ATO Reliability

E.intheC · 09/08/2012, 04:35 PM

I'd like to discuss ATO systems. Not the usual "which do you have and recommend" thread, but more about their durability and overall reliability.

Over the past few years I've used two different companies for ATO: ATO.com and Avast Marine Works.

The first (ATO.com) unit lasted about two years, but had a loud relay switch. It was quite annoying. The second unit (avast) was very quiet but only lasted aprx one year. I didn't realize it had died until the sump had evaporated about 3 gallons of fresh water.

To me, this is completely unacceptable. I've heard very similar stories regarding the JBJ units. The Tunze Osmolator appears to be more reliable, but it's $200. That's a TON of money.

Am I just unlucky or are these less expensive ATO units really just cheaply made? Thoughts?

aandfsoccr04 · 09/08/2012, 04:57 PM

Tunze osmolator is the most reliable in my opinion. They have several fail safes in place and I haven't had a problem in years with mine nor read about anybody that has.

DHyslop · 09/08/2012, 05:02 PM

Every mechanical device will fail eventually if operated long enough. A lot of us strongly recommend controllers because they can be set up to provide redundancy for components that are prone to fail, like float switches or heaters.

If your ATO relay or Avast level sender failed off while you were out of town and the pump ran dry, it could be sayonara to everything in the tank.

If a sender fails off on a controller that's rigged to a second redundant sender, it will still operate and can send you an email to warn you that one of them failed.

That's not to say that some level senders might last longer than others, but if you go ahead with a controller at some point the question of which one is best essentially becomes moot. For the record I've been using the Avast units, but not for more than a year or so. I guess I'll see how they do over the long run

E.intheC · 09/08/2012, 05:26 PM

I actually think the Avast system is pretty reliable... Until it dies and won't turn on at all. That's the problem.

I'm going to explore the controller (Apex probably) for the above reasons, but I'm really just wondering if others have had the same issues with their ATO systems that I have (mostly the problem of not lasting long at all).

JBsmurf85 · 09/09/2012, 01:35 AM

apex all the way!!! float switches are CHEAP!!!!

E.intheC · 09/09/2012, 07:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JBsmurf85

apex all the way!!! float switches are CHEAP!!!!

Thanks... Float switches were not the problem in either case for me. I agree that if you use a float switch you should have a second for a backup. Also keep them clean.

ReefTeacher · 09/09/2012, 07:32 AM

I bought a tunze osmolator in 2004 and it is still working. Sure it cost almost $200, but aside from replacing the inexpensive pump every couple of years, it has been reliable and consistent. I think the piece of mind for the better part of a decade is worth $200. JMHO.

dunc101 · 09/09/2012, 07:39 AM

I have a JBJ ATO with 2 float switches in my frag tank (1 primary, 1 backup/failsafe) and a Tunze osmolator in my DT. By far, I prefer the Tunze Osmolator. If I disturb the water by stirring up something in the tank with the JBJ ATO, the float switch goes up and down... annoying as this will turn the ATO on.

I have not had any problems with either in terms of float switches sticking or anything, yet. I have only had the Osmolator for 1 year 1 month and the JBJ ATO for about 9 months, therefore, I cannot really speak for "long term" yet.

TOM BLEVINS · 09/09/2012, 07:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aandfsoccr04

Tunze osmolator is the most reliable in my opinion. They have several fail safes in place and I haven't had a problem in years with mine nor read about anybody that has.

+1, the only way to go IMO

Fish Junction · 09/09/2012, 08:06 AM

+1 for apex and float switches.

rick12 · 09/09/2012, 08:08 AM

I run the tunze and the JBJ. Yesterday the JBJ failed for the fist time...been running for a year. The float valve was covered with mini brittle stars, about eight of them. Cleaned them off and works fine again.
The tunze I have had for many years and has never failed. Still have original pumps.
R.

swcc · 09/09/2012, 08:24 AM

Tunze is the one to trust...you can trust spectrapure as well.
They are expensive for sure... Peace of mind is hard to put a price on though.
Oh, Tunze will keep the water level within 1mm or so, so not only reliable but accurate.

krzyphsygy · 09/09/2012, 09:46 AM

+1 on the Osmolator, I have never used anything else. This is my third unit. The reason I have had 3 is because my company used to relocate me all the time all over the place and I would just sell them because I was not sure what I was gonna be doing or where.

They also have a strong resale value. Because they are accurate.

Jopalmighty · 11/01/2012, 02:08 PM

Avast marine has been very reliable for me so far, very happy customer right now. Tunze just way too expensive

BigAl2007 · 11/01/2012, 02:21 PM

I have 2 options I suggest..

