dosing pumps & top off

[guitarded]

i just wanted to get some input about using dosing pumps for top off? i know that it can also be used to add meds and kalswasser (calcium?). i would like to get your experience with these pumps, particularly for top off.

[Anemoneman]

For top off with FW only (no meds or kalk) just use a float switch and a small power head. Cheap and efficient. Some even use this setup for kalk. I prefer a smaller dosing pump for my top off using kalkwasser.

[guitarded]

i was thinking about going that route, however, i worry about switch failure. i know some systems have 2 redundant level switches (which is a consideration for me). however, i was wondering if anyone had any experience with the dose pumps and what their opinions may be.

[Anemoneman]

Were you going to use the dosing pump with a level switch? If so the stuck switch dilema will still be there. A timed dosing pump is just OK since the dosing rates may or may not keep up with evaporation.
Don't worry so much about the failed level switch. Put a redundant one in if it makes you feel better. I've had them fail on me a couple times. It's never been an electrical failure but salt on the switch making it stick. One time stuck open, one time stuck closed. I've never had more than a few gallons of water on the floor. Don't worry about spills - they're inevitable. Just try to minimize them.