AT1 Top Off System #308

[georgeortiz]

Does anyone know about these auto cutoff systems:
http://www.aquadirect.com/store/customer/product.php?productid=308&cat=14

I am still shopping for an auto top off solution.

[pickle311]

looks like that is designed to shut off your return pump if the level gets too low. It will do nothing for topping off your water. Maybe I'm wrong, but scroll down tot he bottom of that page and look at the schematic they have.

[alexwolf]

go with the Tunze Osmolator. Its awesome. And easy.

[MikeyBoy]

Spend the extra money and get the Tunze, IMO.

[Tim Marvin]

looks like two different units on the page. The top one looks like it would work fine, but the tunze is far superior.

[georgeortiz]

Yeah,
The Tunze is wear I will be leaning towards. It seems like the better unit for the long haul. I guess I will have to start a osmolator fund. Who has the best price?

[alexwolf]

Tunze has a price lock. Everyone charges the same.

[NaCl_H2O]

I have This One (http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=RF-RFLC&Category_Code=Dosers)and it works fine!

[bozack]

I would have to say the AT is not on par with the Tunze but am curious of how the reef fanatic compares to the Tunze since it is much cheaper...

[captexas]

Yeah, I wouldn't bother with the AT unit, I wouldn't trust it with preventing a flood in my house. I also have the Reef Fanatic unit and have not had any problems with it.

[Richard]

I use the spectrapure one. It works great if you want hook directly up to your ro/di.

http://www.spectrapure.com/St_alc_p1.htm

[georgeortiz]

Guys,
How long have you been using your reef fantic models? What type of sensors do they use. Is it the same type you can buy at floatswitch.com or whatever that link is?

Is there a possibility they can become stuck because of salt encrusting the sensor?

[captexas]

George - the Reef Fanatic level controller comes with 2 sensors (more of a float switch than an electronic sensor). If I remember correctly, they also sell replacement sensors if needed. The sensors are normally below water so salt doesn't encrust on them. As with any sensor/measuring equipment, it's good to clean them from time to time (although I haven't done anything to mine). I couldn't find my receipt to see when I purchased it, but I've had it for about a year I would say. I do know from talking to one of their reps that if an electronic light ballast is too close or emits a lot of electrical noise it can affect the controller. I have a 96watt electronic PC ballast near mine and haven't had any problems though.

[georgeortiz]

CapTexas,
Sounds good man! I will have to add one to my setup. Thanks again guys! :D

[NaCl_H2O]

Mine has been installed an running about 4-5 months - no problems yet?

[AlexKilpatrick]

I will chime in here. I have actually built several cheap auto-top offs that cost less that $15. All you need is a float switch and an extension cord. Use a float switch like this: http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/productdetail.jsp?xi=xi&ItemId=1611760105 And wire it in with an extension cord and plug your pump into that. You simply cut one of the wires and connect each end to the wires on the float switch. These switches can trigger low or high, depending upon which way you mount the cylinder (it flips over if you need). You can double your reliability by using two. I never had a single problem with mine. If anyone wants to build one, feel free to consult me for free advice.

However..... I will say that this time around I bought an osmolater. For something like top-off, I wanted to get the maximum reliability. The osmolater has two nice features: it has an IR sensor completely out of the water that backs up the float switch, *and* it has a time limiter that keeps it running for too long at once.

[AlexKilpatrick]

One other thing. Here is a good, recommended use for a float switch like this. You can use it to monitor the level of your top-off water. All you need is an LED flasher (get one with a built-in current-limiting resistor) and a battery. Wire the switch into that, and put the switch at about the 1/4 level in your top-off container. When it gets that low, the flasher will light and let you know you need to replenish your top-off water container. (personally, I would never plumb my RO unit into anything)

Again, if anyone wants to do this kind of thing, I would be glad to offer technical advice for wiring. It is pretty simple.

[bozack]

hmmmm, Tunze or Reef Fanatic????????


decisions....

[brianK]

I've been using the ReefFanatic model (with 2 float sensors) for about 6 months now and its been running along fairly well. I did the one setup with one sensor in in my sump (sensor face up) so the controller knows when to add water, and one with the sensor face down in the refill tank to know if the water level is too low to pump any more. The setup has worked pretty good so far. If I remember correctly I think I payed around $85 for it.

Brian