idea for an ato

[Brandonfishdish89]

I also considered this idea initially, but as mentioned above the rate of evaporation is never constant and would require constant monitoring and adjusting of the timer(not to mention most timers aren't precise beyond minute to minute adjustments). Instead, I got rid of timer and flip the power switch on the pump every night and watch it refill. It's not as good as having an ATO but it's a nice middle ground if you don't feel like dropping the money for ATO. Now that I actually have a Tunze Osmulator, I'm not sure why I didn't get one sooner(oh yea money).

 

[ActiveAngel]

Two of my systems have gravity fed ATOs that cost me about $20. I’ve heard that they’re prone to fail; but in 10 years of run-time, they neither has failed yet. That said, my ATO reservoir size was chosen so if it does fail in the on position, my salinity won’t drop below 1.023 at its worst.

Otherwise, I believe the Neptune Apex ATO can operate as a stand-alone unit, and is also a good price based on all that is included (if you do decide to spend a little more).

 

[joseayes]

Let’s put the things this way, you put $100 worth of rock in your tank, then 60 worth of sand, then 200 worth of livestock, including fish, critters and corals, then one day all of them die because the cheap pump and timer fail on something and filled your tank with freshwater.
Not saying an expensive ato won’t fail, just saying that’s designed for the porpoise and the chances that it breaks are far less than something that’s not designed for it.

 

[qasimja]

Let’s put the things this way, you put $100 worth of rock in your tank, then 60 worth of sand, then 200 worth of livestock, including fish, critters and corals, then one day all of them die because the cheap pump and timer fail on something and filled your tank with freshwater.
Not saying an expensive ato won’t fail, just saying that’s designed for the porpoise and the chances that it breaks are far less than something that’s not designed for it.

on my last tank before i tore it down i had a 200 dollar ato with all the bells and whistles and it failed lol luckily my reservoir didn't have a whole lot of water in it at the time and my sump was able to hold the extra water volume

 

[qasimja]

Two of my systems have gravity fed ATOs that cost me about $20. I’ve heard that they’re prone to fail; but in 10 years of run-time, they neither has failed yet. That said, my ATO reservoir size was chosen so if it does fail in the on position, my salinity won’t drop below 1.023 at its worst.

Otherwise, I believe the Neptune Apex ATO can operate as a stand-alone unit, and is also a good price based on all that is included (if you do decide to spend a little more).

my reservoir is 7 gallons and at the rate im going now its evaporating 1 gallon a day or a little less i keep my house at 77 degrees and my tank is a constant 77. of course it wont always evap the same amount all the time so if it does fail again i only paid 12 dollars for everything and my sump can handle the extra water volume of the tank ive already tested. it my entire volume of my tank and sump is 170 gallons

 

[snowmansnow]

While I appreciate the ingenuity... I'd advise you to be careful on this one. Salinity is something you want to stay super level. Keep in mind you'll need to adjust things if you add another skimmer / adjust any sump levels and so forth. For my limited dime the Tunze ATO was just the best bet. I've been using one for 13 years now. Replaced a pump once. Set and forget.
That said.. cool idea and I hope it does what ya need
Peace

 

[qasimja]

While I appreciate the ingenuity... I'd advise you to be careful on this one. Salinity is something you want to stay super level. Keep in mind you'll need to adjust things if you add another skimmer / adjust any sump levels and so forth. For my limited dime the Tunze ATO was just the best bet. I've been using one for 13 years now. Replaced a pump once. Set and forget.
That said.. cool idea and I hope it does what ya need
Peace

thanks ive been in this hobby for 14 years and the only time i did use an expensive ato it broke on me lol so in my book its not worth the money to spend on it when you can make one yourself with a little creativity but to each his own