75 gallon reef build

[Waddleboy]

what kind of ato you looking for?

[Nonameben]

Honestly I have no idea, I know little about them. By that, I mean that I know it stands for auto top off and it replaces water in my display tank.. haha

[iwishtofish]

I have a JBJ ATO controller inside my stand. Plugged into that is a float valve (which is in the return section of my sump - the only place where the water level drops due to evaporation). Also plugged into the controller is a small water pump (I use an Aqua Lifter). When the float valve detects a water drop, the controller triggers the small water pump to draw RO/DI water from a topoff reservoir (5g container), until the float valve detects that the water level is again where it should be.

It turns on maybe every 4 or 5 minutes, and runs for about 15-20 seconds. I have a pretty high evaporation rate.

That's pretty much how they work.

Edit: They only replenish with freshwater, of course, as the salt, etc, does not evaporate.

[PistolShrmp]

Personally, I'm thinking about getting an Elos Osmocontroller. No floats required, which means no problems.

[Nonameben]

Originally Posted by iwishtofish

I have a JBJ ATO controller inside my stand. Plugged into that is a float valve (which is in the return section of my sump - the only place where the water level drops due to evaporation). Also plugged into the controller is a small water pump (I use an Aqua Lifter). When the float valve detects a water drop, the controller triggers the small water pump to draw RO/DI water from a topoff reservoir (5g container), until the float valve detects that the water level is again where it should be.

It turns on maybe every 4 or 5 minutes, and runs for about 15-20 seconds. I have a pretty high evaporation rate.

That's pretty much how they work.

Edit: They only replenish with freshwater, of course, as the salt, etc, does not evaporate.

Thanks Fish, that seems so much more simple than what I thought! I'm still in the process of reading your whole build thread. It's massive and I've been rereading parts and taking notes (my girlfriend gives me a hard time about my notebook, but it pays to be well informed!) Just a heads up, I'll be asking many questions pretty soon seeing as we both have a 75g!

So far you have made me decide to buy a controller, another heater (we have....well had, the same ViaAqua heater and now I'm scared about it), and an ATO. Along with the whitetail bristletooth of course!

[Nonameben]

Originally Posted by PistolShrmp

Personally, I'm thinking about getting an Elos Osmocontroller. No floats required, which means no problems.

So without the floats, how does the Elos detect lowered water levels?

[Nonameben]

Elos osmocontroller http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store/...FQOR7QodyjPE6g

Pistol is trying to bankrupt me....

[Nonameben]

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...LAID=525429743

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...fm?pcatid=4482

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...m?pcatid=12089

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...7&pcatid=23627

The new supply list

[PistolShrmp]

Nope, just blowin up my bank account.

[Waddleboy]

Originally Posted by Nonameben

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...LAID=525429743

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...fm?pcatid=4482

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...m?pcatid=12089

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...7&pcatid=23627

The new supply list

so not to sound like a pain or a broken record but your ph monitor, temp controller, and jbj top off your looking at 291.97... however a controller with float valves is 314.98... and does all those other 3 plus a lot more... just saying haha

[Nonameben]

Originally Posted by Waddleboy

so not to sound like a pain or a broken record but your ph monitor, temp controller, and jbj top off your looking at 291.97... however a controller with float valves is 314.98... and does all those other 3 plus a lot more... just saying haha

This is exactly why I posted those waddle, without y'alls support I'd be wasting space with all these different controllers when I could just have one! Besides an apex, what other controllers would you suggest?

[Waddleboy]

Reef keeper Is the other popular one. There is an elite and lite. Lite I pretty popular. http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store/...s-reef-keepers. Thats got it. I am sure this is gonna open a whole new set of questions haha

[Nonameben]

Originally Posted by Waddleboy

Reef keeper Is the other popular one. There is an elite and lite. Lite I pretty popular. http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store/...s-reef-keepers. Thats got it. I am sure this is gonna open a whole new set of questions haha

Haha, you got that right. There are so many to choose from! Okay, apex vs reef keeper, I'll do some research and get back to you with the questions!

[Nonameben]

I'm so confused...

lets say that I go with this http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store/...-aquatics.html

Will that control (or measure and give a reading) my temp, pH, and salinity?

Then there is this http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store/...-aquatics.html
which is an expansion pack, so it can add more than one probe? Why would I need two+ pH probes to measure my pH?

[Nonameben]

...after further reading I have found that (lets say an apex jr) controls just temp. However, there are 4 additional spaces to add additional probes ( such as pH) I'm beginning to understand it better. Found out I could check it through my iphone which would be freaking sweet! Waddle, is my thinking correct?

[Waddleboy]

Originally Posted by Nonameben

...after further reading I have found that (lets say an apex jr) controls just temp. However, there are 4 additional spaces to add additional probes ( such as pH) I'm beginning to understand it better. Found out I could check it through my iphone which would be freaking sweet! Waddle, is my thinking correct?

Hate to say it but no haha. The apexjr has for controllable outlets for things like heater lights and stuff and only 1 temp probe. If you want to add a ph probe you need to buy a pm1. You can control any of the apex from your iPhone or the Internet. The apex lite has a spot for ph and temp and 8 controllable outlets. The reef keeper can have the same as e apex lite but does not connect to the Internet and needs a different module to connect to the internet

As for your first post about the reef keeper. The reef keeper lite will give you 8 ports a spot for temp ph and orp and a ph probe. By getting the expansion you get to measure salinity but need to buy another salinity probe. People use two ph probes to measure different parts of their tank or some use it for one for tank ph and another run a calcium reactor or Kalk reactor. Stuff like that.

