Cheap Auto Top-Off System?

WillLevantovsky · 12/27/2009, 10:47 PM

hi! i am looking for a cheap auto top off system for my 55 gallon OPEN TOP reef and i would install it on my 10 gallon sump.... I'v never installed or used one before

so i was hoping it would more or less "plug and play"

one that comes with a pump maybe? I am open to all options and recommendations! Thanks!

and if it doesn't come with a pump how would i install it?

Shock130 · 12/27/2009, 11:12 PM

autotopoff.com pretty simple, install the float onto the side of the tank, and plug a pump up to the ATO and run a tube from the pump in your ro/di reservoir into sump.

spydr · 01/01/2010, 10:54 PM

jbj top off good also a bit pricey though

sedor · 01/01/2010, 11:19 PM

They are all fairly inexpensive if you keep it simple. JBJ is around $75 and has worked like a charm for me over the years. It has a nice feature that if the float switch gets stuck it shuts itself off after a set amount of time so you don't end up dumping your whole reservoir into the sump and crashing your tank.

bglegs · 01/02/2010, 08:30 AM

I use a eshops float valve from dr foster @ smith and I gravity feed to sump...the valve is 23.00 and it straddles the sump ...very simple and cheap..

cakemanPA · 01/02/2010, 08:55 AM

I made the decision after one almost disaster with cheap ato that this was not a good place to try to save a few bucks. I ended up buying a used Tunze Osmolator for each of my tanks. Money well spent.

Jhigga15 · 05/11/2011, 05:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cakemanPA

I made the decision after one almost disaster with cheap ato that this was not a good place to try to save a few bucks. I ended up buying a used Tunze Osmolator for each of my tanks. Money well spent.

I just got the Tunze, it came with everything and was plug and play...Too easy to set up. I think it was worth spending the money once to get a good one... It was expensive...

amdninjaboy · 05/11/2011, 06:53 AM

Another vote for the Tunze.. I have had mine about a month now.. Easy to setup, works like a charm and comes with everything to get it up and running in less than 30 minutes..

Shane.

beckbrass · 05/11/2011, 09:20 AM

I use the avast one. It's great and does not use a float switch but a pressure switch so you don't need to worry about it sticking. Works great for me. And yes I would def spend a little money to get one that won't flood your house. Its worth it.

125mph · 05/11/2011, 09:35 AM

JBJ all the way. I used the tunze for a week but it was very error prone. It kept trying to flood my sump!!!. The infrared stuff was just not very accurate. It wouldn't detect my water levels at all.. it would work for 30 mins, then think there was no water and turn on the pump.

After using tunze, I would say I trust a physical floating switch more than infrared technology.

cakemanPA · 05/11/2011, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 125mph

JBJ all the way. I used the tunze for a week but it was very error prone. It kept trying to flood my sump!!!. The infrared stuff was just not very accurate. It wouldn't detect my water levels at all.. it would work for 30 mins, then think there was no water and turn on the pump.

After using tunze, I would say I trust a physical floating switch more than infrared technology.

I would say that this most likely was a set up issue. The flooding is due to having a siphon by not having the top off line installed above your reserve water level. As far as the rest of your tunze issues... The optical sensor is extremely accurate as long as it is kept clean. If there were other issues, tunze backs their products very nicely if they are brogues about issues. I had initial set up problems. But the set up is failsafe once it is set up properly. 2 tanks - 2+ years - 0 problems

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studentdriver · 05/15/2011, 12:22 AM

ATO is not where you want to go cheap. Picture a floor flood with water and crashed tank if it fails.

collie man · 05/15/2011, 08:07 AM

autotopoff.com i have had mine for years with no issues. just keep the float cleaned regularly and you'll be fine. im pretty sure most ato's are the same anyways

kellerexpress · 05/16/2011, 06:13 AM

Another vote for autotopoff.com

das75 · 05/16/2011, 07:35 AM

cheap. furnace humidifier float valve, a fitting and some tubing from HD (~$15.00) an old salt pail and gravity.

wildman926 · 05/16/2011, 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bglegs

I use a eshops float valve from dr foster @ smith and I gravity feed to sump...the valve is 23.00 and it straddles the sump ...very simple and cheap..

X2 - I use a Marineland Eclipse 6 tank only as the reservoir, cut a top for it out of acrylic, and a quick connect valve to have the flow down to a trickle in the event there is an issue, and an Eshopps float valve on the sump. Works perfect. These are pics of it when I first installed it. Excuse the light on the sump....

Jhigga15 · 05/17/2011, 04:46 AM

I was out of town for 4 days and the Tunze kept everything running well with no issues...

