Best Auto Top Off?

gwenvet · 11/29/2008, 02:06 PM

I did a search (it's working again

) but some say JBJ, some say Tunze etc. Originally I was going to get the JBJ but the opinions of it on the Premium aquatics website range from great to totally unreliable.
Since I took the glass covers off the tank (thanks for the advice!), I have been loosing a LOT of water and my sump gets so low that the return blows air after 1 1/2 days (partly because I still have the bioballs in and can't submerge them so the water level is fairly low). Sooo, I'm in the market for an ATO unit. Which is most reliable at a good price?
Thanks!!!

CoRPS · 11/29/2008, 02:10 PM

I'd hate to tell you this, but if you're not topping off with an open top accept for every 1 and a 1/2 days... You're not doing so well.

In my 55g I pour some fresh RO/DI into the tank 2-3 times a day. Gotta keep up on that man or the SG swings will start affecting your livestock, especially inverts.

gwenvet · 11/29/2008, 02:17 PM

this is a bare bones public school tank that I am trying to work on. There's no one there from Fri to Monday so an ATO unit is becoming necessary! I have been to the library and am reading cover to cover..learning every day. That said, the ammonia, nitrites and nitrates are all 0, so it is hanging in there.

CoRPS · 11/29/2008, 02:19 PM

Ahh it's fish only. Not as important then. As for the ATO I really can't help you, there are some guides in the DIY section if you want to go that route. HTH

melvinudawl · 11/29/2008, 03:16 PM

pretty cheap and works great. I have one in my sump and one in my QT. I just use a 5 gal bucket full of ro/di with a maxi jet.

http://www.autotopoff.com/

mg426 · 11/29/2008, 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by melvinudawl
pretty cheap and works great. I have one in my sump and one in my QT. I just use a 5 gal bucket full of ro/di with a maxi jet.

http://www.autotopoff.com/

I am using the same one, Works just fine no complaints.

gwenvet · 11/29/2008, 05:36 PM

I looked that one up and the price is amazing. The jbj has a second sensor so that you don't run the supply tank dry and burn out the pump. Is that worth the difference in price or is it overrated?

melvinudawl · 11/29/2008, 05:39 PM

Up to you really on the value there. I top off the 5 gal bucket every day or two from my ro storage. Even if it did run dry, it is only a little mj, so I'm not too worried about it. I use the system that has 2 sensors in the sump or DT. prevents overflowing the DT/sump, not to mention potentially dropping salinity. That was much more of a concern for me, so I like having the second sensor there in case the first fails.

RobNJ · 11/29/2008, 05:50 PM

I have used this http://www.autotopoff.com/products/DS1/index.htm for over three years now and it has not failed me once. I use it in conjunction with a small aqua lifter pump that is connected to a big reservoir of rodi water.

Also I use http://www.spectrapure.com/St_alc_p6.htm in my 20 gallon water reservoir. It controls the valve to let water in from my RODI unit so water production is 100% automated.

You would require an RODI with an ASOV (Automatic Shut Off Valve) which most have these days.

This is the RODI unit I use. http://www.airwaterice.com/product/1...r_100_GPD.html

AZDesertRat · 11/29/2008, 07:39 PM

Spectrapure UPLC-II .

jubjub · 11/29/2008, 07:52 PM

got a jbj...never had a problem with it....

sean_954 · 11/29/2008, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by melvinudawl
pretty cheap and works great. I have one in my sump and one in my QT. I just use a 5 gal bucket full of ro/di with a maxi jet.

http://www.autotopoff.com/

i used one of these on my lil 55G i had a while back , never had any problems ......" knock on wood " cause i'll be using it again ......

SkyPapa · 11/29/2008, 08:29 PM

I tried 2 of the ones similar to the autotopoff.com and had both fail. Maybe just bad luck.

Got a Tunze and couldn't be happier after a year

gt6188a · 12/01/2008, 11:15 AM

www.autotopoff.com is the best(Price and value).

I have the shutoff valve and topoff from them.

Working like charm.

cdness · 12/01/2008, 12:09 PM

I ike the functionality of the www.autotopoff.com system, but I do not like the idea of 120V running through the float switches. Yes they are waterproof, but they are also thin wires and really cheap. They do have a 12V option for low voltage float switched but it adds to the cost of the auto-top-off unit.

BulkReefSupply sells a DIY option that uses the 12V float switched which is basically the same design as the www.autotopoff.com unit. If you have some wiring skills (no soldering, just follow the directions and tighten screws) you can get away much cheaper. The one I am talking about is here:

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/Auto-T...duct_info.html

You can always add another switch to it as well to prevent the ATO tank from running dry...

