auto-top off

EWC88 · 05/14/2007, 11:27 AM

Hey guys I was looking at getting this auto-top off system http://www.marinedepot.com/aquarium_...er.asp?CartId=

I was reading it and it said it doesn't come with the pump..So my questionS are..first is this a good ATO? and if not what kind do you recommend? And if it is whats a good pump for it?

Thank you

panther28 · 05/14/2007, 01:09 PM

It is a very goog ATO system. I got it a few days back and it does its job. As for the pump you could use any pump you want. I am using a maxi jet 1200 pump. I am very happy with it. I am using model A. from the diagrams. If you want to buy go to drfoster&smith.com they have it for sale at $89.99.

sgallagher7 · 05/14/2007, 02:58 PM

I use the aqualifter with my auto topoff. Its silent, and cheap. No complaints. It was recommended by autotopoff.com, where I got my system from.

EWC88 · 05/14/2007, 03:44 PM

sgallagher7 I went on that website and all there pumps are foutain tech..is that the one you have??

sgallagher7 · 05/14/2007, 03:59 PM

I purchased the aqualifter from Marine depot. Its about 15 bucks. Autotopoff use to carry them when I purchased my auto topoff. Its a great little pump.

bmk · 05/15/2007, 06:12 AM

Hi
I use the Tunze Ozmolator 3155, works great, VERY quite, comes with everything you need includes a saftey sensor so it cant overflow should something go wrong with the level sensor.

http://www.tunze.com/149.html?&L=1&C..._tunzeprod_pi1[predid]=-infoxunter036

Barry

Shagsbeard · 05/15/2007, 06:32 AM

My auto-top off doesn't need a pump. It doesn't need valves, or fancy gizmos, and works 100% of the time... no failures anyway in 5 months. There's a picture of it in my galery.

It's a restricted syphon from a glass (must be rigid) bottle. Air is resticted from entering the bottle by having the air intake tube (short one) connected to the PVC which has a hole drilled in it at the water level I want in my return area. When the water level drops, air is let into the bottle and water is syphoned out (from the bottom of the bottle). When the water level is over the hole, no air gets in the bottle and so no water flows out. It's a model of simplicity and it cost less than $10.

fuzzyt · 05/15/2007, 06:56 AM

Shagsbeard, with all the electronic and mechanical things in this hobby making the basic tasks complicated, I gotta give you credit on a solution that is really quite elegant for its simplicity.

Thanks!

khoivo1 · 05/15/2007, 07:13 AM

hi there,,im very new here,and ,i am confused about this auto top off deal,,so if water change every week then why do we need this auto top off ?? is this auto top off for those people with larger tank? or monthly water change or something?? does it makeup salinity too??

sgallagher7 · 05/15/2007, 07:21 AM

The auto topoff is used to make up for the natural evaporation that occures on a daily basis. As the water evaporates, the salinity will increase. Adding ro/di with an auto topoff will keep your parameters stable

khoivo1 · 05/15/2007, 07:50 AM

ohh ok i see,,,i am going to get one too?? haha thanks

EWC88 · 05/15/2007, 08:12 AM

wow...thanks guys for all these replies..and shagsbeard I'm checking out yours in one second

Eklikewhoa · 05/15/2007, 08:21 AM

Sorry for the hijack but does anyone have this ATO in their JBJ nanocube?

I am wanting to add one to mine which I plan to use the aqualifter but wanted to see/know how you guys are setting up the sensors in the back chambers and which chamber.

Thanks

oh....drsfostersmith.com has them pretty cheap and so does Nanotuners.com

rfdoc · 05/15/2007, 09:55 AM

Shagsbeard, how do you add more water to the topoff jug though without letting air in and consequently overflowing the sump?

theop · 05/15/2007, 10:08 AM

I am happy with my double-switch model from autotopoff.com

05/14/2007, 11:27 AM	#1
EWC88 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: New Jersey Posts: 1,114	auto-top off Hey guys I was looking at getting this auto-top off system http://www.marinedepot.com/aquarium_...er.asp?CartId= I was reading it and it said it doesn't come with the pump..So my questionS are..first is this a good ATO? and if not what kind do you recommend? And if it is whats a good pump for it? Thank you

05/14/2007, 01:09 PM	#2
panther28 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Cali Posts: 92	It is a very goog ATO system. I got it a few days back and it does its job. As for the pump you could use any pump you want. I am using a maxi jet 1200 pump. I am very happy with it. I am using model A. from the diagrams. If you want to buy go to drfoster&smith.com they have it for sale at $89.99. Last edited by panther28; 05/14/2007 at 01:19 PM.

