HELP water top off isnt working....why???

[tim000]

well I made the vacuum top off system just like it said but the water just keeps coming out. water works its way up the air intake but it never stops the water from draining?

why is this?

could it be something else besides an air leak? does it take a while before it starts working? like to start the vacuum?

please help!

thanks

 

[wombat1]

Yes, it will take a while. Sometimes the larger hose will suck water almost to the top of the reservoir before it stops. A good test for air leaks is to lightly blow into the larger tube before a siphon is started in the smaller tube. If it pushes water out the smaller tube then it is airtight. Once the siphon slows and finally stops, the water level in the larger tube should stay at the exact same level. If it slowly creeps down then you've got an air leak. The larger tube should also be placed where no air bubbles can rise into it. Just to reiterate, the bottom of your reservoir should be about even with your tank level. You don't need or want too much height above the tank. Since you're in a bit of a time pinch, you can call me at 530 219 6002 (CA) if you have any urgent questions before you leave for 5 weeks!!! HTH, Matt

 

[big o]

Hi tim ,if you start a gravity system ,and its rigid and air tight ,once the system pulls all the air out of chamber it would stop.Now if you have another port from chamber to sump to level desired,when the level drops in sump the chamber has air gravity feeds until it hits that desired level again.

 

[tim000]

thanks Wombat! well it looks like a air leak
also i had the jug about 4 feet above the tank so like 6 feet of tube....

im going to start over with a different jug and try to get a stopper instead of glueing the tubes to the jug

 

[wombat1]

I'm glad I could help. 4 feet above the tank is WAY too high, although the siphon would eventually stop. I would get a rubber cork for your seal and drill holes through it. I tried silicone, PVC cement, acrylic cement, etc. to seal the rigid tubing to a plastic lid with an O ring---way too much trouble and it still didn't work. The rubber cork is cheap, easy to drill, perfectly airtight, and is easy to remove. Most hardware stores carry them, and a brewery supply store probably has them pre drilled.