Help choosing ATO for nano and pico

[crazyclownlady]

Okay so I want to improve the stability of my nano and pico tanks by adding ATOs.

I want to buy 2 ATO systems… for my waterbox 10 (10 gallon) and my fluval spec 3 (3 gallon)

my main objective is avoiding an overflow above all else.

I am considering the following options:

1) XP Aqua Ultimate ATO (has 4 sensors, 2 for overflow protection)
2) XP Aqua Duetto paired with an AutoAqua Smart Level Security

with option 1, I am relying on 2 sensors (from the same unit) to avoid overflow situation.
With option 2, I am relying on 2 sensors (from two different units) for protection.

thoughts?

 

[T-J]

I just purchased a Pico Reef tank from PNW Custom. He recommends the following ATO:

 

[YOYOYOReefer]

im big fan of the litermeter pumps for ato.. mines still running since the early 90s.

 

[Harold999]

I have a Waterbox mini p15 and came to the conclusion that ATO's are not really suitable for nano's. Reason, the waterlevels in the backchambers fluctuate a lot not because of evaporation persé, but because your filterfloss/sock clogs up during the day which lowers the level in the return chamber. ATO goes filling then but for the wrong reason.

I use a dosing pump now which dumps 30ml of rodi every hour in the tank, way less fluctuations, way more stable. Yes you need to make some adjustments when seasons change but no biggy.

 

[YOYOYOReefer]

well sad Harold, yep thats the same way ive been doing it with the litermeters for 30 years, would say ive gotten my moneys worth, but ya any dosing pump will work for a small tank, my ato can be 5-10 gallons a day so it would burn up most little dosing pumps

 

[crazyclownlady]

I have a Waterbox mini p15 and came to the conclusion that ATO's are not really suitable for nano's. Reason, the waterlevels in the backchambers fluctuate a lot not because of evaporation persé, but because your filterfloss/sock clogs up during the day which lowers the level in the return chamber. ATO goes filling then but for the wrong reason.

I use a dosing pump now which dumps 30ml of rodi every hour in the tank, way less fluctuations, way more stable. Yes you need to make some adjustments when seasons change but no biggy.

this!! I was wondering how the ato would handle the fluctuating water levels in the pump chamber. I’m going to look into the dosing unit! I would probably still pair the dosing unit with a sensor that would turn it off if the level got too high. I’m just really nervous about an overflow

 

[Pistondog]

Use tunze 3152s on 2 waterbox 10s in pump chamber. Only problems have been when gha clogs the overflow from the main tank, then it rides high.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Auto aqua has been reliable for me

 

[sam2110]

I run my water box 10 with a d-d ato and I use a skimmer guardian as a sort of overflow protection, if the tank over fills it cuts the power to the ato. My waterbox 10 uses about a gallon a week of ro, so far I am yet to see to salt levels fluctuating due to chamber levels changing but I do change my filter floss every 3rd day

 

[YOYOYOReefer]

the other thing you can do if you have a controller or a simple timer is have it shut down your return pump for say 30 minutes a day , after its off, then the ato power comes on to adjust the water level (its on a timer too) that way it cant overfil your tank if there are surges. I run a surge thru my long sumps so no ato that needs ro rely on a level meter works unless i turn off the return pump.

 

[Lbrdsoxfan]

Ive never had good luck with optical ATO's, so I stick to float switches. I used this for my 30 gallon aio and 50 gallon cube setup (pre Apex). Price has gone up a bit, but at 30 bucks at the time it worked great. My current setup is a similar float switch style running through a Apex BOB and a cheap 50gph pump moving the ATO water into the sump from the storage container.

ATO System, Smart ato System, Auto Top Off System, Fish Tank Sump Water Filler Refiller, Automatic ATO System for Aquarium with Pump,Water replenishment system, Smart ato System for fish tank

 

[muzikalmatt]

I just purchased a Pico Reef tank from PNW Custom. He recommends the following ATO:

I have this one on my new 10 gallon build and it's been strangel extremely solid so far. It's super quiet and super tiny. We'll see how it does long-term but I'd recommend it based on its current performance.

 

[tkd]

I have been using Auto Aqua for a few years and has been rock solid with no issues. Been using the XP Aqua Ultimate ATO

 

[Harold999]

this!! I was wondering how the ato would handle the fluctuating water levels in the pump chamber. I’m going to look into the dosing unit! I would probably still pair the dosing unit with a sensor that would turn it off if the level got too high. I’m just really nervous about an overflow

For the extra security i have connected the doser to the Autoaqua smart level security device, which powers off the doser if the level in the return chamber would get too high.
One downside: if you turn off your return pump for feeding then the level rises in the return chamber which activates the alarm if the sensor was close to the waterlevel (which it should). So you should lift the sensor before you turn off the return pump and don't forget to lower it after you turn the pump on again.

Or just place the sensor high enough then you won't have to touch it, but i like to have it close to the waterlevel. I also dose kh and calcium with the same dosing pump and don't want half a gallon of calcium in the tank in case of a mallfunction. The sensor protects you from that but you need it close to the waterline.

 

[crazyclownlady]

I have decided to start with:
- Kamoer X1 PRO 2 WiFi Dosing Pump
- autoaqua smart level security

i like the idea of pumping very small amounts of rodi water (e.g 5ml/hour) into the tank for enhanced stability, especially for the 3 gallon tank. I’ll use the autoaqua sensor to turn off the doser pump in the event the water level gets too high.

if I don’t like the solution, I will try something different for the other tank.

thanks everyone for sharing your thoughts and experiences. There were so many ideas presented that I hadnt thought of.

 

[Hooz]

For tiny tanks, there's not much that beats the upside-down bottle and $12 Amazon ATO. I've run it on a small tank for over a year without any issues whatsoever. My IM 10 uses about 1L of water every 3 days, so it's good for a weekend away.


On my bigger tank I use the AutoAqua Smart ATO Lite that someone already posted. Over a year now with no issues.