ATO Question

Since upgrading from my 75 to my 120 I'm dealing with alot more evaporation. I have been looking online and am leaning toward a gravity fed with float valve. I am just wondering what everyone uses for their ATO? Anyone else use a float valve setup or do you use a float switch and pump? My setup would be a 10-20 gallon container for top off container and a sump mounted float valve.Any ideas from your experience is appreciated thanks!

 

I'm just using an Aquahub DIY kit (http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/aquah...emium.html) with an Aqualifter pump (http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/index...iew/id/89/) for my 120 with 40 gallon sump. Best $70 spent (once factoring in some "air lines" (I used black) and a water container that needed to be purchased too.


Right now, I am just using a 5 gallon bucket, but I plan at some point to use a 10 gallon container as that should get me to almost a week before refills. I have no canopy and no glass over my tank, so nothing holds in the water than wants to evaporate. I am using LED lights which still yield some heat, but not as much as the compact fluorescents I used to have over my 75 gallon, and nothing like a metal halide.

 

I have a float valve and it works just fine. The only downside is that it is gravity fed, the resevoir needs to sit at a higher level than the valve which limits resevoir size when installing in a stand.

 

Do you have a Apex on this system?
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I use the autotopoff.com set up.

 

No controller yet. i have a closet next to the tank that i plan on putting the top off jug. ill drill a small hole in the wall for the water line and that way you wont really notice or see anything. just wanted to get some opinions on reliability of float valves and float switches

 

I have been using them and them seem to work great toe. Little over a year in use.
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good. i think i like the simpleness of not adding anymore pumps. as long as the top offs above the sump. one more question are you adding kalkwasser or anything to your top off water? not sure if that would eventually effect the float valve.

 

+1 on the Autotopoff.com I just hooked mine up a week ago and it's working great!! Very happy and it was cheap.

 

I use a liter meter III for auto top off and water changes. its the best piece of equipment I own

 

I am using a JBJ ATO ($30 used) with a 180 GPH pump ($14)from Petco and a 10 gal aquarium for ATO res. Running mode B.