Rodi Or Ato?

[jeffopentax]

Ok boys and girls, need a group opinion. On my never ending list of things to by for my tank are a rodi unit and ato. Not sure which to buy first.

Rodi
http://www.aquasafecanada.com/products/aquarium-ii-rodi-system.html

Ato
http://www.aquariumsupplies.ca/smart-automatic-system-p-6781.html

I'm leaning towards the ato as I'm losing 1-1.5g a day to evaporation, which I'm sure is affecting, to some extent, the efficiency of my skimmer (inconsistent water level). On the other hand, would probably extremely beneficial to be topping off with rodi water. Already buying a new skimmer so likely won't have enough to buy both right now. So I leave it to this community to decide for me!

 

[curiousphil]

Tough call... I would say both but I know that would be tough. Could you afford to get the Rodi and a less expensive ato like this? http://autotopoff.com/products/SS1/

 

[Sewerat]

Rodi first
ATO second
But you can build a cheap ATO by using gravity a couple of ways one take a 1 gal jug fill with water, turn upside down in your sump someplace as the water level drops. So will the jug water. Or do like I did get a cheap float about $20 put a small tank on top of sump or possibly beside but higher then the float is, drill small tank and use small 1/4" bulkhead and feed to float, instant Gravity ATO. Works awesome, just fill up small tank as req

 

[scubasteve]

if your not having problems with tap go ato lol i still need a rodi myself

 

[EricTMah]

Rodi first
ATO second
But you can build a cheap ATO by using gravity a couple of ways one take a 1 gal jug fill with water, turn upside down in your sump someplace as the water level drops. So will the jug water. Or do like I did get a cheap float about $20 put a small tank on top of sump or possibly beside but higher then the float is, drill small tank and use small 1/4" bulkhead and feed to float, instant Gravity ATO. Works awesome, just fill up small tank as req

X2

Sent from my Z30 using Tapatalk 2

 

[reefgeek]

RO first for sure. Your ATO is a method to efficiently supply source water, your RO is a method to ensure that your source water is of high quality. With reefing it's best to choose quality over efficiency. My 2 cents.

 

[jeffopentax]

Well it seems rodi is the way to go! With any luck this year's xmas bonus will cover skimmer, rodi, and ato. Although the company i work for just spent over 3 million on a new manufacturing facility, so not holding my breath!

 

[Sewerat]

Skimmer? What's up with that BA vertex? ATO can be done very cheap Jeff. Empty pop bottles placed in sump with mouth at the water level you want it to be at. Could be glued to a piece of pvc pipe and a hole drilled at the water line in that pipe. See my vodka dosing pic in potm

 

[jeffopentax]

Skimmer? What's up with that BA vertex? ATO can be done very cheap Jeff. Empty pop bottles placed in sump with mouth at the water level you want it to be at. Could be glued to a piece of pvc pipe and a hole drilled at the water line in that pipe. See my vodka dosing pic in potm

The vertex is loud, and just too damn big for my sump/stand. Not looking for cheap ato alternative. People who own smart atos love their reliability and accuracy. As I said, limited space in my sump (remember trying to figure best way to fit everything in?) and cabinet. Need to keep things compact, which the smart ato definitely is!

 

[Sewerat]

That's cool for your long term but like I said for the cost of a small glass box, you chose the size, and a $20 float, one fitting thru the glass for less then $10 and a foot or two of tubing, you have a bullet proof ATO for cheap

 

[jeffopentax]

That's cool for your long term but like I said for the cost of a small glass box, you chose the size, and a $20 float, one fitting thru the glass for less then $10 and a foot or two of tubing, you have a bullet proof ATO for cheap

Floats can stick, we've all heard stories!

 

[scubasteve]

there is one down side to the smart ato jeff...... it rocks soo much you wont ever be able to use anything else lmao even tells you when getting dirty

 

[sunnykita]

there is one down side to the smart ato jeff...... it rocks soo much you wont ever be able to use anything else lmao even tells you when getting dirty

what's the price on the smart auto guys ?

 

[Sewerat]

Floats can stick, we've all heard stories!

Yes floats can stick and if you plumb it direct to your rodi system that can be bad but if all you have is 5 gal of water for it to use up. I won't hurt anymore then your not using it system.

 

[scubasteve]

what's the price on the smart auto guys ?

most places have them in store for around $199 i believe not sure of online price but it comes with 2 peice sensor barely bigger than a golf ball, power supply, pump tubing and even a clip to hold tubing to your sump... beeps and cuts of pump when run dry beeps if sensor gets dirty( which doesnt happen often ) has a memory so if it fill twice as much as time before it will cut out and beep so you can check issue without a flood lol

 

[jeffopentax]

most places have them in store for around $199 i believe not sure of online price but it comes with 2 peice sensor barely bigger than a golf ball, power supply, pump tubing and even a clip to hold tubing to your sump... beeps and cuts of pump when run dry beeps if sensor gets dirty( which doesnt happen often ) has a memory so if it fill twice as much as time before it will cut out and beep so you can check issue without a flood lol

Usually $170-$180 online.

 

[saltyair]

I love my new smart ato - using it with kalk - wish I did this last year

 

[reef keeper]

I have the tune osmolator. Amazing