Safest ATO to use?

pmrossetti · 09/11/2011, 02:56 PM

maybe one with 2 valves in sump, one in reservoir?

what the best setup out there?

aleonn · 09/11/2011, 03:09 PM

There are various ways to add fail-safes. It's more about risk management than completely eliminating the risk of a problem IMO.

1) Double float switch for redundancy, as you mentioned. If you have extra money, purchase one of the "optical eye" sensors, or get the Tunze Osmolator.
2) Have the ATO run on a timer, and match the running time to your evaporation rate
3) Choose a reservoir that isn't too large so in the case the entire reservoir accidentally dumps into your DT, the salinity drop won't be too dramatic.
4) Hook the ATO system to a controller with a conductivity/salinity probe.
5) I like your idea of a float switch in the ATO reservoir. In the low ATO condition, a controller can email/text you an alert.

aleonn · 09/11/2011, 03:13 PM

Double post

autodave · 09/11/2011, 03:26 PM

Tunze Osmolator-mine has been running flawless

reefsurfing · 09/11/2011, 03:54 PM

Elos top off

Phishguy · 09/11/2011, 04:51 PM

I think my way is the safest and easiest. 5g bucket, ro tube, and float valve. I let gravity do the work. No motors, plugs or sensors. I've been doing it this way for years without ever a problem. I won't say never because you never know but I have no motors or sensors to fail.. Just my opinion. Simple and effective

rkaires · 09/11/2011, 05:27 PM

I been using a float valve 8 years without a hitch.

http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/ite...3623&catid=569

rkaires · 09/11/2011, 05:27 PM

Double post

jmking33 · 09/11/2011, 08:23 PM

I always use a double float ato.

fishdoc11 · 09/11/2011, 08:28 PM

I have used a Tunze osmolator for many years and highly recommend them. Also agree with not having too big a top off container in case a snail gets stuck in the overflow etc...

Fishbulb2 · 09/11/2011, 09:24 PM

I've tried a lot of different set ups with dual float switches and now I've switched to what I think is the safest. No float switches and just a BRS 50 ml peristaltic pump set to go off for 3 minutes every couple hours. No matter what happens in the tank, it never over doses. As the seasons and humidity change, I typically have to adjust by a couple of minutes here or there but it's usually just once a month or so. Really it's so easy and safe I regret not having done it years earlier. ATO accidents are probably the biggest disasters I ever had in my tanks (rare but really bad especially when you use kalk).

just my two cents,
FB

Mike31154 · 09/11/2011, 11:04 PM

When it comes to risk management, the simpler the better, so my vote would be for gravity feed through mechanical float valve. The fewer components to an ATO, the less likelihood of failure.

edwin-orellana · 09/11/2011, 11:17 PM

I am using the Tunze osmolator for 9 months without a problem

kripas · 09/12/2011, 12:13 AM

+ one on Tunze Osmolator. Just bought a second one for my FOWLR tanks.Pricey but Piece of mind equipment

Sent from my iPhone using My fingers

09/11/2011, 02:56 PM	#1
pmrossetti Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Cali. Posts: 3,199	Safest ATO to use? maybe one with 2 valves in sump, one in reservoir? what the best setup out there?

09/11/2011, 03:13 PM	#3
aleonn Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 4,041	Double post Last edited by aleonn; 09/11/2011 at 03:50 PM.

09/11/2011, 05:27 PM	#7
rkaires Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Dingmans Ferry, PA Posts: 1,083	I been using a float valve 8 years without a hitch. http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/ite...3623&catid=569 __________________ Bob Current Tank Info: 200gal system, 150gal & 58gal reef, ATI Powermodule & Sunpower , ATB Deluxe skimmer, KZ zeo reactor, Geo 618, FX1500 return, Tunze 7095, Tunze Streams.

09/11/2011, 05:27 PM	#8
rkaires Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Dingmans Ferry, PA Posts: 1,083	Double post __________________ Bob Current Tank Info: 200gal system, 150gal & 58gal reef, ATI Powermodule & Sunpower , ATB Deluxe skimmer, KZ zeo reactor, Geo 618, FX1500 return, Tunze 7095, Tunze Streams.

09/11/2011, 08:23 PM	#9
jmking33 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: orlando,FL Posts: 1,652	I always use a double float ato. __________________ It is what it is! Current Tank Info: 160 gallon rimless w/ a fishroom located behind it

09/11/2011, 03:09 PM	#2
aleonn Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 4,041	There are various ways to add fail-safes. It's more about risk management than completely eliminating the risk of a problem IMO. 1) Double float switch for redundancy, as you mentioned. If you have extra money, purchase one of the "optical eye" sensors, or get the Tunze Osmolator. 2) Have the ATO run on a timer, and match the running time to your evaporation rate 3) Choose a reservoir that isn't too large so in the case the entire reservoir accidentally dumps into your DT, the salinity drop won't be too dramatic. 4) Hook the ATO system to a controller with a conductivity/salinity probe. 5) I like your idea of a float switch in the ATO reservoir. In the low ATO condition, a controller can email/text you an alert.

09/11/2011, 03:26 PM	#4
autodave Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Menifee,Ca. Posts: 484	Tunze Osmolator-mine has been running flawless

09/11/2011, 03:54 PM	#5
reefsurfing Registered Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 499	Elos top off

09/11/2011, 04:51 PM	#6
Phishguy Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: springfield, ma Posts: 660	I think my way is the safest and easiest. 5g bucket, ro tube, and float valve. I let gravity do the work. No motors, plugs or sensors. I've been doing it this way for years without ever a problem. I won't say never because you never know but I have no motors or sensors to fail.. Just my opinion. Simple and effective

09/11/2011, 08:28 PM	#10
fishdoc11 catch and release Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Old Hickory,TN Posts: 13,237	I have used a Tunze osmolator for many years and highly recommend them. Also agree with not having too big a top off container in case a snail gets stuck in the overflow etc... __________________ "Try to learn something about everything and everything about something" -- Thomas H. Huxley Current Tank Info: 70 gallon mixed reef

09/11/2011, 09:24 PM	#11
Fishbulb2 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Bethesda, MD Posts: 1,807	I've tried a lot of different set ups with dual float switches and now I've switched to what I think is the safest. No float switches and just a BRS 50 ml peristaltic pump set to go off for 3 minutes every couple hours. No matter what happens in the tank, it never over doses. As the seasons and humidity change, I typically have to adjust by a couple of minutes here or there but it's usually just once a month or so. Really it's so easy and safe I regret not having done it years earlier. ATO accidents are probably the biggest disasters I ever had in my tanks (rare but really bad especially when you use kalk). just my two cents, FB __________________ Just getting back in, but trying to do it right! Current Tank Info: 40 gallon tank. SPS, LPS, few softies

09/11/2011, 11:04 PM	#12
Mike31154 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: B.C. Canada Posts: 1,555	When it comes to risk management, the simpler the better, so my vote would be for gravity feed through mechanical float valve. The fewer components to an ATO, the less likelihood of failure. __________________ Mike Current Tank Info: 77g sumpless sw with rock, sand, a few critters, fishes & polyps. Lights, pumps.....

09/11/2011, 11:17 PM	#13
edwin-orellana Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Hollywood Posts: 195	I am using the Tunze osmolator for 9 months without a problem

09/12/2011, 12:13 AM	#14
kripas Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Hayward, Ca Posts: 238	+ one on Tunze Osmolator. Just bought a second one for my FOWLR tanks.Pricey but Piece of mind equipment Sent from my iPhone using My fingers

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