ATO's

[gabor129]

What are all of you use for auto top off?

I have my RO/DI directly plumbed into my sump, and use the mechanical switch of a central air conditioner to control the flow. Also have an electrical flow switch to shut off the water if by any chance the mechanical switch would fail! Such as a damn snail getting caught in it, and that is why I have a backup now!

[Admin]

Currently I am just topping off manually but I am looking into getting the Tunze Osmolator 3155 for ATO. Main reason I am leaning towards this system is just as you stated with the mechanical switches, they do carry some risk. The Tunze uses a laser sight and mechanical backup and its pump has fail safes as well (only turning on for a short period of time even if the float switches are tripped and run dry protection).

[Salty]

RODI line right into the sump, I just turn it one and let it fill for a couple mins.... with that said I have over filled the sump becasue i forgot!! LOL

[Admin]

Nov 19, 2013 8:04:20 GMT -5 Salty said:

RODI line right into the sump, I just turn it one and let it fill for a couple mins.... with that said I have over filled the sump becasue i forgot!! LOL

Oh boy I bet that was a clean up lol

[Salty]

Yup!!! Ill never go it again!

Took me about 2 weeks to get my levels back also :/

[gabor129]

@ Salty The clean up is usually less painful than getting everything back to order afterwards! Your supp levels must have diluted a lot! That sux!

[Admin]

I am having trouble keeping my salinity constant so I can only imagine what a disaster like that would cause.

[Salty]

Man getting the levels up really suck!!! you can see the corals stress out a bit.

Admin - How much do they the fluctuate? Personally my tank swings from 1.023-1.026 over a 2-3 day stretch and I have never had a problem with it.

[Admin]

Oh really, ya I am getting in between 1.024-1.26 I thought any little swing could lead to disaster

[Salty]

I haven't had a Problem! I would think in the Ocean the levels can swing at least .002 a day??? I was just as worried as you when i first started mine 3 years ago. On this topic the hint ill give you is buy a shrimp (cleaner or peppermint) there are extremely sensitive to water quality change and will die first is something is wrong with salt levels or pH.

Also you ll realize that if you stay on top of your water changes every issue will work them itself out with patience and time

[gabor129]

Also, the fluctuation could happen from the salt mix as well, not just the evap! You notice that a bag of salt will have how many gallon it will make, ideally you should use the whole bag at the time. Of course I have never done that so no worries! My levels are between 1.023 and 1.o25 to 1.026. I ran the tank as low as 1.019 and as high as 1.026 and nothing has happened! ( Even the cleaner shrimp was okay! )

[paoul]

should be no flux from salt mix all that should be adjusted when you mix checked on refractometer to match exact to your tank parameters so if you sg is 1.025 your new mixed should be same also you calcium and alkalinity and temp should all be adjusted to the same as your tank before doing the water change

[Admin]

Nov 21, 2013 2:25:21 GMT -5 paoul said:

should be no flux from salt mix all that should be adjusted when you mix checked on refractometer to match exact to your tank parameters so if you sg is 1.025 your new mixed should be same also you calcium and alkalinity and temp should all be adjusted to the same as your tank before doing the water change

This is exactly what I am attempting to get down pat right now, just a little tough to figure out exactly how much of what is needed. Since the tank is still cycling I am not as worried and trial and error is okay for now till I get it down to a science.

On a side note where's a good place to get a refractometer, I cannot stand my hydrometer.

[Salty]

J&L aquatics, find them only, shipping if free is over $100 there stuff is pretty cheap.
With that said I have never used one ( I just compare 2 hydrometer)but have heard they are great tools!!

[Salty]

find them *online***** srry to early to be wake