Looking for ATO

[@rmyvet]

Hello everyone,
I'm almost done with my searching of items for my reef tank I do need some help on looking for a ATO.

There are so many and I want to know what ato is the best i can rely on. If you guys can let me know with experience the best one that i can rely on and one that won't break my bank. Its for my 90gal with my sump. So if anyone can recommend any I will look into them.

Thanks all for your time and help. @rmyvet

 

[gonereefing654]

They used to sell a kit for a duel float switch kit. You plug it into a aqua lifter.
I’ve used one forever with no real problem. It needs to be cleaned a couple times a year but that will be the case with any.

 

[Bent]

My dual switch from autotopoff.com is working just five going on 5 years now.

 

[Reef noob_]

Tunze 3155 is the gold standard of ATOs, very well built & reliable. Tons of people are using it with success.


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[anthonys51]

Tunze 3155 is the gold standard of ATOs, very well built & reliable. Tons of people are using it with success.


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+1. Have mine for 5 years hasn't failed me once. Knock on wood


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[RobZilla04]

Tunze 3155

 

[Bent]

It really doesn’t matter the brand IMO.

Float switch
High level cut off switch
Float valve
Timer
Pump
Tubing

That’s all you need for a safe ATO.

 

[Sk8r]

Hydor Smart Level is easy to set up, is a little 'loose', waiting until you need about a gallon---and it is a little futzy for restart during water changes and topoff refills, but it's not that spendy and it is sound technology.

 

[avery155]

I've been using an aqua medic pro. Works great for the last year.

 

[devimik]

Tunze 3155 is what I've been using for 5 years - awesome product.

 

[whosurcaddie]

Tunze is great because it has no moving parts. I have a Smart ATO and it's been great for me, again no moving parts. I know Icecap and Avast Marine make a unit with no moving parts as well.

 

[@rmyvet]

Tunze 3155 is the gold standard of ATOs, very well built & reliable. Tons of people are using it with success.


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Thanks everyone for your Input I did check all the ones that you Guys mention. I narrowed it down to the Tunze 3155. I love the infrared sensor it's a little bit up there in price but it also came with the pump so I didn't have to look for that as well. Thanks again for the help and thanks to Reef noob and everyone else who recommend Tunze 3155.

@rmyvet

 

[cincyjim]

Tunze here as well. You'll love it!!!

 

[monkeysee1]

Tunze 3155 is what I've been using for 5 years - awesome product.

That's exactly what I have. Takes a licking and keeps on ticking. LOL!

 

[mitch91175]

I would say the Tunze 3155 if you are filling jugs yourself. If you have the ability to go directly from RO/DI to sump, a DIY setup would be best suited; unless you plumbed the RO/DI to the top-off jug and have the Tunze fill the sump.

This quickly shows that you have to decide on how you want to deal with ATO on your system.

NOTE: If you at some point use Kalk in your ATO, be sure to have a maintenance schedule for those Tunze 3155 pumps. They will go bad without cleaning when using Kalk. They are only $25 so not expensive.

 

[AlSimmons]

FWIW I've got an Ultralife Float Switch that's been in service for at least 16, 17 years now without any problems. One of the best things I've ever bought.

 

[lightdir71]

I had a older tunze ATO and it worked amazing. I switched to using the Neptune ATK to go with my APEX controller. It works like a dream as well. I guess it just depends on your budget and what bells and whistles you want.

 

[Indymann99]

My dual switch from autotopoff.com is working just five going on 5 years now.

Does the autotopoff.com run 120v "through" the float switch that is IN the WATER... NOT so wild about that...

I used a JBJ for 5yrs before switching to floats with APEX and BoB.

 

[Bent]

Does the autotopoff.com run 120v "through" the float switch that is IN the WATER... NOT so wild about that...

I used a JBJ for 5yrs before switching to floats with APEX and BoB.

Not remotely possible.

Float switches only ever trigger digital or analogue relays. If you ever wired 22g wire on a float switch directly to 120v it would melt in about 5 seconds.

 

[Indymann99]

Not remotely possible.

Float switches only ever trigger digital or analogue relays. If you ever wired 22g wire on a float switch directly to 120v it would melt in about 5 seconds.

Glad to hear that... I have seen some DIY jobs that did EXACTLY that.... no bueno. :-/