gravity ato via air pressure - anyone?

[matt]

has anyone had success, or failed, using this type of ato? contemplating something along these lines for 5.5g nano that will run sumpless. Without partitioning off a low water level area, many ato switches (not $200) could prove not sensitive enough to maintain salinity when installed in the main display.

 

if you aren't familiar with this approach, see here:

 

http://reefbuilders.com/2009/05/26/diy-tea-jar-auto-topoff/

 

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showpost.php?p=14350717&postcount=16

 

[TheyCallMeMr.703]

Following... I heard other member before talking about how they have... So FOLLOWING.. lol

[lnevo]

I have a gravity based ato with a float valve. I've seen a nano size float valve somewhere. Its worked great for me, extremely consistent, quiet of course. The other gravity based relies on a sealed reservoir with a vacuum to maintain the level until water level drops enough to open the 'valve'. This is similar to how a water cooler works. That type to me is a disaster waiting to happen.

 

I also have the water level sensor that works with the reef angel. This is very sensitive and can maintain a pretty precise water level. I use it to monitor my reservoir level.

[lnevo]

Btw, I'm very happy with my gravity ATO. It's worked flawlessly for over a year.

[Enkay]

I use a simple float vale and a siphon attached to it. I will post a couple pictures later. It is working for me but its fairly new, about 2 months. 

 

My reservoir is a 10 gallon tank sitting on top of my 40 breeder sump. The water level is very consistent. Haven't had an issue with it until now at least.

[matt]

Thanks, please do post those rigs. Trying to minimize tank presence here, so would need a very small float valve for my potential setup. I was considering the sealed reservoir method right now. Still shopping among standard ato pressure switches too though....just afraid they won't be sensitive enough given tank dimensions.

[matt]

I should note, I use a rig from autotopoff.com on my existing tank and have been happy with it for that setup. It is the salinity rise from evap in the small tank that seems tricky....and I'm also thinking of ways to compartmentalize a low water level section somehow

[lnevo]

I have the avast pressure switch on my skimmate locker and it doesnt turn off till its really full, not sure how sensitive the ato version is.

 

Heres my setup

[matt]

Lnevo - cool rig, thx for sharing. Do you happen to remember where you saw a nano float. If I used one it would be in a very small display vs a sump application like you have.

 

Anyone done the rubber stopper air pressure gravity ato? Anyone here in wamas? Cheers

[lnevo]

Not the one i remember seeing but i found one like this..

 

http://item.mobileweb.ebay.com/viewitem?itemId=290976691111&siteId=0&isClassified=false

[lnevo]

This is where i found it...they have a lot of choices and the same one with some brackets too...

 

http://www.buycheapr.com/us/result.jsp?ga=us78&q=small+float+valves

[Origami]

Tried it, no. But Jan and I discussed these a few years ago. Some pet waterers and Christmas tree waterers work on similar principles.

 

Sent from my phone

 

 

[s2nhle]

I used the 2.5 g Kent aquadose container to drip kalk water for auto top off for my 46g bow dt and 20g sump.

[rrbigdog]

I originally thought about a gravity fed ATO, but decided on a float and aqua lifter pump.  Works flawlessly.

[matt]

Yeah, still thinking about switches....like avast's perhaps. One of those things where a less used idea like pressure controlled gravity drain might be really good though. But not many use it...so a lack of feedback from people with experience with these setups make it more tricky to get right.

 

The avast ato may work with its 3/8" variance..if I can live with a 3.8% salinity swing (based on my volume and dimensions, most applications fair much much much better)

Edited September 26, 2013 by matt

[ronl]

I've built three different gravity fed ATOs over the years. All modeled after the Aqualan NURCE ATO. One used a 5 1/2 gallon glass tank that I sealed with an acrylic top. The other two were acrylic boxes that I built. One held about 1 1/2 gal and the other about 6 gal. All were used with sumps. In about 5-6 years of combined use between the three, I never really had a problem with any of them other than leaving my RO/DI running too long while refilling them.

[TheyCallMeMr.703]

I think I may also give this a Try... Gettin' Tired of Puttin in some Water Every Night... and Sometime Mornin's, lol

[matt]

Ronl - do you have any more details on your setups....or even maybe some pics? THX!

