wonderful winter months I am getting a fair amount of evaporation especially now that I have removed the glass lid. I am thinking about using an ultralife float switch, and a 3-5 gallon jug with RO water under the tank, or I am open to suggestions. I don't want to do a gravity feed system if at all possible. Link to comment
geekreef_05 Posted February 20, 2006 Share Posted February 20, 2006 Two popular choices are the JBJ ATO and the Tunze Osmolator. All three choices (including the ultralife) are listed here with a few specs: http://www.marinedepot.com/aquarium_dosing...dex.asp?CartId= Im using the tunze ato. Its actually a laser sensitve ato. I bought it for the peice of mind that its potentially safer to use than a laser switch, rather than a float switch. Its also super precise (great for nano's!). Happy reefin' Link to comment
lostdog Posted February 28, 2006 Share Posted February 28, 2006 Does anyone have any opinions on the JBJ Auto Top Off? I am considering it, but can't seem to find a review anywhere. Link to comment
accord86 Posted February 28, 2006 Share Posted February 28, 2006 Are you a DIY-er? I set up my ATO for less than $10 and I couldn't be happier with it. Get a float switch from floatswitches.net and hook it up to a small pump inside your reservoir, and then have tubing go into the tank. Link to comment
robitreef Posted February 28, 2006 Share Posted February 28, 2006 There is a website I found called www.autotopoff.com that sells float switches, pumps, etc. It will cost more then $10 though. Link to comment
revance Posted February 28, 2006 Share Posted February 28, 2006 You need to be careful just hooking up float switches up to a pump (make sure it can handle the current of the pump). It is usually a good idea to connect the float switch to a relay that switches the pump on and off. I would also highly recommend having dual float switches, one that switches the pump on, and another slightly higher that will switch it off should the lower one get stuck. I had a single float switch on my nano and it pumped an entire bucket of freshwater into it twice because the switch gets stuck (even with a snail guard). I have seen the ultralife switches and all they are is a float switch, relay, and an outlet. I wouldn't recommend one of these because all they have to connect the float switch to the tank is a REALLY crappy suction cup and no guard for the float switch. If you aren't up to DIY I would recommend autotopoff.com. Link to comment
lgoins Posted February 28, 2006 Share Posted February 28, 2006 try californiareefs.com, cameron does a good job, well worth the saved time. Link to comment
angela318 Posted February 28, 2006 Share Posted February 28, 2006 What's auto top off system? Link to comment
revance Posted February 28, 2006 Share Posted February 28, 2006 an auto top off system is simply something you setup to automatically add fresh water to your tank to replace water that has evaporated. Most use a float switch. A float switch uses a little foam bobber that floats at the surface of the water. When the bobber drops, it turns on an outlet and when it rises, it turns the outlet off. You can then hook up a water pump or solenoid valve to that outlet to add water to the tank. There are other kinds, but I will let you search and read up on those yourself Link to comment
apophis924 Posted February 28, 2006 Share Posted February 28, 2006 Go with the litermeter III, it is a bit pricey but you get what you pay for, you can use a float swicth with it, But i just figure the average amount of evaporation and set the pump to it, maybe once a month or so i might adjust up or down, and of course for seasonal changes. It has a nonvolatile memory ( means that loss of power does not mean loss of settings or programs) so you can use it with a timer if you want. been running it for 5 years now and the the only maint i do is recalibrate it when i get board. I run it thru a kalk reactor that feeds two tanks. I can leave it unattended for up to 8 days before i need to refill the source water tank. Great for weekend get-aways. Link to comment
angela318 Posted February 28, 2006 Share Posted February 28, 2006 I add about 1/2 - 1 gallon of RO/DI water every week to replace water that has evaporated, will this work too? Link to comment
apophis924 Posted February 28, 2006 Share Posted February 28, 2006 the best is daily addtions, but if weekly additions fit your schedule and your tank looks good then go with that. I like the Litermeter thing just because if i decide to just Juant someplace for a week or two i know the system will be taken care of. what you might want to do is mark the water line on your tank and each day if it drops below that line just add some RO/DI water back to that mark, and every so often check the salinity from time to time. Link to comment
angela318 Posted February 28, 2006 Share Posted February 28, 2006 Will this make it yourself auto top-off works? top-off Link to comment
apophis924 Posted March 1, 2006 Share Posted March 1, 2006 It looks like it will work, but there are no real details as to what it is, and i really dont trust to much of anything on ebay. I dont believe in paying for information. Try searching the DIY forums here and on reef central and you will most likely find the same or similar instructuons for free not to mention you will be able to have a two way exchange with the builder if you have any questions or problems. Link to comment
zeuss zoso Posted March 1, 2006 Share Posted March 1, 2006 I took a peice of tupper ware and poked a really tiny hole in it and put water in on top of the acrylic so it falls into the water drop by drop hi-tech its free Link to comment
Jaiofspam Posted March 1, 2006 Share Posted March 1, 2006 i have an ultralife float switch in tank... i made a snail/wave guard using a kodak film tube... so far no probs Link to comment
JHipkin Posted March 1, 2006 Share Posted March 1, 2006 To answer your specific question, I am using the JBJ auto top off and, w/ one small exception, it works great. The exception is the float switch. It's attached to the tank w/ a suction cup, and will fail after a period of time. I have, based on a reco from a forum, super glued the cup to the tank and all is working fine. I have the switch controlling an air pump that I already had. I have adapted a 64 oz plastic juice container to act as the reservoir. There is an air line feeding into the lid and a water line feeding from the reservoir back to the tank. The switch turns the air pump on, which creates pressure in the reservoir, which forces water into the tank, which turns the switch off. I go through 64 ozs of RO water per day, give or take. Link to comment
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