Auto top off

[Cali Kid]

Just discovered that my make-up mater proceedure is terrible. My tank is 125g with 60g sump. The system evaporates approx. 3-4 gallons per day. I have a 40g trashcan that I fill with RO/DI water. OK - here's the bad part....I just pump the make-up water into the sump. Yep, 3-4 gallons all at once. I thought....approx. 185g volume, what could 4 gallons of fresh water do to the tank water? Well, I just took an SG reading with the refractometer prior to re-filling and it read 1.027. After re-filling the reading was 1.025 that's quite a swing in a short period of time. I have got to fix this immediately.

What are you folks doing for this task?

Sean

[tdwyatt]

Cheap: Kalkwasser Nurce or similar DYI device ...approx $20 US

Not-so-cheap: Float switch, relay, RO/DI reservior with a powerhead to pump water into the sump ...approx $80 US

Moderately expensive: RO/DI reservoir, Kalk reactor (optional), used IV infusion pump set or similar adjustable slow pump to deliver your EXACT evaporation rate, float switch controller (just in case) to cut on or off supplemental water and kalkpump if needed (for high or low water alarms). Approx $175 US (prolly the best option for most folks)

Expensive: Reef filler or litermeter or Vario pump and whatever reservoir system, etc . Depending on the system and setup, as high at $400 to $600. This setup with a salinity controller and automated backups for too-high or too-low salinity and water level alarms is definitely THE system, but is prolly not worth the expense when there are cheaper, more labor-intensive alternatives for most folks.

hth

[Geoff]

if you trash can is close to the sump then, the easiest thing for you to do is add a float switch. here is an example. there are many others out there but i think this would be the easiest for you.

Premium Aquatics float kit

this will turn the pump on when the water gets to a certain point and then turn off. it will do this throughout the day. keeping your SG constant.

HTH,

G~

[digital_dragon]

I would recommend the Corallife Float switch sold at www.marinedepot.com for 59.00 and some kind or bucket or rubbermaid container that will hold 5 to 7 gallons or a garbage can for your fresh RO/DI Resevoir.

I have a 7 Gallon Rubbermaid Black Office Waste basket for my resevoir and the Coralife float switch with a MaxiJet 400 pumping the water and I love it my salinity stays rock solid at 35 PPT or 1.026 with out any fluctations. I only have to fill the resevoir back up once a week. Set it and forget it.

Earl

[sam]

which type of top off system ( float type or air senser ) would you say their is less problems with ? sorry to step in on your post but i'm looking at the same problem. thanks

[Casey]

go for a float switch

[Cali Kid]

Lots of great info here. I'm going with the float switch set-up.

Oh boy...... I get to plug in another piece of electronics. Does it never end????

pump for return
pump for skimmer
pump to feed water to the ca reactor
pump to circulate water in the reactor
pump for tank circulation
now a pump for auto top off.

future pump for uv

here a pump there a pump everywhere a pump pump.

note to self:
re-design electrical system asap