Safest way to ATO?

[ps2cho]

So right now I have an ATO form autotopoff.com dual float switch with a aqualifter pump and a 5g dog food container and it lasts about 5 days. Works great! Has done for 2yrs now
I'm sort of getting sick of carrying the 5g jugs from the garage RODI container to the top off container.

What's the safest way to eliminate this chore without flooding my reservoir? Or could i eliminate the reservoir completely and have it come directly from the garage to sump? Distance is about 20ft.

 

[twilliard]

Straight from the ro system

 

[ps2cho]

I don't want it straight from rodi to avoid tds creep and unlimited water. I will let my container run for 2 weeks then turn it on to avoid the tds creep.

Since the container will be above the level of the sump too how would I make sure a siphon does not trigger as well?

 

[twilliard]

Tds creep ?
And it not unlimited the float shuts it off

 

[hybridazn]

Can you run a line from your rodi container to your top off container? I use a mag24 with a old python hose and I just drag the hose to wherever I need to top off containers. Way easier than lugging heavy buckets around

 

[ps2cho]

Right. Until the float fails then it's unlimited. At least with it in my storage container it's limited to 50 to 60g. Neither is preferable but 50g isn't going to destroy the whole house if I am gone for 5 days out of town. 50g would just ruin the closest area.

I'd like something more automated so the ATO is totally hands off.

 

[twilliard]

Lol a float fail?
If you notice the type of float I use the valve is never exposed to saltwater.
7 years and running strong!

 

[ps2cho]

Even right now from my container I have the dual float valve on the autotopoff.com unit THEN I ADDITIONALLY have a 2nd set of high low float switches on the apex control unit that switches off the return pump and ato if they are triggered. I want this level of redundancy! It has on many occasions emailed me something is wrong. Pump died. ATO died. It's well worth it!

 

[redfishbluefish]

Here's what I did...and you will still have to carry five gallon jugs, but not carefully have to pour them into the reservoir. I made a "water cooler" type reservoir using a five gallon bucket. Simply flip the jug through the hole in the bucket. This now gives you ten gallons of water, but still keeps the siphon point at the water level in the bucket (and this was important for me).

Note that I did re-enforce the hole in the bucket top with a piece of 1/2 inch plexiglass.



It's hard to see in the above picture, but here's what the plexi piece looks like:

 

[ps2cho]

I like the idea to try and remove the container in the sump and go straight from rodi container to sump so maybe someone who does this can tell me how their setup is.

 

[hybridazn]

I was talking about having a pump in your reservoir and a hose going to your top off container which you can manually turn on and off. This way there is no heavy lifting.

 

[ps2cho]

Not as hands off and it would have to be a large hose and pump to travel that far or I'd be waiting 30mins to ensure it didn't overflow the res. Nice idea though.

 

[kschweer]

Avast marine has a product called the "barrel tender". What it does in my understanding is turn your rodi on at a low level sensor and off via solenoid valve at the desired high level sensor. May work out for you.

http://www.avastmarine.com/ssc/do/product/barreltender

 

[Tango2]

If you can run some 1/4" tubing from your rodi storage area to your sump, you could use a peristaltic dosing pump. Although not completely siphon proof (nothing is without lowering your ATO reservoir), under normal contusions it will not back-siphon.