advice on a DIY water top off system

[mark]

If you got a room next to the tank for a reservoir, you could mount something as simple as a Brute garbage can on a platform, so it would be higher that the water level in your sump. Float valve and your friend gravity.

As for directly connecting 'a recipe for disaster', using a humidifier float valve, I keep going back to how many people have had their basement flooded from their furnace humidifier? I haven't nor know anyone to who it has.

Another negative I read is 'TDS creep' again I don't know. I've always seem to stay single digits and when I do get a rise, change filters and DI and the numbers drop down again. It that 'TDS creep' from being hooked directly up or dirty filters and exhausted resin?

Been two years trouble free configured like this, just hope I don't go home after work and find my basement flooded after typing this.

[Pescador]

I'm still a fan of the Tsunami AT-1. It's worked perfectly for 7 years with absolutely zero maintenance. It uses a change in air pressure to turn on a powerhead in a Brute can reservoir. Should be able to find one for $50-$60.

[kari]

Another float valve that can be used is a Little Giant float valve from Princess Auto (UFA probably has them as well for water troughs.) They cost somewhere around $6. You should remove the brass hinge pin and replace it with an acrylic rod. Mine worked without cleaning or maintenance for years without fail until I sold the sump. I believe I also removed the water line fitting and installed a 1/4" hose John Guest style connection (that's another $2.60)

Hinge pin replacement (acrylic rod)



The float valve installed

[hillbillyreefer]

I've used one of the little giant floats for years in the horse pasture, hasn't failed yet. It's just bolted to the trough, unprotected from the animals. They work well is what I'm saying. I'm sure I got mine at UFA that's about the only place around here to buy stuff like that. Gallagher also makes a similar float, I have no experience with it though.