Build advice please - ATO

[Mark_C]

Limited in space in my new cabinet.
I can fill it entirely with a 40g sump/fuge, or I can go smaller (30g) and leave space for a 10g ATO tank.
If I go large I'd run tube from my RO/DI and rely on an Eshopps float to regulate.
The BIG question...
How reliable are these floats 24/7?
What are the chances of returning home after a long weekend to find a stuck float and my RO/DI in full production.
Anyone with experiences or stories to share?

 

[Mark...]

Personally I wouldn't use the ro/di with a float. Unlimited disaster awaits. Any chance you could have a remote location ie closet, garage etc and run tubing to sump?

 

[kschweer]

I have seen maybe one or 2 fail but both were very old. You should inspect and clean them every so often just to make sure they are in working order.


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[jgraz]

I agree. If that thing get stuck on you can kiss everything goodbye. Can you fit a 5 gallon bucket or a water cooler bottle? The water bottles don't take up too much room, especially the squared off ones. Also take a look at Kevin's build. He built a small box for next to the stand and it looks pretty good.

If you go with the float valve make sure you build in a failsafe, as well as a way to completely shut down the rodi system. Because as pressure builds its going to want to push through the float valve

 

[kschweer]

It's a little on the expensive side but avast marine makes a product called the barrel tender that turns your rodi on and off via solenoid valve to top off your reservoir. It has a high and low sensor, when water hits the low sensor the rodi is turned on when it hits the high sensor it's turned off. This helps extend life of your rodi as its better to make a few gallons at a time not turn on and off multiple times. I may have misunderstood at first but I wouldn't use the float to top off your tank. I would only use it to fill a reservoir.


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[redfishbluefish]

I would never set up my RO/DI to turn on and off and on and off with a float valve or solenoid. The reason is that every time it's off, you get a little breakthrough of the membrane, and on startup, those couple minutes to clear the high TDS will now be removed by your DI Resin. Now I don't know how many times your tank will call for water, but with mine, sometimes it sounds like a ping-pong match. All that off and on will eat up your DI real quick.


Go with an external reservoir. As mentioned, Kevin has a pretty one with a cabinet (box) on the side of his tank. Mine is ugly, and looks similar to a water cooler.

 

[kschweer]

The good thing with the product I'm talking about is that it isn't on and off all the time like a float. You can set the low level (on) sensor where you want to make as much or as little water at a time as you want. Here's a link to it. Seems pretty cool.

http://www.avastmarine.com/products/barrel-tender


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