Looking for suggestions on Sumpless ATO setups

[CincyReefer07]

Looking for suggestions, personal reviews from experience with sumpless ATO setups that any of you have, or have tried.

Tore down my old 75 gallon setup due to a number of issues and transferred my livestock and live rock into a temporary 29g in the meantime. Previously I had just kept a 5 gallon bucket of rodi next to my tank and would just top it up every few days manually with the bucket. But looking into automating this just a little bit with an ATO to take some of the manual labor away.

I do have, that I’ve never used, an XP Aqua duetto sumpless ato kit, it’s their first model of it from a few years ago. I just never got around to hooking it up and using it. Wondering if anyone has any experience with good or bad with that as well if I should go ahead and give that a try.

Just want to feel good that I’ll be gone at work for 9-10 hours or overnight asleep and won’t wake up with a flood from a cheap crap ATO setup that decided to overflow the tank. I do plan on adding things like a hydros launch or an xp8 paired with a hydros xs or something for stuff like leak sensors and water level sensors, just not this month.

 

[exnisstech]

I run a cheap ATO from Amazon as well as a tunze and a couple of JBJ units (my fav but discontinued) and they all have worked fine. I'm not sure what a sumpless ATO is. Mine will all work on AIO, a 40g breeder with no sump and a couple of tanks with sumps.

EDIT: THIS is the one I run on a 40g breeder with no sump but any should work. Not that it matters but I don't have any controller or leak detectors. Nothing wrong with having that stuff but with 5 tanks running I don't have a need for a controller or controllers.

 

[MoshJosh]

I run this (or a very similar model) on both my sumpless tanks:

Duetto2 Dual-Sensor Complete Aquarium ATO System

Tiny, Reliable and Long-lasting Auto Top Off System *NEW Controller programming & circuitry for added system protection *NEW Improved sensor design for longer durability World’s smallest dual-sensor ATO Two layers overfill protection Intelligent QST programming Secondary optical sensor Super...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

Works great. I have thought about adding this (or something similar) for security:

AutoAqua Smart Level Security

Smart Level Security by AutoAqua prevents aquariums from overflowing or equipment from running dry. Magnetically coupled optical sensor mounts up to smooth surfaces 1/2 inch thick. Updated Model A Simple Way to Secure an Aquarium The Smart Level Security by AutoAqua prevents...

premiumaquatics.com

 

[CincyReefer07]

I run this (or a very similar model) on both my sumpless tanks:

Duetto2 Dual-Sensor Complete Aquarium ATO System

Tiny, Reliable and Long-lasting Auto Top Off System *NEW Controller programming & circuitry for added system protection *NEW Improved sensor design for longer durability World’s smallest dual-sensor ATO Two layers overfill protection Intelligent QST programming Secondary optical sensor Super...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

Works great. I have thought about adding this (or something similar) for security:

AutoAqua Smart Level Security

Smart Level Security by AutoAqua prevents aquariums from overflowing or equipment from running dry. Magnetically coupled optical sensor mounts up to smooth surfaces 1/2 inch thick. Updated Model A Simple Way to Secure an Aquarium The Smart Level Security by AutoAqua prevents...

premiumaquatics.com

Good to know, I bought years ago the xp Aqua duetto sumpless ATO kit for sumpless setups. I just never used it, it’s stayed in the box for 3 years lol. Plan on using it when I get this ready to go, was just curious on others experiences or if others with hang on back setups have good experience with something else

 

[FUNGI]

I run $5 5G container with lid from Target and the amazing never die JBJ from 10 years ago with a MaxiJet 1200 pump.......all hidden in the stand

 

[exnisstech]

I run $5 5G container with lid from Target and the amazing never die JBJ from 10 years ago with a MaxiJet 1200 pump.......all hidden in the stand

That was the combo I used. I love the float switches. I wrapped one in a nylon stocking to keep snails out and had it in my sump for almost 6 years and never cleaned it. Can't say that about an optical sensor.

I was able to fit one in the rear chamber of my little 8g AIO. Being so small i didn't want a strong pump so I connected a brs 1ml a minute dosing pump and its perfect. It will top off if I pull 10ml of water out.

 

[Reefedandconfused22]

I ran that exact same ato you have abs honestly have almost the exact same set up as you. I would NOT use that sumpless one. The water level will drop too low for your skimmer and filter

 

[CincyReefer07]

I ran that exact same ato you have abs honestly have almost the exact same set up as you. I would NOT use that sumpless one. The water level will drop too low for your skimmer and filter

That’s what I was wondering, seemed like the water would have to drop pretty low for the ATO to kick in based on how it mounts inside the tank.

 

[MoshJosh]

That’s what I was wondering, seemed like the water would have to drop pretty low for the ATO to kick in based on how it mounts inside the tank.

You can run it without the actual "overflow" can't you? Then it's basically just the regular Duetto right?

