DIY Auto Top Off - Battery Operated

[melthazor]

Saw something interesting and relatively easy to do, a battery operated auto top off.

http://reefuae.com/forum/viewtopic.p...=984&view=next

[felix_fx2]

ahhh food for the itchy hand!!!!! thanks mel....

[stormhawk]

Simple project, but I worry more on the contacts in the pump corroding since it'll be near salt water, or in our case, fresh water.

[limz_777]

good idea for those without power source or outdoor tanks

wonder how he run the air pipe into the container to air lift the water ?

[stormhawk]

He drilled two holes for the air tubes to go in, and then epoxy the tubes in place, thus sealing the holes and making them air tight. It's explained by the maker in that thread.

[melthazor]

Just bought the floats, gonna hook mine up. My friend has already done his, works great. About the airpumps getting corroded for saltwater, think you can make the wires a little longer with extensions and place the pump away from the tank top? Tie it to the leg of the stand? That's what I'm gonna do for mine.

[felix_fx2]

Mel. The float switch how much?
Whatsapp me picture ?

[tetrakid]

Where can I buy the float switch? I must get a few of those.

I am very particular about the water level of my tanks which use my favourite hang-on filters. And I find the frequent top ups a real chore. Auto water top-up is just what I need.

[limz_777]

Just bought the floats, gonna hook mine up. My friend has already done his, works great. About the airpumps getting corroded for saltwater, think you can make the wires a little longer with extensions and place the pump away from the tank top? Tie it to the leg of the stand? That's what I'm gonna do for mine.

any step by step pics?

[wilson413]

there is water lifter.. the brand i am using will be toms water lifter.... C238 selling it..

[melthazor]

My friend has about 10 sets of water level sensor left over he wants to sell, i'll post in the buy and sell section if any of you are interested.

The thing about using the Tom aqua lifter is that you have to slice its cords and connect the water level sensor to the Tom aqua lifter. Now if you plug the whole setup to the eletricity point, it could cause a fire if the whole setup malfunctions due to electricity over load. If you wanna use the Tom aqua lifter, you would need to hook the whole thing up to an eletrical relay to be safe.

Here is how one guy did his:
http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...step-step.html

Too much components needed, I'm not in favour of that. The purpose of DIY is to reduce cost not add to it. If that's the case I'm better of buying a jbj ato instead...lol!

Tom aqua lifter can be found at Seaview as well, I saw a few sets about 2-3weeks back.

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Here is a step by step video on how to make the auto top off with a battery operated air pump, using pressure build up in your water reservoir to push water into your tank: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTYxVr8lws8

I'm in favour of the battery pump because it means one less applicance hooked up to an eletrical point, thus in turn means no eletricity consumption...Good for people like us who have more than one aquarium at home...

[kingic]

The float switch is cost around 38 to 45 at slt.

[Loudness]

anyone try make it? i checked ebay, there's float switch selling at $2 plus only.

[felix_fx2]

anyone try make it? i checked ebay, there's float switch selling at $2 plus only.

Might need a relay for those cheap ones. Else maybe will get voltage spike and the switch stays on or off.

[tetrakid]

For a small low voltage air pump for example, a cheap float switch can be used.

But for more powerful equipment, a relay-operated float switch must be used, as the contacts of the cheap float switch will not be able to withstand the high-voltage/high-currents involved. The purpose of the relay mechanism is to transfer the load to a bigger switch which is able to withstand the extra load. Using a cheap float switch for powerful equipment is a dangerous thing.

[Loudness]

I just ordered 2 cheap float switch from ebay. i read (cant remember from where) that cheap float switch may have a chance that it may get stuck, end up the water will just keep on top up. anyone face this problem before?

[tetrakid]

It is of course possible for the switch to malfunction. One way to overcome this is to ensure that the water in the reservoir is always just enough to top up till the top of the tank without overflowing.

[qngwn]

It is of course possible for the switch to malfunction. One way to overcome this is to ensure that the water in the reservoir is always just enough to top up till the top of the tank without overflowing.

Well then what's the point of having a auto top off, when you need to manual top off the reservoir for the auto top off?

[felix_fx2]

I just ordered 2 cheap float switch from ebay. i read (cant remember from where) that cheap float switch may have a chance that it may get stuck, end up the water will just keep on top up. anyone face this problem before?

Think I posted above. Think it is not just affecting cheap ones. But if getting a relay, it becomes something new to learn.

Try Google: voltage spike float switch

[Loudness]

the float switch i order has arrive, will start the DIY next week.