Auto-Top-Off for Nano/Pico tanks

I searched the forum and couldn't find what I'm looking for.

I am wanting an ATO for my 10g reef tank.

A Tunze Osmolator would be awesome, but I am really on a budget. I am downgrading from my 29 gallon and have only put about $100 into this new tank in addition to what I already had for equipment.

Aesthetics are important to me. The tank is rimless, and I built my own stand. No sense I ruining the look with a bulky ato switch. The same goes for a diy, I would like to keep the container in the cabinet, so gravity-fed will likely not work for what I am trying to do (no closet near by to hide it). I do not have a sump on this setup, so if it is a float switch, it will have to be in the display.

I only top off maybe a cup or two each day; I just do it manually right now. If there is no other solution, then I will continue to do this, but really I would like to set up an auto top off system. I would like to be able to have a few sexy shrimp in the tank (which are fragile when it comes to changes in salinity).

 

You might be able to use an aqua lifter pump.

 

I was thinking that too, but I need some kind of switch/valve to tell it when to turn on and off.

 

What if you put it on a timer to come on for 15 minutes a day and put a valve on the output to slow down the flow so you only get what you need in that 15 minutes. Walmart has timers with 15 min intervals. Probably cost 30 bucks for everything.

 

Actually, a digital timer might work. Thanks, I hadn't thought of that.

But it would need to be on for a very short time, more like 10 seconds at one time...maybe turn on at noon and midnight. The only problem is the timer would need to include seconds. I don't think it takes more than 20 seconds to top off the tank (I'm lazy and I want consistency).

 

Thats why I was thinking a valve on the out put so you can contol the flow coming out. Use the hard plastic line and a valve like the ones on ro units. Home depot has those. That way it just kinda drips out for 15 minutes. You will have to experiment with it till you get it adjusted right but its cheap. Its just a thought, you might b able to find a timer with seconds.

 

You are right about the ball valve. I may have to do that too so it doesn't top off too much.

 

There is a timer on marine depot that you can set the minutes on it. That put is pretty slow so one minute might work. Just type in timers in the search on the md page.

 

Thanks for the help. I appreciate it.

 

Anytime. Let me know how it works out.