My $12 Auto Top-off

[halo_jmpr]

1 - 5 Gallon bucket with lid
2 - Check Valve (modified for gluing purposes)
3 - Gang Air Adjuster
4 - 24" Airline Tubing
5 - Time to figure up drip rate per day to amount of water I'm losing.

Hey, it may not work but I'm gonna give it a try.

BTW - 1 Drop per second is 3.86 gallons per day.

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g204/halo_jmpr/DSCN3188.jpg

[Maxxumless]

LOL... I spent the same abount but used two $6 switches, an old power cord, old salt mixing maxijet, a forgoten 12v power cord and some plastic cut from old lighting fixtures for the hanger for a hi-lo (off on) auto topoff system. Oh, almost forgot, and an empty 200g IO bucket. Two years and still running nice (thanks Melev :) )

[deadmanh]

$12 aqualift pump, airline hose around the house, timer around thehouse, and bucket around the house..... ok so lotta things round the house.. but hey, that worked too.

[Kirk_M]

Just an observation, and not to be construed as a criticism at all...


If you're actually dripping 3.86 gallons a day, from a 5 gallon bucket, it kinda defeats the purpose of the auto-top off if you're having to refill the reservoir manually each day, don't you think :)

[piberoptikz]

Get a bigger bucket! :D

[ste6168]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7167309#post7167309 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Kirk_M
Just an observation, and not to be construed as a criticism at all...


If you're actually dripping 3.86 gallons a day, from a 5 gallon bucket, it kinda defeats the purpose of the auto-top off if you're having to refill the reservoir manually each day, don't you think :)

I dont really think it does because the reason i installed a top-off on my system was not so i did not have to fill it everyday (although it is nice only having to fill it once a week) but was becasue i want to keep my salinity as stable as can be. Depending on the system size evaporating 3.5g can be detrimental to your system becasue of a swing in salinity... JMO, Mike

[halo_jmpr]

I'm only losing appx 1 gallon per day so I'm dripping about 1 drop per every 2 seconds. I'll probly have to add water every 3-1/2 to 4 days, still beats messing with it every day. This is just a trial thingy anyways, hoping it works. If not, I'll try something else.

[grendl]

He is going to install another drip bucket, to drip into his initial drip bucket!!!!!

[hmott]

I used a drip method for a long time, almost 2 years. You'll be so much happy with a system that just adds what is needed and uses a much bigger resovoir than what you need.

[Andrew]

Im going to have to try this but get it down to less then a drip per second because I only lose about 1-2 gallons of a day. Im sure once I get the mh im going to lose even more.

[calica]

Where can I buy an Aqualift pump? My usual online stores don't list it?

[pencilcup]

Actually, you will never be able to have 1 drop per second constantly during the day. It depends on how much water you have on your bucket (water pressure). My modification Melev auto top off cost me $15. It works off from my 100g rubbermaid reservoir (It was OK for my 20 days out of town).

[Hobster]

You are also basing you drips on a fixed rate of evaporation. Your rate will vary depending on external humidity, heat etc. Unless you run you AC 24/7 365 .:)
On the few days I turn off my AC I notice a change in evaporation.