Gravity Auto Top Off Question

[Reef Of Jo]

Hello, i recently installed a gravity auto top off on my nano.

I attached a very detailed and realistic drawing of my situation. To help with interpreting my drawing, Imagine the tubes are cut at 45 degree angle and the tubes are facing you.

Is something wrong with the way i set it up, because I was under the assumption that the tiny sliver of opening on the red tube would let air in, which releases water through the green tube until the water line fully covered the red tubes opening.

 

[Kazumi]

I use a gravity ATO but I use a float valve for control. I am not sure you would get reliable control with what you have drawn.

 

[get-salty]

Very interesting concept. Lets say this concept works, but tbh i would not trust it. You need a secure way of stopping the flow. Use a float valve like @Kazumi mentioned, its your safety net. It's $16 bucks and you will sleep better at night.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

your drawing is exactly how the ATO bottle top attachments work. They have 2 tubes, one goes in the water and the other at the water line. You can get them from amazon for about $15, I used one for a couple of years, it worked mostly well.

 

[Ruben's Reef]

Hello, i recently installed a gravity auto top off on my nano.

I attached a very detailed and realistic drawing of my situation. To help with interpreting my drawing, Imagine the tubes are cut at 45 degree angle and the tubes are facing you.

Is something wrong with the way i set it up, because I was under the assumption that the tiny sliver of opening on the red tube would let air in, which releases water through the green tube until the water line fully covered the red tubes opening.

What size tank you have?

 

[Pntbll687]

The air getting in allows the water to flow out of the green tube, but it just takes time for the water level to equalize after the green tube opening is covered. This will have the water level rise slightly.

It is also a possibility that your container is too large and the amount of water has enough pressure to force water out through the green tube until it empties enough to where it can't force the water out anymore.

 

[Reef Of Jo]

your drawing is exactly how the ATO bottle top attachments work. They have 2 tubes, one goes in the water and the other at the water line. You can get them from amazon for about $15, I used one for a couple of years, it worked mostly well.

This is the exact one i’m using. But like my drawing shows, there’s a sliver of opening that is above the water line, which is not acting like it’s expected too (air enters water leaves).

Do you remember if yours had that same sliver above your water level?

 

[Ruben's Reef]

I use that ATO adapter on my 10g and works perfect. Only problem is that the only bottle of water that fits perfect was Evian brand. You have two small hoses, one stay under the water line and the other one slightly off the water line,

 

[Reef Of Jo]

I use that ATO adapter on my 10g and works perfect. Only problem is that the only bottle of water that fits perfect was Evian brand.

In response to your previous message: I have a 14gal. I don’t have anywhere but my display that will fit the float valve which is why I opted for a gravity system that relies on physics only.

Does your water line tube look like mine in the drawing I drew ? Where a small portion of the opening is above the water line?

Also, The specific one that mine came with also came with an adapter , which beautifully fit an essentia water bottle.

 

[Ruben's Reef]

In response to your previous message: I have a 14gal. I don’t have anywhere but my display that will fit the float valve which is why I opted for a gravity system that relies on physics only.

Does your water line tube look like mine in the drawing I drew ? Where a small portion of the opening is above the water line?

Also, The specific one that mine came with also came with an adapter , which beautifully fit an essentia water bottle.

Yes, your drawing is right. I had a 75g before the one I have now that also was by gravity but using a valve and works perfect for a few years.

 

[Euphyllia098]

It should work, but your container needs to be rigid or else flexing would make it inconsistent. Also temperature could also make it fluctuate as the air inside expand and contracts.

It also need to be air tight. If you have any air leaks, no matter how small the container will slowly empty.