[lnevo]

http://www.aqualan.com/products.html

[matt]

lnevo - Thanks, I found that too...and a MR forum page with some info.

 

ronl- I'm wondering how you built that small (1.5g) nurce-clone. Any more info you can share? And, do you remember what kind of water level variance you were able to achieve? THX!

Edited September 26, 2013 by matt

[paul b]

I use a gravity ATO which is just a bucket hung from the ceiling which feeds a cheap float valve on the tank.  Every year or so I remove the float valve and soak it in vinnegar which is where it is now.  It has worked for decades.

[matt]

paul - that is a marvelous track record. I'm just a bit constrained on real estate given the 5.5g footprint. But if I had a fish room and in-wall build for a larger tank...then I think I would be following your example for sure.

[s2nhle]

I've built three different gravity fed ATOs over the years. All modeled after the Aqualan NURCE ATO. One used a 5 1/2 gallon glass tank that I sealed with an acrylic top. The other two were acrylic boxes that I built. One held about 1 1/2 gal and the other about 6 gal. All were used with sumps. In about 5-6 years of combined use between the three, I never really had a problem with any of them other than leaving my RO/DI running too long while refilling them.

Roni,

I am interested in your NURCE ATO, would you share your build and pics please.

[Origami]

Roni, was the j-tube at the end of the Nurce system critical? Could that have been just as easily done with a straight tube down into the sump that was set lower than the level-setting tube that seems to let air back into the otherwise-sealed ATO reservoir?

[matt]

For more context on NURCE...and Tom's question:

 

 

 

 

The NURCE is a patented product developed by AQUALAN. It was tested for two and a half years. It is skillfully crafted from acrylic and PVC components, to produce a reliable and attractive device. The primary function of the NURCE is to replace the water lost to evaporation by regulating the water level in the aquarium or the sump. The NURCE's secondary function is to use the natural process of evaporation as a mechanism for adding fluids to the aquarium. In this capacity, the NURCE performs the dosing function.

How does it work?
The NURCE consists of a reservoir and a siphon which is controlled by the air pressure in the reservoir. The air pressure in the reservoir is controlled by the water level in the sump or aquarium. Fluid is automatically siphoned from the reservoir whenever it is needed, in order to maintain the water level in the sump or aquarium. This occurs until the fluid in the reservoir is depleated, after which the NURCE quietly waits to be refilled. If set up properly, priming the siphon is only required once at the initial setup, which makes the refilling process a breeze. The NURCE replaces only the amount of water lost, even though the evaporation rate may vary. The current version can replenish fluid at a rate of up to 5 gallons per 30 minutes.
 

Setup
The NURCE can easily be added to any aquarium without physically altering the aquarium system's existing components. It can be set up in approximately 20 minutes. In the ideal setup, the bottom of the NURCE should be aligned with the water level to be maintained in the sump or aquarium, as shown in the above figure. However, the NURCE can also be positioned completely above the desired fluid level. A stand may be required for this, which must be sturdy enough to support the weight of the NURCE when it is filled with fluid. It must also adequately support the bottom of the NURCE, where the definition of adequate support depends on the model.

The NURCE should be placed as close to the sump or aquarium as possible. It is preferable that it be under six feet away, however some people have been satisfied with its performance from 25 feet away. The dimensions and other data on the four current models are given on the pricing page, however custom sizes can be made. The smallest model has a capacity of about 6.4 gallons.

Advantages
The NURCE performs its duties without the use of float valves, pumps, or any other devices requiring electricity. No moving parts are required to maintain the fluid level, so the NURCE should never fail. For marine aquariums the NURCE also reduces fluctuations in saltwater salinity. The additives, including Kalkwasser Mix, which promote the health of the aquarium inhabitants can be added to the reservoir of the NURCE1. These additives will then be added in small doses to the aquarium. It may even be desirable to encourage a higher evaporation rate in the aquarium in order to take advantage of this capability. These functions liken the NURCE to a true nurse, by helping the owner better care for the needs of the aquarium and the health of its inhabitants.

See more features of the NURCE, with comparaison to other ATO systems.