12/27/2009, 10:47 PM	#1
WillLevantovsky Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Posts: 67	Cheap Auto Top-Off System? hi! i am looking for a cheap auto top off system for my 55 gallon OPEN TOP reef and i would install it on my 10 gallon sump.... I'v never installed or used one before so i was hoping it would more or less "plug and play" one that comes with a pump maybe? I am open to all options and recommendations! Thanks! and if it doesn't come with a pump how would i install it? __________________ The Day That Government Accepts The Responsibility For The People; Is The Day That The People Lose Responsibility For Themselves.

12/27/2009, 11:12 PM	#2
Shock130 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: NoVA Posts: 628	autotopoff.com pretty simple, install the float onto the side of the tank, and plug a pump up to the ATO and run a tube from the pump in your ro/di reservoir into sump. __________________ Jason

01/01/2010, 11:19 PM	#4
sedor Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 4,689	They are all fairly inexpensive if you keep it simple. JBJ is around $75 and has worked like a charm for me over the years. It has a nice feature that if the float switch gets stuck it shuts itself off after a set amount of time so you don't end up dumping your whole reservoir into the sump and crashing your tank. __________________ Ryan

05/11/2011, 06:53 AM	#8
amdninjaboy Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Ont, Canada Posts: 45	Another vote for the Tunze.. I have had mine about a month now.. Easy to setup, works like a charm and comes with everything to get it up and running in less than 30 minutes.. Shane. __________________ Porkys are great, If it can fit in it's mouth, it will eat it. If it cant fit, it will constantly try to make it fit. Current Tank Info: 90 gal, FOWLR, 20 gal sump

05/11/2011, 09:35 AM	#10
125mph Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 1,405	JBJ all the way. I used the tunze for a week but it was very error prone. It kept trying to flood my sump!!!. The infrared stuff was just not very accurate. It wouldn't detect my water levels at all.. it would work for 30 mins, then think there was no water and turn on the pump. After using tunze, I would say I trust a physical floating switch more than infrared technology. __________________ 180G Rimless Starphire 72x24x24 (Miracles) 3 x Ecotech XR15w G4 Pro \| T5 x 4 \| 2 x Mp40wQD GEO 612 Cal Reactor \| Vertex Omega 150 Skimmer \| Chaeto Reactor Synergy Reef CL44 Sump \| Neptune Apex

01/01/2010, 10:54 PM	#3
spydr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Nyc Posts: 117	jbj top off good also a bit pricey though

01/02/2010, 08:30 AM	#5
bglegs Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Illinois Posts: 267	I use a eshops float valve from dr foster @ smith and I gravity feed to sump...the valve is 23.00 and it straddles the sump ...very simple and cheap..

01/02/2010, 08:55 AM	#6
cakemanPA Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Hummelstown, PA Posts: 2,353	I made the decision after one almost disaster with cheap ato that this was not a good place to try to save a few bucks. I ended up buying a used Tunze Osmolator for each of my tanks. Money well spent.

05/11/2011, 09:20 AM	#9
beckbrass Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Ma Posts: 54	I use the avast one. It's great and does not use a float switch but a pressure switch so you don't need to worry about it sticking. Works great for me. And yes I would def spend a little money to get one that won't flood your house. Its worth it.

05/15/2011, 12:22 AM	#12
studentdriver Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 328	ATO is not where you want to go cheap. Picture a floor flood with water and crashed tank if it fails.

05/15/2011, 08:07 AM	#13
collie man Stoney Reefer Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 548	autotopoff.com i have had mine for years with no issues. just keep the float cleaned regularly and you'll be fine. im pretty sure most ato's are the same anyways

05/16/2011, 06:13 AM	#14
kellerexpress Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 504	Another vote for autotopoff.com

05/16/2011, 07:35 AM	#15
das75 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Edmonton AB Posts: 2,269	cheap. furnace humidifier float valve, a fitting and some tubing from HD (~$15.00) an old salt pail and gravity. __________________ . Current Tank Info: 145g Starfire display (mixed reef) w/75g basement sump & 20g refugium, Barracuda return, Dart w/OM 4way CL, AI Hydras and Director.

05/17/2011, 04:46 AM	#17
Jhigga15 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: ft. Lauderdale Posts: 249	I was out of town for 4 days and the Tunze kept everything running well with no issues... __________________ 29G BioCube, Exotic Sun led, Tunze Osmolator, Tunze Skimmer, Intank Media Basket, VorTech MP10w, Marine Magic Triple Doser ---------------------------------------- Jamis Bikes are the BEST!!! Current Tank Info: 29G Biocube HQI with a LED. Set up for aboy 1.6 years.