[iwishtofish]

I think I have read that some of the plugs (like 2 out of 4) on the RKL outlets can only handle low-voltage devices - anyone else read that?

Also, pH monitors can be a nuisance regarding having to calibrate them often (like monthly). The solution is cheap, but still... Regardless, I'm glad I bought one, because now I can see what effect dosing has on my pH.

Sometimes we can make our tanks complicated, while trying to make them less complicated.

[Nonameben]

Originally Posted by Waddleboy

Hate to say it but no haha. The apexjr has for controllable outlets for things like heater lights and stuff and only 1 temp probe. If you want to add a ph probe you need to buy a pm1. You can control any of the apex from your iPhone or the Internet. The apex lite has a spot for ph and temp and 8 controllable outlets. The reef keeper can have the same as e apex lite but does not connect to the Internet and needs a different module to connect to the internet

As for your first post about the reef keeper. The reef keeper lite will give you 8 ports a spot for temp ph and orp and a ph probe. By getting the expansion you get to measure salinity but need to buy another salinity probe. People use two ph probes to measure different parts of their tank or some use it for one for tank ph and another run a calcium reactor or Kalk reactor. Stuff like that.

Dang, I thought I had it figured out. Thanks for the clarification waddle. I like the apex, so will definitely be getting one after I buy my live rock. So, apex lite can control temp and pH, can I add a salinity probe to it? Also, you plug your heater directly into it instead of a wall plug-in?

[Nonameben]

Originally Posted by iwishtofish

I think I have read that some of the plugs (like 2 out of 4) on the RKL outlets can only handle low-voltage devices - anyone else read that?

Also, pH monitors can be a nuisance regarding having to calibrate them often (like monthly). The solution is cheap, but still... Regardless, I'm glad I bought one, because now I can see what effect dosing has on my pH.

Sometimes we can make our tanks complicated, while trying to make them less complicated.

I feel like I read the same thing Fish while researching. So you have an apex controller? I'm trying to learn more about them because I'll definitely get one before any animals go into the tank.

More complications, I agree but there are just so many fun toys you can add to tank! I really like that I can check my temp, pH, and salinity in my tank from my iphone! My girlfriend is going to get bothered quickly by that hahah

[iwishtofish]

Originally Posted by Nonameben

I feel like I read the same thing Fish while researching. So you have an apex controller? I'm trying to learn more about them because I'll definitely get one before any animals go into the tank.

More complications, I agree but there are just so many fun toys you can add to tank! I really like that I can check my temp, pH, and salinity in my tank from my iphone! My girlfriend is going to get bothered quickly by that hahah

No, no controller. Just a JBJ ATO, and a PinPoint pH meter.

What I wish I had right now is a BRS dosing pump (and timer) for my alk. Oh, and a generator!

[Waddleboy]

Originally Posted by iwishtofish

I think I have read that some of the plugs (like 2 out of 4) on the RKL outlets can only handle low-voltage devices - anyone else read that?

that's right 1,4 are 8A and 2,3 are 3A I believe

Originally Posted by Nonameben

Dang, I thought I had it figured out. Thanks for the clarification waddle. I like the apex, so will definitely be getting one after I buy my live rock. So, apex lite can control temp and pH, can I add a salinity probe to it? Also, you plug your heater directly into it instead of a wall plug-in?

You can add a sanity module to the apex but then you also need to get anger probe. Yes so each control,er comes with a power strip. These outlets can be programmed to turn on off. So my heater is plugged into this outlet... For example. My heater is in outlet 1. My outlet is programmed to turn on at 76 and off at 78. My co trolled reads my temp and then controls the heater. The heater is it always on and only needs to be on when needed.

[Nonameben]

Originally Posted by Waddleboy

that's right 1,4 are 8A and 2,3 are 3A I believe



You can add a sanity module to the apex but then you also need to get anger probe. Yes so each control,er comes with a power strip. These outlets can be programmed to turn on off. So my heater is plugged into this outlet... For example. My heater is in outlet 1. My outlet is programmed to turn on at 76 and off at 78. My co trolled reads my temp and then controls the heater. The heater is it always on and only needs to be on when needed.

That's really nice, I'm going to get one 100%, just need to save up some money. Gotta pay rent first

[Nonameben]

Originally Posted by iwishtofish

No, no controller. Just a JBJ ATO, and a PinPoint pH meter.

What I wish I had right now is a BRS dosing pump (and timer) for my alk. Oh, and a generator!

Yea, I read about your power outages! I haven't had a bad power outage since the really bad icestorm we had in 93'. Could my apex controller house a ATO along with all the probes I want? (temp, pH, salinity)

[Waddleboy]

Originally Posted by Nonameben

Yea, I read about your power outages! I haven't had a bad power outage since the really bad icestorm we had in 93'. Could my apex controller house a ATO along with all the probes I want? (temp, pH, salinity)

Yes. Salinity needs a different module. I think pm2 or 3 don't remember which. Ato the float valves need a breakout box to work. You can build your own for like $20 bucks or buy one for 40.

[Nonameben]

Originally Posted by Waddleboy

Yes. Salinity needs a different module. I think pm2 or 3 don't remember which. Ato the float valves need a breakout box to work. You can build your own for like $20 bucks or buy one for 40.

Although Apex is the most expensive of the three (lite and jr) Ithink I'll go with that since it controlls temp, pH, and ORP rather than going with the lite and adding 2+ modules. I'll have to add a salinity module anyways. Breakout box? Always leaving me with more questions Waddle! Haha