How do those Bottle ATOs work?

[DrewBR]

Is it just a bottlecap with 2 hoses on it? When air goes into one water comes out the other? Is that it?

 

[Cell]

Yep. Same principal as being able to fill up a cup under water, flip it upside down and raise it above water with water staying in the cup. As long as no air can displace the water, the water remains suspended. Let a bit of air in, and water comes out. For your tank, once the water level drops below the short tube, air is allowed in and water comes out the longer tube.

 

[Townes_Van_Camp]

Exactly it. I have mine cut in a pico very short and barely any difference between the two. It will never fail and keeps my SG more stable than the tunze osmolator. Those things are great for tiny tanks.

edit: remember to cut the tubes at a 45 degree angle.

 

[Reef.]

Is it just a bottlecap with 2 hoses on it? When air goes into one water comes out the other? Is that it?

keep in mind, it can only go where the water lvl naturally drops, which is normally in the last chamber of a sump.
No sump it can go anywhere.

 

[CK00020]

They work excellent, and are cheap, I use them on qt tanks

 

[DrewBR]

I was thinking more for a Pico tank situation. Just wanted to make sure I actually understood what was going on

 

[coralfishreef]

Think of it like a tiny office water cooler for your tank, but water is dispensed as needed instead of on demand.

 

[Townes_Van_Camp]

I was thinking more for a Pico tank situation. Just wanted to make sure I actually understood what was going on

Works great for picks. Taken during my sample. I think I switched to a “volcanic water” bottle because it was clear and didn’t use adhesive to keep the label on.

 

[CK00020]

Do you guys find it hard to use regular size bottles? I had trouble with those, now use Evian water bottles because they have a bigger mouth.

 

[Townes_Van_Camp]

Do you guys find it hard to use regular size bottles? I had trouble with those, now use Evian water bottles because they have a bigger mouth.

Mine kind of makes some gulping noise, but there is a baffle inside the cap adapter that will negate any gains in performance from a wider mouth bottle.

 

[CK00020]

When I put the regular bottle in mine, with adapter it partially blocks the holes.

 

[DrewBR]

I'm designing and testing a 3D printed one so it will fit regular bottles. I did a test yesterday and it worked ok but there is some optimizing to be done.

 

[Cell]

I use Evian. Had to go to Walmart to find them in my area.

 

[Townes_Van_Camp]

I'm designing and testing a 3D printed one so it will fit regular bottles. I did a test yesterday and it worked ok but there is some optimizing to be done.

Let me know when you get it dialed in. I’ll buy one.