need a top off unit

becki boggs · 09/08/2006, 08:52 PM

does anyone know the best top off unit? this would make a good change in my life ,i get tired of lugging jugs of water ,i have to step up on a step stool to pour it in.

graveyardworm · 09/08/2006, 08:55 PM

Mine is from autotopoff.com. I've been using it for over a year and not a single problem yet.

Shekki · 09/08/2006, 09:29 PM

Whatever you do, don't buy the Kent Marine float and solenoid setup. The solenoid is constantly switching on and off to supply top off water, and it makes a horrible noise.

Robb

vanmo92 · 09/08/2006, 10:31 PM

I like the ifloat float switch from aquahub.com

No problems.

definetly use the aqua lifter because if you use a higher wattage pump it could ruin a float switch. Also its totaly quiet.

And you can use any size container you want.

drummereef · 09/08/2006, 10:43 PM

Easiest top-off I've ever used - autotopoff.com I have the double float switch. Been using it for months now and it works flawlessly. Did you get your water parameters in check yet?

navajo · 09/09/2006, 12:14 AM

I gotta say, I LOVE my Tunze Top off! Best money I've spent so far.

cristhiam · 09/09/2006, 06:20 AM

I use the double switch (extra protection) from autotopoff.com too. Very happy with it, it really changes your life.

Hal · 09/09/2006, 11:55 AM

I've been very happy with my system from oceanussystems.com. They're built very well, and have a few bells and whistles that some of the other systems don't have, such as an audible alarm if the water triggers the higher (second) float switch. They also all include snailguards.

I looked at both topoff.com and auttopoff.com and decided that for my 'druthers, I wanted a setup that looked a little less DIY. Plus the system I ended up with can shut down my return pump if it senses a water level problem. Unfortunately, I had to pay more to get it.

From what I've read, topoff.com and autotopoff.com have very many happy customers on this board. I doubt you'd go wrong with either one. My only recommendation is to get a unit with a double float switch for redundancy. You can't have enough backup safety devices in this hobby.

raddogz · 09/09/2006, 12:03 PM

I built a diy version with a double float switch for my 58g. I have a liter meter on my 120g.

AZDesertRat · 09/09/2006, 01:14 PM

www.spectrapure.com offers several versions that use air pressure to control the level sensor and a float as a backup.

Hal · 09/09/2006, 06:55 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by AZDesertRat
www.spectrapure.com offers several versions that use air pressure to control the level sensor and a float as a backup.

I've always wondered how well these work? The theory seems sound, and spectrapure is a reliable company, but I rarely hear of anyone using their floatswitches.

AZDesertRat · 09/09/2006, 06:57 PM

That technology is used a lot in wastewater lift stations and is pretty bullet proof.

Severum · 09/09/2006, 07:00 PM

Tsunami AT1. Best top off hands down. No moving float valves to worry about sticking.

AZDesertRat · 09/09/2006, 07:03 PM

Look at the Spectrapure, the Tsunami is a copy of it.

weekendplayer · 09/09/2006, 10:11 PM

I also have the oceanussystems.com system. I've had it for over a year and no problems. I have the system with three float switches. On is a lower switch that turns the pump off if the water level gets too low. Then you have the main water level switch and finally there is an upper level switch to turn the system off if the main switch fails. I've flooded my sump a couple of times fogetting the water on. So this way I don't worry about it anymore. Money well spent.

Severum · 09/10/2006, 07:31 AM

Just for clarification, the Blueline Tsunami AT1 and Spectrapure are the exact same product with different badges.

You can't go wrong with either one of em.

supermarvin76 · 09/10/2006, 03:50 PM

I just looked at autotopoff.com and I really like the double sump top off. The only thing is that my sump has only about 1 1/2 - 2" from the top of the bottom baffle to the top of the top baffle.

Do these come with directions?

Thanks

graveyardworm · 09/10/2006, 04:18 PM

As I recall it didnt come with instructions, but it was very simple to hook up. It maintains the water level at a fraction of an inch, less than 1/4inch between high and low.

09/08/2006, 08:52 PM	#1
becki boggs Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: texas Posts: 46	need a top off unit does anyone know the best top off unit? this would make a good change in my life ,i get tired of lugging jugs of water ,i have to step up on a step stool to pour it in. __________________ bboggs Current Tank Info: 180 gal reef tank ,29 gal sump ,3 tangs,pair of maroon clowns, Midas bleeny ,shrimp ,crabs,a very large brittle star

09/08/2006, 08:55 PM	#2
graveyardworm Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Nottingham, NH Posts: 7,251	Mine is from autotopoff.com. I've been using it for over a year and not a single problem yet. __________________ -David- President - New Hampshire Reef Club There’ll be no one to save, with the world in a grave Current Tank Info: 100 gal lagoon/seagrass, 100 gal sump, Lifereef 72" skimmer, 180 inwall, 125 inwall seagrass/lagoon in progress

