Using RO/DI as an ATO?

Does anyone go straight from their RO/DI filter to a float valve in their sump? Or is there other ways to go about this? My tank is less than 20 ft away from my kitchen sink and it would be nice to just hook up a float valve and never have to worry about top offs again.

 

Not a very good idea, for the only reason that if the valve ever stuck open not only would you have a huge mess, but you would likely dilute your salt water to the point of loss of livestock. What I do instead for my 2 tanks on the first floor is run a line from the DI to a small rubbermaid container in my stands. This is where I use the float valve. Then I use my Reef Angels (both tanks have one) for ATO (using a Tom's Aqualifter). Each is set to time out after running for a few minutes, so no chance of diluting the tank. Been working great for quite a few months now.

 

Yea float valves do fail. I'm waiting for mine to fail one of these days. My sump is gravity fed to a float valve from a water storage container. I only keep about 20 gallons in it, so hopefully it wont murder anything.

If you chose to risk it, make sure you get one that is for an ro/di that shuts off the waste line too. All the float valves I looked for said *Not recommend for Auto top off*

 

My friend, I've had mine running this way for over a YEAR!!

Blah, Blah, oh it might stick, Blah, Blah.

Tell me how? My float valve- bought off the net, is kinda large, and has no metal parts. When 1/4 of the float is in the water, it shuts the valve. So if it were to stick- next to impossible with my valve- more of it would be in the water, putting a large force to shut the intake valve.


When mine is open, it only trickles anyways, 'cause I have a valve just before it attaches to the sump.

My ATO cost less that $15. -for the nice, all plastic, heavy duty float valve I got off the net.

Over a year, and my SG has never stayed so constant!

I have a my RO/DI unit under my kitchen sink.
The RO via the 3g tank goes to a small drinking water faucet on the sink top, and t's off to my frigs icemaker/water dispenser.

Then the DI side goes to my Sump's ATO.
I shut the valve by the sump, disonnect the line/hose, and run it to my 32g plastic waste can on wheels for slat mixing and for WC's.

 

I had a kent marine fail on me after about 2 months straight from my ro/di unit. Flooded my garage. At the time, I had it just on a holding tank. It never shut it off. It could have failed due to high pressure. Said it was rated for 90 PSI. I have a pressure regulator where water comes into the house. I highly doubt its higher than 90 PSI though.

Just my experience. I bet its rare they fail.

 

Here's my DIY ATO thread

http://www.3reef.com/forums/i-made/todds-diy-ato-133471.html

 

Me too. Sorry I know busted............. Been 2 years, I use the Kent float, I wash it off each month to take away salt creep. Never had a problem, but I know I am doomed if it fails, just like if my pump fails, or my heater fails, or some rock falls thought the glass, or a power cut floods my house.
I know "why invite additional risk" but it's such a clean way of doing it, I am also looking at the auto shut off valve version, as it seems a little safer

Sorry guys, I know I am a naughty monkey.

 

These are basically my thoughts on it as well. Seems like a basic cleaning every so often would keep it operating fine.

 

I think i might go this route. It just seems like the easiest way for me. I don't have room for a top off container, and the way im doing it now sucks. Where do u buy the 1/4 inch line from?

 

If you're using RO/DI straight to the ATO make sure you are using a ATO that has a solenoid. The one I am using is from AutoTopOff.com

http://autotopoff.com/products/DS1/

This is what I use, with a solenoid on it. Don't ask me much, I just got it with the tank when I bought it.