ATO(topoff), Kalk reactor, RO/DI, and Water change ALL built in-line

[scubadude]

Ok Im gonna need some help/opinions/advice/pointers/tips...and whatever else you can throw @ me on this one. I have been thinking about this one for a while and I want to be able to first have a reliable auto-topoff...Actually I have one right now that works pretty good but when Im not actually producing RO water for the tank it overflows into the waste output if I 4get to turn it off (has happend a couple of times ) and that will burn up your filters in no time. I want a TRUE auto topoff that is inline with my Kalk reactor and with a 15gal. freshwater container that will be used for easy water changes (couple of ball valves and a pump on a toggle switch?) I would love to do this as effecient as possible (gravity feed) but I have a feeling I will be doing some of this with pumps...which is fine, I have some spare pumps laying around Well here are some parts I gathered up.

Ultra-life float switch

inline solenoid

my topoff FW container used for mixing SW too?!

saddle valve (how RO hooked up now, should I sweat in the solenoid?)

My sump behind my tank (notice the kent float valve...just hooked straight up to the RO unit right now)


So what do you guys think?

[Reefland]

Hey Rocky,

It appears that you uploaded those images after I took a download of everything. Can you re-upload them and fix the post so it is easier to understand what you have going on?

[scubadude]

Scott,
I get this error when trying to upload the pics again

An error occurred while attempting to create a folder for your files. If the problem persists, please notify the webmaster

[zhenya]

Rocky,

I think Scott had disabled upload feature until he is finished uploading all of the attachments and stuff. I got the same error by the way when trying to upload image to the gallery, so I asked the question... ;)

PS. Do you have an auto shutoff valve on your RO/DI? Once I installed one on my ro/di I never had to worry about overflowing or wasting water more than need to be.

[Reefland]

Slowly but surely.

Ok the gallery is now fixed.

[scubadude]

Gallery is working great now guys

PS. Do you have an auto shutoff valve on your RO/DI? Once I installed one on my ro/di I never had to worry about overflowing or wasting water more than need to be.

You know its funny you mention that Gene, I thought this thing was supposed to do that?! I forgot this totally on my RO unit until you just mentioned it.....jeez what a brain fart!

[zhenya]

Gallery is working great now guys



You know its funny you mention that Gene, I thought this thing was supposed to do that?! I forgot this totally on my RO unit until you just mentioned it.....jeez what a brain fart!

Yep, that's the one I got as well. It functions well so far, although I had to replace one about two years ago. That should solve the problem with wasting too much water, I think.

[Samper]

Rocky I had replied to this but the message was deleted. This is how my system runs....

My RO/DI has an ASOV like the one you have shown. They work well but sometimes will stick. If you notice that happening you can tap it with a screwdriver or something and this will often get it running again. AirWaterandIce told me that these need to be replaced every two years.

Anyway, the output line from the RO has two 1/4" Ts. The first is plumbed directly to my five gallon bucket with a reef werks level controller and kent float valve. Worlds most expensive 5g bucket

There is a peristaltic pump on top of this bucket with a timer. The intake of the pump draws water from the bottom of the bucket and feeds it directly into the MRC kalk reactor. The peristaltic pump cuts on 30 minutes before the lights start cutting off and runs until 30 minutes after the lights have come back on. With this setup I have no way of overdosing kalk. The effluent drips directly into my skimmers intake.

The second T runs to my 30 gallon water change container. I have a maxi jet in the bottom. This is not automatic but works fine as long as I'm there to monitor and shut off the valve screwed into the lid of the container once full. When I siphon water out of the display and have gotten all I needed out I hook up a hose to the output of the powerhead and finish the water change.

The right hand side of the second T runs to my ATO in the sump. The only thing I have to do is cut the power to the unit once I start my WC siphon.

Does that help?

[scooterman]

Pretty Sweet set-up IMO, Looks nice.

Just a thought, I like to add a little security to these types of systems & incorporate & secondary water shut-off, you can add another solenoid or just use the same one but add something like an optical sensor in addition would really help me sleep better. JMO!