How many people do NOT have a ATO unit? - Page 4

Korrine · 06/02/2009, 08:57 PM

my bad, I mean autotopoff.com ...lol

mg426 · 06/02/2009, 09:33 PM

First 5 years I went without one. Now I cant imagine being without one.

sikpupy · 06/04/2009, 07:32 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by cnaegler
Let me pose this question. Could/ would an aqualifter, controlled by my ACII allow me to topoff WITHOUT fear of siphoning? I read that the aqualifter will pump 3 1/2 gallons / hr. I'm assuming that i could figure the amount of evaporation and set my controller to "refill" the sump in intervals throughout the day. Anyone see a downside to this? Seems awful inexpensive/ easy( $10 aqualifter), especially if you have a controller already. The main question is, when it's off, will it siphon through the pump?

Get a magic marker, top off your tank and mark it with a marker. Would be best to leave 2-4" from the top if you can. let the tank evaporate a day. Carefully add water back to the tank after a 24hr period noting the amount it takes to get back to the magic marker mark. Set your aqua filter to add that amount in 24 hours.....done!

I did the same thing but with gravitational flow from a 5g bucket. I was doing it to keep my QT at 1.009. Yes, my 30gal tub was kept at the salinity perfectly, so, if it is that good using that method, just keeping your tank filled will be no problem. There are also claculaters online that give you water volume amounts per drip to help calculate how many drips per hour = X gallons. Worked out well.

RRaider · 06/04/2009, 07:48 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Korrine
my bad, I mean autotopoff.com ...lol

I just set up the same one on my 29g and it works well. I used an AquaLifter pump. It's easy to setup.

Jerry Gonzales · 06/04/2009, 08:33 AM

I ran my plumbing down into the basement for a bunch of good reasons, but mainly for cooling down the tank and space. I have a 100g rubbermaid sump with a 75g rubbermaid top off sump built above it. 1/4" hose with valve from Lowes out of the top sump to a Kent float valve located 5"-6" below the rim of my sump. I fill the top off up about one a month with R/O Line and I'm done. I have added top off and lime for many years this way with no problems. Although you don't need sumps that size, it is still very basic and very cost effective. I have used 20g Wal-Mart containers before. You can even place another float valve from you R/O to the top off as long as you have an auto shut off so you don't waste water.
HTH's

Robamus · 06/04/2009, 02:22 PM

I inherited my tank from a buddy... He had no timers, no ATO, no RO/DO (Weekly trip to LFS). If I did it like this I would quit this hobby.

The ATO is like having an electric garage door opener. Its WAY better. I hated topping off every day.

sikpupy · 06/04/2009, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Korrine
I just bought the dual switch controller w/a pump on autocontroller.com
I'm going into this blind w/out seeing an ato in person before (unless I didn't know what it was at the time).

If anyone wants, I'll give my feedback when I receive it.

Kj

Sure, all feed back is welcomed.

euromomtx · 06/04/2009, 10:05 PM

Don't have one but would like one

130g with 20g sump - T5s
evap about 1 g per day

mcarroll · 06/04/2009, 11:14 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Kdocimo90
If only there were a cheap way to automate water changes

Define cheap.

In terms of the parts required, you could do it for under $1000 - possibly well under that. That's not chump change (to most of us), but it's once - then water changes are reduced to the flip of a switch or even automated.

I don't think money would be the major stumbling block to setting up automated water changes.

-Matt

hotrodolds · 06/05/2009, 12:08 AM

i dont but i really really want one. Every two weeks or so when i got a free 20-30bucks it comes down to ATO or a coral. Ive been going with coral, college budget blows.

Medaka · 06/05/2009, 12:17 AM

I have a 75g tank and I don't have one and don't want one.
I like lugging around 5gallon jugs

It's about the only form of exercise I get hehe.

Krim · 06/05/2009, 09:56 AM

Will not do it until I move from 2nd floor. Really not a big hassle w/o one at this time. Will be a nice addition one day.

View Poll Results: I have do or do not have a ATO
Do	100	43.29%
Do NOT	131	56.71%
Voters: 231. You may not vote on this poll

06/02/2009, 08:57 PM	#76
Korrine You could get a ticket!! Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Upper midwest Posts: 4,288 Blog Entries: 1	my bad, I mean autotopoff.com ...lol __________________ Try to keep in mind that we are all human...mistakes do happen! Be kinder than necessary because every one you meet is fighting some kind of battle. Current Tank Info: 40 breeder - started 9/2011 - platinum perc and sanjay's black photon clownfishes; sps and lps, and soft corals; 250w MH, 20 long sump w Bubble Magus Nac 3.5 skimmer 12g nano cube -serpent star, mini carpet anemones, w 6 sexy shrimp, 150w MH, maxi je

06/02/2009, 09:33 PM	#77
mg426 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: maryland Posts: 6,923	First 5 years I went without one. Now I cant imagine being without one. __________________ I found a way to make a small fortune running a reef tank. Start with a large fortune. Unofficial President of the SEACLONE haters club Current Tank Info: 125 mixed reef 110 lbs LR, 1x250watt XM 20K MH 2x175watt XM 20K MH on Magetics 2X96 watt actinic PC, 220 watt VHO actinic, 30 gallon refugium, closed loop system powered by Sequence Dart MSX 200 skimmer 38 gallon sump, Oceansmotions squirt

06/04/2009, 10:05 PM	#83
euromomtx Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Texas Posts: 742 Blog Entries: 3	Don't have one but would like one 130g with 20g sump - T5s evap about 1 g per day __________________ Karin Current Tank Info: 215g Caribbean Inspired Reef with Shadowbox

06/04/2009, 08:33 AM	#80
Jerry Gonzales Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Brighton,CO Posts: 728	I ran my plumbing down into the basement for a bunch of good reasons, but mainly for cooling down the tank and space. I have a 100g rubbermaid sump with a 75g rubbermaid top off sump built above it. 1/4" hose with valve from Lowes out of the top sump to a Kent float valve located 5"-6" below the rim of my sump. I fill the top off up about one a month with R/O Line and I'm done. I have added top off and lime for many years this way with no problems. Although you don't need sumps that size, it is still very basic and very cost effective. I have used 20g Wal-Mart containers before. You can even place another float valve from you R/O to the top off as long as you have an auto shut off so you don't waste water. HTH's

06/04/2009, 02:22 PM	#81
Robamus Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: La Quinta, Ca Posts: 164	I inherited my tank from a buddy... He had no timers, no ATO, no RO/DO (Weekly trip to LFS). If I did it like this I would quit this hobby. The ATO is like having an electric garage door opener. Its WAY better. I hated topping off every day.

06/05/2009, 12:08 AM	#85
hotrodolds Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Brandon, FL Posts: 600	i dont but i really really want one. Every two weeks or so when i got a free 20-30bucks it comes down to ATO or a coral. Ive been going with coral, college budget blows.

06/05/2009, 12:17 AM	#86
Medaka Premium Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Orange, calif Posts: 609	I have a 75g tank and I don't have one and don't want one. I like lugging around 5gallon jugs It's about the only form of exercise I get hehe.

06/05/2009, 09:56 AM	#87
Krim Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 69	Will not do it until I move from 2nd floor. Really not a big hassle w/o one at this time. Will be a nice addition one day.