Also, shouldn't the hight of the weir determine the tank water level (as long as you are running the "secondary" pump inside that little housing?

 

[exnisstech]

I ran that exact same ato you have abs honestly have almost the exact same set up as you. I would NOT use that sumpless one. The water level will drop too low for your skimmer and filter

Can someone please explain the difference between a sumpless ATO and a regular one? I'm just not getting it and never knew there was such a thing.

I've ran this one in a sump and now in the tank and I've done the same with others

 

[CincyReefer07]

Can someone please explain the difference between a sumpless ATO and a regular one? I'm just not getting it and never knew there was such a thing.

I've ran this one in a sump and now in the tank and I've done the same with others

All we’re meaning is that there is no sump. It’s a hang on back filtration setup tank.

 

[exnisstech]

All we’re meaning is that there is no sump. It’s a hang on back filtration setup tank.

Right I understand that but what but I don't understand is why an ATO for a system without a sump is any different than an ATO for a system with a sump. An ATO is an ATO regardless, or so I thought until now. I've never heard of a special ATO needed for a system with no sump but I don't get out much

 

[MoshJosh]

Right I understand that but what but I don't understand is why an ATO for a system without a sump is any different than an ATO for a system with a sump. An ATO is an ATO regardless, or so I thought until now. I've never heard of a special ATO needed for a system with no sump but I don't get out much

I think for this SPECIFIC ATO the manufacturer is trying to differentiate it because it has the "artificial" return chamber, where the sensor is protected from display tank inhabitants and from light that could cause algae growth. Also, the water level inside the chamber should drop faster and more frequently than in the display causing smaller and more frequent top offs (which hypothetically would increase stability? though how effective this is compared to just having the sensors directly in the display I dont really know. The later works just fine for me). . .

 

[MoshJosh]

Can someone please explain the difference between a sumpless ATO and a regular one? I'm just not getting it and never knew there was such a thing.

I've ran this one in a sump and now in the tank and I've done the same with others

Love the block of wood riser to keep the ATO return out of the water!!! I have done this for various brackets in the past haha

Currently i have mine just screwed down REALLY tight to hold it up

 

[Gumbies R Us]

I use a 5g bucket I got from the hardware store, and a TUNZE osmolator, all hidden within my stand.

 

[teamschreiba]

I used this sumpless ATO for over a year. It did work well but taking it apart to clean it was quite a pain. Sometimes it wouldn’t go back together correctly which meant water wasn’t running down the weir and the water was at the same level as your tank anyway.

If you truly have no sump or HOB filter, I found it was only really needed for the surface skimming in which it was only partially effective. I just use the sensor now and have a separate surface skimmer with floss with works better for my situation.

 

[Paul B]

I have no sump. I also have a 7 gallon bucket suspended from the ceiling behind my tank.
This is in my workshop so it is not offensive. A RO/DI fills the bucket and I have a DIY float switch in the bucket that shuts off the water intake when the bucket is full.

The water flows into the tank via a mechanical float valve keeping the water at the correct level.
This has worked for about 45 years with no problems.

 

[EricR]

I like Tunze ATOs and have never had a sump. (40B with just HOB filter and ATO stuff right in the tank)
I used to have Nano Osmolator (with float) and now run Osmolator 3 (with optical sensor).

Both always functioned as they should but the Nano float was susceptible to urchin grabbing it from the bottom or micro brittle stars getting inside,,, stuff like that. (Not often, but both have happened to me).

 

[CincyReefer07]

I use a 5g bucket I got from the hardware store, and a TUNZE osmolator, all hidden within my stand.

I used this sumpless ATO for over a year. It did work well but taking it apart to clean it was quite a pain. Sometimes it wouldn’t go back together correctly which meant water wasn’t running down the weir and the water was at the same level as your tank anyway.

If you truly have no sump or HOB filter, I found it was only really needed for the surface skimming in which it was only partially effective. I just use the sensor now and have a separate surface skimmer with floss with works better for my situation.

I have no sump. I also have a 7 gallon bucket suspended from the ceiling behind my tank.
This is in my workshop so it is not offensive. A RO/DI fills the bucket and I have a DIY float switch in the bucket that shuts off the water intake when the bucket is full.

The water flows into the tank via a mechanical float valve keeping the water at the correct level.
This has worked for about 45 years with no problems.

So here is my question…. Does the water surface agitation from the powerheads and filters in your tanks cause issues with the ATO ever filling too much to cause fluctuations in your salinity?? Because for instance I know when it’s in your sump, the water in your sump is relatively calm and stays at the same water level because you don’t really have much surface agitation as you would inside your main tank from powerheads and filters and what not if you get what I’m saying

 

[teamschreiba]

I have a nano and have all the equipment including powerheads on the side wall. Given the ATO is tucked between some probes and the surface skimmer I don’t have any issues with surface agitation interfering with the ATO. If I had the sensor on the back wall or the other side wall that would be a concern though.