Topping off water...

[str8juizy]

Ok, this may be a stupid question but I have never had a sump before. When I am topping off water do I add it to my sump or the main tank?

 

[returnofsid]

Either way will work just fine. I used to add to sump, but with a different design, it's more difficult to get into the sump, so I pour my top off water into the overflows, or directly into the tank.

 

[str8juizy]

I designed the tank stand so that it is higher than a regular stand & open for easy access to everything under. I will try adding to the sump.

Thanks!

 

[roscoe]

Either sump or DT is fine. However since you have a sump I prefer adding the top off there.

 

[bigblue141]

I bought a little dosing pump and just fill up my sump to the full line, then flip the switch off.

 

[str8juizy]

That is a great idea!

 

[roscoe]

A greater idea would be an ATO

 

[lvsuckerfish]

have pops build a stand as tall as the sump then get a 5 gallon bucket with a lid to set on it and you can do a auto top off that way or a gravity fed top off I vote for auto top off. as it is a better choice and less likely for over filling the tank and sump I do have the quiet one 1200 I need to clean it I am going to do a water change today and will have it cleaned if you still want it. I will not have a use for it.

 

[str8juizy]

OK, you can come over & help me with that when you come over to wire my lighting this weekend You gonna be available on Sat? Oh & I still cannot get those stupid VHO's to work, something fishy with the wiring. Would like to get them working too.

 

[lvsuckerfish]

the VHO"s are you going to use those also?

 

[lvsuckerfish]

you have the ice cap 430 ballast correct?

 

[str8juizy]

Not going to use the vho's unless you think they are better than whats under my hood now. I am not sure what ballast the ice cap is...

 

[johny99]

go with the auto top off. I tried to add top off to the sump and couldn't get the return to calibrate with the outgoing water and I nearly had water going all over my floor. auto top off worked well for me.

 

[jrgilles]

I bought this IY kit from Aquahub(Chicago Sensor)

Easy instructions, and works great. They have 2 kits.

The cheaper one has 2 switches, one to set water line, and a backup (so if the switch sticks, you won't overfill your sump.)

http://www.aquahub.com/store/product26.html

and the second also has a switch that you put in backwards to the Top Off water reservoir, so that if it runs dry, it won't turn your pump on and burn it up.

http://www.aquahub.com/store/product27.html

Great DIY kit, and I think well worth it. Holds that system volume constant so there is no change in tank salinity, etc.

For my resorvoir I have an 18 gallon rubbermaid container I got at lowe's for 5 bucks, but you could use a 5 gallon bucket or whatever you want.

rob

 

[minhmattmai]

My vote is to add to the sump. If nothing else, at least it's going to be dispersed a little better than me dumping a bucket straight into the tank.

 

[nano24]

Whatever is easiest. Depends on my mood where I top off from.. but I usually use my sump.

 

[runtowin777]

all the water goes to the same place.

 

[freakin]

I would think topping off @ the sump would make the display a little cleaner