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View Full Version : Auto Top Off and Doser Recommendations


will16
07/25/2008, 11:32 AM
I was looking into an auto top off and doser for 2 part. Does anyone have any suggestions on which? I was looking at the aqua medic stuff.

Thanks.

OliverM3
07/25/2008, 12:26 PM
I've been enjoying my Sentry from http://www.reefdosingpumps.com/

I'm using mine with the A/C controller but you can get one with the light sensor or a float switch which is pretty cool.
The Admiral has a timer but I didn't need that.

They're two channel pumps so you can dose a two part solution with a single pump.

will16
07/30/2008, 02:18 PM
Thanks OliverM3


Does anyone have any experience with the Reef Fanatic top off system?

biger
07/30/2008, 02:30 PM
litermeter 3

OliverM3
07/30/2008, 02:30 PM
No problem,

If you're just looking for a cheap top-off you could always do a gravity top-off with a float.
Here's my setup:
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1391129

OliverM3
07/30/2008, 02:41 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13054490#post13054490 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by biger
litermeter 3

I was going to get one of the litermeters III myself but good luck finding one.
I haven't seen any since they had some sort of manufacturing issue.

will16
07/30/2008, 02:48 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13054493#post13054493 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by OliverM3
No problem,

If you're just looking for a cheap top-off you could always do a gravity top-off with a float.
Here's my setup:
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1391129

LOL. That's great! Unfortunately I will have to put my resevoir on the ground so will need a pump solution. That is a great idea though!

Tanks!

OliverM3
07/30/2008, 04:13 PM
Thanks, :)
To bad I think It cost $20 total $15 for the float and fittings and $5 for the wallmart tote.

biger
07/30/2008, 04:32 PM
I just got mine from Saltycritter a couple weeks ago.

Gdubb
07/30/2008, 06:12 PM
Are all top offs gravity fed?

OliverM3
07/30/2008, 06:26 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13056048#post13056048 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Gdubb
Are all top offs gravity fed?

Nope, I think a lot of people use pump driven systems like the solution at reefdosingpumps.com or something like a JBJ Automatic Top Off.

I think gravity fed is the most reliable from my experience anyway.
Though I think a lot of people will disagree.
A simple float has served me well for years.

Gdubb
07/30/2008, 06:34 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13056150#post13056150 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by OliverM3
Nope, I think a lot of people use pump driven systems like the solution at reefdosingpumps.com or something like a JBJ Automatic Top Off.

I think gravity fed is the most reliable from my experience anyway.
Though I think a lot of people will disagree.
A simple float has served me well for years.

Thanks

Im adding about a gallon every other day to my sump and im just starting to do some research on top offs.

badonkadonk
07/30/2008, 07:09 PM
You don't want all your top-off water to be 2-part (most likely, unless your evap rate and 2-part requirements just happen to match - unlikely throughout the year), you'll want an auto-top off adding RO/DI water to the tank when the auto-top off calls for it, and a 2-channel dosing pump to continuously add a drip of 2-part. The auto-top-off can be had cheap - an auto-top-off unit from JBJ, autotopoff.com, top-off.com etc. and a small pump like a maxijet 600 or whatever depending on the height you have to pump from the rodi reservoir on the floor. The 2-part can be added using a pump as noted above, or you could have a couple of small reservoirs above the water on a gravity drip system - this is continuous, and you really don't use that much, hence the smaller containers. These you can top-off manually as needed from a larger batch you keep on the floor. The dosing pumps are nice but do require regular tubing replacement; if you're on a budget gravity can serve you well. I used to do 2-part, but find my tank does a lot better on a Ca reactor in the current configuration, fwiw.