DIYed Auto Top off system - Page 2

tommyp · 12-18-2003, 05:23 PM

jl, for gravity feed and R/O feeds they are mechanical. They are usually Kent valves that mechanically shuts off the feed as the float raises.

For the floats that control a Power Head which pumps water up to the tank. It is a electrical switch. When the water lever drops the switch turns on the ph pumping water up to the tank. It is a lot smaller than the kent. Alot of people use them in nanos or if they dont have a sump or if they just want a cool way to top off.

Tom

johnlewis · 12-18-2003, 06:28 PM

I will put one of each on my shopping list. I will use the mechanical on the RO to holding tank 40gal trash can then a electrical to the sump for the power head.

StoneyReef · 12-18-2003, 06:56 PM

The float has a magnet inside the slides up and down the shaft activating a reed switch.

MojosReef · 12-22-2003, 05:09 PM

Here is the acrylic tank I made for top off water. It holds about 20g last about 8 days. It uses a minijet 404 for pump and a float switch to trigger it. I was going to make my own float switch but I found one cheaper than I could make one.

Here it is inside the stand.

wooddood · 12-22-2003, 09:43 PM

very nice job jeff looks great.

johnlewis · 09-08-2004, 12:35 PM

I turned a trash can into my Kalk reactor by putting a powerhead on a timer on for 15 each hour and then pumping in RO/DI up to a line I measured then mixing with Kalk/Pickling Lime, then I put a float switch onto another power head and that on a time so it will dose after the lights go out.

dwall174 · 09-08-2004, 02:29 PM

My system is mounted into a wall so I have lots of room behind it!

Check Gallery for Pic's

dwall174 · 09-08-2004, 02:31 PM

Check my Photo Gallery for "Water Change Valves"

Valve 1 Main valve, Controls water to my sumps float valve, & water change valve (valve #3)
Valve 2 Storage tank drain, Used to drain the storage/water change tank for cleaning.
Valve 3 Water change, Used along with main valve to drain new water from storage tank into the sump.
Valve 4 Sump overflow, Runs to floor drain incase of sump overflow
Valve 5 Sump drain, Drains sump to its minimum operating level of 3”

To do a water change I fill the 20gal storage tank up with RO/DI water. Once the storage tank is full I close off the main valve #1 , then mix my salt with the RO/DI water. I have a small powerhead & heater in the storage tank so after the newly mixed salt has aerated & heated overnight & I have checked that it matches my tanks water it’s ready to be transferred to the sump. Now this is the hard part LOL. I open up valve 5 which drains the sump to 3” (which is still enough to keep my pumps & heater running) after the sump has drained I close valve 5! Then open valves 1 & 3 which transfers the new water to the sump thanks to good old gravity. This just happens to be my sumps running level also! Then I close valve #3, refill the storage tank with RO/DI water & I’m all set for my top-off.

tommyp · 09-08-2004, 02:31 PM

Nice setup!!!!!! love the skimmer!

fonchy · 11-22-2004, 06:10 PM

CAn anyone post some pictures please, I dont have a RO/DI unit. I use distilled water. What Im using right now is a 5 gal bottle with just fresh water and eventually this is the one that is going to feed the reactor.

proud2bcanadian · 11-22-2004, 10:07 PM

Hey Dave (wooddood), got a picture of yours yet? lol

I'm interested in this thread, because I'm wanting an auto top off too, because I lose so much water due to evaporation in my 10g!

dwall174 · 11-22-2004, 11:25 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by fonchy
Can anyone post some pictures please

I originally did when explaining my system but they were removed

just check my gallery!

12-18-2003, 05:23 PM	#16 (permalink)
tommyp Neon dottyback Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: VT Posts: 659 View Gallery Karma Komment	jl, for gravity feed and R/O feeds they are mechanical. They are usually Kent valves that mechanically shuts off the feed as the float raises. For the floats that control a Power Head which pumps water up to the tank. It is a electrical switch. When the water lever drops the switch turns on the ph pumping water up to the tank. It is a lot smaller than the kent. Alot of people use them in nanos or if they dont have a sump or if they just want a cool way to top off. Tom Last edited by tommyp : 12-18-2003 at 05:26 PM.

