Auto aqua smart ATO?

8

87ford

New member
I curently have a 36 gallon salt water with no sump it a tank with 2 hob a protein and a filter I saw this product and looks cool but I have 2 problems I like how my tanks water level is right to the black trim lip of the tank with the optical sensor having to be flush it will end up keeping my leaflet .65 inches below that lip I was curious as if any one used this and what they used it on and second problem is nobody on any place on web states the size dimensions of the pump I have a opening of 2.4 inches round on a 7 gallon container and want to make sure the pump will even fit inside. I have also looked into a jbj ato which fixes the height problem but I can't seem to find a pump small enough to fit in the 7gallon jug and with out depending over 200 to get a pump that mounts outside and draws it in and up into the tank It needs to go up 4.5 feet ground to top of tank and I see people use the aqua lifter with success but I'm worried it won't get it up into the tank if it's only rated for 30"

Thanks
Tom
 
I do! I have some answers for you.

-aqua lifter won't pump up 4.5 feet. I used one for awhile and hated it. It kept clogging, jamming, failing.

-the auto aqua pump is basically a 1.5 inch cube if you include the height of the barb for the output hose.

-when mounted on my 29 with the black trim the water level was really low and I hated it. I trimmed the trim (HA!) on the exterior of the tank an was able to get the sensor moved up enough to have my water level much higher. I was able to do this and leave the trim mostly intact. I could have trimmed more to get the water level higher, but didn't want to risk it. Looking at the exterior of the tank the water level goes up beyond the trim.

I've attached a pic of how mine is mounted. This is in a 29 gallon tank from petco $1 per gallon sale. I think the brand is tetra. I'm using a HOB filter and have the ATO hose going into the HOB filter.
 

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Cool thanks for the reply! I decided to order the tunze nano osmolator was going to get the one with the eye for back up but I don't think it's needed because what the one with te eye is rated for 55+ and the nano is opposite so I ordered it hopefully it is adjustable and includes the pump which I googled and saw a you tube video of Simone with same 7 gallon jug I have fit the pump directly in. I thought about cutting the side of the trim closest to the wall but felt if I ever want to use this in a open area and converte it to saltwater then the top off is useless and will have a hole in trim thank you for your picture and the details of size when I get the nano in ill post a pic the real problem is the fact I have a background and can't use it on that side at least with a float I can mount it any where also when you say you have the return into the hob how were the water exits? Cause mine have lids on them or did you drill a hole and tap in a fitting

Thanks
Tom
 
The unit actually came with a clamp for the hose. I just positioned the clamp and hose so that the top off water goes into the return water going back into the tank.

But since you mentioned it now I want to drill a hole slightly smaller than the size of the return hose in the side of the HOB filter. That way I can squeeze the rubber hose in there and ditch the clamp that came with the kit!
 
Cool yeah I just like the neat ness of everything I try to keep it as neat as possible all my wires are tucked behind and go into the stand where the power Suply is the back ground covers all the wires and hides most of the h.o.bs but what more can I do lol that's why I wanted the water line to the rim now if I have a wave maker than I want the opposite cause I want to see the waves but right now I don't can't wait to get my ato and hopefully be able to keep the high water line with out any mods to the tank thanks again for the replies

Tom
 
ThreeMoney,

how in the world did you trim the trim on your aquarium?? Im looking into getting this also and I also keep my water level just at the bottom of the black trim. ..dont want to have to keep it lower than that.
 
Can you explain to me exactly how you did it? I've never used a dremel so am not familiar with it.
 
I don't believe that a dremel is actually needed for this, it just made it easier.

The tank I did this to was a 29 that I picked up at the petco $/gal sale. The trim on it is plastic and is deeper on the outside that the inside (you can see that in the pic). It seems to be the pretty standard way that plastic trim is installed.

I used a very thin pry tool (a small flat screwdriver could be used) to gently pry the plastic away from the glass. I then used the dremel to cut out a notch / \ that fit the outer portion of the ATO. You could get the same results using a small pair of wire cutters or tin snips to cut away small pieces at a time until you got the result you were looking for. You could use a drill with a small bit and drill a series of holes in the outline you want prior to going to town with the cutters.

I was careful to not cut the top or inner section of the trim so that (at least in my mind) it was still structurally sound.
 
ThreeMoneyJ said:
I do! I have some answers for you.

-aqua lifter won't pump up 4.5 feet. I used one for awhile and hated it. It kept clogging, jamming, failing.

-the auto aqua pump is basically a 1.5 inch cube if you include the height of the barb for the output hose.

-when mounted on my 29 with the black trim the water level was really low and I hated it. I trimmed the trim (HA!) on the exterior of the tank an was able to get the sensor moved up enough to have my water level much higher. I was able to do this and leave the trim mostly intact. I could have trimmed more to get the water level higher, but didn't want to risk it. Looking at the exterior of the tank the water level goes up beyond the trim.

I've attached a pic of how mine is mounted. This is in a 29 gallon tank from petco $1 per gallon sale. I think the brand is tetra. I'm using a HOB filter and have the ATO hose going into the HOB filter.
Click to expand...


Whos auto top off sensor is that?
 
I have this ATO and LOVE IT. Its very easy to use and tiny. The pump is silent and for such a small pump it actually pumps a good amount of water fairly quickly. No moving parts, but has multiple failsafes to help prevent accidents.

I will buy these for all of my tanks.
 
I actually was happy with the tunze nano which is rated for 55 gallons and under they have one that is the same but includes an optical sensor and I have to say it's not that big wiring was simple the pump included fit right into a 7 gallon jug opening and it has a fail safe and has worked already it will time out after a certain time and won't pump anymore till you switch it off and on the trick is to set it were you want the level and remove till it just starts and while it starts to top off add the water you took out till it shuts off so that way it's in it's ideal margin if liked how the ato looked and worked but I can't see my self cutting the tank I like to make the parts to go on fit the tank not the tank fit the part this way if I ever want to use it for a fresh water tank I can with out having a chunk missing from the rim

Tom
 
ThreeMoneyJ said:
I don't believe that a dremel is actually needed for this, it just made it easier.

The tank I did this to was a 29 that I picked up at the petco $/gal sale. The trim on it is plastic and is deeper on the outside that the inside (you can see that in the pic). It seems to be the pretty standard way that plastic trim is installed.

I used a very thin pry tool (a small flat screwdriver could be used) to gently pry the plastic away from the glass. I then used the dremel to cut out a notch / \ that fit the outer portion of the ATO. You could get the same results using a small pair of wire cutters or tin snips to cut away small pieces at a time until you got the result you were looking for. You could use a drill with a small bit and drill a series of holes in the outline you want prior to going to town with the cutters.

I was careful to not cut the top or inner section of the trim so that (at least in my mind) it was still structurally sound.
Click to expand...

I am doing this.. with the AutoAqua Smart ATO.. Im gonna have to side mount tho.. i dont see a good way to do this on the backside.. even tho i have room back there. (HOB skimmer, and AC50s)

thanks for the explanation.
 
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