Looking for ATO

@rmyvet · 02/18/2018, 11:41 PM

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 · 02/19/2018, 01:35 AM

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 · 02/19/2018, 05:42 AM

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

Reef noob_ · 02/19/2018, 07:09 AM

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

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

anthonys51 · 02/19/2018, 08:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reef noob_

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

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

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

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

RobZilla04 · 02/19/2018, 09:27 AM

Tunze 3155

Bent · 02/19/2018, 10:28 AM

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 · 02/19/2018, 02:29 PM

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 · 02/19/2018, 08:04 PM

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

devimik · 02/19/2018, 10:43 PM

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

whosurcaddie · 02/19/2018, 11:36 PM

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 · 02/20/2018, 10:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reef noob_

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

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

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 · 02/21/2018, 05:40 AM

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

monkeysee1 · 02/21/2018, 01:12 PM

Quote:

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 · 02/21/2018, 01:16 PM

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 · 02/21/2018, 04:10 PM

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 · 02/21/2018, 07:45 PM

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 · 02/21/2018, 08:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bent

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 · 02/21/2018, 08:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Indymann99

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 · 02/21/2018, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bent

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. :-/

Bent · 02/21/2018, 09:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Indymann99

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

These same people are driving beside you at highway speeds....

That gives you the Heebie jeebies don’t it?

jdiddy8384 · 02/22/2018, 02:04 PM

+1 on the Tunze 3155!

BMills15 · 02/22/2018, 07:26 PM

Using the tunze 3155 as well for about 2 years now. Great ato.

tletourneau · 02/22/2018, 10:48 PM

I went with the Neptune because I have an Apex.

tkeracer619 · 02/22/2018, 11:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bent

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

This. I go with the low voltage option and run a masterflex standard peristaltic drive. I aim for about 50% duty on my top off pump. If you ever run kalkwasser or your floats fail or your relay gets stuck on then it will take a while to cause damage. This way you hopefully have time to correct the issue.

02/18/2018, 11:41 PM	#1
@rmyvet Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Florida Posts: 67	Looking for ATO 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

02/19/2018, 05:42 AM	#3
Bent I got nothin' Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: The anals Posts: 6,420	My dual switch from autotopoff.com is working just five going on 5 years now. __________________ Quitters never lose. [QUOTE=CStrickland]Who gets mad at a starfish?[/QUOTE] Current Tank Info: 75g DT, 30G refugium, 10g chaeto tank, 50g stock tank basement sump

02/19/2018, 07:09 AM	#4
Reef noob_ Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: holmdel, NJ Posts: 555	Tunze 3155 is the gold standard of ATOs, very well built & reliable. Tons of people are using it with success. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk __________________ ________________________ New Build in progress http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2528685 90 gallon DT, 65 Gallon Fuge, Chinese LEDs, LPS and Soft coral reef

02/19/2018, 09:27 AM	#6
RobZilla04 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: St. Augustine, FL Posts: 1,857	Tunze 3155 __________________ 90g Mixed Reef

02/19/2018, 10:28 AM	#7
Bent I got nothin' Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: The anals Posts: 6,420	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. __________________ Quitters never lose. [QUOTE=CStrickland]Who gets mad at a starfish?[/QUOTE] Current Tank Info: 75g DT, 30G refugium, 10g chaeto tank, 50g stock tank basement sump

02/19/2018, 01:35 AM	#2
gonereefing654 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Corona, CA Posts: 51	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.

02/19/2018, 02:29 PM	#8
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	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. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

02/19/2018, 08:04 PM	#9
avery155 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: South of Pittsburgh Posts: 79	I've been using an aqua medic pro. Works great for the last year.

02/19/2018, 10:43 PM	#10
devimik Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: KC, KS Posts: 637	Tunze 3155 is what I've been using for 5 years - awesome product. __________________ Mike D Coral Beauty, Green Filefish, One Spot Foxface, Springeri Dottyback, 2 Ocellaris Clowns, Yellow Watchman Goby, Flame Hawkfish, Spotted Mandarin Current Tank Info: 90g Softie Reef, 150# live rock, 30g sump w/refugium, Tunze Osmolator 3155 ATO, Octopus NWB 150 Skimmer, Mag 950 return, Maxspect 120w Razor 10K LED light X2, BRS Phosphate Reactor; Apex Lite

02/19/2018, 11:36 PM	#11
whosurcaddie Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 2,354	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.

02/21/2018, 05:40 AM	#13
cincyjim Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 1,147	Tunze here as well. You'll love it!!! __________________ Jim Current Tank Info: SCA 150G, 5 inch sand bed, 2 Tunze 6095s, ReefBreeders v2+ 50" with 2 all Blue Reefbrites, and Continuous Water Change System

02/21/2018, 01:16 PM	#15
mitch91175 Premium Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 303	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.

02/21/2018, 04:10 PM	#16
AlSimmons Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: California Posts: 2,482	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.

02/21/2018, 07:45 PM	#17
lightdir71 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 10	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.

02/22/2018, 02:04 PM	#22
jdiddy8384 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 138	+1 on the Tunze 3155!

02/22/2018, 07:26 PM	#23
BMills15 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: New Jersey Posts: 18	Using the tunze 3155 as well for about 2 years now. Great ato.

02/22/2018, 10:48 PM	#24
tletourneau Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2018 Posts: 46	I went with the Neptune because I have an Apex.