kinghokus420
Member
i have the dual float setup with the small pump from autotopoff.com it is the greatest gizmo i have on my moneypit. i think it was right around 70$ shipped
Top Off Tank
- Thread starter carlos_fb
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carlos_fb
Caribe Piranha
Those units are very simple but they look really nice, thanks!
carlos_fb
Caribe Piranha
how does and an optical sensor work on these units?
what do you guys think of this one?
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Produ...ll&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&Np=1&N=2004&Nty=1
what do you guys think of this one?
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Produ...ll&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&Np=1&N=2004&Nty=1
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DonW
R.I.P.
Optical sensors have no moving parts or magnets. They switch electronicly and cannot be fooled by snails. They cannot stick in the on position.
Don
mfinn
Surgeonfish
Expensive for a float switch unit.
carlos_fb
Caribe Piranha
Marine Depot has it for $89.
I don't really want to spend $175 on this right now since I still have to buy some other important parts of equipment to get my tank going.
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moortim
Mountain Goat
I would say go with a cheap one for now until you can get an optical one. If you are going to spend a hundred bucks on an ato then I think you would be better off spending $200 a little down the road on a good one. JMO
DonW
R.I.P.
I think if you want to go the less expensive route. I'd go with the one from ato.com and get the low voltage upgrade. If you have the desire to add optical later you can easily do it with that unit.
Don
Don
carlos_fb
Caribe Piranha
I think I'm just going to get the custom made tank and later on I will add the top off system to it.
I don't have to drill holes for bulkhead to install it, do I?
I don't have to drill holes for bulkhead to install it, do I?
carlos_fb
Caribe Piranha
DonW
R.I.P.
No holes and yes autotopoff.com
carlos_fb
Caribe Piranha
I would be spending about $85 with that unit including the pump. Do you think it's worth it?
kinghokus420
Member
absolutely worth it IMO
heres a few pics
the floats
the switch
reservoir with pump
the reservoir, is the tub on the bottom left under the 29
heres a few pics
the floats
the switch
reservoir with pump
the reservoir, is the tub on the bottom left under the 29
carlos_fb
Caribe Piranha
Do I have to keep the water in the top off tank moving with a powerhead or air pump?
mfinn
Surgeonfish
No, I wouldn't.
kinghokus420
Member
i dont..i didnt see the need or have a spare outlet.
carlos_fb
Caribe Piranha
I already ordered a custom made tank for it (10 gallon). I should have it by next week. I still have to decide what system I'm going to get.
Thanks a lot your help guys!
Thanks a lot your help guys!
mfinn
Surgeonfish
I started thing about this a little more.
If you wanted to add chemicals, maybe a small powerhead or air stone might be benefical.
I was thinking about adding kalkwasser to my topoff barrel. To keep it from settling and being added all at once to the tank, maybe a small powerhead would work.
DonW
R.I.P.
If you decide to add kalk you will need to stir it but not all the time. You want to give it a quick stir then let it settle before adding to the tank. Its not like ca or alk additives that fully disolves. You also need to keep a lid on it.
Don
mfinn
Surgeonfish
What I was thinking is I could mix the kalkwasser up in my kalkwasser bucket that has a valve in it, a 1-1/2" off the bottom, after a 24 hour period drain it to the topoff container. Shouldn't this be stired all the time?
Why a lid all the time?
Why a lid all the time?
