tomaboyd Posted February 11, 2015 Share Posted February 11, 2015 I have a 16G Innovative Marine Nano and am currently using a Hydor ATO tied in with a Innovative Marine Hydrofill pump. My problem is that the IM pump moves water soo fast that before the ATO tells it to shut off it has overfilled and the alarm goes off. I tried using an Aqua Lifter, but because of my set up I have to move the water about 4+ ft. up and the AL does not do the job. So, before I have to spend another $200 on the IM ATO, does anyone have any other suggestions? I have been looking at the Tunze Nano system, but am concerned the included pump would not fit in the mouth of my refill tank (basically a 5 gallon glass carboy). Thank you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matty Posted February 11, 2015 Share Posted February 11, 2015 I use a Tunze nano ATO and it works great. It comes with the pump for around $100. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
icepikbiker Posted February 11, 2015 Share Posted February 11, 2015 I'm using the JBJ, works good. Just use a small pump like a aqualifter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rworegon Posted February 11, 2015 Share Posted February 11, 2015 Any peristolic pump will work. Think dosing pump. They won't siphon, and had pressure isn't in issue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Higher Thinking Posted February 11, 2015 Share Posted February 11, 2015 I'm sure you've considered this, but why can't you just elevate the AL? You could even mount it behind everything. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
czreef Posted February 11, 2015 Share Posted February 11, 2015 I'm using the Tunze Osmolator nano too, works excellent and the pump is cylinder shaped to fit right in a 5 gallon jug. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue Z Reef Posted February 11, 2015 Share Posted February 11, 2015 I'm sure you've considered this, but why can't you just elevate the AL? You could even mount it behind everything. Also, are you using check valves on the AL? They also make that hanger bracket for them to hang on the back of your tank or somewhere higher. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matty Posted February 11, 2015 Share Posted February 11, 2015 In my experience raising the aqualifter doesn't help much since you are still drawing the distance it was pushing before. A peristaltic pump would be op's best bet if he wants to keep the current ATO. A Brs 50 ml dosing pump would work, I think avast sells them also for their ATO's. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomaboyd Posted February 11, 2015 Author Share Posted February 11, 2015 Thank you all. Matty is correct that moving the AL makes little to no difference. I will order a 50mL dosing pump today. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
icepikbiker Posted February 14, 2015 Share Posted February 14, 2015 If you just leave the end of your ATO hose out of the water a little bit and above your RO/DI water level then at most it will only siphon what RO/DI that is left in the hose. Ps, this is for future readers since you decided on the 50ml dosing pump. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Exodus Posted February 14, 2015 Share Posted February 14, 2015 Suprised no one has mentioned, I spent $65 and got one from AutoTopOff.Com 3 years ago and have loved it! The system has never given me any issues whatsoever. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Liemlickie Posted February 16, 2015 Share Posted February 16, 2015 Tunze Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JManrow Posted February 24, 2015 Share Posted February 24, 2015 I am still using the the same type float activated, gravity fed, ATO that I had 20 years ago. Only one slight mishap about 10years ago, and a vinegar soak took care of it, along with a small dab of silicon grease on the shutoff. Electronic ATOs are finally looking more dependable than a few years ago. I have only looked at one ATO video, but I was impressed. http://www.hydor.com/eng/prodotti-tecnici/controllers/smart-level.php Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JManrow Posted February 24, 2015 Share Posted February 24, 2015 Suprised no one has mentioned, I spent $65 and got one from AutoTopOff.Com 3 years ago and have loved it! The system has never given me any issues whatsoever. Reminds me of the ones we made out of washing machine type float switches years ago. Same basic design and principal. It is very simple and should last you many years. I was always concerned about the mercury inside though it was epoxy sealed. Possibly the new ones use something else inside. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mitrillion Posted February 24, 2015 Share Posted February 24, 2015 Same lol Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mitrillion Posted February 24, 2015 Share Posted February 24, 2015 I was thinking of getting an auto top off what do u guys recommend for 38 nuvo!? And I have so many things plugged into out let scared to plug anything else in?! How do I avoid this Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JManrow Posted February 24, 2015 Share Posted February 24, 2015 Possibly using an ATO that runs off a DC adapter would lessen your power consumption. This might be a good feature to consider. I know low cost is very important to you, but its always best to but the best quality that you can afford. Undependable equipment is not really a good deal, and will cause you even greater expense later. Search the classifieds here at PNWMAS, Facebook reef groups, Craigslist, and Ebay & Amazon for used, if that's what you want. I used to DIY build a lot of my old equipment, but for the most part