Auto Top Off (ATO) systems

[AlexTubed]

From your experience did you find the prefilter to the aqualifter a necessity?

[mrsaltwatertank]

@AlexTubed only when dosing kalkwasser

[cesar333]

How much top off water do you think you go through in a day? i go through about a gallon day.

[TixTipx]

@cesar333 I go through about the same, but I'd say it really depends on multiple factors. The surface area of your tanks (sump too), the "wind" over the surface, the humidity level of your residence are all important factors.

[Leopazzoinyourmouth]

Hey bro great job

This is the 1st vid I seen so far.

Gunna check out more now.

I want to do the same exact idea but looking towards the gravity fed style.

I have a float valve now I'm trying to use but just can't seem to rely on it. I've been testing it out but works then stops working. Can't have that. I'm thinking i just don't have the right parts. I'm more of a DIY guy 100%

I'm Gunna keep looking into it. Any help or tips would be great.

If you like check out my tank and it's set up and l

[hockeycrazy165]

Hi Mark, LOVE YOUR SHOW!! How does the aqua lifter pump turn on? Basically what connects the switch to the aqua lifter? Thanks!

[stuthedigger]

hello there..can i ask ..what is the name of the small pump for the ato? thanks

[osxloin98]

what do you do when your mangroves get to big

[reefman46]

hi mark my name is gene how much this auto top off system cost you cause i went on their site and it looks like they sell all the parts separately how much would i be spending mark i would love to buy 2 of the ones you have on your sump thank you...

[rashiidefukazumi]

hi mr saltwatertank....btw the pump you using isit AC or DC suppy?

[blairfritz]

Hey, is there any way you could give me a link to the one you bought? There are a lot on their site and i like yours the best!

[horizonhealth]

Hi what make is the pump for the auto top off?

thanks

[hockeycrazy165]

@horizonhealth toms aqualifter

[AReptileMan]

How do you feel about gravidly fead top off? I have a float valve that just lets the valve open when the water is low works like a toilet. No need for any other things to fail or plug-in.

[rashiidefukazumi]

btw what are the things you put in ur sump tank?thanks alot...=)

[rashiidefukazumi]

may i know how big is your sump tank?and should i follow the size of my tank size?

[TOXIC8o3o1]

@mrsaltwatertank why dont you show us a tour of your salt water tank

[reefpug]

@TOXIC8o3o1 I have 3 shows on my tank. Checkout my channel and you can see the list of my videos.

[TWhite2345]

U got urself a new subscriber

[reefpug]

@TWhite2345 awesome! Thanks and enjoy the show(s)

[rashiidefukazumi]

do auto top off need solenoid valve?

[mrsaltwatertank]

@rashiidefukazumi Just the float switch.

[rashiidefukazumi]

can i know where to put the float switch?

beacuse some ppl put it at the tank or at the sump.

if i put it at the sump which part should i put at?

[jhnmndrl]

Hey Mark. What do you think of the GRAVITY operated ATO‘s, using a float VALVE, rather than a float SWITCH..?

With the gravity-fed version, there is NO electrical appliance(s) needed, and they seem to be a bit more reliable. I have used AquaLifter pumps, and float switches in the past, but I'm thinking about going with a float VALVE, and a gravity-fed system for my newest tank. Just seems more reliable.

Thoughts..?

[sl1ckreef]

can i use the same setup as yours except with a regular float valve?

[Xler8n2fast]

Where do you get those cool white 5 gallon containers?

[metle95]

hey what is the black thing on the bucket thing



[torosax]

Hey there, just curious... I've never really noticed a lower water level in my sump/fuge.. just the DT.. should i buy a switch for the sump still?

[mrsaltwatertank]

@torosax The water level in your sump should drop, not in your DT. I'd check your setup as the water level in your DT shouldn't be dropping.

