Auto top off

[Kjreiner1]

I have a 34 gallon Red Sea Max and I'm wanting to install an auto top off on it. I have room in the stand for roughly a 5 gallon bucket if water. I'm not very good do it yourself so want do you all recommend for this that can be easily installed and be bought as a complete kit?

 

[Wazzel]

Any food safe container or bucket can be used as a top off container. I use a 20 gallon fish tank. There are enough ATO sensor and pump combos out there for around $100, pick one that fits your need.

 

[Kjreiner1]

Thank you. Great idea for fish tank as I could actually fit a 20 gallon tank in my stand.

 

[scooter31707]

I use a 5 gallon bucket. I learned my lesson when I used a 20 gallon tank and my pump on the ATO got stuck and you can guess what happen from their. So that's why I use the 5 gallon bucket. I really love my ATO SMART(DT) and the Micro one(QT) that I have.

 

[Wazzel]

With a 34 gallon tank a 5 gallon container should be just fine. I used a 10 gallon tank when my 60 was up and running. When totally full it would last over 2 weeks. I suspect a 5 gallon bucket would get you around 2 weeks.

 

[kzaveri19]

Acqua-Tainer by Reliance. Available at walmart and amazon

 

[BigDave]

I use a 5 gallon bucket. I learned my lesson when I used a 20 gallon tank and my pump on the ATO got stuck and you can guess what happen from their. So that's why I use the 5 gallon bucket. I really love my ATO SMART(DT) and the Micro one(QT) that I have.

I'm setting up a 120 gallon tank now. I can easily fit 5 gallon bucket, but have been trying to figure out how to get 10...

With that being said, how often do you have to add water to your 5 gallon bucket? What's your daily evap look like?

When I had the tank setup in the garage while testing I was evaping about 10 gallons a week, but it was also 90+ degrees in the garage.

 

[tkeracer619]

On my RSM130 (34gal) I use a 5 gallon bucket and a Spectrapure LiterMeter3 Pump. For backup I have an Autotopoff.com dual float switch.

This tank is on wood floors so I do NOT want an overflow. The litermeter lets me set my daily top off amount and the float is just there as a safety. I have never actually needed it.

With an open top (I took the lid off for better lighting) the 5gal bucket lasts 7 days.

I use kalkwasser in the top off and it keeps the tank stable.

 

[Kjreiner1]

Shoot I forgot to ask is there a certain ATO that you stay away from due to manufunctions or just poor quality.

 

[Kjreiner1]

I will be putting the top back on I had to order parts for the lights.

 

[tkeracer619]

I don't like any ato that uses a centrifugal pump to add the water. All of my tanks use a peristaltic pump to deliver the water. If something does go wrong I don't want it to dump fast. Standard pumps are more prone to not starting up.

I'm a fan of set speed cole parmer masterflex peristaltics and autotopoff.com double float switch setups. I use the low voltage option on the float switches. Rock solid equipment that will last for years trouble free.

The masterflex stuff is for lab and medical use so you can spend some cash if you aren't careful.

 

[Kjreiner1]

Thank you for all the advise. I will be taking to the time to research all.

 

[scooter31707]

I'm setting up a 120 gallon tank now. I can easily fit 5 gallon bucket, but have been trying to figure out how to get 10...

With that being said, how often do you have to add water to your 5 gallon bucket? What's your daily evap look like?

When I had the tank setup in the garage while testing I was evaping about 10 gallons a week, but it was also 90+ degrees in the garage.

I am refilling about every 2 days.

 

[Ebisan]

The Smart ATO micro is the I use and recommend. http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/smart-ato-micro-automatic-top-off-system-autoaqua.html
It has safety features to prevent siphoning or overfilling. Which I triggered once when I was doing a water change and forgot to turn the ato off.

 

[Kjreiner1]

So, with a 5 gallon bucket for my 34 gallon do you think I will get 2 weeks?

 

[Ld159e]

Tunze ato 5 gallon container


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Wazzel]

So, with a 5 gallon bucket for my 34 gallon do you think I will get 2 weeks?

Hard to say for sure, but probably possible. On my 60 I was going through a little less than 5 gallons in a week, my 120 goes through a bit more than 5 gallons a week.

 

[smatter]

I second the Litermeter. Been using them since the Nineties and never had one fail. I just set it to match my evaporation and it adds limewater 150 times over 24 hours. I always buy my ATO containers at kitchen supply stores. They have all sizes and shapes and most are graduated too.

 

[johnike]

Love my Tunze.
I abuse it with pickling lime and just had to replace the pump after many years. 15 gallon aquarium on the floor for an ATO reservoir.

 

[Spiffy]

The Smart ATO is definitely the way to go. It comes with everything that you need in the box, and you can mount wherever you need it.