Auto Top Off - Please suggest a pump.

wagohn · 02/23/2015, 09:30 PM

Hello all,

I setup a Hydor ATO and l also purchased an aqualifter water pump to provide top-off water. The problem is the aqualifter isnt powerful enough to provide all the water needed when the ATO kicks in. The aqualifter provides a slow drip to the tank when activated and its not enough to top-off the tank in the allocated 10 minutes from the Hydor.

I know what the issues is; the aqualifter is trying to pump almost 4 feet and its only rated for 2.5 feet. At a lower level the water squirts out of the aqualifter.

So to cut a long story short, I need a different pump. I dont want to go the maxijet route because I want the pump to run external with 1/8th tubing. Reason being, I want to switch out 5 gallon RO bottles (slim neck) for water containment and a maxijet wont fit in the neck of an RO bottle. The aualifter was such a nice setup, its really too bad.

Any suggestions for an economy external pump with more power than the aqualifter?

Thanks so much.

moondoggy4 · 02/23/2015, 10:42 PM

Avast makes a aqualifter on steroids pump, you can check their site.

ca1ore · 02/23/2015, 10:56 PM

I'm using a pair of the avast diaphragm pumps and have been very happy with them. Reliable, so far, and seemingly able to push or pull water as far as you need. One of mine is pulling almost 50' without any problems.

moondoggy4 · 02/23/2015, 11:02 PM

http://www.avastmarine.com/ssc/do/pr...Diaphragm-Pump hth

mnkykng77 · 02/24/2015, 12:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ca1ore

I'm using a pair of the avast diaphragm pumps and have been very happy with them. Reliable, so far, and seemingly able to push or pull water as far as you need. One of mine is pulling almost 50' without any problems.

What ATO controller are you using? i'm in the process of buying a ATO for my FOWLR and I'll probably be getting this pump

Sn8kbyt · 02/24/2015, 01:34 AM

BRS ATO 50ml per hour pump is an option less than $100 shipped. Works great with a controller or most ATO systems.

ca1ore · 02/24/2015, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mnkykng77

What ATO controller are you using? i'm in the process of buying a ATO for my FOWLR and I'll probably be getting this pump

I'm an unabashed fan of Dan (Avast) and his stuff. On my main display, I use one of his pressure switches connected to my Apex, and two back-up float switches because .... well, because I'm paranoid ....

On my other tanks I use the dual float assembly from autotopoff.com

wagohn · 02/24/2015, 10:45 AM

Hi all,

Thanks for all the feedback. I really don't want to invest more than $30 in a pump.

I just purchased the Hydor ATO and I really like it. It was recommended that it pairs with the aqualifter but I did not read carefully enough and didn't realize that the aqualifter was suggeseted with a SUMP setup. Therefore, not good for pumping 3- 4ft vertical like I have to do.

Before I purchased the Hydor ATO, I was using a $10 float switch paired to a maxijet for ATO. This worked well for years until the switch fell apart. I then wanted something more 'snail safe' and so purchased the Hydor.

Worse case, before spending $100 on a pump that runs for 10 minutes - twice a week, I could put the maxijet on the Hydor system. Id rather not because I create my RO in 5 gallon 'slim neck' bottles. It would be great to just switch out bottles when needed but if using a maxijet, Id have to pour the RO into a bucket because of the large pump.

Any other external pump ideas?

Thanks so much.

SaltwaterAq · 02/24/2015, 12:14 PM

I use a Sicce Silent 0.5 on one tank. Works great.

http://www.saltwateraquarium.com/sic...lent-pump.html

slief · 02/24/2015, 12:20 PM

I am not a fan of using larger pumps for ATO. The issue comes into play if a float fails or something causes the ATO to stay on. With a large pump, the tank will be flooded with fresh water in no time. Instead I use slower dosing pumps for ATO duties. That way if something goes wrong, I have plenty of time to correct the issue.

