Auto Top-off units

[tang_man_montreal]

Hey everyone,

I just finished another batch of Auto Top-Off Units and still have 3 that aren't spoken for.

These are quality-made units that assure you peace of mind. I've been using mine well over a year with no problems.

Here are the links to the classified section if you need more info:

http://www.aquariacanada.com/Classifieds/showproduct.php?product=6&sort=1&cat=all&page=5

http://www.aquariacanada.com/Classifieds/showproduct.php?product=7&sort=1&cat=all&page=5


If you're interested, please let me know. They are ready to ship. :)

[fishmonger]

What do they look like ?
I've been looking for something other then what i'm using now which is just a float switch , i'm so worried that it will go on the fritz and flood my room, how is this better then just having a float switch on its own?

[tang_man_montreal]

Mark,

Here's a picture of the one I built myself. The newer ones have a black box instead of white, and an orange cord instead of blue. The black wire is going to my floatswitch located in my sump.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v421/tang_man_montreal/180-Plumbing/14487DSCN1057__Small___Custom_.jpg

The advantage of this unit is that it isolates the switch onto a 12v DC circuti instead of a 120v AC. Switches that are running on 120v AC have a tendancy to fuse in the on position. Running a switch at 120c AC can also be dangerous if the switch shorted inside the sump.

[tang_man_montreal]

I still have 3 available...

[Marty]

I bought the two floatswitch unit and have set it up in a 5 gallon bucket that is connected to a float valve in the sump. It's great not having to haul water every few days to keep up with evaporation; when the water level in the bucket gets too low, the swtich automaticaly turns the R.O. unit on and fills the bucket until the level reaches the floatswitch at the top. For anyone thinking about getting one of these units, they work very well and are well built - no complaints.

[reefmutt]

Vince, I think Ira will need one- I'll ask him..

[scuba steve]

tang_man is this the one that runs the ro unit as well for $115 I might be intrested.

[tang_man_montreal]

Matt,
Cool lemme know. :)

Steve,
No, this is the standard top-off unit with 1 switch. I don't have any of the Latching-style units (to control RO/DI) ready, but if you are indeed interested, I can have one ready for you by next week or so?

[IJO]

I'll also need one TM... it might also help as clients would be able to see one in action.

IJO

[tang_man_montreal]

IJO,
You're referring to the latching-style RO/DI control unit with solenoid, right?

[IJO]

I'm not sure what one... I need an auto topoff unit to conenct to the acrylic city kalk reactor and the RO/DI filter. Is there a way to have it only turn on the RO when there is about 5 gallons of water to fill? I don't want the thing turning on and off every 15 minutes.. lol

IJO

[tang_man_montreal]

Yup,
That's exactly what the latching style unit does.

Here's the description of the unit:
This RO/DI Control Unit with electronic Solenoid uses 2 float switches in order to activate an electronic solenoid on your RO/DI filter.


Use this Control unit in order to replenish water in your fresh water container without constantly cycling your RO unit on and off. This will lengthen the life of your RO/DI filters, and provide you with cleaner water.


The Control unit uses 2 floatswitches that are mounted in your freshwater reservoir. (Mounting brackets are not included). An integrated transformer and relay safely provide the floatswitches with only 12vDC.


As the water level goes down in the reservoir, it eventually reaches the LOW floatswitch, which then activates the solenoid on the RO unit allowing water to flow and replenish the reservoir. Once water reaches the HIGH switch, the solenoid is de-activated, thereby shutting off water production until the water level once again reaches the LOW switch.


An indicator lamp shows you when the solenoid is activated.


An Over-ride switch allows you to activate the solenoid and by-pass the floatswitches. (ie: for making new salt water used for a water change).

This one, as Scuba-Steve mentioned, is $115.
Inlcudes the floatswitches, control unit, and electronic solenoid with John-Guess fittings.

[IJO]

sounds good... :D

[tang_man_montreal]

ok!
I'll start ordering parts and let you know when it's ready.

