Can someone explain how an auto top off system works?Is it really neccesary to have one?and what brand is recommended and what is the approximate cost?
Auto top off?
- Thread starter ClownieandBilly
- Start date
An auto-topoff system ads FW to replace the water lost to evaporation at a rate roughly equal to the rate of evaporation. Usually there's some adjusting needed to get the drip rate right. Some people make their own using a large jug, some airline hose with either a clip or a valve to limit the flow.
It's not required. You can add the water manually on a regular basis. It's pretty dry in WY, and on the 180 system we add about 5 gallons every other day. For smaller systems, where the water loss can result in a dramatic swing in specific gravity/salinity, an auto-topoff would make it easier to maintain.
It's not required. You can add the water manually on a regular basis. It's pretty dry in WY, and on the 180 system we add about 5 gallons every other day. For smaller systems, where the water loss can result in a dramatic swing in specific gravity/salinity, an auto-topoff would make it easier to maintain.
DIY is great and all, but for dosing/drippers, I like these units...
http://www.kentmarine.com/ad.html
I have the small one which I use for a calc drip on my 55... Easy to adjust and the flow controller never slips like the clothespin or double knotting can... They also sell the tubing kit alone, if you wanna use yer own jug or whatever...
http://www.kentmarine.com/ad.html
I have the small one which I use for a calc drip on my 55... Easy to adjust and the flow controller never slips like the clothespin or double knotting can... They also sell the tubing kit alone, if you wanna use yer own jug or whatever...
hello,
its really easy to add in an auto top off.
Basically you need an resivour (sp?) next to your sump or under your tank. You get a self peircing saddlevalve with the 1/4in compression tube outlet. Go under your house and tap any of your coldwater lines. get extra water tubing and run the tube to under (not directly but near to) your tank. drill a hole in the floor and pull through the tube. take that line and go through any of your water filters (i use a rodi) and then use a float vavle into the resivour so it will stop topping off when it is full. Then get a float switch to maintian your water level and put an powerhead in the resivour with tubing into your tank or sump. so when the float switch turns on water automatically goes into the sump/tank. when the waterlevel in the resivour gets to low the water will automatically top off. you can get a float switch attached to a solenoid that will turn off the source water so there is nothing going through your filter (no waste water.) I have a manual valve on my water line so that i can turn off the water. I only turn on the water when i see the resivour is low. I dont trust any of the float vavles or switches yet so I dont leave it to blind faith.
If you are using a rodi- you can take the waste line and do something usefull with it. i take the waste line and have it top off my 6000 gallon pond in my backyard. but you can go directly to your drainage pipe under your house.
hope it helps.
tren
its really easy to add in an auto top off.
Basically you need an resivour (sp?) next to your sump or under your tank. You get a self peircing saddlevalve with the 1/4in compression tube outlet. Go under your house and tap any of your coldwater lines. get extra water tubing and run the tube to under (not directly but near to) your tank. drill a hole in the floor and pull through the tube. take that line and go through any of your water filters (i use a rodi) and then use a float vavle into the resivour so it will stop topping off when it is full. Then get a float switch to maintian your water level and put an powerhead in the resivour with tubing into your tank or sump. so when the float switch turns on water automatically goes into the sump/tank. when the waterlevel in the resivour gets to low the water will automatically top off. you can get a float switch attached to a solenoid that will turn off the source water so there is nothing going through your filter (no waste water.) I have a manual valve on my water line so that i can turn off the water. I only turn on the water when i see the resivour is low. I dont trust any of the float vavles or switches yet so I dont leave it to blind faith.
If you are using a rodi- you can take the waste line and do something usefull with it. i take the waste line and have it top off my 6000 gallon pond in my backyard. but you can go directly to your drainage pipe under your house.
hope it helps.
tren