Best affordable ATO for my setup

[Marchillo]

Just upgraded my 40 to an 80. 80 has everything - sump, ato, etc etc

I don't have an ATO on my 40 but now that I have it on my 80 I don't know how I lived without it.

What would be the best ATO for this setup? I'm gonna stick a 5 gallon bucket in the corner and run the hose up the back of the tank.

Do I need some sort of overflow box or can a set it up to go right into the tank.

Suggestions are welcomed but I don't foresee adding a sump on this tank at this point.

Thanks - Steve

 

[KingTriton1]

http://autotopoff.com/products/DT1/

http://www.amazon.com/Aquarium-Lifter-3-5gph-inches-height/dp/B001BOD9JI

 

[christopherjudd]

Leave the ato sensor in the sump, by the return pump section.

 

[Art13]

I don't know what your budget is but i recently picked up a tunze that works great on my 90g without a sump, it has a little attachment that goes on the tank to hold the hose above the water. the nano version of it would work on your tank and it comes with the pump and everything you need. No need to fabricate brackets or anything, magnet holds it in place, no DIY involved. I'm guessing you don't have an overflow and sump for the 40g, this you might find the easiest route in that case.

 

[Marchillo]

Ok now to make myself sound real stupid. You pump it in with small airline type tubing? As opposed to the 3/4" tubing I'm using on my ATO in the 80?

 

[Marchillo]

Thanks for the info. I'll check out the tunze as well.

 

[KingTriton1]

Ok now to make myself sound real stupid. You pump it in with small airline type tubing? As opposed to the 3/4" tubing I'm using on my ATO in the 80?

Yes, exactly. I use 1/4'' OD Tubing.

Aqualifter has a mount as well.

http://www.amazon.com/KollerCraft-A...TF8&qid=1439932114&sr=8-2&keywords=aqualifter

 

[Luke Schnabel]

Tunze is an amazing product. I would invest the few extra bucks in this system.

 

[KingTriton1]

I just notice that you mentioned you DO have a sump. I got a little confused. In that case I like this

http://autotopoff.com/products/DS1/

If money was not an issue I would go with the Tunze 3155, but both are very reliable.

 

[Marchillo]

I just notice that you mentioned you DO have a sump. I got a little confused. In that case I like this

http://autotopoff.com/products/DS1/

If money was not an issue I would go with the Tunze 3155, but both are very reliable.

No you were right the first time. My new 80g has a sump with all the bells and whistles. My 40G does not have a sump. I always post from my phone and sometimes I read back what I wrote and am like wth am I trying to say.

Thanks for the feedback everyone.

 

[coolxborg]

I have this on 150G: http://www.amazon.com/Autoaqua-Smar...44337&sr=8-1-spell&keywords=aquatop+smart+ato

For the price, I would think it would work better. The alarm keeps going off on me and ive yet to figure out why. Sometimes it goes off a day after a water change, sometimes 2 days, very unpredictable. Anyway, its kinda frustrating when the alarm goes off and i have no idea why. Unplug/plug always fixes the problem.

I have this on a 75g: http://www.amazon.com/JBJ-Automatic-Water-Controller-Aquarium/dp/B001JK70K8 along with the aqualifter pump and mount that KingTriton mentioned above.

I like it better than the smart ato, to be honest. No issues with it so far. Also, i bought it used so I spent around 50 bucks on it.

 

[gone fishin]

I have been using the Tunze osmolator for awhile now without any issues. Before that I had the JBJ and the floats got stuck a few times causing some issues.

 

[mushumatt]

I run a Hydor ATO with Aqualifter pump, got a good deal on it, and wanted to support my LFS. But I would recommend the Hydor or the Tunze. Both will come out to be around $100 and work real well. I like not having a float valve to control the ATO, as the Hydor uses sensors instead.

 

[CStrickland]

I did this diy http://www.melevsreef.com/node/684 with the float switch inside an old pill bottle to keep the snails off it. It only cost me $6 cause I already had the $12 aqua lifter pump and an old extention cord. My reservoir is small too, so even if it breaks it's only dumping 5g or 10% of my volume.

 

[ca1ore]

I have used a number of the float systems from autotopoff.com and been very happy with them. They make units for both a sump and for the display (if you have no sump). Only trouble with the in-display versions is they are a tad obtrusive. A five gallon bucket ought to be fine, though be aware that many of the small powerheads (including the aqualifter) won't pump up against head pressure all that far. A smaller diameter hose works, though 1/4" tubing will put further friction pressure on the pump.

 

[nuxx]

Using the Autotopoff.com double on our new frag tank.

Using the Avast Marine setup on our big tank.

Both work great IMO.

 

[Silly clownfish]

I run a Hydor ATO with Aqualifter pump, got a good deal on it, and wanted to support my LFS. But I would recommend the Hydor or the Tunze. Both will come out to be around $100 and work real well. I like not having a float valve to control the ATO, as the Hydor uses sensors instead.

+1. I have been very happy with my Hydor ATO, no float to stick. It is inexpensive too.
http://www.amazon.com/Hydor-Smart-L...1440031982&sr=1-1&keywords=Auto+top+off+hydor