need help---Which auto top off system works best

[sarmo]

i have been using an ultra life float switch for the past 2-3 years and it has worked well, until this weekend when it didn't switch the power off to the top off pump in the RO tank even after the normal water level had been reached. this resulted in about 100 gallons of RO getting dumped into my sump. everything got a fresh water dip.

so my question is what are you using for an auto top off controller??? and how long have you had it? if you had it to do again what would you buy?

 

[CarlaW]

Try this guy:

http://www.reefwerks.com/

No experience with auto top off, but I think Don does!!!!

 

[trido]

I have one of these and like it. http://www.autotopoff.com/products.html
I have heard alot of locals say good things about reefwerks ATO systems. No matter what you buy, make sure it is a double float switch. The second one, if working properly, helps prevent FW dips for the reef. Mine has saved me twice in the last year or so.

 

[sarmo]

thanks tirdo,
you say yours "has saved you twice this year", what do you mean? also when i do a water change or when i have a power outage, my sump gets filled to the brim. that would mean that both switches would be under water. is that okay for them or would it kill them?

 

[Jan]

I'm using JBJ and I like it a lot. It's a 1000% improvement over the last one I had.

 

[sarmo]

is that the JBJ ATO? if so, i've seen those at MD but couldn't tell how they were used. does one switch act as a back up like on the one mentioned above?
thanks for the info

 

[Jan]

One switch is the "not lower than" measure and the other is the "not higher than measure" you can make those really close to eachother and it keeps the water level level. I love hearing the sound of the ATO turning on and then right back off again. (I had the same problem with my previous ATO emptying a whole bucket of RO/DI into my sump. )

 

[drummereef]

My top two choices are...

1. Tunze Osmolator
2. www.autotopoff.com double float switch

 

[trido]

thanks tirdo,
you say yours "has saved you twice this year", what do you mean? also when i do a water change or when i have a power outage, my sump gets filled to the brim. that would mean that both switches would be under water. is that okay for them or would it kill them?

My double float switch saved me from three things at once. A flood, a PH spike(my kalk reactor is tied to the system), and a salinity drop. I had a carbon spill (leaked from a filter sock) and occasionally for the next few months a chunk would get lodged into the float switch causing it to stick on. The second float switch shuts off the ATO pump when the water level gets to it saving my tank (and me) from undue stress.
The floats can be submerged during power outages and WCs. Just dont get the relay switch box wet.

 

[DonW]

i have been using an ultra life float switch for the past 2-3 years and it has worked well, until this weekend when it didn't switch the power off to the top off pump in the RO tank even after the normal water level had been reached. this resulted in about 100 gallons of RO getting dumped into my sump. everything got a fresh water dip.

so my question is what are you using for an auto top off controller??? and how long have you had it? if you had it to do again what would you buy?

You just need to decide what features you want. As you found out the hard way that a single float isnt a good option. The ultralife is a good unit but it should only be used as a pump saver not an ato unit.
A pump and bucket ato should have two floats one that controls the water level and a second that backs up the first mounted very close to the same level height.
There are many different brands available. One that uses universal block relays would be low on my list as far as reliability. There are also different quality float switches. NONE are rated for being submersible so you hve a 50/50 chance of getting a leaker unless the vender is pretesting them manualy.
The more expensive alternitive to floats is the optical sensors. Tunze has been using these for years. Ive never heard or seen a optical sensor failure. In fact opticals are so durable I have one in my nasty skimmer cup.
All depends on how basic or high tech you want to get.

Don

 

[auqua man]

I got one of these and I love it. but I will never ship from the us again. www.oceanussystems.com/

 

[Scooterman]

I have a modified Oceanus system but plan on building another unit that Will incorporate optical sensors & more redundancy, now that I have a chiller running on the thing so when flow through the sump stops so will the power to the chiller. Parts are the things that slowing me down because of cost LOL but it will be well worth it in the long run.

 

[burning2nd]

double switch from ATO is what i have.

works good i guess... have had it for a year or so..

 

[auqua man]

I have a modified Oceanus system but plan on building another unit that Will incorporate optical sensors & more redundancy, now that I have a chiller running on the thing so when flow through the sump stops so will the power to the chiller. Parts are the things that slowing me down because of cost LOL but it will be well worth it in the long run.

I would love to see what you finaly come up with. sounds very creative.

 

[trido]

There are many different brands available. One that uses universal block relays would be low on my list as far as reliability. There are also different quality float switches. NONE are rated for being submersible so you hve a 50/50 chance of getting a leaker unless the vender is pretesting them manualy.
The more expensive alternitive to floats is the optical sensors. Tunze has been using these for years. Ive never heard or seen a optical sensor failure. In fact opticals are so durable I have one in my nasty skimmer cup.
All depends on how basic or high tech you want to get.

Don

Thanks for the lesson DonW. It is interesting to hear that NONE are designed to be submersible. My guess after reading this is that after a power failure or any type of submerging I may then have a faulty float switch. Actually, after typing this, Darned you for making me see the reality of the whole scheme of my ATO system.

 

[DonW]

Thanks for the lesson DonW. It is interesting to hear that NONE are designed to be submersible. My guess after reading this is that after a power failure or any type of submerging I may then have a faulty float switch. Actually, after typing this, Darned you for making me see the reality of the whole scheme of my ATO system.

The chance of a float leaking is 50/50. You can increase your chances for success just by mounting it it a piece of pvc pipe with a end cap. Take a look at the oceanus or even the ultralife

Don

 

[trido]

Thanks for the heads up.

 

[theJ]

In fact opticals are so durable I have one in my nasty skimmer cup.
All depends on how basic or high tech you want to get.

Don

Don, where did you get your optical switch from? Had another freshwater dip occur last night

 

[burning2nd]

just a quick question about your guys ATo's

what is your setup like? and how long has it be between Fresh water dips....

 

[DonW]

just a quick question about your guys ATo's

what is your setup like? and how long has it be between Fresh water dips....

I use opticals and they have never failed and have been going for a couple years. I also use a optical in my nasty skimmer cup and it has never failed either.

Don