A) If stand alone ATO then Tunze.. no question about it. I've had several others and they ALL failed in 18 months or less but my Tunze has been going strong for a few years now

B) Ideally I'd go controller and the GHL ProfiLux is the cream of the crop. It's not the cheapest but that's not how it's designed from the beginning either. ProfiLux with a dual optical sensor set-up is the Cat's Meow IMHO

09/08/2012, 04:35 PM	#1
E.intheC Minimalist Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Long Island NY Posts: 5,047	ATO Reliability I'd like to discuss ATO systems. Not the usual "which do you have and recommend" thread, but more about their durability and overall reliability. Over the past few years I've used two different companies for ATO: ATO.com and Avast Marine Works. The first (ATO.com) unit lasted about two years, but had a loud relay switch. It was quite annoying. The second unit (avast) was very quiet but only lasted aprx one year. I didn't realize it had died until the sump had evaporated about 3 gallons of fresh water. To me, this is completely unacceptable. I've heard very similar stories regarding the JBJ units. The Tunze Osmolator appears to be more reliable, but it's $200. That's a TON of money. Am I just unlucky or are these less expensive ATO units really just cheaply made? Thoughts? __________________ -Eric 34 Gallon Solana BB cube. Radion \| Tunze/MP10 \| JNS WS-1 \| Apex \| Litermeter III

09/08/2012, 04:57 PM	#2
aandfsoccr04 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Virginia Beach, VA Posts: 2,822	Tunze osmolator is the most reliable in my opinion. They have several fail safes in place and I haven't had a problem in years with mine nor read about anybody that has. __________________ 120 gallon mixed reef

09/08/2012, 05:26 PM	#4
E.intheC Minimalist Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Long Island NY Posts: 5,047	I actually think the Avast system is pretty reliable... Until it dies and won't turn on at all. That's the problem. I'm going to explore the controller (Apex probably) for the above reasons, but I'm really just wondering if others have had the same issues with their ATO systems that I have (mostly the problem of not lasting long at all). __________________ -Eric 34 Gallon Solana BB cube. Radion \| Tunze/MP10 \| JNS WS-1 \| Apex \| Litermeter III

09/09/2012, 07:39 AM	#8
dunc101 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 582	I have a JBJ ATO with 2 float switches in my frag tank (1 primary, 1 backup/failsafe) and a Tunze osmolator in my DT. By far, I prefer the Tunze Osmolator. If I disturb the water by stirring up something in the tank with the JBJ ATO, the float switch goes up and down... annoying as this will turn the ATO on. I have not had any problems with either in terms of float switches sticking or anything, yet. I have only had the Osmolator for 1 year 1 month and the JBJ ATO for about 9 months, therefore, I cannot really speak for "long term" yet. __________________ Duncan

09/08/2012, 05:02 PM	#3
DHyslop Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: RI Posts: 1,053	Every mechanical device will fail eventually if operated long enough. A lot of us strongly recommend controllers because they can be set up to provide redundancy for components that are prone to fail, like float switches or heaters. If your ATO relay or Avast level sender failed off while you were out of town and the pump ran dry, it could be sayonara to everything in the tank. If a sender fails off on a controller that's rigged to a second redundant sender, it will still operate and can send you an email to warn you that one of them failed. That's not to say that some level senders might last longer than others, but if you go ahead with a controller at some point the question of which one is best essentially becomes moot. For the record I've been using the Avast units, but not for more than a year or so. I guess I'll see how they do over the long run

09/09/2012, 01:35 AM	#5
JBsmurf85 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 63	apex all the way!!! float switches are CHEAP!!!!

09/09/2012, 07:32 AM	#7
ReefTeacher Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 204	I bought a tunze osmolator in 2004 and it is still working. Sure it cost almost $200, but aside from replacing the inexpensive pump every couple of years, it has been reliable and consistent. I think the piece of mind for the better part of a decade is worth $200. JMHO.

09/09/2012, 08:06 AM	#10
Fish Junction Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Hilliard OH USA Posts: 103	+1 for apex and float switches.

09/09/2012, 08:08 AM	#11
rick12 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 738	I run the tunze and the JBJ. Yesterday the JBJ failed for the fist time...been running for a year. The float valve was covered with mini brittle stars, about eight of them. Cleaned them off and works fine again. The tunze I have had for many years and has never failed. Still have original pumps. R.

09/09/2012, 08:24 AM	#12
swcc Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Tampa Fl Posts: 1,355	Tunze is the one to trust...you can trust spectrapure as well. They are expensive for sure... Peace of mind is hard to put a price on though. Oh, Tunze will keep the water level within 1mm or so, so not only reliable but accurate.

09/09/2012, 09:46 AM	#13
krzyphsygy Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 1,635	+1 on the Osmolator, I have never used anything else. This is my third unit. The reason I have had 3 is because my company used to relocate me all the time all over the place and I would just sell them because I was not sure what I was gonna be doing or where. They also have a strong resale value. Because they are accurate.

11/01/2012, 02:08 PM	#14
Jopalmighty Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Columbus, OH Posts: 61	Avast marine has been very reliable for me so far, very happy customer right now. Tunze just way too expensive

11/01/2012, 02:21 PM	#15
BigAl2007 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Waynesville, NC USA Posts: 1,432	I have 2 options I suggest.. A) If stand alone ATO then Tunze.. no question about it. I've had several others and they ALL failed in 18 months or less but my Tunze has been going strong for a few years now B) Ideally I'd go controller and the GHL ProfiLux is the cream of the crop. It's not the cheapest but that's not how it's designed from the beginning either. ProfiLux with a dual optical sensor set-up is the Cat's Meow IMHO