Keep ATO pump off the bottom?

DrBoxedWine · 11/30/2014, 12:20 PM

I'm about to start dosing Kalk through my ATO, and i hear i need to keep the pump about 2" off the bottom to ensure it doesn't pump the slurry into the tank. I'm wondering what methods people use to achieve this. I could whip up a little stand with some egg crate, my dremel and some aquarium glue, but do other people have easier ways?

billdogg · 11/30/2014, 12:35 PM

I was going to suggest pvc, but eggcrate should work just fine

cloak · 11/30/2014, 12:38 PM

You could just flip over a glass bowl or a small tupperware container too.

toothybugs · 11/30/2014, 12:48 PM

Wrap your pump with felt and zip-tie it around the cable and tubing. Leave the felt loose if you can. Instant mini-filter sock.

DrBoxedWine · 11/30/2014, 01:34 PM

Thanks everyone. How far exactly do people keep it off the bottom? Egg Crate is probably only 1/2" thick...

So, how far do i need to keep it up off the bottom to keep the slurry undisturbed?

Indymann99 · 11/30/2014, 05:09 PM

I use an aqualifter pump as it adds the ATO "SLOW". This helps limit the pH rise when ATO (w/kalk) is being added.
Also I just have the input tubing (airline) about 1in off the bottom attached to the ATO res low float valve.

shesacharmer · 11/30/2014, 08:09 PM

I just stacked two pieces of egg crate to keep the pump off the bottom. It works well as long as I mix the kalk well before adding it to the ato container.

DrBoxedWine · 12/01/2014, 09:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Indymann99

I use an aqualifter pump as it adds the ATO "SLOW". This helps limit the pH rise when ATO (w/kalk) is being added.
Also I just have the input tubing (airline) about 1in off the bottom attached to the ATO res low float valve.

Thanks! How big is that container?

DrBoxedWine · 12/01/2014, 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shesacharmer

I just stacked two pieces of egg crate to keep the pump off the bottom. It works well as long as I mix the kalk well before adding it to the ato container.

So that means it's probably what, like an inch off the bottom? You find this to be enough?

Indymann99 · 12/02/2014, 06:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrBoxedWine

Thanks! How big is that container?

Not big... 3gal I think. I have to refill every other day (but that is simple turn of valve to my RODI system so no biggie).

I also just dump the kalk in the ATO res, gently stir and turn off my ATO pump for 2hrs to let the solids settle to the bottom. Over the christmas time I am going to setup an APEX program (using feed mode) to disable the ATO pump for 2hrs then reset.

When I am gone on long trips, I add ATO res capacity by linking 5g buckets. They sit outside my stand but I am gone so don't care about the looks.

shesacharmer · 12/02/2014, 06:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrBoxedWine

So that means it's probably what, like an inch off the bottom? You find this to be enough?

Yes, just whenever you refill the container shut off the ato for a couple of hours so the stuff settles. Whatever manages to go through the ato hasn't bothered anything.

Sk8r · 12/02/2014, 11:50 AM

I use a shelf of eggcrate.

DrBoxedWine · 12/02/2014, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sk8r

I use a shelf of eggcrate.

How did you "mount" the shelf to keep it off the bottom?

4Hummer · 12/02/2014, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrBoxedWine

How did you "mount" the shelf to keep it off the bottom?

See the "shelf" I made for the Skimmer. Same Idea for the ATO Pump

11/30/2014, 12:20 PM	#1
DrBoxedWine Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 899	Keep ATO pump off the bottom? I'm about to start dosing Kalk through my ATO, and i hear i need to keep the pump about 2" off the bottom to ensure it doesn't pump the slurry into the tank. I'm wondering what methods people use to achieve this. I could whip up a little stand with some egg crate, my dremel and some aquarium glue, but do other people have easier ways?

11/30/2014, 12:35 PM	#2
billdogg Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Grove City, Ohio Posts: 10,806	I was going to suggest pvc, but eggcrate should work just fine __________________ I'll try to be nice if you try to be smarter! I can't help that I grow older, but you can't make me grow up! Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef with 40b sump, RO 150 skimmer, AI Sol Blue x 2, and a 60g Frag Tank with 100g rubbermaid sump. 2 x Kessil A360w lights, BM curve 5 skimmer

11/30/2014, 05:09 PM	#6
Indymann99 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Indianapolis Posts: 2,447	I use an aqualifter pump as it adds the ATO "SLOW". This helps limit the pH rise when ATO (w/kalk) is being added. Also I just have the input tubing (airline) about 1in off the bottom attached to the ATO res low float valve. __________________ 120g DT 100lbs LR / 200 lbs LS, 45g fuge, VectraM1 Return, Herbie drain, 4x RW-8, 2x AI Hydra 26 w AWM, ASM G2, Apex controller, Apex BoB w floats ATO

11/30/2014, 08:09 PM	#7
shesacharmer Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Central NH Posts: 1,241	I just stacked two pieces of egg crate to keep the pump off the bottom. It works well as long as I mix the kalk well before adding it to the ato container. __________________ 75 gal, LR w/refugium, 79 deg, PH 8.0, sg 1.025, amm 0/nit 0/nit 0, Calcium 420, dKH 8.3, mag 1300, Phos 0 Current Tank Info: A work in progress...

12/02/2014, 11:50 AM	#12
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	I use a shelf of eggcrate. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

11/30/2014, 12:38 PM	#3
cloak Moved On Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Stockton, CA Posts: 14,854	You could just flip over a glass bowl or a small tupperware container too.

11/30/2014, 12:48 PM	#4
toothybugs In Memoriam Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: The smallest county in Illinois Posts: 1,986	Wrap your pump with felt and zip-tie it around the cable and tubing. Leave the felt loose if you can. Instant mini-filter sock.

11/30/2014, 01:34 PM	#5
DrBoxedWine Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 899	Thanks everyone. How far exactly do people keep it off the bottom? Egg Crate is probably only 1/2" thick... So, how far do i need to keep it up off the bottom to keep the slurry undisturbed?