Limited by automatic top off

Megalonyx · 12/26/2017, 10:17 PM

Hi, I have had a 180 gallon aquarium for about 5 years however I have been a half-*** aquarium keeper for most of that time. Because of that and some bad stocking choices I had high nitrates for a very long time. Now that things are stable I have decided to put some major work into refurbishing and improving reef. One thing is that I don't currently have is an ATO. I would like to know if this is a necessity in a reef tank or just an accessory. I currently just refill my sump with RODI water when I feel the water is getting to low. im looking to start keeping SPS and delicate LPS corals and anemones,can I continue doing this or will it effect their growth rates and survivability?

Jeff000 · 12/26/2017, 10:42 PM

Well you are changing the salinity constantly as the water level drops and you add new.

The 60 bucks for an ATO is probably the best purchase of a marine tank. If for no other reason than manual topping up is a pain in the butt.

steved350 · 12/26/2017, 10:44 PM

If you have a small sump you could probably get away with it but I’m talking real small. The key to success in keeping SPS and LPS is consistency. The swing in salinity due to your sump level dropping can cause major issues. In my opinion an ATO is a requirement.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

sean357 · 12/26/2017, 11:33 PM

The ATO was literally the one thing I remember buying for my reef that after about a week of owning I wanted to punch myself in the face for not getting one way earlier.

Other big issue is skimmer effectiveness from having a constant water level in the sump.

Don't need to spend big bucks, I use a JBJ auto top off, float sensor glued to an old mag float and for years used a submersible pump (though with JBJ you have to size the pump right for the tank) I had laying around and a dog food container.

Whether you spend 60-120 an ATO is a must have for making your life and your tanks life way easier.

outy · 12/26/2017, 11:53 PM

An ATO is a must have for long term aquarium users.

I bought autotoppoff.com system and ties it to a kalk reactor, and I wish I had done this decades earlier. My RO/DI keeps a 10G container full of pure water so my tank literally has zero maintenance combined with a calcium reactor.

With 10 minute 100G water changes start to finish, my monthly/bimonthly work is a breeze.

JTL · 12/27/2017, 10:07 AM

I also have an autotopoff.com system with an aqualifter pump and an 10g reserve water supply of RODI. I am not yet doing any dosing but when I do I will just mix kalk in the top off water.

outy · 12/27/2017, 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JTL

I also have an autotopoff.com system with an aqualifter pump and an 10g reserve water supply of RODI. I am not yet doing any dosing but when I do I will just mix kalk in the top off water.

avast kalk reactor is cheap, no reason not to put it inline.

It keeps you from running kalk through the aqualifter, only fresh water goes through

Kevin Guthrie · 12/27/2017, 12:08 PM

One way to keep yourself motivated is to automate the mundane stuff. An ATO is worth it from that standpoint alone. Long before purpose-built ATOs came on the market I set up a pulsatron metering pump on a timer, still happy with it.

JTL · 12/27/2017, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by outy

avast kalk reactor is cheap, no reason not to put it inline.

It keeps you from running kalk through the aqualifter, only fresh water goes through

I'm sure it works great but so does the kalkwater in the top-off container and that is what I am used to. Imo just one more device to deal with. At some point down the road I may need to dose two part in which case I will get a peri pump.

mcgyvr · 12/27/2017, 05:18 PM

Not a necessity at all..almost nothing is in this hobby actually.... If you are fine with manually adding water as needed to keep your salinity from swinging too much then that's fine..
Most would agree thought that they are very helpful as most do not want to do it manually..

outy · 12/27/2017, 06:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcgyvr

Not a necessity at all..almost nothing is in this hobby actually.... If you are fine with manually adding water as needed to keep your salinity from swinging too much then that's fine..
Most would agree thought that they are very helpful as most do not want to do it manually..

On a large system, it should be considered a must have.

Megalonyx · 12/27/2017, 07:00 PM

Sounds good, I'll get one. I've had limited growth from some of my lps and SPS, I got them as frags and they stayed around the same size. Could this be the problem?

tkeracer619 · 12/27/2017, 07:29 PM

Could be but likely a combination of things.

Sps needs stable alk, cal, mag, sg, and low phosphate/nitrate. Also needs proper lighting.

Megalonyx · 12/27/2017, 11:46 PM

Yeah at this point I'm good on all except salinity and magnesium so it's down to those two

mcgyvr · 12/28/2017, 05:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by outy

On a large system, it should be considered a must have.

Sure...its always nice to have but one "could" certainly get by without one...

reefgeezer · 12/28/2017, 11:55 AM

IMO, stability is king in an SPS tank. I can't imagine not having an ATO as I'm too busy (lazy) to do daily manual top-offs. Mine is gravity fed from a 32 Gallon Brute that I fill every three or four weeks. Electronic float switches, a solenoid, and a mechanical float valve ensure the sump level remains constant and gives me piece of mind when I have to be away.

tkeracer619 · 12/28/2017, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Megalonyx

Yeah at this point I'm good on all except salinity and magnesium so it's down to those two

Tested numbers?

