Top-Off Project question

[ReefLuvR]

I'm trying to set up a simple top-off. I plan to use a 5-10 gallon container gravity fed to a Kent float-valve in my sump. I've tried just drilling a small hole and using silicone to seal around the air-line tubing, but it still leaks. Any ideas how to better plumb this?

Thanks in advance,
Jen

[Reptoreef]

There should be some hardware to do the same thing(slow drip system) at your local hardware store.

[dakar]

Silicone will not seal with plastic for very long nor very well. Better off using a plastic cement or an epoxy. Or the hardware route, HD has lots of 1/4 OD fittings and such that should work for you if you can switch over to the same of rigid lines the RO units use instead of airline tubing. Bigger inner diameter means less likely to become clogged too.

[ReefLuvR]

When I said air-line tubing, I meant RO tubing. My mistake. Wish we had a HD around here. John Menard owns Eau Claire. I haven't been able to find any fittings that would work very well.

As far as using cement or epoxy, won't that just crack if the water line moves?

[dakar]

Hmmmm 'Nards around us generally has a good selection of these fittings, they are generally kept separate from the other fitting for some odd reason, may have to look around a bit. Otherwise a good two part epoxy should hold up pretty well, just dope up both the inside and outside. Once you have the top off system setup is there going to be a great need to move it often? If yes then definately look into making a small bulkhead out of some fittings.

[davejnz]

Reefluvr,i use the same gravity fed system your gonna be doing.The best way to do it is use the same type of connectors that your RO/DI uses.(the kind you just push in,forget the name)You can get them at HD,get the one with a shut-off valve with one connection for your RO tubing to float valve.The other end of the connector i believe is threaded .5" You just drill a .5" hole(slightly smaller in your top-off container/bucket about 1-2 " from bottom of bucket).The connector will thread itself into the hole in the bucket.Use sealant when threading it through.Then just push one end of the tubing into the end of the valve/connector and the other end to your float valve.You will be glad you went with the valve type(RO style)connector because it will allow you to shut off the flow when your mixing kalk and allowing it to settle before opening it back up to feed your float-vavle.If you need a pic,LMK

[ReefLuvR]

Awesome Dave. That's exactly what I was hoping to hear. Thanks.

Now, a trip to a town with a HD... :D

Jen

[davejnz]

If you have trouble finding them,LMK.My LFS carries them as well and i could mail you one if you needed.

[ReefLuvR]

graicas Dave.

Jen

[davejnz]

Also dont use silicon,it doesn't bond well to plastics,use a PVC type glue to seal it.

[davejnz]

Reefluvr,here's a pic ov the valve i'm talking about.The only difference is this one has push in connectors on both sides,you want the one that has .5" threaded male on the other end.

[Proost]

I made one a while back, and I will be making one soon for my new tank. Good Thread! Just a couple of things....

The 'Nards around here generally have a better selection than HD's that are always right next door. You just have to sometimes look harder sometimes at 'nards because they don't display the actual part mounted on the rack like HD does.

Is your container flexible at all? If so, I would be careful with just threading the fitting into the plastic and sealing it. Because if the plastic flexes the seal can easily break if the sealant doesn't make a chemical bond with both pieces. I would find a small fitting that has the female threads to the fitting you are inserting into your container. Then, drill the hole as Dave said thread the fitting through as Dave said, but stop a thread or two from flush. Then, screw the other fitting on the exposed threads on the inside almost flush and squeeze the epoxy9or whatever onto the exposed threads on both pieces and tighten. Then, you basically, you have a glued bulkhead.

Be careful with the small RO size tubing's. My RO unit has a slightly different size tubing than the 1/4" "ice maker" stuff that most hardware stores sell and therefore the fittings don't fit right. I had to get something called a "John Guest" fitting to properly fit my RO tubing. As you always should at any big box retailer, bring a small piece of the tubing you are trying to verify it fits.

I will post pics when I get around to building my top-off....