Auto top off, which is better?

[timmyrules]

Hello, I have been keeping reef tanks for a little while now, and I have been going on vacation more. But my tanks don’t have auto top off systems. So every time I came home the water level in my tanks would be super low. I found 2 systems on Amazon, but I cant decided which one is going to work better long term.

 

[shakacuz]

never heard of either brand, sorry.

i use the xpaqua duetto ato. have not touched it since plugging it in and setting the water height.

 

[Quietman]

For any ATO I would ensure that at a minimum they have dual sensors (in case one fails or gives false signal). Since you're using this to support going on vacation when you're out for days I would go something proven - Tunze Osmolator or similar reputation. A little low water is a minor issue (salinity varies on reefs all the time) a flooded floor is a big, expensive problem. If you do go discount, then limit water supply to only the days you'll be gone.

 

[timmyrules]

would the xpaqua duetto ato work for a 3 gallon tank, 10 gallon tank, and 2 gallon tank?

never heard of either brand, sorry.

i use the xpaqua duetto ato. have not touched it since plugging it in and setting the water height.

 

[DED65]

I don’t know either brand. When I first wanted an ATO I bought a cheap one and it did last a couple of months before the pump went out. I think the Tunze Osmolator is well worth the price. You probably won’t find better customer service.

 

[timmyrules]

Good to know, I’ll look into that one.

I don’t know either brand. When I first wanted an ATO I bought a cheap one and it did last a couple of months before the pump went out. I think the Tunze Osmolator is well worth the price. You probably won’t find better customer service.

 

[shakacuz]

would the xpaqua duetto ato work for a 3 gallon tank, 10 gallon tank, and 2 gallon tank?

i would assume it would work the same in any sized tank. its just meant to pump water into your tank to reach a certain water height/line

 

[exnisstech]

3 tanks means 3 separate ato units no? I'm not aware of an ato that will top of more than one tank but maybe some not up to date

 

[Cell]

ATO is not something you want to go cheap on because if it fails, it can potentially overflow your tank and cause catastrophic failure.

 

[Quietman]

There are some other options might be less investment. I don't run or invest in ATO for small tanks, I just get covers - glass or plastic. You could even put some plastic wrap on the top (leave some open for gas exchange). This will reduce evaporation significantly and you likely could go a week or more without too much loss. Run a test now before you go on vacation and see if you like the results.

 

[Dragen Fiend]

I have the magtool ATO MT-Duetto V2 that has been working great.

 

[timmyrules]

There are some other options might be less investment. I don't run or invest in ATO for small tanks, I just get covers - glass or plastic. You could even put some plastic wrap on the top (leave some open for gas exchange). This will reduce evaporation significantly and you likely could go a week or more without too much loss. Run a test now before you go on vacation and see if you like the results.

I have glass tops that cover half of the top on 2 tanks, the other one has no top at all…I did try plastic wrap once, but after 2 days it had a film of slime on it.

 

[Aquaddictorbj4]

Never heard both 2 brand as well
Recommand XPA Duetto2, I used it on my 10 gallon tank and works perfectly.

 

[VintageReefer]

I have glass tops that cover half of the top on 2 tanks, the other one has no top at all…I did try plastic wrap once, but after 2 days it had a film of slime on it.

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