Top Off ?

[White Hair]

What are the parameters on when to top off tanks, also is it cost effective for an ato on a 30 gal tank, thanks again.

 

[Redfoxtang]

FWIW I put a ATO on my 10g and on my 20g QT tank. Just makes it easier and less stressful if I forgot to top off tank so I let the ATO worry about it and all I do is check the 5g bucket.

 

[White Hair]

FWIW I put a ATO on my 10g and on my 20g QT tank. Just makes it easier and less stressful if I forgot to top off tank so I let the ATO worry about it and all I do is check the 5g bucket.

cost?

 

[DSEKULA]

It depends on how much you want to spend and your setup. I've seen really simple ato done gravity fed with a 5gal bucket over the tank and just a manual float and a secondary to back it up. I personally use the tunze ato runs about $200 or 100 for the nano version. Anyway you go I'd make sure the switches or valves have a primary and secondary to back up somehow as the last thing you want is a tank overflowing and running hypo. It can be as low or high tech as you choose to make it or you can just buy a kit that is ready to use out of the box.

 

[Redfoxtang]

I use this one

JBJ A.T.O. Water Level Controller

Why does BRS recommend this? One of the most popular ATO systems available. The JBJ A.T.O system is by far the most cost-effective way of utilizing a safe and consistent auto top off system. With multiple configurations, the JBJ A.T.O will fit almost anyone’s needs. With linkable brackets...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

The last couple ones I got was used from here and it’s very inexpensive. I would say total was 80$

 

[mike550]

I just added an ATO after having a 120G reef tank for about six months. It was nice to have a sense of how much water the tank required when I added it manually. Topping off was easy for me as I had a sump so I just put a piece of tape at the water line and then refilled with RODI to the level. Only reason for the ATO was to manage things when I was gone for a few days or more.

I don’t think it’s really a question of size of tank. It’s more about whether you can maintain appropriate water level and salinity.

 

[BeejReef]

Kicking and screaming is how I'd describe myself as I've had to shell out for these tiny, seemingly overpriced, reef gadgets, be they ato, autofeeder, temp controller, mag float... whatever. ATO is the best investment you can make in your tank IMHO, followed closely by temp controller.

It's one of the few areas where I went expensive w Tunze, mainly bc all the component parts are available separately and if I ever leave the hobby, it will sell for prob 70% of retail.

 

[jeffchapok]

It depends on how much you want to spend and your setup. I've seen really simple ato done gravity fed with a 5gal bucket over the tank and just a manual float and a secondary to back it up.

I did exactly this for the $6 I paid for the float valve. Only problem was if you let it run dry, you had to reprime it (mine siphoned from a Rubbermaid container. If the tap was at the bottom, this wouldn't be a problem.)

 

[DSEKULA]

I'd definitely drill a bulkhead low on the container but I also never considered syphoning.