Auto top off

[Maipian80]

Hi guys, hope to get some advice here. Does anyone use a auto doser to double up as auto top off? Im thinking if it is possible, i dont have to buy 2 separate equipment for dosing and top off. Can save money and also space haha.... Appreciate any comments. Thks!

 

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[Otaku Reefer]

theoretically its doable, but practical wise hard to pull off i tink, 1st of all u must be able to know ur tank evaporation rate, currently most ATO is either gravity fed or by level sensor so this makes it much easier, if u go the doser to top up RODI means u r assuming evaporation is always constant which might not be the case, in any case a salinity fluctuation is not good for your tank stability if u under top off or overtop off i tink. Probably some other senior reefer pull this off and can advise u. Hope it helps. Cheers.


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[Maipian80]

Thks bro! Very usefulAgrees that it might be difficult to estimate the evaporation rate. guess i would also need to set a buffer for over topping up which can result in overflow of water from my tank. Curious no other reefers are doing it here??

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[SubzeroLT]

It is possible but I wont recommend it.

While its possible to measure the average evaporation rate over several days, but using the normal dosing pump will use up the life of the peristaltic pump tubes very quickly. Most of the tubes will wear out & split after 200-300 liters of use. And if that happens, you get liquid all over the place & possibly damaging other equipment. Also replacement tubes for the peristaltic pumps are not cheap.

 

Dedicated ATO systems are available from about $70 onwards. Suggest to just get that.

[Maipian80]

Thanks Subzero for your advice. Sounds like it might cost me even more if i use a doser for auto top up in the long run. Think i better stick to the book and buy a separate ATO and doser

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