ATO Advice for our Smaller Reef Aquariums

[MrGisonni]

So in my 30 gallon mixed reef I started out with I guess the gold standard which was a Tunze Osmolator. My sump is only 7 gallons and I was not happy as it dumped multiple cups of replacement water into my tank at a time. Not a big deal, as salinity shifts on reefs, but I wanted stability. I now use a dosing pump, set for 12 intervals daily. Salinity is rock solid stable. It will take a bit here and there to get it dialed in, but worth the effort I feel for those with aquariums on the smaller side.

 

[exnisstech]

I've always used an ATO regardless of tank size. I just added one of these to my IM 20 AIO. I have tunze, kamoer and JBJ units but this is a budget build so I went the Amazon route. It's only been running a couple of weeks but it's workings great. I have the optical sensor in the back chamber and when it cycles it only pumps for a second or two.

EDIT: your method will need tweaking as evaporation rates vary.

 

[Tamberav]

ATO made for nanos work differently. Usually a small slower pump and too long running protection is a shorter duration. I have had no problems using them in small tanks.

 

[Tahoe61]

I have used Smart, Duetto and Tunze. The only reliable one has been Tunze Nano or a Cliscea gravity adapter ( I highly recommend) for Nanos.

 

[ShaunMc]

So in my 30 gallon mixed reef I started out with I guess the gold standard which was a Tunze Osmolator. My sump is only 7 gallons and I was not happy as it dumped multiple cups of replacement water into my tank at a time. Not a big deal, as salinity shifts on reefs, but I wanted stability. I now use a dosing pump, set for 12 intervals daily. Salinity is rock solid stable. It will take a bit here and there to get it dialed in, but worth the effort I feel for those with aquariums on the smaller side.

This is not the Tunze nano correct? Which model? Sounds like you just need a smaller pump.

 

[VintageReefer]

I have custom made gravity ato on a 1.1 g reef, and a duetto on a waterbox 15. Never had an issue with either

 

[MrGisonni]

Happy with my set-up! The Osmolator Nano wasn't even out when I set up this reef