05/14/2007, 02:58 PM	#3
sgallagher7 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Arizona Posts: 621	I use the aqualifter with my auto topoff. Its silent, and cheap. No complaints. It was recommended by autotopoff.com, where I got my system from. __________________ Going to the dentist or reef tank? Hmmmm....... Current Tank Info: 75 Gal. Mix reef, 20 Gal sump. Euroreef 80 Skimmer, Reefbreeder photon 48 LEDS, Gyre 150 powerhead, Auto Topoff

05/14/2007, 03:59 PM	#5
sgallagher7 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Arizona Posts: 621	I purchased the aqualifter from Marine depot. Its about 15 bucks. Autotopoff use to carry them when I purchased my auto topoff. Its a great little pump. __________________ Going to the dentist or reef tank? Hmmmm....... Current Tank Info: 75 Gal. Mix reef, 20 Gal sump. Euroreef 80 Skimmer, Reefbreeder photon 48 LEDS, Gyre 150 powerhead, Auto Topoff

05/15/2007, 07:21 AM	#10
sgallagher7 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Arizona Posts: 621	The auto topoff is used to make up for the natural evaporation that occures on a daily basis. As the water evaporates, the salinity will increase. Adding ro/di with an auto topoff will keep your parameters stable __________________ Going to the dentist or reef tank? Hmmmm....... Current Tank Info: 75 Gal. Mix reef, 20 Gal sump. Euroreef 80 Skimmer, Reefbreeder photon 48 LEDS, Gyre 150 powerhead, Auto Topoff

05/14/2007, 03:44 PM	#4
EWC88 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: New Jersey Posts: 1,114	sgallagher7 I went on that website and all there pumps are foutain tech..is that the one you have??

05/15/2007, 06:12 AM	#6
bmk Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: England Posts: 278	Hi I use the Tunze Ozmolator 3155, works great, VERY quite, comes with everything you need includes a saftey sensor so it cant overflow should something go wrong with the level sensor. http://www.tunze.com/149.html?&L=1&C..._tunzeprod_pi1[predid]=-infoxunter036 Barry

05/15/2007, 06:32 AM	#7
Shagsbeard Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Morro Bay, CA Posts: 2,143	My auto-top off doesn't need a pump. It doesn't need valves, or fancy gizmos, and works 100% of the time... no failures anyway in 5 months. There's a picture of it in my galery. It's a restricted syphon from a glass (must be rigid) bottle. Air is resticted from entering the bottle by having the air intake tube (short one) connected to the PVC which has a hole drilled in it at the water level I want in my return area. When the water level drops, air is let into the bottle and water is syphoned out (from the bottom of the bottle). When the water level is over the hole, no air gets in the bottle and so no water flows out. It's a model of simplicity and it cost less than $10.

05/15/2007, 06:56 AM	#8
fuzzyt Premium Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Colorado Springs Posts: 250	Shagsbeard, with all the electronic and mechanical things in this hobby making the basic tasks complicated, I gotta give you credit on a solution that is really quite elegant for its simplicity. Thanks!

05/15/2007, 07:13 AM	#9
khoivo1 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: snowta usa Posts: 748	hi there,,im very new here,and ,i am confused about this auto top off deal,,so if water change every week then why do we need this auto top off ?? is this auto top off for those people with larger tank? or monthly water change or something?? does it makeup salinity too??

05/15/2007, 07:50 AM	#11
khoivo1 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: snowta usa Posts: 748	ohh ok i see,,,i am going to get one too?? haha thanks

05/15/2007, 08:12 AM	#12
EWC88 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: New Jersey Posts: 1,114	wow...thanks guys for all these replies..and shagsbeard I'm checking out yours in one second

05/15/2007, 08:21 AM	#13
Eklikewhoa Registered Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Above water Posts: 1,442	Sorry for the hijack but does anyone have this ATO in their JBJ nanocube? I am wanting to add one to mine which I plan to use the aqualifter but wanted to see/know how you guys are setting up the sensors in the back chambers and which chamber. Thanks oh....drsfostersmith.com has them pretty cheap and so does Nanotuners.com

05/15/2007, 09:55 AM	#14
rfdoc Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Cape May County NJ Posts: 349	Shagsbeard, how do you add more water to the topoff jug though without letting air in and consequently overflowing the sump? __________________ ~It's not the size of your rod that counts, it's how you wiggle your worm~

05/15/2007, 10:08 AM	#15
theop Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Durham, NC Posts: 1,493	I am happy with my double-switch model from autotopoff.com