Float valve

[Chip Wick]

Anyone know where to get/how to make a good float valve? I just set up a big sump/refugium and I wanted to set up some sort of semi-auto top off from a small freshwater reservoir. Either a gravity fed or pump switch one would work, though a pump switched one would probably be more flexible. As for DIY, I'd be willing to try something simple, but wouldn't feel too comfortable with a real complex, Rube Goldbergian setup. Would just an all plastic toilet float one work? Thanks for any input.

[gumhead]

I would get a Kent float valve for a gravity feed. I have a 20 gallon bucket for top off that goes into a Kent float valve in my sump works awesome!

[gumhead]

Here is my sump with the float valve...

[gumhead]

heres the set up in the equipment room. You can see the fresh water reservoir (brown trash can) to the left, the sump is against the wall to the right..

[Chip Wick]

Is that the one that's available from Drs. Foster and Smith? I wasn't sure if that was only the one that they use for the RO/DI unit.

[gumhead]

yes this one ---> Float valve

I picked my up locally tho

[funstarfish]

what sort of mechanism is needed for the outlet of the reservoir? or to put it another way, what exactly on the water reservoir does the float valve trigger allowing water to escape?

thanks

matt

[Chip Wick]

I think it just opens the tube draining the reservoir, until the water level rises, pushing the float up and shutting off the flow.

[gumhead]

There is a valve on the float. The water goes down the valve opens...

[funstarfish]

well that makes too much sense. that is just too simple. i guess i should have studied plumbing a bit more.

[snazlord]

it's cheaper here