ATO System Question

[ScottyD36]

I have been upgrading my Fluval 13.5 gallon evo over the past 6 months slowly. I am now looking for a ATO System that is reliable. This may seem like a extremely dumb and obvious question with a obvious answer. I wanted to know if my reservoir I can place below my tank in order to use the ATO system or does that Reservoir have to be next to the tank or slightly above it. My plan was to have it below my tank but then i saw some diagram from one of the ATO system saying it had to be above the tank and It got me all confused. Feel free to laugh at me if this is just a dumb question. But just wanted to know where people keep their reservoirs.

 

[Redfoxtang]

Depending on the tank setup most are next to the tank because it refills in the sump area. Assuming your tank is an AIO then the reservoir being below the tank is perfectly fine. That is actually how I have it on my IM 20. It dumps right into the return section!

 

[SPR1968]

Below the tank is perfect, at the side fine, both will also avoid any potential siphon issues which you would have to deal with if the reservoir was above the tank

The Tunze ATO’s are really the gold standard and very reliable.

PS. no question is a dumb question if you don’t know the answer

 

[Dvanlier05]

It depends on the type of ATO. If it is gravity fed then yes it needs to be above the tank. If it uses a pump then it can be where ever.

 

[ScottyD36]

Thanks for the responses and help. I went with the Osmolator Nano 3152 Auto Top Off - Tunze.