Need help designing an Auto top off

[bassplaya12]

So I think I want to build an auto top off to have around for long weekends and stuff where I may not be able to top off my tank every day. I don't really wanna spend ~100 bucks on one and I know it must be cheaper to build one myself. I have no idea where to start though. I know I need a float switch but that's about it. Any help is greatly appreciated.

[cyrusthevirus]

If you look toward the bottom of my build, you can see my approach. The ATO feeds directly into the sump.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...1810811&page=2

[bassplaya12]

^^^ I don't have a sump, any different?

[bassplaya12]

Also that looks way too legit for me hah. I was gonna try two float switches one lower and one higher for a just incase. But really it wouldn't be used too often so I wanna keep it cheap. Can I ask how much that cost you?

[customcolor]

starts on this page listed below 1/2 way down and ends on the following page......it hasnt failed yet in almost 4 years

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...1144204&page=6

[bassplaya12]

^^ I think that'd be too big for my 10g haha

[chimmike]

you don't have a sump, and it's a 10g? Do you have an overflow portion in the back or a hidden filtration compartment or something?

[kv2wr1]

I got one from autotopoff.com and installed it in my 24 gallon aquapod AIO. It's ready to go. You just plug it into the wall and then plug un your pump.

[kv2wr1]

P.S. I forgot to add that if you use a normal bucket, you might want to cure it. Otherwise just use a small aquarium or food grade bucket to store your auto topoff water in.

[shackscs]

+2 Autotopoff.com

[Aqua Man 07]

float switch exstion cord and an aqua lifter about 20.00 bucks or so invested and mine has not failed for the three years ive been useing it it is cheap and it does work

[Mike31154]

If you don't mind seeing a top up container beside your tank or better yet, if you can mount something above your tank, you can have yourself a very cost effective ATO with minimal switching and electrics. With a top up tank mounted above your display, you can let gravity to it's thing and all you need is some tubing and a mechanical float valve. On my sumpless 77 gal, I use a mechanical float valve designed for a whole house humidifier normally attached to a furnace. It is fed by a 7 gal glass wine carboy sitting next to the display. The car boy is pressurized by a small air pump on a timer which cycles on for a few minutes every couple of hours. This provides a nice slow trickle for top up and the float valve ensures things don't get overfull. It's been working without a hitch on my system for well over a year. Just takes a little testing to get the proper amount of run time for the air pump in order to keep the car boy sufficiently pressurized and matching or bettering your evaporation rate. If you can swing the gravity fed option, you won't even need to worry about that aspect.

Here's my ATO container, glass wine carboy. Short tube in to pressurize, long tube extends to the bottom to pick up & transport top off water to float valve. Do need to ensure the rubber stopper is dry and well seated to prevent it from blowing out under pressure.



Here's the furnace humidifier float valve. It has an adjustment wheel at the top to fine tune the level. I fashioned the mounting bracket out of scrap acrylic and used nylon screws/nuts to secure the assembly to the rim.



Don't have photos available of the air pump & timer, but that's pretty much self explanatory. My system evaporates about a gallon/day, so the 7 gal carboy is good for a full week. Fairly bulletproof with a minimum of electrical gizmos to fail. For a future build with a basement sump I will be going with the gravity feed option, mechanical float valve only, no electrical whatsoever. Cost should be well below the $50 mark for gravity fed option, slightly more with timer and air pump. The float valve I'm using may be a bit bulky in your 10 gal, but I'm sure you can find a smaller version somewhere. The float valves offered for RODI shutoff come to mind.

[punchedup]

Edit: haha, sorry I didn't read the whole thread before I posted this and Mike's is very similar to my idea., but I'll leave it 'cause it has some links. I like the way you're thinking Mike


Here is a pumpless auto top-off idea.

Pick up a simple float valve like this.

http://www.floatvalve.com/mab22-detail.htm

If you don't have a sump and you have a really small tank you can find really small ones that won't look too bad in your display tank. Especially if its just for when you're not around.

Anyways, the idea is stupid simple.

Find a way to attach it to your tank such that the valve opens when your water level drops.

(Glue it? Make a hanger out of scraps of acrylic? Jerry rig some nylon string!
Depends on how visible it is going to be and how permanent you need it to be.)

Have a reservoir (Used water jug with a bulkhead through the bottom?) above it with a hose to the valve. Done

I can't think of anything more simple. No pumps. No electricity. Stupid simple to adjust. Oh and it cost ten freaking dollars.

[hamdogg08]

I've used this combo before with great results...
http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store/...-off-pump.html
+
http://www.smarthome.com/59406/GE-24...r-White/p.aspx

You'd have to estimate how much you're losing to evaporation and set the timer to Almost keep up with evaporation.

I typically end up topping off my tank every 1.5-2 weeks using this method.

Originally Posted by bassplaya12

So I think I want to build an auto top off to have around for long weekends and stuff where I may not be able to top off my tank every day. I don't really wanna spend ~100 bucks on one and I know it must be cheaper to build one myself. I have no idea where to start though. I know I need a float switch but that's about it. Any help is greatly appreciated.

[punchedup]

Why use a system that requires estimation when a float valve will keep it perfect with no thought and no failure if power is lost?

And if you can't use gravity to feed the water you can still use a float valve. Most of them are designed to handle pressure. Pressurize your reservoir with an air pump and your good to go.

[bassplaya12]

^^^ Like any kind of air pump? Like even one for pumping up footballs and stuff would work? That could be a decent idea, just not sure where I'm gonna get my hands on a container I can keep easily pressurized

[glazer]

I bought one of those little tiny low voltage powerheads years ago. You can still buy them on Ebay for like 10 or 12 bucks. That coupled with a 5 dollar float switch off Ebay as well... a vessel of your choice, I used a rubbermaid "bucket". Total cost under 25 bucks.
I used it on a tank for over five years and had ZERO problems with it. Tank has been taken down for a few years now but I am in the process of setting it back up and plan on using this top off system once again. Only difference being I am making an acrylic resivoir instead of using the cheap bucket thing.
Nice thing about it... you are only switching low voltage (24v) so no need for relays and 110v powered pumps. Just a thought......

[punchedup]

Originally Posted by bassplaya12

^^^ Like any kind of air pump? Like even one for pumping up footballs and stuff would work? That could be a decent idea, just not sure where I'm gonna get my hands on a container I can keep easily pressurized

https://www.containerandpackaging.co....asp?item=G006 - glass jar - $2
http://www.onlinesciencemall.com/Sho...d/0/rid/126318 rubber two hole stopper - 75 cents
http://www.petco.com/product/109838/...FC_Air%20Pumps - airpump - $10

[bassplaya12]

^^ I'll look into all this