Best ATO for a decent price?

Heart of Dixie · May 5, 2020

I have an Avast ATO and it has worked flawlessly for over 3 years. With a pump it will be around $150.00. It gets good reviews. It is made in the US.

DanConnor · May 5, 2020

Yes- I like the avast style with a pressure switch. I have used avast for several years and no problems; currently use the Spectra-pure ato. Probably the best I've owned- pressure switch type also, but with an included failsafe switch (also pressure).

Valhalla Reefer · May 5, 2020

Afrashz said:
Hey guys, I’m looking to buy an ATO for my new frag tank and I’m having a real hard time finding one with decent reviews with a decent price. The one I have on my DT is only sold to retailers so I can’t get one. My question is, what is the best ATO for a decent price (100$ or less) that you guys have had success with and where can I buy it. I would rather have an ATO with a pump not gravity fed. Thanks!!

I used simple gravity method with a float valve for many years successfully. But I’m my latest build I wasn’t able to..after researching extensively, I found the most reliable and economical to be Avast Marines ATO. They don’t rely on any float switches or optical sensors...and use pressure instead. Under 100 and I’ve never heard of a failure.

Can be used with any pump..I use along with Avast’s Diaphram pump.

Wish you the best in your endeavors. Cheers

Saltydog90 · May 5, 2020

Auto aqua smart micro works amazing on my reef

frostedreef · May 5, 2020

Montiman said:
The only cheap Optical ATO I have used is the Auto Aqua Smart ATO Micro. I had constant issues with mine.

Another good affordable option I just thought off are the Spectrapure pressure switch sockets. The pressure switches are very reliable but kinda big in the tank. The sockets are only around $60 but they don't include a pump or magnet mount. You may be close to $100 when all is said and done.

I also have the aqua smart ATO micro. What constant issues are you havin?

PhilT · May 5, 2020

I have the tunze nano and it’s been fine on my 65 tank, not as many safety checks. I have the bigger osmolator on my reefer and it works well. The optical sensor stopped working after a couple years and the tunze US rep had me mail it in and he fixed for free under warranty.

Blknovass · May 5, 2020

I have been running my Auto Aqua ATO for a year now. Only issue is the optic sensor has to be cleaned(duh). No issues my stepfather has had his 9 month cause mine worked so well and again nothing but good things.

Valhalla Reefer · May 5, 2020

Val Halla said:
I used simple gravity method with a float valve for many years successfully. But I’m my latest build I wasn’t able to..after researching extensively, I found the most reliable and economical to be Avast Marines ATO. They don’t rely on any float switches or optical sensors...and use pressure instead. Under 100 and I’ve never heard of a failure.

Can be used with any pump..I use along with Avast’s Diaphram pump.

Wish you the best in your endeavors. Cheers

One nice aspect of using diaphragm or peristaltic pump to run ATO is that they’re fine to run dry in the event your top off reservoir runs out.

Long Island Reefer · May 5, 2020

Love my XP Aqua duetto, works perfectly and is spot on, BUT my sensor is in my DP and on 2 occasions one of my snails crawled onto my sensor at night and the unit over filled my tank to the point that the alarm went off. If your going to put the sensor in your DP and have snails I would be careful and keep a close eye on it.

nature786 · May 5, 2020

I have used the Tunze nano and regular (3155 I think) for the past 10 years. I have never had an issue with them. I've also had an avast and that was just as good.

Loggerhead · May 5, 2020

My first one I had was a kit from autotopoff.com that is now being sold under the aquahub name on BRS. I had it for years, somewhere between 6-10 years. You will need to buy a few things (pump and hose and I think an extension cord) but you will be under $100. It is do it yourself and not the prettiest but it was a work horse. It was still working in December when I did my tank upgrade and switched to a tunze.

WvAquatics · May 5, 2020

Great thread as I'm looking into ATO. I have been leaning on the reefbreeders. And now I'm leaning even more into it!

Crustaceon · May 5, 2020

I’ve been using an icecap ato for the last few years with no problems and only now switched to an autoaqua awc system.

X-37B · May 5, 2020

Tunze nano on my 45 frag system. It came off
my nano and is over 3 years old and going strong.
Tunze 3155 on my 120.

Daniel92481 · May 6, 2020

Another vote for Auto Aqua smart ATO micro. A little more than $100, but worth every penny IMO.

Montiman · May 6, 2020

frostedreef said:
I also have the aqua smart ATO micro. What constant issues are you havin?

I had several floods from the unit overfilling as well as a bad sensor that needed replacement. No longer have the unit though.

FLSharkvictim · May 6, 2020

When it comes to ATO system you can't beat #Neptune Systems #FMM - V / ATO in my personal opinion.. In all of the ATOs i have bought over the last decade this one is the most reliable since you can hook up a few leak detectors so ya really cant go wrong! Its not the cheapest one on the market but you don't want to cut corners on 1 of the most important pcs of gear that you're going to have running on your system constantly! Plus, #Neptune Systems has made where you don't need a control to hook it all up and getting up and running running! I have mine set up and connected to my ApexEL Controller and my ATO water sits in my Synergy 10 gallon ATO Container thats next to my CL-44 synergy sump, so I you're not constantly pumping new ATO water in your sump if that makes sense?

GabeM · May 6, 2020

I had 2 of the auto aqua ATOs the first one stopped working completely and the second one suddenty stopped turning off when it reached the sensor completely, luckily I was home but it flooded the kitchen floor and I had to make some sudden salt deposits which is never advisable.

fcmatt · May 6, 2020

Tunze. The more expensive one. I have had mine for over 12 years and is still working as is. In use for over 8 of those 12 years. Just buy it new and be done with it.