Set Up Recommendation

[Canadianeh]

I bought new Red Sea Reefer 250 and I will be using the original v3 sump. To begin with I will be keeping FOWLR only and later down the road I will be converting it to reef tank.

Beside the v3 sump there is about 12"-13" of available space. I am planning to purchase two ATO reservoirs from Advanced Acrylics. My plan is to use the 8"x16"x16" (about 8.8 gallon) for new saltwater reservoir for automatic water change and the second reservoir 4"x16"x16" (4.25 gallon) for ATO reservoir. I plan to spread the water change over 2 weeks or maybe lesser using Versa pump or DOS pump.

Another option is just to get bigger reservoir and just use it as ATO only, and do WC manually every 2 weeks or so.

What do you guys think? Pros and cons?

 

[Jason Bell]

Personally I would use the space for an ATO, can easily do a 5g weekly water change with a bucket in no time at all and save the $$$.

 

[Josh]

I agree its easy to water change with other methods, having a larger ATO is a lot bigger quality of life upgrade when you arent filling it every 3 days in the winter.

 

[Canadianeh]

Many say that if you do automatic water change with smaller amounts of water everyday, it will less likely disrupt the system.

@Josh what's the deal with winter vs summer?? I am not doing anything outdoor.

 

[Poseidon]

Many say that if you do automatic water change with smaller amounts of water everyday, it will less likely disrupt the system.

@Josh what's the deal with winter vs summer?? I am not doing anything outdoor.

think he means more dry verses humid. My tanks definitely evap more in the winter than the summer.

 

[Josh]

Many say that if you do automatic water change with smaller amounts of water everyday, it will less likely disrupt the system.

@Josh what's the deal with winter vs summer?? I am not doing anything outdoor.

Definitely in regards to humidity in the winter. I evaporate way more water in the winter than summer. If you are doing fowlr then just do the ato. If and when you add coral look at the auto water changer then? Seems overkill for fowlr tho. Maybe thats just me.

 

[Jason Bell]

Every tank I have ever ran I do 10% water change per week, no adverse effect to fish or coral. For your system, a simple syphon of the sump for 5g a week would be great.

 

[Canadianeh]

Thank you for the input guys!