KarenM Posted October 31, 2007 Share Posted October 31, 2007 Before I order one online, I thought I'd check and see if anyone has one they're willing to sell.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+dapettit Posted October 31, 2007 Share Posted October 31, 2007 Have you checked the local LFS's for a new one. Compare the price to the price you pay online + shipping. You might find it cheaper plus you support our local businesses. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KarenM Posted October 31, 2007 Author Share Posted October 31, 2007 Have you checked the local LFS's for a new one. Compare the price to the price you pay online + shipping. You might find it cheaper plus you support our local businesses. Didn't know they were available at LFS's. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
99taws6 Posted November 1, 2007 Share Posted November 1, 2007 I put a nice 2 drawer nightstand beside me yank. I put a 30 gallon plastic square bin w/ lid on top of it. I took the float valve from my RO/DI and a fitting from home depot (about $3) and I have gravity fed RO/DI into my sump. Total with valve and fitting from home depot around $20. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KarenM Posted November 1, 2007 Author Share Posted November 1, 2007 The new tank is where the old one was, which is right around the corner from my laundry room. Gabriel and Craig pointed out that I could put something to hold the top off water around that corner, behind the door, and run line behind the tank and into the sump. I'didn't know anything about top-offs until I saw Gabriel's. Now I'm sold on them! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
99taws6 Posted November 1, 2007 Share Posted November 1, 2007 The new tank is where the old one was, which is right around the corner from my laundry room. Gabriel and Craig pointed out that I could put something to hold the top off water around that corner, behind the door, and run line behind the tank and into the sump. I'didn't know anything about top-offs until I saw Gabriel's. Now I'm sold on them! well mine just uses a simple float valve and works excellent... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KarenM Posted November 1, 2007 Author Share Posted November 1, 2007 "simple float valve" means nothing to me. I have no idea what a float valve is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Headless_donkey Posted November 1, 2007 Share Posted November 1, 2007 I use Tunze Osmolator Universal 3155 . KICKS BUTT! <a href="http://saltaquarium.about.com/cs/doserwatertopofdiy/a/aa072298.htm" target="_blank">http://saltaquarium.about.com/cs/doserwate.../a/aa072298.htm</a> <a href="http://www.top-off.com/listitems.php?cat_id=1" target="_blank">http://www.top-off.com/listitems.php?cat_id=1</a> <a href="http://www.melevsreef.com/plumbing/auto_topoff.html" target="_blank">http://www.melevsreef.com/plumbing/auto_topoff.html</a> <a href="http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewItem~idProduct~TZ4111.html" target="_blank">http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewItem~idProduct~TZ4111.html</a> <a href="http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_AquariumPage~PageAlias~dosing_pumps_top_off__index.html" target="_blank">http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_AquariumPage...off__index.html</a> <a href="http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=auto+top+off+site:www.nano-reef.com&btnG=Google+Search" target="_blank">http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=a...G=Google+Search</a> Some suggestions <a href="http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=auto+top+off+site:www.reefcentral.com&btnG=Search" target="_blank">http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=a...amp;btnG=Search</a> <a href="http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=auto+top+off+site:www.wetwebmedia.com&btnG=Search" target="_blank">http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=a...amp;btnG=Search</a> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Headless_donkey Posted November 1, 2007 Share Posted November 1, 2007 http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewItem.aspx?idproduct=KM1651 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KarenM Posted November 1, 2007 Author Share Posted November 1, 2007 So what's the difference betwen this and the auto top-off? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
99taws6 Posted November 1, 2007 Share Posted November 1, 2007 So what's the difference betwen this and the auto top-off? The valve I am suggesting will rely on gravity to feed the sump, the valve that was suggested above is for use along wiith a pump Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KarenM Posted November 1, 2007 Author Share Posted November 1, 2007 I found a tunze kit for $175, but that's it. George - Can you find s pic of yours online? I plan on using a 55 gal drum. Would the gravity feed still work if the water had to travel up the tubing, over the barrels top, and then down to the sump? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
