Best ATO?

[Miketc17]

I'm going away for school in January so an ATO is going to be a must for me since I'll only be home bi-weekly or so. I have a 40B. I've had my eye on the Smart ATO, but I've read lots of mixed reviews. I was hoping you guys could help point me in the right direction towards a good unit. Thanks!

 

[brooks]

I have been using the smart ATO for 6 months. No fluctuations in SG. Plug and Play, works great.

 

[DogueDeBordeaux]

I have always liked the spectrapure UPLC.

 

[YodaHart]

I love my hydor smart level. Been using it for a year with no problems at all.

 

[G_Sanab922]

Tunze! Tunze Osmolator Universal 3155 - Bulk Reef Supply Probably can find it somewhere else for cheaper but just to show you. Good reviews on this. Test run your ATO set up before leaving it unattended for long periods of time to make sure you did it correctly. Placement can be key.

 

[Miketc17]

I have been using the smart ATO for 6 months. No fluctuations in SG. Plug and Play, works great.

I've heard issues with the lens part? How often do you have to clean it? That's the only issue I've read.

I have always liked the spectrapure UPLC.

I'm between the Smart ATO and this one as well. I just like the Smart ATO because it's so compact.

Tunze! Tunze Osmolator Universal 3155 - Bulk Reef Supply Probably can find it somewhere else for cheaper but just to show you. Good reviews on this. Test run your ATO set up before leaving it unattended for long periods of time to make sure you did it correctly. Placement can be key.

This is also another option I've been looking at. But it looks like it has a lot of pieces compared to the Smart ATO.

 

[SchnitzelReef]

Tunze is the best stand alone ATO out there.

 

[jt17]

I've used Tunze and spectrapure for 2 years now and no problems with either. Spectrapure is more quiet and it uses a pressure switch intend of an "eye". The only issue with the spectra pure is the suction cups that hold the tube for the pressure switch in place are cheap. Ive had them work their way loose before and fall into the water thus tripping the switch and turning off the ATO. Tunze has high power magnets that hold the sensor in place and it does not move. Both have a secondary high water switch to shut the ATO off, which every ATO should have. you can't go wrong with either one.

 

[brooks]

Was moving stuff around on Sunday so I took it off. Had a slight film on it so I wiped it off. It's been a couple months maybe 3. Works so well I forget about it.

 

[AZDesertRat]

Spectrapure UPLC-II. Its been flawless for over 6 years now!

The suction cups aren't an issue if you take their advice and apply a dab of silicone to each suction cup before attaching them to the glass.

 

[MrDJeep123]

I love my hydor smart level. Been using it for a year with no problems at all.

I would put my name in the hat for this unit, however, I cannot do that currently. I am having issues with mine. It was bought in April and has been used since. My issues currently consist of: random warning beeps, pump turns on when the submerged alarm should, the pump comes on immediately after calibration, more random beeps, and the alarm comes on when there is no reason for it to do so. I've been awoke by it several mornings now only to find nothing is wrong.
I contacted Hydor today and received immediate responses. However, they've only consisted of have you cleaned the sensor and reiterating what I've told them. It's a start.

 

[udsmkh]

I have an Elos ATO. It has worked great since I got it 10 months ago.

 

[aqua1dude]

I use the Tunze Ozmolator. It's been great. I have had a few instances in which it put too much water in the sump which caused my skimmer to overflow due to the higher water level. It has never got to the point where it overfilled the sump. The backup float switch would stop the pump well before it would get to that point.

 

[Piranhapat]

This what I have used for 2 years without ever doing anything, Autotopoff.com. Myself wondering its time for updating my ATO too. Used Tom aqua lifter never once did anything to it either. Very reliable and very cheap. I'm looking at auto aqua smart and hydro smart level too. Tunze I heard good things. But looking at the price when I only paid $60 for my current ATO makes me think how reliable my worked. Still no trouble with it but feels like I should buy a newer one. The only thing I can say is how you install these units. How you keep you sump clean may play a role how each unit works. Just wondering if it's not broke should I try fixing it. Interested and following this trend...

 

[RacinRevo0818]

Tunze ato is the most reliable I've found. 2+ years running with kalk water and no problems.

 

[Miketc17]

Thanks for the help, guys. I'm going to pull the trigger on the Smart ATO, the compact size sold me. We'll see how it does.

 

[akitareefer]

my most reliable ato is my float valve

 

[brooks]

Good luck. Hope it works out for you...

 

[Shep]

Thanks for the help, guys. I'm going to pull the trigger on the Smart ATO, the compact size sold me. We'll see how it does.

Any update? How is it working so far?

 

[FLipp]

smart ato, or tunze.