aquarium auto top up system

Hi i am looking at installing an auto top up for the sump in my new coldwater tank . Bart is making me up a 30 litre tank that will fit beside the sump in the cabinet, i was looking the Smart ATO Mirco system ,it uses an optical level sensor as apposed to float switchs , it looks extremly compact . Was wondering has anyone used these or what system to you sudjest . Thanks Robert

No but let me know if you find any good deals on them! Need 1 for my marine tank

The tunze osmolator is a brilliant ato...but ya have to wonder why they also have a float switch as aback up???..

I know float switches have a bad reputation for sticking but wouldn't rule one out if there used as a fail safe for an ir senior..

evening Chris, I had a similar conversation with Darren in seahorse on Saturaday , certainly reckon in marine tanks lack of cleaning if a major cause of problems with ATOs with salt crystalising , the system I have brought has no float switches only a ir sensor. With my cold water system I shouldn't have any real problems, I will do a review on the system once it has been up and running a while .

Sorry just noticed you were using it on a cold water tank...


Why???

Using it on cold water because of the evaporating rate from the system which I reckon is about one litre a day, Current temp on the tank is 21.6 deg C no heater in tank
I have glass covers on the tank ,and Bart is making me up a glass cover for the sump and top up tank that he is building . I recon that at present the section of the sump which holds the return pump would fall to below the pump cut out sensor in about a week ,so no go if I am on hols for 2 weeks ,

why have him build a 30L tank? many cheap one going around you can even use a bucket. And don't get me wrong its pure curiosity I know Bart is an excellent choice.

Bart is building the tank because of the size needed to fit in the cabinet beside the sump, tank is costing only 40 euro and at least I know it wont leak . got the ato system from the uk looks like a nice bit of kit .