Topping it off

Gary D · 01-15-2002, 08:32 AM

Morning reefers, I've got a question. I want to install some sort of top off system in my tank. What is everybody using (if you are)? I've seen that Nurce advertised and it looks like it works off air pressure maybe. How does a float switch work? Is it connected to a powerhead in a 5 gal bucket that pumps water into the sump? After a couple years I'm getting tired of pouring it in myself. Plus it would help if I go out of town for a couple days. Thanks!

Minnreefer · 01-15-2002, 10:28 AM

Getting a good top off system is not always easy. A nurce is supposed to be very reliable and easy to use but they are not cheap and they have to be next to the tank at a certain level. A float will stop water coming in from a hose but if they don't get cleaned on a regular basis they can stick which can result in you tank becoming a fresh water

You can buy a selenoid for the float which helps in higher pressure systems. With a float you need way for the water to get into the tank, either gravity or off the RO unit. Another option is a float switch which when the float drops it will turn on a power head which will pump water into the tank. A final option is a kalk reactor, but I don't know much info on those.

These are just basic descriptions and I am sure that others will offer their insight.

We have a timer whch turns the water on and off and that is conected to a float valve.

Jon

Wrasse Man · 01-15-2002, 10:29 AM

Hi Gary!
I use the float valve and 5 gal bucket method. As the water level drops, the foam on the end of the float switch drops. When it gets to a certain point, it turns on the powerhead that has a length of flex tubing that runs to the sump. Only turns on for about a second or two at a time every 15 minutes or so.

asmith · 01-15-2002, 11:35 AM

I use a float valve attached to a small peristaltic pump. It slowly pumps fresh water or kalk into the tank when it get low. I like this method because it is not turning on and then kicking off after just a few seconds. That can be hard on a powerhead.

Andrew

Gary D · 01-15-2002, 02:00 PM

Andrew, excuse my ignorance, but what exactly is a peristaltic pump. I've never heard of that before. Thanks for all the tips folks!

Doug1 · 01-16-2002, 01:49 AM

Gary, A peristaltic pump operates by an eccentric cam rotating inside a chamber that has a rubber tube runnung thru it. As the cam slowly turns it squeezes the tube pushing liquid ahead, creating a vacuum behind it, drawing in more liquid from a remote reservoir. Since they run at fairly low RPM they dont have the problems associated with cycling power heads. They can be operated by a float switch that senses water level changes.
A float switch is whats needed to operate a power head in a remote reservoir. When the level drops it activates the switch which in turn powers up the powerhead filling the sump till it shuts off at a predetermined level. The advantage is that you can hide the reservoir to an extent.
The other advantage to a peristaltic pump is they generally deal in much smaller volumes of water (over longer distances) than a power head, so if one knows the output in a specific time frame you can use a programable electronic timer and match evaporation rate. I believe Bill E uses a similar setup to feed his Nilsen style Kalk reactor.
The down side is that the are generally expensive, tho there are pumps available on ebay or thru some equipment suppliers. Hobby oriented pumps like Reef filler run $2-300. The float switch and powerhead can be done for around $100
I have a float valve, similar to a swamp cooler float valve(Kent sells one for about $20) that is mounted in the return side of the sump. Its fed by a fitting epoxied and siliconed into the lower part of a 32 gal trash can and connected by airline tubing. Its gravity fed and my wife hates the trash can in the living room so I will move it outside and go through the wall. The upside is that its cheap, works well(dont run kalk thu it) and it holds enuff water to last 10 days even in the heat of summer

This way the neighbor kid comes over and feeds once a day while I am gone

snazlord · 10-20-2003, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Doug1
I have a float valve, similar to a swamp cooler float valve(Kent sells one for about $20) that is mounted in the return side of the sump. Its fed by a fitting epoxied and siliconed into the lower part of a 32 gal trash can and connected by airline tubing. Its gravity fed and my wife hates the trash can in the living room so I will move it outside and go through the wall. The upside is that its cheap, works well(dont run kalk thu it) and it holds enuff water to last 10 days even in the heat of summer This way the neighbor kid comes over and feeds once a day while I am gone

Why "don't run kalk thru it?" You mean just not thru airline tubing because it's too small and will get plugged by lime deposits? Or because it's dangerous if the float valve gets stuck open?