autotopoff.com mmmMMm whatcha say?

[eugreef]

http://www.autotopoff.com/products/

anyone that has used this site to order their products have any reviews about the site, product and the customer service? How are their auto top offs?

[noahm]

Great stuff/prices. Lots of people here have used them. I have the double switch unit on my sump, and a solenoid valve from them on my RO/DI.

[patsfan1130]

I own 3 of the doubles. 2 of them are over 5 years old. Never had any problems with any of them. I highly recommend them. good quality at a great price

[guyacrossdstree]

I purchased the Autotopoff.com automatic top up system with double float in early 2010. I installed it as indicated and it was working fine. 2 weeks later, the valve malfunctioned and opened. This caused my tank to overflow for some time and caused water damage to the floor, surrounding walls and my 220 gallon tank stand. If you have ever had to move a 220 gallon tank, you know exactly how frustrated I am right now.

To make matters worst, after months of emails back and forth and empty promises, the owner refuses to refund me my money on this terrible unit. All he wants to do is send me instruction after instruction on how to repair it. It was a 2 week old unit, I shouldn't have to repair it ... wouldn't you agree?

I thought I should share my situation so that everyone knows how horrible the product is and to also let you know that the service is even worst.

Thanks for reading,
Guyacrossdstreet

[rogersb]

I have one. Only been in operation since June of 2010, but no problems here

[Coasterfrk]

Exactly why to use the double float if one sticks it will shut off when it reaches the second one.

[zigzag1]

Good products, yea, good prices too, especially if you are a DIY kind of person. I have been using them for years and never got water in my stand or floor - ever. And, like Coaster said.. double float is highly recommended with the second an inch or so higher, so it normally isnt in the water and less subject to things that build up, so always ready to 'catch' the level if the first has a problem. GL!

[Squanto804]

I've use there double float for over a year. Works great, no problems.

[hvacman250]

Ive been using a double float since start-up of tank (3 months) and zero problems. Return area is 8"x22" and holds the water with 1/16 of an inch. Adds about 2 cups of water every time it comes on, if I had to guess.

[OoBubblesoO]

great price and works

[Korrine]

I got the double float and love it!!!

This is what I got
http://www.autotopoff.com/products/DT1/

Only time it didn't work was when I ran out of RODI water in the top off bucket...doh

Here...I'll add some pics:





Topoff bucket. I did get one of their pumps to use to pump the water. I just got a clear tube that would fit on that and the hose fit perfectly into a square on my egg crate top to hold it on. Top off bucket is just a Reef Crystals salt mix bucket. I drilled a hole in the lid just big enough to fit the hose through.

[cdeboard]

Friends love them.. lol guyacrosssdstreet.. only has 2 posts.. both of them the same story... and in the other thread he said he paid $200 for it.. ridiculous.. mods? look into this?

[travis32]

I have the double float switch and been operational for approximately 10 months.

The secondary float sticks a little at times, but I have the first and second float with no room to spare between them. It works though and that's the main thing! \

The good:

1. reliable top off!
2. easy to setup!
3. virtually maintenance free.

The not so good:
1. Not a lot of room for heighth adjustment in the sump. (The wholes for the floats are fairly wide apart and I found it difficult to find a set of holes for both switches to work right with my sumps.)

2. The switch itself is sensitive to EMF fields. So, be careful if placing it near any type of Metal Halide balasts, or other high power electrical equipment. (I found this out from the very responsive emails from Autotopoff.com).

3. I couldn't find a phone number for them for support, but they respond well to emails!

4. I would highly reccomend the dual float switch, redundancy is key and it's not that much more expensive!

[gary faulkner]

Mine has been working well for 6-8 months and well worth the money.

[IAReefer]

I used one very briefly as a temporary setup. It worked flawlessly! I used the kit they sell. Since Im using a controller now, I had 4 custom floats made by them that I use. I dont think I will ever look at another company.

[nvdiz]

been using it for almost a year and works great. made my life much easier

[dearmey]

Thee years now and thousands of gallons of water and still works like new.

[romanr]

I have used them for over 5 years. They are a great company with great products. Currently have an ATO float, Display tank overflow shut-off float and a float in my skimmer cup to shut off skimmer pump when the cup gets full.

