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diy top off device (1 Viewer)

bzishka

bzishka

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So i have searched alot of diy models, and I also noticed that theres a few threads already in this forum. Question is, how does a auto topoff work, is it basically a ball like the one in the back of the toilet if the ball goes down it opens the water line (or tube) until the ball floats again? do the toilet ones have a use?

thanks in advance, as usual

Brock
 
No the toilet ones have no use unless you can find 100% plastic even if you found one they are big and bulky. The cost of a saltwater compatable one is not that much so might as well just get it:

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store/float-valve-for-reverse-osmosis-systems.html

You will need to drill a 1/2" hole somewhere. The topoff container will need to be higher than your sump for gravity to take it's coarse. Just be sure the topoff container is not so large that if 100% of the water were to be added it will not overflow your sump and not cause salinity to drop too far. If you cover those two bases your good to go.

I would NOT recommend this type of topoff if you plan to add anything to your freshwater. NO supplements or kalkwasser. If your going to use for something other than just freshwater topoff it is better to use time based vs. just going by water level for redundancy reasons.
 
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I have top off systems at my store just stop down I can show you how they work.:beerchug:
 
I have a DYI top off on my tank, it's not hard at all and very cheap to do. PM me if you would like to pop over and take a look. I could show you how to do it.
 
David Grigor said:
No the toilet ones have no use unless you can find 100% plastic even if you found one they are big and bulky. The cost of a saltwater compatable one is not that much so might as well just get it:

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store/float-valve-for-reverse-osmosis-systems.html

You will need to drill a 1/2" hole somewhere. The topoff container will need to be higher than your sump for gravity to take it's coarse. Just be sure the topoff container is not so large that if 100% of the water were to be added it will not overflow your sump and not cause salinity to drop too far. If you cover those two bases your good to go.

I would NOT recommend this type of topoff if you plan to add anything to your freshwater. NO supplements or kalkwasser. If your going to use for something other than just freshwater topoff it is better to use time based vs. just going by water level for redundancy reasons.
Click to expand...
So that little float is all i need and i hook a hose with water up to it?

Fragtastic Reef said:
I have top off systems at my store just stop down I can show you how they work.:beerchug:
Click to expand...
I can never get in there I always work when your open. Thanks for the quick help figuring out that tank thing yesterday, didnt get done making the stand untill 10 last night. :greenguy:

tommylee22 said:
I have a DYI top off on my tank, it's not hard at all and very cheap to do. PM me if you would like to pop over and take a look. I could show you how to do it.
Click to expand...
thats a long drive
 
Water splashing up? the plug and wiring can be mounted away from the tank, with drip loop. just the switch needs to be in the water.
 
bzishka said:
So that little float is all i need and i hook a hose with water up to it?


I can never get in there I always work when your open. Thanks for the quick help figuring out that tank thing yesterday, didnt get done making the stand untill 10 last night. :greenguy:


thats a long drive
Click to expand...

Yes, I used one of these http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store/adjustable-float-valve-for-reverse-osmosis-systems.html, some 1/4 hard tubing, one of these http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc...word=1/4 plastic push connector&storeId=10051 one of those 2.5 gallon water jugs for the fridge,
IMG_9843.jpg


some egg-crate, zip-ties, and a small piece of plastic for the mount. All I drilled was the plastic for the float valve mount, it works great! Oh, I also made a shelf for it in my stand.

IMG_9852.jpg



Oh, and if you have a 1/8" x 27 pipe tap, you can tap the spout for that threaded elbow I listed above, no drilling needed. It was a perfect fit, and has a shut off valve already installed!

Forgot to mention, I never leave the top screwed on all the way because it keeps the water from draining properly. The whole project cost me $17.00, but I had the eggcrate, plastic, and zipties already.
 
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Bakes said:
Water splashing up? the plug and wiring can be mounted away from the tank, with drip loop. just the switch needs to be in the water.
Click to expand...


I had a float swich leak current into the tank at the float switch itself not the wires, so keeping them away or drip loop would not have helped. Not near as big of deal when working 9v or 12v relay.
 
ironman said:
Yes, I used one of these http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store/adjustable-float-valve-for-reverse-osmosis-systems.html, some 1/4 hard tubing, one of these http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc...word=1/4 plastic push connector&storeId=10051 one of those 2.5 gallon water jugs for the fridge,
IMG_9843.jpg


some egg-crate, zip-ties, and a small piece of plastic for the mount. All I drilled was the plastic for the float valve mount, it works great! Oh, I also made a shelf for it in my stand.

IMG_9852.jpg



Oh, and if you have a 1/8" x 27 pipe tap, you can tap the spout for that threaded elbow I listed above, no drilling needed. It was a perfect fit, and has a shut off valve already installed!

Forgot to mention, I never leave the top screwed on all the way because it keeps the water from draining properly. The whole project cost me $17.00, but I had the eggcrate, plastic, and zipties already.
Click to expand...


hum that seams easy enough, I will try that and see if i can get it to work, now to order the float....:beerchug:

thanks for the help
 
ironman said:
I got that jug from Walmart BTW, it's less than $3.00
Click to expand...

they dont have them at my wal-mart. They have bigger jugs, ones that dont fit.



Sooo i used to 4 inch tall 1 gallon small bucket things from work, drilled holes, connected hose.

Got the float from Fragtastic Reef, thanks Garret

Got super lucky having a sump with a pre drilled hole. (didnt even know it was covered up)

attached everything, just gravity for a pump. and it works absolutely great.

Thanks alot everybody:beerchug:
 
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