DIY top-off

[garagebrian]

Hello all,

This might be a newbie question, but I'm trying to learn as many DIY things as possible.

Is making a DIY top-off as easy as having a 2 or 3 liter bottle or gallon jug with an airline hose coming out of the top, putting a variable clamp on the hose to control the rate of flow and starting suction and then adjusting the rate on the clamp? Then just add newly mixed water to the top off when running low? Am I missing something? Is there a better way?

B.

 

[Fatal Morgana]

It is a fine way, but you have to keep in mind that the whole content of the jug/container can be dump into the tank if the clamp malfunctioned.

Check out some Nurce knockoffs. You can use these DIYs to auto topoff.

 

[garagebrian]

Do you know of any website with the DIY instructions on how to build one? Or at least a closeup picture or diagram?

Thanks,

B.

 

[eruss]

OZREEF.org normally has a lot of good aquarium DIY projects but the site is currently under re-construction. Try doing a GOOGLE search on aquarium DIY. Lots of stuff out there. :wink:

 

[dubbin1]

Here is a very simple one that I found http://home.att.net/~s-pawlowskis/topoff.htm

 

[Anonymous]

Good link. I did exactly that on an old tank and it works beautifully. Very cheap too. I used a glass carboy, and a rubber cork. Don't try using anything but rubber for the top, because it probably won't work. It's nearly impossible to get an airtight fit. I also found I had to keep the drip line underwater for it to work. Another issue is that it has to be completely above the sump tank, and if you keep it in your stand that doesn't give much clearance height.

 

[whooper]

I am brand new to this forum. So here goes
I only use fresh ro water to top off, not mixed water.
If you use mixed water to replace evaporation you will end
up with a to high s.g.

Whooper