Installing a Gravity Fed Auto Top Off

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[@ReefBuildersVideo]

seems like many of you really enjoyed this shorter, DIY style, reef gear video, will be publishing the follow up video of the Auto Waste Collector very soon.

[@JeanEstevez]

hey, always good videos....I got one question how is the SENEYE working for you? I want one but hard to find reviews online. thanks

[@ReefBuildersVideo]

@@JeanEstevez kinda soon to tell, but will circle back and do a review

[@harkinsaquatics]

@@JeanEstevez I have one as well and it's great. I would almost consider it an essential for fish only systems. Mountering ammonia in a fish only system can be critical to fish health.

[@JeanEstevez]

Reef Builders thanks 🙏🏽

[@JeanEstevez]

Harkins Aquatics thanks how long you had it for ?

[@skylerjkorn]

This video is perfect timing. I was just searching how to do this I knew you did use one, but I couldn’t find any features. Awesome!

[@vanissaberg5824]

This is exactly what I was thinking to top off for a sump by gravity. I can see why a pump would be needed if you have to pump water up hill into the main aquarium. But for a sump this is perfect!

[@artofwar-3263]

This works great, I've done this and have added a T in there to start siphon. Just placed an order for a waterbox peninsula 230 last night so super hype for that. You sir have Definitely inspired me to do this so muchas grassy ass !!

[@EmanM45]

I had a gravity fed ATO setup. It was great until the float stuck open.

[@NYCityCichlids]

Thanks for the info Jake.

[@AL_EVOz]

Hey Jake, awesome video! hope your doing well. stay healthy and safe. The tiger angelfish looks amazing!

[@kevinw7044]

Nice job. Them butterflies look stunning.

[@dje7335]

This have been my go to method for years! Humidifier float valves are in my sumps. Of course on-line shopping didn't exist...

[@seadub5732]

Amen to gravity! Thanks for validating my belief in gravity fed ATO's! After two different crashes caused by two different ATO controllers I decided to go with the less conventional gravity route and i haven''t had any issues since. I do have to find a better looking reservoir though, right now I keep the water in a costco tub placed beside my tank.. not very pretty.

[@ReefBuildersVideo]

There's lots of tall skinny trash can sizes that can squeeze into tight spots

[@nelsonaviles344]

Brilliant! I wish I saw this video before I spent that money on a custom ato box and tunze ato.

[@h0kh0redarowana]

awesome video , I really enjoy it

[@JDReef]

Never even thought about this until your video. Nice 👍

[@glassboxreefer1702]

Hey Jake, can we get an update video on the instant nano? Curious to see how full it’s getting

[@GalleryAquaticaTV]

Nice to see you Jake!

[@JMehalick]

So i’m trying to simplify my tank and want to get rid of the ATO. It’s a 60 Gallon 36x24x16, but the kicker is it’s sumpless. Any idea on how to make a gravity fed ATO?

[@CrunchEnhancer]

Awesome stuff

[@taryndeclyn1474]

Totally agree! I have had gravity fed ATOs for last 10 years. Best ATO ever

[@ReefBuildersVideo]

trouble free ATO club reprazent

[@taryndeclyn1474]

My reservoir is about 60 ft away from my sump and on the next floor of our house! love it!!!

[@marksmith566]

This is the first time I’ve really thought about gravity fed seriously, I will be doing this once I get my new bigger tank 👍

[@carlosfuentes5025]

The gravity ATO is so underrated until your top off pump fails like mine recently, fortunately I had an spare one.

[@tonybilodeau3872]

great vid

[@eringerber9696]

Would you be able to do this with an overflow also? I have a small 10 gallon next to my 75 gallon. To refill the sump, I'm curious if I could place an overflow pipe to the float valve to to refill the sump.

[@jondressel6594]

Jake great video. Invest in a Unibit or Set drill bit you wont be disappointed👍

[@radkingston666]

👍What size drll bit did u use ?

[@rashidmahmood24]

nice and simple.

[@jeffcurrier6039]

Is this possible to do without a sump? Like above the tank and fed directly to the tank? Thanks great video!

[@66SLeePYHeaD99]

Did u find a solution?

[@heyderekp]

Theoretically could you plumb in a float switch to be setup to a pressurized supply line instead of gravity fed? I’m working on building out a AWC and ATO setup for my freshwater 120!

[@dje7335]

For sure. I've explored that option for pond applications. (Too risky for me on SW aquariums). 12 & 24 volt solenoid water valves are available. Wired in series with float switch. Biggest risk is continuous flow if switch fails/sticks. A second float switch could be mounted higher, also in series, to interupt the circuit. That higher switch is reversed. (Normally open vs normally closed). As stated in video, it's an increase in components that can fail but certainly an option. 👍

[@damiendeveux5071]

Tank you vidéo 👍

[@LouisChan198]

Jake, where did you get the 1/4" bulkhead with gasket? BRS one seems not to have gasket. Thanks

[@ReefBuildersVideo]

Amazon

[@tsdpurdue]

@@ReefBuildersVideo Happen to have a link? Been searching and they are hard to find

[@CoolB3anz]

When you do your water change how do you stop the ATO from flooding your tank with freshwater

[@royaldecreeforthechurchofm8409]

Put a ball valve in it

[@runs_on_coffee]

Very nice,!!! I like simple & economical. Best part is no pump... I do want to ask how you get away with so little evaporation. I have a 130 gallon tank and it uses anywhere from a low of 7 gallons a week during the summer to as high as 15 gallons a week during the winter.

