Originally Posted by
Sly
http:///forum/post/2529075
I made an ATA system for my tank 8 months ago and couldn't be happier with it. It's hooked up to my RO/DI system and fills through a simple plastic toilet float valve.
[edit] Mine is not exactly like the one pictured. It has a plastic connecting rod instead of metal. I would not recommend one with a metal rod because it can leach copper into the tank.
I took a small plastic paint bucket that they sell at Lowe's and drilled a hole in the bottom big enough for the valve's stem to fit through. I sawed off some of the stem because it allowed me to place the bucket lower (which lowers the water level). The bucket is placed on some blocks of wood and the water connection goes underneath.
I plumbed it into my sump with a simple U tube siphon hose. I use a street tee at the top and attach an airline to it. This way in order to fill the siphon hose, all you do is suck the air through the hose until the entire tube is full and some water starts to come through the airline. Then I pinch it off and put in a golf tee to plug the airline.
I set the water level by raising and lowering the float assembly. I turn on the water and the bucket fills and siphons into the sump. When it's at the set level, the float shuts off. There is the remote possibility that the float could stick and not shut off. That's why I used a very small bucket that is lower than my sump. This way if it does malfunction, the bucket will only fill up the sump to the level of the top of the bucket. Then water will spill out of the bucket and into a dike system (not pictured) that I placed around the whole thing (sump and bucket both). I used one of those plastic rubber-maid tubs that are made to put clothes under people's beds. It was a perfect size to put my sump and the overflow bucket in. Then I plumbed the dike system to a drain.
Worst case scenario the bucket overflows and my sump fills a little more than usual but not enough to harm the tank.
It is important to use all plastic parts. Do not use brass fittings for anything. Also, do not use one of those "water saver" toilet floats. They will not fill back up once the water level drains down. It is also important not to go too short on your bucket. You need to allow room for it to back fill in case your power goes out and your sump fills up. You don't want your sump backfilling into your bucket, causing it to overflow, and your saltwater being lost.
I've been using this for 8 months now and have had no problems at all with it. My tank evaporates about 2 gallons per day so this is great (especially if I want to go away on vacation). I just hook up the automatic feeder and off I go...
I really appreciate it. Thanks that's a great idea. That's the next thing I buy is a ro/di. Check some of my other threads with my pics of my tank. I am also going to be doing a fully custom corner tank. Also do you have to siphon all the time or it goes by its self after the air is out of the line?
