Auto Top Off System

Joem820 · Dec 26, 2020

So I have a tank that I have a 125 Gal tank with a 30ish Gal sump. I have never set up an ATO system before and was thinking that I should before I get one before I go on vacation in June and I have a few questions.
1: When looking at the different options on the BRS website, is there anything I should be looking for in a system? Could you guys give any recommendations for a specific system and explain why they are recommending that system.
2: Do I really need to buy an expensive ATO reservoir or would a Petco 10/20 Gal aquarium work just fine?
3: How complex is an ATO to setup? I was able to plum my sump, but that was the extent of my DIY handyman skills lol.
Thanks in advance for all the help.

Quietman · Dec 26, 2020

Let me be the first - Tunze Osmolator. You may save 20% on a DIY or lesser brand (but pumps may/may not be included) but compared to the reliabilty and the fact that you can go on vacation without a worry about the ATO - priceless.

Now about your tank sitter overfeeding the "hungry looking fish"...can't help you there.

Joem820 · Dec 26, 2020

Quietman said:
Let me be the first - Tunze Osmolator. You may save 20% on a DIY or lesser brand (but pumps may/may not be included) but compared to the reliabilty and the fact that you can go on vacation without a worry about the ATO - priceless.

Now about your tank sitter overfeeding the "hungry looking fish"...can't help you there.

In the past, for shorter trips, I always prepped the food in advance and said: "dump one container into the tank every day" to try and combat this.

Tmm87 · Dec 26, 2020

I've used the XP Aqua Duetto ATO on my last 3 tanks and it works like a charm.

Marlon C · Dec 26, 2020

I run 3 ato. 1 is a diy with 2 float valves 1 controls the water level the other is for redundancy incase the main valve failes. It cost me about 25 total with the pump. 2nd is a hydrofil right now I'm on vacation and won't be back till Friday. I got an apex alert thet my low level sensor was triggered I checked my apex and sure enough the ato was reading 0 watts. So I filled my tank with a secondary pump I have to manually turn on via apex until my high level sensor is triggered. Luckily my neighbor is a good guy and watches my tank. He cleaned my hydrofil prongs for me and its working for now. The tunze is a great ato. But I think I'm going to replace this hydrofil with another diy ato.

Now for food they sell wifi controlled food feeders I just bought one last week and its been working great. The apex option was way too much for me. This one was 25 and works great.

Ippyroy · Dec 26, 2020

I use a Gamma Vittles. I got the largest one, it holds 10 gallons of water. You can easily drill a couple of holes in it for power cords and hoses. It is made out of food safe plastic and has a small footprint. They sell it on amazon and petco as well. IMHO can't beat the Tunze!

GAMMA2 Vittles Vault Stackable Pet Food Storage, 40-lb - Chewy.com

Buy Gamma2 Vittles Vault Stackable Pet Food Storage, 40-lb at Chewy.com. FREE shipping and the BEST customer service!

www.chewy.com

KWT · Dec 26, 2020

I have icecap, and I have one each of the above mention to replace them when they fail. At times mine are very finicky, but over all they continue to work. I have a 180g and a 65g set up alone with a 20g

tkd · Dec 26, 2020

I have been running the Xp Aqua Ultimate ATO 4 sensor for the last 3 years on my current tank. Never had an issue, very stable and consistent. I have used a 5 gallon pail in the past for the reservoir, drilled 2 holes in the lid for tubing and pump cord. Now I am using the Trigger Systems Crystal ATO 5 gallon reservoir, which fits nicely inside the tank stand and out of sight.

Philly Reefer · Dec 26, 2020

+1 on Tunze 3155.
Any container would work. I use a 7 gallon water jug from amazon.

Last me 1.5 week during winter like this.
Would last me 2 weeks on summer.
But my tank is only 40B+20L sump

Set up itself is not that hard. Everything comes with the package. Just need to find out where the water line in the return pump

This was when I set up my ato