Where to add Top off water?

[jsker]

Into the DT. The ATO sensor is in the return of the sump.

 

[Fercho]

To the 1st chamber of the sump, which is the drain area of the display. My skimmer too is in this area, and in my case, does not affect skimming.

Doing it in this manner, new top off fresh water has time to mix with the salt water well, going thru the whole sump before it gets to the DT, thus reducing possible stress to my SPS corals.

 

[JonnyB]

The return section of the sump is the only place fresh should go surely.... As it's the only one that should go down as evaporation occurs so the float switch goes down and gets filled back to level with RO

 

[hllywd]

In my 210 the ATO goes in the overflow. The top off water is miniscule vs the circulating water, it literally drips in when needed. I could have as easily put it in the display without affecting anything, the overflow was easier.

 

[AZDesertRat]

I add mine in the return section but it really doesn't matter where it goes since it is such a small volume and added slowly with a peristaltic pump.

 

[BMan]

Can you guys show some ATO storage tanks. I need to come up with a system for my JBJ 28.

 

[rock_lobster]

anywhere doesnt matter unless you are adding a very substantial amount like more than 10%.

 

[rock_lobster]

You can use anything

Can you guys show some ATO storage tanks. I need to come up with a system for my JBJ 28.

Anything will work. A tupperware, trashcan, 5G bucket..

 

[wangspeed]

The level sensor is in the section with the return pump but the replacement water goes into the overflow section in the tank because I was getting extra water siphoned into the tank when the sump level was lower than the ATO tank level. Scary.

Unless you are using a peristaltic pump, the ATO tube to the sump should not be submerged. I prefer a larger tube in the sump that extends above the ATO, and the ATO tube clipped into that, but staying far above the ATO water level. No chance for siphon this way, but you need to keep the tube positively attached, unless you want to water the ground.

Basically, just make sure the end of the tube is above the ATO. Area in sump doesn't matter that much unless you are using a mega pump.

 

[BMan]

You can use anything


Anything will work. A tupperware, trashcan, 5G bucket..

I know I can use anything. I want to see what others are using. I'm not going to put a trash can or 5 gallon bucket in my living room.

 

[BMan]

I know I can use anything. I want to see what others are using. I'm not going to pot a trash can or 5 gallon bucket in my living room.

I need it to be somewhat inconspicuous. Maybe something like a large floor vase.

 

[CarrieB]

I use a 20g XT tank.

 

[Bruce Burnett]

Unless you are using a peristaltic pump, the ATO tube to the sump should not be submerged. I prefer a larger tube in the sump that extends above the ATO, and the ATO tube clipped into that, but staying far above the ATO water level. No chance for siphon this way, but you need to keep the tube positively attached, unless you want to water the ground.

Basically, just make sure the end of the tube is above the ATO. Area in sump doesn't matter that much unless you are using a mega pump.

This is the way my setup is. Water level sensor in return section of sump and output from pump into a tube higher than ato tank max level feeding makeup water into return section. I use a tall 40 gallon tank for my ATO.

 

[wpeterson]

It's not safe to add water in any location separated from where your topoff level sensor is.

The sump return chamber is a great place for the ATO level sensor, since it's the primary site of evaporation loss. Ideally, you should add the topoff water back there. Adding water elsewhere in the sump isn't bad if there's nothing preventing free flowing water to the return chamber - but there may be delays between water being added and the return level. If you add water to the display, it will eventually oerflow into the sump, and raise the level in the return chamber but with both a potential larger delay or blockages.

The only gotcha when running an ATO topoff line to the sump is ensuring that the source reservoir is lower than return site to prevent siphoning. If your ATO reservoir is higher than the ATO topoff line, you can create a raised siphon break to address this.

 

[maroun.c]

I add water in the return section. I evaporate around 10-15 G a day in winter and thought that this amount of water going through the skimmer (5-6 top off rounds per day) would kill the foam head for some time... no real issue there but simply why not add elsewhere. Same for fuge why hit a few critters or caulerpa with a freshwater bath 5-6 times a day. I simply dose in return section and water mixes on in that partition and on the way up to the display tank.

 

[Bruce Burnett]

Yes Chrisfish I did add the sump to the tank. I did have the ATO going to the middle section of the JBJ 45 but now I'm wondering but the return section make sense because the skimmer ( and filter sock) section as well as the refugium section always stay one level

I'll have a video up shortly Chris showing what I did but here's a pic of my sump and in the stand

Since the only place in the sump where the level changes is the return section of the sump that is where you want sensor or float to be and also where fresh make water to be added. Off subject I see a check valve in your sump area. If it fails from build up of crud will your sump hold all the water that might flow back if it leaks. I had thought about using one on my return but then decided to set it up without

 

[Macdaddynick1]

I have heard different places to add top off water from the skimmer section the refugium section or the return. I know that the refugium stays at a specific level but the return section changes and the skimmer section also stays the same
I want to say the refugium is this the best

Directly on the top of your float switches ( it will always keep them clean ) , unless your adding kalk,

 

[srad750c]

Mine goes into my overflow, level unit is in sump, I have Tunze Osmolator 3155. No problems ever, just make sure you unplg when you change H2O

 

[sawdonkey]

I only have a two-chamber sump. The first is where the water comes from the display, I have a sort of refugium with some very coarse gravel, and my frag rack where I grow out my frags. My ATO water (with kalk) gets added here and my SPS frags don't seem to mind. The second chamber is my return, has my heaters, skimmer, and ATO sensor. Pretty simple but it works.

 

[Volcmreefer]

I had mine hooked up to my return section but when I filled my ATO container up a siphon started when the pump turned off. Had to move to my DT after speaking with Tunze customer service. Anyone know if an inline check valve will keep it from siphoning?