ATO quick question!

[pewpewkittah]

I have two tanks without ATO and frankly I am tired of topping off with a bucket everyday. One is a 30G deep blue cube w/ a 10g sump. Another is a 12g long, no sump.

 

Should I get a ATO for just one tank, in this case the Tunze ATO Nano 3152

 

OR

 

Two dual float switch ATO from Autopoff.com

 

I am not looking to spend a fortune, so I can't get two Tunze Nanos.

 

Thanks!

 

 

[BRN]

if you dont want to spend a lot of money just build a DIY one they are pretty straight foward and easy to assemble honestly.

 

heres a video about how to do it , and there are a couple threads on the front page about it. Good luck!

[pewpewkittah]

if you dont want to spend a lot of money just build a DIY one they are pretty straight foward and easy to assemble honestly.

 

heres a video about how to do it , and there are a couple threads on the front page about it. Good luck!

 

I thought about doing that, didn't realize it was so simple!! I'll most likely end up doing that... however, how reliable are these things? The reason I wanted to go with the Dual Switch from Autopoff.com or the Tunze was because they were fairly reliable in terms of not flooding my display tank. It makes me nervous especially since I do not have a sump.

[BRN]

relays are EXTREMELY reliable, seriously i work in a factory, messing with machines, electricity, and we still have relays from 15 years ago.... the only thing you need to watch out for is the Float switch, but if you scrub the off when you do a water change youll be fine. Hell you dont even need to scrub it just run it under water.

[GHill762]

I've been using a nano ato from autotopoff.com for several years.. very simple design and very low maintenance. I have a pretty redundant system, I have that nano ato running on a timer to run 15 minutes two times a day and it's running a tom aqua lifter. even if it sticks it can't flood my floor because of how slow the aqua lifter is.

[fishyj]

I also use 2 floats and a relay. If you do buy from there get a couple of brackets extra, the first time I tried to bend I bent too short. The system works great for me.

[pewpewkittah]

relays are EXTREMELY reliable, seriously i work in a factory, messing with machines, electricity, and we still have relays from 15 years ago.... the only thing you need to watch out for is the Float switch, but if you scrub the ###### off when you do a water change youll be fine. Hell you dont even need to scrub it just run it under water.

 

I'll look more into it. I'm certainly intrigued on DIY, but I want it to work flawlessly. How would I mount the float to the tank? I assume a piece of plexi-glass or acrylic, but I don't have the tools to bend it. My 12g is rimless, I would prefer the water to be no less then 1/2" from the top and the 30g has a rim.

 

I've been using a nano ato from autotopoff.com for several years.. very simple design and very low maintenance. I have a pretty redundant system, I have that nano ato running on a timer to run 15 minutes two times a day and it's running a tom aqua lifter. even if it sticks it can't flood my floor because of how slow the aqua lifter is.

 

So your ATO controller is plugged into a timer? Or the pump? I was definitely going to use the Aqua Lifter.

 

I also use 2 floats and a relay. If you do buy from there get a couple of brackets extra, the first time I tried to bend I bent too short. The system works great for me.

 

If I do purchase from autotopoff.com, I think I'll get the brackets that are pre-bent .

 

 

 

That being said... looking on the autotopoff website, there are several options on the dual nano switches: an upper and lower? Does anyone know what this means? I couldn't find any information on it.

[dandelion]

I just built mine by getting parts off eBay and local dollar stores. Cost me $40 for almost EVERYTHING (including aqualifter pump). I don't see why I should pay more than double for someone else to bundle everything for me instead of getting everything myself.

 

http://www.nano-reef.com/topic/366617-1122-diy-ato-dandelions-625-arc-build/?p=5188370

 

I can draw you a schematic if you're interested. ajmckay also wrote a post on diy section which outlines his build. http://www.nano-reef.com/topic/367374-diy-ato-wbackup-pump-saver-30-50-auto-top-off/

[pewpewkittah]

I just built mine by getting parts off eBay and local dollar stores. Cost me $40 for almost EVERYTHING (including aqualifter pump). I don't see why I should pay more than double for someone else to bundle everything for me instead of getting everything myself.

 

http://www.nano-reef.com/topic/366617-1122-diy-ato-dandelions-625-arc-build/?p=5188370

 

I can draw you a schematic if you're interested. ajmckay also wrote a post on diy section which outlines his build. http://www.nano-reef.com/topic/367374-diy-ato-wbackup-pump-saver-30-50-auto-top-off/

 

Nice DIY! I was actually looking at your post the other day, how funny. Thank you so much for the link to ajmckay's build. I wasn't sure how to build the mount, but I think I can manage to get my BF to cut some acrylic for me.

[dandelion]

Yea I like his acrylic. My egg crate is kinda ghetto.... Though I can always paint it black to match my sump color.

[pewpewkittah]

Yea I like his acrylic. My egg crate is kinda ghetto.... Though I can always paint it black to match my sump color.

 

I found no problem with your design, it works well in your sump and cheap too! But I don't think your design would look great just placed in my tank .

[pewpewkittah]

I've convinced my BF to either 3D print me a mount or cut some acrylic. Yay! I think I got everything I need!

Here's the list:

 

[dandelion]

Did you get wires, crimp/twist connectors or solder, airline tubing, check valve, extension cords, reservoir tank...? Would suck if you have to run out in the middle of your build.

 

I'd love to get a 3D printer.... Maybe wait another 5 years.

[jbb]

http://www.aquahub.com/store/product26.html

[pewpewkittah]

Did you get wires, crimp/twist connectors or solder, airline tubing, check valve, extension cords, reservoir tank...? Would suck if you have to run out in the middle of your build.

 

I'd love to get a 3D printer.... Maybe wait another 5 years.

 

I have those things laying around the house, except the wires. What kind of wires are you referring to? But I do have lots of food grade 6g buckets with lids that I use for water changes. I think I can spare two for the reservoir tanks.

 

I would actually love to buy a 3D printer as well... Definitely after I'm done with school. But, I am lucky to have a BF that has access to a nice machine at work.

 

http://www.aquahub.com/store/product26.html

 

I actually saw that product on Bulk Reef Supply. I was going to purchase it, but I didn't really like the Mount a Holder thing they provided, I'd much rather get something cleaner made for me. Also, for two kits it would have been $80, and that's without the pumps. For everything purchased separately on amazon, total price for two ATO kits with pumps are $72.02.

[GHill762]

 

 

So your ATO controller is plugged into a timer? Or the pump? I was definitely going to use the Aqua Lifter.

 

 

The ATOs from autotopoff.com are simple float switches with a male and female plug, plug the float switch into a timer and you'll have a float switch that runs on the schedule you want, plug your aqua lifter in to the float switch and you'll have a top off that runs if the water is low but only during those times you select on the timer. If you were to do it the other way around (pump on timer after float) then the timer would only advance time when the water is low and you would not be on a regular schedule.