Auto Top-off Help

[trodder]

Does anyone have any good ideas for a top-off system?? I intend as of right now to purchase on of these Dual Float Switch unless someone has any reason why not, or has a better solution. I kind of like the idea that Stan (Energy) has were there are two barrels (one with kalk / one with just fresh RODI.) although I am not sure how to set it up that way as a fail safe in the event that the line gets clogged with kalk or whatever, that it will then just kick out regular RODI. It does not have to be anything complicated to start off with... I just need to have something setup before March so that my wife does not have to intervene much while I am in Texas for 2 weeks. For now I have a clear rubbermaid type wrapping paper container that has a float valve on it, that fills up directly from the RODI unit. I then manually dump that into a IO salt bucket and mix up some kalk. I then scoop that water out and fill an IV bag 4 to 5 times a day... what a drag!! Anyway, that works when I am home... to get my wife to do it is like pulling teeth... I can obtain another holding container and have a few spare pumps laying around (mag2, mag 5, & a couple PHs.) The only catch to keep in mind is I have a glass sump that cannot be drilled without a massive down time on filtration and emptying my refuge... so I have to have something that I can attatch to one of my baffles (I can drill one if need be to mount something.) I can take pics of my setup for you all to see, if you think that will help in determining my best solution.

[TBRUZZ]

trodder interested in selling the mag 5?

Also if you want you to borrow my 3 gal. kent marine dripper u can.

Also it would not be that hard to make one like stan, I think stan has it set up that the ro water drips into the kalk container and it drips into the sump. He has a pump in the kalk container that is on a timer to mix everything up.

[trodder]

That is pretty much what I would like to do 9same as stan.) Anyone know know where to get a T to split the line from the RODI?? Is there a place local... also with that can I just use the other float switch to trigger a pump to start filling the fresh RODI?? Or does it need to have a completely seperate float switch or float valve in that case? I might be interested in selling the mag5 although it depends if I need it or not to get my auto top-off set up. I also have a mag7 that I would surley sell if I can get my hands on a mag9.5 or a mag12 for a good price...if I get one of those, I would be happy to sell you either the mag5 or mag7...so if anyone has what I need please feel free to speak up... Thanks

[TBRUZZ]

trodder, i would be interested in either 7 or the 5 when you are ready to sell, also would throw some frags in as well as another mag 2 if interested..

[Energy]

You are welcome to come over and check out my set-up for ideas. I got my tee from Tex (Greg Shields). My set-up is simple and has a back up in case of clogs. It's easier to look at than describe so if you are interested just pm me and I will give you directions and set-up a time.

[David Grigor]

That float switch would work. Although I don't like moving parts. Those things when they blow they usually blow on the on postion. So for sure get the dual. The one in the pic, looks to only hold up to 30w. Anything more will blow the switch ( in the on position ). I used something simliar for over a year on a small tank without incident but there are at least 2 people in the club that had fatal incident using them.

Gravity feed with a limited amount of water IMO: is the simpliest and easiest. The nurce style has no moving parts which is good. Gravity fed with float valves work good but not real good if Kalk is involved.

If you did go gravity fed with float valve. I would use 2 one float valve with Kalk adjusted slightly higher than the other float vavle with just ro water. That way if Kalk sticks the Ro will take over. Float valves are about $16 each. The rest of the parts probably have sitting around the house.

[WildPraire]

We just hooked up our auto top off to the RO/DI last weekend. What a big difference in hauling water already. I still have to figure out how I'm going to dose Kalk, for now I'm using an IV bag at night, but I don't do it every night.

It was interesting to note how much more efficient the Klaes skimmer is with the water at a constant level in the sump. I realize now that this was one of my main problems in getting consistent skimming performance. Now I feel very confident of the skimmer since I've seen what it's pulling out with the auto top off hooked up.

What type of float device is doomed to stick on? Now I'm concerned about that risk of course.

Sue

[otolith]

trodder, I'd get a float switch and top off your water that way (gravity feed from a storage bin). I have some eggcrate [can't think of the **** word right now--EDIT-word added] that we can fashion together as a brackett to hold the float valve. All it would need is a piece of LR on it to hold it in place so the float valve will work. If you top off kalk, you do have to take float valves apart every now and again to clean them up, but it's not that big of a deal...

So you're going to Texas and leaving the wife behind?!?

[trodder]

Derek... PM me when you think of what it is you are thinking of and we can talk... I am going to Texas on business rather than pleasure, unfortunately Although sometime this up coming fall or late summer we may be driving out to California & or Oregon... again... to see some of the in-laws. That is actually good news though...believe it or not. They are all pretty cool peeps.

[jg24]

Home Depot carries those tees for RO line. I just made a flush kit for the RO a couple weeks ago. Using one of those tees.

[trodder]

p.s. does anyone know where to get a float valve locally (cheap) so I can try Dereks method??

[jg24]

Prolly Dirk. SF might not be a bad spot. They run like $15 or so?

[otolith]

Dirk is prolly best bet. If you head down there, I need some RO filters. haha

You need to use eggcrate to make a brackett! Stupid brain. My mind is elsewhere, however.

[David Grigor]

Premium Aqautics orders usually get here 2cd day........Being Wednesday though it wouldn't arrive until Monday now....

[mnreefgeek]

If I remember correctly, the Kent floats at SF run around 20ish.