View Full Version : Automatic Top Off's
beeven
02-14-2008, 2:01 PM
I'm in the process of researching some Automatic Top Off systems (ATO's) and was wondering if any of you had opinions on them. Right now I've narrowed it down to the JBJ simply because, at $80, its the cheapest. Any of you know what type of pump I would need to get for it? I have a spare 500gallon/hr pump in the basement but I think that would be way too much pump for an ATO. Any words of wisdom on the issue?
Tunze osmolater, the most popular people tend to use as its the best one out there
I bought a double float switch and made my own unit: http://autotopoff.com/products/DS1/index.htm
Good Thread Beeven -
I know I need one for my project. I have the ro/di set-up and a large holding drum. I just have to find the most user friendly ATO system and rig it up.
Thanks for the brand names and link.
rsw686
02-14-2008, 8:35 PM
I would use the aqualifter pump. The nice thing is you can dose kalk if you want and it won't harm the pump. It works by creating a vacuum to suck the water up through airline tubing. Due to this if the pump were to run dry it would not hurt it.
nycsicktank
02-14-2008, 10:00 PM
i made my under $40-50
bluegrizzlies1
02-14-2008, 11:49 PM
made mine also
got switch and holder aquahub 19 bucks shipped.
went to walmart bought a pump in sporting goods battery operated 6.85 bought a container almost a gallon with lock on lid 6.22 and airline 1.55.
Spliced a wire in the pump and put it to my switch and well now I have an ato.
cheap and easy
beeven
02-15-2008, 11:09 AM
right on, maybe i'll look into making my own. how strong of a pump should i be looking into? I'd most likely be connecting the top off to my sump and not the tank. my tank looses about a 1/2 gallon to a full gallon a day. smallest pump possible is what i'm looking at now.
Grins
02-15-2008, 11:45 AM
Mine uses a MJ1200.
rsw686
02-15-2008, 12:07 PM
To add to what I said above I use a timer set to come on for 1 min every 2 hours. This combined with the aqualifter pump was was less than $30. I find it real accurate and easy. I loose around a half gallon a day as well. Although if you use a MaxiJet you'll need a float switch due to how fast it pumps water. That is why I like the aqualifter soo much.
Grins
02-15-2008, 12:12 PM
I have the double float switch. I wouldn't suggest a single.
clown-lover
02-15-2008, 2:23 PM
I bought the same one you did Grins, but I also added the tank switch to turn off my return pump in case things get a little to full up there as well.. Although I'm waiting for it to get a little nicer up here in the frozen tundra so I can start on that tank stand build and will add it into the system then.
schigara
02-15-2008, 7:29 PM
Have you considered a gravity feed system using a mechanical float valve?
It's simple, cheap and has no electrical parts to fail that would require any redundancy. Although you would need space for the reservoir that would ofcourse need to be higher than the sump.
rsw686
02-15-2008, 8:44 PM
Have you considered a gravity feed system using a mechanical float valve?
You have to have a space tall enough to store that water above your sump. I still find using a small pump to be easier. Here's a picture of my setup. Fits nicely in the stand. You can substitute the timer for a float valve if you choose. The airline tubing runs down inside the PVC and out a hole I drilled in the side almost at the bottom. I super glued the airline tubing in place. This keeps it from sucking the kalk buildup at the bottom and the airline tubing from floating.
http://wgnrs.dynalias.com/myweb/CIMG4126.jpg
dolfans1
02-16-2008, 9:53 AM
If you have an RO/DI system, you can get a pressure shutoff valve and hook the RO/DI outlet directly to the float valve. The inlet water source is kept on all the time, but the pressure shutoff valve senses when the float valve is closed and shuts off the water to the system so you are not wasting water. I routed my pure water line up through the attic and down the wall behind the tank, and used a faceplate designed for a cable TV connector where the water line comes out of the wall. It has worked great for the 2 1/2 years it has been set up. I don't have to worry about keeping a reservoir of water filled this way, and there are no pumps, gravity feeds, etc.
If you have an RO/DI system, you can get a pressure shutoff valve and hook the RO/DI outlet directly to the float valve... I don't have to worry about keeping a reservoir of water filled this way.
