ATO Help

[BluegrassReef]

I have an extra 30g tall tank with stand that I want to use as my ATO it wil sit next to the display 40 breeder. I have a couple questions....This is the first ATO I have ever ran on a tank.

What do I need to make it work?

I want the ro/di to fill the 30g and then go to the 20h fuge under the tank.

I also want to add a maxi jet to the ato tank and heater and add kalk to the 30g....having the maxi turn on a couple times aday.

What is the easiest,cheapest and reliable way to achieve what I want to do?

thanks.
mike

 

[110reef]

Go to autotopoff.com

They have level switches, pumps, and solenoids that you can use to do whatever you want. I have a double float switch that atcivates a solenoid that lets RO/DI water into my sump. You can also use the same float switch to activate a pump if desired.

What I think you should do is put the float switch in your 20h sump. When the level gets low, let it open a solenoid on your RO/DI, which will fill your 30 gallon. Then pipe an overflow in your 30 gallon that dumps into your 20h sump. The DI will fill the 30 gallon, overflow into the 20 until the level rises and turns off the DI.

The powerhead I would just get a cheap timer to turn it off and on from time to time.

If you add kalk straight to the topoff, you will have non-dissolving solids building up on the bottom, FYI. Of course, if you overflow as I have suggested, only clear liquid will flow to your sump unless the maxijet happens to kick on while the topoff is overflowing.

 

[dwl]

I prefer aquahub.com to autotopoff.com as I think the kits they offer online are more clear as to what they contain and such, but that is just me.

I suggest this kit: Top-it-Off Kit Deluxe and use two float switches to control the low and high levels in your 30g (reservoir) and the third to control the level in the sump.

I would suggest getting a solenoid from these guys:Process Valves, Water Solenoid Valve, Steam Valve, Diaphragm valve
I have the 2P025 1/8-S and it works very wellas it uses stainless steel and plastic for the wetted parts. I got the 12VDC version and use the same 12 volt wal-wart power supply for everything... as a matter of fact, I use a 12VDC Tunze Osmolater pump which costs about $20.00 to move the water from the reservoir to the sump.

good luck

 

[Troylee]

+1 dwl.... those are good kits that i personally use and have not had a single problem yet...if you need any help bluegrass lmk...... you know where to find me..