vanz Posted November 20, 2009 Share Posted November 20, 2009 I don't on my 40g, but am thinking about doing it on my 125g. Now I don't want to use two pumps just for the ato, so I'm trying to see if I can do it with just the feed pump. This means the water will circulate only when the ato kicks on. So here's my plan. Have a two way hose splitter with individual valves and adjust it so that it blows more water in the reservoir than to the sump, this will give it a good few minutes of circulation each time it kicks on. I will use something like this to avoid metal parts: Anyone else doing something similar? Think it's a good idea? Or should I just get two pumps? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick Posted November 20, 2009 Share Posted November 20, 2009 Keep in mind the hidden parts in something like that could be metal. In particular I see metal screws on that one. I would just use PCV and then put a T in it with one smaller outlet. Have the feed into the sump be from the side that is smaller, that way it will still push some water to the sump however most will recirculate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reef165 Posted November 20, 2009 Share Posted November 20, 2009 Just kinda curious as to what this is going to accomplish? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pledosophy Posted November 20, 2009 Share Posted November 20, 2009 I don't circulate my auto top off water at all. Never have really. If your going to be dripping kalk through it, I would, if not, don't worry about it IMO. If you do want to do it, I would not use that thing. Both my ATO pumps uses airline tubing. I would get a splitter for the tubing, and then a valve for the one in the resivoir and try that first. Might cost you $3. I'm not sure if that is going to be enough water movement for you though. If you want a lot of movement I would use a MJ or something that can do on off with no worries and moves a bit of water. All of that said, unless I was going to be dripping kalk I really see no benefit. Not saying there is not one, just that I don't know it. HTH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vanz Posted November 20, 2009 Author Share Posted November 20, 2009 I noticed that the pump and tubing developed a thick coat of slime on it. I'm assuming that's not good for the tank. So if I were to recirculate the top off water, it would prevent it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick Posted November 20, 2009 Share Posted November 20, 2009 Are you using RO/DI water? If so then I don't think you should be getting any slime unless the topoff tank is already dirty. If you are then I would check to be sure the water filters are still good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vanz Posted November 20, 2009 Author Share Posted November 20, 2009 I don't circulate my auto top off water at all. Never have really. If your going to be dripping kalk through it, I would, if not, don't worry about it IMO. If you do want to do it, I would not use that thing. Both my ATO pumps uses airline tubing. I would get a splitter for the tubing, and then a valve for the one in the resivoir and try that first. Might cost you $3. I'm not sure if that is going to be enough water movement for you though. If you want a lot of movement I would use a MJ or something that can do on off with no worries and moves a bit of water. All of that said, unless I was going to be dripping kalk I really see no benefit. Not saying there is not one, just that I don't know it. HTH yeah, I was going to use a mj for my top off pump and do want a good flow through it. Am I alone in this? I'll have to research this since no one here does it lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vanz Posted November 20, 2009 Author Share Posted November 20, 2009 Are you using RO/DI water? If so then I don't think you should be getting any slime unless the topoff tank is already dirty. If you are then I would check to be sure the water filters are still good. Yup using RODI, yeah i think they are about due to be changed. But even pure water can be stagnant with all the impurities in the air right? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick Posted November 20, 2009 Share Posted November 20, 2009 Yup using RODI' date=' yeah i think they are about due to be changed. But even pure water can be stagnant with all the impurities in the air right?[/quote'] It's possible that impurities could settle into the water from the air but I think it would take awhile to be enough to cause the water to stagnate. What about covering the ATO? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vanz Posted November 20, 2009 Author Share Posted November 20, 2009 I do cover the ato, but it's not sealed for the tube and wire. From googling a bit, someone else is having the same issue: http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/general-reef-aquarium-discussion/38544-storing-ro-di-water-should-you-keep-water-movment.html I also learned from browsing that you don't even need to circulate your salt mix, only for the first 24 hours and then before you use it. So you can store that for a month or so and then aerate just before you use it. I guess it's just to dissolve the salt and remove co2....i think.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CA2OR Posted November 20, 2009 Share Posted November 20, 2009 really? I heard it was only good for a week or 2 in a jug Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reef165 Posted November 20, 2009 Share Posted November 20, 2009 My last ATO was in use for 3 years and the day I took it down it looked like the day I put it up. I never once cleaned it. It wasnt completly sealed. had a 2 inch holein the top for air transfer and water in. Have ya conciderd that there may be a back folw issue? tank water syphining back into the line? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vanz Posted November 21, 2009 Author Share Posted November 21, 2009 no back flow as the output doesn't touch water. Did you have a pump inside or did you use an aqualifter? BTW, it has only ever had RODI water inside, and the pump is an eheim if that matters. Eric, I dunno, but some say it never goes bad, just need to aerate it before you use it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reef165 Posted November 21, 2009 Share Posted November 21, 2009 I didn't have a pump, mine was gravity feed. What you have going on is weird! How much do you top off a day? How big is your ATO reservoir? I was topping off almost 3 gallons of water a day and my reservoir was 12 gallons. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vanz Posted November 21, 2009 Author Share Posted November 21, 2009 I think it takes half a gallon a day and it's about 5 gallons. I'll see how long it takes to slime up again. I cleaned it maybe 2 months ago and right now it appears to be fine. That's the first time I cleaned it since setting it up 2-3 years ago. 3 gallons?? Wow, how big was your tank? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick Posted November 21, 2009 Share Posted November 21, 2009 My 85 gallon went through 3 gallons a day with the 175w MH fixture inside the canopy over it. When I switched to the 400w with fans exhausting the heat it dropped by about 1/2 gallon a day. Now with the lights completely open (No hood) I only evaporate 5 gallons every two days but my water volume is also about 190g. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reef165 Posted November 21, 2009 Share Posted November 21, 2009 It was 165 gallons and I had 1750 watts of light over it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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