75 gallon reef build

Honestly I have no idea, I know little about them. By that, I mean that I know it stands for auto top off and it replaces water in my display tank.. haha
 
I have a JBJ ATO controller inside my stand. Plugged into that is a float valve (which is in the return section of my sump - the only place where the water level drops due to evaporation). Also plugged into the controller is a small water pump (I use an Aqua Lifter). When the float valve detects a water drop, the controller triggers the small water pump to draw RO/DI water from a topoff reservoir (5g container), until the float valve detects that the water level is again where it should be.

It turns on maybe every 4 or 5 minutes, and runs for about 15-20 seconds. I have a pretty high evaporation rate.

That's pretty much how they work. :)

Edit: They only replenish with freshwater, of course, as the salt, etc, does not evaporate.
 
iwishtofish said:
I have a JBJ ATO controller inside my stand. Plugged into that is a float valve (which is in the return section of my sump - the only place where the water level drops due to evaporation). Also plugged into the controller is a small water pump (I use an Aqua Lifter). When the float valve detects a water drop, the controller triggers the small water pump to draw RO/DI water from a topoff reservoir (5g container), until the float valve detects that the water level is again where it should be.

It turns on maybe every 4 or 5 minutes, and runs for about 15-20 seconds. I have a pretty high evaporation rate.

That's pretty much how they work. :)

Edit: They only replenish with freshwater, of course, as the salt, etc, does not evaporate.
Click to expand...

Thanks Fish, that seems so much more simple than what I thought! I'm still in the process of reading your whole build thread. It's massive and I've been rereading parts and taking notes (my girlfriend gives me a hard time about my notebook, but it pays to be well informed!) Just a heads up, I'll be asking many questions pretty soon seeing as we both have a 75g!

So far you have made me decide to buy a controller, another heater (we have....well had, the same ViaAqua heater and now I'm scared about it), and an ATO. Along with the whitetail bristletooth of course!
 
Nonameben said:
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produ...3csegpl&ref=6111&subref=AA&CAWELAID=525429743

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=4482

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=12089

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3743+23627&pcatid=23627

The new supply list
Click to expand...

so not to sound like a pain or a broken record but your ph monitor, temp controller, and jbj top off your looking at 291.97... however a controller with float valves is 314.98... and does all those other 3 plus a lot more... just saying haha
 
Waddleboy said:
so not to sound like a pain or a broken record but your ph monitor, temp controller, and jbj top off your looking at 291.97... however a controller with float valves is 314.98... and does all those other 3 plus a lot more... just saying haha
Click to expand...

This is exactly why I posted those waddle, without y'alls support I'd be wasting space with all these different controllers when I could just have one! Besides an apex, what other controllers would you suggest?
 
...after further reading I have found that (lets say an apex jr) controls just temp. However, there are 4 additional spaces to add additional probes ( such as pH) I'm beginning to understand it better. Found out I could check it through my iphone which would be freaking sweet! Waddle, is my thinking correct?
 
Nonameben said:
...after further reading I have found that (lets say an apex jr) controls just temp. However, there are 4 additional spaces to add additional probes ( such as pH) I'm beginning to understand it better. Found out I could check it through my iphone which would be freaking sweet! Waddle, is my thinking correct?
Click to expand...

Hate to say it but no haha. The apexjr has for controllable outlets for things like heater lights and stuff and only 1 temp probe. If you want to add a ph probe you need to buy a pm1. You can control any of the apex from your iPhone or the Internet. The apex lite has a spot for ph and temp and 8 controllable outlets. The reef keeper can have the same as e apex lite but does not connect to the Internet and needs a different module to connect to the internet

As for your first post about the reef keeper. The reef keeper lite will give you 8 ports a spot for temp ph and orp and a ph probe. By getting the expansion you get to measure salinity but need to buy another salinity probe. People use two ph probes to measure different parts of their tank or some use it for one for tank ph and another run a calcium reactor or Kalk reactor. Stuff like that.
 
Last edited:
I think I have read that some of the plugs (like 2 out of 4) on the RKL outlets can only handle low-voltage devices - anyone else read that?

Also, pH monitors can be a nuisance regarding having to calibrate them often (like monthly). The solution is cheap, but still... Regardless, I'm glad I bought one, because now I can see what effect dosing has on my pH.

Sometimes we can make our tanks complicated, while trying to make them less complicated. :)
 
Waddleboy said:
Hate to say it but no haha. The apexjr has for controllable outlets for things like heater lights and stuff and only 1 temp probe. If you want to add a ph probe you need to buy a pm1. You can control any of the apex from your iPhone or the Internet. The apex lite has a spot for ph and temp and 8 controllable outlets. The reef keeper can have the same as e apex lite but does not connect to the Internet and needs a different module to connect to the internet

As for your first post about the reef keeper. The reef keeper lite will give you 8 ports a spot for temp ph and orp and a ph probe. By getting the expansion you get to measure salinity but need to buy another salinity probe. People use two ph probes to measure different parts of their tank or some use it for one for tank ph and another run a calcium reactor or Kalk reactor. Stuff like that.
Click to expand...

Dang, I thought I had it figured out. Thanks for the clarification waddle. I like the apex, so will definitely be getting one after I buy my live rock. So, apex lite can control temp and pH, can I add a salinity probe to it? Also, you plug your heater directly into it instead of a wall plug-in?
 
iwishtofish said:
I think I have read that some of the plugs (like 2 out of 4) on the RKL outlets can only handle low-voltage devices - anyone else read that?

Also, pH monitors can be a nuisance regarding having to calibrate them often (like monthly). The solution is cheap, but still... Regardless, I'm glad I bought one, because now I can see what effect dosing has on my pH.

Sometimes we can make our tanks complicated, while trying to make them less complicated. :)
Click to expand...

I feel like I read the same thing Fish while researching. So you have an apex controller? I'm trying to learn more about them because I'll definitely get one before any animals go into the tank.

More complications, I agree but there are just so many fun toys you can add to tank! I really like that I can check my temp, pH, and salinity in my tank from my iphone! My girlfriend is going to get bothered quickly by that hahah
 
Nonameben said:
I feel like I read the same thing Fish while researching. So you have an apex controller? I'm trying to learn more about them because I'll definitely get one before any animals go into the tank.

More complications, I agree but there are just so many fun toys you can add to tank! I really like that I can check my temp, pH, and salinity in my tank from my iphone! My girlfriend is going to get bothered quickly by that hahah
Click to expand...

No, no controller. Just a JBJ ATO, and a PinPoint pH meter.

What I wish I had right now is a BRS dosing pump (and timer) for my alk. Oh, and a generator!
 
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