ATO and or controller ?

[uf_gators]

Opinions needed:

I am looking into a ATO for my tank now. Tired of every other day top off. Yes I am wanting to be lazy . Lol
But seriously , I am wondering if I should go Tunze Nano osmolator 3152 or Tunze 3155 ..... Or invest in a Digital aquatics RKL basic or plus?

I can buy right now the 100.00 tunze nano, or the 190.00 tunze 3155 , and or the RKL basic 105.00 or RKL + for 250.00
But not sure of the difference in the controllers and if I still wi need to add to to the controller for ATO and how that works.

Thanks for your input and help.
Chris

 

[TimeConsumer]

Osmolator is a very good, if expensive piece of equipment., but it has built-in redundancy which is nice, because regular float switches can get stuck.

If you buy the RKL you will need to get the SL1 ($70), float switch kit ($16), and a pump (something like an aqualifter-$18). That would bring the total to about $210, and it won't have the redundancy of the osmolator. But you get the added benefit of a temperature probe and the ability to turn off your heater in case it decides to fail on you. It's not as reliable as a Ranco controller, but it's better than nothing controlling the temperature at all.

In the end it's a bit of a toss-up. I personally use the Reefkeeper Elite with an Avast switch (no moving parts and has a backup float valve-$105) paired with an aqualifter pump for my topoff system and it works great.

 

[SeedlessOne]

Skip the reef keeper. Blah. Much better controllers out there.


Reefangel... sounds like it would fit the bill.

 

[uf_gators]

I don't know squat about these controllers. Lol
Thus the reason for asking . But I was looking at the RKL (plus)247.00 not basic 103.00 at BRS I have heard from others talk about the reef angel, but can't find a lot of info on them or who sells the , and price point.

 

[TimeConsumer]

Reefangel is available directly through their website and their controllers start at $219.

 

[ReefTeacher]

I run an osmolator and an Apex for controll. My osmolator is nine years old and the most reliable piece of equipment I have ever bought.

 

[Recliner]

I'm shopping for a controller too. Leaning towards the rke because I have zero experience with programming and am a bit afraid I'd be in over my head with a reef angel

 

[BlakDuc]

Get the 3155. I went through 3 ato systems before I bought the bullet and bought one. I had the ato.com one, the jbj and then used the rkl ato function. The main problem is with the pump. The aqua lifter is a pos. I was going through one every other month between 2 tanks. The dc pump on the osmolator is very good and much more reliable. I still use my rkl.
On the controller front, spend the extra money and get the apex. Reef keeper software and interface is not great and Internet controllability with the net module on the rkl/rke is very limited.

 

[Gatorbait]

I've been using the Elos osmocontroller for a while now and it has been flawless. The little pump that comes with it is surprisingly strong and I've even used it to do a water change when my maxi-jet died.