Scuba Steve,
did you want one too?

[GaryK]

I've been looking for an auto top-off unit, but I have read about float switches that get salt deposits on them and fail to work. How are the float switches that you use? Are they safe? I have seen other units that use an infared sensor instead of floats can you model be modified to use these instead? I would also like a bracket that securely holds the float switch in place rather than suction cups. Can you supply these? They would have to attach to the side of an aquarium which I use for a sump and top off tank.

If you can do the bracket thing and assure me that the float switches don't stick, I'd be in for a 2 switch model.

Gary

[tang_man_montreal]

Hi GaryK,

I've been using the floatswitch in my setup for over a year, and never even cleaned it. There are no salt deposits, some algae stuck to it, (in truth, it could use a cleaning). However it's never failed me once.

You may want to use a "snail guard" in case a snail decides to take a nap on one, in which case you could build one very easily out of some scrap PVC pipe, and 2 endcaps with many holes drilled into it.

That said, the units I currently sell use floatswitchs, not infrared sensors. I am looking into the possibility of using infra-red, or even RF signals, however that is still under development.

I don't supply any means of mounting the switches. This is left up to the end-user as everyone's needs are different. You could maybe contact Harley here on AC to fabricate an acrylic holder that securely mounts to the side of a sump though... I'm sure it wouldn't be expensive at all.

The $70 Two-Switch Model (http://www.aquariacanada.com/Classifieds/showproduct.php?product=7&sort=1&cat=all&page=5) uses 2 switches and is available for those who are afraid that the first may fail.

[scuba steve]

Tang_man I will be getting one I just need to do another auction so I will be able to pay you....so hold on for a bit.
tks
stephen

[GaryK]

Thanks for the info Tang_man...I was speaking to Ivan and he said that he was ordering some in from you, so he will be getting one for me too. I want to use one float switch to call for the top-off water, and the other float switch turned upside down in the freshwater reservoir to shut the refill pump off when the water level drops too low. Please confirm that I can use it that way.

[reefmutt]

Vince, do you have a pic of the float- just curious
Ira will definetly need one- consider one sold!!

[tang_man_montreal]

ScubaSteve,
No problem. Lemme know when you're ready.

GaryK,
Yes, you can use them that way. You will need to plug one unit into the other, and the pump at the end. You can even have a small lightbulb (ie: nitelite) plugged in tandem with the floatswitch unit on the freshwater reservoir. This way, you can tell when the water is low just by sight.

Reefmutt,
I'll put one aside for Ira.
Here's a pic of the actual float. I don't supply a means of mounting it however one can easily make one with scrap pieces of acrylic.

http://aquariacanada.com/osCommerce/images/FloatSwitch.jpg

[reefmutt]

Thanks Vince- i'll be in touch.

[tang_man_montreal]

:thumb:

[Flatlander]

How much water drop before activation, app. ?

I wonder how it would work, mounted in my guarded overflow. Thats running without a sump of course and the water level about 2 in. down in the tank.

[tang_man_montreal]

The switches activate with 1cm of movement.

I don't see why it wouldn't work in your application. I'm guessing that you'd place it in your overflow as an auto top-off?
How come you have an overflow, but no sump?

[Flatlander]

My sump is running at the moment. I just have no love for them. Depends which mood I,m in that particular week. :D As you can see in the fishroom pic, my tank can run sumpless. I just turn the overflows off and run the water level about 1 eggcrate space high, {overflow guard}.

Yes it would be an auto top off. I also have to watch because of the scrubber dump, which is a couple gallons but most top offs, once set up handle it fine.

[tang_man_montreal]

In that case, you can indeed setup the floatswitch inside the overflow. Just have the freshwater pump into the overflow as well. Mounting the floatswitch is really left up to the user as I don't supply any means to mount the switch itself.

[tang_man_montreal]

I still have 2 that aren't spoken for...