Auto Top Up

Jonah2940

Jonah2940

AC Members
Apr 14, 2006
144
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0
UK
Hi all,

I've finally had enough of lugging heavy water containers to my tank every other day so I'm looking to invest in an auto top up system. Problem is I don't know where to start looking as I've never used one before and don't know anyone who has one:huh: .
I've got a large cabinet under my tank which will easily take a 30l container for the RO water.

Any suggestions on a good and practical system?

Thanks.
 
Been looking at this one - bit pricey ($200) but looks like it does the job. Any one got one that can help?
 
They're quite easy to build. My buddy made his with a 10-gallon tank. I'm about to make mine too. I'll look for some links to post later on. :)
 
Here's one way that's connected to this guy's RO unit. I know the thread is over a year old but it's still working great for him.

http://www.saltwaterfish.com/vb/showthread.php?t=199059

http://www.aquahub.com/store/diygaquarium.html

Other threads (this site has a lot of info on them, which is where I have been mostly reading it from)...

http://www.saltwaterfish.com/vb/showthread.php?t=255252&highlight=auto+topoff

http://www.saltwaterfish.com/vb/showthread.php?t=265648&highlight=auto+topoff

Then there are things, like you're looking at, which seem kind of costly, including other things like the one below:

http://www.marinedepot.com/aquarium_dosing_pumps_top_off_spectrapure_litermeter.asp?CartId=

For some reason my buddy who's helping me do mine (I'm not the best DIY person) has one that seems uncomplicated, and he always stresses a decent float switch. I'll be talking to him later and will find out exactly how he did his, which he always claims was simple.

I think I might even post pictures for when he helps me do mine. MHs make me add up to 2G/day and I can see why people would want these auto top-offs!

Another...

http://www.melevsreef.com/plumbing/auto_topoff.html
 
Last edited:
Hey Jonah,
I just finished making mine from aquahub.com. Seems to work well. I bought the deluxe and it costs $50.00 USD plus shipping. It's a do it yourself project, but it works. Comes with:

3 float switches
Relay
2 mold a bracket (lame, but works)
12v power supply
Tubing for the reservoir (could've done without this)
Very explicit instructions.

Not sure if it will work with your AC. Don't know what you have over there.

1. Double float (in case the first fails)
2. Extra float ( in case the reservoir runs dry so the dosing pump won't burn out)

It all attaches to an extension cord. You have to do all the wiring.

If I had to do over again, I'd have spent about $100 and gotten a better one with a controller, reset and alarm.
HTH,
Tom


Jonah2940 said:
Hi all,

I've finally had enough of lugging heavy water containers to my tank every other day so I'm looking to invest in an auto top up system. Problem is I don't know where to start looking as I've never used one before and don't know anyone who has one:huh: .
I've got a large cabinet under my tank which will easily take a 30l container for the RO water.

Any suggestions on a good and practical system?

Thanks.
Click to expand...
 
TomToro said:
If I had to do over again, I'd have spent about $100 and gotten a better one with a controller, reset and alarm.
HTH,
Tom
Click to expand...

Hey Tom. Can you tell me more about the alarm?
 
Thanks. Think I'll go for the one above ^^^^. It's got an alarm.
Came home from night shift to find my return pump running dryyet again. Last thing you want to do is be topping up your tank at 7am after no sleep. :mad:
 
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