ATO/AWC choices

[GardenVariety]

I'm deciding on my ATO/AWC setup for my upcoming 200 Gallon. My reservoirs and RO are two rooms over so the water would need to be pumped up to the attic (10ft), over 30 feet and down to the tank. After my research, I've narrowed it down to four options.

1. 25 Gallon RO reservoir under the tank, standard Osmolator 3155 and manual water changes via Sicce Pump.

2. SpectraPure ATO (Peristaltic) pulling RO from the other room and two LiterMeter III's for AWC placed in the mixing room. This option will require calibration.

3. SpectraPure ATO and Apex Dos for AWC both pulling water from the other room. I'm concerned about noise from the DOS since it will be under the stand. Also, I'm not sure it has enough suction height. Still will require calibration.

4. Genesis Renew for everything. I've been told this is the best option. I contacted customer support almost a week ago and they still have not gotten back to me whether or not their system will work in my application. I would have to buy the Renew/Storm and also 3 Eheim 1260 Pumps. Very Expensive.

What would you do in my position?

 

[2000se]

For AWC - Interestingly enough, I just turned on my stenner 170dmp5.

For ATO - I still need to think. In fact I find the ATO are a little more tricky because evaporation rates are so different and such.

Had Genesis in mind and went with stenner for various reasons. I feel you couldn't go wrong with either genesis or stenner

 

[GardenVariety]

For AWC - Interestingly enough, I just turned on my stenner 170dmp5.

For ATO - I still need to think. In fact I find the ATO are a little more tricky because evaporation rates are so different and such.

Had Genesis in mind and went with stenner for various reasons. I feel you couldn't go wrong with either genesis or stenner

I do like the pressure system that SpectraPure uses. Their new ATO is due out in a week or two. I definitely like the design of the Genesis but I'm not sure it will work in my particular application.

 

[ca1ore]

I use apex float switches and an avast diaphragm pump. No trouble with long distances. Been thinking about AWC and going to go the DoS route with my new build.

 

[LefkoNJ]

I am planning on a AWC system using the DOS from APEX. If the system works well I will start using similar system for ATO.

 

[2000se]

For what it's worth, this gem of a read has been hiding here :

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2349824&highlight=stenner

I am very thankful for the information I got it.

 

[slief]

For AWC, NOTHING beats the Genesis Renew. It's hands down the best, fastest, most accurate and most flexible AWC money can buy. It can change 1-99 gallons a day, a week or continuously at a rate of 1 gallon every 2 minutes. Just set the amount you want to change and hit start. Like I said, nothing beats it.

It's not cheap though and it needs to be setup so the drains can siphon to the sump and waste water drain. They also offer their own ATO called the Storm which is great. While I've been using the Renew for years now, I use my Apex with redundant float switches for my ATO.

Dual Head Stenners are a decent option too. They are bullet proof pumps but they are VERY noisy. They are also relatively slow and not well suited for large water changes. You also should use a needle valve on each head as no two heads will pump exactly the same due to inconsistencies with the rollers and the tubing. Not a huge deal if you don't adjust them but if you don't, you are likely to see a bit of salinity drift over time. I've been using a Stenner for my ATO for years now and love the pump but I also have it setup in my shed outside where my mixing tanks are. Even with the door closed, I can hear the ATO pump several feet away from the shed. I wouldn't want it in my house unless it was in a well insulated basement where I couldn't hear it through the floors.

 

[TX_Punisher]

I am planning on a AWC system using the DOS from APEX. If the system works well I will start using similar system for ATO.

So you plan to run top off thru your dos? I'm thinking about an apex. Can you explain how that would work?

 

[slief]

So you plan to run top off thru your dos? I'm thinking about an apex. Can you explain how that would work?

You add float switches to your sump, set the DOS to advance mode and add a line that says "If Sw1 Open Then ON" Or If "Sw1 Closed Then ON" depending on whether the switch is normally open or normally closed. You would then add a line for shutting the pump off... For example " If Sw1 Closed Then OFF". This assume that the ATO float is switch 1.

Or you can use virtual outlets for the switches such as a virtual outlet called Add_Water
Then add the above commands to the virtual outlet.
Then in the DOS pump head, advanced programming: If Add_Water = ON Then ON

 

[LefkoNJ]

Another option other than the DOS for ATO is the PMUP my only concern with that is distance from the source.

 

[GardenVariety]

For AWC, NOTHING beats the Genesis Renew. It's hands down the best, fastest, most accurate and most flexible AWC money can buy. It can change 1-99 gallons a day, a week or continuously at a rate of 1 gallon every 2 minutes. Just set the amount you want to change and hit start. Like I said, nothing beats it.

