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  1. #1
    Senior Member Rank = Adult Champion Mikeh83's Avatar
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    Auto top up ideas

    Now I have my drum set up I really need to sort an auto top up solution out. My pond is pretty deep but not a large surface area meaning the lvl can drop pretty fast

    I have seen auto top ups for sale but they are pretty expensive for what is really a simple devise.

    I have thought about using a float valve similar to this




    This would mean drilling into the drum dirty side and I don’t have the space in there (oase profi drum)

    Currently only have I bottom drain and no skimmer if I had skimmer could likely add it there.

    Any advise would be great Auto top up ideas


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  3. #2
    Senior Member Rank = Adult Champion Gazkoi's Avatar
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    I use a Proline Top up product (not yet on my website).

    More expensive than what you are looking at but less messsing with the drum etc...

    Quote Originally Posted by Mikeh83 View Post
    Now I have my drum set up I really need to sort an auto top up solution out. My pond is pretty deep but not a large surface area meaning the lvl can drop pretty fast

    I have seen auto top ups for sale but they are pretty expensive for what is really a simple devise.

    I have thought about using a float valve similar to this




    This would mean drilling into the drum dirty side and I don’t have the space in there (oase profi drum)

    Currently only have I bottom drain and no skimmer if I had skimmer could likely add it there.

    Any advise would be great Auto top up ideas


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    Hobby and business gone but when you’re hooked you’re hooked.

    Always happy to help!!

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  5. #3
    Senior Member Rank = Supreme Champion freddyboy's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Mikeh83 View Post
    Now I have my drum set up I really need to sort an auto top up solution out. My pond is pretty deep but not a large surface area meaning the lvl can drop pretty fast

    I have seen auto top ups for sale but they are pretty expensive for what is really a simple devise.

    I have thought about using a float valve similar to this




    This would mean drilling into the drum dirty side and I don’t have the space in there (oase profi drum)

    Currently only have I bottom drain and no skimmer if I had skimmer could likely add it there.

    Any advise would be great Auto top up ideas


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    I had the same problem.
    The easiest way and cheapest for me was this way.
    Right into the pond its self inlet.
    Outlet. As pond level raises drum level rises. it goes down my waste pipe from drum waste tray. To drains.
    Photo 1 inlet top up.
    Photo 2 waste tray
    Photo 3 out let.
    Hope this gives you some idea.

    Sent from my SM-G960F using Tapatalk

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  7. #4
    Senior Member Rank = Adult Champion Mikeh83's Avatar
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    Thanks Fred.

    So you are basically just keeping a continuous feed going in and you have an overflow on drum?.

    I did think about doing this but being on a meter I did not want to just chuck water down the drain.

    I may just do this for a short term solution I’ll have to try and fine tune the flow to match.


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  9. #5
    Senior Member Rank = Adult Champion Mikeh83's Avatar
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    Thanks Gary, I have seen the proline still overpriced I think. It’s just a probe and solenoid


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  11. #6
    Senior Member Rank = Supreme Champion freddyboy's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Mikeh83 View Post
    Thanks Fred.

    So you are basically just keeping a continuous feed going in and you have an overflow on drum?.

    I did think about doing this but being on a meter I did not want to just chuck water down the drain.

    I may just do this for a short term solution I’ll have to try and fine tune the flow to match.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    Yes that's right. I still do a 10%water change as well as running the trickle in and out. Not on meter
    Up until this year I ran it all year round.
    This winter I turned it off.

    Reasons I run trickle in and out. Is for my water levels that's th main reason. Evaporation of water level for drum.

    Also when heavy feeding comes into play.
    Just time how much you put in a 2pint jug for gallonage of pond. Per minute.

    In my case. I run at 450ml a minute in the jug. And when heavy feeding. I up it to 600ml a minute. My pond is 4700 gallons.
    And add ST 2 teaspoons every 2 days.
    To counter chlorine. I still run through 3 stage pod dechlorinator pod. But don t trust them. So I add st to make sure.
    Fred

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  13. #7
    Senior Member Rank = Grand Champion andikoi's Avatar
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    which profi drum is it,ive just had a look at a photo and seems theres some room on side to put one of these, https://www.victorianplumbing.co.uk/...B&gclsrc=aw.ds all i use in my pond is a torbeck valve on inlet to nexus,,,,,andi

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  15. #8
    Senior Member Rank = Adult Champion Mikeh83's Avatar
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    It’s the profi premium gravity I think you have about 40-50mm of room on one side. I just don’t think is doable.





