Stand alone ato recommendations?

[Kmack0415]

Wanting to get a ato, what would you guys recommend?

 

[TanksDad13]

I use the JBJ ATO works like a champ!!

https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/jbj-a-t-o-water-level-controller.html


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Breto]

I personally have used the Tunze Osmolator on all of the tanks I have owned (30 Gal then upgraded to a 76 Gal then upgraded again to a 90 Gal) The same unit has worked well on all of these for the past 2-3 years.

https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/tunze-osmolator-universal-3155-auto-top-off.html

It may be a little more expensive but it has an optical sensor instead of a mechanical sensor.

 

[Kmack0415]

What's the benefit of the optical over the mechanical, I'm guessing less chance of them getting stuck and staying open? Is there any type of failsafe for a leak causing low water and running the ato till empty? If that makes sense...

 

[Pife]

http://auto top off.com/

Great affordable system.

 

[Breto]

What's the benefit of the optical over the mechanical, I'm guessing less chance of them getting stuck and staying open?

Yes, you are correct. With the mechanical float switches there is the possibility that they will get stuck. However, to be honest this is kinda a debated as you can see many people have used float switches for a long time with out any trouble.

Is there any type of failsafe for a leak causing low water and running the ato till empty? If that makes sense...

The Tunze has a couple failsafes, they have an additional float witch which you put at the top of your sump as kinda a maximum fill level, this way if the optical eye fails the float switch would prevent over-filling of the sump. As far as ensuring you don't empty your ATO reservoir the pump will not be able to detect when you are low on water but will shut off if it has been running for too long, this is mainly to prevent the pump from burning up.

Hope this helps, if you have any more questions and want to meet some of the members in person we have a "Pizza Night" tomorrow (6.21.18) and everyone will be happy to answer questions.

 

[Kmack0415]

Thank you all for the help, I'm gonna compare these and see which one my budget will allow lol. I really appreciate the help!
I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to make the pizza night but I'm going to try and make it if I can.

 

[Crooked Reef]

I have used the auto top off one Pife recommends for years without issue. If you are handy it’s a pretty simple kit, really affordable but not as sleek as the others if it will be viewable.

 

[clevername]

I use this

https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/ato-...VNScCt32LzzHr8X_igy-wwdmhl5lTP7xoCizkQAvD_BwE

Two Optical sensors and other features like overfill alarm, max 2min runtime..ect

I truly believe this was the best purchase iv made for my tank. No more pitchers of water

 

[Lance A. Lot]

I'm not thrilled with it at times but it has never overfilled my tank. It certainly seems to be temperamental whenever I leave town.

It works as a stand alone option. With all the fail safe things you can program into it I have it connected to a 55 gallon tank without a second thought. The problem I have with it is that it is so sensitive that when my filter socks get dirty enough to hold back water and the sump level abnormally drops maybe a quarter inch this thing picks that up and refuses to top off longer than normal.

 

[jlabeaume]

http://auto top off.com/

Great affordable system.

Mine's been going strong for 3 years.