In my opinion, the best reasonably inexpensive pump for top off duty is a 12v powered Litermeter slave pump. They can draw or push water further and higher than any other comparable pump. Best of all, they are bullet proof and will never siphon. It is hands down the best option for a reliable ATO pump that won't break the bank.

This is the pump I am talking about.
http://spectrapure.com/DOSING-TOP-OF...er-Dosing-Pump
You can also convert a standard Litermeter slave pump to AC power just by cutting the cable and splicing in an AC Adapter.

mnkykng77 · 02/24/2015, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ca1ore

I'm an unabashed fan of Dan (Avast) and his stuff. On my main display, I use one of his pressure switches connected to my Apex, and two back-up float switches because .... well, because I'm paranoid ....

On my other tanks I use the dual float assembly from autotopoff.com

Thanks. I don't have a Apex so I'll have to research more on controllers. I was looking into the Tunze but not sure if I want to fork out the cash for it just yet, if I can piece together one for a little less.

Tattoocean · 02/25/2015, 08:03 AM

Personally not a fan of a pump to top off my water. It evaporates slow as it is and don't really need it quickly done. I bought a few extra float valves when I needed one for my ro/di reservoir and made a rack to hold it in my sump at the height I needed it to be. Just used extra plexiglass laying around and fused it with the wall that was already there going into the return chamber. For now I ran the tube to a 5 gallon bucket with quick connect fitting and left over tube from the ro/di unit. Will be getting something decorative so I don't have to hear it from the woman on how I camouflaged a homer bucket eye soar...lol
I have seen units made to go on top of the sump but to me don't hold enough and mind as well do it daily. With 5g I don't have to worry about it for a week and sometimes more. Luckly for me there is a book shelf next to it that I have the capability for it to be gravity fed. Def have to say Ive seen an improvement in everything not rushing to put a few gallons in because of that thing called life and missed placed it somewhere with everything going on. We all know rapid change in salinity can throw everything off....
Oh and I seen a post earlier this morning that built a fish tank on the wall and 1st thing I thought of was a top off reservoir. That may be an option in the near future as well for me depending on where I will be putting them.....

Kyuss · 02/26/2015, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sn8kbyt

BRS ATO 50ml per hour pump is an option less than $100 shipped. Works great with a controller or most ATO systems.

FWIW I'd stay away from these. They're notorious for stripping out a drive gear and there's no replacement parts so you have to buy a whole new pump. Mine lasted 13 months before it stripped out, and was rather noisy when it was still working.

Actually I just looked and it looks like BRS doesn't even have them listed on their site anymore.

wagohn · 02/26/2015, 01:23 PM

Thanks all.

I decided to go back to using the ATO with an 'open bucket' method. I ordered a Rio 800 on Amazon for $15 shipped. The pump supposedly pumps water to 4+ feet height and has a controllable output flow. I couldn't justify $60-$100 for a top-off pump that runs 20 mins per week.

I should be able to set something up that hits the '10 minute top-off' schedule.

Thanks again.

mitchrapp · 02/26/2015, 01:29 PM

I've been trying to give away my $100-$120 for a quiet peristaltic pump for the past month but both avast and spectrapure have been out of stock the whole time.

wagohn · 02/28/2015, 12:41 PM

UPDATE:

I was mistaken, I actually ordered a Rio 600 for $15. I hooked the pump up today and its perfect.

The setup: The Rio comes with a bag of attachments. I placed the Rio supplied 'ball-valve' in the pump but back-to-front. That allowed me to close off the ball-valve flow and route the water out of the 'aeration' nozzle that is usually used for adding air to the pumps output. I then attached my 1/8th airline hose to the aeration nozzle and ran it 3ft up to my 29 gallon tank.

The result: The Hydor ATO kicks in when the water hits the minimum mark, it runs for 10 minutes and the Rio supplies enough water to raise the level to the maximum mark for the ATO.

Works perfectly and the top-off is a slow flow over 10 minutes.

Thanks all.

Sn8kbyt · 03/01/2015, 11:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kyuss

FWIW I'd stay away from these. They're notorious for stripping out a drive gear and there's no replacement parts so you have to buy a whole new pump. Mine lasted 13 months before it stripped out, and was rather noisy when it was still working.

