ATO Pump recommendation?

CindyKz · Feb 8, 2018

For those that are recommending the Tunze pump, how many are using one standalone, without an entire Tunze ATO system? I'll be using my apex to control the pump I buy. Wondering if there's a correlation between it working well and usi g an entire Tunze setup.

Fin · Feb 8, 2018

sq5Guy said:
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.

Absolutely. The noisiest thing in the system I have it on. Really surprised very few people ever even mention this.

vetteguy53081 · Feb 11, 2018

Tunze and Smart ATO. I can now add the Neptune ATK.
I have used JBJ and thought it was great but over time, not so reliable. The smart is great and space saving- just don't place sight glasses in path of any current ( I found out the hard way) as it will keep filling due to unsurity of water line.
Tunze seems to be the one with Least complaints. I just installed the Apex ATK on my big tank and so far I like it and the pump fills tank Very quickly

Beardo · Feb 11, 2018

I replaced my aqualifter with a LiterMeter peristaltic pump. Works perfect and much more reliable than the aqualifters were...costs a lot more too.

User1 · Feb 11, 2018

vetteguy53081 said:
Tunze and Smart ATO. I can now add the Neptune ATK.
I have used JBJ and thought it was great but over time, not so reliable. The smart is great and space saving- just don't place sight glasses in path of any current ( I found out the hard way) as it will keep filling due to unsurity of water line.
Tunze seems to be the one with Least complaints. I just installed the Apex ATK on my big tank and so far I like it and the pump fills tank Very quickly

If you don't mind providing a update later in the week with regards to the Apex ATK that would be super cool. I was looking at buying that today for my top off but after reading most of the reviews on BRS's portal I didn't pull the trigger. On their site it got a lot of bad press and I really don't want to waste 200 bucks. I like how it would be a part of the ecosystem but several of the complaints carried across other posters.

Originally I was just going to go gravity based with a float valve in my sump. I could still do that for a bit I guess albeit with less control...

vetteguy53081 · Feb 11, 2018

saf1 said:
If you don't mind providing a update later in the week with regards to the Apex ATK that would be super cool. I was looking at buying that today for my top off but after reading most of the reviews on BRS's portal I didn't pull the trigger. On their site it got a lot of bad press and I really don't want to waste 200 bucks. I like how it would be a part of the ecosystem but several of the complaints carried across other posters.

Originally I was just going to go gravity based with a float valve in my sump. I could still do that for a bit I guess albeit with less control...

Im happy to . What questions do you have?

Wiskey · Feb 11, 2018

I used Aqualifters as well but I had a few of them fail and finally got a LiterMeter. I love it, and it's been working flawlessly for me. I've had it about 2 years now.
http://spectrapure.com/DOSING-TOP-OFF/LITERMETER-DOSING-SYSTEMS/Basic-LiterMeter-Dosing-Pump

Whiskey

CindyKz · Feb 11, 2018

THanks for all the input everyone! I'm having a tough time getting things set up in this tank....I think I will start with the BRS model, just in case I decide to go a different route. At least I won't be breaking the bank on an expensive peristaltic pump. If I can get it all working the way I want it to I can spring for a nicer one (probably Avast) and use the BRS as a backup.

vetteguy53081 · Feb 11, 2018

Just an FYI as you are comparing prices/units, both the Smart ATO and Neptune ATK come with pumps. .. . with good flow on both

Flexin · Feb 11, 2018

I also have an Apex running multiple tanks. Still use Smart ATO, no mechanical parts.

CindyKz · Feb 11, 2018

vetteguy53081 said:
Just an FYI as you are comparing prices/units, both the Smart ATO and Neptune ATK come with pumps. .. . with good flow on both

Flexin said:
I also have an Apex running multiple tanks. Still use Smart ATO, no mechanical parts.

No mechanical parts would be nice, but this is supposed to be my "budget" setup (yeah I know, sounds like a joke). I don't want to spend money on an entire ATO system when the apex can do it for me with just a pump and a couple of float switches. Although with as much trial and error this has taken, I'll probably end up spending as much