Vacation top off

[Paul B]

My tank, like most tanks use an auto top off that usually works great, but the last time I went on vacation, a bubble got into it and the tank sitter didn't notice the water level went down 7" which of course killed all the corals near the top of the tank.
So I brought back the device I used to use before I had an auto top off. It is just a plastic 2X4 or a real 2X4 or piece of plywood could be used.
I just drill a hole in it that will fit the top of a 5 gallon water cooler bottle that I happen to have laying around.
I put the plastic top on the water cooler bottle that comes with it when it if filled with water after I drill a 1/2" hole in the cap.
Now I just fill the bottle and invert it over the tank. (The batteries are just in the picture for the demonstration)
I make the hole in the 2X4 so that the bottle neck just touches the water.
As the water level goes down, air enters the bottle and the water level in my tank stays level. This will fill my tank for 8 days and I have been using this for decades with never a problem.
This is exactly how it works in a water cooler.
If you like, you can also put in whatever you want to dose for the week.

 

[whixley101]

Nice Tip. I like it!

 

[Uchris]

Hmm I might try this..I haven't been able to purchase an ATO yet so this might work.

Never had any issues of it over-pouring ?

 

[Paul B]

It can not leak or overfill your tank as long as you have it sturdly in the top of the tank so it don't fall over. Remember, very important, you just can't invert the open bottle over the tank. You need that cap on with the hole in it so the water in the tank doesn't mix with the tank water and dilute it.

It is even better to add a short tube to into the bottle cap. The tube will make it easier to adjust the water level and make it less likely that the tank water will be diluted by fresh water. An even better system would be to use two 1/4" tubes into the bottle cap with one a little shorter. That way, almost no fresh water will mix with the salt water before it is added.