Auto Top Off Help

Albz · Nov 6, 2016

Okay, so heres my story. I have a BC29 reef tank! running for 2 months now. So i want to get a auto top off for it but I'm a person who worries about things way to much and fear that stuff will go wrong!! who thinks to much negativity. So i want to get a ato but one that i can trust! don't want to flood my living room! or I'm F*** lol. Im renting so any damage to floors oh oh!!! So whats a good trusted ato! and my budget is around 100$ lol...

Justmike · Nov 6, 2016

Following . Same fears here lol

cmcoker · Nov 6, 2016

I use an avast marine ATO with an aqualifter pump on my BC 14 (also on my 120g). I believe that would be just over 100 bucks. I also use a small reservoir so it wouldn't actually flood the tank if it got stuck on. But I have not had any issues with the ATO over several years of use. These ATO use a pressure sensor, so nothing to maintain or keep clean.
http://www.avastmarine.com/products/ato-kit

seaplane · Nov 6, 2016

I just bought a Tunze nano ato for my BC 29 because Tunze has such a good reputation, and it won't function properly. Had JBJ ato on my 75g for 4 years with no problems ever.

Albz · Nov 6, 2016

seaplane said:
I just bought a Tunze nano ato for my BC 29 because Tunze has such a good reputation, and it won't function properly. Had JBJ ato on my 75g for 4 years with no problems ever.

thats funny cause i know someone who just got that tunze too and he's having problem with it... So tunze is out of the list for me now! thanks for the feedback!

PlanB · Nov 6, 2016

+1 to JBJ. Not sure how much it cost, but thinking its less than others. Had it in my BC29. Fears are well justified, its just something that takes time to not worry about. When I first filled my 130g tank, it took me 2 weeks to trust having the pumps running while I was out of the house.

Coastie Reefer · Nov 6, 2016

Smart ATO gets great reviews

TheEngineer · Nov 6, 2016

cmcoker said:
I use an avast marine ATO with an aqualifter pump on my BC 14 (also on my 120g). I believe that would be just over 100 bucks. I also use a small reservoir so it wouldn't actually flood the tank if it got stuck on. But I have not had any issues with the ATO over several years of use. These ATO use a pressure sensor, so nothing to maintain or keep clean.
http://www.avastmarine.com/products/ato-kit

I do the same.

melypr1985 · Nov 6, 2016

I have this one on my 20 gallon frag tank. I love it! It has an alarm to let you know when the RODI reservoir goes dry and won't run the pump without water in the jug. i haven't had a single problem with it and have had a few with my tunze osmolator.

http://www.marinedepot.com/AutoAqua...Top_Off_Units-AutoAqua-CV12117-FIDPAT-vi.html

NanaReefer · Nov 6, 2016

seaplane said:
I just bought a Tunze nano ato for my BC 29 because Tunze has such a good reputation, and it won't function properly. Had JBJ ato on my 75g for 4 years with no problems ever.

Funny..had my jbj running for 4+ years and it just died. Loved it till now. Manual topping off after 4yrs free is a pita!

Highgrade · Nov 6, 2016

Coastie Reefer said:
Smart ATO gets great reviews

+1 I have 3 of them and have a 4th on order. Best ATO I've ever used. No issues with any of them if set up properly .

alan j t · Nov 6, 2016

Autotopoff.com. I use 3 of them

Fishyj · Nov 7, 2016

Right now I am using a hydor smart water level control. I replaced my float set up from autotopoff.com. The only reason I replaced it was do to space on my tank. I used a 2 float set up and had no problems at all. If my aio had more space, I never would have changed it out.

PlanB · Nov 7, 2016

NanaReefer said:
Funny..had my jbj running for 4+ years and it just died. Loved it till now. Manual topping off after 4yrs free is a pita!

seaplane · Nov 7, 2016

Oddly, after 3 days of trying to get the Tunze nano working, it all of a sudden is working AOK now. Have no idea why.

Albz · Nov 7, 2016

iunno why I'm like this! i fear things will happen so much... it sucks.. I might have to just go with a jbj and have a water reservoir that only has 1gallon of water so if the pump doesnt stop, it won't over fill my tank lol... if it was my house and it was in the basement i wouldn't care but i don't want to damage the hardwood.. lol

TheEngineer · Nov 7, 2016

Albz said:
iunno why I'm like this! i fear things will happen so much... it sucks.. I might have to just go with a jbj and have a water reservoir that only has 1gallon of water so if the pump doesnt stop, it won't over fill my tank lol... if it was my house and it was in the basement i wouldn't care but i don't want to damage the hardwood.. lol

I have a 2 gallon jug my ATO draws from. Extra level of protection.

Albz · Nov 7, 2016

icecool2 said:
I have a 2 gallon jug my ATO draws from. Extra level of protection.

will that 2 gallon overfill your tank if pump doesnt stop?? thats my idea. get a 1gallon which even if pump doesnt stop, it won't over fill lol..

TheEngineer · Nov 7, 2016

Albz said:
will that 2 gallon overfill your tank if pump doesnt stop?? thats my idea. get a 1gallon which even if pump doesnt stop, it won't over fill lol..

Nope. Not even close.