ATO?

[Baby Ray]

I hate toping off the evaporation water so often but I am scared of trying an ATO because I don't want 10 gallons of water on my floor and my salinity to fluctuate that much. What are your experiences with this model? Would you suggest this one because it has no moving parts and is run by sensors?

http://www.marinedepot.com/AutoAqua...Top_Off_Units-AutoAqua-CV12117-FIDPAT-vi.html

Thanks for your suggestions

 

[hybridazn]

That one is a good one, I also really like the tunze 3155. It uses 2 sensors so you won't ever have the overflow problem

 

[Baby Ray]

Ooooff, really expensive but really nice
Do you know of any place where I can get a coupon for one or one on sale?

 

[jsker]

I have this one, with no issues http://www.coralvue.com/smart-ato-automatic-top-off-system

 

[Dunnman39]

Following along.

 

[vic67]

I use a two float switch system from autotopoff.com. It was the right (cheap) price for me ! lol

 

[DeniseAndy]

I cannot remember BabyRay, do you have a sump? Because you can set up a gravity fed one if you have a shelf above the tank to put a container onto. That is actually how I do all my ATO. I tried the electric and it kept failing, so I went old school.

If you are not sure what I mean, I can get some pics tomorrow or so.

 

[cmcoker]

I have had the avast ATO running with a Tom's aqualifter for a couple years. The avast unit is a pressure sensor tube, no moving parts. I have been very happy with it, no maintenance, no problems.
The aqualifter has also been no problem despite using kalk in my ATO

 

[waybad41willys]

I use the autoaqua smart ato seem it is an optical sensor and if anything it shut off any sign of problem but once I got it right runs very smoothly . My tunzi ato gave me fits .

 

[Baby Ray]

I cannot remember BabyRay, do you have a sump? Because you can set up a gravity fed one if you have a shelf above the tank to put a container onto. That is actually how I do all my ATO. I tried the electric and it kept failing, so I went old school.

If you are not sure what I mean, I can get some pics tomorrow or so.

I do have a sump and I'm pretty sure I know have Gravity ATOs work. I was thinking about that but the only problems are that I have a long spin sea urchin, hermit crab, and snails in my sump and I am worried about one of then messing up the system. I know most of you would tell me just to put the ATO in a separate section of the sump but my sump has no baffle because I was unaware of what baffles where until after I set up my tank Live and learn. At least I will know for next time

 

[Baby Ray]

Thanks for the suggestions

 

[waybad41willys]

Take a look at the sensor for the smart ato I don't think critters will have any effect on it and if they do this thing is smart and will shut down start beeping and flashing so no chance of over filling . It remembers cycles and if they suddenly change goes into protection

 

[waybad41willys]

I was playing with a float type before seemed to be a hassle I am running a reef keeper elite and could use it for top off but I trust the smart one over the float

 

[Baby Ray]

I was playing with a float type before seemed to be a hassle I am running a reef keeper elite and could use it for top off but I trust the smart one over the float

I think that the ATO with sensors verses moving parts would work best for me. I can't find anything about critters affecting them or not. Do any of you have experience with them and critters affecting them?
Thanks

 

[DeniseAndy]

Yes those guys could cause a problem. Good call. I separated my sump with egg grate and sponge. Just to keep it a bit apart. May help critters stay away from return area.

 

[waybad41willys]

There are snails in my sump and there has been no problems now the first few days I had it I was concerned about my purchase but must have been me getting used to how you set it up every time I turned around it was beeping the I did the unthinkable I read the directions and like magic it worked great

 

[Baby Ray]

Yes those guys could cause a problem. Good call. I separated my sump with egg grate and sponge. Just to keep it a bit apart. May help critters stay away from return area.

That sounds like a good idea because I have been looking for a way to better organize my sump. Do you mind posting pictures of how you were able to separate it with and egg crate and sponge?
Sorry for the troubles, I am just interested in how were able to do that.

 

[New2dareef]

That ato works great. I have on a 20gal frag tank. Spend the money.

 

[Baby Ray]

That ato works great. I have on a 20gal frag tank. Spend the money.

Thanks for the reply

 

[ou12004]

I have both Tunze ATO's ,I have to replace the pumps every 18-24 months but they sit in Kalk top off water all day so that is ok with me. I tried the Aqua lifter route and had a lot of problems with it refilling before it timed out. The Tunze nano used the same pump as the other but doesn't have the back up sensor.