Floatswitches.net or Autotopoff.com?

Urabggr · 01/31/2006, 06:17 PM

I'm somewhat angry with my aqualifter pump for dying on my after only like six months, so I decided I will get "the real deal." Currently, this is my auto top-off setup:

However, I would like to setup something using floatswitches and a different pump that won't have to be replaced every six months... So its either the setup from autotopoff.com or the one from floatswitches.net. ATO.com is more expensve, but seems of better quality and is all ready to go. FS.net seems more DIY-ey but is very inexpensive. I guess what I'm asking is: which is better?

Also, the setup im looking for is just a pump in a resevoir that is turned on when the float switch senses a drop in the water level and is turned of when the level is back to the norm. For a pump, i'm looking at the 66gph pump from ATO.com. Does this sound good? Thanks!

Brad Black · 01/31/2006, 10:54 PM

I was wondering something similar. I wish I had an answer for you but I don;t. What about somehow directly attaching my RO/DI unit to my sump with the float swich in the sump. The water presure created by the RO unit would provide enough force to top off the sump slowly wouldn't it? I think I would have to find a way to electronically shut off the flow of water to the ro unit then, right? Maybe an electric actuated valve of some kind, controlled by the float swich? I wonder if this has been tried. Obviously havn't done much reading on the subject yet, just came onto your thread. Lemme know what you think.
BB

allen00se · 02/01/2006, 09:51 AM

Go to melev's reef site
http://www.melevsreef.com/plumbing/auto_topoff.html
Very simple setup...

Urabggr · 02/01/2006, 03:15 PM

Thanks for the replies, but I kind of already know how to set up an auto top-off setup using floatswitches. What I would like to know is where to get the floatswitches. Sorry for the confusion!

Bebo77 · 02/01/2006, 04:18 PM

i got mine from auto top off... bu i hear the Tunze are the best
http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewIt...product=TZ4111

trmiv · 02/01/2006, 04:48 PM

Go with autotopoff.com since it uses a relay. You'll be better off. I have a dual switch setup from autotopoff.com, and it's rock solid. I also use it hooked up to an aqua-lifter

want2reef · 02/01/2006, 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by trmiv
Go with autotopoff.com since it uses a relay. You'll be better off. I have a dual switch setup from autotopoff.com, and it's rock solid. I also use it hooked up to an aqua-lifter

How long have you had yours running?

Thanks

trmiv · 02/01/2006, 06:40 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by want2reef
How long have you had yours running?

Thanks

Right about 13 months

DocG · 02/01/2006, 07:58 PM

I love my system from autotopoff.com

The customer service was great. I e-mailed them and told them what I wanted to do and they set up the system for me. It works like a charm and is very easy to use. Has been going for 4 months now without a hitch.

baja_hammer2003 · 02/04/2006, 04:46 AM

I got a posidone from oceanus systems that been working great this is a true plug and play ato worth checking out www.oceanussystems.com got it really fast very well built

binski · 02/04/2006, 06:01 AM

i've been using a dual float switch set up from Floatswitches.net for over 6 months now without a single issue. i'm even running them without a relay, but I'm only driving a small MJ as a top off pump. Most would highly recommened the relay useage.

AggieBrandon · 02/04/2006, 08:59 AM

check out http://www.top-off.com They are made by a MARSH member from Houston, Texas. I just ordered the deluxe top-off kit and the solenoid. Nice quality stuff.

B

Urabggr · 02/04/2006, 11:41 AM

Thanks for all the imput guys! AggieBrandon, that looks like a great, low-price set-up! I think I'll be going with that one for just the simplicity and low price. Again, thanks everyone!