Actually I just looked and it looks like BRS doesn't even have them listed on their site anymore.

I just got one delivered so they still carry them. I had one on my 90 gallon for almost 2 years before I took it down and never an issue with it. I still have it as a spare for my new build.

I have heard people having that issue with them though.

02/23/2015, 09:30 PM	#1
wagohn Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 108	Auto Top Off - Please suggest a pump. Hello all, I setup a Hydor ATO and l also purchased an aqualifter water pump to provide top-off water. The problem is the aqualifter isnt powerful enough to provide all the water needed when the ATO kicks in. The aqualifter provides a slow drip to the tank when activated and its not enough to top-off the tank in the allocated 10 minutes from the Hydor. I know what the issues is; the aqualifter is trying to pump almost 4 feet and its only rated for 2.5 feet. At a lower level the water squirts out of the aqualifter. So to cut a long story short, I need a different pump. I dont want to go the maxijet route because I want the pump to run external with 1/8th tubing. Reason being, I want to switch out 5 gallon RO bottles (slim neck) for water containment and a maxijet wont fit in the neck of an RO bottle. The aualifter was such a nice setup, its really too bad. Any suggestions for an economy external pump with more power than the aqualifter? Thanks so much.

02/23/2015, 10:56 PM	#3
ca1ore Grizzled & Cynical Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Stamford, CT Posts: 17,319	I'm using a pair of the avast diaphragm pumps and have been very happy with them. Reliable, so far, and seemingly able to push or pull water as far as you need. One of mine is pulling almost 50' without any problems. __________________ Simon Got back into the hobby ..... planned to keep it simple ..... yeah, right ..... clearly I need a new plan! Pet peeve: anemones host clowns; clowns do not host anemones! Current Tank Info: 450 Reef; 120 refugium; 60 Frag Tank, 30 Introduction tank; multiple QTs

02/24/2015, 01:34 AM	#6
Sn8kbyt Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Manitowoc, WI Posts: 607	BRS ATO 50ml per hour pump is an option less than $100 shipped. Works great with a controller or most ATO systems. __________________ 220 gallon DT and 90 gallon sump, all DC powered, APEX gold with DOS, feeder, and a few extra modules, Avast Marine swabbie on Skimz Monster 258, 6 Rapid LED Onyx fixtures, BRS dosers, 4 Jaebo RW-15. Current Tank Info: 220 Gallon, 29 Gallon, 2-20L QT, and a 20 gallon tall octogon tank waiting to be setup for a seahorse tank.

02/24/2015, 12:14 PM	#9
SaltwaterAq RC Sponsor Join Date: Nov 2013 Posts: 140	I use a Sicce Silent 0.5 on one tank. Works great. http://www.saltwateraquarium.com/sic...lent-pump.html __________________ Shop Now! SaltwaterAquarium.com Phone 888-700-1012 - Text 717.408.8337

02/24/2015, 12:20 PM	#10
slief RC Sponsor Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 14,173	I am not a fan of using larger pumps for ATO. The issue comes into play if a float fails or something causes the ATO to stay on. With a large pump, the tank will be flooded with fresh water in no time. Instead I use slower dosing pumps for ATO duties. That way if something goes wrong, I have plenty of time to correct the issue. In my opinion, the best reasonably inexpensive pump for top off duty is a 12v powered Litermeter slave pump. They can draw or push water further and higher than any other comparable pump. Best of all, they are bullet proof and will never siphon. It is hands down the best option for a reliable ATO pump that won't break the bank. This is the pump I am talking about. http://spectrapure.com/DOSING-TOP-OF...er-Dosing-Pump You can also convert a standard Litermeter slave pump to AC power just by cutting the cable and splicing in an AC Adapter. __________________ Director Customer Support Royal Exclusiv USA For All Royal Exclusiv & Bubble King questions please refer to our Sponsor forum: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/fo...play.php?f=745 Current Tank Info: 480G display mixed reef, 90G sump, 90G refugium, 60G display refugium. Check out my build thread: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1783476

02/23/2015, 10:42 PM	#2
moondoggy4 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: menifee So cal Posts: 11,042	Avast makes a aqualifter on steroids pump, you can check their site.