Seems like a good idea and I do have an RO/DI system, but I wanted to route the output to a large holding drum for H20 changes. I guess I'll have to use that drum for my ATO reserve via one of the methods already discussed.
dolfans1
02-16-2008, 1:07 PM
You can do both. Put a T in the output line with a shutoff valve on the line going the holding drum. The other line would go right to the float valve. I have my RO/DI system in the garage, and fill my water up for water changes in there.
rsw686
02-16-2008, 1:46 PM
If you have an RO/DI system, you can get a pressure shutoff valve and hook the RO/DI outlet directly to the float valve.
Be careful with this. I've read horror stories where the float valve has failed and stuck on. Not only did it overflow on the floor but it converted their saltwater tank to a freshwater tank. It's crazy to think that a few dollar float valve can ruin a multi thousand dollar reef tank.
If I was going to go this route I would use two electrical float valves and two solenoids to greatly reduce the failure rate. Both float valves would have to activate before the solenoids would open.
clown-lover
02-16-2008, 2:33 PM
I've read that as well and is why I don't plan on hooking my system up to my RO/DI system. I'm just going to have a container with some water that I'll have to refill on a regular basis so if anything funny does happen hopefully I can minimize the possible damage.
dolfans1
02-16-2008, 3:20 PM
I've never had a problem w/ the float valve getting stuck open. It's in the sump where there isn't much to get stuck in it. I did replace it after 2 years as a precaution, because the rubber gasket that seals it can wear over time.
havnfun328
03-07-2008, 1:42 PM
I think I've settled on the JBJ too, hooked into my RO/DI filter. I just don't have room to store another water jug near my tank. I like having a double float switch and a timer to help prevent floods.
What's a good source for the solenoid valve? I can't seem to find one suitable.
rsw686
03-07-2008, 1:55 PM
I think I've settled on the JBJ too, hooked into my RO/DI filter. I just don't have room to store another water jug near my tank. I like having a double float switch and a timer to help prevent floods.
Take a look at http://www.autotopoff.com/index.html I just purchased a unit from them and it is quality built. Not to mention half the price of the JBJ. Part of the reason I went with it was the heavy duty mounting brackets. The JBJ ones looked like they might be harder to mount to the sump.
clown-lover
03-07-2008, 3:37 PM
Take a look at http://www.autotopoff.com/index.html I just purchased a unit from them and it is quality built. Not to mention half the price of the JBJ. Part of the reason I went with it was the heavy duty mounting brackets. The JBJ ones looked like they might be harder to mount to the sump.
I bought the same one and then use a dosing pump as I put my 2 part into ATO water as well. That way there are no drastic changes. The funny part is since putting the ATO on, I have actually had less overall evaporation from the tank. I used to go through 3 gallons a day and am maybe going through 1.5 gallons per day.
havnfun328
03-07-2008, 3:45 PM
The JBJ comes with 2 float sensors, so the price doesn't work out much better. Mostly, I like the timed shut-off feature, which is additional protection against flooding.
With either system, I will still need a solenoid valve. Any good sources?
rsw686
03-07-2008, 3:58 PM
The JBJ comes with 2 float sensors, so the price doesn't work out much better. Mostly, I like the timed shut-off feature, which is additional protection against flooding.
Yeah I have mine hooked into my AC Jr set to run every 6 hours for 10 min max. Either unit should work out nice. The price difference is $30. I spent that on the aqualifter pump. :)
]The JBJ comes with 2 float sensors, so the price doesn't work out much better. Mostly, I like the timed shut-off feature, which is additional protection against flooding.
With either system, I will still need a solenoid valve. Any good sources?
The Autotop off one has a double float (http://autotopoff.com/products/DS1/index.htm) as well and they also carry the solenoid valves (http://autotopoff.com/products/solenoid/index.htm).
clown-lover
03-09-2008, 6:33 PM
The Autotop off one has a double float (http://autotopoff.com/products/DS1/index.htm) as well and they also carry the solenoid valves (http://autotopoff.com/products/solenoid/index.htm).
I also added the in tank float sensor and hooked that up to my return pump in case things get out of hand when I'm gone out of town for work. That way I don't have to worry about the pump emptying the sump into the tank either. Tested it by shutting down the overflow and it kicked out the pump.. I sleep a lot more soundly now. I am a fan of this product.
Yes, did my research as well and it came highly recommended from some reliable sources.
clown-lover
03-09-2008, 8:54 PM
Yes, did my research as well and it came highly recommended from some reliable sources.
I started researching them after you posted that ATO in the xmas game you started.. The price seemed right and started asking around on some other boards. About the only thing is there is an audible buzz when it turns on.. But I only notice it if I'm near the tank.
I've not heard it on mine, but maybe because its in the sump only?