top off unit
- Thread starter jwils27
- Start date
Best is very subjective as they all work pretty well.
I personally like the autotopoff.com double switch matched with an aqualifter as it is relatively cheap, reliable and easy to install.
Best DIY setup is floatswitches.net. Cheap but you have to roll your own. I think twopartsolution.com sells one of their all in one setups with two float switches and other parts.
Expensive falls to a dosing rig like the LiterMeter but these pumps are ultra reliable and last a long time. Way over kill IMO unless you plan on using the LiterMeter for other dosing and the topoff setup is still pricey.
Cheapest is an IV drip on a container. Very cheap, very reliable. Only issue is you have to adjust the drip from time to time but otherwise works really well and very little chance of dumping so much top off it causes tank problems.
Nice cool looking setup is the JBJ unit. Little more than cheap options, but works well.
Most overrated... Tunze's system the Osmolator. Works really well but expensive and overkill as well.
I personally like the autotopoff.com double switch matched with an aqualifter as it is relatively cheap, reliable and easy to install.
Best DIY setup is floatswitches.net. Cheap but you have to roll your own. I think twopartsolution.com sells one of their all in one setups with two float switches and other parts.
Expensive falls to a dosing rig like the LiterMeter but these pumps are ultra reliable and last a long time. Way over kill IMO unless you plan on using the LiterMeter for other dosing and the topoff setup is still pricey.
Cheapest is an IV drip on a container. Very cheap, very reliable. Only issue is you have to adjust the drip from time to time but otherwise works really well and very little chance of dumping so much top off it causes tank problems.
Nice cool looking setup is the JBJ unit. Little more than cheap options, but works well.
Most overrated... Tunze's system the Osmolator. Works really well but expensive and overkill as well.
It also depends a bit on how much water (or whatever) it is supposed to dose/day, and where you want it to work from. If you need to does a quart or two a day is different than, say, 5 gallons.
The LMIII, as Cameron said, is very nice.. I have had good luck with an AquaMedic, though I found them very irritating on timer setup. At the moment, I am using a couple of ReeFiller pumps, one doing water changes, and the other dosing my Kalk. However, these are not super quiet... they are under my house so it does not matter much.
Did you want a system to control it as well, or just the pumps?
-Mike
I have the Tunze Osmolator and it has worked flawlessly for over two years. I did have to replace the pump, but it was only $15. It is so precise if I adjust my skimmer level higher it will kick on to replace the small amount of difference in the sump.
I cant decide between these two http://www.aquabuys.com/miva/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=jbj_ato&Category_Code=u2&Product_Count=2">http://www.aquabuys.com/miva/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=jbj_ato&Category_Code=u2&Product_Count=2</a>
and
[IMG]http://www.autotopoff.com/products/DT1/index.htm"><span style="color: #0000cc;">http://www.autotopoff.com/products/DT1/index.htm</span></a>
and
[IMG]http://www.autotopoff.com/products/DT1/index.htm"><span style="color: #0000cc;">http://www.autotopoff.com/products/DT1/index.htm</span></a>
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Jake..
I have the Aqua Medic Top-Off controller w/2 float switches. It worked flawlessly on my 40 Cube and should do the same on the 160. It definitely is worth having the 2 float switches for safety. Good qaulity!
I have the Aqua Medic Top-Off controller w/2 float switches. It worked flawlessly on my 40 Cube and should do the same on the 160. It definitely is worth having the 2 float switches for safety. Good qaulity!
I like both the JBJ and the AutoTopOff.com unit. The float switches from autotopoff.com are very high quality and installation is easy. The JBJ unit looks slick and offers similar ability. I would use a double switch system just to be safe.
jhutto
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Agree with Cameron. I use the autotopoff.com with one with the two switches. Have it on the timer and it runs once a day to top off. Have a 90 gal so its usually about a gallon or so a day. If you put it on a cheap timer, you can make it come on 1-2-3 times a day if needed. I have it in a 5 gal container and just add water about once a week. Really like it. Would make sure the sump end is slightly above water line so you do not have to worry about back siphon or put lines in tube to break siphon.
Joe
Joe
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Sorry...with everything going on I mistook which one I had. I have this one:
http://www.reeffanatic.com/products/float-switch-and-level-control/level-controller.asp">http://www.reeffanatic.com/products/float-switch-and-level-control/level-controller.asp</a>
It works great. I am sure you can pick it up from Aquabuys or one of our other sponsors.
[QUOTE=][B]jwils27;97967 wrote:[/B] mark,
is this the one you have
[IMG]http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewItem~idProduct~AQ4511.html">http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewItem~idProduct~AQ4511.html</a>[/QUOTE]
http://www.reeffanatic.com/products/float-switch-and-level-control/level-controller.asp">http://www.reeffanatic.com/products/float-switch-and-level-control/level-controller.asp</a>
It works great. I am sure you can pick it up from Aquabuys or one of our other sponsors.
[QUOTE=][B]jwils27;97967 wrote:[/B] mark,
is this the one you have
[IMG]http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewItem~idProduct~AQ4511.html">http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewItem~idProduct~AQ4511.html</a>[/QUOTE]
