top off units (1 Viewer)

[Guest]

does anybody know how a single liquid level controller works? i know it is used to top off water. i don't know how to connect the parts from the tank to the resevoir.
Don
top off unit[/url]

 

[incysor]

So is this thing just a fancy top-off switch?

 

[Guest]

Are you asking because you bought one or you are thinking about getting one.
Basically this style of top of control switch is designed to be in line between a pressurized line from and ro unit or just plumbed in between a gravity fed top off resivor.

If you don't own that unit than you should check this out.

http://www.reeffanatic.com/cgi-bin/mas/category.cgi?item=CT_RFLC&type=store

This is in the same price range but probably a little more reliable. This unit uses a power head to top of the tank or sump from a top off resivor the power head is actually turned on and off by the controller

 

[Guest]

top off unit

i'm thinking about buying some kind of top off unit but i don't know which one.....so u suggest this RFI level controller?

 

[Guest]

Wonder how this reef fanantic unit compares to the Tunze ones.

 

[Guest]

Well from what the Tunze web site shows they only really have an alarm type system to monitor water levels in the sump and tank, it is not real clear if it actually will turn on a pump and then turn that pump back off when done filling the sump. And the suggested retail price on the website was $161.00. yes it has three sensors on it one that will detect low water level in the sump, one that will detect high water in the sump, and the other they showed in the diagram was monitoring the level in the tank, basically a high water level alarm for the tank, but if you have a reef ready tank what would you need this for. Plus like I said it is not clear at all if it will even turn a pump on and off to be used as a level controller.

Now as far as the Reeffanatic unit is concerned I know when I tried to order one they were out of stock and had to have them email me when it was available, this tells me quite a few people must be getting these units or they were not producing that many. I prefer to think the latter as they are a Reef Central sponser and you see nothing but good reviews on their units there. Just my .02 pennies.

 

[scottk]

What is your situation? Do you need a level makeup switch from pressurized water system, level makeup from a reservoir, or a dosing pump/controller?

Reason I'm asking is the price. For a little as $30, you can get a reliable electric level makeup switch to attach to a PH in a reservoir or a good float switch for RO. Or you can go high dollar with controllers and dosing pumps, sensing devices, etc.

It's all about $$$$ and what you want to use it for......

 

[Guest]

Lots of people use this over at nano-reef.com Just hook it up to a powerhead thats in a make-up water reservoir.

http://www.floatswitches.net/floatswitch.html

 

[scottk]

Yes, I use a tricked up version of that kind of float switch on my tanks and so far (1 year +), I've been very pleased with it. I got mine off of Californiareefs.com. for less than $30 shipped. Came with a snail-guard, which I think is important to avoid "accidents".

 

[Guest]

I was looking for something just for sump top off and heard the RF unit was good for protection from overflow.
Don't mind spending the extra $$ if I know the unit will protect me from my wife's wrath in case of a flodd and stuck sensor

 

[incysor]

This is exactly the type of switch I use on my system to keep the sump topped off.

Top-off switch - $6
extension cord - 1$
5 gallon bucket - $3
Rio 50 powerhead, 4 ft of regular air-line tubing and a suction cup $10

Total $20.

It's been working for 7 months now without a hitch.

B

Lots of people use this over at nano-reef.com Just hook it up to a powerhead thats in a make-up water reservoir.

http://www.floatswitches.net/floatswitch.html