ATO suggestions welcome!!!
- Thread starter moonp13
- Start date
Palting
New member
Tunze for the outright victory! 
Here's a quote from my my build thread:
Here's a quote from my my build thread:
Well, since the end of the world did not happen yesterday, I thought I would post pics on the Tunze ATO for anyone interested in it.
Here is my one-of-a-kind, unique and amazing, custom built emerald green reservoir! (It's just a 22 gal bin I picked up from WalMart to use temporarily until I get a better suited one, heh-heh
The sticky back of the velcro for tht controller sticks well to plastic and glass, but not to wood. So, I screwed one part of the velcro to the wood.
Here's a wide shot of the sump, with the sensors:
An overhead shot of the return section, and a close up of the sensors from the front:
The bottom of that masking tape marks where I want the water level to be, and the magic eye sensor keeps it right at that level with very minimal deviation. The white emergency mechanical float switch is set up much higher. This allows water changes without shutting the ATO system off. It is also still low enough so that should the magic eye sensor fail and the water reach that float sensor, the power to the pump will shut off and the alarm will sound. Should a second catastrophe immediately follow, such as a power outage and the DT and refugium drain into the sump, the sump water will rise only to within 1 inch of the top and no more.
The ATO ouput tube has to be higher than the water level in the reservoir so that it won't siphon the water out. Since the water level in my reservoir is higher than the sump water level, the output tube sit high above the water in the sump and makes a "tinkling" noise. So, I tucked the black output tube under some blue reactor tubes, and voila! No more tinkling noiise.
frankpayne32
New member
JBJ ATO works great. Been using one for over four years without a problem. I use an aqualifter pump and they aren't the most reliable but they are cheap (~$15 and should last about a year). A more permanent solution would be the BRS dosers. More expensive but more reliable.
sjmantis
On the cliff by the sea..
How do you set this one up, got any pics?
briankmarsh1980
I'm a member of **!!!!!!
I use the JBJ with an aqualifter...
all you need is a container for fresh water, you plug a pump into the ATO and you place your sensor/sensors. and you will need blue silicone airline tubing.
here is a video I found (not mine)
<iframe width="425" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/b2X0I-Zd2vo" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
all you need is a container for fresh water, you plug a pump into the ATO and you place your sensor/sensors. and you will need blue silicone airline tubing.
here is a video I found (not mine)
<iframe width="425" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/b2X0I-Zd2vo" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
arentspowell
Member
I just use the float switch kit with my Reef Keeper. Then I use an aqualifter pump to pump my ATO/ Kalk. I like being able to control everything through one source. Keeps the stand nice and clean looking too.
solitude127
Proud user of IO Salt!
ReefFanattic is a pretty good one as well. I've been using one for about 3yrs now
allsps40
New member
I may get the floats for my reef keeper but for now I like using the RF for other things. I need a second PC4 or a PC8. For the price you cant beat JBJ , super easy and never had any problems with it. I have heard great things about ATO.com also. Can see any reason to spend the $$ on a Tunze.
bobbychullo
Super Abound
love my tunze
set it and forget it
set it and forget it
Lynnmw1208
New member
I use a JBJ and really like it. as long as you keep the float switches free from build up and algae, you should be fine. I like that it prevents the pump in the reservoir from going if the water in there is too low. saved my butt a few times already! I use a 10 gallon tank and I fill it up once a week with RO/DI water. I use a maxijet 400 for the pump.
Reason to spend money on TUNZE:
Redundancy. Set it and forget it. Cheap AND reliable pump. NO FLOODS. Oh ya Redundancy!
