reefnoob88
New member
Im gonna stick with manually topping the tank off for now it has been working and i actually kinda like it
Is it possible to have a successful reef tank without an ATO?
- Thread starter reefnoob88
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Scurvy Dawg
New member
Red Sea Reefer 170. I use the stock ATO tank but axed the float valve and installed the AutoAqua smart ATO Micro. Love it. It's got built in safety features so it won't over flow your sump with RODI. It basically shuts itself off if the pump runs longer than the initial fill after you install it. It also senses if the pump is not pumping water if your ATO runs dry. Has audible alarms also.
Decided to stick with the stock ATO tank because even when its full, the sump is designed to hold all the water that would be in the ATO tank.
I fill my ATO tank every three days and have a larger 5 gallon back-up for the times I will be gone for more than 3 days.
Not a required thing but is a nice convenience. Don't think I would ever go manual again after going auto.
Decided to stick with the stock ATO tank because even when its full, the sump is designed to hold all the water that would be in the ATO tank.
I fill my ATO tank every three days and have a larger 5 gallon back-up for the times I will be gone for more than 3 days.
Not a required thing but is a nice convenience. Don't think I would ever go manual again after going auto.
monkeysee1
Member
Sure, but having an automatic top off would make your life A LOT easier. I have screens, not lids, for covers on my tank and my ATO is CONSTANTLY going off and refilling my sump to its optimum level.
Got tired of always having to siphon RO water from my 5 gallon DI water bucket into my sump (which are BOTH in my cabinet underneath the tank, btw). I burned out a pump once because the water level was fell too low. That was the day I said enough of this krap so I ordered an ATO from Marine Depot.
Runs great - takes a licking and keeps on ticking!
heathlindner25
New member
Manual ato myself. I figure,While I'm feeding them ,adding vodka, cleaning the glass, dosing alk and calcium, I might as well add some fresh water.
Valentini89
New member
I don't have an ATO on my 26g. I WILL have one on my 150g.
kmbyrnes
New member
Absolutely not, but IMO they make life easier.
I didn't have one for the first year. I enjoyed the daily fussing with my tank.
Once I got an ATO, I enjoyed fussing with my tank even more because the water parameter stability allowed the corals to flourish and there was more to enjoy. YMMV
I didn't have one for the first year. I enjoyed the daily fussing with my tank.
Once I got an ATO, I enjoyed fussing with my tank even more because the water parameter stability allowed the corals to flourish and there was more to enjoy. YMMV