ato or no ato

[tgoeujon]

im going to build a new sump and am considering an auto top off this time to make life easier but i havent actually seen one functioning and was wondering if someone could give me a step by step or pic by pic on the system and how it works

[Whatigot]

ATO will make your life better.
period.

set up is easy, I use a tunze osmolator.
no drilling required, all you do is mount the infrared sensor at the appropriate level and then put the pump into some r/o water with the return also mounted in your tank and your off...


aside from my aquacontroller, best piece of equipment I have ever bought.

[GreenSpottedPuffer]

I use the JBJ one and IMO is one of the more important pieces of equipment on a tank. Keeps everything stable, keep water level the same for your skimmer, ect.

Mine is as simple as having the float valves in the sump at the level I want the water and then a 30G garbage can behind my stand. RO water that is pumped into the sump through tubing with a maxijet 1200 when the float valve trips. Thats it. I fill up the garbage can about once every week and a half or so. I tend to just top it off randomly but it nice not to have to worry about top off water all the time.

[fkshiu]

Once you use a good ATO, you'll wonder how you ever got by without one.

I use an Osmolator.

[mark]

After now having one can't see now going without.

I'm just using a humidifier float valve from HD, mounted on a bracket attached diagonally in the corner of the sump so I wouldn't have to drill the side.

Though I'm using the float valve connected directly to my ro/di (no TDS creep btw) it could just as easily be hooked up to a storage container above the sump.

[Trigger Man]

after reading these posts I think I've got to get a ato unit instead of manually doing it. For some reason I always thought it would be more complicated to set up.

[Snaz]

If you build or buy be very carefull. There are lots of horror stories on nano-reef.com where ATO have killed the tanks.

A good one is invaluable I'm sure but if not built correctly a turbo snail can kill your reef.

[banditpowdercoat]

I made a ATO with some parts form ebay. A couple float switches, and an Omron timer H3CR and wiring base. I acctually had the timer, but the float switches cost me $2 ea I think. I have a 20g rubbermaid garbage pail that I house the RO/DI water. The ATO circut runs a little pump in the bucket that keeps the sump full. Cheap, easy and reliable.

I can help ya make one if needed

[tgoeujon]

bandit i think i may take you up on that offer sometime in the not so distant future

[lorenz0]

i picked mine up just because i was getting sick of filling up the tank every day. it actually was a pain in the ass. when you forget to fill up one day cause your tired it comes and kicks you in the butt with a pump beathing in air