I'm running a 55 gallon tank without a sump. I'm concerned for the stability of my water chemistry. Is there any easy way to automate water top off's to keep salinity constant? Since the air is getting drier, I've noticed evaporation has really picked up. Thanks ahead of time!
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top off question
- Thread starter linuxpng
- Start date
Yes, there are plenty of options to do this. You can keep makeup water (ro/di preferably) in a bucket and use a float switch and a small pump to replace water. There is a Nurse device which does the same thing w/o any electronics. You can have your ro/di plumbed directly to your sump combined with a kent float vavle, solenoid, and electronic float switch as a emergency backup.
DIY float switch: http://www.livinglava.com/diy_float_swich.htm or look at a reedswitch float like ultralife (around $50 anywhere) HTH
DIY float switch: http://www.livinglava.com/diy_float_swich.htm or look at a reedswitch float like ultralife (around $50 anywhere) HTH
I took a container(rubbermaid) and punched a hole at the bottom with a screwdriver. Then I slid in some tubing and siliconed it in place. At the end I put an air valve(for flow control). I have the tub on top of my hood and I drip Kalkwasser. It holds about 2/3 of a gallon. Don't forget to punch a hole or two in the top so it will drip.
linuxpng":2o33eq0h said:you by chance have a link to a reputable online dealer that sells an electric float? Also, what kind of pump would you recommend? I seem to lose about 1/2 a gallon a day and don't want to blast fresh RO water in the tank. Thanks again.
Get the ultralife float switch. Lifereef is good too but expensive. Aquadevices I've heard has come up in quality. Don't get the Tsunami or Spectrapure, I don't trust float switches that are not reed switches. Spectrapure is a quality product but I'm just not comformable with that technology.
Its available from
www.marinedepot.com
www.premiumaquatics.com
and many many others
I would recommend a MiniJet606 and some .5" hose. Make sure to put in a siphon break or you'll overfill your sump! 8O
PS: I go through 2 gallons a day, so I don't use a reservoir... my tank is hard plumbed!
From a reservoir direct to the tank? Sure, a sump is a little handier for mounting the float switch but I'm sure you can figure out a way to mount it in your canopy. If you have no canopy or a very short one Lifereef and Tunze offer compact switches and brackets for mounting directly to the tank rim but they are $80-150. And as I mentioned before you can easily build one yourself for complete customization.
Ahh, okay.. I'll mention them. Aquadevices also sells a reed switch you may consider. More so you're more likely to get a custom one if you really need it that won't break the bank. Just be aware that this is not professional quality and I had issues with their electronics (i.e. had to rip out and replace) in the past.. but supposedly a lot of people are happy with them so maybe that's a thing of the past. But still, I rarely recommend them and hesitate to do so even now: http://www.aquadevices.50megs.com/index.htm
Ahh, okay.. I'll mention them. Aquadevices also sells a reed switch you may consider. More so you're more likely to get a custom one if you really need it that won't break the bank. Just be aware that this is not professional quality and I had issues with their electronics (i.e. had to rip out and replace) in the past.. but supposedly a lot of people are happy with them so maybe that's a thing of the past. But still, I rarely recommend them and hesitate to do so even now: http://www.aquadevices.50megs.com/index.htm
Hello,
I have to suggest the "Reeffiller" or the "pulsafeeder" pump. They are both the same unit. It is a metered pump that will pump anywhere from 0 to 3 gallons per day. (Some of the larger ones will pump up to 15 gpd). You just match you evaporation rate with the pumping rate on the unit and your good to go! I found this to be the best way to go becuase you can mount your reservoir (hopefully ro/di water) up to 200 feet away. I have my reservoir on a completely different floor! (In the laundry room). With any other pump, it has to be close to your display tank. Also....If your float switch top-off system fails. You got one wet floor, and if you dont notice it in time...You now have a rare freshwater reef! The pulsafeeder will not pump more than what you set it at...no matter what. I got my 3gpd pulsafeeder for $85 off e-bay. Good luck.
I have to suggest the "Reeffiller" or the "pulsafeeder" pump. They are both the same unit. It is a metered pump that will pump anywhere from 0 to 3 gallons per day. (Some of the larger ones will pump up to 15 gpd). You just match you evaporation rate with the pumping rate on the unit and your good to go! I found this to be the best way to go becuase you can mount your reservoir (hopefully ro/di water) up to 200 feet away. I have my reservoir on a completely different floor! (In the laundry room). With any other pump, it has to be close to your display tank. Also....If your float switch top-off system fails. You got one wet floor, and if you dont notice it in time...You now have a rare freshwater reef! The pulsafeeder will not pump more than what you set it at...no matter what. I got my 3gpd pulsafeeder for $85 off e-bay. Good luck.
You can make a gravity feed auto-top off. They are simple to make, require no electronics and low cost. I've made them out of 5g buckets, sealed, w/ 3 bulkheads (2 exceptable, gurgle though), 3 valves (for fail safe filling). The big draw back with them is they need to be elavated above water line. PM for plans (ms word file w/ jpeg).
Newkie wrote: I would recommend a MiniJet606 and some .5" hose. Make sure to put in a siphon break or you'll overfill your sump!
I ran into this and thought my switch wasn't working. Then I realized I was creating a siphon. I ran the hose higher than the water souce to prevent it. I was thinking of putting a siphon break but I really didnt' know where to put it because the source level changes all the time. and if I put it above the max point. It will spit out water when it pumps
It aint pretty, but cut the hole up high, then encompass with a larger diameter tubing 1" long, and secure the larger diamter tubing w/ a zip tie. The water that goes out the siphon break will just travel down the tubing in to the water but its still very effective.. albeit ugly.Casey":8x8n5u6v said:if I put it above the max point. It will spit out water when it pumps
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