ATO Pump recommendation?

CindyKz · Feb 5, 2018

Im using an aqualifter as an ATO Pump for my 32 gal Biocube (controlled by Apex) and it isnt working very well. The reservoir is in the stand under the tank, and the water gets pumped up about 3 feet into the tank. Even when I let it run for as long as 30 minutes it doesn't pump enough water to raise the level and close the switch. It doesn't seem powerful enough. What's everyone else using? I don't want anything that will fill too fast and overshoot.

K. Steven · Feb 5, 2018

The Smart ATO Micro has worked really well for me.

CindyKz · Feb 5, 2018

K. Steven said:
The Smart ATO Micro has worked really well for me.

Thank you for the input! I'm just looking for pump recommendations though, I don't need an entire ATO setup. I'm letting the apex do that for me

mjlash22 · Feb 5, 2018

Look at the Tunze ATO pump. They sell them separately as replacements for the main kit. My only concern would be the head height the pump would have to reach. It's a small pump and I think many people use it when filling the sump vs the main display.

atoll · Feb 6, 2018

mjlash22 said:
Look at the Tunze ATO pump. They sell them separately as replacements for the main kit. My only concern would be the head height the pump would have to reach. It's a small pump and I think many people use it when filling the sump vs the main display.

The tunze cylindrical pump IME does not like head pressure so I am not sure it will pump so high. I would check before purchase.

TheEngineer · Feb 6, 2018

I use an aqualifter pump too. Can you adjust the ATO sensor so you don't have to add as much water? My sensor detects a drop which equates to about a cup or two of water.

flat6guy · Feb 6, 2018

Try hanging the pump on the wall and let the lift the water from the container. I had a similar situation. They seem to be able to suck water higher than they can push. My previous tank was a 120 Display with 125 basement sump. I was able to keep mine topped of with aqua lifter with no problem. Also utilized the apex for this. If that doesn’t work then get two aqua lifters. Keep one near the auto top off tank and the other on a wall higher up. Let the lower one feed the upper one.

Fin · Feb 6, 2018

You might look at this. https://avastmarine.com/collections/avast-built/products/diaphragm-pump

HolisticBear · Feb 6, 2018

Fin said:
You might look at this. https://avastmarine.com/collections/avast-built/products/diaphragm-pump

It's 2x the price, but I can recommend their peristaltic pump as well.

https://avastmarine.com/collections/avast-built/products/peristaltic-pump-for-auto-top-off

ca1ore · Feb 6, 2018

Here's another thumbs up for the avast diaphragm pump. I switched all of my tanks to this pump. Been running them for almost 3 years now. Only issue was when my ATO got stuck on and one of them failed because they are not intended for continuous duty. Avast repaired it for $10.

ccerone · Feb 6, 2018

I have been using Avast for 2 years with no issues.

divewsharks · Feb 6, 2018

mjlash22 said:
Look at the Tunze ATO pump. They sell them separately as replacements for the main kit. My only concern would be the head height the pump would have to reach. It's a small pump and I think many people use it when filling the sump vs the main display.

My Tunze Nano ATO is pushing water up 4' with no issues.

CindyKz · Feb 6, 2018

I was super excited about the Avast diaghram pump, until I read that it can't be used with kalk

Now I'm leaning toward a peristaltic pump, either Avast or the less expensive BRS 50 ml/min Auto topoff doser. https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/brs-top-off-doser-50-ml-per-minute-1.html

Does anyone have experience with the BRS version? I like the sound of the Avast but wow! the cost. Ugh.

AdamNC · Feb 6, 2018

atoll said:
The tunze cylindrical pump IME does not like head pressure so I am not sure it will pump so high. I would check before purchase.

I use the Tunze 3152 and the pump pushes the water just fine. On a standard 29 gallon with a standard 30” pine stand. So it can easily push water up 48”.

sq5Guy · Feb 6, 2018

Are the tunze pump loud for you guys? Mine sounds like a high power radio control car. Don’t know if thats normal or not.

AdamNC · Feb 6, 2018

I’ve had two and they both sound like that.

dsh92056 · Feb 7, 2018

+1 on Tunze

Water Dog · Feb 7, 2018

I’ve run a Tunze pump on my Biocube 29 in the past without any issues with head pressure. That said, for my new setup, I recently purchased the Avast 25ml/min peristaltic ATO pump to run with my Tunze 3155 via the switched socket adapter.

I looked into the BRS 50ml/min ATO peristaltic pump but based on reviews I’ve read, it seems their plastic gears wear out fairly quickly and the pump generally lasts about a year. Based on that, spending a little more on the Avast pump was a no brainer.

CindyKz · Feb 7, 2018

Water Dog said:
I’ve run a Tunze pump on my Biocube 29 in the past without any issues with head pressure. That said, for my new setup, I recently purchased the Avast 25ml/min peristaltic ATO pump to run with my Tunze 3155 via the switched socket adapter.

I looked into the BRS 50ml/min ATO peristaltic pump but based on reviews I’ve read, it seems their plastic gears wear out fairly quickly and the pump generally lasts about a year. Based on that, spending a little more on the Avast pump was a no brainer.

I got the same impression when I read reviews. A vast certainly sounds like it has longevity.

Tunze seems to be getting mixed reviews regarding ability to handle the head pressure.

It will be a few weeks while I save up my pennies lol.

Water Dog · Feb 7, 2018

The Tunze pump had no issues for my BC29. I kept a 5 gallon tank as an ATO reservoir in my stand. In fact, using the Tunze 3155 controller, I had to dial down the flow of the pump to the “nano” setting.