top off unit

[jwils27]

what is the best pump to use for a top off. someone told be the use an air lift pump and i am not familiar with those.

 

[victor626nj]

aqua lifter

 

[cameron]

Best pump quality wise is going to be a dosing pump as it won' t syphon and is designed to be turned on and off relatively frequently but they are pricey and usually overkill for this type work. The aqualifter is hard to beat at $10, works and is reliable. You have to make sure you setup the pump correctly so it won't syphon water out of your top off into your tank or vice versa but that is an easy thing to do.

 

[calireefer]

I've used the Tunze Osmolator for almost four years with no problems never even replaced the pump it comes with. I like the fact that it comes with two water level sensors in case the first one fails and an audible high water alarm.
Its better to pay a little more for peace of mind IMO.

http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=T3155.000&Category_Code=Dosers">http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=T3155.000&Category_Code=Dosers</a>

[IMG]http://www.aquariumspecialty.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=60&products_id=1600">http://www.aquariumspecialty.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=60&products_id=1600</a>

[IMG]http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_AquariumPage~PageAlias~dosing_pumps_top_off_tunze_osmolator.html">http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_AquariumPage~PageAlias~dosing_pumps_top_off_tunze_osmolator.html</a>

 

[flyingarmy]

Cameron;98775 wrote: Best pump quality wise is going to be a dosing pump as it won' t syphon and is designed to be turned on and off relatively frequently but they are pricey and usually overkill for this type work. The aqualifter is hard to beat at $10, works and is reliable. You have to make sure you setup the pump correctly so it won't syphon water out of your top off into your tank or vice versa but that is an easy thing to do.

I learned that lesson exactly last night. My aqualifter that is connected to my Reef Fanatic Top-Off had a small back siphon that was dripping into the sump. I couldn't figure why my sump level was slowly rising. It was dripping against the side of the acrylic and I didn't see it. I rectified the problem by raising the output of the tubing higher than the RO/DI container...and wa-la!

 

[cameron]

My knowledge of that issue is hands on as well. My top off containers are very tall so the aqualifter pulled water up then it dropped down a tube into my sump. First time worked great, except the water kept flowing into my sump from the overflow via the syphon. I changed it so that new top off goes into my overflow which is over the back of the aquarium and higher than the top off so it is always pumping uphill and I leave a bit of the tube out of the water on the other side so it won't back syphon.