What are your phosphates? What test kit do you use? Any visible algae? Phosphate measurement in a reef tank can be rather complex.

12/26/2017, 10:17 PM	#1
Megalonyx Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2017 Posts: 15	Limited by automatic top off Hi, I have had a 180 gallon aquarium for about 5 years however I have been a half-*** aquarium keeper for most of that time. Because of that and some bad stocking choices I had high nitrates for a very long time. Now that things are stable I have decided to put some major work into refurbishing and improving reef. One thing is that I don't currently have is an ATO. I would like to know if this is a necessity in a reef tank or just an accessory. I currently just refill my sump with RODI water when I feel the water is getting to low. im looking to start keeping SPS and delicate LPS corals and anemones,can I continue doing this or will it effect their growth rates and survivability?

12/26/2017, 10:44 PM	#3
steved350 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Houston Posts: 236	If you have a small sump you could probably get away with it but I’m talking real small. The key to success in keeping SPS and LPS is consistency. The swing in salinity due to your sump level dropping can cause major issues. In my opinion an ATO is a requirement. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro __________________ Don't let your kids Grow up to fast!!

12/27/2017, 10:07 AM	#6
JTL Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Venice Island, FL Posts: 2,532	I also have an autotopoff.com system with an aqualifter pump and an 10g reserve water supply of RODI. I am not yet doing any dosing but when I do I will just mix kalk in the top off water. __________________ John 100 gallon DT and 50 gallon sump with refugium. Reefbreeders Photon V2+.

12/27/2017, 05:18 PM	#10
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	Not a necessity at all..almost nothing is in this hobby actually.... If you are fine with manually adding water as needed to keep your salinity from swinging too much then that's fine.. Most would agree thought that they are very helpful as most do not want to do it manually.. __________________ Who me?

12/27/2017, 07:29 PM	#13
tkeracer619 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Westminster, CO Posts: 17,289	Could be but likely a combination of things. Sps needs stable alk, cal, mag, sg, and low phosphate/nitrate. Also needs proper lighting. __________________ Hobby Experience: 9200ish gallons, 26 skimmers, and a handful of Kent Scrapers. Current Tank: Vortech Powered 600G SPS Tank w/ 100gal frag tank & 100g Sump. RK2-RK10 Skimmer. ReefAngel. Radium 20k.

12/26/2017, 10:42 PM	#2
Jeff000 Electrician Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Canada Posts: 1,653	Well you are changing the salinity constantly as the water level drops and you add new. The 60 bucks for an ATO is probably the best purchase of a marine tank. If for no other reason than manual topping up is a pain in the butt.

12/26/2017, 11:33 PM	#4
sean357 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 117	The ATO was literally the one thing I remember buying for my reef that after about a week of owning I wanted to punch myself in the face for not getting one way earlier. Other big issue is skimmer effectiveness from having a constant water level in the sump. Don't need to spend big bucks, I use a JBJ auto top off, float sensor glued to an old mag float and for years used a submersible pump (though with JBJ you have to size the pump right for the tank) I had laying around and a dog food container. Whether you spend 60-120 an ATO is a must have for making your life and your tanks life way easier.

12/26/2017, 11:53 PM	#5
outy Moved On Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: auburn CA Posts: 4,021	An ATO is a must have for long term aquarium users. I bought autotoppoff.com system and ties it to a kalk reactor, and I wish I had done this decades earlier. My RO/DI keeps a 10G container full of pure water so my tank literally has zero maintenance combined with a calcium reactor. With 10 minute 100G water changes start to finish, my monthly/bimonthly work is a breeze.

12/27/2017, 12:08 PM	#8
Kevin Guthrie Registered Member Join Date: May 2013 Posts: 506	One way to keep yourself motivated is to automate the mundane stuff. An ATO is worth it from that standpoint alone. Long before purpose-built ATOs came on the market I set up a pulsatron metering pump on a timer, still happy with it.

12/27/2017, 07:00 PM	#12
Megalonyx Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2017 Posts: 15	Sounds good, I'll get one. I've had limited growth from some of my lps and SPS, I got them as frags and they stayed around the same size. Could this be the problem?

12/27/2017, 11:46 PM	#14
Megalonyx Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2017 Posts: 15	Yeah at this point I'm good on all except salinity and magnesium so it's down to those two

12/28/2017, 11:55 AM	#16
reefgeezer Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Wichita KS Posts: 2,621	IMO, stability is king in an SPS tank. I can't imagine not having an ATO as I'm too busy (lazy) to do daily manual top-offs. Mine is gravity fed from a 32 Gallon Brute that I fill every three or four weeks. Electronic float switches, a solenoid, and a mechanical float valve ensure the sump level remains constant and gives me piece of mind when I have to be away. __________________ John, Current Tank Info: In-process, 90 Gallon SPS Reef