Experiences with Top-up systems

TGrogan · 03/14/2006, 02:49 PM

http://www.deltecaquariumsolutions.com/top.php

I am interested in purchasing a top up system for my tank.

I have the money, has anyone had any experiences with such a product?

TGrogan

ohioreef · 03/14/2006, 03:08 PM

I built a DIY auto-topoff using a float switch and an Aqualifter pump. The switch cost around $5 and the pump was $10. Add in some airline tubing and a resovoir and you've got an inexpensive auto-topoff system.

Whispre · 03/14/2006, 03:20 PM

I use the Tunze Osmolator. A bit spendy to be sure, but I like the fact that the main sensor is an optical sensor, no moving parts to stick, and it has a secondary float switch as a backup. This has worked flawlessly for me for over a year now.

I bought it after I had a minor flooding issue with a stuck float switch.

tunze osmolator

moose8721 · 03/14/2006, 03:22 PM

I second the Osmolator. Not cheap, but one of the best purchases I've made. Had mine over a year as well.

cristhiam · 03/14/2006, 03:26 PM

I just got one double switch controller from www.autotopoff.com
I'm using an aqualifter, so far so good

zenzence · 03/14/2006, 03:37 PM

JBJ A.T.O works great for me had it a little over a year and no problems. A little expensive but it cuts of the feed pump in the event your reservoir runs dry to prevent the pump from burning up. It has a audible alarm when it tops off tank which is really annoying. I contact the company and there is no way to turn the alarm off. Overall good product

old salty · 03/14/2006, 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by zenzence
JBJ A.T.O works great for me had it a little over a year and no problems. A little expensive but it cuts of the feed pump in the event your reservoir runs dry to prevent the pump from burning up. It has a audible alarm when it tops off tank which is really annoying. I contact the company and there is no way to turn the alarm off. Overall good product

Actually, their website does give instructions on how to shut this alarm off. My particular unit has a switch, so they may have upgraded them. I believe you just need to remove the speaker that is inside. If this causes some problems (it shouldn't) solder a small resistor where the speaker contacts used to be.

rustybucket145 · 03/14/2006, 03:48 PM

I use gravity feed with a float valve. Works great for me. I built a small acrylic box w/ tiny holes in it around the valve to keep snails/crabs out of the float valve. My container (32gal rubbermaid container) must be filled about once a week. So even if it did flood it would release (at most) <30 gal of water. This would not be good but I don't think that It would mean death to my tank. And b/c of the gravity feed it would probably take all day for the whole container of water to pass through the air hose.

This was a CHEAP ($7 float valve & $4 airline) and easy setup. And i don't have to worry about pump failure and electrical float switches. All I have to do is make sure the gravity doesn't get cut off.

atillathetom · 03/14/2006, 03:48 PM

I would definitely reccommend it. I also have the Kalk reservoir from Tunze which works really well.

Tom

ohioreef · 03/14/2006, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by rustybucket145
......All I have to do is make sure the gravity doesn't get cut off.

Somehow I think that if that happened, you wouldn't be worried about whether your tank was getting topped off!!

phishlet · 03/14/2006, 08:03 PM

Check these out: http://www.oceanussystems.com

I use one of these and am extremely impressed. They are built to last that's for sure.

galveston_guy · 03/14/2006, 08:20 PM

Here is a simple and effective top-off unit.

www.top-off.com.

FishMaster1000 · 03/14/2006, 08:25 PM

One question for you top off guys...I just setup a 28 bowfront and have a feeling a topoffs are going to get real lame real fast...I have no sump and it is just the tank...I would assume it is not safe to put a top off switch in the tank with the risk of snails..Correct? Any way around this? Thanks!

Electrobes · 03/14/2006, 09:01 PM

Man I spent about 20 bucks and made mine, really easy to make. If you need instructions you can go to my website on DIY section. It basically involved an aqualifter, a float switch, tubing, and a bucket... that's it.

Mbeef61 · 03/14/2006, 09:08 PM

i agree with everyone on the DIY boat...like ohioreefer said first...you can do an auto topoff really really easy, safe and inexpensive just using a resevior, float valve, and gravity...if you have the money for something like that i would use it on something better thats harder to do yourself...besides every tank is different and it would be hard for a company to make something like that to fit everyones space and requirements perfectly. but if you have to have it im sure its great...its deltec for crying out loud

TGrogan · 03/15/2006, 06:48 AM

Thank you all.

03/14/2006, 02:49 PM	#1
TGrogan Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Gloucester, England Posts: 17	Experiences with Top-up systems http://www.deltecaquariumsolutions.com/top.php I am interested in purchasing a top up system for my tank. I have the money, has anyone had any experiences with such a product? TGrogan __________________ I play Rugby and football at a high level. I love fiush :) Current Tank Info: Rio 180, Prizm Skimmer, BRAND NEW T5s (yay)!

