Auto Top Off??

rob020880 · 05/30/2007, 09:22 AM

I want to use an auto top off system for my tank to replace evaporated water. But I have no room for any type of reservoir. But I can run a line from my spectrapure RO\DI unit directly to the sump, and there is even a drain near the unit for the waste water. My question is first off is it possible to top off the tank using no reservoir? Second what solution would stop the RO\DI unit for producing waste water non stop. Is there an easy solution?

Der_Iron_Chef · 05/30/2007, 10:14 AM

It's doable, but with it come risks. If your float valve were to malfunction, you could flood your system with fresh water, dropping salinity, flooding your home, and killing your livestock. Lots of people who consider this also have to consider TDS creep (a rise in product water TDS when RO systems are not in use), which I think you might be talking about in your second question.

Check this out: http://www.spectrapure.com/St_PTD_p0.htm

mneidin · 05/30/2007, 10:42 AM

I bought the bulkhead float valve from airwaterice and plumbed that directly to my ro/di filter. The ro/di unit has an auto shut-off valve that senses back pressure and stops the flow into the unit.

I also have ordered a solenoid to place on the ro/di output that goes to the sump. I will attach the solenoid to a timer so that it is only open 15 minutes, twice a day.

So, if the float valve fails, my solenoid will limit production to 30 minutes (or whatever time frame turns out to be right amount to fill 2 to 3 gallons per day).

One float valve, but still have a double redundancy. I can sleep at night. Without the solenoid, I'm not sure I could - long term. I ordered the solenoid from autotopoff.com.

zzak · 05/30/2007, 10:42 AM

A float valve, an auto shut-off valve, and a check valve will work

http://www.buckeyefieldsupply.com/sh...owspecials=109
http://www.buckeyefieldsupply.com/sh...owspecials=133

Der_Iron_Chef · 05/30/2007, 11:56 AM

Yeah, those will all work. But you're still going to be putting in water with a high TDS at the beginning, which sort of defeats the purpose of using an RO/DI unit in the first place, no?

mhurley · 05/30/2007, 12:01 PM

mneidin,

You did nothing wrong in this post. The company you posted has violated our commercial posting polices in the past and the problem was so bad, we had to add them to our censor list. Your post was auto-edited by the database.
It has nothing to do with them being a sponsor or not.

LOTUS50GOD · 05/30/2007, 12:10 PM

Specturepure has a vacuum sensor (kinda like the ones they use in washer machines)... I like it alot cause once the water level gets to the bottom of the vacuum tube, it cuts the water off at the RO/DI unit. If that fails then I also have a mechanical one.

mneidin · 05/30/2007, 01:20 PM

Perhaps I should have a T on the output line, with a solenoid on each of the split outputs. I could have a timer open one side, which could drain for 5 minutes or so, then shut that solenoid and open the other one which would go to the sump.

It would be a lot cheaper than the spectrapure ptd. Would it work? How much should be drained to get rid of tds creep before adding to the sump?

Quote:

Originally posted by Der_Iron_Chef
Yeah, those will all work. But you're still going to be putting in water with a high TDS at the beginning, which sort of defeats the purpose of using an RO/DI unit in the first place, no?

05/30/2007, 09:22 AM	#1
rob020880 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Chicago Posts: 1,019	Auto Top Off?? I want to use an auto top off system for my tank to replace evaporated water. But I have no room for any type of reservoir. But I can run a line from my spectrapure RO\DI unit directly to the sump, and there is even a drain near the unit for the waste water. My question is first off is it possible to top off the tank using no reservoir? Second what solution would stop the RO\DI unit for producing waste water non stop. Is there an easy solution?

05/30/2007, 10:42 AM	#4
zzak Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Powell, OH Posts: 103	A float valve, an auto shut-off valve, and a check valve will work http://www.buckeyefieldsupply.com/sh...owspecials=109 http://www.buckeyefieldsupply.com/sh...owspecials=133 __________________ Jim Current Tank Info: 2x10g w/Penguin 150's & AC70 fuges. Sunpod 150w's 14k for lighting, 5g Minibow Hospital w/40w PC or 70w MH. Automated Top-Off and continuous water exchange (~20%weekly)

05/30/2007, 12:01 PM	#6
mhurley RC Staff Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: Illinois'ish Posts: 38,805	mneidin, You did nothing wrong in this post. The company you posted has violated our commercial posting polices in the past and the problem was so bad, we had to add them to our censor list. Your post was auto-edited by the database. It has nothing to do with them being a sponsor or not. __________________ Mike Current Tank Info: 60G Cube

05/30/2007, 12:10 PM	#7
LOTUS50GOD Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 3,210	Specturepure has a vacuum sensor (kinda like the ones they use in washer machines)... I like it alot cause once the water level gets to the bottom of the vacuum tube, it cuts the water off at the RO/DI unit. If that fails then I also have a mechanical one. __________________ Vertex Alpha 300 Skimmer, AI SOL Blue, Neptune Apex Controlled 360 gallon Reef Current Tank Info: born 6/26/2008- 340 reef + 100 fuge, 300lbs of figi LR

05/30/2007, 10:14 AM	#2
Der_Iron_Chef Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Calgary, AB, Canada Posts: 841	It's doable, but with it come risks. If your float valve were to malfunction, you could flood your system with fresh water, dropping salinity, flooding your home, and killing your livestock. Lots of people who consider this also have to consider TDS creep (a rise in product water TDS when RO systems are not in use), which I think you might be talking about in your second question. Check this out: http://www.spectrapure.com/St_PTD_p0.htm

05/30/2007, 10:42 AM	#3
mneidin Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 19	I bought the bulkhead float valve from airwaterice and plumbed that directly to my ro/di filter. The ro/di unit has an auto shut-off valve that senses back pressure and stops the flow into the unit. I also have ordered a solenoid to place on the ro/di output that goes to the sump. I will attach the solenoid to a timer so that it is only open 15 minutes, twice a day. So, if the float valve fails, my solenoid will limit production to 30 minutes (or whatever time frame turns out to be right amount to fill 2 to 3 gallons per day). One float valve, but still have a double redundancy. I can sleep at night. Without the solenoid, I'm not sure I could - long term. I ordered the solenoid from autotopoff.com.

05/30/2007, 11:56 AM	#5
Der_Iron_Chef Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Calgary, AB, Canada Posts: 841	Yeah, those will all work. But you're still going to be putting in water with a high TDS at the beginning, which sort of defeats the purpose of using an RO/DI unit in the first place, no?