11/29/2008, 02:06 PM	#1
gwenvet Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: West Lafayette, Indiana Posts: 300	Best Auto Top Off? I did a search (it's working again ) but some say JBJ, some say Tunze etc. Originally I was going to get the JBJ but the opinions of it on the Premium aquatics website range from great to totally unreliable. Since I took the glass covers off the tank (thanks for the advice!), I have been loosing a LOT of water and my sump gets so low that the return blows air after 1 1/2 days (partly because I still have the bioballs in and can't submerge them so the water level is fairly low). Sooo, I'm in the market for an ATO unit. Which is most reliable at a good price? Thanks!!!

11/29/2008, 05:50 PM	#9
RobNJ Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Hasbrouck Heights, NJ Posts: 945	I have used this http://www.autotopoff.com/products/DS1/index.htm for over three years now and it has not failed me once. I use it in conjunction with a small aqua lifter pump that is connected to a big reservoir of rodi water. Also I use http://www.spectrapure.com/St_alc_p6.htm in my 20 gallon water reservoir. It controls the valve to let water in from my RODI unit so water production is 100% automated. You would require an RODI with an ASOV (Automatic Shut Off Valve) which most have these days. This is the RODI unit I use. http://www.airwaterice.com/product/1...r_100_GPD.html Last edited by RobNJ; 11/29/2008 at 05:58 PM.

11/29/2008, 07:52 PM	#11
jubjub Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: vacaville, cali Posts: 2,698	got a jbj...never had a problem with it.... __________________ "The world holds two classes of men - intelligent men without religion, and religious men without intelligence." - Abu Ala Al-Maari

12/01/2008, 12:09 PM	#15
cdness Premium Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Fargo, ND Posts: 870	I ike the functionality of the www.autotopoff.com system, but I do not like the idea of 120V running through the float switches. Yes they are waterproof, but they are also thin wires and really cheap. They do have a 12V option for low voltage float switched but it adds to the cost of the auto-top-off unit. BulkReefSupply sells a DIY option that uses the 12V float switched which is basically the same design as the www.autotopoff.com unit. If you have some wiring skills (no soldering, just follow the directions and tighten screws) you can get away much cheaper. The one I am talking about is here: http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/Auto-T...duct_info.html You can always add another switch to it as well to prevent the ATO tank from running dry... __________________ 125G Reef, 40G sump, Marineland 4500 returns, Dart Closed Loop, OM 4-way, LED and Apollo LED Red River Valley Reefers - Fargo, Moorhead, Grand Forks Reef Club -http://redrivervalleyreefers.com Current Tank Info: 75G display, 20G sump, Additional 10G Fuge, drilled, Ocean Runner 6500 for closed loop, Catalina Aquarium CA4000 Return pump, MSX 160 Skimmer

11/29/2008, 02:10 PM	#2
CoRPS Big Time Reefer Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: P-RINE Posts: 2,887	I'd hate to tell you this, but if you're not topping off with an open top accept for every 1 and a 1/2 days... You're not doing so well. In my 55g I pour some fresh RO/DI into the tank 2-3 times a day. Gotta keep up on that man or the SG swings will start affecting your livestock, especially inverts.

11/29/2008, 02:17 PM	#3
gwenvet Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: West Lafayette, Indiana Posts: 300	this is a bare bones public school tank that I am trying to work on. There's no one there from Fri to Monday so an ATO unit is becoming necessary! I have been to the library and am reading cover to cover..learning every day. That said, the ammonia, nitrites and nitrates are all 0, so it is hanging in there.

11/29/2008, 02:19 PM	#4
CoRPS Big Time Reefer Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: P-RINE Posts: 2,887	Ahh it's fish only. Not as important then. As for the ATO I really can't help you, there are some guides in the DIY section if you want to go that route. HTH

11/29/2008, 03:16 PM	#5
melvinudawl Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: CT Posts: 180	pretty cheap and works great. I have one in my sump and one in my QT. I just use a 5 gal bucket full of ro/di with a maxi jet. http://www.autotopoff.com/

11/29/2008, 05:36 PM	#7
gwenvet Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: West Lafayette, Indiana Posts: 300	I looked that one up and the price is amazing. The jbj has a second sensor so that you don't run the supply tank dry and burn out the pump. Is that worth the difference in price or is it overrated?

11/29/2008, 05:39 PM	#8
melvinudawl Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: CT Posts: 180	Up to you really on the value there. I top off the 5 gal bucket every day or two from my ro storage. Even if it did run dry, it is only a little mj, so I'm not too worried about it. I use the system that has 2 sensors in the sump or DT. prevents overflowing the DT/sump, not to mention potentially dropping salinity. That was much more of a concern for me, so I like having the second sensor there in case the first fails.

11/29/2008, 07:39 PM	#10
AZDesertRat Moved On Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: NW Phoenix Posts: 16,621	Spectrapure UPLC-II .

11/29/2008, 08:29 PM	#13
SkyPapa Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Central Florida Posts: 994	I tried 2 of the ones similar to the autotopoff.com and had both fail. Maybe just bad luck. Got a Tunze and couldn't be happier after a year

12/01/2008, 11:15 AM	#14
gt6188a Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 52	www.autotopoff.com is the best(Price and value). I have the shutoff valve and topoff from them. Working like charm.