09/08/2006, 10:31 PM	#4
vanmo92 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Silverthorne, CO. Posts: 2,045	I like the ifloat float switch from aquahub.com No problems. definetly use the aqua lifter because if you use a higher wattage pump it could ruin a float switch. Also its totaly quiet. And you can use any size container you want. __________________ PBITAWA Current Tank Info: 72 gallon bow Mixed Reef 1 fw tank

09/09/2006, 12:14 AM	#6
navajo Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Northern VA Posts: 644	I gotta say, I LOVE my Tunze Top off! Best money I've spent so far. __________________ Tom (The Tool Man) "Give a man a fish and he'll eat for a day. Teach a man to KEEP fish and his family will soon be eating Ramen Noodles..." Current Tank Info: 210 GAL SW/ 55 GAL Heavily planted FW/ 3000 GAL KOI Pond/

09/09/2006, 06:20 AM	#7
cristhiam Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Groveland, FL Posts: 3,099	I use the double switch (extra protection) from autotopoff.com too. Very happy with it, it really changes your life. __________________ 2 yellows tail damsels, yellow watchman goby, tail spot blennie, purple pseudocromis, starry blennie, 2 clowns, 1 black clown, mandarine & Yellow tang Current Tank Info: 125 AGA, 3 40W 6500K, 3 110W URI Actinics, running on 2 IceCaps 660, CSS125

09/08/2006, 09:29 PM	#3
Shekki Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Ocean City, MD Posts: 651	Whatever you do, don't buy the Kent Marine float and solenoid setup. The solenoid is constantly switching on and off to supply top off water, and it makes a horrible noise. Robb

09/08/2006, 10:43 PM	#5
drummereef Team RC Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: STL Posts: 14,754	Easiest top-off I've ever used - autotopoff.com I have the double float switch. Been using it for months now and it works flawlessly. Did you get your water parameters in check yet?

09/09/2006, 11:55 AM	#8
Hal Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Longmont, CO Posts: 1,889	I've been very happy with my system from oceanussystems.com. They're built very well, and have a few bells and whistles that some of the other systems don't have, such as an audible alarm if the water triggers the higher (second) float switch. They also all include snailguards. I looked at both topoff.com and auttopoff.com and decided that for my 'druthers, I wanted a setup that looked a little less DIY. Plus the system I ended up with can shut down my return pump if it senses a water level problem. Unfortunately, I had to pay more to get it. From what I've read, topoff.com and autotopoff.com have very many happy customers on this board. I doubt you'd go wrong with either one. My only recommendation is to get a unit with a double float switch for redundancy. You can't have enough backup safety devices in this hobby.

09/09/2006, 12:03 PM	#9
raddogz Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Bay Area Posts: 3,167	I built a diy version with a double float switch for my 58g. I have a liter meter on my 120g. __________________ Eileen If at first you don't succeed, failure may be your style. - Quentin Crisp Current Tank Info: 180g Reef

09/09/2006, 01:14 PM	#10
AZDesertRat Moved On Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: NW Phoenix Posts: 16,621	www.spectrapure.com offers several versions that use air pressure to control the level sensor and a float as a backup.

09/09/2006, 06:57 PM	#12
AZDesertRat Moved On Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: NW Phoenix Posts: 16,621	That technology is used a lot in wastewater lift stations and is pretty bullet proof.

09/09/2006, 07:00 PM	#13
Severum Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Englewood Posts: 71	Tsunami AT1. Best top off hands down. No moving float valves to worry about sticking.

09/09/2006, 07:03 PM	#14
AZDesertRat Moved On Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: NW Phoenix Posts: 16,621	Look at the Spectrapure, the Tsunami is a copy of it.

09/09/2006, 10:11 PM	#15
weekendplayer Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Louisiana Posts: 74	I also have the oceanussystems.com system. I've had it for over a year and no problems. I have the system with three float switches. On is a lower switch that turns the pump off if the water level gets too low. Then you have the main water level switch and finally there is an upper level switch to turn the system off if the main switch fails. I've flooded my sump a couple of times fogetting the water on. So this way I don't worry about it anymore. Money well spent.

09/10/2006, 07:31 AM	#16
Severum Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Englewood Posts: 71	Just for clarification, the Blueline Tsunami AT1 and Spectrapure are the exact same product with different badges. You can't go wrong with either one of em.

09/10/2006, 03:50 PM	#17
supermarvin76 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 319	I just looked at autotopoff.com and I really like the double sump top off. The only thing is that my sump has only about 1 1/2 - 2" from the top of the bottom baffle to the top of the top baffle. Do these come with directions? Thanks

09/10/2006, 04:18 PM	#18
graveyardworm Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Nottingham, NH Posts: 7,251	As I recall it didnt come with instructions, but it was very simple to hook up. It maintains the water level at a fraction of an inch, less than 1/4inch between high and low. __________________ -David- President - New Hampshire Reef Club There’ll be no one to save, with the world in a grave Current Tank Info: 100 gal lagoon/seagrass, 100 gal sump, Lifereef 72" skimmer, 180 inwall, 125 inwall seagrass/lagoon in progress