Is an ATO 100% necessary?

[Spartyon]

I have a 13.5gal tank and I lived without an ATO for about 2 weeks. Even with a small tank the water level fluctuated way too much. I got a Tunze Osmolator 3 for both my 13,5gal and even smaller 10gal holding tank. Pretty darn expensive. There are lots of options. 100% worth it

 

[quaz]

You guys are awesome, thank you for the feedback. Seems like it might be a good idea for peace of mind even if it’s not 100% required. Most of you seem to agree that you’re glad you have one.

I think I will try the one I linked, unless anyone has any other suggestions.

Thanks again!

I run a RO line into my sump with a float switch works very well most of the time however sometimes if the float switch does not cut off the supply will over fill the sump. In 4 years only overflowed once but may overfill as mentioned. I wonder if my float switch is defective. I have a 340 gallon system with show tank 280 on first floor and sump in the basement

 

[PolypPocket]

Just go with one of the plastic gravity ATO’s for that size tank. They are ~$10 on Amazon and just use water bottles. I’ve had the best luck with Smart water bottles for whatever reason, but any will do.

I will look those up, thanks. How big is the tank in the photo? Just curious

 

[PolypPocket]

You guys are awesome, thank you for the feedback. Seems like it might be a good idea for peace of mind even if it’s not 100% required. Most of you seem to agree that you’re glad you have one.

I think I will try the one I linked, unless anyone has any other suggestions.

Thanks again!

Here a cheap one I've been running for over a year with no issues.
Link
My comments above were if I had a tiny tank with a lid. I run an ATO on all my tanks.

OK now I might have a change of tune. What is the risk of this? could it possibly overflow your tank for $40 even my hardheadedness is listening.. Nissan guy, you had ANY issues with it, is it on your biota tang tank?

I looked up more expensive ones and they had similar issues in the reviews as well

 

[PolypPocket]

I have a 75g tank with glass tops and no ATO. This is the most successful tank I have had with growing coral. As an aquarium tech I have seen ATOs malfunction with catastrophic results so they are not for me.

Does the lid on yours cover 100%? Mine has gaps so I’m on the fence.

 

[PolypPocket]

Do you really absolutely have to have one? Or can you get by with topping off a few times a week?

No, it is not. Having said that you need to ask yourself a couple of questions:

how do you plan to manage evaporation
how will you top off if away for work, emergency, vacation, rl (real life)

One piece of advise regardless of what path you choose, get to know the evaporation rates. Summer and winter as they are different.

Good luck.

Ah that’s true, I bet winter evap will be brutal (I’m in Minnesota full on heating all winter long. RH can get down to 10% for extended periods of time).

 

[knockout]

Personally I think every tank should have one, an ATO is an essential piece of equipment, we spend so much on things that we don't need, changing lights every couple of years, and it's a one-time purchase usually, and the simpler ones outlast the smarter ones

 

[PolypPocket]

I use distilled water in a one gallon jug with a 1/4 inch air tube and a 1/4 inch plastic valve the bottom of the jug is above the top of the tank and I adjust the flow rate when needed it is not that reliable but it works fine sometimes you just have to adjust the flow rate to add more if you see the level of the water in your system is lower then it should be,the tube should reach the bottom of the jug and if it is set up correctly most times it will empty the jug. I find it works better than adding a large amount of makeup water to the system at one time my tank is only a 15 gallon so it is a little easier for me than a automated system and I have never had any issues using distilled water from the grocery stores and even different brands.

Your corals look happy!

 

[PolypPocket]

Personally I think every tank should have one, an ATO is an essential piece of equipment, we spend so much on things that we don't need, changing lights every couple of years, and it's a one-time purchase usually, and the simpler ones outlast the smarter ones

Do you mean the gravity ones?

 

[Double monti 61]

Thanks!

 

[Buckster]

Let's be real! You absolutely need one for a larger system. A 32 biocube doesn't really need RO added between water changes. I absolutely need one for my 180. I just went on vacation and a neighbor has his hands full feeding the fish never mind worrying about the water level. My ATO draws from a 5 gallon bucket. I don't need anything larger than that.

 

[vlangel]

Does the lid on yours cover 100%? Mine has gaps so I’m on the fence.

My glass tops have slide on plastic extentions the last 2" in the back. That way the plastic can be cut to accommodate intakes or output hoses, automatic feeders or whatever the aquarists might want. If the plastic is left fully intact then yes, it covers 100%.

 

[PolypPocket]

Does the lid on yours cover 100%? Mine has gaps so I’m on the fence.

My glass tops have slide on plastic extentions the last 2" in the back. That way the plastic can be cut to accommodate intakes or output hoses, automatic feeders or whatever the aquarists might want. If the plastic is left fully intact then yes, it covers 100%.

Ok that’s exactly what I have. I haven’t cut the plastic part yet because I just switched lights. So I pulled it off the glass and just set it on top in the back. But I think I will cut now so it has a more tight fit with very little space for evaporation.

 

[Hunna’s Stunnas]

I will look those up, thanks. How big is the tank in the photo? Just curious

They both are an Eshopps Deskmate 4.8g

 

[vetteguy53081]

Do you really absolutely have to have one? Or can you get by with topping off a few times a week?

I’m new to reefing and just set up my two mini tanks. The biggest one is 6 gallons and has a lid that covers about 80% or so of the surface so I obviously am going to get some evaporation. But I’m wondering how much of a “must have” an ATO is? I never used one in the olden days (I’m back after 15+ years away from saltwater, never had corals though).

The tank won’t have any priceless corals but I still want to do what’s best for whatever ends up going in there (still cycling).

Anyway what do you think? Can you get by without one just doing top offs, say, 1-2 times a week? What if an ATO malfunctions (I’m actually scared of that happening)? Can you get away with something like this or does it need to be top of the line?

https://a.co/d/04dGjoB2
Thank you in advance

Its not an essential but a convenience especially when away often. I am personally glad especially with large volume that I have one. My daughter has an 18g AIO and I add water to her tank manually

 

[Flame2hawk]

ATO’s are essential when you have several tanks and travel often. Auto feeders as well

 

[B&CinB.C.]

I will look those up, thanks. How big is the tank in the photo? Just curious

I have the same one on a 32.5 gallon Fluval Flex . I use a 1 litre water bottle and fill it twice a week . It works well

 

[ClownSchool]

If I didn’t have one, I’d be adding over a gallon daily or my return pump would be sucking air every six hours, or so. Doing it in one dump would cause parameter swings, making acro growth next to impossible.
I know you can DIY a gravity-fed one, but I don’t know where I’d place a jug/bottle large enough or how it’d look when I go through about 5 gallons every three days.

 

[Nobby Fish]

I just have a pump in my RODI container... Hit the switch a couple of times a day. Simple

 

[Flame2hawk]

My 2 large tanks both have “tank boss ato’s. Simple design with a float. Love these but unfortunately they no longer manufacturer. I find the current ATO’s expensive and bot as reliable. Long live the simple Tank Boss!

Would love suggestions on simple design and affordable ATP’s for very large tanks.