[@ReefBuildersVideo]

This fish tank runs cool and it has a tight fitting lid

[@bigbowlowrong4694]

Never had an optical ATO fail on me and I’ve been using them since they came out

[@ReefBuildersVideo]

Still FOUR potential points of failure, multiply that by TEN tanks, besides there’s nothing to plug in or wires to see

[@JVS_Tarnished]

How do you keep the ph in that tank stable and high without getting fresh air into the tank. I know the skimmer will do some of that but I use kalk to keep mine.

[@ReefBuildersVideo]

This is a FISH tank so it's not so critical

[@JVS_Tarnished]

True 👍🏼

[@y.a.d1737]

i have been sitting with a gravity fed ato for a year and didn't know how to install it, finally i get a better guide , now I too need to drill a running sump! jake can u suggest me 5 fishes for 120g reef , i have been having good success for the past month so i'm planning to add fishes, ur suggestions pls?so i can say to my friends jake adams suggested it!

[@ReefBuildersVideo]

15 mollies!

[@y.a.d1737]

@@ReefBuildersVideo you betcha!

[@harkinsaquatics]

That's an oldie but a goodie. That being said how do you plan on filling it since it is so high in the sump.

[@ReefBuildersVideo]

There's just enough room to get my hose hook up in there, tight but not too difficult

[@harkinsaquatics]

@@ReefBuildersVideo health. Good I did see the green hose in the video but wanted to know how hard it was so thank you again for answering.

[@revo1336]

You initially wanted to save space , now there’s a sump with an ato section not-in-use?

[@Getting_lost_in_japan]

Gravity fed ATO is the best!

[@ReefBuildersVideo]

It's not just the best, it's the only reliable and dependable method - unless you have a nano reef or simply can't get a reservoir above your sump

[@zafishguy5166]

I accidentally moves a quarter of a cup of saltwater onto my freshwater tank from my reef tank while feeding is that going to be a problem? I don't see how water changes would fix it when its such a small amount.

[@scottclark7592]

not an issue- salt is commonly used in freshwater aquariums. If it were in excess I would worry about plants.

[@ReefBuildersVideo]

@@scottclark7592 is right, I normally add a cup of saltwater (or more) to my freshwater tank, so long as there are no plants

[@zafishguy5166]

@@ReefBuildersVideo yep no plants so ok I guess I am fine then thank you

[@zafishguy5166]

@@scottclark7592 thank you

[@JVS_Tarnished]

You def need a company who makes nice artificial coral to donate to the channel to make those beautiful fish and aquarium look good.

[@ReefBuildersVideo]

Definitely aiming to have more and nicer inserts in the future

[@volteface69]

Merci pour cette vidéo Jake mais on ne perce pas en étant en eau !!! 🤔🤔🤔

[@Mike__B]

Gotta say I wasn't a fan of the color scheme of that sump in the last video when you had it sitting on the table to show it off. But put into that space in the tank stand with the black background, it does look pretty damn sexy.

[@ReefBuildersVideo]

I'm an all white-with-blue-accents guy but it's nice to have a little change up

[@Mike__B]

@@ReefBuildersVideo The black inside the stand really helps with the contrast, and makes it look fairly nice. I've seen some of those sump makers at MACNA and what not, and some of the color combos make me go "WHA?!" like the Neptune Systems orange/grey scheme...

[@ReefingwithO]

3 to 4 times a year? I refill my 20 gallon ATO about once a month. 🥺🙀

[@NeptuneRjo]

the power of glass tops!

[@ExopMan]

Still don't see the ROI on this showcase room lol. Still feels like Jake just wanted a path for more/fancier tanks and livestock.

[@ReefBuildersVideo]

¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[@braveheartreefer525]

Hey Jake

[@Mike__B]

Ok some thoughts, I see some points of failure with your gravity float, basically every place you drilled a hole in a water holding container is a point of failure, maybe not for filling up but having some "disaster" happen. Also looks like you drilled that hole into your sump awfully close to the water line which you already stated was running really low, especially after saying "you want to go to high rather than too low". Also pro-tip, if you are going to use power tools around bodies of water, use cordless tools less risk of getting zapped when it's not 120VAC from the wall. Lastly, fill up that water holder 3-4 times a year? Man I'd kill to have evaporation levels that low, on a 40G tank I had I'd go through 10G of water once every 3 weeks or so.

[@ReefBuildersVideo]

Non moving parts are generally not considered a point of failure - by that logic ever seam of an aquarium is a 'point of failure' but I like your critical thinking. This is a fish tank so it's quite sealed, hence the extreme lack of evaporation.

[@Mike__B]

@@ReefBuildersVideo Ah ok, I thought you'd exclude seams as points of failure because that would be a common point regardless of what you went with, versus drilling more holes, might lead to leaks that wouldn't ordinarily happen. But good to know. Didn't know about how sealed up it was, makes sense though.

[@mattm9087]

why does his voice sound so familiar. Mordikaiser from regular show kinda? Idk I cant put my finger on it.

[@davidtheone880]

Did he say that he only has to top off that ato 3 to 4 times a year?????? My tank goes through a gallon a day of ato. How is that possible?

[@ReefBuildersVideo]

Tight fitting lid on a fish tank running at less than 75 degrees

[@melvinnieves1964]

Hi Jake , where does I can buy the components to make the same project?

[@ReefBuildersVideo]

Float valve, check your LFS but any online place or Amazon def. has them

[@shresho2817]

I use a very vey simple, easy and economical method for my aquarium "Auto top off." It just need 4 things: 1. An air tight container 2. An air line tube (thin pipe) 3. A water hose (wide pipe) 4. A stool/stand (to keep the container above water level of your sump. In this method the height of the opening of the air tube determines the water level of my sump. As soon as water level goes down, the opening of the air tube gets exposed and the container starts to drain into the sump and starts filling it until the air tube is under water again.. It's hard to explain without a diagram.