DIY Auto Top-Up

[reefcoral]

Hi all,

I'm planning on building my own auto top up system. I have two strands of thought at the moment:

1. Water level is too low, so pump comes on for a set time ensuring enough water goes in.

2. Water level is too low, so pump comes on until water level triggers another switch to stop the flow.


I've never owned a top up unit before, so if any of you guys have top ups can you tell me how yours operates please?

Dave

[cl0wn]

have a tunze, they're great.

1. sensor detects low water level - activates pump. automatically cuts out after set time (couple of mins) in case top up chamber is empty and pump has run dry.

2. high level float switch comes on if water gets too high, sounds alarm, cuts out pump.

[cl0wn]

may be of some help. for links etc. john used to make these and sell them, not sure i he still does, might be worth pm'ing him, hasn't been on here a while but may get email notification of pm's.

http://www.reefcorals.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=4586

[reefcoral]

Ah, so it's a bit of both.......hadn't considered that but I can see how it works. I'll have a little think.

Ta,
Dave

[cl0wn]

have a tunze, they're great.

1. sensor detects low water level - activates pump. automatically cuts out after set time (couple of mins) in case top up chamber is empty and pump has run dry.

2. high level float switch comes on if water gets too high, sounds alarm, cuts out pump.

sorry should have stated that the water sensor also detects when the level is right and (should) stop the pump. sometimes gets kalked up (once or twice a year) so handy to have the other two safeguards.

[reefcoral]

What sort of pump does your top up system use? Is it a peristaltic pump or a normal pump pump? The peristaltic ones have a very slow flow rate so I think it would need to come off and on quite regularly or just come on for a long time. I suppose it depends on the rate of evaporation and how exact you want the SG or ppt to be?

Dave

[cl0wn]

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/12-VOLT-WATER-PUMP-SUBMERSIBLE-20-LITRES-PER-MIN_W0QQitemZ160369755891QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Cam pervan_Caravan_Accessories?hash=item2556c846f3

this sort of pump bud, have replaced the pump twice in about 8 years, mainly because of using them with kalk, must admit the latest has just about had it, there are cheaper orange ones on ebay for about 8 quid and that's what i use now.

[cl0wn]

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/SUBMERSIBLE-WATER-PUMP-10L-MOTORHOME-CARAVAN-BOAT-FARM_W0QQitemZ300357371261QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Ca mpervan_Caravan_Accessories?hash=item45eeb1c57d

plenty on the bay, this is what i use now.

[reefcoral]

Cheers clown. Will let you know how it goes.

Dave