Auto Top Up Failed Again :(

[martinmcnally]

My second auto top up system failed this weekend (of course while I was out of town). I've pretty much had it with these crappy things.

I used to have a Tunze Osmolator and the pumps would fail every few months so I ditched that one for some float switches which worked for years. Then I decided to get a Aqua Gadget Hydrofill thinking I wanted a little more security. Do not purchase this, its garbage (in my opinion), bad design. It was finicky from the start. If you get any foam or dirt or anything on the sensors it fails. It has flooded my living room twice in the past 7 days.

Decided to go back to the old float switches and upgrade my Apex to control them.

I was thinking of doing this:

Single controller float. When its activated wait 5 minutes then turn on the water, when its deactivated with 5 minutes then turn off the water. This should prevent the constant on and off that you sometimes get.

Then the second switch will be closer to the surface as a fail safe. If activated the system is shut off and alarm sounds.

Also purchased 2 leak detectors if activated system is shut off and alarm sounds.

I was considering having 2 float switches do the on and off work but it just doubles the chances that one of them will fail. I think I would rather have apex programming that says if the water is on for more than 10 minutes something is wrong, close the water and sound the alarm.

If the controller float fails, and the programming does not stop the more than 10 minute water on, and the dead stop float fails I still have the leak sensors.

What do you guys think?

[Reef Pilot]

I use a double float set-up similar to this.
http://autotopoff.com/products/DS1/
I actually have it right out of the water in my sump, and only use it as a secondary (and third) safeguard in case my primary float (which regulates sump level and fed by my RO/DI) fails. The primary float feed only comes on for 5 min every 6 hours via a solenoid that is connected to my Apex. If power is off, solenoid is off. The power goes through the double switch controller, and will cut power if the 2nd or 3rd float is activated.
http://autotopoff.com/Solenoids/
The double float switch will not allow power to the solenoid.

Might be a little overkill, as even my primary float has never failed. But it does give me good peace of mind.

And the whole set-up costs way less than a Tunze or most other ATOs.

[martinmcnally]

Originally Posted by Reef Pilot

I use a double float set-up similar to this.
http://autotopoff.com/products/DS1/
I actually have it right out of the water in my sump, and only use it as a secondary (and third) safeguard in case my primary float (which regulates sump level and fed by my RO/DI) fails. The primary float feed only comes on for 5 min every 6 hours via a solenoid that is connected to my Apex. If power is off, solenoid is off. The power goes through the double switch controller, and will cut power if the 2nd or 3rd float is activated.
http://autotopoff.com/Solenoids/
The double float switch will not allow power to the solenoid.

Might be a little overkill, as even my primary float has never failed. But it does give me good peace of mind.

And the whole set-up costs way less than a Tunze or most other ATOs.

HA! That's the system I used to have. I should have stuck with it!

[Dearth]

I have a second hand JBJ auto top off with controller and 2 floats and a cheap pump (can't remember brand atm) been working awesome for over a year and half with no issues

[Ron99]

Originally Posted by martinmcnally

HA! That's the system I used to have. I should have stuck with it!

Me too. Been using the autotopoff.com unit for many years without problem coupled to an aqualifter pump. It's fairly bulletproof.

[dino]

I use a gravity feed from a bucket. System Cost 15.00 and has never failed

[mark]

10 years with a furnace humidifier float valve in the sump connected to the rodi. not a single problem.

[Ulmo]

My ATO:
Apex
breakout box
digital aquatics float switch
Tom's aqualifter pump

The program turns on the ATO every ~4 hours and replaces what has evaporated. It typically runs for 5-10 minutes, with a check for the return pump and salinity. Worst case scenario my entire reservoir slowly empties into my sump causing 3 ppm salinity drop. No flood, my sump is big enough.

[SumpATO_A8] (virtual outlet for switch)
Fallback OFF
Set OFF
If Sw1 OPEN Then ON
Defer 001:00 Then ON
Min Time 240:00 Then OFF
If Outlet RTNPUMP_4_2 = OFF Then OFF
If Condx5 < 33.0 Then OFF

[ATO_4_4] (aqualifter outlet)
Fallback OFF
Set OFF
If Outlet SumpATO_A8 = ON Then ON

[shiftline]

I just build my own digital one with dual optical sensors for extra reliability



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[martinmcnally]

Originally Posted by shiftline

I just build my own digital one with dual optical sensors for extra reliability



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Where do you get those optical sensors I used one of those before and found them very reliable.