ATO how many people dont use

[chadfarmer]

how many people dont use auto top off on there tank and do it manually?

 

[breutus]

I do currently and wish I had it setup to do it I loose five gallons every other day

 

[ncox38]

I have a brand new JBJ sitting in the box, I cant bring myself to hook it up. I probably loose 2 gal a day, I run a fan to keep the tank cool and a dehumidifier.

 

[Spiffyguy]

i do it manually. don't trust it. I also have a funky tank though.

 

[levon15]

I have no auto top off, manually a couple gallons a day.

 

[latazyo]

I would never go manual

now is the time to set one up because those gift wrap containers are available for christmas

they are very tall and skinny and are easy to sneak behind your tank out of view to use as reservoir


dont be afraid

 

[mpcart]

I manually add 1 to 2 gallons per day.

-Mike

 

[sirreal63]

I guess I am a rebel...I equate auto topoff with auto disaster. The more complicated things are the more prone to failure. Solenoids stick in a salt environment and pumping fresh water into my tank does not give me the warm fuzzies.

I prefer to have control over what and how much of anything goes into the tank.

 

[twizzlerman77]

i also manually add 1 to 2 gallons per day

 

[latazyo]

I just control it by how high the bottom float switch is

if it somehow malfunctions it will hit the second upper safety float switch, which will turn the system off

 

[paulamrein]

manually, 5 gallons a week. (no intense lighting) salinity stays 1.023-1.024 range.

 

[MRGolfo]

i am buying one soon because i am going on vacation for 10 days during christmas. i am getting worried with the auto top off means disaster comment.

 

[sirreal63]

I think they only fail when no one is there. lol

The only way I would do it is with a peristaltic pump that replaced only the daily usage...and even then I would worry about it. Some people use them with no problems...some people have lost everything because of them. I could play Russian Roulette if I wanted to, I just choose not to.

 

[firsthesitation]

Don't now, sometimes wish I did, I loose about a gallon a day so If I'm ever gone I always worry my pump is running dry. Regardless I have an on/off switch and a bucket with a pump in it sitting near my tank at all times so it makes it easy, just step on the switch and fill.

 

[frenchie]

manually here also, up for suggestion on a nice cheap setup diy project or something.

 

[scbadiver]

I have done it manually. I know it's dumb but I run the RO into the sump. I haven't had any disasters, YET. I'm hoping to put a more automated system in place soon though. Just trying to avoid Jacks "auto-disaster".

 

[Angler02]

I add manually as well. I trust myself, sometimes.....

 

[latazyo]

anything can fail

your screws could fail and dump your MH into your tank and kill it too

my ATO setup cost me $40 and I got one with dual switches and a relay so that it can handle bigger pumps (even though I only use an MJ1200)

this is the one I have http://www.aquahub.com/store/product26.html

I think one reason people have failure is by:
1. not using backup switches
2. not using a relay to handle the larger pumps
3. using gravity feed w/ solenoids that salt builds up on
4. not using snail guards on their float switches

it consists of 2 float switches (one to turn it off and one is an "emergency" shut off one, so at least it can never fill so much it over flows), wiring, etc, MJ1200, various plumbing (I use rigid for everything), and the wrapping paper reservoir (best thing ever...holds about 9 gallons), snail guards (mandatory!!!)



also if you're that worried about disaster you could just make sure to have a small amount of RO in your reservoir...that way if the setup fails (which it wont) then you will only put a little bit extra in and won't crash (this solution is obviously not viable for vacations)

but so far mine has been running for over a year without ever having a single problem

 

[kellyjn]

Sorry for the newbie question.

Why don't people just put a simple float valve (like Kent float valve) in the sump and than hook directly to their RO/DI water filter? Bad idea?

Latazyo..... can you post a picture of this reservior? I'm not picturing the container you are speaking of. I'd love to get some kind of system put in place in the future.

 

[latazyo]

here is a pic of my behind tank plumbing, but it doesnt show the container very well

and here is the exact bin I use...it is like $4.99 at walmart or home depot and is only there during the holiday season