Hey everyone I want to make something similar to this build http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?...&hl=sun+tea

but i dont understand it...all i see is just 2 holes and tubes....wont the bottom tube continue to leak water out due to gravity?

The jar is sealed. Without air able to enter via the top tube, a partial vacuum forms inside the jar. This vacuum keeps the water from dripping out the bottom tube. That's why a rigid airtight container is necessary.

The key is to use bottom tube that is narrow enough that capillary action prevents air from getting sucked past the water. Otherwise, yeah, air would just glug past the water and you'd flood the tank.


The sun tea jar works, but I'm a big fan of the tunze osmolator, or the many DIY equivalents. Much less finicky.

well im not going to use a sun tea jar...i was going to use a screw on top water jug....would that work too? i saw Yamato use one for his nano....so basically water adhesion is keeping water in the top tube and capillary is keeping water in the bottom but when the air enters the top tube water is released in the bottom until equilibrium and another vacuum is made?

yep. i made mine from a plastic vodka bottle haha but it works.
Tip: don't use air line tubing its to small. use 1/4 tubing (you probably already know that )

do this instead.

Air Powered ATO

I have it running on my system. Click my sig, then page 3 if you wanna see it.

Remember if your reservoir isn't rigid enough or absolutely airtight you could end up flooding your tank.

no doubt. The air pump ATO will be MUCH safer.

Hey, saw my name referenced.

The suntea jar ATO is alright, but there is alot of trouble shooting and really not worth the hassle. You need to set your tubes just right and even then it is very fragile and any touch will set it off.

I am prepping to do the air powered pump. Hope it does better.

Another problem you might run into is that those battery powered air pumps are beastly loud. I think my weed whacker is quieter.

I have one mounted in my bc tank stand... its not TOO bad. Definitely not silent, but not that big of a deal either, IMO.

I didnt care for mine and traded up for an off the shelf version.

fair enough. Others, like myself, like to save a few bucks where we can.

I had the air powered type, and like Yamato said it was touchy, and incredibly loud. I DIY whatever I can, but I wasnt happy with the end result on that one.