Wtb Auto top off

[Justin144]

Looking for any kind fancy high tech or plain old bobber style . Seeing what y'all have for sale
thanks

 

[robert.talarico]

I got a hydor smart level at aquatic art. It was cheaper than all places I've seen, even online. New in box

 

[Justin144]

How much ?

 

[robert.talarico]

How much ?

I think it was 75.99$

 

[bfsbiocube]

I have the Digital Aquatics float switches (2), mounts and toms pump for $30. Requires DA controller (I also have an RKL for sale) and SL1 module.

 

[FluidDesigners]

We have the Hydor, the Hydrofill, and also a used JBJ.

Looking for any kind fancy high tech or plain old bobber style . Seeing what y'all have for sale
thanks

 

[Justin144]

Would prefer for a cheapie with just float gravity fed one . Anyone have that one

 

[zombie]

A used jbj or the hydor are honestly your best bet. It sucks to have to spend a little over $100 for an ATO, pump, and reservoir, but it is well worth it. Mechanical float valves are notorious for failing in the on position wheras ato units have some failsafes built in to prevemt overfilling. Do you really want to risk losing hundreds of dollars worth of livestock to save a few bucks?

 

[Justin144]

I have had gravity fed ato ever since I started reef tanks and never had an issue

 

[zombie]

If you are really comfortable without failsafes, then why dont you just get a water jug, a float valve, and some 1/4" tubing from home depot? I seriously doubt you will find a gravity fed one here or even online. You have got to be the first person I have ever seen use one of those (granted Ive only been in the hobby for 2 years)

 

[charleshardy5]

A used jbj or the hydor are honestly your best bet. It sucks to have to spend a little over $100 for an ATO, pump, and reservoir, but it is well worth it. Mechanical float valves are notorious for failing in the on position wheras ato units have some failsafes built in to prevemt overfilling. Do you really want to risk losing hundreds of dollars worth of livestock to save a few bucks?

ato pumps get stuck in the on position, float valves get stuck, seen it happen twice before myself, its an inherent risk for the convenience factor of having the ato

 

[zombie]

ato pumps get stuck in the on position, float valves get stuck, seen it happen twice before myself, its an inherent risk for the convenience factor of having the ato

Thats why they put failsafes in them. The jbj for example can be set up such that one float switch activates the pump, a second float can act as an upper failsafe that will turn the pump off if the main float fails, and it will not let the pump run for longer than 3-30 minutes (based on user setting). Pretty much your only risk of failure is the relay contacts fusing, which takes 100,000 operations in the 95% confidence interval, and within that there is a 90% chance that when it does fail, it will fail in the off position. When I used to service swamp coolers, the average lifespan of a float valve was 3 years before it started leaking bad, and a saltwater environment is way harsher on moving parts than a humid environment. To each his own, but thats my 2 cents.

 

[FluidDesigners]

Awesome points! I love the JBJ and run one whenever I can!

Thats why they put failsafes in them. The jbj for example can be set up such that one float switch activates the pump, a second float can act as an upper failsafe that will turn the pump off if the main float fails, and it will not let the pump run for longer than 3-30 minutes (based on user setting). Pretty much your only risk of failure is the relay contacts fusing, which takes 100,000 operations in the 95% confidence interval, and within that there is a 90% chance that when it does fail, it will fail in the off position. When I used to service swamp coolers, the average lifespan of a float valve was 3 years before it started leaking bad, and a saltwater environment is way harsher on moving parts than a humid environment. To each his own, but thats my 2 cents.