Siphon/ Gravity Fed ATO

[NanoReefWanabe]

Well here is the newest addition to my little reef...

after battling constant evap...i decided that adding 1/2 a gallon of water at a time was likely not healthy for the poor little guys in my tank..

so now i have the most basic Siphon/ gravity fed constant drip ATO, comprised of a 2.5 g miracles tank, 18" of silicone air line, 1 air valve, and the little air thingy of the top of a max jet venturi, and six suction cup air line holders...total cost of all brand new stuff ~12 dollars.

Via interupted siphon, it drips constantly into the retun section of the sump at about 1 drip/ 5 seconds, i can make it go a little slower if need be, by tightening dwn either of the two valves but right now it is keeping everything constant...i am going to set up another line like this for drip acclimateing new arrivals aswell.

does anyone see any FATAL FLAWS in the design?
my sump is capable of holding aproximately 5 extra gallons of water...during power outage, my display drains approximately 2 gallons, so even if the ATO drained completely it wouldnt overflow the sump (which is my main concern)
Specific Gravity would like only drop to 1.023 or so if the ATO emptied, my tank is kept at 1.025(NOW).

Sweetest part is instead of 1/2 gallon a day dumped in, i add 2.5 g at the beginig of every week, set it and forget it...

second sweetest part no additonal pumps and soleniods etc..

okay very boring pic time.
full shot:


Suction cups holding the line & valve #1:


Valve #2 and the sump level in check:


let me know what you guys think..

[BeanAnimal]

What was the reasoning behind not using a simple float valve to maintain the sumps water level from your top off container?

[NanoReefWanabe]

i was thinking that less swing the better...in SG...this is only a 20 gallon display....

i suppose if i set the float to only allow 1/2 inch water drop then it would be fine, but as it is, a float swich would just take up more real estate, that i am very limited on in a 15 gallon sump...plus then it would pump 1/2" of water all at once into the return, making the SG swing up and down every day..(possibly twice a day?)

plus i am not the most electrically inclined, so a float swich and a soleniod and another pump half running on 12V DC the pump on 120 AC more wires and thing-a-ma-bobs in my way, it just seemed easier to have it drip and keep everyting constant.

it has been going for just over a week and the water level hasnt budged

[waldomas]

They make a simple float switch that doesnt use electricity. I think Kent Marine makes one.

For your set up, I think yours is fine.
I say...whatever works for you!

[BeanAnimal]

A flaot valve, not a float switch

It would keep the water at a constant level with no fluctuation.

You would fashion a small bracket to hold it in the sump.

[BeanAnimal]

The biggest concern with the setup is regulating the drip rate to match the evaporation rate. The evaporation rate will change with the ambient conditions in the room. This includes the temperature and humidity.

[NanoReefWanabe]

i will look into it then...

i assume it works like a tiolet float then? water goes down enoght to drop the float and it releases the wter untio the float closes up the hole...

if so how big are these things?

[NanoReefWanabe]

LOL must be getting late my typing has gone to hell..

[A sea K]

Youll have to excuse my reply. Its late, I'm tired, and best of all I just learned how to post pics.

BTW the float is designed to fit through a hole drilled in the tank but as already stated you can make a bracket that will work fine.

[GreenUku]

Here's a link to another kind of gravity fed top off that doesn't use any valves or switches, but is auto-regulating.