mfinn
likes zoanthids
You really need to get a ATO unit. It makes life some much simpler.
Auto top off?
- Thread starter brownsalt92
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You really need to get a ATO unit. It makes life some much simpler.
ChrisAndJulie2012
Active Member
I just got the auto Aqua smart ato. I just set it up this evening. I am hoping it will take some of the time I have to invest in our 125 and let me enjoy the tank more.
Jlobes
5000 Club Member
no doubt!! just got mine up and running , didnt have one on the 120 before, but dang its awesome! keeps the tank/sump at the perfect level with minimal fluctuation. and only have to fill the 5 gal every 3 days, instead of toppin off tank daily
jammerdave
New Member
I just bought a smart ATO, thing is driving me crazy with all the alarms. Anyone have experience with this ATO? I used to have a float switch in my sump but my RO system would keep producing waste water even when tank was not filling- i'm in the Califrnia drought area and couldn't afford to waste that much water
powderblue14
Community Member
Any suggestions on ATO that work with an Apex controller?
ChrisAndJulie2012
Active Member
I called the company today with this complaint. The first fill is what the program runs the baseline off of. When it is turned off it makes it relearn. Set it to the level you want, let it do its thing then unplug and don't move the eye. So far it has worked a lot better. Any running over 30 seconds over base run time, it trips the alarm and if the pump cavitates it goes into alarm. I like it once I got it to work. I was about to send it back. Hope that helps.
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brownsalt92
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I'm def thinking about doing it. Do you dose with kalk or just ro?
Bruce Burnett
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I use the tunze and a 40 gallon tank lets me leave home for about 10 days. Go through 3-4 gallons a day depending on humidity.
In my opinion an auto top off is one of the best things you can put on a tank (besides pumps/lights) I have a tunze on my QT tank and the pump just sits in a 5 gallon bucket with holes drilled in the lid. Never had a problem.
On my main tank I set it up with a gravity fed top off. A 5 gallon bucket sits on a shelf in my garage with a float valve and has ability head in the bottom which runs to another float valve in my sump. Works great and makes it so that I just run a bunch of big batches of water weekly to make my to unit run more efficiently.
On my main tank I set it up with a gravity fed top off. A 5 gallon bucket sits on a shelf in my garage with a float valve and has ability head in the bottom which runs to another float valve in my sump. Works great and makes it so that I just run a bunch of big batches of water weekly to make my to unit run more efficiently.
Avast ATO has a model that can be plugged into your apex, comes wired for it somehow, don't know much about apex just saw it when I bought my regular plug in one.
Are you using an auto shutoff on the rodi unit? That should stop the waste line from running as well, once the unit has enough back pressure..
jujuman16
Community Member
I would highly recommend an auto top off. I add kalk to my top off water as well. So far nothing but success. I have a Tunze osmolator in one tank, I have an apex on the other one so i use a break out box and a series of floats. I prefer the apex because I have a lot more control, though the tunze osmolator is bulletproof.
I had a hard time finding a container for my ATO. I needed something tall and thin that would fit inside my stand. It also needed to be easy to refill. I found a Kingsford Kaddy container which was PERFECT. Thought I should share since some of you might be on the same search.
http://www.lowes.com/pd_235625-55883-00037_0__?productId=3598740
I had a hard time finding a container for my ATO. I needed something tall and thin that would fit inside my stand. It also needed to be easy to refill. I found a Kingsford Kaddy container which was PERFECT. Thought I should share since some of you might be on the same search.
http://www.lowes.com/pd_235625-55883-00037_0__?productId=3598740
srad750c
Well-Known Member
I agree, get ATO, my tank evaps a gal/day, was a pain in the butt. I have Tunze 3155 w/5 gal reservoir. I add my trace elements and vitamin/amino acid supplements in the reservoir, corals look much better than before. Will probably use dosing system for my 2pt after seeing the results of just using ATO.
Jizu Puentes
Well-Known Member
I use kalkwasser in my ATO and all I did was go to autotopoff.com and get a dual float switch and an aqua lifter pump. I have my kalk in an old 40 gallon tank and i do t have to worry about filling it up for over two weeks.
The black tank on the left is my ATO container
The black tank on the left is my ATO container
