Auto top off?

[brownsalt92]

Is a auto top off well worth it in a sps tank? Which is the best bang for you buck?

 

[AZDesertRat]

I believe it is. You will get a lot of different suggestions but I have been using a Spectrapure UPLC-II trouble free for over 8 years now and would recommend it to anyone. The only thing I have done to it is replace the silicone peristaltic tubing one time. Bulletproof, simple to program at the touch of a button and multiple levels of safety and options.

 

[Busa1340]

JBJ is pretty inexpensive I've had no troubles with that one under 100bux with aqua lifter pump. Than I heard great things about the tunze osmolator but that's up in the low 200...

 

[brownsalt92]

Yea do any of you use kalkwasser? I am new into sps and would like to see if this would benefit me

 

[mikesilverado8888]

Do you have a sump?

 

[Jlobes]

id say an ATO is a worthwhile investment on any tank. eases daily maintenance and keeps SG even all day.

 

[saltyhog]

You will get a lot of different recommendations on which one to get. I definitely think they're worth it. I wouldn't be without it. I use the Tunzee Osmolator and have had mine for 3 years without incident.

 

[Thunt4jr]

Yes, ATO is worth to invest into. You can get Hydor for cheap or you can get Tunzee Osmolator for more money. It's depend on how much you think your tank is worth to you. I have used Hydor for many years without a problem.

 

[brownsalt92]

Yes I have a 20 gallon sump on my 90 display about 100 gallon total volume. I value my tank alot and I'm always neglecting to top off water.

 

[Jlobes]

ive got a bnib JBJ ATO for sale, PM if youre interested.

 

[UMreefermedic]

An ATO has been one of the things that really made a difference in my tank. It's that stability you need . You can still forget to fill your ato jug but at least you don't have to top off your tank daily.

 

[UMreefermedic]

Have to come up with a cover up for the jug but it does the job

 

[Jlobes]

Have to come up with a cover up for the jug but it does the job

why not just use the cap and drill a hole in it?

 

[UMreefermedic]

why not just use the cap and drill a hole in it?

I get what your saying but I want to do like a piece of furniture that matches the stand so it looks part of the tank. :)

 

[Jlobes]

I get what your saying but I want to do like a piece of furniture that matches the stand so it looks part of the tank. :)

ahh gotcha now. I thought you meant a cover for the jug, but see you meant/said cover up. really, i do know how to read. lol ;)

 

[Busa1340]

Have to come up with a cover up for the jug but it does the job

Speaking of those containers where do you get those from can you order them online? @UMreefermedic

 

[UMreefermedic]

Speaking of those containers where do you get those from can you order them online? @UMreefermedic

I believe it's called a hex jug or something like that lol . I bought it off Amazon i searched 5 gallon containers.

 

[cmcoker]

I use kalk in my ATO.

I use an avast marine ATO, with aqualifter pump and digital timer. I have my timer set to run for 2min every 30min, 24 hours a day. That's to keep the pH from going too high at any one top off, especially if the ATO was to ever malfunction

(though I have been using an avast for almost 3 years, not one problem and have done no maintenance, I think a hole in the air line of the sensor would cause it to fail on and I have a cat, soo.. Backup is good)

In my 120g I use about a gallon a day of top off water, depending on how much you evaporate you may need less than fully saturated lime water, or it may not be enough..

We have ac or heat running year round, and I use leds, so I think that helps keeping my evaporation relatively stable. I have not seen huge swings in the amount of evaporation myself, but it is something to take into consideration.

Check out Randy's article. What Your Grandmother Never Told You About Lime

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-01/rhf/index.htm

 

[cmcoker]

Have to come up with a cover up for the jug but it does the job

For my 55g, I used a black, round, storage Ottoman, a 5g lowes bucket fit inside perfectly, but I'm sure there are square ones that might work..

 

[DanConnor]

I'm not there yet in my build, but I intend to use either a Tunze osmolator (not nano) or the Avast unit.