DIY Gravity ATO - How?

[Blew]

Hi!

So, I’ve saw a post in here about using gravity as a ATO. I’m thinking of using a bottle such as a smart water bottle.

If I understand how it works correctly the bottle needs to be higher than the tank.

I’d put fresh water in the bottle and then insert a tiny air tube/water tube into the bottle with the bottle being air tight. I then suck a bit on the tip of the tube and put it inside the aquarium.

Is this correct? And then when I need to put more water in the bottle just repeat the steps?

 

[hdsoftail1065]

I have never done a gravity fed ATO, so the only help I can offer is a link I stumbled across that touches on the subject. I did notice a diagram that might help some.

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/anyone-have-long-term-success-with-a-gravity-fed-ato.192758/

 

[hdsoftail1065]

It could possibly be the same link you already seen. :)

 

[Blew]

It could possibly be the same link you already seen. :)

The post I was referring to is - https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/diy-gravity-auto-top-off.376602/

I didn’t really understand it. What happens when you need to add more water, etc.. just looking for a better explanation I guess.

 

[Blew]

The post I was referring to is - https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/diy-gravity-auto-top-off.376602/

I didn’t really understand it. What happens when you need to add more water, etc.. just looking for a better explanation I guess.

The second post below that talks about using a float valve. I was trying to avoid having to find somewhere to purchase a tiny tiny float valve but I like the idea of having a float valve more then having a hose set the level.

 

[Larry L]

I’d put fresh water in the bottle and then insert a tiny air tube/water tube into the bottle with the bottle being air tight. I then suck a bit on the tip of the tube and put it inside the aquarium.

That's not quite right - you have two use two pieces of tubing, not just one. The post you linked to actually explains all the details. Think of it this way:

With only one tube, if the bottle is sealed tightly, there's no way to siphon water out of the bottle because you have to let air in somehow to take up the space of the water trying to leave. So the second tube (the one that only sticks into the bottle a little bit, with the yellow circle) is there to let air into the bottle to take up the space as the water is being siphoned out by the first tube.

But if you just keep letting air into the bottle, all the water will just siphon out with nothing to stop it. So you take that second tube with the yellow circle, and put the other end of it just at the water level of your tank and get the siphon started. So the second tube lets air into the bottle and lets water siphon out of the bottle into your tank. And when that raises the water level in your tank, it submerges the open end of the second tube, which stops the siphon. Then evaporation happens, the tank water level goes down, the end of the second tube gets exposed to air again, and water starts siphoning again.

Eventually the bottle empties and you have to refill it and restart the siphon.

 

[Young_Reefer]

I have a gravity fed ato made from a wine bottle on my pico. Some of the tips I’ve learned are that the bottle should seal well but still have a removable lid for filling (cork with tubing fed through it) and that the tube should be both wide enough and straight enough for air bubbles to travel up it. Check out my build thread for a pic of the bottle and tank:

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/albrechts-chateau-3-7-g-reef.550839/

 

[Blew]

I have a gravity fed ato made from a wine bottle on my pico. Some of the tips I’ve learned are that the bottle should seal well but still have a removable lid for filling (cork with tubing fed through it) and that the tube should be both wide enough and straight enough for air bubbles to travel up it. Check out my build thread for a pic of the bottle and tank:

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/albrechts-chateau-3-7-g-reef.550839/

This is very interesting! Thank you for posting this thread! I’ve got some reading to do!

 

[Blew]

I have a gravity fed ato made from a wine bottle on my pico. Some of the tips I’ve learned are that the bottle should seal well but still have a removable lid for filling (cork with tubing fed through it) and that the tube should be both wide enough and straight enough for air bubbles to travel up it. Check out my build thread for a pic of the bottle and tank:

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/albrechts-chateau-3-7-g-reef.550839/

Can you tell me more about your hamster/wine bottle ATO?

So you have only one line right? If I read it correctly, you simply have the bottle up above the tank and then put the line into the tank and that’s it? Can you take more pictures of this or explain it like I’m five. Lol!

Thank you!

Edit: I found a graphic on the net. Is this how the other member did his? To start the suction would I suck on the water level side of the hose and put my thumb on it as I put it in the tank and then voila it works?

 

[Young_Reefer]

I can take more pictures in a few minutes... the cork/tube part was made by drilling a hole through the cork (~5/8”) and then pushing one end of the tubing through it. My tubing is 5/8” and the tubing must fit tightly in the hole. After that you just find some way of hanging the bottle so that the end of the tubing is just at the water line. I use Velcro to hold the bottle to the wall behind the tank.
It works by only letting air travel up the tube when the tube is out above the surface of the tank water. As air comes up the tube an equal volume of water comes out and fills the tank until the end of the tube is no longer exposed to air.

 

[Young_Reefer]

Wine bottle secured to wall with Velcro:

Tube/cork:


Tube end at water line:

 

[Blew]

Wine bottle secured to wall with Velcro:

Tube/cork:


Tube end at water line:

Awesome! Thank you! Thank you!

So how do you start the process/suction? Suck on the water side and hold thumb over until in the tank or?

 

[Young_Reefer]

Just fill the bottle, secure the cork and tube, place the end of the tube under the water surface, and flip the bottle upside down. This is not a syphon effect as was mentioned previously in this thread. The effect is the same as those dog and cat water dishes that have a large upside down reservoir. If you make one, just test it out with a bowl of water in the kitchen, it will make much more sense then. Just be sure you have a wide tube with no kinks and an airtight seal. Also, I believe the post which mentioned two tubes will work as well, but it is unnecessary if your single tube is wide enough for air to bubble up through. They just added a second tube for air only. Hope this helps, its a very reliable and simple ATO system!