02/23/2015, 11:02 PM	#4
moondoggy4 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: menifee So cal Posts: 11,042	http://www.avastmarine.com/ssc/do/pr...Diaphragm-Pump hth

02/24/2015, 10:45 AM	#8
wagohn Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 108	Hi all, Thanks for all the feedback. I really don't want to invest more than $30 in a pump. I just purchased the Hydor ATO and I really like it. It was recommended that it pairs with the aqualifter but I did not read carefully enough and didn't realize that the aqualifter was suggeseted with a SUMP setup. Therefore, not good for pumping 3- 4ft vertical like I have to do. Before I purchased the Hydor ATO, I was using a $10 float switch paired to a maxijet for ATO. This worked well for years until the switch fell apart. I then wanted something more 'snail safe' and so purchased the Hydor. Worse case, before spending $100 on a pump that runs for 10 minutes - twice a week, I could put the maxijet on the Hydor system. Id rather not because I create my RO in 5 gallon 'slim neck' bottles. It would be great to just switch out bottles when needed but if using a maxijet, Id have to pour the RO into a bucket because of the large pump. Any other external pump ideas? Thanks so much.

02/25/2015, 08:03 AM	#12
Tattoocean Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Posts: 34	Personally not a fan of a pump to top off my water. It evaporates slow as it is and don't really need it quickly done. I bought a few extra float valves when I needed one for my ro/di reservoir and made a rack to hold it in my sump at the height I needed it to be. Just used extra plexiglass laying around and fused it with the wall that was already there going into the return chamber. For now I ran the tube to a 5 gallon bucket with quick connect fitting and left over tube from the ro/di unit. Will be getting something decorative so I don't have to hear it from the woman on how I camouflaged a homer bucket eye soar...lol I have seen units made to go on top of the sump but to me don't hold enough and mind as well do it daily. With 5g I don't have to worry about it for a week and sometimes more. Luckly for me there is a book shelf next to it that I have the capability for it to be gravity fed. Def have to say Ive seen an improvement in everything not rushing to put a few gallons in because of that thing called life and missed placed it somewhere with everything going on. We all know rapid change in salinity can throw everything off.... Oh and I seen a post earlier this morning that built a fish tank on the wall and 1st thing I thought of was a top off reservoir. That may be an option in the near future as well for me depending on where I will be putting them.....

02/26/2015, 01:23 PM	#14
wagohn Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 108	Thanks all. I decided to go back to using the ATO with an 'open bucket' method. I ordered a Rio 800 on Amazon for $15 shipped. The pump supposedly pumps water to 4+ feet height and has a controllable output flow. I couldn't justify $60-$100 for a top-off pump that runs 20 mins per week. I should be able to set something up that hits the '10 minute top-off' schedule. Thanks again.

02/26/2015, 01:29 PM	#15
mitchrapp Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Posts: 297	I've been trying to give away my $100-$120 for a quiet peristaltic pump for the past month but both avast and spectrapure have been out of stock the whole time.

02/28/2015, 12:41 PM	#16
wagohn Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 108	UPDATE: I was mistaken, I actually ordered a Rio 600 for $15. I hooked the pump up today and its perfect. The setup: The Rio comes with a bag of attachments. I placed the Rio supplied 'ball-valve' in the pump but back-to-front. That allowed me to close off the ball-valve flow and route the water out of the 'aeration' nozzle that is usually used for adding air to the pumps output. I then attached my 1/8th airline hose to the aeration nozzle and ran it 3ft up to my 29 gallon tank. The result: The Hydor ATO kicks in when the water hits the minimum mark, it runs for 10 minutes and the Rio supplies enough water to raise the level to the maximum mark for the ATO. Works perfectly and the top-off is a slow flow over 10 minutes. Thanks all.