ATO Setup

Spyderturbo007 · 07/01/2012, 03:21 PM

While I'm waiting for my cycle to start, I'm planning my ATO setup. I don't have a lot of room in my cabinet due to the size of my sump. It's for a 55g and although I don't mind filling it, I would like it to last for as long as possible because of vacations.

Can someone look over my parts list and see if these things will work together?

Sump Mount Single Switch controller from AutoTopOff.com
AquaLifter Pump
Igloo 6 gallon Cargo Cooler

Any idea how long a 6 gallon container will last? Do I really need the 2 switch model or will the single switch be sufficient?

Kyuss · 07/01/2012, 08:37 PM

Dual switch is nice for redundancy, especially since you mention being gone for vacations etc. As for how much top-off, when I had my 55g setup a few years back I would go through about 3g/week at worst. That was with a glass tops & no sump (live and learn.)

TimeConsumer · 07/02/2012, 04:26 AM

I lose about a gallon a day in my 75g which is kept at 78 degrees in a 72 degree environment with an open top and sump. I figure with a slightly smaller tank and similar evaporation rates your container should last 8 days.

mal7887 · 07/02/2012, 04:36 AM

Like Kyuss said... Dual switch is nice for redundancy, Float switches have a rep for failing. Snails, Growth, etc. Avast marine works had a pressure float switch top off kit that you may want to consider also.

Spyderturbo007 · 07/02/2012, 06:10 AM

Thanks for the help everyone, I ordered everything this morning. I went with a different water container so I could get free shipping from Amazon on the pump and the water cooler. I also got the dual switch float just in case.

Viperboy213 · 07/02/2012, 10:42 AM

Which container did you end up going with? Trying to decide what I want to get for my ATO reservoir.

Spyderturbo007 · 07/02/2012, 11:36 AM

I got this Reliance Desert Patrol instead. There wasn't anything wrong with the Igloo I linked to in the first post, except it wasn't sold by Amazon so it didn't qualify for the free shipping.

07/01/2012, 03:21 PM	#1
Spyderturbo007 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: PA Posts: 2,564	ATO Setup While I'm waiting for my cycle to start, I'm planning my ATO setup. I don't have a lot of room in my cabinet due to the size of my sump. It's for a 55g and although I don't mind filling it, I would like it to last for as long as possible because of vacations. Can someone look over my parts list and see if these things will work together? Sump Mount Single Switch controller from AutoTopOff.com AquaLifter Pump Igloo 6 gallon Cargo Cooler Any idea how long a 6 gallon container will last? Do I really need the 2 switch model or will the single switch be sufficient?

07/02/2012, 04:26 AM	#3
TimeConsumer Registered Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: New Orleans, La Posts: 1,919	I lose about a gallon a day in my 75g which is kept at 78 degrees in a 72 degree environment with an open top and sump. I figure with a slightly smaller tank and similar evaporation rates your container should last 8 days. __________________ Steve - Retired from reefing, for now.

07/02/2012, 04:36 AM	#4
mal7887 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Tampa Posts: 643	Like Kyuss said... Dual switch is nice for redundancy, Float switches have a rep for failing. Snails, Growth, etc. Avast marine works had a pressure float switch top off kit that you may want to consider also. __________________ Matt Don't pee on my leg and tell me it's raining. Current Tank Info: 190

07/01/2012, 08:37 PM	#2
Kyuss Megistered Rember Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Milwaukee, WI Posts: 470	Dual switch is nice for redundancy, especially since you mention being gone for vacations etc. As for how much top-off, when I had my 55g setup a few years back I would go through about 3g/week at worst. That was with a glass tops & no sump (live and learn.)

07/02/2012, 06:10 AM	#5
Spyderturbo007 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: PA Posts: 2,564	Thanks for the help everyone, I ordered everything this morning. I went with a different water container so I could get free shipping from Amazon on the pump and the water cooler. I also got the dual switch float just in case.

07/02/2012, 10:42 AM	#6
Viperboy213 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Olathe, KS Posts: 54	Which container did you end up going with? Trying to decide what I want to get for my ATO reservoir.

07/02/2012, 11:36 AM	#7
Spyderturbo007 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: PA Posts: 2,564	I got this Reliance Desert Patrol instead. There wasn't anything wrong with the Igloo I linked to in the first post, except it wasn't sold by Amazon so it didn't qualify for the free shipping.