ATO question

[ochriso]

I am looking to add an Tunze osmolator but I have read that if reservoir is above the tank then a syphon is created. any suggestions if this is the case. I was thinking could make the supply line loop above the reservoir and it would create air brake of some sort but not for sure.

also we do not have a sump so the sensor will have to be in the tank . is it a visual disturbance in your opinion? thanks

 

[MOPAR]

It will siphon I know mine did. A small check valve would work. It may be easier to evaluate with a pic of the setup. Why not put the resivior in the stand or next to it?

 

[ReeferBob]

The output tube must be higher than the reservoir water level or else a siphon will be created. No amount of loops will stop this. You need to put your ATO reservoir lower.

The Tunze (I have it) is about 4" around. It won't do anymore visually than a powerhead.

 

[ochriso]

The stand/enclosure is custom made sorry don't have a photo available but all the space below it stores other household stuff. it backs up to the laundry room and we have put a hole in the wall that the some of the lines and stuff come through. however the reservoir is on a shelf about 2 ft from the ceiling. space is always a premium. I was also wondering about a solenoid valve that may work on the same voltage as the pump

 

[MOPAR]

Haha I'm a dummy a check valve wouldn't work mybad. I'm sure there is a way to make your setup work, but if there is ever an issue it could be bad. Is there no place next the stand for a small jug? I don't know what your evaporation is, but I always used a small 3g jug for my tank. It took up very little room and didn't look horrible sitting next to the stand. That's the last of my 2 cents good luck getting it resolved.

 

[ochriso]

thanks for your thoughts. our cats would love a small reservoir but my wife not so much. about to do some major upgrading/overhaul so not sure what evaporation rate will be once all complete. new skimmer (old one died) changing from ati sunpower to radions, hopefully removing chiller and its return pump, replacing 2 koralia with another mp40 to go with one already have and waging all out war on mojano plague( hate those things!!!)

 

[bevo5]

This may be dumb but I failed physics so who cares. But. Would it work if the line went high about the reservoir at some point? So if you ran it up a few feet then back down into the sump??

 

[TheEngineer]

For a siphon it only matters where it starts and where it ends. If the end is below the beginning you can pull a siphon.

EDIT:
A siphon is driven by surface tension and gravity. As long as there is water that can "fall" from the reservoir to a lower point through your tubing, the water will get pulled up hill.

 

[bevo5]

Ah. See? That's why I failed physics.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

This may be dumb but I failed physics so who cares. But. Would it work if the line went high about the reservoir at some point? So if you ran it up a few feet then back down into the sump??

No. As soon as the line is filled, a siphon can start and not stop until the water in the reservoir is so low that air is drawn in.

You could have it drip into the main tank, if that is above the reservoir. Or use a different type of pump.

Or you can push it up with small diameter tubing, then the tubing drips into a larger diameter tubing that takes it make to the sump or main tank, causing an air break (where the small diameter tubing sits loosely in the large diameter tubing, that prevents siphoning.

 

[cmcoker]

If you have room to the side, have you wife pick out a decorative bin, or storage Ottoman she could live with next to the tank, then find container to fit inside

There are also narrow water containers that may fit behind stand, how much clearance from tank to wall?

Think the water top off above the tank is asking for a flood, personally. Even with a solenoid.. Things fail [emoji53]

 

[ochriso]

Thanks for all the input. I will try to post a pic tonight . currently there is aprrox 6-8 inches behind the tank so may could squeeze a small reservoir it just gets crowded with the power strips,hob skimmer, and other things that live back there.

 

[ochriso]

Here is pic sorry lights already off. A little info the tank is a standard 75 gallon sumpless, hob skimmer, with circulating pump for chiller,as well as top off water on other side of wall behind the tank. Small door on sides toward back allow access to small area behind tank.

 

[cmcoker]

Here is pic sorry lights already off. A little info the tank is a standard 75 gallon sumpless, hob skimmer, with circulating pump for chiller,as well as top off water on other side of wall behind the tank. Small door on sides toward back allow access to small area behind tank.

What's your evaporation rate?

 

[AZDesertRat]

Take a look at Spectrapure UPLC-II. It uses a 3 roller peristaltic pump so will not siphon. The sensor in the display is sump is also much smaller and clear so not an eyesore. I've been using one for over 8 years and love it. I think it has several advantages over the Tunze too.

 

[ochriso]

Take a look at Spectrapure UPLC-II. It uses a 3 roller peristaltic pump so will not siphon. The sensor in the display is sump is also much smaller and clear so not an eyesore. I've been using one for over 8 years and love it. I think it has several advantages over the Tunze too.

I will check it out. thanks!

 

[ochriso]

What's your evaporation rate?

our husbandry is lacking so I must say I really have no idea. we have a hose with a ball valve from the reservoir and about every 4-5 days the water level in the tank drops about 1 to 1-1/2 inches max so my guess would be probably 3-4 gallon every 4-5 days