What's the best ATO for a small tank?

[Whodini]

Looking to finally get an ATO for my 36 gallon. I like the simplicity of the "smart ATO" but have read about some problems with it. I'm also not sure if it will work through frosted glass.

Any other suggestions? I want something that is simple and that I know won't fail and leak water all over my living room floor.

[golferbud101691]

tunze osmolator. the only one with a backup float switch unless you diy one with an apex or other controller. I have 2 and they have never failed me.

[Whodini]

tunze osmolator. the only one with a backup float switch unless you diy one with an apex or other controller. I have 2 and they have never failed me.

Should I get the regular or the nano?

[booth2010]

I have never used either, or any ATO, but have done a lot of research over the past few months. I have seen better reviews with the regular.

[AdamNC]

Haven't had any real issues with the Tunze nano 3152. The nano is rated up to 55 gallons.

[Brooks87]

I have been using the smart ATO for about 10 months. It has a small footprint, set and forget, great imo I plan on buying another.

[golferbud101691]

Should I get the regular or the nano?

If you have hardwood floors, get the regular. The nano only has one float switch..basically its a glorified diy auto top off. They have had a few more problems from what I have heard. BRS sometimes puts the tunze on sale. I got mine for 175. They are pricey, but worth the assurance. Like I said though, you can do some good diy jobs as well with more redundancy..but the tunze is tried and true.

[johnyfalco]

Tunze Osmolator 3155 gets my vote.

[fishgate]

I have both the Tunze Osmolator and a JBJ. One on one tank, one on the other. The Tunze is not without its design flaws. The eye can be finicky. It needs to be cleaned or else it won't register that the water level drops and the ATO doesn't kick on. The float switch sticks. Sometimes the eye fails to see water and it overfills. And the eye also needs as little water movement as possible.

The JBJ works better IMO with all mechanical sensors. 2 sensors one low and one water level. When they both are out of water, water fills until the water level sensor floats again. It also has an auto-shutoff if the pump runs too long. So that is a failsafe for the float sensors. It's cheaper too.

I haven't seen an ATO that is foolproof yet.

[reefcrazy0821]

Avast marine ATO gets my vote

[Bill Nye]

I have been using a JBJ for about 2 years with no problems. I originally planned to get the tunze but I found a super good deal on the JBJ and couldn't pass it up. I was leery at first but it has never had a problem since I got it. Works perfect with an aqualifter on my 50 gallon breeder.

[Neebles]

avast marine ato gets my vote


+1

[Harbour]

What pumps are you running with the JBJ and the Tunze Nano?

Harbour

[fishgate]

I run a little RIO 200gph pump. Works great! I suction it to the bottom of a 10 gallon tank, plug it into the JBJ, put one of the flow restrictors on that it comes with, and run a tube from it to a clamp on my return plumbing with a SS worm clamp.

http://www.amazon.com/Rio-Plus-600-Aqua-Pump/dp/B0017JJMUW/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1429291706&sr=8-4&keywords=aquarium+water+pump+rio

[ashish]

I have been using a JBJ for about 2 years with no problems. I originally planned to get the tunze but I found a super good deal on the JBJ and couldn't pass it up. I was leery at first but it has never had a problem since I got it. Works perfect with an aqualifter on my 50 gallon breeder.

Hey Bill,

This post is old but if your still using the same JBJ now (after 4 years), that would give me some good reassurance on this units long-term reliability.