Will this work for a gravity fed ATO?

[Reefing102]

So I don’t have the funding for a new ATO system with a pump and everything so I’m looking at gravity fed ATOs. I’ve seen some designs with 1 hose and another that appeared to have two hoses. Since this would be for my coral quarantine/frag tank that doesn’t have a sump, I’m thinking if I get this:


Connect a hose to the spigot to go into the tank for top off level.

Then lock the dispenser open after having it filled, it should work correct? Or am I completely missing part of the Gravity fed ATO?

 

[Gtinnel]

So I don’t have the funding for a new ATO system with a pump and everything so I’m looking at gravity fed ATOs. I’ve seen some designs with 1 hose and another that appeared to have two hoses. Since this would be for my coral quarantine/frag tank that doesn’t have a sump, I’m thinking if I get this:


Connect a hose to the spigot to go into the tank for top off level.

Then lock the dispenser open after having it filled, it should work correct? Or am I completely missing part of the Gravity fed ATO?

Maybe I'm missing something but what keep it from quickly emptying the container? Usually when I see something similar there is a valve used to adjust the flow to just a drip

 

[Reefing102]

The way I understood it, granted they were using water bottles, is as long as the container is air tight, it should only empty enough to fill to the hose line.

Similar to those dog waterers that use the bottles

 

[Gtinnel]

The way I understood it, granted they were using water bottles, is as long as the container is air tight, it should only empty enough to fill to the hose line.

Similar to those dog waterers that use the bottles

Ok I just realized what you're wanting to do. The piece of tubing will set the water level so that when the water drops below the tubing it let's air in and water falls into the tank until filled back up to above the tubing?

 

[flagg37]

I think a float valve will still be your safest option.

 

[Nano sapiens]

The way I understood it, granted they were using water bottles, is as long as the container is air tight, it should only empty enough to fill to the hose line.

Similar to those dog waterers that use the bottles

Correct, must be air tight at all times.

The hose diameter and it's length will have a bearing on how well this works since when filling the air needs to be able to get up the hose and into the container. Larger diameter with shorter length would have the best chance to succeed.

 

[Reefing102]

Correct, must be air tight at all times.

The hose diameter and it's length will have a bearing on how well this works since when filling the air needs to be able to get up the hose and into the container. Larger diameter with shorter length would have the best chance to succeed.

Sounds good. I would have to measure the spigot but I think 1/2” tubing should work

 

[dedragon]

usually people use something like this with a gravity fed ato

It is super cheap to add two float valves into a sump, one for the water level the other for an emergency shut off.

AutoTopoff.com

autotopoff.com

the one from auto top off allows you to customize it for your sump

 

[Reefing102]

This tank doesn’t have a sump. It’s a little 10 gallon frag tank is all. But thanks for the additional ideas

 

[Nano sapiens]

This tank doesn’t have a sump. It’s a little 10 gallon frag tank is all. But thanks for the additional ideas

Looking for 'inexpensive and easy''? I've been using two Petco bottles for 13 years on my 12g without a single issue:

Just need to remove the balls inside the spout an use a non-corrosive plate of some sort to mount them to.

 

[Reefing102]

Looking for 'inexpensive and easy''? I've been using two Petco bottles for 13 years on my 12g without a single issue:

Just need to remove the balls inside the spout an use a non-corrosive plate of some sort to mount them to.

Now that’s interesting. Any issue with the metal leaching or rusting?

 

[Nano sapiens]

Now that’s interesting. Any issue with the metal leaching or rusting?

That's the one question everyone asks. Answer is 'nope 'and verified by an ICP test showing reef normal metals (other than Tin, which is a known issue in USA salt mixes).

Not sure if the current pet bottles are from the same manufacturer, though. You can always coat the metal spout with a non-toxic coating if it looks like corrosion is starting up.

This is basically how it sits when installed over one of the rear AIO's chambers:

I had people asking if the tank's salt water would mix with the fresh top off water over time, so I ran this experiment with dyed colored salt water for 4-5 days to show there is no mixing.

 

[Reefing102]

Oh that’s nice. I may have to look into that for my pico. My 10 evaporates 1.5 gallons every 3 days or so (it’s under a 150w halide at 22” above it) so that’s why I was looking at the large but that’d be nice for my 2.5 gallon pico

 

[PeterEde]

My first thought for a cheap ATO was a softdrink bottle held inverted at water level. Any drop will see an amount released until the level is above the mouth of the bottle.