It's not cheap though and it needs to be setup so the drains can siphon to the sump and waste water drain. They also offer their own ATO called the Storm which is great. While I've been using the Renew for years now, I use my Apex with redundant float switches for my ATO.

Dual Head Stenners are a decent option too. They are bullet proof pumps but they are VERY noisy. They are also relatively slow and not well suited for large water changes. You also should use a needle valve on each head as no two heads will pump exactly the same due to inconsistencies with the rollers and the tubing. Not a huge deal if you don't adjust them but if you don't, you are likely to see a bit of salinity drift over time. I've been using a Stenner for my ATO for years now and love the pump but I also have it setup in my shed outside where my mixing tanks are. Even with the door closed, I can hear the ATO pump several feet away from the shed. I wouldn't want it in my house unless it was in a well insulated basement where I couldn't hear it through the floors.

I definitely know the Genesis is the best. You and I spoke on the phone about it. I emailed them, they said they would have to get back to me and never did. They didn't know whether my situation would work. I can't use the Stenner because my tank is in an office and the noise isn't acceptable. The only other solutions are the LM3 and DOS.

 

[GardenVariety]

For what it's worth, this gem of a read has been hiding here :

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2349824&highlight=stenner

I am very thankful for the information I got it.

I've read almost through that entire thread. Interesting. I'm still torn. I think both the LM3 and DOS are good options.

 

[2000se]

Dual Head Stenners are a decent option too. They are bullet proof pumps but they are VERY noisy. They are also relatively slow and not well suited for large water changes.

Unless they end up 'getting' noisy after use, mine is pretty dang quite. Mine is brand new with the improved roller assembly. I have it mounted under the floor right under my tank. Had to use the crawl space under my house. I plugged it in and couldn't tell it was running until the water start moving.

Again, it's under the house, not directly under the tank. But located in the vicinity as the tank.

As far as slow, yes compared to genesis. Reason I got the 170/day pump.

As for large water changes instantly, genesis would be a better option.

As far as simplicity of setup and not worrying about the siphoning and running 2 pumps so on and so on, I chose the stenner.

Now, had I had a free and clear way to setup the genesis, I might of went that direction, but my water management routes would've had to been more cooperative.

I like both options and I'm glad there are options.

 

[Fishbulb2]

I definitely know the Genesis is the best. You and I spoke on the phone about it. I emailed them, they said they would have to get back to me and never did. They didn't know whether my situation would work. I can't use the Stenner because my tank is in an office and the noise isn't acceptable. The only other solutions are the LM3 and DOS.

I have two DOS pumps and a LM3. If noise is that much of a concern, you gotta go with the LM3. It is MUCH quieter than the dose. I still use both DOS systems for other things that just don't run as much, like Ca and Alk dosing, but changing 1-2 gallons a day on the DOS will be incredibly loud. Go with the LM3.

Alternatively, see if you can get the DOS to only perform the WC at night when everyone is gone. But in that case, I would just go with the LM3. It's a FANTASTIC pump.

FB

 

[tkeracer619]

LM3 still has some noise to it.

 

[GardenVariety]

I have two DOS pumps and a LM3. If noise is that much of a concern, you gotta go with the LM3. It is MUCH quieter than the dose. I still use both DOS systems for other things that just don't run as much, like Ca and Alk dosing, but changing 1-2 gallons a day on the DOS will be incredibly loud. Go with the LM3.

Alternatively, see if you can get the DOS to only perform the WC at night when everyone is gone. But in that case, I would just go with the LM3. It's a FANTASTIC pump.

FB

I agree. I would definitely run the DOS at night as long as it could finish its' business between the hours of 4PM - 6AM. I would only need it to do about 3 gallons a day. I've considered the DOS as well instead of getting the GHL 2.1 but I have to think that the reliability of the GHL would trump the "cool factor" of using the DOS. It's funny, now that I've ordered the Apex I'm looking for any excuse to add more Apex gear.

 

[Przemek_PacSun]

Kore 5th with AWC module? ;-)
It;s using adjustable DC pumps, instead of DC pump you can connect other pumps(like dosing pumps - spectrapure etc)

Regards

 

[hart24601]

Dual Head Stenner is one of the very best investments I have made in this hobby. With the heads that allow adjustable tubing you can pretty much do anything - I have it set up right now to AWC 60g daily in my FW systems (discus) as I downsized my reef and don't need it right now on there. It's a variable speed pump so I could go much higher flow if I wanted. I just have it on a timer that runs a few min every hour. I had a DOS and it was much louder pumping near its max and can't handle this much water.