Makena95GT Posted September 4, 2013 Share Posted September 4, 2013 So I was looking for something I could do to keep my water level from dropping over the weekends, and ran across this:http://www.nano-reef.com/topic/65554-sun-tea-jar-auto-top-off/?hl=sun+tea To be honest, if I were to try a DIY ATO, I wouldn't want to use electricity, or have to order parts. Because, well, I'm broke lol. figured that since I have quite a bit of airline tubing as well as other tubing, and some containers with good lids, I could probably make something like this for free Comments? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+etannert Posted September 4, 2013 Share Posted September 4, 2013 I use a hamster bottle gravity-fed ATO on my pico. Works just fine, unfortunately the bottle is so small I have to fill it twice a week but other than that it's pain-free! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Makena95GT Posted September 4, 2013 Author Share Posted September 4, 2013 http://www.nano-reef.com/topic/168439-vacuum-break-gravity-feed-ato/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Makena95GT Posted September 4, 2013 Author Share Posted September 4, 2013 I use a hamster bottle gravity-fed ATO on my pico. Works just fine, unfortunately the bottle is so small I have to fill it twice a week but other than that it's pain-free! I figure I might be able to get away with something like a milk jug that I can seal air-tight. Or even better, a 2 liter soda bottle! Those are air tight, right? mean, when you shake them p, they get super pressurized and expel no air! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ckyuv Posted September 4, 2013 Share Posted September 4, 2013 I was tired of my old one pumping water everywhere so I just did a gravity fed. Have a container higher than the sump, ran air hose from hole in bottom of container to a float valve I got for about 5 bucks and put in sump. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kingjames Posted September 4, 2013 Share Posted September 4, 2013 +1 on gravity fed, pretty much fool proof Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Makena95GT Posted September 4, 2013 Author Share Posted September 4, 2013 Sweet. I'll try to put one together sometime tomorrow Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
(Bio)³ Posted September 4, 2013 Share Posted September 4, 2013 Gravity fed are great just don't add kalk or other powders without a power head constantly stirring. It will end up clogging the line and float Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mFrame Posted September 4, 2013 Share Posted September 4, 2013 I use a hamster bottle gravity-fed ATO on my pico. Works just fine, unfortunately the bottle is so small I have to fill it twice a week but other than that it's pain-free! Brilliant, been needing one for my pico on my desk at work. Do you just put the end of the valve at the water level? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ckyuv Posted September 4, 2013 Share Posted September 4, 2013 I would think you would have to remove the ball from the end somehow, there is no way for the water to flow out with it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+etannert Posted September 5, 2013 Share Posted September 5, 2013 I use a hamster bottle gravity-fed ATO on my pico. Works just fine, unfortunately the bottle is so small I have to fill it twice a week but other than that it's pain-free! Brilliant, been needing one for my pico on my desk at work. Do you just put the end of the valve at the water level? No valve, just tubing (1/2"?) running from the end of the nozzle to the water line in the tank. I was able to yank the metal piece with the ball out of the cap using a pair of pliers, then mounted the tubing onto the cap where the metal piece used to protrude. The tubing hangs down to meet the water line in the tank. The whole thing is mounted to the wall using the cage from the hamster bottle and a couple of eyelet screws. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+etannert Posted September 5, 2013 Share Posted September 5, 2013 http://www.petco.com/product/104922/Petco-Water-Bottles-for-Small-Animals.aspx?CoreCat=MM_SmallAnimalSupplies_DishesFeedersWaterers It's one of these, unfortunately the wire cage is not shown but you can get an idea of the process to set it up. I had the biggest one (which usually lasted 6-7 days) and when I moved this summer it wouldn't fit properly in the new space, so now I have one of the smaller ones and it last about 3 days. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MINI Posted September 15, 2013 Share Posted September 15, 2013 +1 for gravity feed ato. The end the tube would be at where you want the water level. When water levels drop below the tip, air enters the container and water drains. Something to keep in mind though. Water jug is too thin, you will want use something with stronger walls. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+KimP Posted September 17, 2013 Share Posted September 17, 2013 http://www.petco.com/product/104922/Petco-Water-Bottles-for-Small-Animals.aspx?CoreCat=MM_SmallAnimalSupplies_DishesFeedersWaterers It's one of these, unfortunately the wire cage is not shown but you can get an idea of the process to set it up. I had the biggest one (which usually lasted 6-7 days) and when I moved this summer it wouldn't fit properly in the new space, so now I have one of the smaller ones and it last about 3 days. This is great. I've been wanting to set up something for my pico! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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