ATO questions

[thebookshark]

I am having issues with my ATO solution for my 20G nano and wanted to see what works for everyone.

Currently I’m using a very basic gravity-fed bottle ATO kit I got off Amazon. I followed the setup directions exactly and read through the reviews for troubleshooting and it still seems to add too much water no matter what I do. I am finding that over a day or so, without intervention from me (removing it/letting it sit empty) it will drop my SG a couple points, say from 1.026 to 1.024. I have it mounted in the center rear chamber (this is a sumpless AOI system) after my filter media/floss but before the chamber with my pump & heater. This is really the only place it’ll fit.

My assumption is that as my filter floss gets saturated it causes the water level to drop in the middle chamber a bit when there hasn’t been any evaporation? Either that or I’ve done something wrong with the tubing on the bottle system. I can’t mount it on the display because I have a lot of surface agitation and therefore the water level doesn’t stay constant.

Is there a good ATO that ISN’T based on water level changes? I’m thinking either something that kicks on and off based on a salinity probe or something that just doses out a small volume of water at regular intervals based on calculated evaporation.

Thanks!

 

[X-37B]

I am having issues with my ATO solution for my 20G nano and wanted to see what works for everyone.

Currently I’m using a very basic gravity-fed bottle ATO kit I got off Amazon. I followed the setup directions exactly and read through the reviews for troubleshooting and it still seems to add too much water no matter what I do. I am finding that over a day or so, without intervention from me (removing it/letting it sit empty) it will drop my SG a couple points, say from 1.026 to 1.024. I have it mounted in the center rear chamber (this is a sumpless AOI system) after my filter media/floss but before the chamber with my pump & heater. This is really the only place it’ll fit.

My assumption is that as my filter floss gets saturated it causes the water level to drop in the middle chamber a bit when there hasn’t been any evaporation? Either that or I’ve done something wrong with the tubing on the bottle system. I can’t mount it on the display because I have a lot of surface agitation and therefore the water level doesn’t stay constant.

Is there a good ATO that ISN’T based on water level changes? I’m thinking either something that kicks on and off based on a salinity probe or something that just doses out a small volume of water at regular intervals based on calculated evaporation.

Thanks!

I use that on my 13g with no issues. I did have to shorten the tubes but overall sg is stable.

 

[thebookshark]

I use that on my 13g with no issues. I did have to shorten the tubes but overall sg is stable.

It looks like the ends of your tubes are cut straight across vs. diagonally/on a bias like the instructions said? Or is that just the photo?

 

[X-37B]

It looks like the ends of your tubes are cut straight across vs. diagonally/on a bias like the instructions said? Or is that just the photo?

Yes I cut them straight. Here is a better pic. Short side is about 1/4" higher.

 

[Justfebreezeit]

Yes I have similar issue with my uns 90la. I've resorted to changing the floss more often or leaving it out at times.

I've also cut my floss skinnier so if it clogs it will still have a place to go

 

[winxp_man]

https://a.co/d/00XwuhjD

Ran this for a IM 25 lagoon for 6 months, then gave it to a buddy of mine that has ran it since. So about a year and a half. Then got one for a 20 peninsula and it’s been running for 5-6 months. No issues. I installed a check valve being the ato container is below it and don’t want to siphon tank water incase it fills a bit much. Has yet to come in need. Now if the ato is near the tank or above a water break needs to be installed.

For my 25 lagoon I ran a 2.5 gal acrylic fish tank as the ato storage. No issues and looked clean. Also on Amazon.

 

[winxp_man]

Yes I have similar issue with my uns 90la. I've resorted to changing the floss more often or leaving it out at times.

I've also cut my floss skinnier so if it clogs it will still have a place to go

The ato I posted I use, is literally on the same tank you have. And not a single issue with the ato system.

 

[Justfebreezeit]

The ato I posted I use, is literally on the same tank you have. And not a single issue with the ato system.

I'm using the same ato. But when the floss clogs it lowers the water in the return chamber such that the ato adds water to compensate.

But when you change out the floss the clog is gone and the water level raises a inch or two above the ato sensor now.

Weather that matters to stability of the tank is debatable but it's very real

 

[Gumbies R Us]

I personally use a TUNZE Ato, but that might be what you are looking for

 

[Project1004]

You can try the diy iv drip style system and adjust manually so it doses consistent amount each day and you can adjust as needed.

We do this with dripping Kalkwasser in a smaller system. You will need to have a container above your tank and have it drip at whatever speed you wish. Basically manual continuous drip.

 

[winxp_man]

I'm using the same ato. But when the floss clogs it lowers the water in the return chamber such that the ato adds water to compensate.

But when you change out the floss the clog is gone and the water level raises a inch or two above the ato sensor now.

Weather that matters to stability of the tank is debatable but it's very real

I can’t think of be ATO that will not do that. One tank has the RS ato, one has the Tunze Os 3, ran the old one for a while the Os 3155 I think was the model, and this Amazon one. They all do that, and the reason it’s important to keep an eye out on the floss, or filter sock. Unless you have a RS Reefmat but even that has a up and down to a degree. It’s why run the RS ATO with a RS Reefmat 1200. The RS ATO system had a desired level that allows for that play amount.