ATO's

[Brinkfish312]

First, let me say this: as crafty as I am, and capable of little fix it's in the home, electrical stuff and "building" are at the bottom of my skills list.

So, I was looking at some ATO options for our 75g so I can rig this up and "surprise" the hubs when he gets back from his deployment.
I would like some suggestions, comments, etc to help my decision from yall that have used these.
I have seen a sealed bucket/tubing/self-vaccum thing that fills the sump when the water drops below a certain level.
And a bucket/tubing/water pump thing.
Both use float switches, obviously, and there might be less difference in them than I see.
Is there a certain method that is easier to make and use? Any way that has proven more efficient? I don't have a lot of space, so it can't be any bigger than a 5g bucket.
Thanks for your help

 

[Emery]

The cheapest way out may be a 5 gallon bucket with the innovative marine drip acclimator. Start the drip very slow and adjust as needed.

 

[Emery]

I like the Tunze ATO myself

 

[Brinkfish312]

The cheapest way out may be a 5 gallon bucket with the innovative marine drip acclimator. Start the drip very slow and adjust as needed.

I thought about that way as well, my only hold back is, is there a way to place a safeguard to stop the flow at a certain point and not accidentally flood?

I like the Tunze ATO myself

I would love to have a gadget, but $$ is an issue. I have not priced that exact piece, but the other Tunze products I've seen are a bit pricey for me at the moment.

 

[Purpule Tang]

I found two diagram from google but not understand them are safe or not?

Thanks

 

[Emery]

I don't think there is a safety option for that, the only think I can think of is making sure your return section of your simp can handle the amount of water in your ATO container.The Blueline Tsunami ATO is $60, you'll just have to find a small pump for it., maybe the sicce mini mouse $20. Not a bad option for the money either.

 

[Purpule Tang]

I don't thinkAtoere is a safety option fodiyhat, the only think I can think of is making sure your return section of your simp can handle the amount of water in your ATO container.The Blueline Tsunami ATO is $60, you'll just have to find a small pump for it., maybe the sicce mini mouse $20. Not a bad option for the money either.

Thanks emery for your good reply.
So you offer that me using from companies ATO instead of diy project.
Can I using from aqua lifter pump?

 

[Mike in CT]

Check out autotopoff.com. You can get a double float system at a reasonable price. You can use a "Aqualifter" pump to get it from a reservoir (5 gallon bucket or container or something of the like) to your tank. You can even put the pump on a timer so it can only run for however long you set it, as extra protection. I have mine set to top off when I'm home at night just as added protection. It also sounds funny when the reservoir is empty so I know when I need to fill it up. I have a 75 also and I top off about a gallon a day. Of course there are other set ups, but this has worked well for me.

 

[Brinkfish312]

Check out autotopoff.com. You can get a double float system at a reasonable price. You can use a "Aqualifter" pump to get it from a reservoir (5 gallon bucket or container or something of the like) to your tank. You can even put the pump on a timer so it can only run for however long you set it, as extra protection. I have mine set to top off when I'm home at night just as added protection. It also sounds funny when the reservoir is empty so I know when I need to fill it up. I have a 75 also and I top off about a gallon a day. Of course there are other set ups, but this has worked well for me.

Someone just told me about that website yesterday, I will look into it. So far, I'm thinking the least expensive and involved will be a gravity fed system, I'll just have to find a creative way to disguise, hide, or decorate bucket hehe. I really appreciate the feedback yall, I love options.

 

[Brinkfish312]

I found two diagram from google but not understand them are safe or not?


Thanks

That first one looks scary. My luck it wouldn't stop, I'm sure it'd still need some kind of cut off.
I know that theoretically I should he able to drip it as slow as I want and not have to worry about overflowing, but I don't want to be the person to test that when something happens and it hits the fan

 

[Purpule Tang]

That first one looks scary. My luck it wouldn't stop, I'm sure it'd still need some kind of cut off.
I know that theoretically I should he able to drip it as slow as I want and not have to worry about overflowing, but I don't want to be the person to test that when something happens and it hits the fan

Hi,I recently find newly site that selling completely kit for ATO and price is good.
This site name is aquahub.
Thanks.

 

[Wbrian]

The simplest top off solution I've used, which has worked for more than 8 years, is a gravity fed drip using IV tubing. I'm an RN in an ER and get it free. I keep an 18 gal container upstairs above my tank and run the tubing down the stairs and into my sump. adjust it for 1 drop every 3 seconds and it matches my evaporative loss. Works great. no mechanical parts to fail and no overflowing the tank.

 

[Noremac]

I used an 8 gallon food safe container, repurposed 12v 2amp power supply intended for a router(i think), 12v automotive relay, $2 ebay float switch, along with a $5 universal windshield washer pump off ebay. It worked great for almost a month, then the float switch started sticking. It wasnt rated for 2 amps so it was arcing open.

I took out the float switch and put a simple toggle in its place and ran it manually for a while which got old. I purchased the hydor smart level on friday from amazon, and had it hooked up yesterday afternoon in 2 minutes flat. I am using it to control my previous washer pump setup. I like that it has no moving parts, and is pretty accurate when it comes on and shuts off.