99taws6 Posted November 2, 2007 Share Posted November 2, 2007 I found a tunze kit for $175, but that's it. George - Can you find s pic of yours online? I plan on using a 55 gal drum. Would the gravity feed still work if the water had to travel up the tubing, over the barrels top, and then down to the sump? The barrels bottom would have to sit on a stand/platform that was higher than the inlet to the float valve on the sump. http://www.thefilterguys.biz/accessories.htm $15.00 - PVC Mini Adjustable Float Valve With 1/4" OD Tubing Inlet and http://www.shop.com/Couplings_JG27CC_1_4MP...14-o!.shtml 1/4MPT Plastic Ball Valve (found at home depot or lowes) and 1/4 plastic tubing, like is on your RO/DI... Also from lowes. 1. Drill hole into sump and mount item 1 inside with float level at max fill level in sump. 2. Drill hole into bottom edge of barrel and mount item 2. I used silicone to seal it in there 3. Elevate Item 2 higher than Item 1 4 Run tubing from 2 to 1 5 fill barrel 6. open item 2 7 monitor level in sump and adjust item 1 until set right 8 fill ro/di barrel as needed or allow RO/DI auto shut off to work. Call me if you need anymore help Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GKarshens Posted November 2, 2007 Share Posted November 2, 2007 Karen I really think this is the one your should go with: http://www.top-off.com/viewitem.php?it_id=...2c3c94036077f18 Just for ease and reliability. You can us an Aqua lifter pump http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewItem~Sea...es~vendor~.html The drum doesn't have to be elevated and it has a back up switch for redundancy. I have heard of several horror stories of float valves clogging and staying open. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
99taws6 Posted November 2, 2007 Share Posted November 2, 2007 Karen I really think this is the one your should go with:http://www.top-off.com/viewitem.php?it_id=...2c3c94036077f18 Just for ease and reliability. You can us an Aqua lifter pump http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewItem~Sea...es~vendor~.html The drum doesn't have to be elevated and it has a back up switch for redundancy. I have heard of several horror stories of float valves clogging and staying open. The same float valve you use on your RO/DI... Everything has a chance to fail. That is why you do "Preventive Checks" on your equipment. I will take a mechanical switch/valve/assembly over a electric switch any day.. I guess it is the mechanic in me wanting simpler. Either way Karen you will be ok with whatever you choose.. It is nice to leave your top-off alone for awhile.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GKarshens Posted November 2, 2007 Share Posted November 2, 2007 I don't use a float valve on my RO/DI. I do it manually. I have heard too many people have problems with the float switches. That is why I don't trust them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomanero Posted November 2, 2007 Share Posted November 2, 2007 I'm with you, Gabe. I manually fill my Top Off container. I never have more water running into the system than can be handled should a problem occur. I've spent enough hours with a wet vac in my life already. I like the Top Offs that use a powerhead to add water to a system. This way, I can mount the powerhead high enough in my top off barrel where it will run dry if a problem occurs. I'd rather replace a $20 powerhead than wet vac my living room. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KarenM Posted November 2, 2007 Author Share Posted November 2, 2007 Gabriel, that's the one I plan on getting, the one you have, right? What about Steve's idea of using a powerhead in the top-off barrel? I want every security measure I can get, since my tank's on carpet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomanero Posted November 2, 2007 Share Posted November 2, 2007 Another option, depending on your setup, is to use a timer with a pump. You'd have to figure out how much water is pumped per hour and what you would need, but timers are pretty reliable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomanero Posted November 2, 2007 Share Posted November 2, 2007 and if you're looking for a float valve locally John at Kingfish (off Burnett and 183) http://www.kingfishaquarium.com/index.htm Call first to make sure someone will be there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GKarshens Posted November 2, 2007 Share Posted November 2, 2007 A powerhead would work too. The aqua lifter is cheaper and you can place the hose at whatever level in the barrel you want. Would accoplish the same thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KarenM Posted November 4, 2007 Author Share Posted November 4, 2007 I order the top-off yesterday. The aqua-lifter website says it pumps water up to 30". What does that mean, that the tubing needs to be close to 30"? It's probably going to be longer by the time it goes from the bottom of the water container, around the corner, and over to the sump. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GKarshens Posted November 4, 2007 Share Posted November 4, 2007 My tubing is probably a total of 5-6' so you should be fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stoneroller Posted November 5, 2007 Share Posted November 5, 2007 Just to re-emphasize what tomanero said, be careful topping off with a 55 gallon drum if your system is unable to deal with all of that water at once. Although the topoff you are getting has a backup switch, if for some reason it fails and the Aqualifter keeps pumping, your system will overflow and drop your salinity. I use five gallon containers only for that reason. The 30" refers to how high the Aqualifter can lift water. If you set your input line 4' above your lifter it won't be much more than a trickle if that. Another warning, you need to set your water input at a higher elevation than your water drum used for topoff. If not and once the lifter gets the water started, it will gravity feed and cause a spill. Lesson learned. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GKarshens Posted November 5, 2007 Share Posted November 5, 2007 Good call I forgot to mention that. I run the output hose up high and then back down to stop that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.