03/14/2006, 03:08 PM	#2
ohioreef Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Western Ohio Posts: 3,106	I built a DIY auto-topoff using a float switch and an Aqualifter pump. The switch cost around $5 and the pump was $10. Add in some airline tubing and a resovoir and you've got an inexpensive auto-topoff system. __________________ Gary

03/14/2006, 03:26 PM	#5
cristhiam Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Groveland, FL Posts: 3,099	I just got one double switch controller from www.autotopoff.com I'm using an aqualifter, so far so good __________________ 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

03/14/2006, 03:37 PM	#6
zenzence Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Virginia Posts: 373	JBJ A.T.O works great for me had it a little over a year and no problems. A little expensive but it cuts of the feed pump in the event your reservoir runs dry to prevent the pump from burning up. It has a audible alarm when it tops off tank which is really annoying. I contact the company and there is no way to turn the alarm off. Overall good product __________________ zen x 2 Current Tank Info: 75 Innovative Marine /mixed Reef

03/14/2006, 03:48 PM	#8
rustybucket145 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: valdosta, ga Posts: 3,707	I use gravity feed with a float valve. Works great for me. I built a small acrylic box w/ tiny holes in it around the valve to keep snails/crabs out of the float valve. My container (32gal rubbermaid container) must be filled about once a week. So even if it did flood it would release (at most) <30 gal of water. This would not be good but I don't think that It would mean death to my tank. And b/c of the gravity feed it would probably take all day for the whole container of water to pass through the air hose. This was a CHEAP ($7 float valve & $4 airline) and easy setup. And i don't have to worry about pump failure and electrical float switches. All I have to do is make sure the gravity doesn't get cut off. __________________ 400gals of various tanks in the same system. Current Tank Info: 2 175w MH, 2 VH0 Actinics, Lots of Live Rock, tons of copepods, a Fat Mandarin Goby, Niger Trigger, Yellow Tang, Falco Hawkfish, Bi-Color Pseudo, numerous soft, SPS and LPS Corals

03/14/2006, 03:20 PM	#3
Whispre Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Bothell, WA Posts: 124	I use the Tunze Osmolator. A bit spendy to be sure, but I like the fact that the main sensor is an optical sensor, no moving parts to stick, and it has a secondary float switch as a backup. This has worked flawlessly for me for over a year now. I bought it after I had a minor flooding issue with a stuck float switch. tunze osmolator

03/14/2006, 03:22 PM	#4
moose8721 Premium Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Montclair, NJ Posts: 268	I second the Osmolator. Not cheap, but one of the best purchases I've made. Had mine over a year as well.

03/14/2006, 03:48 PM	#9
atillathetom Registered Member Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 75	Osmolator is gr8 I would definitely reccommend it. I also have the Kalk reservoir from Tunze which works really well. Tom

03/14/2006, 08:03 PM	#11
phishlet Premium Member Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: Michigan Posts: 2,458	Check these out: http://www.oceanussystems.com I use one of these and am extremely impressed. They are built to last that's for sure. __________________ (reef a quar i um) n: Water-filled enclosure where a constant supply of money is thrown. Current Tank Info: 350 gallon Hex; 8 gallon nano

03/14/2006, 08:20 PM	#12
galveston_guy Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Livermore, CA Posts: 54	Here is a simple and effective top-off unit. www.top-off.com.

03/14/2006, 08:25 PM	#13
FishMaster1000 Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Middletown, New Jersey Posts: 520	One question for you top off guys...I just setup a 28 bowfront and have a feeling a topoffs are going to get real lame real fast...I have no sump and it is just the tank...I would assume it is not safe to put a top off switch in the tank with the risk of snails..Correct? Any way around this? Thanks!

03/14/2006, 09:01 PM	#14
Electrobes Montipora type guy Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Fort Myers, FL Posts: 2,945	Man I spent about 20 bucks and made mine, really easy to make. If you need instructions you can go to my website on DIY section. It basically involved an aqualifter, a float switch, tubing, and a bucket... that's it. __________________ Christian Current Tank Info: 100G Half Cylinder

03/14/2006, 09:08 PM	#15
Mbeef61 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 165	i agree with everyone on the DIY boat...like ohioreefer said first...you can do an auto topoff really really easy, safe and inexpensive just using a resevior, float valve, and gravity...if you have the money for something like that i would use it on something better thats harder to do yourself...besides every tank is different and it would be hard for a company to make something like that to fit everyones space and requirements perfectly. but if you have to have it im sure its great...its deltec for crying out loud

03/15/2006, 06:48 AM	#16
TGrogan Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Gloucester, England Posts: 17	Thank you all. __________________ I play Rugby and football at a high level. I love fiush :) Current Tank Info: Rio 180, Prizm Skimmer, BRAND NEW T5s (yay)!