Auto Water Top Off System

[segen77]

With the holidays approaching, I realized that I am going to need something to keep my sump full. I found this and I was wondering if anyone knows if it works well. It seems to be simple enough, but I was jsut looking for opinions.

http://shop.acicorp.us/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=ATO

Thanks

[segen77]

SOrry to double post, but I'm also looking for an auto feeder if you have any suggestions. I would prefer one that i can plug in and don't have to rely on batteries.

Thanks again

[gman0526]

I haven't hopefully someone has. :D

[Telco Guy]

I built my own. And it doesn't require any power at all. It's a gravity fed system, so it requires a shelf above the tank. I used a 3 gallon water bottle and some tubing. It's a bit tricky to set up, but once it is set it works like a charm. I just have to refill the bottle every week or two depending on the weather.

[marshalrckman]

From what iread on it,it works excellent,especially if you have an RO system plumbed in with it.

[KDFrosty]

Yup, I use the JBJ ATO system. I am soooo glad that I have it, especially in the the summer months. I use an 18g reservoir to hold my RO water, and a MagDrive 2 to pump that RO water to my display tank.
Using the sensors I have never had the reservoir run dry, so it protects my pump. I have, however, had problems with snails climbing on the sensor in my display tank. They climb on the sensor, and cause RO water to be pumped to the main tank, causing overflow. That's only happened once and I learned from my mistake, building a cage from eggcrate to protect the sensor from snails..
Great product.
HTH

[jman785]

I'm with Nick on the gravity fed system, its simple and easy to do...although its tricky like he said in getting it setup...Nick I think you should write an article on it heh

[newtofish]

I have heard a lot of good things about those.
I followed Marc's idea and built one of these.
Auto Top Off (http://www.melevsreef.com/plumbing/auto_topoff.html)
It works great and I spent about $25.00. I saw a post by Marc where he linked two of the containers together for twice the capacity.
Mine has worked great for about eight months now.

[jman785]

I have heard a lot of good things about those.
I followed Marc's idea and built one of these.
Auto Top Off (http://www.melevsreef.com/plumbing/auto_topoff.html)
It works great and I spent about $25.00. I saw a post by Marc where he linked two of the containers together for twice the capacity.
Mine has worked great for about eight months now.

I haven't seen that top off idea from Marc, that's awesome....anyway...I'm not sure I understand this I discovered that the water in your top off container should not be taller than your sump. If it is, once the pump turns off, gravity will continue to drain water until the water in the container and the water in the sump match.

Because if your input into the sump isn't submerged then it can't keep a syphon correct..or am I seeing this wrong...?

[newtofish]

You are not missing anything. If the input hose to your sump in below waterlevel it will try to equalize. Mine is about 6 inches above max fill and I have not had any problem.

[segen77]

I agree, jsut keep the hose out of the water, and you shouldn't have an issue. Physics 101 ;)

[jman785]

So your RO water can fill the whole container up, just don't leave the input in the sump submerged?

Also what type of powerhead are you using newtofish?

[newtofish]

I am using a little MJ600. I had it laying around. Anyhting would work I just went small. I really like the set up because I have a 60 cube and it sits in a corner and the container fits behind the tank and it is out of the way.

[jman785]

How did you plumb it up..that's where I'm trying to figure out...is it a powerhead or a pump...

[jman785]

You can't plumb a powerhead can you? Are you talking about a Maxi-Jet by the way?

[icereefer]

I'm going to use this as a top off, I just need like nicks ,to have my topoff tank above my tank ,because I can use this unit fed from gravity the float drops and it opens the Solenoid and my topoff water will drip till my float goes back up.
I just need to build a acrylic box around my elect parts so if my power goes out it will not flood my Solenoid.when my sump fills to 2/3 full.
I figured this unit is small compact don't need a pump or powerhead and is nice for smaller areas for smaller sumps.
I will keep you posted on how it works out.
Jim
http://cgi.ebay.com/FISH-TANK-WATER-TOP-OF...1QQcmdZViewItem (http://cgi.ebay.com/FISH-TANK-WATER-TOP-OFF-SYSTEM-filter-filtration-ro_W0QQitemZ7730305021QQcategoryZ46310QQssPageName ZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem)

[segen77]

icereefer

that float switch is similar to what the ATO unit uses anyway, so I'm sure that it would work fine for you.

Knowing how it works now, I can see how easy it would be to DIY. Let us know how it turns out.

[newtofish]

I just attached rubber hose to the powerhead. No "Plumbing" involved.