[preef]

I use two float valves and a solenoid to fill up my RODI container which then gravity feeds a mechanical float valve in my sump. The bottom valve was occasionally getting stuck in the up position so my container would empty and would never refill. There was just a small burr on the shaft. I cleaned it up with a knife and haven't had problems since.

I'm ready to buy a few more switches to detect high water and low water levels in my system to set off alarms and email alerts before my floor gets wet.

[tmgrash]

Been using the double float switch and selenoid from them for over a year. Great product and had great service. The first switch, the one thats in the water, has never even been cleaned and it hasnt ever failed to the backup.

[guyacrossdstree]

I do have to clear up that I am new to aquarium forums as I have only had aquariums for a year and a half. I've never had anything to share on forums until my bad experience with autotopoff.com.

I'm surprised with all the posts. I was really disappointed with the unit. It really does look like it costs $20 to make and it did really cost me ($55$ unit, $7 low voltage upgrade, $20 float wire extention, $29 dual TDS meter, $34 soleniod valve, $30 shipping) 175$US with shipping (over $200CAD when I purchased it. I was expecting a good quality product for a $200 investment and got something that is worth no more then 20$ and even then it malfunctionned.

The guy from autotopoff.com admitted to me in writting that the problem was with a faulty Soleniod valve given the problem I discribed and the fact that this product was new. If you admit it's faulty, why not be prepared to give me my money back for the unit? I guess a large part of my problem isn't just the fact that I got a poor quality product that also happened to be a lemon, but also the fact that I've got horrible service. It's not like I was initially asking for the over $2K in damages to be paid to me, just the value of the unit and I would return all the pieces in mint condition, after all they were used 2 weeks.

I'll say it again, this unit is not worth the high risk. Cost me a ton of money to repair my floor and walls, and a ton of time and effort to move my tank to do it. If you think it's worth risking the over 2K$+ of damages to your house if not more to have this auto top off unit, then I guess this unit really is for you!

I'm actually contemplating pursuing this company legally for all the damages caused to my house with this faulty product.

On a seperate note, I'm under the strong impression that their are alot of these posts that are from the manufacturer defending there own product.... I think that this should be looked into MOD. I can't be the only one to have gotten a lemon with the level of low quality that this product has to offer.

My posts are to inform those who are in the situation I was months back looking for posts and reviews on this product to know all the risks that are involved in purchase this product. Too bad no one had come out to write a post and let me know this was a possibility. Even just 1 post! I would have never taken the risk. Here it is for all the others, do with it what you will. So far 20 posts or so with 1 disaster, that means a 95% chance of success (even some say that the float has plugged) and a 5% chance of disaster costing $2K+ in damages. If you absolutely have to use it, I say use it with a water resevoir that is next to a sump pump system, that way you limit your risk.

[RRaider]

I'm assuming you hooked your RODI directly to your tank with only the single solenoid in between. If so you obviously didn't do your research because that has been warned against over and over here on Reef Central. Solenoids fail, it's a fact and I would never have just one of them as all that was keeping my home from being flooded.

As far as the autotopoff I've been using one for about three years without a single issue.

[tawolcott]

Wish I could say that same thing. Mine failed twice within weeks of getting it. Flooded my sump, luckily it was only drawing from a 10 gallon drum and the sump is behind a finished wall in the basement. It stuck in the on position, twice. Cleaned it the first time. Threw it in the trash the second

[gjk]

The products are excellent, but they are mechanical and or electrical in nature so there will have to be some failures that are beyond the manufactures ability to control. It is worth noting for new and experienced hobbysits alike that many of the Aoutotopoff products can and should be used as back up to the primary products. For example, why anyone would not take advantage of the very reliable solenoid valves they offer to time or limit the free flow of fresh water to their systems is beyond me. Put a solenoid they offer inline and on a timer set to your reef needs and limit your exposure. Two solenoids equal more safety. You have to back up ALL of your systems with various failsafes or yes you will be spending thousands on floor repairs etc... I would like to hear from all car owners that never experience mechanical failures. Homeowners. Bicycle owners etc.......Mechanical devices fail. Regarding your reef it is your resposibilty to build smart failsafes and undertake preventative maintenance to avoid costly failures.

[tawolcott]

'Regarding your reef it is your resposibilty to build smart failsafes and undertake preventative maintenance to avoid costly failures.'

Pretty sure that's what I did.