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Automatic top off recommendations?

Discussion in 'General Discussion' started by Reeferforlyfe, Feb 27, 2012.

  1. Reeferforlyfe

    Reeferforlyfe Inactive User

    655
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    I'm in serious need of an ATO. My evaporation rate is about 2 gallons per day. What does everyone use?
     
  2. Actuary Well-Known ReefKeeper

    705
    Adel, IA
    Ratings:
    +145 / 1 / -0
    I use a breakout box tied into my Apex on my 180g display and a JBJ ATO on my frag tank. Both work just fine for my needs!

    The JBJ ATO is a pretty slick little package and is easy to use.. you would just have to make sure you use a pump that will refill the displaced water within a 14 minute span. They built in a safety feature which limits the amount of time the ATO pump stays on and the max you can set it for is 14 minutes... so when I tried using an aqualifter it would frequently end up shutting off on me.
     
  3. Reeferforlyfe

    Reeferforlyfe Inactive User

    655
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    What kind of pump do you use??
     
  4. PotRoast

    PotRoast Well-Known ReefKeeper

    999
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    +24 / 0 / -0
    My system is not recommended by most people but here it goes.

    RO/DI water pumped through a solonoid which is triggered by a couple float valves from Autotopoff.com

    People will say if my float valve sticks or my (solonoid fails on - unlikely) then the tank will fill with fresh water and I am screwed. To counter that I have my salinity probe tracking the salinity...if it gets too low it turns off the solonoid feeding the RODI water. Also, I have an extra float valve tied into my breakout box...if it gets too high in the sump (my ATO float valves fail) then it will also shut of the RODI water.

     
  5. Reeferforlyfe

    Reeferforlyfe Inactive User

    655
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    I'll have to take a peek at it tonight Jim. Like the idea..
     
  6. Tholton33

    Tholton33 Well-Known ReefKeeper

    537
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    you can easily make one the uses vaccuum to add water once your water level gets low. 5g bucket 2 runs of hose and a few ball valves.
     
  7. Bela

    Bela Inactive User

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    I like the Tunze osmolator myself. This is also how I dose kalk. The JBJ also seems to be popular. I think Joe, here in Ames, has one for sale right now.
     
  8. Reeferforlyfe

    Reeferforlyfe Inactive User

    655
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    +0 / 0 / -0
    Thanks for the input! I'm gonna see what will work best with my system. I like the idea of letting my apex do the work. That's what I bought it for lol.
     
  9. mfisher

    mfisher

    255
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    Tunze. Period.
     
  10. Bud Loves Bacon Website Team Board of Directors Leadership Team GIRS Member Vendor

    West Des Moines, IA
    Ratings:
    +1,821 / 14 / -0
    I use and autotopoff.com dual float and an aqualifter and a 5g bucket. However I you have to stay on the bucket and not let it go empty or the pump will run dry and keep running, that is the downfall. I wish autotopoff would come with another float that you could put in the bucket to shut the pump off on low water. But I really need to get a controller involved then I would feel more comfortable...
     
  11. Reeferforlyfe

    Reeferforlyfe Inactive User

    655
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    +0 / 0 / -0
    Whatever works with my apex. I'd like to get my controller involved when it comes to ATO. I trust it over a system by itself.
     
  12. Waverz

    Waverz Expert Reefkeeper

    Ratings:
    +5 / 0 / -0
    I'll show you how ours works at the shop Thursday.  Float switches connected to the Apex is a pretty sweet option.
     
  13. AJ

    AJ Inactive User

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    +1
    And Jim, your option doesn't sound bad either.  It sounds like you have more than adequate fail-safes in place.  Now if you have a float valve hooked up to your RO/DI with no other fail-safes in place, then you would be crazy, but you mitigate your failure risk in a number of other ways.  Sounds like a solid setup to me.
    --AJ
     
  14. Reeferforlyfe

    Reeferforlyfe Inactive User

    655
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    +0 / 0 / -0
    I guy on the forum who is getting out of the hobby, has a Tunze auto top off kit still for sale.. Should I pick this up? Thoughts? Can I utilize this into my apex, with a breakout box?
     
  15. AJ

    AJ Inactive User

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    Go for it...they are nice devices...but totally independent of your Apex. That shouldn't really matter if it's Apex integrated if it's a reliable device. You can do your own integration with float switches if you absolutely feel the need to show apex integration for water level control.

    --AJ
     
  16. Tholton33

    Tholton33 Well-Known ReefKeeper

    537
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    +0 / 0 / -0
    shouldnt need to have it hooked up to your apex. like AJ said they are stand alone units and can manage all the functions themselves.

    they are a great unit, if its a good price i wouldnt pass it up. and id run kalk through your ATO
     
  17. Reeferforlyfe

    Reeferforlyfe Inactive User

    655
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    What would be a decent price? He has yet to shoot me one. Dose kalk through my ATO? I've been told that raises your ph. I have yet to mess with kalk, as I rarely ever dose Calc mag or alk in my tank. I have a ton of coral frags, so my demand is pretty light at the moment
     
  18. Tholton33

    Tholton33 Well-Known ReefKeeper

    537
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    the ATO you mentioned. It can raise your PH, but low PH is sometimes a problem found with reefing. and dosing through your ATO is a common, easy fix. Just a suggestion.
     
  19. Reeferforlyfe

    Reeferforlyfe Inactive User

    655
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    Any effects in calcium mag or alk?
     
  20. Tholton33

    Tholton33 Well-Known ReefKeeper

    537
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    +0 / 0 / -0
    yes

    but all your answers can be found here. a great write up. Dont skimp.

    http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-01/rhf/index.php
     

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