    I think that I could do something with these 2 items and cost is under £5





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  17. #9
    Senior Member Rank = Rokusai JimJones's Avatar
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    Hi

    i went to screwfix an just bought a toilet torbeck vavle
    cost 9 quid works off an adjustable float

    works fine for me as the water comes after my 3 stage filter so its at considerably lower pressure but I installed the high pressure seat on it just in case.

    had no problems so far .

    Jim

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  19. #10
    Senior Member Rank = Grand Champion andikoi's Avatar
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    i take it your only using one inlet,why not use one of the others to stick a simple float valve into,,,,,andi

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  21. #11
    Senior Member Rank = Adult Champion Mikeh83's Avatar
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    Hi Andy.

    Thanks for the suggestion. You are correct I am using just 1 inlet. I’m not clear how I would add a float value via an inlet Auto top up ideas please share Auto top up ideasAuto top up ideasAuto top up ideas


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  23. #12
    Senior Member Rank = Rokusai Simon Fish's Avatar
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    The float valve in your picture is type 1, it would be illegal to connect that directly to your water supply, depending on how things are connected further back. A double check valve could address that.
    Water regulations.

    Or use a type 2 valve and a double check valve would still be a good idea.
    Last edited by Simon Fish; 10-03-2020 at 11:00 AM.

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  25. #13
    drums usually have a wash counter on them, reset it then check the counter the next day, run a clean and see how much water is used in the cycle, then work out if that x7 is at least 10% of your pond thats your water change so just trickle in that much.
    ive had so many valves like that fail inside the house with clean water id not chance it outside in the elements

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  27. #14
    Senior Member Rank = Kyusai Sim's Avatar
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    Yes either use a 90 bend and a straight pipe to take above pond level or use a T on an inlet already used and do the same. I have a trickle in on the outlet in the same way.

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  29. #15
    Senior Member Rank = Adult Champion Mikeh83's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by sephuk View Post
    drums usually have a wash counter on them, reset it then check the counter the next day, run a clean and see how much water is used in the cycle, then work out if that x7 is at least 10% of your pond thats your water change so just trickle in that much.
    ive had so many valves like that fail inside the house with clean water id not chance it outside in the elements
    Thanks, I have been doing this but as conditions change wash cycles will also I would just rather have a top up set up so it self manages Auto top up ideas


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  31. #16
    Senior Member Rank = Adult Champion Mikeh83's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Simon Fish View Post
    The float valve in your picture is type 1, it would be illegal to connect that directly to your water supply, depending on how things are connected further back. A double check valve could address that.
    Water regulations.

    Or use a type 2 valve and a double check valve would still be a good idea.
    Thanks for advise Simon. Would have definitely added a double check valve. I do already have one on the outside tap anyway Auto top up ideas


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  33. #17
    Senior Member Rank = Adult Champion Mikeh83's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Sim View Post
    Yes either use a 90 bend and a straight pipe to take above pond level or use a T on an inlet already used and do the same. I have a trickle in on the outlet in the same way.
    Ah I see! So simple Auto top up ideas

    Thanks Sim.. just the inspiration I needed. Auto top up ideas I have 3 inlets so will still be fine to do this once I have added skimmer


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  35. #18
    Extreme Koi Member Rank = Kyusai Scamp's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by freddyboy View Post
    I had the same problem.
    The easiest way and cheapest for me was this way.
    Right into the pond its self inlet.
    Outlet. As pond level raises drum level rises. it goes down my waste pipe from drum waste tray. To drains.
    Photo 1 inlet top up.
    Photo 2 waste tray
    Photo 3 out let.
    Hope this gives you some idea.

    Sent from my SM-G960F using Tapatalk
    i do the same 10% a week 400 gallons in winter and 15% in summer, trickle in and overflow to waste. I’m on a meter, but just put it down to one of those essential costs of keeping Koi..

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  37. #19
    Senior Member Rank = Grand Champion andikoi's Avatar
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    ok heres my daft idea,its actually how i have our chickens water feeder supply done lol,attach a pipe from one of your inlets to a small coldwater loft tank,https://www.toolstation.com/water-st...BoCHU4QAvD_BwE make sure the tank top sits a couple of inches above pond water level,maybe level with your drum top,then fit a float valve into the tank and stick a hose on the inlet for it,then when drum cleans the water level in tank will drop and float valve will refill until water level again,,,,,andi

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  39. #20
    Senior Member Rank = Adult Champion Mikeh83's Avatar
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    Thanks andi.. that would work but don’t really want to have a tank. Auto top up ideas


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