Best top off system under $100

[Harold Green]

I have a 210 gallon tank and was fortunate to have a utility room behind it. Not as high tech but I have a float switch in the sump with a secondary float switch above it in the event of failure. In the utility room I have three 30 gallon containers. A half inch pvc pipe runs across all three with a shut off valve above each container and a final valve after the last container. There is a small pump in each container. The first container has a line fed from the ro unit to a float switch. The second container has kalk added to the ro water. The third container has made up salt to match the tank. The second container pump is plugged into an outlet controlled by a relay, controlled by the sump float switch. By opening or shutting valves I can pump ro water to the second or third container as needed. By unplugging the ato pump and plugging in the pump in the salt mix along with opening and closing the appropriate valves I can do a water change by siphoning water from the tank and allowing the ato to replace it at the same time. As I said, not high tech but I don't have to carry any water since I have a bath close enough to siphon waste water into. It's as easy as a senior could ever hope for and probably cost me less than the $100 mentioned. In the event of both float switches failing the sump will hold almost the full amount of water in the ato tank.

 

[PostShawn]

Do any of the ATO's out there have both a backup sensor for your sump (or where ever you put the water) and a stop switch for your ATO reservoir incase it gets too low?

The JBJ seems to have one or the other. The Hydor is cool because of the sensors but I wish they had a secondary stop switch even if it was just a float since it's not going to have most of the possible disruptions the floats can encounter. I think I remember someone basically creating their own using 3 floats but I wonder if you can somehow splice a float into the Hydor system to turn off your pump if it got too low?

 

[redfishbluefish]

Do any of the ATO's out there have both a backup sensor for your sump (or where ever you put the water) and a stop switch for your ATO reservoir incase it gets too low?

The Aquahub Deluxe has the three switches as you describe...HERE.

 

[PostShawn]

Thank you.

The Aquahub Deluxe has the three switches as you describe...HERE.

 

[vic67]

Autotopoff.com I use the in sump dual switch model.

 

[vhuang168]

I'm running the AquaMedic Refill. Main sensor is optical, failsafe sensor is electronic. Also has a run dry float sensor in the reservoir. Comes with pump. All for $99. Works well. Only issue I had was with micro bubbles messing up the optical sensor. Micro bubbles came from my skimmer that is still breaking in and I have no bubble trap in the back chamber.

 

[fishboy15]

THERE IS SO MANY!! I just want an easy and reliable top off(( I still don't know with all the suggestions

 

[fishboy15]

Thinking about this one

 

[Ufzach]

Autotopoff.com. Custom float switches with power inverters made to your ur specification very cheap, Like under $40 cheap, and excellent quality. That and a bucket of fresh water and a $20 marineland pump and u have ur system.

 

[fishboy15]

Are those reliable?

 

[Chameleon]

Are those reliable?

Yes very

 

[PaulKreider]

I've been using the Hydor Smart level, works perfectly for me, in conjunction with a toms aqualifter.

 

[kacrocorals581]

I have the blue line tsunami on all my tanks for yrs after set up haven't touched since, and can get everything you need for under 100$

 

[fishboy15]

What about the tunze osmolator 3152? What's the difference between the 3152 and 3155?

 

[reefwiser]

Tunze 3152

just uses on level probe.

the 3155 uses two with one being a high water level probe. The probes can be installed on separate magnetic mounts tool

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

Nice thread!

 

[VTek]

+1 on the Tunze ATO. The little extra $ will definitely outweigh re-flooring a room in a situation where the tank may overflow caused by a stuck float switch! Tunze all the way.

 

[Mark Siy]

I also use the Tunze ATO (3152) and it works perfectly now, however when I first installed it, I had a few problems with the controller not working properly due to placement of the controller (right next to my lighting power "bricks") and the cables all wound up and tied up. Placing the controller away from the power "bricks" and unravelling all the cables fixed all the issues. Also ensure you clean the float switch every couple of months and refill that RO/DI reservoir!!

 

[DurocShark]

I have a Tunze 3152 on each of my tanks. The 3 minute cutoff is awesome! I would like the dual sensor 3155, but the cost just didn't make sense to me.

 

[ProjectAnemone]

http://www.avastmarine.com/products/ato-kit