Buy Frag or Auto Top Off?

[VR28man]

So, I will be leaving home for three weeks starting late May. I've been meaning to get an ATO, and was going to install one in the next 1-2 weeks. That way I reduce the risk of the salinity going weird while I'm gone.

But, I see a frag that I want (easy frag, same species as something that's been growing well in the tank, and will easily survive). Maybe I'll just hold off on the ATO, and just ask the house sitter to add RODI a bit as necessary. (I have the level set with a mark on the aquarium; I'll just ask her to add RODI from a bottle when it goes below the level)

What do you all think? I have to make the choice tonight, unfortunately, and I'm still undecided.........

ETA: i see how it’s going. Mind you the tank has been running a year without an ato, just fine from a salinity perspective. I also really like the frag. I also can’t do both right now.

Of course, my head agrees with you all 100%.

 

[Justfebreezeit]

No question ATO.

 

[GoVols]

No question ATO.

+1

 

[Skynyrd Fish]

I can't imagine not having an ATO.

 

[mahindra.dev]

+2 ATO

 

[Travis Stewart]

No brainer

 

[PlayerUnknown]

Frag

 

[Guttersnipe]

Ato is a must have piece of equipment

 

[Tuffyyyyy]

I've gone 2 weeks without one for the first time since I got into this hobby, and have no idea how people survive without them. It's not an absolute necessity but there's a 0% chance I remember to top it off every...single...day

 

[vegamedic]

+3 ATO.

 

[andrewkw]

I'm home almost all the time and I have no idea how someone can survive without one. The ato on my main tank hasn't worked since yesterday and I'm already tired of topping off.

 

[tangtime]

That frag will ALWAYS be there, whereas everything in your tank may not when you get back.

 

[jimk60]

If you can trust your sitter than go for the frag!

 

[VR28man]

The consenus led me to follow my brain, rather than my heart. I will get the ATO.