auto top off systems
- Thread starter salt210
- Start date
jdl
Member
Originally Posted by salt210
http:///forum/post/3023269
I am seriously thinking about adding one of these to my tank, but I see that there are a lot of risks involved. what are the causes of all of these and how do you avoid them? what are your feelings about ATO's and also your experiences with them?
Several ways to avoid the risks.
1. buy a 20g brute trash can and ATO from that. Just have to fill this up once/week, every 2 weeks depending
2. Use multiple floats
3. Use a contoller with a dosing pump
4. Use a drip/gravity feed
http:///forum/post/3023269
I am seriously thinking about adding one of these to my tank, but I see that there are a lot of risks involved. what are the causes of all of these and how do you avoid them? what are your feelings about ATO's and also your experiences with them?
Several ways to avoid the risks.
1. buy a 20g brute trash can and ATO from that. Just have to fill this up once/week, every 2 weeks depending
2. Use multiple floats
3. Use a contoller with a dosing pump
4. Use a drip/gravity feed
flower
Well-Known Member
Originally Posted by salt210
http:///forum/post/3023269
I am seriously thinking about adding one of these to my tank, but I see that there are a lot of risks involved. what are the causes of all of these and how do you avoid them? what are your feelings about ATO's and also your experiences with them?
I have posted lots of times on an auto top off I did. Search my posts and read it, I have pictures too. i have to go so I can't go over it again right now. I think you may find it helpful. I have had no problems at all with my set up.
http:///forum/post/3023269
I am seriously thinking about adding one of these to my tank, but I see that there are a lot of risks involved. what are the causes of all of these and how do you avoid them? what are your feelings about ATO's and also your experiences with them?
I have posted lots of times on an auto top off I did. Search my posts and read it, I have pictures too. i have to go so I can't go over it again right now. I think you may find it helpful. I have had no problems at all with my set up.
jackri
Active Member
I have the JBO auto top off.... I did have a snail get in the float once -- thankfully while I was around and took the snail out of that portion of the sump.
Other than that I use a 5 gallon pail for top off water and I have to keep an air bubbler under the sump float to keep it agitated otherwise the sensor on the JBO trips into default (the bubbler keeps it from doing this).
The ATO I have is nice.. but could work alot better -- ie.. not using the bubbler with it.
Other than that I use a 5 gallon pail for top off water and I have to keep an air bubbler under the sump float to keep it agitated otherwise the sensor on the JBO trips into default (the bubbler keeps it from doing this).
The ATO I have is nice.. but could work alot better -- ie.. not using the bubbler with it.
flower
Well-Known Member
Originally Posted by jackri
http:///forum/post/3023857
I have the JBO auto top off.... I did have a snail get in the float once -- thankfully while I was around and took the snail out of that portion of the sump.
Other than that I use a 5 gallon pail for top off water and I have to keep an air bubbler under the sump float to keep it agitated otherwise the sensor on the JBO trips into default (the bubbler keeps it from doing this).
The ATO I have is nice.. but could work alot better -- ie.. not using the bubbler with it.
Mine is a JBJ unit and I have had no problems at all.
http:///forum/post/3023857
I have the JBO auto top off.... I did have a snail get in the float once -- thankfully while I was around and took the snail out of that portion of the sump.
Other than that I use a 5 gallon pail for top off water and I have to keep an air bubbler under the sump float to keep it agitated otherwise the sensor on the JBO trips into default (the bubbler keeps it from doing this).
The ATO I have is nice.. but could work alot better -- ie.. not using the bubbler with it.
Mine is a JBJ unit and I have had no problems at all.
flower
Well-Known Member
I have a flow bar and another output flow from the ther canister right next to it.
I attached my tank sensor to the hose with a zip tie, it came with a plastic bar to hold it, so I just attached the plastic bar to the hose.
I can't get behind there to get a picture. My sensor has a float within a plastic box looking thing that attaches to an adjustable plastic bar, does yours?
I attached my tank sensor to the hose with a zip tie, it came with a plastic bar to hold it, so I just attached the plastic bar to the hose.
I can't get behind there to get a picture. My sensor has a float within a plastic box looking thing that attaches to an adjustable plastic bar, does yours?
flower
Well-Known Member
Originally Posted by jackri
http:///forum/post/3023877
Mine just has a little housing for the float with a wire coming out.
Actually need to order another for my frag tank.. but 100 bucks could be going to some aussie acans instead and I'll just manually keep filling water lol
I got the auto top off because I splashed a tiny drop of water...it managed to get through the protective glass and hit the MH bulb and broke it. The bulb was 2 days old, $69.00
I put in the auto top off and made sure that I rigged a splash guard, just to make sure that NEVER happens again.
salami trigger
Member
My good friend years ago flooded his basement from a top off that got stuck!!!!
I'm afraid of them.
I'm afraid of them.
flower
Well-Known Member
Originally Posted by SALAMI TRIGGER
http:///forum/post/3024454
My good friend years ago flooded his basement from a top off that got stuck!!!!
I'm afraid of them.
Technology has improved over the years.
My system runs from a 32g plastic garbage can I designated for FISH ONLY, That is not enough to do much more damage than a flooded sink. One sensor goes to the tank and the other in the can to prevent the pump from burning out if the water runs low. I sure takes a load off of me on maintenance.
http:///forum/post/3024454
My good friend years ago flooded his basement from a top off that got stuck!!!!
I'm afraid of them.
Technology has improved over the years.
My system runs from a 32g plastic garbage can I designated for FISH ONLY, That is not enough to do much more damage than a flooded sink. One sensor goes to the tank and the other in the can to prevent the pump from burning out if the water runs low. I sure takes a load off of me on maintenance.
salami trigger
Member
Yea..He had his at the time connected to a cold water pipe! Direct!
Not to smart.
Not to smart.
ifirefight
Active Member
Google "auto top off" Thats the one I installed..very nice quality and I have had great luck with it.
https://www.saltwaterfish.com/vb/showthread.php?t=308514
I guess I have had it over a year now.
https://www.saltwaterfish.com/vb/showthread.php?t=308514
I guess I have had it over a year now.
acrylic51
Active Member
ATO are very good IMHO....they minimize swings in your water parameters....ATO you hear about falling are usually due to human error IMO....alot of people like to use the Kent float valves and usually along with that they dose Kalk and they have a tendency to clog and stick open....Any device requires some type of maintenance, and this would be no exception. JDL recommended multiple float valves for redundancy......
salt210
Active Member
Originally Posted by ifirefight
http:///forum/post/3025293
Google "auto top off" Thats the one I installed..very nice quality and I have had great luck with it.
https://www.saltwaterfish.com/vb/showthread.php?t=308514
I guess I have had it over a year now.
looks good. wish I had room to do that with. maybe when we get our own place. for now the storage container wont be able to store that much water. I dont go through that much right now, but havent left the halides on long enough to find out how much will evaporate yet.
http:///forum/post/3025293
Google "auto top off" Thats the one I installed..very nice quality and I have had great luck with it.
https://www.saltwaterfish.com/vb/showthread.php?t=308514
I guess I have had it over a year now.
looks good. wish I had room to do that with. maybe when we get our own place. for now the storage container wont be able to store that much water. I dont go through that much right now, but havent left the halides on long enough to find out how much will evaporate yet.