Smart ATO

[rboutin111]

My girlfriend bought me this ATO last Christmas without realizing it wouldn't work on our BioCube. I kept it thinking I may hook up a sump, but haven't and don't plan on it anymore. It's never been used or wet. Asking $120 shipped. Buyer pay 3% PayPal fee.

 

[rboutin111]

I forgot to mention. Would consider trading for dosing pump.

 

[nature786]

Pmed

 

[racin2438]

Just curious, but why would it not work.

We have one on a 30g JBJ nano...rimless and have it on the sump side of the cube. ..we just have to scrape a 1" square section of the black paint off. It works perfectly.

 

[saltyphish]

I use one on my 29 biocube. Works very well. Not sure why you think it won't. I didn't mod anything just installed it and plugged it in. Love this ato

 

[rboutin111]

I use one on my 29 biocube. Works very well. Not sure why you think it won't. I didn't mod anything just installed it and plugged it in. Love this ato

I would to be able to use this if I can. Here's why I don't think I can use this.
On the left side of the tank there is a small strip of glass that shows Max and Min water line. I have a Tunze 9002 Skimmer so the water level needs to be kept about 1/2" about the top of the glass window for the skimmer to work properly. You can see how this looks on the inside to the 2nd image. I have a InTank Media Baskets in the middle chamber with the skimmer. In the 4th image you can see how the skimmer cup hits the top of the media basket. This forces me to keep the skimmer at this height. If you could show me how you have your ATO connected I would love to see it. I would rather put it to use then sell it. The ATO and dosing is all I need to make my tank automated. This would allow me to go away for a weekend without having to ask someone to come take care of it daily. Please help :bigsmile:

 

[saltyphish]

Do you own the coralife version or the oceanic version of the biocube? I have the coralife version and the complete back side of the back compartments is glass without the vinyl covering it. If you have the oceanic version then my understanding is there is a layer of vinyl covering the complete back side. If this is the case all you need to do is use a razorblade to scrape the vinyl off where you want to locate the sensor. I keep the back of my tank filled up to the return nozzle in chamber 3, (you can adjust as needed). I keep my sensor on the back glass of chamber 3. Definitely keep this ato! Your girlfriend did you right with this unit. Very reliable and no worries of moving parts sticking. You will not regret it just make sure you clean the glass where the optics are once a month. Good luck and if you have any more questions feel free to ask.

 

[rboutin111]

Do you own the coralife version or the oceanic version of the biocube? I have the coralife version and the complete back side of the back compartments is glass without the vinyl covering it. If you have the oceanic version then my understanding is there is a layer of vinyl covering the complete back side. If this is the case all you need to do is use a razorblade to scrape the vinyl off where you want to locate the sensor. I keep the back of my tank filled up to the return nozzle in chamber 3, (you can adjust as needed). I keep my sensor on the back glass of chamber 3. Definitely keep this ato! Your girlfriend did you right with this unit. Very reliable and no worries of moving parts sticking. You will not regret it just make sure you clean the glass where the optics are once a month. Good luck and if you have any more questions feel free to ask.

I do have the Oceanic and it has a small glass window where the media rack goes. The rest of the back is a black vinyl. If I scrape the vinyl off wouldn't I be cutting through the tank? I don't believe the back wall is built up of glass covered by vinyl. Thank for the help.

 

[smiley28]

Like they stated above you should be able to use this system which is prob one of the best but if you decide not to I'll buy it.

 

[rboutin111]

Like they stated above you should be able to use this system which is prob one of the best but if you decide not to I'll buy it.

If I can get it to work on my tank I'm going to use it. If I can't I will let you know. Thanks for the interest.

 

[saltyphish]

Cant say for sure. If you look inside chamber 3 is the back panel glass on the inside? If it is then it should just be a vinyl coating on the outside of the back. Google the refugium mods for your tank you will find many references to scraping the paint off. That is what I do whenever I do something I am not sure of. I google what I am looking for and do lots of research until I am comfortable with it. You can also just try scraping a small piece to see if any comes off, but I would only do that if I see the inside of that wall is in fact glass. Let me know what you see.

 

[saltyphish]

also watch some youtube videos of the oceanic biocube 29 you will see the paint scraped off of a lot of them.

 

[racin2438]

As I said before, I put mine on the back glass of the sump, not the wall divider between tank and sump. The eye is very small doesn't need hardly any room. Plus then it out of line of sight of the tank looks cleaner.

I think you making a big mistake getting rid of this, the unit works extremely well. ....

 

[rboutin111]

I have to thank you all for helping me through this. Sure enough the back of the sump is painted glass. I simply scrapped the paint off in the area I wanted to mount the unit and was set up in 10 minutes. I'll be posting this on my tank build thread. Thanks again everyone!!!

MODS please close. I will no longer be selling this unit.

 

[saltyphish]

Glad to have helped. Now you can thank your girlfriend for such a wonderful gift. She truly picked one of the best imo.

 

[sromero287]

Same here in south Florida, just got it last June as b-day gift, don't let the size and name fool u men, I'd been using it with no issues since then, the size is just the best about it, 100% reliable and full warranty by coral Vue ( same guys from Reef Octopus and the new Razor Led light). Enjoy it and happy reefing!!!!!!

 

[newatsalt]

Hi...I was wondering if anyone with a Biocube and a Smart ATO could possibly post a picture of where they have this ATO located on their tank. I am a newb and a little naïve on placement of certain equipment within each compartment. Thank you.

 

[rboutin111]

Hi...I was wondering if anyone with a Biocube and a Smart ATO could possibly post a picture of where they have this ATO located on their tank. I am a newb and a little naïve on placement of certain equipment within each compartment. Thank you.

I'll have to get a photo of this tomorrow. I have it on the back of the tank in the return pump column. It's really the only place I think it could be mounted on a tank like mine. Welcome to the hobby.

 

[newatsalt]

I'll have to get a photo of this tomorrow. I have it on the back of the tank in the return pump column. It's really the only place I think it could be mounted on a tank like mine. Welcome to the hobby.

Thank you rboutin111. That would be very much appreciated. Would I be naive to assume that the min max water level on the side doesn't apply. If so, would I keep the third compartment filled almost to the top so the ATO can do its work? I will be running an in Tank media basket with Tunze 9001 skimmer. I decided to go with a rimless look so I used a heat gun and hacksaw and sharp razor to do the job. It turned out well for an amateur. I am in the early stages so gathering all the equipment I want will be a task. My wife, son and myself have all run into some bad luck with our health so I figured this would be a good project for us all to start together. My goal was to have fish in by Christmas but don't think it's going to happen. We'll see though. Thank you for your advice and welcome. Tim

 

[rboutin111]

Thank you rboutin111. That would be very much appreciated. Would I be naive to assume that the min max water level on the side doesn't apply. If so, would I keep the third compartment filled almost to the top so the ATO can do its work? I will be running an in Tank media basket with Tunze 9001 skimmer. I decided to go with a rimless look so I used a heat gun and hacksaw and sharp razor to do the job. It turned out well for an amateur. I am in the early stages so gathering all the equipment I want will be a task. My wife, son and myself have all run into some bad luck with our health so I figured this would be a good project for us all to start together. My goal was to have fish in by Christmas but don't think it's going to happen. We'll see though. Thank you for your advice and welcome. Tim

The max min line doesn't matter. What's important is that you have the proper water level for the skimmer. You don't want to have the third chamber filled all the way. It should be the lowest of the three otherwise the water will not flow properly.