DIY Top Off
 

I am looking for suggestions for an auto topoff for limited space as i have a 90gal with a 33gal sump and a Turbofloater skimmer with fuge and its all packed under the stand so spave is VERY limited. Any suggestions"?

Generally the easiest way is to use a float valve attached to a reservoir. A 5g jug works well. You can put it anywhere higher than your sump, maybe on the canopy or something. Other than that, direct plumbing from your RO unit with the required valves, etc. First method = easier and cheaper.

like Brad has stated . if you can get a float switch in there some how and have it ran from your RO unit then go for it you will just haveto figure out how to place it in the sump ,due to you having it full of a refugium and the skimmer . If you can drill the sump then go for it its alot easy to have that going then replacing water every3-4 days depending on your evaporation.

mike

2 posted deleted

Top Off
 

I am replacing 2-3gallons every second day! I have sickening evap. I even made plexi top for the one half of the sump. Thanks for your help ill figure something out.

I definatly agree with what Brad reccomend. A float valve and a 5g Jug for your top-off water is cheap and easy to setup/maintain. I've been using the same setup for a long time now..

Re: Top Off
 

hehe, I have 5g per day. Wanna trade? :razz:

5g per day? Is that what 400w do? :eek:

3x400w plus a fan, yup. I also have more surface area than you, so evap will be greater.

Can someone explain the float valve ie. I get the idea that when the water level drops below a certain level the valve opens allowing water to siphon in from the reservoir, but how is the float valve connected to the line from the reservoir. I am in a similar situation, limited space next to the sump for a reservoir, I thought I'd have to go with float switches and a powerhead/pump but if a float valve and siphon is easier then I'll go for it. Also anyone running kalk topoffs with a float valve?

I do run my make up water as kalk solution sometimes. Basically the jug is connected to the valve by 1/4" water line (same as on an RO unit). The valve has connectors built in.

ONLY 5 GALLONS :lol: I'm at about 7.5g a day. :eek:

Great. Looking forward to it. :lol:

OK, you win!! :razz:

:bday:

Are people using the Kent Float Valve, it says it needs a hole drilled in the side of the sump for this one. Or is there another float valve I can use without drilling my sump?

ok its like this
you can havea 3/8-5/8 hole drilled in to the sump where you would find out where the waer level is. Then drill the hole where you would want the top off to engage. then you would have the RO/ unit or the RO/DI unit hose with the 1/4" hose come from the top off and run straight from your RO unit when the water goes down the RO unit will engage and despense RO from the unit to the float switch.

lots of people are using KENT float switch to have in there sump.


mike

I use the Kent, and I made a bracket out of plastic that I siliconed to one of the baffles. No drilling required.

or you can do it like
brad said :mrgreen:


mike

there are many different ways in doing it ...

here are some pics of my original set up.. very simular to Brads with a bit more adjustment for hight. the only difference to what I am running now is I use 110 gal water containers for holding my RO water instead of the 5 gal jug.

http://members.shaw.ca/s.l.s/diy/topoff/index.html

Steve

110 g water containers
 

Steve where did you get your container from?

save on foods.

Sorry to intrude on your thread but does anyone got a measurement on the length of the kent float valve? I need the length from the float to where it attaches to the bracket. My "cow trough" float valve is apparently not designed for saltwater even though its mostly plastic. It doesn't seem to work anymore.

Christy :)

If you're up for some electrical work, you could always try using float switches to control your topoffs. This thread has some great info one how to hook up a float switch(es) to a relay. Great thing about this method is that you can hook a pump to the setup, or hook up a solenoid.

-Richer

Save on food??
 

They carry 110 gallon containers? which one?

Re: Save on food??
 

oh I thought you were talking about the 5 gal container. my 110 gal container is actualy two 55 gal containers I got from..... I think it was walmart that I have conected with a couple bulkheads and some tubing.

Steve

look at this ....

this is what I use, works great I have the 2 float sys. running from my RO\DI

http://www.autotopoff.com/

Richard

Brad,

Can you post a pic of the bracket device to hold the float valve to the baffle?

I like the idea of a float valve better than a float switch, the less electrical connections/devices the better IMO.

Hey, where is the cheapest place to get float swiches cheap. I only need one for an auto topoff. I heard there is a place in Canada to order from, any ideas?

Thanks a million!

Hey Paul,

The only place within Canada that I know about is www.aquariacanada.com and they are $11.99 + shipping and tax.