Auto top off recommendations

Thought I might finally buy one of these since the bulbs I need aren't on sale. What brand is good? Seems like a lot are using JBJ's.

Im working on one my self. I picked up the JBJ i just need the pump now. I think thay all can be good just have the 3 steps to stop a flood.

That is what I have and I like it. The only thing is it shuts off after like 2 mins and dont reset itself.

Didn't Phil have a triple redunant system? I am in the process of installing a gravity bottle with an IV drip. Some hazard if my evap fluxuates. Buy a float valve on ebay for 7 bucks, a solenoid for a couple and a lift pump from a bottle in your sump.

Sure did. http://www.gapproducts.com/

$90 shipped if you want one. These are great for people that want to run the RO/DI line straight to the aquarium. You could also hook it up to a gravity feed system as well.


If this appears to be to shameless of a pitch, tell me and I'll edit.

Really Phil, gravity feed too huh? Hook ups for dosing too?

I don't know, I just pull this stuff out of my ass 3/4 of the time.

I don't see why it wouldn't. I don't know that I would dose through it. I wouldn't want that stuff messing up the solenoid or float valve.

I'm ended up keeping my old Aquapod 12 gallon and it fits under my stand so I was going to use that as top off container, I was looking at autotopoff.com which is cheaper but not sure exactly what I need. Too confusing.

Float switch, normaly closed solenoid, float switch, power supply for solenoid, tubes to connect it all together.

GoingPostal wrote:I'm ended up keeping my old Aquapod 12 gallon and it fits under my stand so I was going to use that as top off container, I was looking at autotopoff.com which is cheaper but not sure exactly what I need. Too confusing.

I use a solenoid,float switch type top off myself, But Tif I know a few people that use that same top off and say they work Awesome never had a problem with theres.

I use the kit from BulkReefSupply. Use the two float switched so you have a backup. Set a low flow pump (Aqualifter) on a timer so it turns on for 15 minutes every few hours. The timer prevents the sump fron getting totally flooded in case you have a very large top off container. This kit does require some assembly. Be sure to get the 12V relay version so you don't have 120V running through the switch for your protection...

I have never heard anything bad about the JBJ systems either so they are pretty good. More expensive than the kits though.

I honestly wouldn't recommend running the RODI directly to the sump for top off. You will see the issues with TDS creep from the RODI unit turning on and off all the time. The same thing happens when a RO storage tank is continually being filled as it is used. The TDS will slowly creep up on you. Also if the float valve ever failed on you, there's a never ending supply of water coming at your tank. It could easily flood the tank and lower the salinity enough to kill everything off...

Just my $.02 on the subject...

Wise advice CD, sounds like some experience in there too. Thank you.

Postal you have a Neptune controller, I have something neat if u do.

Preventive experience... never ran to RO to the tasnk for that reason... With enough reading on RC you can find out many different ways to do things. I think I spend a year reading before even touching the tank...

I use just a float, with an RODI gravity fed tank, it has only stuck once in 3 years since i started this tour and it was my fault for trying to use a kalk reactor in line"settling in the float". I feel that a float is sufficient enough for me but many people are different. I do have an alarm incase it gets to high but it never has happened.

RODI gravity fed tank is still a limited overflow if it happened. I have a couple friends in Fargo that do things that way and it works great for them. It is a totally different animal than a direct to RODI top-off.

The high water alarm is always a good idea because not only can it catch top-off failures but it can also trigger the alarm when your return shuts down and the sump starts filling up due to water in the piping system...

My ro unit is in the basement so I couldn't hook it up to my topoff anyways, and I'm not overly worried about an ATO sticking, my top off container only holds 12 gallons, my sump will probably hold that. Just will be nice not to add water every day anyways.

Andre you have something that goes with that controller?