recomended auto topoff system?

don954 · 06/14/2006, 07:17 PM

I just got my RO/DI filter system (yea! no more lugging water jugs to and from my LFS!), I have been hearing about this miracle called an auto top-off system on this board.

What unit would you recommend?

salreus · 06/14/2006, 07:29 PM

this is what I use. You can get one from marinedepot.com.

http://www.jbjlighting.com/sys_ato.html

a lot of people make thier own water top off system.

don954 · 06/14/2006, 07:37 PM

I was just thinking... a boat bilge pump float switch upside down at my desired water level in my sump attached to a 12V pump in my top off tank...

Sk8r · 06/14/2006, 09:07 PM

Don: Too much metal...which will do for your water.

I got mine from autotopoff.com [$75] and its reservoir is an old salt bucket, its return pump a maxijet 900.

drillsar · 06/14/2006, 09:45 PM

I would go with this one:

http://absolutelyreef.com/osc/produc...products_id=69

crumbletop · 06/14/2006, 09:47 PM

I have heard nothing but good things about the Tunze Osmolator.

bertoni · 06/14/2006, 10:12 PM

The Osmolator does sound very nice. I use a 2-switch unit from ReefFanatic.com and a peristaltic pump. That combo allows me to dose limewater easily, which is handy.

crumbletop · 06/15/2006, 07:19 AM

Hey bertoni,

I'm planning on getting an osmolator within the next couple of weeks. I am also planning on building a DIY kalk reactor and putting that in line with the osmolator pump -- running the pump from a bucket with RO/DI into the kalk reactor and from the kalk reactor to the sump. This will mean saturated limewater as my sole topoff. Based on what I am adding right now (manually), I still need to dose Randy's two part alkalinity mix in order to keep my alk and pH up, so I'm thinking my plan for top off will keep my pH more stable. Without toping off with limewater my pH would run around 7.8 - 8.0ish, with limewater it runs 8.1-8.3ish (highest pH at the end of the photoperiod). Does that sound like a reasonable plan?

Jack

MCary · 06/15/2006, 09:39 AM

I have an osmolator. It works great. The initial cost is high but replacement pumps are cheap. It has a sensor for water level with a back-up float switch to prevent overfilling. An alarm that sounds if it does start to overfill and if your water reservoir runs out the pump will automatically shut off and not run dry.

Mike

goda · 06/15/2006, 10:22 AM

i have autotopoff.com hooked directly to my ro unit

if i was to use a resivor system i would definitly go tunze osmolator

bertoni · 06/15/2006, 03:19 PM

crumbletop:

That sounds reasonable to me.

Mike.B · 06/15/2006, 10:12 PM

I also have the osmolator, awesome product. I didnt know you can buy replacement pumps, how much are they and how long do they last?

crumbletop · 06/16/2006, 04:33 AM

just ordered an osmolator

Frontosas · 06/16/2006, 09:06 AM

I got one from www.autotopoff.com (if not this, something very similar). Have to admit, it's perfect!!!! I don't really use a RO/DI filter system though. Just let the water sit in the auto top-off resevoir.

MJAnderson · 06/16/2006, 09:44 AM

I having been thinking of something like this as well, but everyone seems paranoid of the system going haywire and dumping tons of water into the tank. Is this a real fear or are these fairly safe as long as you keep it clean? btw, it would hook directly into my ro/di unit.

elzool · 06/16/2006, 09:48 AM

I have a Double Switch - Sump Mount from www.autotopoff.com with their ro solenoid connected to it. I have the whole unit plugged into an appliance timer. This way, even if the unit goes haywire, I have the timer set to only come on once a day for an hour. So it can only top off for an hour. I unplug it and test it every water change and so far so good.

crumbletop · 06/16/2006, 10:01 AM

Yes, that is a real concern. Especially if you have it hooked right in to an RO/DI. With a resevoir at least you can limit the amount that could go into the sump if all the other safeguards failed. That said, many people do get along fine while hooked into an unlimited water source, but there have also been many reports from people who's tanks have crashed because their topoff kept running...

Quote:

Originally posted by MJAnderson
I having been thinking of something like this as well, but everyone seems paranoid of the system going haywire and dumping tons of water into the tank. Is this a real fear or are these fairly safe as long as you keep it clean? btw, it would hook directly into my ro/di unit.

MJAnderson · 06/16/2006, 10:11 AM

Elzool,

I like that idea. With my 75gpd Ro/Di unit the worst it would do is 3 gallons. They you just check you sump to make sure it's not at an unusually high level?

Since my tank is in the open I don't want to have a resevoir sitting out.

MCary · 06/16/2006, 10:17 AM

Osmolator replaceable pump:

http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewIt...product=TZ4115

elzool · 06/16/2006, 10:30 AM

Thanks! I just didn't want to wal onto a wet floor one night. I also didn't want my wife to walk on a wet floor even more. Just a precaution.

06/14/2006, 07:17 PM	#1
don954 Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Lake Worth, FL Posts: 258	recomended auto topoff system? I just got my RO/DI filter system (yea! no more lugging water jugs to and from my LFS!), I have been hearing about this miracle called an auto top-off system on this board. What unit would you recommend?