it was a lot of work and not always the best results. Use at least a couple of good quality power strips. This is very important along with using a GFCI, which is just as important. Position everything so no salt spray or flooding water can come in come in contact with any saltwater, shorts out and start a fire. Keep in mind that safety needs to be a priority to avoid not only loss of livestock, but a potentially worse disaster. Talk to any of these people here that have been keeping reefs a few years and they will tell you the same thing. If you ever accidentally dump saltwater on your electrical plugins, shut off that power and rinse it with tapwater and completely dry before using it again. That sizzling sound you hear when saltwater hits hot wiring can turn into a fire. I'm only explaining all this for you so you don't have to learn the hard way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JManrow Posted February 24, 2015 Share Posted February 24, 2015 (edited) As far as ATO brands, there are many. http://www.aquacave.com/dosing-pumps/aquarium-top-offs.html People here that have used them can tell you better than I can what are best for you from their experiences.. Edited February 24, 2015 by JManrow Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mitrillion Posted February 24, 2015 Share Posted February 24, 2015 I have been told gfci are not necessarily! And don't they take some electriion to hook it up Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matty Posted February 24, 2015 Share Posted February 24, 2015 (edited) I have been told gfci are not necessarily! And don't they take some electriion to hook it up I have always used a GFCI outlets where I have a tank, water and electricity don't mix. I install mine myself but if you don't feel comfortable swapping out an outlet, probably better to let an electrician do it. Edited February 24, 2015 by matty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mitrillion Posted February 24, 2015 Share Posted February 24, 2015 I have always used a GFCI outlet where I have a tank, water and electricity don't mix. I install mine myself but if you don't feel comfortable swapping out an outlet, probably better to let an electrician do it. do u have any uttor chaos? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JManrow Posted February 24, 2015 Share Posted February 24, 2015 (edited) A GFCI is only necessary if you value your tank and your life. Of course everything will run without one... until you have an accident. I have seen more than one tank have an electrical short, like a broken heater or a light drop in a tank and everything it living in it be dead within minutes. It happened to me once and it has happened to people I know. In addition to this, I have read countless stories online. It' not worth the risk to not have one. Period. I had a friend years ago that did a lot of his own electrical work. He was also one of the first people in Oregon to frag corals. This was a few years back when corals were almost all wild collected. At the time, he did not use a GFCI. He left his beautiful coral display tank after he had been working on it, to do some work in his office in the other room. When he returned 15 minutes later, something from his lighting had dropped into the tank... and it looked like someone had poured milk into it. Every last thing in the tank was dead. He said that he should have known better, but it was too late then. It's a very sad, sick feeling when this happens and is totally preventable by using a GFCI. House wiring can vary house to house, and installing a GFCI is usually simple. Sometimes it is can be a little more complicated. I am doing my best to post facts, not just my opinion when it comes to this. I could go on with many other stories, but that is not my intent. Like I have said to you before, I am only trying to help you. Now you know the truth about using a GFCI. Edited February 24, 2015 by JManrow Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mitrillion Posted February 24, 2015 Share Posted February 24, 2015 Ok I'll have my moms boyfriend( electrtion ) hook one up for me! Sorry was just being a little stubborn. Didn't want to go threw the process of asking and doing this! So what do I do with having so many cords? Any way to up the amount ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
icepikbiker Posted February 25, 2015 Share Posted February 25, 2015 I was watching a video about electricity and aquariums, can't remember who it was or what the title was, it was said that GFCIs are best in most cases but they had a few pieces of equipment that they wouldn't use one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JManrow Posted February 25, 2015 Share Posted February 25, 2015 (edited) Ok I'll have my moms boyfriend( electrtion ) hook one up for me! Sorry was just being a little stubborn. Didn't want to go threw the process of asking and doing this! So what do I do with having so many cords? Any way to up the amount ? For one thing, your mom's boyfriend is an electrician. Talk to him about the situation. Maybe a higher amperage circuit breaker can be installed (if it is safe to do so) or some equipment can be on another circuit. Other people have much more running than with a tank your size. Many systems have chillers, large skimmers controllers and other things. The main thing is to do all this safely. There are also was of organizing your electric cord with zip ties It is very important that saltwater is not allowed to drip down the cords to the power supply! Edited February 27, 2015 by JManrow corrected spellcheck change of amperage to average 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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