Reef Builders - The Source for Reef Keeping Information

thelastmucci · #1 (**permalink**) 01-21-2008, 03:46 PM

OK, I have a silly question. If I decide to get an ATO I'm going to go with an JBJ...from everything I've heard their very reliable. However my mind can't seem to wrap around the concept of an ATO. Do you somehow levitate from the ceiling with a bucket and let gravity do it's thing or do I also have to buy a pump and some hose/pipe. I'm horrible at DIY stuff and really don't mind "hand filling" the tank every day or so. But it would be a nice thing to have if I ever go on vacation (which will never realistically happen) If I do have to buy a pump what would be a good candidte....and how do you set the thing up..just throw it in a 5 gallon bucket of RO water, plug in some pipe/hose and hook it up....I just don't get the concept of water going "up"

WILLIAM1 · #2 (**permalink**) 01-21-2008, 08:53 PM

Drfosters.com has a nice little ATO for about a hundred bucks. You will need a pump as well something small. They could probly suggest the right one for you. There is a float in your sump or tank that determines you current water level. When that water level gets to low the ATO will then turn on and use RO water from a secondary tank, bucket, or whatever you use to store just RO water not saltwater. And then pump it to the location where its needed.

e_baer · #3 (**permalink**) 01-21-2008, 09:12 PM

Think of a toilet....when you flush, that floating thing goes down, then when it reaches a certain level the water stops flowing....right?

That is basically the same concept of how it works, except add a pump, or make it gravity fed...

stephaniesquires · #4 (**permalink**) 01-21-2008, 09:17 PM

My ATO works without a pump. I have an icechest with a hose hooked up to where the drain would be on the ice chest. The ice chest is higher than the sump. The hose has a ball valve on it in case I need to turn it off, other wise the hose is always open. The ATO "lever"in the sump allows the water to flow into the sump if it is low. If the water level is OK the lever keeps the hose closed.
Depends on how big your system is, what are you thinking about getting???

thelastmucci · #5 (**permalink**) 01-21-2008, 10:59 PM

Thanks guys....
Steph to answer your question thinking of getting a 39 gallon sysytem...so it's not like I would need to top off that much at one time...just in case I go away for some odd reason.

Jeremy0322 · #6 (**permalink**) 01-21-2008, 11:06 PM

Have you been looking regularly on craigslist. If not they have some sweet deals on there that can save you some serious money. That is what i did. Just trying to get your tank running sooner.

thelastmucci · #7 (**permalink**) 01-21-2008, 11:20 PM

I just looked on craigslist today...didn't find any tanks in my area but I did find a part time job LOL>..now only if they call.

Jeremy0322 · #8 (**permalink**) 01-21-2008, 11:22 PM

I need one of those too. The BMW is getting really old and there is a VW Jetta wolfsburg edition calling my name..lol. It was a really only crappy BMW when we got it so it is super old and crappy now.

stephaniesquires · #9 (**permalink**) 01-21-2008, 11:27 PM

Have you tried e-bay? I found a tank and stand (going to be a fuge) for a great price. Might not be a 39 gallon, but they have lots of stuff...

thelastmucci · #10 (**permalink**) 01-21-2008, 11:33 PM

I'll have to look on ebay..sleep who needs that LOL...and I know your up steph.

stephaniesquires · #11 (**permalink**) 01-21-2008, 11:36 PM

Yeah - but I'm several hours behind you!!

e_baer · #12 (**permalink**) 01-21-2008, 11:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeremy0322

I need one of those too. The BMW is getting really old and there is a VW Jetta wolfsburg edition calling my name..lol. It was a really only crappy BMW when we got it so it is super old and crappy now.

My friend has an 03(i think) wolfsburgh edition.