Best ATO system for the price?

[Broadfield]

Personally, I would never use an ATO that doesn't have a max runtime feature. That way if every sensor, float and backup sensor/float fails, it will only run for a specified time in a 24 hour period. Mine needs to run for about 9 minutes per day to keep up with the evaporation. So my max runtime is set to 10 minutes. So if a sensor fails and the pump is set to the on position, mine will only run for an extra minute per 24 hours. At that rate, I could do nothing to fix the sensor issue, and it would take 3 weeks before my sump would overflow. For this reason, I run the Puratek Auto Level Controller. On top of the max runtime, its water level sensor doesn't even mount in the water... it mounts on the outside. It can even see through solid colored objects... like black Brute trashcans, solid colored acrylic on your sump and so on. If it does reach the max runtime within a 24 hour period, then it will emit an awful alarm tone to alert there may be an issue. The new Apex ATK will also do max runtime and learn on its own how much water is needed to keep up with evaporation. I think there's a couple of other brands that have a max runtime feature, but I do not recall what they are.

 

[GSB]

JBJ works well. If you have an APEX, the cheapest solution is float switches on the breakout box

 

[reeferfoxx]

My Hydor smart ATO failed after 2 years. Went with the Autoaqua smart ATO micro. Can't vouch for longevity though.

 

[rbraunberger]

I have a tunze and the new apex ATK. Do the ATK!

 

[jporter17]

Can't believe the Spectrapure ATO hasn't been mentioned. Just got a second one for my QT tank. Worth every penny. JP

 

[sromero287]

Smart ATO flawlessly for three years without a single issue, its going to my frag tank. Just bought the Apex ATK and pick this one for the three layers of protection, two optical sensors and a floating shut off valve, in case any of last three ones fail the ATK after three days of operating will measure the average evaporation in your tank and if sense is replacing a 10% more than usual stops and send u an email and txt msg to check everything and last but not least have a port to connect a leak detection device that once active will turn off return pump, skimmer and ATO!!!! Miles away from competitors. [emoji106][emoji225][emoji886]

 

[jeffrey holloway]

Tunze, until everybody else catches up. Some parts of this hobby U just can't cut corners, the ATO system is one of them.

 

[MikeA]

AutoAqua Smart ATO Micro has worked flawlessly for me.

 

[JasPR]

But I have had no problem with mine in over 4 years. My computer screwed up my post.[/QUO

 

[JasPR]

what is amazing about all these responses is the complete opposite experiences. Often I see reviews on this one or that one and spending on how LONG someone has owned a brand, their opinions change! The truth is, these are all inexpensive pieces of electronics which are expected to provide a most important function! To keep the water level even without overflowing! The law of Murphy says, own one of these long enough and something WILL go wrong--- over flows, dilution of SG, running dry and that OH SO annoying constant alarm * usually in the middle of the night! in the end, trust but verify. In addition to brand there is the issue of human error in installation. don't set the system up so there is a chance of back fill/gravity back up. install horizontally and don't introduce the water below water level. Someday, some one will invent a reliable STO system. Until then, keep an eye out for design failure

 

[sundog101]

Avast marine is by far the best I've had.

 

[mcarroll]

Personally, I would never use an ATO that doesn't have a max runtime feature.

Nothing wrong with that!

But to me it's more of a pump-saving feature than a failsafe. (One more computer to go haywire at just the wrong moment. )

An ATO reservoir doesn't need to be any bigger than what water-volume will fit into the tank without flooding.

Setting it up this way usually eliminates all the problems associated with stuck-on sensors or confused computers.

The ATO doing a 100% dump is no more significant than a rain shower over a reef – a minor drop in salinity so it won't even matter if you catch it right away.

When my reservoir runs dry, the pump makes a racket and a half and that's how I know when to refill.

I use cheap-but-not-the-cheapest pumps for ATO.....Eco+. Pumps seem to last about 10 years doing it this way.

(The pump never actually runs dry since there's no suction to draw water down past the impeller....it just sloshes and makes a lot of noise.)

If I were doing a remote installation, I'd like to have a pump-saver though.

 

[mcarroll]

Puratek Auto Level Controller

That looks pretty nice! Do you know how it compares feature-wise with the Tunze 7607?

Water level alarm
comes with three sensors, a run-dry sensor and two overflow sensors.


I know they're at least a little similar and the Tunze is about $50 less, but not sure beyond that.

 

[mcarroll]

On top of the max runtime, its water level sensor doesn't even mount in the water... it mounts on the outside.

I've looked at some of these, but they're always targeted at the industrial market and priced like $xxx.xx or even more.

I suppose the weakness of this is that it might be more likely to be bumped off the container accidentally. (Nothing is perfect, and I don't mind "known knowns". )

Is it a simple magnet attachment?

 

[Forsaken77]

Can't believe the Spectrapure ATO hasn't been mentioned. Just got a second one for my QT tank. Worth every penny. JP

Because that's not a cheaper option like the OP wanted. I have the older Spectrapure UPLC-II. Had it for a little over a year and never used it.

 

[jporter17]

Because that's not a cheaper option like the OP wanted. I have the older Spectrapure UPLC-II. Had it for a little over a year and never used it.

I read the thread as best ATO for price, not the cheapest. I forgot what a budget hobby this was, my mistake.

 

[Forsaken77]

I read the thread as best ATO for price, not the cheapest. I forgot what a budget hobby this was, my mistake.

No offense meant. The way I read the question was what ato performs the best for the least amount of money, not the cheapest one available. The Icecap, Micro, and Tunze all perform well and are cheaper. The Spectrapure seems like it's made for if you need to send water a far distance. At least that's what the pump is capable of.

Like I said, I have the UPLC-II, the one that came with suction cups. Do you have the newer Spectrapure ATO? The one with the magnets? I have a magnetic option I can use for it insteaf of the cups, but the instructions aren't very clear.

I don't understand the 10 cycles per minute thing.

 

[Laith]

Tunze

 

[Joseph Honaker]

Have had them all. Hands down by far the most accurate precise and bulletproof, for any size tank, is the Spectrapure ultra precise ATO. Its perfect. Nuff said.

 

[sikorskys]

Tunze 3155 works great. Waaay too noisy for me though.