Dosing auto top off vs dosing tank directly

Jasoned · #1 03-11-2016, 07:10 PM

So being a new reefer who is just starting up my question is, why don't people dose their auto top off water vs dosing directly to the tank? I think it would be cheaper to figure how much water gets topped off per day and then add the desired amount per amount of ato water you have. Then you'd basically dose each time you refill your auto top off tank.

Maybe I am missing something but doesn;t that sound doable? Or maybe ato varies per day?

Thoughts?

Jason

WarDog · #2 03-11-2016, 07:35 PM

What do you mean by 'dose their ATO water'? Dose with what? Everybody doses different things.

whatcaneyedo · #3 03-11-2016, 07:38 PM

I suspect the two solutions would precipitate together forming a crust of calcium carbonate at the bottom of the ATO reservoir. If you'd like to understand reef aquarium chemistry there are many well researched/written articles available for free online. http://reefkeeping.com/issues/subject/chemistry.php While the conventional 2-part system cannot be applied directly to the ATO system, Kalkwasser can be in many instances with only a few downsides.

davej · #4 03-11-2016, 08:47 PM

As well dependent on relative humidity, the amount of evaporation can change.
Would be hard to keep things consistent.

Jasoned · #5 03-15-2016, 08:00 PM

ahh, ic ic... yeah I got lots to learn

for now I plan to do a 1-2 gallon water change per week to keep my levels in check... it's only a 10 gallon AIO... but was just curious as it seemed doable to me but yeah lots of factors for sure. thanks!

Jason

Ace Storman · #6 03-16-2016, 06:55 AM

I am now doing my ATO with a doser (Neptune Dos) on Channel 2 of my Neptune Dos pump. I dose Vodka on Channel 1.

Initially when calculating evaporation in exactly a 24 hour period, I measured the amount I had to manually top off. Programmed the Neptune Dos for that amount (8000 mls / 24 hours). The Dos calculated the ATO to deliver approx. 59.4 mls every 10 minutes (forgot the exact amount off hand). The Vodka is dosed at 0.9 mls every 6 hours. The water top off actually flushes the Vodka down the line (about 40 feet away from DT). I fine tuned the ATO up to 8500 mls / 24 hours and have a float switch in the sump. If too much water is added, float switch will stop dosing for a bit until level drops from further evaporation.

This setup is working VERY well. In future, if I had the need to dose more (CA or Mag.), just adding another Dos to the system and good to go.

iamfrontosa · #7 03-16-2016, 04:04 PM

The rate of consumption is not the same as the rate of evaporation.

Ace Storman · #8 03-16-2016, 05:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iamfrontosa

The rate of consumption is not the same as the rate of evaporation.

Perhaps your correct. Consumption = Evaporation and what ever the fish drink. Forgot to add that...my bad

End of the day in my setup, whatever water has been displaced by whatever means has been replenished by the dosing pump. Here is a snapshot of my log...

iamfrontosa · #9 03-18-2016, 07:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ace Storman

Perhaps your correct. Consumption = Evaporation and what ever the fish drink. Forgot to add that...my bad

End of the day in my setup, whatever water has been displaced by whatever means has been replenished by the dosing pump. Here is a snapshot of my log...

In summer, where the water evaporate more quickly, your ATO will pump out more water to maintain the level in your sump. This will in turn, be dosing more than you would need in your tank. Vice versa, in winter time.

That's what I mean when I said 'rate of consumption is not the rate as rate of evacuation.'