Krama Posted November 2, 2006 Report Share Posted November 2, 2006 I have a dosing pump for my sump, but it doesnt have a water level switch to keep it topping up throughout the day. there are altenative, but all of them costly at the moment, and I would rather save my money for other things... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Feelers Posted November 2, 2006 Report Share Posted November 2, 2006 If your a DIY type person I believe there are some ways to make one for very cheap from memory. I'll have a dig around. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Feelers Posted November 2, 2006 Report Share Posted November 2, 2006 http://www.petsforum.com/personal/trevo ... poff2.html Thos one looks ok^. Here's a list of DIY topics, Top ups are in the list. http://ozreef.org/diy_links/list/onecat/Projects If you like this sort of stuff Oz Reef here... has some good info. 8) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bubbles Posted November 2, 2006 Report Share Posted November 2, 2006 I know how much my tank evaporates, so I just run my dosing pump on a timer to top it up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reef Posted November 2, 2006 Report Share Posted November 2, 2006 Get professional top up unit. Why risk it all for a mere savings of a few hundred dollars. Tunze do a good unit that has many safety features. They are available at most aquarium stores. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Feelers Posted November 2, 2006 Report Share Posted November 2, 2006 I think many have built reliable topups. A good suggestion I saw is to have the top up on a lighting timer - have it on for say 5 mins a day. That way even if it did screw up it will only pump for a short period. I think the top up prices are pretty ridiculous. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ira Posted November 2, 2006 Report Share Posted November 2, 2006 My topup switch is a $20 float switch, a relay and enclosure from Jaycar for about $30 and a few plugs and wires from DSE for about $5. Oh, and a 12v wall wart I already had. Seems pretty reliable so far, but if you want to put it on a timer for 5 min a day that would be extra insurance and cheaper than a second high level relay switch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drifty Posted November 2, 2006 Report Share Posted November 2, 2006 I have a tunze top-off, well worth the price Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cookie extreme Posted November 2, 2006 Report Share Posted November 2, 2006 unless your tank is very small it doesn't really matter if you loose 12 or 15 liter a day as long as over a week the water level stays the same. i top up (by hand) approx 20 liters at one time to get the same water level before a water change. does it make any difference to the tank? no! simple top up pump or nothing if you don't mind topping up every day would do the trick, of course more advanced systems would make it easier. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duke Posted November 2, 2006 Report Share Posted November 2, 2006 Mine is a DYI. 20l container with a small pump from LFS with a hose connected which goes in to my sump. A level switch from Water control Solutions in my sump (they are very relaible as it is just a magnet which floats up and down). Mine is controlled by a PLC but you can do it with a simple relay. Cost bugger all. I also have a hose in to the 20l container from a tap which I have connected a soliniod so when I push a button the 20l container fills up. No risk of flooding my tank with fresh water which is real bad..... ask a round it does happen. Oh make sure you have a water filter inline. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suphew Posted November 2, 2006 Report Share Posted November 2, 2006 I just use a timer for mine, think its set to 5x15 minute periods at the moment, once things warm up I'll just add another 15 minutes. When I do my weekly skimer clean etc I check the level an add a few liters if I need to. Simple and cheap way to do it IMO Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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