topoff DIY kits

[stoneroller]

Anyone use one of these topoff kits (Top-it-Off Kit Basic - DIY Kit )?

http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=AH-BASIC-ATO&Category_Code=Dosers


or one of these?

http://www.customaquatic.com/customaquatic/itemdetail.asp?itemid=EL-CAEFSV

If so, preferences, issues, tips, tricks? Thanks.

[watson0720]

build your own with a float switch, an extension cord, and a dosing pump, i did mine for about 25 bucks

[apedroza]

Me too the float switches are really inexpensive (~6.00) an the aqualifter pump is about$12.00. When you come over I'll show you my set up really easy to do.

[caferacermike]

Check these guys out. http://www.top-off.com/ I was told they are out of Houston but you can't hold me to it. They sponsor another local forum and I'd like to see them sponsor us as well.

[ou812pezz]

I agree with the above advice.Harbor freight and tools sells a 5.00 small utility pump(fountain pump) or use a power head. Put the switch in an area free of debris and critters. Other wise you will have to incase it in some thing to protect it from getting stuck. ie. pill bottle with holes drilled in it. The mount can be made from a couple pieces of acrylic cut drilled and glued in a way it slides on the edge of a sump and hangs at the level you want the water to fill to. I made one a year ago and it has perform with out flaw.

[BIGBIRD123]

I agree with Mike (Man that's twice in one week!). http://www.top-off.com/ is located in Baytown/Houston. I am working on him as a sponsor. I have two of his devices and am TOTALLY satisfied with the product. At least check him out.

Steve

[stoneroller]

thanks all. Seems there is some value in having the backup sensor (in case of primary sensor failure) and the relays to prevent voltage spikes. ??? Had any failures with your DIY topoff?

I checked top-off.com, it's a little more expensive than the others and sounds like I can go even cheaper (is this a case of you get what you pay for?).

Anthony, I was recalling your setup and that got me searching. I have a plethora of extension cords I could use. Is this similar to the sensor ya'll are using?
http://www.aquahub.com/store/ifloatfloatswitch.html

[apedroza]

Thats exactly like the one I'm using. There is a way to use 2, one for backup, but I haven't set one up yet. The auto top off one is nice I just didn't have the money or the time to get one, but I may in the future. I haven't had any problems with mine though.

[jroescher]

I use this one www.autotopoff.com (http://autotopoff.com/products/DS1/index.htm) and the RO/DI solenoid valve (http://autotopoff.com/products/S/index.htm).

I have my RO/DI unit plumbed through the solenoid into my sump and so far it's worked flawlessly for over a year now.

[brewercm]

This is another alternative that I had used for about two years without a problem. This one works off of your RO unit and doesn't have any electrical parts (which I liked since I had a flood from an electrical style going bad on me). You just drill a hole in your sump at the level you want your water and place this in there. The hole will be above the water level so salt will not plug up the hole at any time. Basically that same way your toilet fill line works, and how many times has that gone out on you?

This all depends on if you can reach your sump from your RO unit though so it may be feasible and may not.

http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=KENT-AUTO&Category_Code=

[Bill S]

I have a similar one in my top off water tank. It's from coralife? I just don't really trust them. I turn off my RO unless the volume is low. I use a Tunze controller to go from my top off container to the sump. Just feel safer that way.

[kkutac001]

Cliff (brewercm), since you were running RO water directly into your tank with no buffer added to the water, how often and how much buffer did you need to add to your tank every week? Or was it bi-weekly? Did you have any trouble, in other words, maintaining your alkalinity? Just curious... ..Karl

[brewercm]

I don't do chemicals (ie. buffer, calcium etc.), just water changes. I do have a refillable DI unit attached in the garage between the outlet to the RO unit and before the sump. PH, alkalinity etc. have always been fine.

[Bill S]

I've seen discussions before about buffers & RO. RO/DI water is replacing evaporated - distilled - water. Why would one have to buffer it? Yes, it has a low(er) pH, but the evaporated water has the same 7.0 pH.

[caferacermike]

I agree with Bill. Only water evaporates. Unless you go years between water changes or have a peculiar system. I've never added anything to my RO/DI water I add to my tank. About 10g a week poured straight from the jug into the sump. Alk, 9-10 constant. PH 8.1 in the morning, 8.3 in the evenings for 2 years. I drip Kalk when I remember, about 2 teaspoons a month total. I do admit that I add B Ionic to watch my SPS grow so that might be helping.

[matt]

I would not trust any single float switch that I've seen to control an auto top-off, although there are some excellent float switches around these days that I haven't seen. You can use a pair of float switches, one out of the water, so that you have a "fail-safe" when, err, I mean if, the primary float switch sticks. The ones from the guy in Houston look like they're good.

I have an auto top off kit that uses three stainless steel conductors to sense conductivity that I would guess is very reliable. You have to drill three small holes in your sump to install it. The conductivity sensors trigger a solenoid, which turns your R.O. filter on and off. I never ended up using it because I bought the dosing pump for KW, so I'd be happy to sell it for $25.

[stoneroller]

Thanks for all the input.

I've been using airline tubing to siphon from a pitcher of RO. Mike, your method sounds a lot easier, just dump it in! I can appreciate that cause I get tired of setting up a siphon every day for topoff. That's why I'd like a auto topoff of some kind.

I don't have convenient access to the RO output line without punching holes in sheetrock, running line, etc. I guess it's possible but isn't the downside that if you have a stuck solenoid (and no backup plan) then the RO is just going to keep filling your sump ==> wet floor.

[caferacermike]

And I've read about that thousands of times. Not only that but I fear leaving mine hooked up as I've heard of the fittings failing to many times. Then you'll hear about one guy and his system has been running for 4 years flawlessly.

[brewercm]

That's actually how mine worked out good. I punched a hole in the back of my kitchen cabinets which led straight out to the garage and all I had to do was run the water line about eight feet.
Like I said, I just don't trust the electronic topoff units for some reason, maybe just bad experience with one gave me a bad taste in my mouth for them.