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kris_willard
05-28-2004, 07:04 AM
I am looking for suggestions for an auto topoff for limited space as i have a 90gal with a 33gal sump and a Turbofloater skimmer with fuge and its all packed under the stand so spave is VERY limited. Any suggestions"?

Aquattro
05-28-2004, 02:35 PM
Generally the easiest way is to use a float valve attached to a reservoir. A 5g jug works well. You can put it anywhere higher than your sump, maybe on the canopy or something. Other than that, direct plumbing from your RO unit with the required valves, etc. First method = easier and cheaper.

Skimmerking
05-28-2004, 06:19 PM
like Brad has stated . if you can get a float switch in there some how and have it ran from your RO unit then go for it you will just haveto figure out how to place it in the sump ,due to you having it full of a refugium and the skimmer . If you can drill the sump then go for it its alot easy to have that going then replacing water every3-4 days depending on your evaporation.

mike

Skimmerking
05-28-2004, 06:26 PM
2 posted deleted

kris_willard
05-28-2004, 07:37 PM
I am replacing 2-3gallons every second day! I have sickening evap. I even made plexi top for the one half of the sump. Thanks for your help ill figure something out.

Jack
05-28-2004, 08:06 PM
I definatly agree with what Brad reccomend. A float valve and a 5g Jug for your top-off water is cheap and easy to setup/maintain. I've been using the same setup for a long time now..

Aquattro
05-28-2004, 11:40 PM
I am replacing 2-3gallons every second day! .

hehe, I have 5g per day. Wanna trade? :razz:

Jack
05-28-2004, 11:41 PM
5g per day? Is that what 400w do? :eek:

Aquattro
05-28-2004, 11:50 PM
5g per day? Is that what 400w do? :eek:

3x400w plus a fan, yup. I also have more surface area than you, so evap will be greater.

trilinearmipmap
05-29-2004, 12:49 AM
Can someone explain the float valve ie. I get the idea that when the water level drops below a certain level the valve opens allowing water to siphon in from the reservoir, but how is the float valve connected to the line from the reservoir. I am in a similar situation, limited space next to the sump for a reservoir, I thought I'd have to go with float switches and a powerhead/pump but if a float valve and siphon is easier then I'll go for it. Also anyone running kalk topoffs with a float valve?

Aquattro
05-29-2004, 12:51 AM
I do run my make up water as kalk solution sometimes. Basically the jug is connected to the valve by 1/4" water line (same as on an RO unit). The valve has connectors built in.

Canadian Man
05-29-2004, 12:59 AM
5g per day? Is that what 400w do? :eek:

3x400w plus a fan, yup. I also have more surface area than you, so evap will be greater.

ONLY 5 GALLONS :lol: I'm at about 7.5g a day. :eek:

Jack
05-29-2004, 12:59 AM
Great. Looking forward to it. :lol:

Aquattro
05-29-2004, 02:32 AM
ONLY 5 GALLONS :lol: I'm at about 7.5g a day. :eek:

OK, you win!! :razz:

Canadian Man
05-29-2004, 06:19 AM
ONLY 5 GALLONS :lol: I'm at about 7.5g a day. :eek:

OK, you win!! :razz: :bday:

trilinearmipmap
05-29-2004, 03:06 PM
Are people using the Kent Float Valve, it says it needs a hole drilled in the side of the sump for this one. Or is there another float valve I can use without drilling my sump?

Skimmerking
05-29-2004, 04:57 PM
ok its like this
you can havea 3/8-5/8 hole drilled in to the sump where you would find out where the waer level is. Then drill the hole where you would want the top off to engage. then you would have the RO/ unit or the RO/DI unit hose with the 1/4" hose come from the top off and run straight from your RO unit when the water goes down the RO unit will engage and despense RO from the unit to the float switch.

lots of people are using KENT float switch to have in there sump.


mike

Aquattro
05-29-2004, 07:32 PM
Are people using the Kent Float Valve, it says it needs a hole drilled in the side of the sump for this one. Or is there another float valve I can use without drilling my sump?

I use the Kent, and I made a bracket out of plastic that I siliconed to one of the baffles. No drilling required.

Skimmerking
05-29-2004, 08:20 PM
or you can do it like
brad said :mrgreen:


mike

there are many different ways in doing it ...

StirCrazy
05-30-2004, 05:25 AM
here are some pics of my original set up.. very simular to Brads with a bit more adjustment for hight. the only difference to what I am running now is I use 110 gal water containers for holding my RO water instead of the 5 gal jug.

http://members.shaw.ca/s.l.s/diy/topoff/index.html

Steve

Chin_Lee
05-30-2004, 04:39 PM
Steve where did you get your container from?

StirCrazy
05-30-2004, 08:04 PM
save on foods.

christyf5
05-31-2004, 12:47 AM
Are people using the Kent Float Valve, it says it needs a hole drilled in the side of the sump for this one. Or is there another float valve I can use without drilling my sump?

I use the Kent, and I made a bracket out of plastic that I siliconed to one of the baffles. No drilling required.

Sorry to intrude on your thread but does anyone got a measurement on the length of the kent float valve? I need the length from the float to where it attaches to the bracket. My "cow trough" float valve is apparently not designed for saltwater even though its mostly plastic. It doesn't seem to work anymore.

Christy :)

Richer
05-31-2004, 04:53 AM
If you're up for some electrical work, you could always try using float switches to control your topoffs. This (http://www.reeffreaks.com/viewtopic.php?t=2314&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0) thread has some great info one how to hook up a float switch(es) to a relay. Great thing about this method is that you can hook a pump to the setup, or hook up a solenoid.

-Richer

Chin_Lee
05-31-2004, 03:29 PM
They carry 110 gallon containers? which one?

StirCrazy
06-01-2004, 05:29 AM
They carry 110 gallon containers? which one?

oh I thought you were talking about the 5 gal container. my 110 gal container is actualy two 55 gal containers I got from..... I think it was walmart that I have conected with a couple bulkheads and some tubing.

Steve

medican
06-04-2004, 11:29 PM
look at this ....

this is what I use, works great I have the 2 float sys. running from my RO\DI

http://www.autotopoff.com/

Richard

trilinearmipmap
06-05-2004, 01:25 AM
Brad,

Can you post a pic of the bracket device to hold the float valve to the baffle?

I like the idea of a float valve better than a float switch, the less electrical connections/devices the better IMO.

fortheloveofcrabs
06-05-2004, 01:43 AM
Hey, where is the cheapest place to get float swiches cheap. I only need one for an auto topoff. I heard there is a place in Canada to order from, any ideas?

Thanks a million!

mr_alberta
06-05-2004, 02:21 AM
Hey Paul,

The only place within Canada that I know about is www.aquariacanada.com and they are $11.99 + shipping and tax.