Recommended ATO?

[mdeleon1]

Any suggestions on an ATO for my tank? Profile pic.

 

[Allmost]

Tunze osmolator. hands down.

 

[abrian]

You just cannot beat the Tunze Osmolator for keeping SG steady in your tank. It is very precise.

 

[C0rp]

Tunze. This thread can be closed now.

 

[Reefer1225]

autotopoff.com... dual switch... cheap and works fine.

 

[starshrike]

I use the JBJ one, but only with a sensor in the sump - which it still works fine, just do not let the supply run dry! It works well and is about half the price of the Tunze (if that is a huge issue)

 

[dan3949]

+1 on autotopoff.com. Very easy to assemble. With dual switch, is extremely reliable. If you also use a mechanical float switch for the water inlet valve, you have 3 levels of "flood protection." No flood with over 2 years of operation.

 

[Lynnmw1208]

I use JBJ with one sensor in the sump and one in the reservoir so the supply doesn't run the pump dry if I forget to fill it :thumbsup:

 

[Essense]

autotopoff.com... dual switch... cheap and works fine.

I agree with this. I consider the tunze, but the price and considering the expensive pump replacement down the line turned me away. I'd reccomend the autotopoff pump, single switch, used with a timer.

The timer is the first and most important line of defense against an overflow. Only when you program the timer to go on (i have mine set for 10 min intervals 7 times duing the day), will the ATO even have a choice whether or not to run your ATO pump. Though it is rare for the float switch to get stuck, it does happen, the timer prevents it from running longer than short specified intervals.

I paid 40 bucks for my device from autotopoff.com, I chose the single switch due to depth considerations. Combined with a 15 dollar aqualifter pump and a 10 dollar timer you are good to go.

A wortwhile upgrade here is the bulkreefsupply 50mL/min doser. When run with an ATO float switch and a timer it gives you protection from oveflows and a very specific amount of control over how much ATO water you put to our tank. Important if you plan to use kalk or carbon dosing from your ATO container. With the BRS doser you can also get a really good idea of how much your tank is evaporating and plan out dosing amounts accordingly.

 

[mdeleon1]

Good stuff. Thanks I will be researching both.

 

[walkerbrody]

I built mine with an old cell phone charger, a $2 icecube relay, two $1.50 float switches from ebay, and an aqualifter. It has worked great for years. Its pretty much the same as autotopoff.com sells for $40 without the pump.

 

[aquaman05]

i use the elos.
I never had any problems so far with it.

 

[C0rp]

I don't know why people "go cheap" on tank equipment. Is the value of all your inhabitants cheap if you had to replace it? Then pay a little cash (less than $200) for the tunze and get the best there is. The optical water level sensor, in addition to the float switch gives you double protection, as well as two different mechanical technologies in case one mechanic fails (huge imo). Don't forget the tunze is smart enough to know when the reservoir is dry and won't pump dry. Optical sensor is amazing at keeping the water level exact. One of my favorite tank upgrades, and a pretty inexpensive one at that imo. I've spent more than $180 on a single coral, thus the price is justified.

 

[cloak]

I've been using a Kent float valve for almost 11 years now without any problems. I can't remember if I went "cheap," but who really gives a frogs fat @$$ as long as it works. Don't forget, having an ATO to begin with is a luxury. It's not all that difficult to top off your tank by hand.