i need a better top off system!

[FinzAquatics]

my salinity goes from 1.023 to 1.08 in a matter of 2 days. i never remember to top of with ro in am, so every day its fluxuating on me... my acros HATE me for that. im in the middle of making a banner to put above my door way thats says "top off the tank before leaving"

 

[TomD]

That is not good. I manual every night because I am on the 6th floor so I am not risking a valve being stuck open.

In the am it is at 1.026 at night 1.024-1.025.

I like manual. I know it sucks but your error chance is a lot less!


You could diy a 2 liter and just do a drip with an IV which is how I do kalk or try a perilistic pump.

Good Luck!

 

[this is me]

Tunze osmolator. I've been using it for over 2 years(?) and it's dead acurate. Never have to say to myself "did I top off this morning?" since.

 

[delta]

Ditto on the osmolator 2 years no problems

 

[FinzAquatics]

can u guys describe what the Tunze osmolator does. im tired and having trouble reading the online description and its fancy words

 

[this is me]

It top off your water.

 

[besl]

FinzAquatics, Tunze makes great products, no doubt. As a lower cost alternative you may also want to also consider the JBJ ATO - I've used one for this past year and have had no problems with it - it includes a fail safe circuit to stop after around 3.5 minutes so you can size the pump so as not to overflow the sump. It also has a float switch for the resevoir tank to protect the pump from running dry if the resevoir empties. It's not a Tunze, but it's not bad for the money - you can pick them up for around $80. Whatever device you pick, you will never regret it - takes alot of angst off the process.

 

[delta]

it has two seperate level sensors one is a float the other i think is a laser.

there is a small controller and pump you do not need to buy anything else.
It has a hanging system for the sensors to no need to buy or DIY anything

Nice part is it will only pump so much before the pump shuts down and IME shuts off the pump if the top off bucket runs dry. I find it very acurate and have never had any problem with it not functioning properly.

 

[FinzAquatics]

i dont run a sump though. everything is HOB

 

[FinzAquatics]

are those tunze systems available for hob setups?

 

[delta]

Actually they are designed to be HOB with the water storage under the tank.

 

[FinzAquatics]

sweet deal. i need to look into one then

 

[KAS2]

Diy

A zillion years ago, jbundas ran a DIY auto topoff clinic, and Karen and I made a system using float switches similar to the upper left one in http://www.aquahub.com/store/index.html
Two switches are used, wired in series, so if the lower one gets stuck in the down position and the topoff keeps running, the upper one will soon rise to the occasion. To keep chaeto and crud from interfering with the switches, they are enclosed in small capsules (short pvc tube with end caps). An inexpensive Aqua Lifter pump http://www.petsolutions.com/default.aspx?ItemId=33101137&EID=33101137&SID=FROOGLE completes the system. I think at the time it cost $25 for everything.
We don't worry about the pump running dry. In fact, when we hear it gurgling, we know it's time to fill the reservoir.

For HOB application, you'd probably need something with a smaller presence in the HOB box. The two capsules and their hangers would dominate most such boxes.