auto top-off

[RH]

I am looking for the best way to auto top-off my sump/refigurum. I am using a 20g glass tank under my 72g reef as filtration sum. I was planing to change it to a refigurum and add a Kent float valve kit connecting to my r/o filter for top-off. Howerever, glass tank is not easy to drill and i can't install the float valve without a hole drilled. What's the alternative to the float value? I just want to top-off fresh water and it have to be cheap and connect to my r/o filter (don't want to refill a reservoir).

[JRoweNole]

I have a 20 gallon sump under my 92 gallon corner tank. I installed 3 baffles in my sump, creating a section for my skimmer and overflow drain line, a section for a refugium area with miracle mud, small live rock and caleurpa algae, and a section for my return pump and line. In the section with the return pump I have an ultra-life float switch (Premium Aquatics and Pet Solutions carry them). This is hooked up to a small mini-jet pump that sits inside a 12 gallon plastic container outside my stand filled with RO/DI water. This system works great, as I only have to refill this container about once every 2 weeks. Some people say that this type of float switch can stick, but mine works like a charm.

[Aragorn]

I have glass refugiums all around. I didn't use the Kent system. This is the I used, a Tsunami. Works great(got 2 of 'em). No drilling. HTH

http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merch...ry_Code=Dosers

[Aragorn]

BTW,

Welcome to Reefland RH. Some really good folks here. I hope enjoy your stay my friend.

[RH]

thank you for all the helpful responds. i looked at both top off system and seems they will turn on a pump when water level is low. I plan to run the water line from my r/o in restroom (quite close to the tank) directly to the switch. This will save a storage tank and pump. Can these switches be used as a valve? So, when water is low, it just open the valve to let water in? I plan to use Kent shut off valve on my r/o. So, I think it should be ok to connect directly. how does the Tsunami mount to the tank? If it use suckion cup, will it come off?

[scubadude]

Hi RH

Welcome to Reefland!

Im glad you started this....I wanted to start a topic asking for pics of everyones topoff system anyway Maybe this will help you understand more how everything works....I think I understand Exactly how you want to run your RO ....as long as you have a place for the waste water from the RO processing to flow to ( I assume you are routing it to your bathroom drain?) If this is correct then the float valve is gonna be your only option....Unless you make a reservoir for your Topoff water to be held in.....I use the reservoir method and since my tank is next to a wall that is near my back yard and a spicket right there, I drilled a hole throught the wall and mounted my RO outside (in backyard) and just ran a hose through the wall for my topoff and its all gravity fed....I just use a simple cheap air control valve to control the drip rate (takes a while to get the perfect drip rate) started out slow so I wouldnt flood the house but it works out perfect cuz I use the waste water to water my plants and If I leave it on too long the waste water just goes right into my backyard! I will try and post some pics soon Anyone else got pics? Please feel free to share them

[scubadude]

I just drilled a small hole into the side of my Stand...I have 2 drip rates...one for my evaporation (topoff) and the other for my reac (calcium reactor)



Here is where I drilled the hole into the wall, my wife loved this one



And here is the backyard pic (on the other side of the wall) I even built a little concrete pad for the shelf unit



HTH

[RH]

Thank you for the photos scubadude your system looks awsome. I may drill a hole in the restroom wall to get the line out to living room ... if my wife don't say anything. I just find something interesting in mcmastercarr.com (like HD online). I think maybe I can mount a diaphragm control float valve 46585k14 in my tank. Looks like the fitting is on top, no need to drill glass. The housing is nylon with stainless steel parts inside. Have anyone used or see this before??
I got a letter from my HOA last wk confirming a furigate termate need to be done in August .... touble..... need to move the fishs and corals again.... I stop livestock purchase because of this and hopefully everthing will be ok... i plan to leave only sand, rock, water and a powerhead in the tank and seal the top with plastic. I hope it will work out ok

[Ltspd]

I dont have a picture but here is how I made my auto-top off system. Mine is connected directly to my RO/DI unit, and has a tee to allow me to make water sepearate from the top off system.

I purchased a 120vac stainless steel soleniod from Mcmaster-Carr, I used a NC solenoid switch. I ran the output of the RO/DI into this solenoid. I purchased a polypro float switch, also from Mcmaster-Carr. I made a corner bracket from acrylic and drilled a 1/4 NPT hole in this bracket. This allowed me to attache the bracket to the float switch. I siliconed the float switch in the postition I wanted the water level to maintain. The float switch is reversable allowing both make or break based on water level. The solenoid is ran into a Icecube relay, that is wired to 120vac. This allows the .2amp float switch and the solenoid to be connected together though a standard 120vac plug because the Icecube relay handles the amps (I used a 10a relay).

The system works sweet. When the water level drops, the float switch activates the relay opening the solenoid which is piped into my sump tank. When the water level rises and de-activates the float then the solenoid is closed.

I paid about 12 for the float switch, 20 for the SS solenoid and a relay will cost you about 5.

This keeps you from having to use a storage tank and power head to fill the tank.

When I get home this evening I will try and take a picture of the setup for you.

[geo]

I use the Kent FV on my tank, my sump is drilled too though.



I read in another post some time ago where a guy drilled a lees specimen container to hold the kent FV, hung the lees container over the edge of his glass sump then filled it with sand to make it heavy enough to stay in place. Sounds like it would work to me and it would be cheap too

[RWD]

RH,
I use a 40 gal breeder for my sump and it's drilled for a Kent float valve. It's not that hard to do yourself. I used a $12 1/2"glass bit from a hardware store and took my time. I'll admit it was a little nerve wracking dut it turned out perfect. I did practice on a piece of scrap glass first. Here's the pic:

[Starmstr]

I second a thumbs up for tsunami