ATO-Pump Recommendations

[Rippinfrags]

My Bulk Reef Supply peristaltic auto top off pump just went out on me. The pump was used for less that 3 years before it went out. Not only would I like a ATO pump with a longer shelf life, but I am looking for one that is much quieter than the BRS pump I previously had. Any suggestions would be much appreciated.

 

[frogg21]

FWIW, I really like having a 12v solenoid controlled by a float switch (+ a flapper shutt off as a backup) vs. the peristaltic. No pumps involved, just household pressure pushing through the RODI. I've used peristaltic before and love them for dosing, but they're expensive and usually can't handle the volume for ATO.. This setup requires a rodi line going to your tank and a ASOV valve on the RODI.
http://autotopoff.com/Solenoids/

 

[azjohnny]

whats the horizontal and vertical distance that water will be traveling

 

[bugs713]

IME/IMO, the SpectraPure Ultra Precise liquid Level Controller cannot be bet in reliability and precision and quietness!

 

[Rippinfrags]

FWIW, I really like having a 12v solenoid controlled by a float switch (+ a flapper shutt off as a backup) vs. the peristaltic. No pumps involved, just household pressure pushing through the RODI. I've used peristaltic before and love them for dosing, but they're expensive and usually can't handle the volume for ATO.. This setup requires a rodi line going to your tank and a ASOV valve on the RODI.
http://autotopoff.com/Solenoids/

I appreciate the info, but I don't have a way to hook up my RODI to my fish tank.

whats the horizontal and vertical distance that water will be traveling

I pull water vertically for roughly 3' and horizontally maybe 2'.

IME/IMO, the SpectraPure Ultra Precise liquid Level Controller cannot be bet in reliability and precision and quietness!

Is this a pump? I'm going to investigate now.

 

[bugs713]

They have lower priced systems, but this one, for me, has been a set it and forget it ATO.
http://spectrapure.com/AQUARIUM/AUT...op-Off-System-UPLC-II-Liquid-Level-Controller

 

[azjohnny]

I agree that the Spectrapure is the best as far a s ATOs are concerned, but with the amount of water you will be pushing IMO you don't need a peristaltic pump. You could get by with a standard pump.

I use an Eheim Compact 600 and a JBJ ATO. Price was about $100 versus the $200 for the Spectrapure. I have had my system going for about 9 months with no issues and I do clean my floats in vinegar every 3 months

 

[Nibrown9]

I'm using a toms lift pump with a timer set at intervals to match Evap rate

 

[m-six hundred]

I use a minijet 400 with 1/4" Ro/Di tubing attached to it.

 

[Rippinfrags]

I should have been more specific. I have a float w/ a backup that is hooked up to my reef keeper elite. I need a pump that will not back siphon and that is fairly quiet.

Can I just buy the spectrapure pump and hook it up to my RKE?

ps. I appreciate all the feedback.

 

[Weyrman]

I should have been more specific. I have a float w/ a backup that is hooked up to my reef keeper elite. I need a pump that will not back siphon and that is fairly quiet.

Can I just buy the spectrapure pump and hook it up to my RKE?

ps. I appreciate all the feedback.

I have the same Spectrapure ATO as bugs and have it backed up with an RKL. That Spectrapure model has two shut off level controllers. I use another float level controller with the RKL as an additional back-up. Yes, that's 3 level controllers. I also use the RKL level controller for the kalc dosing pump.

In the summer when it's evaporating more the kalc dosing doesn't keep up with the evaporation so the ATO kicks in all the time. In the winter with less evaporation the ATO doesn't kick on so much.

 

[m-six hundred]

Just buy this pump if you want a dosing pump that will not back siphon.

I take that back. They are out of stock for the next month.

 

[Rippinfrags]

Thanks guys that's exactly what I need. Any ideas where I can get one in the next couple of weeks? I go out of town in July and need an ato pump before I leave.

 

[Weyrman]

Call them. Spectrapure is located in Tempe around the corner from Reef Culture.

 

[m-six hundred]

I take that back. They are out of stock for the next month.

Roy, I have called them. They are out of stock on all pumps for the next month or so.

 

[Rippinfrags]

Roy, I have called them. They are out of stock on all pumps for the next month or so.

Dang it

 

[tcamos]

I have used a maxi-jet 1200 and an aqualifter. I like the maxi-jet better just because it's faster. The aqualifter seems to cut off if it has to run for too long. Might be just because it sat around for a long while unused. Not sure on that one.

 

[Rippinfrags]

Can anyone tell me why marine depot has the spectrapure litermeter 3 dosing pump for 90 dollars more than what m-six listed it for? http://www.marinedepot.com/SpectraP...cessories-SpectraPure-SP1091-FIDPETAC-vi.html


Or is that a different pump?

 

[Rippinfrags]

Marine depot price matched, but I had to pay shipping. However, they did not have to price match because the other competitors do not have the pump in stock. I'm excited, but I wish I could have found it locally. Thank you everyone for all of your help!

 

[degibson84]

I should have been more specific. I have a float w/ a backup that is hooked up to my reef keeper elite. I need a pump that will not back siphon and that is fairly quiet.

Can I just buy the spectrapure pump and hook it up to my RKE?

ps. I appreciate all the feedback.

just keep the tubing going into the sump out of the water an you wont have a back siphon