12-22-2003, 05:09 PM	#19 (permalink)
MojosReef Limpet Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Millington, TN Posts: 142 View Gallery Karma Komment	Here is the acrylic tank I made for top off water. It holds about 20g last about 8 days. It uses a minijet 404 for pump and a float switch to trigger it. I was going to make my own float switch but I found one cheaper than I could make one. Here it is inside the stand. __________________ Jeff http://www.mojosreef.com/files/Header3b.gif My 80g Tank My 20g Tank My other past time http://www.gifs.net/animate/fish08.gif

12-22-2003, 09:43 PM	#20 (permalink)
wooddood the wood dude Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: CARMEL. INDIANA Posts: 3,450 View Gallery Karma Komment	very nice job jeff looks great. __________________ 120 gal/in wall tank/starboard substraight/2 250 watt 10k xm metal halides/ 4 55watt 03 actinics/150lbs lr/scwd on return/scwd on a closed loop/aquaclear aquatics 200 pro wetdry w/skimmer. ask all the questions you have if we cant answer it we'll make up some thing. remember patience is the key to a kick ass reef. dave.

09-08-2004, 02:29 PM	#22 (permalink)
dwall174 Cabbage Leather Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Southeast MI. Posts: 382 View Gallery Karma Komment	Ok here's mine My system is mounted into a wall so I have lots of room behind it! Check Gallery for Pic's __________________ Doug Last edited by dwall174 : 11-23-2004 at 10:11 AM.

09-08-2004, 02:31 PM	#23 (permalink)
dwall174 Cabbage Leather Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Southeast MI. Posts: 382 View Gallery Karma Komment	Water Change Valves Explained Check my Photo Gallery for "Water Change Valves" Valve 1 Main valve, Controls water to my sumps float valve, & water change valve (valve #3) Valve 2 Storage tank drain, Used to drain the storage/water change tank for cleaning. Valve 3 Water change, Used along with main valve to drain new water from storage tank into the sump. Valve 4 Sump overflow, Runs to floor drain incase of sump overflow Valve 5 Sump drain, Drains sump to its minimum operating level of 3” To do a water change I fill the 20gal storage tank up with RO/DI water. Once the storage tank is full I close off the main valve #1 , then mix my salt with the RO/DI water. I have a small powerhead & heater in the storage tank so after the newly mixed salt has aerated & heated overnight & I have checked that it matches my tanks water it’s ready to be transferred to the sump. Now this is the hard part LOL. I open up valve 5 which drains the sump to 3” (which is still enough to keep my pumps & heater running) after the sump has drained I close valve 5! Then open valves 1 & 3 which transfers the new water to the sump thanks to good old gravity. This just happens to be my sumps running level also! Then I close valve #3, refill the storage tank with RO/DI water & I’m all set for my top-off. __________________ Doug Last edited by dwall174 : 11-23-2004 at 10:17 AM.

12-18-2003, 06:28 PM	#17 (permalink)
johnlewis Scopas Tang Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Brighton, MI USA Posts: 448 View Gallery Karma Komment	I will put one of each on my shopping list. I will use the mechanical on the RO to holding tank 40gal trash can then a electrical to the sump for the power head.

12-18-2003, 06:56 PM	#18 (permalink)
StoneyReef No Longer a Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Minnesota Posts: 243 View Gallery Karma Komment	The float has a magnet inside the slides up and down the shaft activating a reed switch.

09-08-2004, 12:35 PM	#21 (permalink)
johnlewis Scopas Tang Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Brighton, MI USA Posts: 448 View Gallery Karma Komment	I turned a trash can into my Kalk reactor by putting a powerhead on a timer on for 15 each hour and then pumping in RO/DI up to a line I measured then mixing with Kalk/Pickling Lime, then I put a float switch onto another power head and that on a time so it will dose after the lights go out.

09-08-2004, 02:31 PM	#24 (permalink)
tommyp Neon dottyback Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: VT Posts: 659 View Gallery Karma Komment	Nice setup!!!!!! love the skimmer! __________________ "I think that you can start the bombs of oceanrunner. They are good bombs for a rollback." 190g (60x30x25) upgrade in progress, 90g basement sump Check it out here!

11-22-2004, 06:10 PM	#25 (permalink)
fonchy Tunicate Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 24 View Gallery Karma Komment	CAn anyone post some pictures please, I dont have a RO/DI unit. I use distilled water. What Im using right now is a 5 gal bottle with just fresh water and eventually this is the one that is going to feed the reactor.

11-22-2004, 10:07 PM	#26 (permalink)
proud2bcanadian Plate Coral Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 708 View Gallery Karma Komment	Hey Dave (wooddood), got a picture of yours yet? lol I'm interested in this thread, because I'm wanting an auto top off too, because I lose so much water due to evaporation in my 10g! __________________ David Liles

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