my new ato

[leftcoastreefer]

ive been trying to automate my tank as much as possible, so over the past few months ive gotten an ato and a controller with lots of little extras to go along with it. personally its the best money ive ever spent on my tank getting a controller. however im always in a ruch to set things up asap, so i had my top off hooked up to a 5 gallon bucket with a towel over top it, i kept getting a lot of dust in it and the occasional ant or mosquito. i found this nice 7 gallon jug at walmart, and its BPA free too! so i guess im just happy about cleaning up my mess behind my tank. the next project is to get a shelf for the wall and mount all my power strips and wires nice and neat.

i had to cut open the jug a little bit to get my mj400 to fit, but im happy with the outcome.

 

[xxiprxx]

Very nice, I work at walmart and went to check if they carry these at my store but I cant find them. What department did you find it in?

 

[leftcoastreefer]

Thanks. I found them in the sporting goods section. $10

 

[Grizzy]

So I guess the maxijet 400 is strong enough to pump the water that high? I am looking to do the same thing, with the same walmart jug, but I wasn't sure what pump to use.

From the jug to top of my back compartment (Solana 34g) it will be about 50 inches.

 

[kaskiles]

Tom's Aqualifter is a good top off pump. Don't forget to setup the tubing to prevent siphoning, test it for siphoning in both directions.

 

[leftcoastreefer]

I've been using this ATO for about 2 months now, no siphon. The mj400 is a great pump, however I top off in my sump, I think I would use a 600 or a 900 if I was topping off a solana, a mj1200 might be too strong and cause micro bubbles. Just make sure you secure your top off hose securely! Within the first few weeks my hose came loose and fell on the floor right after I filled my bucket up with 3 gallons, needless to say, it topped off 3 gallons on my floor. I now have my hose epoxyed to my sump. I also use a tom aqua lifter to dose kalk.

 

[Grizzy]

Tom's Aqualifter is a good top off pump. Don't forget to setup the tubing to prevent siphoning, test it for siphoning in both directions.

Could you elaborate more on how to prevent siphoning?

 

[leftcoastreefer]

There's 2 ways to prevent a siphon. Do not have your ATO tube submerged, so when it stops pumping it can suck in air to break any siphon.

Also make your ato tube long enough so it drops to the floor before it goes in your tank.

Could you elaborate more on how to prevent siphoning?

 

[ekoroknay]

Sorry, this is off topic, but when did you get that big ol GSP colony?

 

[leftcoastreefer]

Sorry, this is off topic, but when did you get that big ol GSP colony?

I've had it for awhile, its not that noticable from the front with my big duncan colony in the way.
I have another gsp colony in my nano, your welcome to it, its bigger then the one pictured above. I need to clean out my nano so I can make it my frag tank.

 

[ekoroknay]

I would love to take it, if the offer still stands.

Let me know when I can come by. Also, let me knwo if you need any help with your nano set up...that light ever some in?

 

[leftcoastreefer]

I would love to take it, if the offer still stands.

Let me know when I can come by. Also, let me knwo if you need any help with your nano set up...that light ever some in?

Yeah it will be available. I got a bunch of softies I gotta get rid of.
The light deal never fell through, nobody wants my big energy hog of a light. I'm still setting up my frag tank though, I got a used 250 watt fixture for my main tank and the solana ball is going over the frag tank. I'm off thursday and friday so hit me up, you can come get it whenever.

 

[ekoroknay]

What other softies you looking to get rid of? Maybe I can take them off of your hand too :rollface:

I have a return pump, if you need one. I know your setting up a frag tank now...do you need a return pump?..not sure what kind Ill find out later

 

[leftcoastreefer]

Hey erik,

I appriciate the offer, but I won't need a return pump. I was originally going to use one, but the return I use now on my display is so strong I only run it at 50%. I'm going to T it off and use a ball valve to adjust the flow into my frag tank. Since my sump is only 10 gallons, I don't think I could fit another return in the last chamber.

Text me if you want that gsp tommorow, I will be home most of the afternoon till about 5.

 

[ekoroknay]

Yea Ill give you a text or call tomaorw and Ill come pick up that GSP! Thanks!

I also want you to take a look at a ballest and light that I have and tell me what you think there worth.

See ya tomaorw