Top up system

[Aquaholic]

I would like to know how to make a top up system for my tank (tired of filling it). I have a 45 gal with a cabinet, with space under it for a container.

Any help would be nice.

Thank you

[mr_alberta]

Are you looking for an electronic auto topoff that turns on a pump or a gravity fed system?

[PFisher]

I use a gravity fed system that consists of a 5 gal pail and a humidifer float valve from Rona. Similar to this: http://www2.hawaii.edu/~delbeek/topoff.html

[Aquaholic]

I would like it to be a pump, electronic top off (since the water will be underneth and i have no sump system set up.

[Pescador]

://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7738668454&category=3212 (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7738668454&category=3212)

http://www.mops.ca/cgi-bin/SoftCart.exe/cshop/DOCH-AT1.html?E+scstore

I've been using one of these Blue Line Tsunami AT1's for 4 years with no problem. I have it connected to a maxi-jet and it works great. It works by air pressure so there are no moving parts or floats to maintain.

It does take almost an inch of water drop in the tank or sump to activate it so it might not be sensitive enough for a small tank. And don't forget an anti-siphon hole if your output from the maxijet is below the surface or lower than your reservoir.

If you have a water filter you can run it's output to a float valve in the freshwater container.

Hope this helps.

[Samw]

Here's another option.

http://nanotuners.nanocustoms.com/nanotuners/product_info.php?products_id=83

I haven't tried this one yet but was looking at it as a possible replacement for my Osmolater.

[TheReefGeek]

1. Pick your container - as big as can fit so you dont have to fill it often
2. Get any sized powerhead, and tubing to fit on the end of the powerhead up to your tank where you want water to enter
3. Now it gets more tricky. There are retail setups from companies such as Spectrapure and and Reefanatic, check out http://www.saltycritter.com/waterlevel.htm
I would not use the suction cups though, they will fail eventually and you will flood.
I would find a better way to secure the float switches. You can also build your own system from scratch, buying the float swiches and a 12v relay and power cord and doing some basic wiring.

[TheReefGeek]

Check out www.floatswitches.net for kits on building your own. This is where I got most of my supplies.

[blood_hound]

You have no sump that mean you'll have the float switch in your tank which wont look good

[TheReefGeek]

Put a snail protecting pill bottle around the float switch(s) and it will get covered in coraline, won't look any worse than a powerhead or a heater.