ATO Systems
- Thread starter dghby
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jent
Active Member
The best system IMO is using a controller. If you plan to buy a controller (which is the best insurance you can), adding an ATO on to it is usually pretty cheap. It will also be able to do things like if the high sump float is triggered shut off the skimmer so it wont overflow, etc.
If you don't want to dive into a controller yet, my two favorite ATO systems are:
Hydor Smart Level (Around $90 but does not include a pump)
Tunez osmolator ($110 to $210 depending on which one you get, pump included)
Both of those are nice because they don't primarily rely on a mechanical float switch. They don't have moving parts for determining the water level, which puts them in a category which is less likely to fail.
However if you want to dose kalk, neither one of them is really well suited because of the 10min auto time off (thus requiring a pump which moves water faster than something like an aqualifter can provide).
If you want something cheaper you can look at AutoTopoff.com, but there are some disadvantages besides just having mechanical floats (for example they run the full 120volt power through the float switch itself...though I have never heard of this being a problem).
If you don't want to dive into a controller yet, my two favorite ATO systems are:
Hydor Smart Level (Around $90 but does not include a pump)
Tunez osmolator ($110 to $210 depending on which one you get, pump included)
Both of those are nice because they don't primarily rely on a mechanical float switch. They don't have moving parts for determining the water level, which puts them in a category which is less likely to fail.
However if you want to dose kalk, neither one of them is really well suited because of the 10min auto time off (thus requiring a pump which moves water faster than something like an aqualifter can provide).
If you want something cheaper you can look at AutoTopoff.com, but there are some disadvantages besides just having mechanical floats (for example they run the full 120volt power through the float switch itself...though I have never heard of this being a problem).
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dghby
Community Member
OK, thanks for the info. when it comes to controllers, are you speaking of an Auto Top with controller which I have been looking into. OR are you speaking of something like the The Reefkeeper Lite, if so tell me more as I have a Reefkeeper lite - I understand it does many, many things for us I just haven't dove into it very much beyond a heater and lights at the moment.
jent
Active Member
I am actually speaking something like the reefkeeper lite. With that said, I personally use an Apex to do mine, and am not quite sure what it takes to do ATO with the RKL. Though I know for sure it's possible. I have seen a video on youtube about how to setup ATO with the RKL, and I am sure some googling could help as well. But others on the fourms will almost certainly be able to help you there as well.
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dghby
Community Member
Thanks Jent, I got the RKL with the entention of using it for other things eventually down the road. Lol, I guess I have traveled far enough down that road that I can begin using it for that purpose. it makes sense instead of buying a ATO with a controller. will begin researching it now. thanks again
and for anyone out there using the RKL for this purpose plase feel free to share any info you can.