[torosax]

@mrsaltwatertank um.. sorry, I'm confused now.. lol Shouldn't the water in the sump just be high enough to flow over the baffles..?  I can usually notice the water level in the DT drop like maybe an inch or so... but the water always flows through the sump/fuge at the same height.. My last three videos I've posted are of my tank.. maybe that would give you a better idea as to what I've got goin on.. Thanks!

[shaun11423]

hello, what happens if both of the float switches fail and it stays closed so the circuit is closed. In this instance all the pump is going to do is keep pumping RO water in your system.

[mrsaltwatertank]

@shaun11423 if both switches fail, then it would keep pumping RO water in your tank.

However:

- the likely hood of both switches failing at the same time is low

- these switches fail "safe" so if they die, they turn off any switch that is on

- for most tanks, even if all of the above failed, then draining the top off reservoir would not cause an issue with the tank. This is another reason why RO systems should not be plumbed straight into your tank

[tyte90]

Good info here!

[finger11yo]

i use a float valve gravity fed why do u use a switch i know the differnce just want to know the pros and cons?

[mrsaltwatertank]

@finger11yo In a gravity system, if your float switch fails, your top off container empties into your tank. With a pump, if the switch fails, then the pump doesn't run = no big deal.

[f50dude]

hello i would like to get this exact unit, i have one question: how sensitive is it? as in how low does the water have to drop before it kicks on the pump. i will use it to try to keep my protein skimmer in the proper water level. about 6.5 inches. .... what do you think?

[mrsaltwatertank]

@f50dude The water drops about 1/8" before it kicks on. It will work great to keep your skimmer in a constant water level.

[rsutto11]

Where did you get the container for the RO\DI water? Do you normally fill it all the way?

[mrsaltwatertank]

@rsutto11 Any fish store should have them and yes I fill it up all the way.

[mr5boros1]

quick question about ur ato system,why r there two float valves/float switches with one cover,i know its to protect it from snails butwhy two?as i would like to know before i purchase,dont know which to get the one with one switch or two..

[mrsaltwatertank]

@mr5boros1 The upper float switch is a fail safe. If the sump fills up to the point that the upper switch gets tripped, then it would cut off the ATO pump.

[thenomadrhodes]

what is that little canister that's plumbed in to your topoff tank?

[mrsaltwatertank]

@thenomadrhodes It is a pre-filter to get out any kalkwasser particles that might get sucked up

[koaihet31]

i have an "aquaticlife mini internal skimmer 115" for my biocube 29. i put it in the 1st chamber, but the collection cup is always full. its like the skimmer is too deep into the water.?? with this being said, does that skimmer still collect "protein" or not? do you have any idea on what to do? thanks

[mrsaltwatertank]

@koaihet31 check the manual for the recommended depth of water for that skimmer. It sounds like the you either have it too deep in the water, or you are skimming too wet. Check out my video on "tuning a protein skimmer"

You are probably get some protein & dissolved organics out of the water, but not as much as you should when the skimmer is dialed in.

[titaniumkiller]

so why does the reservoir need to have fresh RODI? couldent you just use salt? or would that be a bad thing to do? because woulden't freshwater reduce the salinity of water?

[mrsaltwatertank]

@titaniumkiller salt was evaporate like water will. So as the water from your tank evaporates, the salt is left in your tank, which will raise your salinity. Replacing with RODI water brings the salinity back into check.

[cf1822003]

i have a question. you know when you use skimmer, you are also getting rid of the dirty saltwater which also lower the water level. if you just keep on adding freshwater, wouldn't it just lower your salinity?

[mrsaltwatertank]

@cf1822003 The amount of water pulled out in your skimmer is usually (unless you have a HUGE skimmer) is very small and won't noticeably affect your salinity.

[Gaby3898]

is it okay to use tap water using a dechlorinator?

[mrsaltwatertank]

@Gaby3898 No. Tap water has lots of other chemicals in it besides chlorine. There is also silicates in tap water that will fuel algae growth in your tank (not a good thing).