TopOff

There are seven parts to this device:

Water Cooler Bottle, or any other riggid, air-tight, food-safe container.

Air line hoses, (two pieces) in 1/4" or 3/8" inch diameter.

Air line hose couplers, 3 of them

PVC Pipe and End Cap, 1/2" diameter

And a lot of silicone.

In the picture to the left you can see the bottle with 2 hoses attached. One hose is attached to a hose inside the bottle that hangs down to about an inch above or two above the bottom. You can see the step stool that keeps the bottom of the bottle above the water-line in the sump.

Attach an appropriate length of tubing to where one of the couplings pokes-through to the inside of the bottle. This is the tube that will draw water out of the bottle.

Attach two apropriate lengths of hose to each of the couplings that are attached to the bottle. The hoses should be able to reach the areas where the will be in the tank (or sump) while the bottle is in a position for refilling (if that would require more hose).

To hold the water level sensor in place: drill a 5/8" hole in the lid of the tank (or make a holder from plexiglass. This
Assemble the water level sensor: Put the end cap on the end of the 1/2" PVC pipe. Cut the pipe to the length that would put the opening 1/8" below the surface of the correct water level.

Drill a hole in the water level sensors end cap. It should be the same size drill bit used for the tube coupling's hole inthe bottle. Then smuther the one side of the ring of the tube coupling with silicone. Attach the coupling to the end cap.

Put the assembled level sensor in the 1/2" hole in the tank lid and attach the hose that is attached to the coupling on the bottle that is not attached to a hose on the onside.

Attach the last hose to the coupling on the bottle that is attached to the hose on the inside. This is the syphon hose.

Put RO water or Kalkwasser or whatever your using for make up water into the bottle and apply a thick layer of silicone to the threads of the cap.

FIRST TIME SET-UP

WARNING: If you are setting up this water top-off system while inhabitants are in the tank - USE SEA WATER THE FIRST TIME (as a test)OR UNTILL YOU KNOW IT WORKS!!!! If freshwater or Kalkwasser is used to test an unproven top-off system you could put extreme stress on your tanks inhabitants. The top-off system could accidentally dumps 2 gallons or more of freshwater or Kalkwasser into your tank. DO NOT RUN TOP-OFF FOR MORE THAT 24 HOURS WITH SALTWATER or your salinity will rise, which could put stress on your inhabitants.

To start the siphon: just remove the level sensor from it's holster (hole in the tank lid) and blow in to it. You will hear the bottle creak aas the presure builds inside, and bubbles will come from the end of the siphon tub that is in the tank (or Sump).

When the bubbles stop, and the top-off water is coming out of the tube, put the level sensor back in it's holster (hole in the tank lid). Watch to see that the siphon does indeed stop. If there is an air leak somewhere or the container is not riggid enough (you will see the container collapse into itself) the top-off water may not stop.

Mark the level of the water inside the bottle when you believe it has stopped. NOTE: If you think the siphon is taking too long to stop you can always suck on the level sensor to lower the pressure in the bottle. But, not so much that you suck the water out of the siphon hose. If after a couple of hours the level inside the bottle has not changed then you're OK.

If the water level in the bottle is continually running:

YOU HAVE AN AIR LEAK.

Try smothering the hose connections to the bottle with silicone, and the connections inside the bottle if you can.

Did you silicone the area of the lid where the top of the bottle meets the cap (usually an indentation in the foam rubber lining under the cap). You may need an adjustable pliers to get the cap off the first couple of times.

If you are thinking, "Man, it's going to cost me a fortune in silicone to fill this thing every week!" You need to stop buying aquarium silicone. Just buy the "clear 100% pure silicone" at the hardware store. Find a brand that does not add anti-fungicides. GE makes a good brand.

Or, you can buy a NURSE top-off system - it works on the same siphon / vacuum principle, if spending $75 - $150 doesn't bother you.

Disclaimer: I do not claim to have any idea what I'm talking about. I am not an expert in the field of plastics constuction, food safety, marine biology, nor do I even work in a pet store. This design is based on several I have seen on the internet. All I can testify to is that it works for me. If it does not work for you (and it may not) you are responsible for taking precautionary measures to protect yourself and property from damages that could result from the use or mis-use of this device as described.