Looking for a good auto top off
- Thread starter SnowManSnow
- Start date
I use a litermeter III. I had a float switch fail on me once, and ever since then, I've used high quality dosing pumps. However, to top off the reservoir, you still need to use either a float switch connected to your RO, or add the water manually. That's about the only drawback I can think of. It should be noted though, that a float switch in a "sterile" FW reservoir is a lot less likely to fail then a float switch in "living" seawater.
I use a litermeter III also. Has worked flawlessly for a few years now. BTW Len, do you use the top-off control module? I was thinking of buying one, as I have to adjust the rate of water dosed according to evaporation rates, which can sometimes change.
Was wondering if the top-off control module would eliminate that need.
Was wondering if the top-off control module would eliminate that need.
I also use a LM III for top off, and love it. I use the top off control module. FWIW I used an original LM on my other systems for year and never had one fail. I still use it only now it feeds my calcium reactor from the tank.
The new LM III pulls from a salt bucket I installed a float valve on from the RO/DI unit and feeds into the sump. Works like a charm I cant recommend this pump enough.
The new LM III pulls from a salt bucket I installed a float valve on from the RO/DI unit and feeds into the sump. Works like a charm I cant recommend this pump enough.
you can also use lifter pumps on timers. those pumps only move a few gph and are less likely to fail. i don't currently use an ato, other than manual, for fear of flooding my tank with freshwater and i just don't have the room to set up an ato system.
original liter meter.
My top off container is a 29 gallon tank with an electrical float switch on the side. When the water gets up to the switch a LOUD buzzer goes off i can hear from just about everywhere in the house.
I built a bench to hide the top off tank.
B
My top off container is a 29 gallon tank with an electrical float switch on the side. When the water gets up to the switch a LOUD buzzer goes off i can hear from just about everywhere in the house.
I built a bench to hide the top off tank.
B
can i see a photo of that? i kinda have the same idea. i was thinking to take the tank that is currently my sump and make "something" to enclose it. also, since i will have to make up my water in the bathroom in the new apt, i was thinking to make "something" to enclose that too.....
just fishin for ideas. (no pun intended)
i use a 20 gallon HD plasic container for my freshwater resorvoir. A float switch keeps it loaded from the RO/DI with a second hole drilled for overflow into the drain should the switch fail. Then i use a gravity feed to my Refugium via another float switch. Keeps the level perfect in the sump regardless of the evaporation rate. My refugium also has a overflow to the drain Since the flow is very slow here I think that if the frreshwater float switch failed most of the freshwater would stay in the refugium and exit via the overflow. Im about 4 years in without a problem.
dadstank":k2wufn85 said:LMIII is $370!?!?!?!? 8O
i am going to get cut off soon...........
yep. save up for one. It's definately worth it. Or keep your eyes out for a used one. I paid $100 for mine 5 years ago. hands-down, the best money I spent on my reef.
The bench is 1x2 frame with 1/4" maple ply. The walnut edging is contact cemented on. It's ~2mm thick cutoffs from when I made the trim from my tank. (tank is 1/2" ply and solid walunt)
B
I use the top off system from www.autotopoff.com. I bought everything from them. The double control switch, the dosing pump and the tubing. I have a 5 gal. bucket under my 55 display that I need to fill every two weeks roughly. After a year and a half have had no problems.
saltysupply
Reefer
- Location
- Orlando Florida
jbj makes a pretty nice affordable auto top off.
these are also reliable?
i don't mind paying for piece of mind...
i am also willing to be manual and save for the proper equipment.
-a job is always much easier/better done with the proper tool........
and to boot, while i was killing time yesterday i went into Kmart. searching for "road food", i bought, to the mistake of the register operator, an 18 gallon rubbermaid container for $4, a 21 gallon container with snap lid for $4, and a 29 gallon container with lid for $6.... at first he charged me $0.50 to much for a bag of chips. i was about to say something, then he punched in the codes for the containers.
so, i kept my mouth shut.............. 8)
i brought them up thinking that i would return two, and only keep the one that was the right size....
but, now.... awwww word!!!
yesterday was a day of great buys....
i don't mind paying for piece of mind...
i am also willing to be manual and save for the proper equipment.
-a job is always much easier/better done with the proper tool........
and to boot, while i was killing time yesterday i went into Kmart. searching for "road food", i bought, to the mistake of the register operator, an 18 gallon rubbermaid container for $4, a 21 gallon container with snap lid for $4, and a 29 gallon container with lid for $6.... at first he charged me $0.50 to much for a bag of chips. i was about to say something, then he punched in the codes for the containers.
so, i kept my mouth shut.............. 8)
i brought them up thinking that i would return two, and only keep the one that was the right size....
but, now.... awwww word!!!
yesterday was a day of great buys....
oh yea!!! and then on the way home, i ended up buying Premium gas for the price of regular........
at the fault of the gas attendant. (still not "allowed" to pump your own gas in New Jersey...)
that made me smile the whole way back to the city......
:lol:
at the fault of the gas attendant. (still not "allowed" to pump your own gas in New Jersey...)
that made me smile the whole way back to the city......
:lol:
saltysupply":2t9851am said:
I really like these also. They come with 2 float switches and by flipping one of the floats over and setting it in the correct mode, you can use them redundantly in case one fails. I have used this for a couple years with no failures on either switch. I did make a little box out of agg crate to surround the switches and keep snails off of them. I have had them drag float switches under in the past (with a single float switch unit) almost causing a flood. Two other things I like about these is that they have a minimum on/off cycle time and an audible alarm. The minimum cycle time makes your pump run for at least a few seconds before turning it off. This way your pump isn't switching on and off every few minutes causing excessive wear. The audible alarm lets you know when it is adding water. This helps to remind you if you forgot to fill up the reservoir because the alarm stays on for a while. Another cool feature is that it will automatically turn off power to the pump after a few minutes of running. This way your pump will not just be running dry if you forgot to fill up the reservoir and are not around to hear the alarm.
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