Automatic top off?

Last post 06-12-2008 6:19 AM by Kenc. 4 replies.

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03-27-2008 5:06 PM

Kenc
Joined on 02-24-2008
Posts 21

Automatic top off?

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Need a simple method to auto top off my tank with RO water. The tank is fine for about two days before the sump runs dry even when I fill it up to the top of the sump (risking flood if I lose power).

Anyway to exceed this timeframe before my sump goes dry? Going out of town for a few days and I could get a friend to come over to fill up but if I have another solution it would be better.

03-27-2008 5:11 PM In reply to

Castro
Joined on 03-06-2008
Vermont
Posts 262

Re: Automatic top off?

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You could get water pump (tom aquatic vaccuum pump is about 12 bucks on ebay) and a adjustable valve (or tie knots in tubbing) and run from you RO water tank to your main tank. Just have to make sure the drip rate is compairable to that of your evaporation. I would find out how much is evap every day and then set the drip rate so that it replaces that over one day. Should be pretty easy and I would suggest the adjustable valve instead of knots. I have a drip acclimation system that is very similar that would work very well for you. I will be selling some on e-bay over the next few weeks if you are unable to locate the required parts. But you could build one for under 30 bucks. I will show pictures tomarrow if you would like.

120 gal Reef tank
35 gal custom multi chamber L sump w/ refrig

Water from pure vermont mountan spring with no special added filtration

The Green Mountain State

03-27-2008 6:51 PM In reply to

ragvette
Joined on 11-25-2007
Lake Villa, IL
Posts 2,257

Re: Automatic top off?

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It sounds like you need a temporary top-off for a week. You have a few choices:

1.) Get someone to come over and fill the tank, they can also make certain everything is doing fine.2.) Fill a 5g bucket of RO water above the tank and drip the water into the tank (using airline tubing/valve). Give it a week while you’re around to adjust the drip rate. 3.) Place a large container in front of the tank (new sump) and place all your equipment in the new sump. If your current sump is 20g you could get a cheap 55g container and fill this up for your sump. It will now last longer before you need to refill. You need to lower your current SG since 20g less in your tank will increase the SG with the new sump. One negative is you need to mix new water to fill the sump.

My pick is #1. Yes

135g Main Tank/ 125g Frag tank with 55g sump.

03-28-2008 7:09 AM In reply to

MrMax
Joined on 01-08-2008
Posts 501

Re: Automatic top off?

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When I go away for a week or so I normally get someone to come over and help out. If that is not available then get yourself a 5gal bucket and use the drip method mention above. If a single 5gal bucket won't work then you may need to run two at a time. I would try it over the week when your home so you can keep an eye on things before doing the real thing.

06-12-2008 6:19 AM In reply to

Kenc
Joined on 02-24-2008
Posts 21

Re: Automatic top off?

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thanks everyone for the feedback

Filed under: Automatic top-off

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