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DcCharger · Joined: 11 Nov 2007 Posts: 28 Location: Illinois

Can you recommend any auto top off controllers? I am thinking about getting a 30 gallon with 150 Halide and 48 T-5 over it, so how much do you think I will lose a day, and would I be able to fit my resevoir in a cabinet?

Thanks!

Aquatic Reef · Joined: 23 Oct 2007 Posts: 24

There are many ways to device an auto top-off. There are readily available unit out there as well as DIY. The evaporation depends on many other things such as light intensity, water movement (pumps, skimmers, etc). My suggestion is to mark the appropriate water level and see how much you lose in a day. If you are planning to use some kind of float valve sensor then i don't think figuring out the amount of water you lose a day is important. By the way, in your case i think using a float valve is probably practical (not expensive and simple). However, I have found some links that you can go to for more info:

Electronic sensing devices
http://www.bluelineaquatics.com/products/topoff_system/index.html
http://www.fishsupply.com/sjbj-70015.html

DIY
http://www.aquahub.com/store/diygaquarium.html
http://www.melevsreef.com/plumbing/auto_topoff.html

FYI, i don't have much experience on the above links, just sharing them with you. I hope this helps.

Aquatic Reef

DcCharger · Joined: 11 Nov 2007 Posts: 28 Location: Illinois

Ok thanks, I found a simple DIY that I may try

tommeboy · Joined: 14 Nov 2007 Posts: 8

These guys are decent but specify the snail cover (for an extra $1) or they won't send

http://www.autotopoff.com/

These float switches are about 2 inches round

I used this unit for awhile just fine and then read horror stories about people's auto-top off switches sticking (not this unit) and decided to only use these when on vacation. I don't mind the manual daily top off

good luck

firefishbrain · Joined: 19 Nov 2007 Posts: 13 Location: IL

ditto tommeboy, quite frankly, I'm not sure what the hype is with the ATO thing, but would be understandable if one had a huge tank, but tons of ppl with nano's do it, it's weird.

_________________
10g A. percula and C. Falco
(mushrooms, gsp and a monti cap)
12g NC 150w MH
(Blastos (merletti and wellsi), monti caps, Acros, Frogspawns, candy canes, zoas, fungia, acan lords, micro, platygera, sun, oxy)