06/14/2006, 09:07 PM	#4
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	Don: Too much metal...which will do for your water. I got mine from autotopoff.com [$75] and its reservoir is an old salt bucket, its return pump a maxijet 900. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

06/14/2006, 09:47 PM	#6
crumbletop Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 4,718	I have heard nothing but good things about the Tunze Osmolator. __________________ "Misers get up early in the morning; and burglars, I am informed, get up the night before." - GK Chesterton Current Tank Info: 90 gallon AGA RR. 20 gal sump. 6x54W T5. AquaController Jr.

06/14/2006, 10:12 PM	#7
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	The Osmolator does sound very nice. I use a 2-switch unit from ReefFanatic.com and a peristaltic pump. That combo allows me to dose limewater easily, which is handy. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

06/15/2006, 07:19 AM	#8
crumbletop Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 4,718	Hey bertoni, I'm planning on getting an osmolator within the next couple of weeks. I am also planning on building a DIY kalk reactor and putting that in line with the osmolator pump -- running the pump from a bucket with RO/DI into the kalk reactor and from the kalk reactor to the sump. This will mean saturated limewater as my sole topoff. Based on what I am adding right now (manually), I still need to dose Randy's two part alkalinity mix in order to keep my alk and pH up, so I'm thinking my plan for top off will keep my pH more stable. Without toping off with limewater my pH would run around 7.8 - 8.0ish, with limewater it runs 8.1-8.3ish (highest pH at the end of the photoperiod). Does that sound like a reasonable plan? Jack __________________ "Misers get up early in the morning; and burglars, I am informed, get up the night before." - GK Chesterton Current Tank Info: 90 gallon AGA RR. 20 gal sump. 6x54W T5. AquaController Jr.

06/14/2006, 07:29 PM	#2
salreus Awaiting Email Confirmation Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Columbus Posts: 311	this is what I use. You can get one from marinedepot.com. http://www.jbjlighting.com/sys_ato.html a lot of people make thier own water top off system.

06/14/2006, 07:37 PM	#3
don954 Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Lake Worth, FL Posts: 258	I was just thinking... a boat bilge pump float switch upside down at my desired water level in my sump attached to a 12V pump in my top off tank...

06/14/2006, 09:45 PM	#5
drillsar Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: West Orange, NJ Posts: 2,838	I would go with this one: http://absolutelyreef.com/osc/produc...products_id=69

06/15/2006, 09:39 AM	#9
MCary Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Hardin, Montana Posts: 3,142	I have an osmolator. It works great. The initial cost is high but replacement pumps are cheap. It has a sensor for water level with a back-up float switch to prevent overfilling. An alarm that sounds if it does start to overfill and if your water reservoir runs out the pump will automatically shut off and not run dry. Mike

06/15/2006, 10:22 AM	#10
goda Moved On Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: fortlauderdale florida area Posts: 1,874	i have autotopoff.com hooked directly to my ro unit if i was to use a resivor system i would definitly go tunze osmolator

06/15/2006, 03:19 PM	#11
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	crumbletop: That sounds reasonable to me. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

06/15/2006, 10:12 PM	#12
Mike.B Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 548	I also have the osmolator, awesome product. I didnt know you can buy replacement pumps, how much are they and how long do they last?

06/16/2006, 04:33 AM	#13
crumbletop Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 4,718	just ordered an osmolator __________________ "Misers get up early in the morning; and burglars, I am informed, get up the night before." - GK Chesterton Current Tank Info: 90 gallon AGA RR. 20 gal sump. 6x54W T5. AquaController Jr.

06/16/2006, 09:06 AM	#14
Frontosas Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 78	I got one from www.autotopoff.com (if not this, something very similar). Have to admit, it's perfect!!!! I don't really use a RO/DI filter system though. Just let the water sit in the auto top-off resevoir.

06/16/2006, 09:44 AM	#15
MJAnderson Premium Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: East Bay, CA Posts: 2,633	I having been thinking of something like this as well, but everyone seems paranoid of the system going haywire and dumping tons of water into the tank. Is this a real fear or are these fairly safe as long as you keep it clean? btw, it would hook directly into my ro/di unit.

06/16/2006, 09:48 AM	#16
elzool Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Glendale, AZ. Posts: 1,005	I have a Double Switch - Sump Mount from www.autotopoff.com with their ro solenoid connected to it. I have the whole unit plugged into an appliance timer. This way, even if the unit goes haywire, I have the timer set to only come on once a day for an hour. So it can only top off for an hour. I unplug it and test it every water change and so far so good.

06/16/2006, 10:11 AM	#18
MJAnderson Premium Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: East Bay, CA Posts: 2,633	Elzool, I like that idea. With my 75gpd Ro/Di unit the worst it would do is 3 gallons. They you just check you sump to make sure it's not at an unusually high level? Since my tank is in the open I don't want to have a resevoir sitting out.

06/16/2006, 10:17 AM	#19
MCary Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Hardin, Montana Posts: 3,142	Osmolator replaceable pump: http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewIt...product=TZ4115

06/16/2006, 10:30 AM	#20
elzool Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Glendale, AZ. Posts: 1,005	Thanks! I just didn't want to wal onto a wet floor one night. I also didn't want my wife to walk on a wet floor even more. Just a precaution.