01/31/2006, 06:17 PM	#1
Urabggr Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Redwood City, CA Posts: 381	Floatswitches.net or Autotopoff.com? I'm somewhat angry with my aqualifter pump for dying on my after only like six months, so I decided I will get "the real deal." Currently, this is my auto top-off setup: However, I would like to setup something using floatswitches and a different pump that won't have to be replaced every six months... So its either the setup from autotopoff.com or the one from floatswitches.net. ATO.com is more expensve, but seems of better quality and is all ready to go. FS.net seems more DIY-ey but is very inexpensive. I guess what I'm asking is: which is better? Also, the setup im looking for is just a pump in a resevoir that is turned on when the float switch senses a drop in the water level and is turned of when the level is back to the norm. For a pump, i'm looking at the 66gph pump from ATO.com. Does this sound good? Thanks!

02/01/2006, 04:18 PM	#5
Bebo77 Premium Nonpaying Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Lost Posts: 14,377	i got mine from auto top off... bu i hear the Tunze are the best http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewIt...product=TZ4111 __________________ Gabriel Current Tank Info: 300 Gal Envision Tank(98Lx30Wx26T) 120 Gal SoCalCreations Sump, Deltec TC2560, 2 LumenarcsMini 1 Reg on a light mover W Radiums 250& 400, Gallaxy ballasts, Red Dragon 10m3 return W/ 2 WavySeas, 2 6155 Tunze streams

02/01/2006, 04:48 PM	#6
trmiv Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 3,082	Go with autotopoff.com since it uses a relay. You'll be better off. I have a dual switch setup from autotopoff.com, and it's rock solid. I also use it hooked up to an aqua-lifter __________________ Current tank: Red Sea Reefer 350 Deluxe, Avast Marine Pegleg 180 skimmer, Gyre 150, Eheim 1262 return

01/31/2006, 10:54 PM	#2
Brad Black Moved On Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Cleveland-proper Posts: 465	I was wondering something similar. I wish I had an answer for you but I don;t. What about somehow directly attaching my RO/DI unit to my sump with the float swich in the sump. The water presure created by the RO unit would provide enough force to top off the sump slowly wouldn't it? I think I would have to find a way to electronically shut off the flow of water to the ro unit then, right? Maybe an electric actuated valve of some kind, controlled by the float swich? I wonder if this has been tried. Obviously havn't done much reading on the subject yet, just came onto your thread. Lemme know what you think. BB

02/01/2006, 09:51 AM	#3
allen00se Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: OKLAHOMA Posts: 172	Go to melev's reef site http://www.melevsreef.com/plumbing/auto_topoff.html Very simple setup...

02/01/2006, 03:15 PM	#4
Urabggr Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Redwood City, CA Posts: 381	Thanks for the replies, but I kind of already know how to set up an auto top-off setup using floatswitches. What I would like to know is where to get the floatswitches. Sorry for the confusion!

02/01/2006, 07:58 PM	#9
DocG Premium Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Sarnia, Ontario Posts: 561	I love my system from autotopoff.com The customer service was great. I e-mailed them and told them what I wanted to do and they set up the system for me. It works like a charm and is very easy to use. Has been going for 4 months now without a hitch.

02/04/2006, 04:46 AM	#10
baja_hammer2003 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: fla Posts: 261	I got a posidone from oceanus systems that been working great this is a true plug and play ato worth checking out www.oceanussystems.com got it really fast very well built

02/04/2006, 06:01 AM	#11
binski Premium Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Indialantic, FL Posts: 175	i've been using a dual float switch set up from Floatswitches.net for over 6 months now without a single issue. i'm even running them without a relay, but I'm only driving a small MJ as a top off pump. Most would highly recommened the relay useage.

02/04/2006, 08:59 AM	#12
AggieBrandon Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Bellville, Texas Posts: 136	check out http://www.top-off.com They are made by a MARSH member from Houston, Texas. I just ordered the deluxe top-off kit and the solenoid. Nice quality stuff. B

02/04/2006, 11:41 AM	#13
Urabggr Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Redwood City, CA Posts: 381	Thanks for all the imput guys! AggieBrandon, that looks like a great, low-price set-up! I think I'll be going with that one for just the simplicity and low price. Again, thanks everyone!