BEST AUTO TOPOFF SYSTEMS?????????

[Ike]

With all the discussion about flooding. Maybe the best top off system is the Kent aqua doser. Never had a problem flooding, only maintance needed is to replace tubing when it eventually clogs.

 

[danmhippo]

Sorry, that's won't even make it to the finalist round.

Yes, it may not cause flooding, but a neglected unit could dry up a tank in a matter of days depends on how fast a tank evaporates.

 

[Osama]

Ernie
have you considered putting the second 10g reservoir higher than your sump and let it feed your float switch by gravity saving a sensor & a pump. Tha'st how my system feeds my sump. All equipment is in the basement ( Not over my head in the attic ---You got guts). My 35g reservoir is hooked with a pump for water changes only.

 

[Ike]

I agree danmhippo but, I'm dripping kalk and it has only a short period that you can use it . I believe I have read here within 48 hrs. So one would be checking there system every 48 hrs. anyway to mix up new batch of kalk. A 5g kent dosier handles my 125g for 2 days w/ open hood and 2-175w MH and 2 - 160w VHO. IMO

 

[Anonymous]

I agree danmhippo but, I'm dripping kalk and it has only a short period that you can use it . I believe I have read here within 48 hrs. So one would be checking there system every 48 hrs. anyway to mix up new batch of kalk.

That is unless you use a Nilsen reactor with your top off system. I have to add Kalk about once a month and refill the resivoir about ever 2 weeks.

 

[Ike]

Ok you got me. Some of us don't have the bucks for a reactor yet :wink:

 

[Anonymous]

Mine is actually a DIY version. Not as pretty as the one's from MyReef, Geo, etc., but provides the same function and I built it for about $30.

 

[esmithiii]

have you considered putting the second 10g reservoir higher than your sump and let it feed your float switch by gravity saving a sensor & a pump.

There is not a feasible way in my case to elevate the top off resevoir.

The problem with using a fixed-rate doser is that my evaporation rate is different each day due to temp fluctuations in ambient temp.

Ernie

 

[golfish]

I agree danmhippo, I wouldn't even think on using something that only lasted a day or two, been there, done that.

I know now that my top-off system in fail safe and I don't have to touch it at all except add kalk to the reactor and change the cartridges in the RO\DI unit. I can walk away from it for a month and not touch a thing.

I think we should try to use what works best and afford. My system is a little costly. The battery operated Solenoid is around 40.00, Liter Meter 250.00, Sipedon float switch 98.00, Geo Kalk reactor 100.00.

On those Kent solenoids and other pressure actuated solenoids, is there another line that has to run to the float valve or are they triggered buy the retern pressure from the water line running to the float valve?

Mark

 

[plankton123]

I use and have been using an aquatune for two years now. It basically uses a large selenoid (spelling) to squeeze a peice of rubber tune with two check valves on each side; which forces fluid in only one direction. Each cycle forces about 1cc through. I've been running this for two years now and have had no problems at all. There is absolutely no chance of flooding since the supply tank sits at the same level as pump and sump. the Output enters the sump at a higher level and doesn't actually ever touch the saltwater so no chance of salt creep plugging the output. No problems. The supply tank only hold 5 gallons so I have to fill it with RO/DI water every five days. So, only an issue when I go on a vacation for longer than 5 days.

PS You could probably substitute any peristaltic (spelling) pump, but you need to make sure the tubing can handle the solution (kalkwasser for example) and won't allow backflow.

 

[Osama]

Mark; regarding the following question;

On those Kent solenoids and other pressure actuated solenoids, is there another line that has to run to the float valve or are they triggered buy the retern pressure from the water line running to the float valve?

response: No other line is required; the pressure from the feed line itself triggers the shutoff

 

[golfish]

thanks, that's kind of what I thought

 

[dgasmd]

I am glad this thread is up. I am in the process of making some sort top off system, but have not made any definate design yet. I was thinking about a Nielsen reactor, but that is too much more to add and keep track of. Also, I don't have much if any room left under my stand for more contraptions. This is the compromise I was thinking about:

32 gal trash can full of RO/DI water (already have it). Put a maxiJet 1200 (already have it sitting around) and put 2 teaspoon per gallon of Ms. Wages pickling lime. Set the MJ to a timer to go on and off several times per day for proper mixing. Set a float switch in the 20 gal. sump (haven't decided which yet) connected to an IV pump under the tank that would draw from the 32 gal container in the garage (they are one wall apart or about 15 feet in distance). The re-fill the trash can once per week or every other week when I make drinking water from the RO/DI unit. Change the pickling lime once per month.

I guess in principle this is the same as the nielsen reactor, but in a bigger scale with less maintenance and less cramping of equipment under the tank.

Any suggestions or advise here???

Alberto

 

[Anonymous]

The problem I see is mxing the Kalk in the RO resivoir. Kalk quickly loses its potency in the presence of CO2. In the case of the Nielsen, the chamber is always filled with water, so no CO2 is present. If they IV pump is strong enough, why not put the Nielsen after the IV pump both in the garage and them pump into the tank. A Nielsen is a pretty simple device to build (am believe me, I am not very handy at all). There are several good links that can help building a DIY version, including http://www.fishroom.com/library/nilsen.html , http://www.multimania.com/babar/visio/ , and http://www.ozreef.org/diy/calcium_reactor_ca(oh)2.html

 

[Osama]

Alberto; I just got a Nielsen reactor and like the idea of having it do the mixing etc. and no worry about exposure to the environment O2 etc. The other thing with your concept is that from what I read the pump in the 32g. trash can will get clogged from the Kalk and will need your frequent attention. I agree with SKBok; if you can afford to buid a Nielsen go for it. it is worth the effort...

 

[desertfish]

I use a DIY nurce (check post on DIY section) works great!!
David