idea for an ato

[qasimja]

instead of buying an expensive ato i thought maybe i might try buying a cheap pump like this Pump and a timer like this timer outlet then have it only cut on a few times a day to replenish the evaporated water i know its been thought of before but i thought i might share

 

[hzheng33]

That is ok with the assumption that your evaporation rate is the same. However, how do you plan to maintain salinity during winter time when the rate of evaporation is faster?

 

[bhodges82]

I use a cheap auto top off unit that i got years ago from autotopoff.com its a simple float switch and relay design.

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[qasimja]

That is ok with the assumption that your evaporation rate is the same. However, how do you plan to maintain salinity during winter time when the rate of evaporation is faster?

can always adjust the timer going by how much more its being evaporated of course

 

[qasimja]

I use a cheap auto top off unit that i got years ago from autotopoff.com its a simple float switch and relay design.

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i actually saw that model on youtube lol

 

[bhodges82]

i actually saw that model on youtube lol

I've never had an issue with mine.

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[hzheng33]

can always adjust the timer going by how much more its being evaporated of course

true, but that's another added factor.

for example, if you go with the typical float valve design, you have already determined what the water level should be and therefore the pump will only be on when the float valve is below that point.

if you go with your pump/timer design and assuming you know where the water level is: you need to figure out how long it take for the pump to reach that level and add/subtract the time duration during various point in the season...hopefully this makes sense.

 

[hzheng33]

if you are set to do it with a timer and pump, it may be better just manually dump the water into the tank every day at the same time.

 

[bhodges82]

true, but that's another added factor.

for example, if you go with the typical float valve design, you have already determined what the water level should be and therefore the pump will only be on when the float valve is below that point.

if you go with your pump/timer design and assuming you know where the water level is: you need to figure out how long it take for the pump to reach that level and add/subtract the time duration during various point in the season...hopefully this makes sense.

There is no need for a timer, just ato unit and pump.

The cheapest way to do it would be to make a gravity fed ato with an air tight container.

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[hzheng33]

@bhodges82 true, but the op was saying how he wants the timer and the pump as the ato design. i was laying it out for him.

 

[bhodges82]

He just doesn't want to spend a lot of money on an ato.

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[qasimja]

He just doesn't want to spend a lot of money on an ato.

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a penny saved is a penny earned lol

 

[bhodges82]

The time pump I idea could work, i would recommend a really slow pump, most timers i find that are affordable are in 5-10 intervals.

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[qasimja]

yes my downfall and i guess everyones has been water changes and topping off im trying to set myself up for success this time by automating a few tasks so i wont have to carry buckets around on a daily basis

 

[ZapataInc]

https://www.amazon.com/XP-Aqua-Dual...1060277&s=gateway&sprefix=ato+,aps,140&sr=8-3
this is what i have and it works perfectly so far. its small and compact. And i just have a 5 gallon bucket with hole cut out of the lid to run the cable to the pump and the tube for the water.

 

[AquariumSchmo]

That will work, but there are certainly going to be times when you are over filling or under filling; hopefully this is not for a nano tank. You can probably DIY a gravity fed ato container for not too much more.

I have been using a Coral Box A100 for about 2.5 years. It is only $70 has an optical sensor and backup float. Has worked flawlessly.

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[thragger]

Timer and pump seems like a recipe for disaster because the rate of evaporation is never constant.

 

[CJD18]

a penny saved is a penny earned lol

An ATO system should not be something to be cheap on!!

 

[qasimja]

An ATO system should not be something to be cheap on!!

thank you!

 

[qasimja]

Timer and pump seems like a recipe for disaster because the rate of evaporation is never constant.

i actually stole the design from autotopoff.com paid about 12 dollars for all the parts i needed and its working well