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top off system

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120 120 gallon auto top off buy calcium gallon job par problem pump questions refugium snails sump tank top tunze
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#3 ·
Just buy a float valve and drill the ref. Thats what I have.. Dont\'t have to rely on electricity or electric error. Just need the float valve ($5), a air line hose and five gallon bucket. PM with any questions
 
#5 ·
the system that pacej is refering to uses a simple gravity feed drill a hole in the bottom of a bucket or storage container mount it higher then the sump then use a tight fitting hose in the hole in your bucket to the sump with a simple float valve even a toilet repair kit float valve will work for this if you cant find another kind
 
#6 ·
I have a float valve in my sump as well. It's a Kent valve. and I have my ro/di line running right to it(used in conjunction with a 4 gal. pressure tank).... on demand ro/di.... I have not had a single problem running this way in almost two years.... be warned that the slightest amount of "extra" weight(i.e. snails)can set this thing off and start a flood and possibly wipe your whole system out.... snail proof & just check the gasket for wear once and a while for wear and you should be fine...I don't even worry about this anymore...no big snails will ever make it to the valve.

They sell a simple auto top off at several online vendors, and locally as well. Tsunami ATO.... it's a nice unit and usually goes for $60... just mount the sensor in the sump, and use a container and pump of your choice... easy...but, suction cups do let go for unexplained reasons....so check it once and a while or you'll be in the same delima as mentioned earlier.

I see these types of top off's most of the time. or a tunze osmolator....which was out of my price range, so I have no insight on that one...

I believe any of them can fail, it's your responsibility to check them, but so far, my simple little set up is working fine...

good luck.
 
#7 ·
Ato

This is going to be one of the best purchases you will make in this hobby. These things provide more convenience and piece of mind than almost anything else for the money. Get a good one. I have built the ones from auto top off .com and they worked great. And my tunze osmolator has been bullet proof . I would contact our favorite sponsor. DIY, she will set you up with a great unit at a great price .
 
#8 ·
Automatic Top Off

I agree with daddybiggs. This is one of the best purchases you will make. I built my own for less than $50. I picked up some parts at RS Electronics in Livonia. Check out some DIY plans at melevsreef.com. Good Luck!
 
#9 ·
We use the Tunze osmolator and like it. You need to let the sensor soak for a bit before it's reliable - but after that, it's good to go. Ours is attached to our sump with screw on brackets - so no suction cups. We also use the Tunze kalk dispensor with it - which has done a good job keeping the calcium levels where we need them. We are running a 120 gallon display.

This was the first "add-on" item to our set up. As with constant water levels, other equipment performance, like a simmer, is also more consistent.
 
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