Running ATO from Two Rooms Away?

[Itchy Trigger]

So I've been trying to figure out how best to get an ATO going on my 75g reef. There's no room for a reservoir to be placed under or around the tank itself, so I was wondering if I might be able to run tubing from my RODI reservoir, which is in the closet in my bathroom. I'd have to run tubing through a wall and down a hallway to the room where the tank is, but it could be done using cord channels to secure/protect/hide the tubing... My question is, is this even possible? I know the sensor on the ATO needs to tell the pump when to send water, and the pump will be in my reservoir in the other room. Is the cable from the sensor to the pump something that could be extended that far?

I'd also like to run an ATO on my 15g coral QT, which is right next to the closet with the reservoir, but I'll need to run the tubing/wires through the wall in that case also, just to keep things neat. But that distance will only be about 8 feet or so...

Any suggestions or help would be appreciated. Also, if anyone could recommend a particular ATO unit that would be best for my 75g in this particular application, that would be super.

[AZBigJohn]

Almost any ATO would work; the issue is going to be the head pressure on the pump moving the water that far.

Personally, I like the ATO from Autotopoff.com, which would work just fine for your application, you would just need to run the electric from the relay by the tank to your pump by the RO barrel. You would need to get a pump that could handle moving the water far enough but still be able to dial it back enough that it wasn't flowing so fast as to be overkill.

[hkgar]

No problem at all. I run from my RO/DI reservoir which is in the basement and is a 35 foot run with a 6 foot lift. I use a cole parmer peristaltic pump and control with my Apex. The pump is next to the tank.

This is the pump control I use

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Cole-Parmer-...item3f388527a1

[ryanerickson]

I do same kinda thing top up comes from my garage not really any head pressure for me but works fine.

[Itchy Trigger]

Thanks guys. Sounds like I'll be able to do this then... I'd prefer to use a pump that is submerged in the RODI reservoir if possible. Can anyone recommend a pump that would be able to push the water through about 30 ft. of tubing, with a 5 ft. lift to the tank (ATO will be on the tank itself as I have no sump)?

[ca1ore]

You'd likely need a good sized power-head to pump against that kind of pressure - maybe one of the Sicce units.

[Itchy Trigger]

Originally Posted by ca1ore

You'd likely need a good sized power-head to pump against that kind of pressure - maybe one of the Sicce units.

Will look at those - thanks.

[Itchy Trigger]

As far as a model of ATO to use, I like the look of the Tunze Osmolator, as it looks like the part that goes in the tank is quite minimal. Since it has to go in my DT (no sump) I'd like to stay away from big clunky float valves. So the Osmolator is probably the way to go right? Just with a bigger pump than the one it comes with.

[inetmug]

spectrapure makes a pump.... 100 feet. I believe you need a Peristaltic model, no back siphon.

[Itchy Trigger]

Ah I see. Because the tank water could start to siphon back into the reservoir. Hadn't thought of that!

[FNHFan]

I use an Osmolator that pushes water probably 20 feet horizontally to my tank, and then 5 feet up, no problem.

[Itchy Trigger]

Originally Posted by FNHFan

I use an Osmolator that pushes water probably 20 feet horizontally to my tank, and then 5 feet up, no problem.

Oh, that's good to hear. With the pump that comes with it?

[inetmug]

Several vendors make full kits for this, spectrapure is one, Tunze is another.

If you have the space and wallet, you might want to consider adding in the automatic water change system as well. I am pricing this whole thing right now myself. If I go through the trouble of running ATO and associated control lines, I might as well go the full step and put this deal together as well - all depends on price now.

[Mhay]

I'd be leery of doing this from a large reservoir. Only reason is if something happens that the pump gets stuck on can your sump take on all that water? I only have a storage container larger enough in case the pump gets stuck on that my sump can handle all the water at once.

[mfinn]

I have my ATO topoff container about 10' from my tank.
I use the JBJ ATO. I did have to cut the wire from the head unit to one of the float sensors and add a 5-'6' piece of wire. Wasn't hard.
Where the water goes through the wall and into the sump, the outlet tube is above the water level in the sump, so it will not backflow when the pump stops.
I use a max-jet 1200.

[Kyle918]

Originally Posted by Itchy Trigger

Oh, that's good to hear. With the pump that comes with it?

I have the osmolator 3155 and it is great! I don't have the head pressure that you have but the pump seems more than sufficient. You can also use a different pump with it if need been. I am unsure of the pump though. It isn't labeled.

Just make sure the top of reservoir is lower than the sump or after it stops pumping, a siphon may continue to siphon water out of the ATO resovoir into the sump.

[Itchy Trigger]

Just ordered an Osmolator. Going to start by just using it with a 5g bucket that I can place next to the tank temporarily. Will then decide if I want to try and run the tubing down the hall, etc. The folks at BRS recommended a dosing pump that they sell, which should work for pushing water the distance I'd need from the reservoir. Thanks for the feedback, everyone.

[Itchy Trigger]

Originally Posted by Mhay

I'd be leery of doing this from a large reservoir. Only reason is if something happens that the pump gets stuck on can your sump take on all that water? I only have a storage container larger enough in case the pump gets stuck on that my sump can handle all the water at once.

This is definitely a good point... However the Osmolator does seem to have two separate sensors, one electric eye and a back up float valve, so that offers that extra bit of protection.

[inetmug]

The right pump will not allow a siphon IIRC. The peristaltic variety.... simple powerheads can do the siphon, or any pump of internal design.

Regarding sump overflow from ATO.... restricting ATO size is one way. But, it makes your RO/DI cycle fast due to size? Kinda defeats the purpose depending on size.

And that works great if you do not have an automated ATO refill. If you do, could it be possible that the system will continue to malfunction and overfill the sump, and more importantly dilute the tank salinity? It could maybe happen.....

One way to as a safe guard in addition to that of the Osmolato dual sensor, is to have a normally open solenoid that shuts off water to the sump if a float switch in there gets too high. That way, your sump is protected. Pumps may run, but not flood the sump. Thats why all these fancy controllers have alarms, auto-power shutoffs, etc. heck, they may ever send you a text msg. you can definitely log in and see how the system is doing for sure.

Any ATO, or SW change system could be trouble in the long run. But.... you house could get struck by lightning. If you really want to be safe, the old manual way is the only safe way.... but man does it suck.