in-tank ATO setup? Pics?

[frugalreefer]

Does anyone Nano Reefers here have their ATO setup in tank? I'm close to buying an ATO with double switches for my 10gallon but I just wanted to check with fellow reefers for any possible pics before I commit.

Pros and Cons?

Thanks all!

 

[frugalreefer]

or how do you top off your tanks? I used to use my bubble magus dosing unit as my ato but the tubes burn out and need to be replaced every often. So lately I've been topping off manually when I get home from work.

I have a two gallon jug with ro/di dosed with amino acids. I don't mind doing it that way, the problem is it's a daily chore and when I leave for a weekend getaway, it becomes worry time.

 

[yongpanda]

I'm in the same position as you and have done some research and here is what I've read:

If you don't have a sump, an ATO in the display won't have much Pro's besides the fact that its better than to manually top off water.

The Con's may be the aesthetics of your display tank. It can get clunky and if you have pumps such as the Vortech or any pump that causes waves in your display, the ATO systems can get finicky.

My personal conclusion is that since an ATO setup is better to have than not, I decided on getting one. Since aesthetics are a big issue for me, I found that the Tunze Osmolator is not only the most reliable, but is pretty discreet.

Hope that helps!

 

[keener1830]

I have a 1 gallon container on top of a kitchen cabinet that drips ro water via a IV drip. works well still getting it totally dialed in.

 

[frugalreefer]

I have a 1 gallon container on top of a kitchen cabinet that drips ro water via a IV drip. works well still getting it totally dialed in.

Ive done the drip method once, it worked fine. I dont have place to store the reservoir with my current setup.

 

[frugalreefer]

I'm in the same position as you and have done some research and here is what I've read:

If you don't have a sump, an ATO in the display won't have much Pro's besides the fact that its better than to manually top off water.

The Con's may be the aesthetics of your display tank. It can get clunky and if you have pumps such as the Vortech or any pump that causes waves in your display, the ATO systems can get finicky.

My personal conclusion is that since an ATO setup is better to have than not, I decided on getting one. Since aesthetics are a big issue for me, I found that the Tunze Osmolator is not only the most reliable, but is pretty discreet.

Hope that helps!

Aesthetics is what im slightly worried about. An in-tank ATO with switches will just add to the amount of equipment already in sight. I'll take a look at the tunze osmolator.

 

[gbru316]

Im planning on using a small animal water bottle and some tubing. Turn the bottle upside down, immerse end of tubing (connected to water bottle), and ATO won't top off. Once water dips below the end of the tubing, air can enter the bottle, and water can exit.

Simple, cheap, effective, and not nearly as much of an eyesore as a few switches and wires.

 

[keener1830]

Im planning on using a small animal water bottle and some tubing. Turn the bottle upside down, immerse end of tubing (connected to water bottle), and ATO won't top off. Once water dips below the end of the tubing, air can enter the bottle, and water can exit.

Simple, cheap, effective, and not nearly as much of an eyesore as a few switches and wires.[/QUOT

I was going to do that but did some research and found out that it messes up your salinty because the salt some how makes its way into the bottle so your salinty Dosent go back to normal till the entire bottle is empty.

 

[gbru316]

Im planning on using a small animal water bottle and some tubing. Turn the bottle upside down, immerse end of tubing (connected to water bottle), and ATO won't top off. Once water dips below the end of the tubing, air can enter the bottle, and water can exit.

Simple, cheap, effective, and not nearly as much of an eyesore as a few switches and wires.[/QUOT

I was going to do that but did some research and found out that it messes up your salinty because the salt some how makes its way into the bottle so your salinty Dosent go back to normal till the entire bottle is empty.

A member of NR did an experiment utilizing food coloring in the salwater to test this hypothesis. Turns out, there was no mixing of the two. The top off water remained clear after several weeks.

If two touching bodies of water always tried to seek equilibrium, there wouldn't be pockets of varying salinity in the ocean.

 

[keener1830]

A member of NR did an experiment utilizing food coloring in the salwater to test this hypothesis. Turns out, there was no mixing of the two. The top off water remained clear after several weeks.

If two touching bodies of water always tried to seek equilibrium, there wouldn't be pockets of varying salinity in the ocean.

Cool good to know that is a option for my new nano once I get it set up. I'm glad it was cleared up and it makes total sense.